Free Tales From Otherworld: Collection One by Yasmine Galenorn

NAKED AS A MOON WITCH
    This story takes place after the D’Artigo Sisters come Earthside, but before Witchling starts. Camille has referred to this incident a number of times, and I thought it would be fun to explore just what happened…

    Sometimes, being a Witch just didn’t pay. And the fact that my magic backfired half the time meant that some days, it was barely tolerable…  
    It was a week like any other, with no customers coming by. Usually The Indigo Crescent, my bookstore, did a fairly steady business, but for once it had been sunny in Seattle, and everybody was out skateboarding and hanging in the parks. Nobody wanted to be cooped up in a dusty little bookstore. By three pm, I was hot, and tired, and so bored out of my mind that I couldn’t stand it, when it occurred to me that I could occupy myself by trying out some of the spells that kept backfiring on me. Nothing offensive of course. I didn’t want to blow a hole in the wall, that much I was certain of.
    So, I decided to try a spell that I’d been working on for several years, but that I could never manage to cast. Nothing ever happened when I tried—just a fizzle and spurt, and boom, nada. I didn’t need any components, either, which was another plus. Without further ado, I retreated to the back hall and focused, whispering the charm.
    By the powers of three times three,  
    By cape and cloak, by breast and knee,
    Let others lose their powers to see me.
    I waited. Nothing. I looked at my hand. Still there. Great, another failure. With a sigh, I headed back to the front of the shop and started shelving another box of used books that I’d bought off a starving college student.  
    About twenty minutes later, a young guy entered the shop, complete with requisite Birkenstocks and backpack. He headed toward the science fiction section without looking at me. A moment later, apparently unable to find what he wanted, he turned around, about to ask for help. But the words died on his lips as he stood there, staring at me, eyes firmly planted on my boobs.  
    His jaw dropped and he started to stutter. No actual words came out of his mouth as he continued to stare at my breasts. Then, his eyes moved down to my crotch.
    Oh fuck. I knew that I had an effect on men—you couldn’t be half-Fae and not have an effect on humans. But this was a little much to take, even for me.  
    Irate, I marched over and, with my hands on hips, demanded, “What’s the matter? Can’t see my face?”
    At that moment, Iris entered the shop. She gasped. “Camille!”
    “Not now, Iris. I’m giving this young man a lesson in manners.” Granted, he was about my age if you count everything relative, but that didn’t matter. I had a good forty Earthside years on him and I wasn’t about to put up with this bullshit.
    “But Camille…?” Iris was sounding more urgent. She bustled behind the counter and grabbed my arm. “This can’t wait. Can you please come over here? Now? ”
    Exasperated, I started to shake her off, but the look on her face stopped me. Whether it was absolute horror, or chagrin and embarrassment, I couldn’t tell, but the house sprite was definitely on the edge of uncomfortable.
    I let out a sigh and glanced at my voyeur. “Listen, you. Wait here.”
    He nodded, his gaze still glued to my chest. “Whatever you say.” It was then that I noticed he was holding a very large book in front of his pants.
    Growing more disgusted by the moment, I followed Iris to the back. The minute we reached my office, she pushed me through the door. And trust me, for someone who was barely 4’1” and who looked like the Swiss Miss Cocoa girl, she packed a punch when she wanted to.
    “What is going on? Why are you acting so strange? I want that pervert out of here.” I wasn’t sure who I was more irritated at by now: the guy or Iris.
    “You really think this is all his fault? Dressed like that?” She gave a little snort.
    I glanced down. I was wearing my usual gear. Black