It’s just not worth the risk that something could happen to her or the rest of my family, so it’s a good thing to put some distance between us.
Black Cove isn’t bad. It actually reminds me a lot of Haven, but there are more demons, vampires, and dark fae here than there are back home, meaning Ishouldfit right in.
I even got my first paying job.
Spellbound is a small magic shop just off Main Street in downtown Black Cove. The old witch who owns the place,Lisette, has been ready to retire. She just didn’t have anyone capable of taking over for her.
Granted, I’m not a witch, but I am currently pretending to be one. My mother is a blood witch, but my demonic side won out when it came to my gifts. Which is weird because when I’m in my human form, others always say I smell like a witch.
Perhaps they’re just scenting my magic.
Or maybe the universe gave me a built-in camouflage method to help keep me alive.
I don’t know, but it is lucky.
Lisette knows I’m not actually a witch, or rather, she thinks I’m a demon-witch hybrid. She had the opportunity to see my demon side in action when I had a small run-in with Greer’s mates, but she was willing to at least give me a shot at running the day-to-day operations of the store.
Being a devourer allows me to sense someone’s greatest sins, deepest regrets, and sometimes I’m able to parcel out what they fear coming to fruition. From that, I’m able to fake a damn good tarot reading or premonition.
Basically, between my demon magic and the tiny sliver of gifts that I received from my mother, I’m able to keep the shop afloat until Lisette finds someone to run it permanently.
There are some things that have to wait for her, since I don’t have the ability to craft spells, but it’s not like she never comes in anymore. She just has me to help out so she can take a day off here or there.
Overall, I think I’m adjusting well.
It has to be a difficult experience for any child to leave the nest, but I’m independent by nature.
It’s just been a complicated adjustment because I love my family. Very few things, outside of worrying about my loved ones, actually scare me. But that’s because I’ve learnedI’mthe thing most beings fear. At least, the ones who’ve met my monster.
Truthfully, though, I consider myself mostly peaceful. If I were to devour everyone who sins, there would be no one left in the human realm. Every being cycles through the minor ones on a daily basis. It takes a truly tainted soul for me to take notice, and it has to be one of the worst before my monster urges me to feed.
Speaking of being hungry, I might need to seek out a meal tonight. It’s been close to a week, and I’m getting a little peckish.
Lisette brought new spellbooks by this morning, but I’m finally getting the chance to get them put away. There’s something about the leather that makes me want to run my fingertips over it. They have such a distinct smell between the bindings and old paper.
I love it.
Maybe it’s the connection to history, but I’m fascinated by ancient things. I technically have no need for spellbooks. Although I could see myself collecting them one day, if for no other reason than to preserve knowledge.
Certain types of witches use grimoires while others don’t. My mother never had much need for them, but she does keep several that were passed down from her grandmother. Though she rarely uses them, I have seen her pull them out to use as reference material.
Maybe it’s their power that draws me to them, or it could be their deep connection to generations past.
The jingling bell above the door catches my attention as I place the maroon book on the shelf. By the time I spin around, the energy changes enough that I jolt.
“I much preferred you all bent over with that luscious arse in the air,” a husky male voice says so close to my ear that I can feel his warm breath on my throat.
Annex.
That sexy incubus likes to pop in when I’m least expecting him. I’ve only been in town for a few weeks, but he comes in every couple of days.
He’s also new in town, and I believe he might be lonely. I can’t think of another reason why he pops in so frequently just to chat.
Annex came to Black Cove to help out at the club my friend Greer’s mates own. He took over fueling the sex club portion of the business so Seiran wouldn’t have to work seven days a week.
Having an incubus invigorate the club with their magic is a sure-fire way to keep the business thriving. I’ve never experienced it, but I’ve read that incubi magic can induce a high similar to very potent human drugs.
Monsters will travel and pay quite a premium to enjoy that kind of debauchery.
