“You know, I still have Celeste’s old potion book. She gave it to me in her will, but I think she hoped it might make its way to you. Come on.”
I followed her to the den where she dug through the stacks of old books. Pulling one out from under a pile on the couch, she gave a satisfied nod and handed it to me. The title was printed in glossy silver letters.
Perfect Potions: A Beginner’s Guide.
I looked up at her, chewing my lip.
“Are you sure you want me to have this?”
Faith nodded, giving me a fond smile.
“Try some basic spells, then take a whack at that potion we tried again.”
“I will. Thanks, Faith.”
After packing up some leftovers for us, Faith sent me and Jade on our way, telling me to visit her again within the week. As I drove away, I wished I could bring Faith to the townhouse to live with us. I needed her, and I liked to think that she needed me, too. The evening had been a nice break from all the crap going on back in town.
A sense of dread fell over me as I pulled into the driveway at the townhouse, but nothing was wrong. The barrier was still up and strong, but I knew that things could change at any moment. Jade had fallen asleep on the passenger seat, her little tail twitching as she dreamed.
She was a comfort to have around, but I still felt a heavy guilt for getting her hurt. It was my responsibly to protect her, but sometimes I wished I had someone to protect me.
“We’re home, sleepyhead.”
Jade stirred and sat up when I turned off the engine, her mouth opening in a yawn.
Any disasters?
I gave a dry chuckle. “Not yet.”
The night passed uneventfully, but I found myself looking behind me every few steps when Jade and I walked to the shop the next morning.
Relax. I’ll let you know if someone tries to follow us again.
I took a deep breath and forced my shoulders down away from my ears. I hated living like this, always looking over my shoulder, wondering when someone would follow me or try to hurt me. In a way, Dad had been right. Sometimes, I regretted coming back to Woods Crossing.
Several customers came in that morning, including apothecary regulars. I had just started to think I’d have a normal day when that snobby, dark-haired woman came in again. I froze behind the counter, wondering if she could hear the hammering of my heart.
“Can I help you?”
My voice didn’t shake, but it took a huge effort to get each word out. The woman turned towards me, tilting up her head, her expression haughty.
“I’m just looking.”
This woman had to be Chandra, but why would she stroll in here in broad daylight? I swallowed hard as she meandered through the shop.
When she passed behind a display shelf, I grabbed my phone from my pocket and pulled up Jo’s number.
It’s a long story, but I’m at the shop and there’s a dark-haired woman here who seems dangerous. Can you come in and check her out?
I had just put my phone back when it buzzed with a message.
Stay put. I’m on my way.
I let out a shaky breath, my hands trembling as I put my phone back in my pocket. The woman continued to amble around, her sneering frown deepening with each thing she picked up.
She approached the counter with two black taper candles, a few packets of cooking herbs, and some essential oil shower pods.
“Did you find everything you were looking for?”
The woman forced a smile. Her cheeks seemed to tighten with the effort, as if she didn’t smile much.
“I guess.”
I rang up the items slowly, wishing Jo would get to the shop already. My heart almost exploded when the bell rang over the door and he stepped inside. I gave him a pointed look, inclining my head slightly towards the woman while I bagged her items, but he stayed by the door.
The dark-haired woman turned to leave, but slowed when she noticed Jo. I stood on tiptoe when he approached her, but I couldn’t hear anything. He kept his expression neutral. The woman scowled, her voice taking on a hissy tone when she talked.
To my surprise, Jo didn’t get confrontational. He nodded now and again, looking thoughtful rather than irritated. I hadn’t told him that I suspected the woman of following me around and breaking into my house, but he had to know that she was bad news. From the way they talked, though, it seemed almost like they knew each other.
“Excuse me!”
I turned my focus back to the front counter to see an older man with a paunchy belly standing there.
“Hi. Can I help you?”
He asked about the apothecary, and I listened with half an ear while he listed the ingredients he needed. Jo led the woman outside, but I could still see them through the front window, their heads bent as they talked.
“Hey! That your boyfriend or something?”
