Free Hex on the Beach (The Magic & Mixology Mystery Series Book 1) by Gina LaManna Page B

that means—”
    “We’re cousins.” Poppy nodded, helping me along. “Yep.”
    “And you…” I looked at Zinnia. “ Six siblings?”
    Zinnia gave an exasperated sigh. “Tell me about it.”
    “I have a theory that’s why she acts all tough, trying to get attention from Auntie Trinket in that herd of children.” Poppy pursed her lips. “It’s the only explanation.”
    Zinnia, with a murderous glare, ascended the staircase and gave her cousin a punch on the shoulder.
    “Ow!” Poppy cried. Looking over her shoulder at me, she smirked. “I’m just kidding. That didn’t hurt. I’ve got about fifty pounds on Zin the Twig.”
    Where Poppy was all soft round curves, Zinnia was built from thin, bony features. I fell somewhere in between.
    “So we’re related ?” I was still getting used to the idea of having a family. I’d longed for siblings ever since I knew what a sister was, but without a mom, that wish had never come true.
    “Get used to seeing us around.” Poppy enveloped me in a huge hug, a wave of floral perfume drifting pleasantly around us. “Welcome to The Isle. In fact, we’re here to give you the official tour.”
    Still processing all the new information, I managed only to nod.
    “What were you doing though?” Poppy asked. Lowering her voice, she leaned in close. “Checking your undergarments? I know how that goes. Sometimes I forget if I have on my nice ones or my workin’ ones.”
    “You have working underwear?” Zin asked. “Gross.”
    “Don’t pretend you don’t .” Poppy rolled her eyes. “Everyone does. Who dresses to look good for work? That’s all about comfort. Right, Lily?”
    Zin shook her head while my face remained frozen, eyes wide, lips sealed tight.
    “See?” Zin said. “You’re just weird.”
    “Yeah, my mom says unique.” Poppy grinned. “You know my mom, right? Mimsey?”
    “Yes, she’s very sweet. She made me breakfast this morning. In fact, she might still be here.” I glanced behind me, but the bungalow appeared empty. “Are you hungry?”
    “Yeah, I’m ravenous.” Poppy peered over my shoulder. “Whaddya got in there?”
    “You just ate!” Zin crossed her arms. “And Mother said we only have an hour to do the tour before Lily has to get back to work, so we should really get started.”
    “I would love to see The Isle,” I admitted as Poppy squeezed past me and peered through the windows into the store. “If that’s okay with you two.”
    “Of course it’s okay. And Poppy is always ravenous, so that’s normal.” Zin’s lips flattened into a straight line. “Let’s go .”
    “Fine.” Poppy straightened. “Where to first?”
    “I haven’t seen anything yet.” I shrugged.
    “Follow me.” Zin stormed off, her black everything contrasting against the white sand.
    I wondered how she didn’t sweat to death in all that leather and latex.
    “She puts on a tough show,” Poppy whispered as we followed Zin. “But her bark is louder than her bite. Literally.”
    “Not funny,” Zin called over her shoulder. “Just because your bite is worse than mine at the moment doesn’t mean it’ll always be that way. Just you wait…”
    “She’s mad because she can’t control her forms yet.” Poppy shook her head. “ Slacker. ”
    “I’m not a slacker!” Zin turned to me, her face so white she looked nearly transparent. Ghostly white. Which reminded me…
    “Are you guys witches like your moms?” I asked.
    Poppy snorted. “No.”
    Zin spoke through gritted teeth. “Neither of us is a witch, which is why there’s no hope for us taking over the Mixology business. They had to bring you in for that.”
    “So human, then?” I asked.
    “Nope, not that either,” Poppy said. “But this game is fun. Guess again.”
    I looked between the two. “Really, this magic stuff is all new to me. I have no idea.”
    “Sure, you do.” Poppy poked my shoulder as we walked down the beach. “Think of all the books you read.”
    “I mostly