Free spies and spells 01 - spies and spells by tonya kappes Page B

Auntie Meme in on my little secret and let her deal with Mick. She’d put a good spell on him.
    “You know what. The collar.” She stood with her back rested against the door, her hands planted on her slim hips. “The only person who would know about the collar is us and the person you turned into a cat.”
    Pfft. I waved her off and entertained the thought of using the Mystic Couture lipstick to top off my spy girl outfit. The package had to be delivered unused, though I wasn’t sure how I was going to pull it off without using magic, since Lilith and I had already used the lipstick.
    “You somehow screwed up the spell and now that person knows.” Lilith warned. Her eyes shifted to the package. “And somehow that has something to do with him.”
    “It’s not that.” I tried to brush her off, but I knew she had a keen witchy sense that I didn’t have.
    “Where are you going?” she asked with cautious eyes. “You look like a cat burglar.”
    “I’m going to meet someone.” I grabbed the package off the dresser.
    “Who?”
    “It’s none of your business.” I grabbed the door handle and tugged, forcing her to move. “And I’d appreciate it if you would keep it to yourself. And keep your lips off my stuff.”
    Mom and Auntie Meme were busying themselves in the kitchen putting the menu together for tomorrow’s daily special at The Brew. Something they did on a nightly basis after watching the evening news. They made potions for their “special” which covered the entire Louisville metro area. Most of their potions were to make people happier, worry less, take more time with their family. And the news was filled with murder, taxes, and robberies, leaving a dark cloud over the community. . . until they came to The Brew for breakfast or lunch for their daily fix of happy. The mortals didn’t know why they left in a good mood. We always claimed it was the good food. That’s what kept them coming back for more.
    Mom and Auntie Meme tried to blend in the best they could, but couldn’t resist a little happy spell. Mom said it keeps the dust off. Deep in our bones we could never really give up our heritage.
    “I’ll be back.” I kissed both of them on my way through the kitchen, grabbing my clutch off the counter and flipping up the j-hook latch on the screen door.
    “Where are you going like that?” Mom asked, setting the fancy curved glass bottle of Tonka Beans on the counter. She rested the side of her hip on the edge of the counter and crossed her arms in front of her. Her long black hair flowed around her curious eyes and down her shoulders. Auntie Meme stood behind her like they were a small gang.
    Hmm . The Tonka Beans attracted love and money. I wondered what on earth they were concocting for tomorrow. If I weren’t in such a hurry, I’d ask. 
    “I’m going to meet up with some friends,” I lied, smiling, keeping the package close to my body.
    I don’t know if they didn’t want to know the truth or were blinded with the possibilities that I was embracing my “try to be like the mortal” side they so desperately wanted me to have.
    “Have a wonderful time.” Mom grabbed something off the counter and walked over and placed a chain over my head, hanging it around my neck. There was a bright red stone hanging from the end. Mom pushed the pad of her finger on the stone, smiling. “This is a present from me to you.”
    My skin under the stone warmed, sending heat through my core. I didn’t have to ask to know she felt I was under duress with what I had not admitted to at dinner and so she was putting a protective spell around me. Something a witchy mother would do for any of her children.
    “I will.” I ran my hand down her arm before I darted out the door.
    Vinnie was in the garage, all tucked in when I opened the door.
    “Maggie.” Abram stepped out of the darkness and into the moonlight.
    “Dammit! Abram!” The package went flying as I grabbed my chest with my hands. “Why the