by Erin Johnson
“Ugh.” Heaviness settled on me, and I suddenly felt exhausted. “I have to go to another one of these things?”
“Oh, come on.” Heidi leaned her head back on my shoulder. “It’s a party—it’ll be fun.”
Will didn’t look up from the catalog. “Famous last words.”
15
Potent Potions Party
“Hey, hon! Ee! So glad you made it!” Heidi’s upline, a woman named Sue, pulled my friend in first, pelted her cheeks with air kisses, then stretched her arms out to me. The whites showed all around her eyes as she gasped. “And you brought friends!”
Sue pulled me into a tight hug, my arms pinned to my sides, and gave me the air kiss treatment, then rose on her toes to attempt the same with Will. I grinned back at my friend, who had to stoop to get through the door.
“Welcome, welcome!” She squeezed through the entry, past me and Heidi, and led the way into her living room. “Make yourselves at home. The party will start soon.”
She spread her arms wide, gesturing to bowls of chips and platters of finger foods spread out on a clear glass coffee table. Women, old and young, perched on the edge of two white sofas, nibbling snacks and sipping from glasses of wine.
One of them adjusted her seat, and the couch squeaked and groaned under her. I tried to hold back a smirk and didn’t dare chance a look at Will—I’d lose it for sure. It was the telltale sound of a spill protection spell, which made the couch impervious to ruin, but also noisy and incredibly stiff and uncomfortable.
Sue bustled back through the doorway to the kitchen, where a dozen women crowded together around the dining room table and counters. Her home was a typical Darkmoon place—cramped, but cozy, with nice but outdated furniture. I glanced back at Will.
“Still glad you came?”
My friend heaved a heavy sigh and zeroed in on a bottle of red on the coffee table. “Wine. Now.”
I grinned. He’d claimed he was just coming along for laughs, but I had a sneaking suspicion Will had drunk a little of the potion the night before and was at least a bit intrigued. He bustled forward, casting simpering smiles at the ladies on the couch, then poured himself an enormous glass of wine. I hoped I was wrong.
Heidi got pulled into the kitchen to help cut cucumbers, so I drifted over to Will and poured the rest of the wine—which turned out to be a thimbleful—into a clean glass. I shot him a flat look. “Thanks for leaving some for the rest of us.”
He took a swig from his glass and made a face. “Once you taste it, you’ll thank me.”
A lady with short curled hair and a big smile finger waved us over. “You two new?”
I nodded while Will tipped his head back and took a few gulps of wine.
“Well, welcome.” The woman made introductions, and I immediately forgot the names of everyone on the couch, though I nodded politely. “You two both interested in becoming consultants?”
I opened my mouth, but curly hair didn’t wait for me to answer. “I just love it when couples sign up together.” She winked at me. “Husband and wife duos always sell better than singles.” She sniffed at the woman beside her. “Wish I could get my hubby to sign up with me—he’d never agree to be my downline though! Ha!”
The women on the couch giggled, while I shot Will an amused look. He didn’t return it.
“I’m nobody’s downline, m’kay?” He stood with one hip cocked, swirling his glass of red, a distasteful curl to his lip.
The curly-haired woman waved a hand at him. “Oh, it’s not an insult, hon. We’re all somebody’s downline.”
The ladies nodded in agreement, and Will sniffed, his expression softening slightly.
I grinned. “Besides, we’re not togeth—”
He flung an arm out, blocking me, and slid slightly in front of me. “You say couples make more money? How much are we talking?”
I rolled my eyes at his back. Snakes. He’d taken the bait.
I gritted my teeth and muttered at him, “You’re just here for laughs, remember? To hear the ‘drivel,’ as you put it, that they sucker in the gullible with?”
He waved a hand and hissed at me to be quiet. “Don’t be rude, Jolene, it doesn’t hurt to at least hear them out.”
I folded my arms and polished off the rest of my measly glass of wine. I definitely needed more to get through this.
I sidestepped around Will and addressed the curly-haired lady. “So how about that summit yesterday, huh?”
The ladies on the couch all nodded.
“Such a tragedy.”
“I can’t believe Mama Pearl is gone.”
“Yeah, yeah, it was awful.” I waved it off, just wanting to get my information and get out of there. “But I meant those protesters. Can you believe they had the gall?”
A blond on the loveseat clicked her tongue. “So disrespectful.” She leaned forward and looked around at us all. “You know, I heard Carolyn tried to get her entire downline to join her in boycotting the summit.”
The women all muttered and shook their heads.
“Such a betrayal. I can’t even imagine.”
“You know, we grew up together, but I’ll never speak to her again.”
Another nodded. “She’s dead to me.”
I raised my brows. Wow. Now I understood what Peyton meant last night about being in or out—if you were out with these ladies, you were really out.
I licked my lips. “What—what was that name again? Carolyn what?”
The blond blinked at me, confused. “Carolyn Lopez?”
I snapped my fingers. “That’s the one. She was the leader of the protests?”
The blond shrugged. “That’s what I hear. You know, it’s one thing if you just can’t cut it, but it’s another to turn around and blame Potent Potions—after everything they’ve done for us.”
The ladies raised their glasses in agreement, and I winked at Will. I’d gotten the information I wanted, and now it was time to make my escape. “Well, thanks, ladies, it’s been swell, but I’ve got to get—”
“Everybody take your seats, it’s presentation time!”
Sue and her friends swept in from the kitchen, snack trays in hand. They herded everyone deeper into the living room, and I found myself being jostled to a spot with Will behind the couches. I frowned toward the front door—I was trapped, shoulder to shoulder, at least six women away from sweet, sweet freedom.
16
Open Up!
Ladies perched on the arms of couches and sat down on the floor, the couches at their backs. Heidi slid onto the arm of an easy chair, while Will and I stood in the back. My spirits sank as I realized I was trapped. My shoulders slumped as I looked at my empty wineglass—had I wandered into a nightmare?
Sue swished her wand through the air, and the lamps dimmed. A floating, glowing gold chest hovered in front of her, and the lid lifted—purple light spilling out.
“Ladies, and Will, thank you so much for coming to my party tonight. But it’s not just a party—no.” Sue waggled a finger. “It’s so much more.”
I snickered and looked to Will to share an eye roll, but he shushed me. Oh, great. He’d gone traitor—I was alone.
Tiny glowing vials of potions floated out of the velvet-lined interior of the chest. Sue stepped forward and uncorked the first one. “Potent Potions offers a full range of proprietary blends designed to support you and your loved ones. Potent Potions isn’t about what’s inside the vials”—Sue swept an arm across the room—“it’s about what’s inside you.”
She lifted one palm. “What are your dreams? Financial freedom? Becoming an independent seller is the fastest, most proven way to make a boatload of money on your own schedule. All it takes is hard work and believing in yourself. Why, just look at me.” She fluffed her black bob. “I’ve been able to quit my job. Why, I had to, just to keep up with the workload.”
I frowned and muttered to Will, “Is that a good thing?”
“You!” Sue pointed at me, and all thirtysomethin
g sets of eyes swiveled my way. My heart picked up its pace. “What’s your job?”
I gulped. “Pet psychic.”
Sue’s smile faltered for only a moment before she plastered it back on her face. “And wouldn’t you love to quit to be your own boss?”
I pressed my lips into a tight line. “I mean… I already am but—”
The curly-haired lady on the couch cut me off. “My sister recently found out she can talk to animals.”
I froze. Did this lady somehow know my secret?
“She realized the only men she talks to are pigs!” Curly slapped her thigh and erupted into bawdy laughter while all the women tittered.
Sue adjusted her cardigan and went on with her presentation. “Don’t we all want independence? To spend more time with our families? To be able to afford a vacation now and then?”
The women around me all nodded—even Will snorted. “Or a vacation ever.”
Sue uncorked the vials, one by one, as they floated in a line around the room past our faces, each glowing a different color. Some fizzed, others swirled, and they all smelled of various herbs and fruits. “Potent Potions holds powerful healing properties—you can help your family stay healthy and strong while bringing in more income. And a starter chest like this one is only five hundred merkles!”
I choked as Sue began to rattle off the names of the potions. Five hundred merkles! Who had that kind of money lying around to spend on this nonsense?
“Snakes blend is great for under-eye circles, but it also cured my mother’s dementia.”
I snorted but tried to cover it up with a cough. A few women around me shot me looks. I licked my lips and tried to hide my grin. Who could believe such a claim? I mean, sure, the vials smelled pretty good, but I was pretty sure the magical community at large would be clamoring for a cure for dementia if it actually worked. I arched a brow. Or under-eye circles, for that matter.
“And this one”—Sue held up a glowing green vial before releasing it to let it float about the room on display—“almost brought my dog back from the dead.”
I frowned. What the shell did almost mean?
The women nodded appreciatively. Was no one else concerned by that?
“Careful with this one.” Sue winked, then allowed a glowing purple vial to float away from her hands. “Twinkle Cloud helps calm nerves, but take too much, and you’ll sleep like the dead.”
The room quieted, and Sue quickly recovered. “Bad choice of words.” She pointed to the sky. “Let’s all take a moment of silence to honor poor Mama Pearl.”
The woman all clasped their hands and bowed their heads. Intensely uncomfortable, I glanced to my right at Will and found him hanging his head. I elbowed him, and he flashed his eyes at me, then went back to his moment of silence.
Had he not paid attention last night when I told him about the lavish vacations Pearl and Ralph were going on while their consultants were losing their houses? He hadn’t even known Pearl existed before last night, and now he was acting all solemn.
I heaved a sigh and glanced toward the exit. Maybe I could make a break for it? I’d have to shove my way through a tight crowd, though.
Three sharp knocks at the door broke the silence.
Sue shrugged. “Oh, latecomers.”
Polite laughter sounded around the room as the women relaxed and lifted their heads.
“Eep!” Sue let out a squeak and then scrambled back into the room, wide-eyed and nervous. “Come right in, Officer.”
“Officer?”
Murmurs sounded around the room as Peter and Daisy stepped into view. I couldn’t stifle a grin. Even though we were on the outs, Peter was a welcome sight.
I shot my arm in the air and waved to catch his attention. “Oh, snakes, come to arrest me again, Officer Flint?” Grinning, I slid toward him, the ladies pressing up against the walls and couches to make way for me. I leaned over Heidi and grabbed a bunch of grapes before sidling up to Peter and Daisy.
“Look at me, repeat felon, caught again.” I shrugged at the party at large. “What’re you gonna do?” I popped a grape in my mouth, then held my wrists out to Peter. “Alright, Officer, cuff me and take me away.” I shot Sue a smile. “Lovely party, thanks so much.” I waved at the party in general—Heidi looked completely unamused. “Bye, ladies!”
I hustled to the door and dove outside into the cool night, followed by Peter and Daisy. After the door closed behind us, I burst into laughter. We sauntered down the uneven cobblestones, past iron fire escapes and dark alleys, and for a moment I forgot all about the tension between Peter and me.
“Thanks for rescuing me.”
Peter only nodded, his expression grim, hands shoved in his pockets.
My mirth faded, and I felt my smile slide from my face. “You got my message?” I’d fastened a note to the outside of my door giving Peter the address of the party and my reason for going, in case he showed up at my place. It’d been a long shot that he’d come by tonight anyway, much less notice the note among all the peeling band posters and graffiti that covered the door.
“Well.” I shrugged. “Thanks.”
Peter kept his eyes forward as we headed uphill. “Did you get the name of the leader of the protest?”
I nodded. “Carolyn Lopez.”
Peter stopped, and Daisy and I came to a halt beside him. “I’ll call it in to the station.” He touched the gumball-sized device in his ear. “And get her address.”
Peter moved a few paces away, talking, I assumed, with Edna, the station manager.
I held a grape out to Daisy and whined. Want one?
She narrowed her dark eyes and sniffed it, then growled. Smells toxic.
I shrugged and popped the plump fruit into my mouth. When she didn’t add anything, I glanced down at the dog and woofed. What? You’re not going to say, just like my personality? Or maybe, toxic like my lies, or something?
Her ears flattened as she watched Peter, and she let out a pitiful whine. I’ve never seen him so down like this. I’m worried about him.
My throat grew tight. Peter paced, shoulders hunched, a scruffy beard on his pale face. I whined. He’ll be okay, Daisy. I gestured at my wrinkled band tee and torn jeans (not the fashionable kind). Let’s be honest, I’m not that hard to get over.
The dog tilted her head back to look at me, and the tip of her bushy tail wagged just the tiniest bit. She woofed. I was going to say, toxic like your breath.
I grinned, and she smiled back. There was the Daisy I knew.
17
The Protestor
Edna came through with Carolyn Lopez’s address, and luckily for us, she lived nearby. Within minutes, Peter, Daisy, and I stood outside her apartment on the second floor of a shabby thatched-roof building in the Darkmoon District. Peter knocked, and after some rustling and footsteps from inside, the door opened a crack—a safety chain keeping it tethered to the wall inside. A single dark eye peeked out at us.
“What do you want?”
I rocked on my heels. “Pleasant evening to you too, madam.”
“Carloyn Lopez?”
“Who’s asking?”
Peter leaned over so she could see the gold badge pinned to his uniform. “I’m Officer Flint, this is my partner, Daisy, and my associate, Ms. Hartgrave—we’d like to have a few words with you.”
The dark eye widened for just a moment as the woman inside took in Peter’s canine partner. The door closed, locks clicked, the chain slid, and then the woman, who I assumed was Carolyn, stepped aside and held the door for us. “Come in.”
Wow, what a warm welcome. I led the way into the cramped space. A tiny kitchen lay to the left, dirty dishes piled in the sink. Not that I was judging—at least the woman had plates to dirty. Mine were all the disposable kind. I edged into the combination living space/bedroom.
Picket signs were piled high on her bed to the left, while a threadbare couch and a crooked bookshelf comprised the living room. More picket signs lay stacked against the wall
under the window, where flashing neon lights shone through the thin curtains.
Beside them, golden chests, just like the one I’d seen Sue display at the Potent Potions party, were stacked at haphazard angles. There had to be dozens of them, and if they each cost five hundred merkles like Sue had quoted us, that represented a small fortune.
The woman tucked her shoulder-length black curly hair behind her ears. With a grim set to her mouth, she swept an arm toward the couch. “Please, have a seat.”
I perched on the edge of the sofa, and Daisy set her haunches down on the dusty rug between me and Peter. I leaned down and let out a quiet whine. Try not to shed too much.
She whipped her head around and glared at me, baring her teeth. This coming from the woman who trails dandruff behind her like fairy dust.
I let out a choked laugh, then nudged her with my knee. Good one.
She kept her eyes glued to Carolyn, but the tip of her tail wagged just the tiniest amount, brushing over the toe of my boot.
Carolyn dragged a wooden stool over from the kitchen breakfast bar and sat on it in front of us. “So what’s this about?”
She gathered her long cardigan around herself, and I studied her features. She did look vaguely familiar—I’d probably seen her at the protest the other night, but I couldn’t say for sure.
“We wanted to ask you about Pearl Litt’s recent death.”
Her lip curled in a cruel smile. “That witch got what she deserved.”
I dusted my hands off and glanced at Peter. “Well, then. Case closed?”
His lip twitched, but that tiny spark of a smile died as quickly as it’d started. I sank back on the couch and drummed my fingers on my thigh—it was a weird day when I shared more laughs with Daisy than Peter.
He leaned forward and laced his hands together between his knees. “Why do you say that?” He jerked his chin toward the picket signs under the window. “We understand you used to be a consultant for Potent Potions—why were you leading a protest outside the summit the night Pearl Litt died?”