Right?
If it wouldn’t damage Marnie’s restaurant, I’d cut a hole in the ground and bury myself alive.
I straightened my shoulders, took a deep breath, and pushed all thoughts of the shifter out of my head. Out of sight, out of mind.
With that, I went to work on the plants.
Several minutes later, I’d gotten all three untangled, which lessened their distress, but they were all still suffering. I couldn’t do magic with the humans still inside, so when Marnie brought over my food and the brew she’d specially made, I whispered to her that I’d either come back before opening time or I could wait until the restaurant closed.
“We’re closing in twenty. Best do it tonight if they’re doing that poorly.” Marnie clicked her tongue. “Someone dropped those by today and asked if we wanted them. I hadn’t even had the chance to look at them yet, but you heard their call, didn’t you?”
I never spoke about my abilities, but Marnie and her sister knew I had a way with flowers. My answer was a shrug. She patted me on the shoulder. “Just let me know what you need, darling. I’ll let you know when we officially close up.”
Thirty minutes later, I left three happy plants in brand new spots and two grateful witches cleaning up for the night. When one table, full of humans who’d overstayed their welcome, stared at my work a little too hard, Marnie bustled over, winked, and said to them, “Evie is such a wizard with plants! I’ve never seen a greener thumb on anyone except her grandmother! If you think this is amazing, you should pop over to her shop…”
I left Marnie happily plugging my business, while the humans stared at her wide-eyed and overwhelmed.
The town square still bustled with people, though most had sparkling auras telling me they were all residents of Joy Springs and not tourists. Not everyone here had magic, but for the most part, this place attracted its fair share of witches and shifters. Moira was one of maybe half a dozen vampires who lived here, and Ash was the only dryad I knew of. Tess was the only banshee I’d ever met, though she hung out in the local cemetery, and I could only assume she had one or two banshee friends living there.
I waved at a few people I recognized from coming into my shop and kept walking until I found the local gelato food truck. My appetite always went haywire when I used a lot of magic, and today I’d burned more than normal. Hattie’s peony planting tipped me over the edge, and even though Marnie had fed me enough food for an army, I still had a little room for gelato.
La Sirena Gelato had no set schedule. It appeared when the proprietor, Sirena, felt like showing up. Interestingly enough, it was always here when I hankered for one of her unique flavors. The line was surprisingly busy tonight, so I got behind a small woman to wait my turn.
The truck was hand-painted a soothing blue and decorated with swirls of sea foam and celestial doodles. A constantly changing menu was tacked to the side of the truck right next to the window where you ordered. Two new flavors were listed: Moonberry Mint, a mix of pistachio, berry, and wild mint that was supposed to clear any regrets you had for the day. Not a bad choice. The other was a lavender and citrus gelato that might cause lucid dreaming if you ate it too close to the witching hour. I glanced at my silver watch. Eleven p.m. I should be safe.
When it was my turn, Sirena leaned out the window and gave me a flirty wink. I grinned and tossed a dollar in her tipjar before ordering. Her name wasn’t just pretty, it was a direct description of what she was.
Sirena had dark hair, sea foam green eyes, and a body that would stop traffic. I was always on my guard around her because Sirena was a siren. She could literally lure you into the back of her truck, seduce you, drain your bank account, and turn you back onto the street with a smile on your face. And Sirena wasn’t choosy. If you were attractive, she was game.
“Hello, lovely girl,” Sirena said, her low and husky voice brushing against my skin. Goosebumps rose on my arms. “What can I get you tonight?”
“You can turn it down some, first of all,” I said dryly.
Sirena dripped magic even when she wasn’t trying, but from the way her eyes were sparkling, she was definitely trying tonight.
She pouted. “You’re far too beautiful to be so lonely, Evangeline.”
I stiffened. Evangeline was my full name, and only my mother called me that.
Sirena leaned a little farther out the window, her bosoms right at eye level. “You know, I’d give you a spin for free if you were interested.”
I blinked. “Err. I appreciate that, but I’m just here for the gelato.”
Sirena huffed and retreated back into the window. “I’d make it worth your while, darling. If you change your mind, I’ll be here.”
That’s what I was afraid of. “Just the lavender for this evening, Sirena. Though I’m flattered by the offer, I’m not in the market and have no interest in dating.”
Her seafoam eyes swirled with magic. “You will, little Evangeline. Sooner than you think.”
I stilled. This was the second time she’d called me Evangeline. No one knew my real name, and no one called me by it. Sirena wasn’t close enough to me for the familiarity she used. My nostrils flared, and I opened my mouth to give her a piece of my mind and remind her to keep her pert little nose out of my business when she handed me a wad of napkins, a spoon, and a larger cup of gelato than the one I ordered.
“On the house this time,” she said with a rueful smile. “I’m rarely a pain in the ass, but there’s something in the air tonight.” Sirena rubbed her hands over her arms. “Dangerous things prowl this evening.”
I took the gelato, unable to formulate a proper response.
“The lavender is a good choice. Soothing and grounding for all the magic you’ll use tonight.” Sirena winked. “I’ll see you soon, Evie.”
“See you soon,” I echoed, shaking my head as I turned away. I had zero plans to use any magic tonight, so it was an odd thing to say.
