Хармони Харт - Basic Witch

“What?” I continued to lift each jar lid in succession, sniffing the contents, as I used my free hand to pat her head absently.

“What about second breakfast?”

“Already?”

“I’m a growing cat!”

“You are not.” I sighed. “But I am dying for some coffee. It seems like people take their pets everywhere around here. Maybe we can find a place where we can both eat.”

“I liked the place from last night,” she chirped.

“Me too. But a diner all the way across town that’s frequented by werewolves is hardly the best place for a small cat to hang out. Besides, it just occurred to me that I don’t have any money.”

“Yes, you do.” She purred and pranced over to a small blue velvet bag sitting on the edge of the counter. After nudging the bag with her nose, she set about shredding the piece of paper folded next to it.

“Hey! What are you tearing up?”

“Nothing important,” she said.

“Give me that!” I swiped it out of her grasp and unfolded it. My heart skipped as I saw the signature at the bottom. “ It’s from Beau.”

“Like I said. Nothing important.”

Gemma,

Deepest apologies for leaving without saying goodbye this morning. I had an early class and didn’t want to wake you. The Coven is arranging for your signing bonus and salary to be deposited in the Bank of Salem, but until then, you’ll need some money to navigate around town. This should be enough to take care of breakfast, pick up some essentials and buy some new clothes. It’s chilly outside. I left my coat on the hook near the shop entrance. I’ll return at noon to take you to lunch.

Yours,

Beau

Yours. I let out a wistful sigh. It hadn’t even been a full day, and Beau was already proving to more chivalrous than any man I’d ever dated. Not that we were actually dating. Yet.

I picked up the bag, which was unusually heavy for its size, and loosened the silver drawstring to peek inside.

An entire bag full of gold coins? Well, that was different.

“It’s your lucky day, cat.”

“Yaaasss!” She leaped off the counter and darted for the door. “ Second breakfast, here we come!”

“Technically, it’s my first breakfast.”

“Semantics.”

I draped my scarf around my neck, opened the apartment door and made my way downstairs, pausing to slip into Beau’s coat as Titus waited impatiently at my feet.

“Okay, Lovie. Ready for our first daytime excursion into Salem?”

“I’m ready for breakfast. And remember, you promised to share if I was nice to Smallish. And I was. I didn’t even hiss or anything!”

“It’s not like you won’t get your own breakfast, but whatever. You’re right. I’ll share.”

With a deep breath, I unlatched the door, pushed it open, and ventured into the bright autumn morning with my feline familiar at my side.

7

Salem’s retail district was pretty at night, but it was breathtaking during the day. A scattering of trees adorned in rich fall colors of ruby red, burnt orange, burnished gold and emerald green lent a charming New England feel bolstered by the already-bright canvas of the main street. As we made our way toward the Town Center, I spotted a pretty blonde woman with a sea grass basket swinging on one arm, her silky silver wings beating rapidly as she glided along with her feet just inches above the ground.

“Excuse me,” I called. “Do you know where I might be able to find some breakfast around here?”

She spun around, her eyes widening with shock as she planted her feet on the ground. “Oh, my!” She flashed me a gorgeous smile and flitted over to us before taking my hands in hers. “It’s you! Gemma, right?”

“Gemma Bradbury.” I quirked a brow and glanced down at her hands, which were still clasped over mine, but she didn’t release me. Might as well go with it.

“I’m Destiny. Destiny Summer. Of Destiny’s Designs?”

“Oh, right!” I said, “I noticed your shop just a few doors down from… mine. Pleasure to meet you, Destiny.”

“I was just telling my brother David how eager I was to meet you. And here you are!”

“This place is like a high school gossip mill,” I said. “Is there anyone in Salem who doesn’t know about me?” I asked.

She tossed her head back, the air around her sparkling with her melodic laughter. I mean, literal sparkles. I stared in amazement at the flecks of iridescent glitter swirling about her flawless face. “Sorry! Fairy dust.” She giggled as she swatted at the sparkles. “We can usually control it, but sometimes when we get too excited, it just does its thing.

“Oh! Well aren’t you a beauty?” She knelt down to give Titus a quick chin scratch, eliciting a purr of satisfaction.

“ I like her. ”

“I’m surprised she let you pet her,” I said. “She’s usually a huge scaredy-cat.”

“Aw, is that true?” she asked, more of Titus than me. “You’ll find your confidence soon enough.” She swiped a handful of glitter from the air and sprinkled it on my cat’s forehead. “Take a bit of fairy mojo with you for an extra boost.” She winked, then stood and turned her attention back to me. “Now then! Breakfast? I bet you’re starving!”

“Yes, please! Where should we go?”

“I know just the place!” She looped her arm through mine and began walking. “Breakfast is on me. And then we’ll stop by my brother’s store and see about getting you a coat that fits!”

“That would be great,” I said. “This one actually belongs to Professor Bacchus. I’m sure he’d like it back.”

She gasped. “Beau lent you his coat?” She brought my arm up and pressed her nose to the fabric of my sleeve. “Mmm. Smells like a heaven full of dreamy men, doesn’t he?”

“I guess,” I said. I tried to appear lackadaisical, but the heat spreading across my cheeks betrayed me.

“Oh, girl. Stop. You don’t have to play coy with me. Every single woman in Salem wants to ride that man’s broomstick.” She nudged me with her elbow and gave me a knowing look. “Don’t pretend you’re any different.”

“Okay,” I admitted. “I may have thought about his broomstick once or twice.” My blush spread into a full-fledged crimson glow, and Destiny giggled.

“That’s more like it!”

“Wait, was that a euphemism, or did you mean an actual broom? Because of the whole witch thing?”

She giggled again. “Oh, I can’t tell you how excited I am to have you here!” she sang. “We’re going to be fast friends, just watch!” Had we been back in the human realm, I might have been annoyed by Destiny’s sunshine and rainbows persona. But after a night of murder and a restless night in that musty apartment, I welcomed her joyful attitude.

She pointed out important landmarks as we walked—the Farmers’ Market, the Bank of Salem, the Healing District—and chatted, mostly about Salem’s most eligible bachelors. By the time we arrived at the little cafe, my stomach was growling.

“Here we are! Alphita’s Bakery and Cafe,” she said.

“Do they have coffee?”

“Sure! Just your basics, but we can always grab a latte at Aurora’s on our way back. Alphita’s makes the most divine breads and desserts,” she said. “But I come here for biscuits. Talk about a mouthgasm!”

I followed her into the bakery, inhaling the warm, yeast-scented air with a sigh of contentment. “I can already tell I’m going to love this place,” I told her.