Хармони Харт - Basic Witch

“So it’s like getting a gun.”

“Heavens, no!” Bennett exclaimed. “We don’t have guns here in Salem. We’re not heathens.”

“Now then, I think we’ve covered enough for one night,” the Mayor said. “This meeting is adjourned.” She waved her hand in my direction as the magical quill finished recording its last word with a flourish and dropped to rest on the table. “Off you scurry.”

“But where do I go?” I asked. “Last I checked, my new apartment was a crime scene.”

“Ah, good point. Professor Bacchus will accompany you to Montcrief’s to determine how long they’ll need to complete their crime scene investigation. In the event the police department needs some encouragement to speed things up, do contact the Coven at once.”

Beau glanced at me. “Shall we?”

“I guess we shall. But,” I worried my lip for a moment. “I’m kind of hungry. I just realized I missed dinner.”

“Dinner?” Titus woke up and scrambled over to my feet. “ I didn’t eat dinner, either!”

“ I know, I know. We’ll find dinner for you, too. ”

“ Oh, thank Bastet! I thought you had forgotten all about me.”

“ How could I forget about you? You’re clinging to my shoulder like a needy parrot, and your nose is pressed flat against my cheek.”

“ Just making sure. ”

“Does Salem have anywhere we can get something to eat? Like a grocery store or a restaurant?” I asked.

“We have all of that,” Beau responded. But most businesses are closed by now for the town’s Samhain celebration.” He paused, looking thoughtful. “I do know one place. An all-night diner. We can stop there on the way if you’d like.”

“I love you,” I blurted out. Omigosh. That did not just come out of my mouth. Beau quirked a brow and inclined his head, studying me. I swallowed hard and tried again, praying my lips didn’t betray me this time. “I mean, I’d love to.” I drew my bottom lip between my teeth with a nervous laugh. “I don’t usually make a habit of professing my love to strangers,” I explained. “It’s just been a long day. And I’m really hungry.”

“That, Gemma Bradbury, is one problem we can solve.”

3

Exitus .” Beau guided me into the lobby of Coven Headquarters and tapped his wand on the same wall Gil brought me through. The same shimmering golden doorway appeared. But when we stepped through onto the street, it was glaringly obvious that we weren’t in the same place.

We slid into a booth in the corner, and a middle-aged man approached, dropping two menus on the table with a smile.

“Hey there, Professor.”

“Evening,” Beau responded.

“Welcome to Darkwoods Diner,” the man said, eyeing me. “I’m Max.”

“Nice to meet you, Max. I’m Gemma.”

“Aren’t you a pretty thing?” Max leaned in, resting both hands on the table as he examined me. Beau cleared his throat, casting a dangerous glare. Max straightened but didn’t take his eyes off me as he spoke. “Not often we get witches in here, especially not during a Sabbat celebration. What brings you in?”

“Food,” I answered. “Why else would we be at a diner?”

“Spunky, too,” he said. “I like ladies with spunk.”

“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind,” I said. Mental note: be less spunky around Max.

“I thought you might be coming to check in on Mason, on account of the murder and all.”

“Word really travels fast in Salem,” I mumbled.

“Just here for a meal, Max,” Beau replied.

“Then I’ll let you folks look over the menu.”

“Wait,” I said. “Do you mean Mason Montcrief? He works here?”

“Indeed he does,” Max replied. “Best employee I’ve ever had. But of course that goes without saying. Everyone loves Mason. Even the werewolves. Shame about Morty, though.”

“Excuse me, did you just say werewolves?”

“Indeed. Just like yours truly.” He gave a hearty laugh, his eyes dancing with amusement. “Girlie, if you don’t want to be around werewolves, you shouldn’t be hanging out in The Fringes.”

“ Can werewolves smell fear? Asking for a friend ,” Titus said.

“ Let’s hope not. Because if he can, we’re both in trouble. ”

“Gemma is new in town,” Beau offered. “It’s her first night here.”

“Oh!” Max’s brows shot up, and he cocked his head. “Is she—?”

“Yes,” Beau answered. “She’s the one who found Morty. And she’s under the Coven’s protection, so you might want to spread the word that we expect Gemma to be treated with the utmost respect,” Beau warned.

Max tossed up his hands in mock surrender. “No arguments here, Professor. I didn’t realize she was spoken for.”

“As if that would stop you,” Beau said. “Be a gentleman, and we won’t have any problems.” I felt a flush creeping up my cheeks. It wasn’t enough that Beau was blindingly gorgeous and oozed sex appeal. He had to be chivalrous and protective, too? Be still, my witchy heart.

“Message received, Professor,” Max conceded. “I’ll be back to take your order in a few minutes.”

I waited for Max to disappear into the kitchen before I smiled at Beau. “Thanks for that.”

“Max is pretty harmless overall. But he does have quite a reputation with the ladies. Not all of it good,” he said, passing me a menu. “Sometimes he just needs to be reminded to mind his manners.”

“Not so different from your average human male. So what exactly do they serve at a werewolf diner?” I asked, opening the menu and glancing over it.

“Darkwoods Diner is famous for its steak and burgers,” he said. “And pie. But I’m partial to their breakfast menu.” He flipped my menu over and pointed at the back page.

“Breakfast?” My eyes widened as I read the headline: Breakfast served 24 hours . I went silent as I scanned the page, taking in the wide selection of typical American diner food. Pancakes, French toast, omelets, steak and eggs. The works. I loved food in general, but breakfast was my happy place. Especially breakfast for dinner.

Max sauntered back to the table just as I closed my menu. “What can I get you, ma’am ?” He exaggerated the word with a pointed look, and I could barely contain my eye roll.

“I’ll have the buttermilk pancakes, two eggs over medium—”

“ Three ,” Titus interrupted.

“—sorry, three eggs over medium, hash browns and—”

“ Bacon! All the bacon! ”

“—two sides of bacon,” I said. Max and Beau both stared in disbelief as I kept going. “And a water with no ice. And coffee. Black.”

“Sure you don’t want to add the first two pages of the menu to that order?”

“I haven’t eaten all day.” I glared at him. “And I’m sharing with my cat.”

“Hey, I don’t judge,” he said with a chuckle. “You can afford the calories. And besides, I like a woman with a hearty appetite.” He scribbled my order onto a notepad and regarded Beau. “The usual? Scrambled cheese eggs, sausage, and toast?”

“Yes. Thank you. And black coffee.”

“I’ll have this right out,” Max promised. He returned moments later with our drinks and a small bowl of water for Titus.

“This seems like a great diner,” I said. “Is it always this empty late at night?”

“Never,” Max said. “But between Samhain and the full moon, a lot of folks are otherwise engaged. Good thing, too. Otherwise, I’d be in a heap of trouble handling the customers all by my lonesome.”

“Did Mason leave right after he got the news about Morty?”

“Leave? He was never here. His shift didn’t start until an hour ago. Why do you ask?”