Free Wolfsbane: Aspect of the Wolf by Jennifer Colgan

grinned knowingly. “I saw you going into her magick shop last week. I hope you're not still trying to get the poor girl kicked out of town.” Beth's blue eyes twinkled, and she winked at Daniel over her glass of orange juice. “I stopped in there the other day to look around. She has some adorable things. Everything smells so good in there. I bought a set of wedding blessing candles to burn at the rehearsal dinner. I think I might go back and get one of her wreaths to put on our front door.” She nudged Vance, who had managed to wipe the look of shock off his face. “When we actually have a front door. So what were you doing there?"
    "I just stopped in to check out the place.” Daniel put on his disapproving face. “No sign of trouble."
    "I can't believe you're still holding it against her—that the previous owner was some kind of pervert."
    "I'm not. I just ... looked around. That's all."
    "Did you talk to her?” All innocence, Bethany dug into her scrambled eggs and waited for his reply.
    "Not really."
    "She's very pretty. A little lonely, I think. Oh, I heard someone threw a rock through her front window. Isn't that awful?"
    "Terrible.” Daniel looked at Vance. His brother shrugged, then grinned at his fiancée. “I've got to get to work. Are you two going house hunting again today?"
    "We're going back to see that cape on Morningstar,” Beth said, while Daniel congratulated himself on successfully changing the subject. “We really need to make a decision on it before Vance leaves."
    "Leaves?"
    "On my trip , the week after next,” Vance replied.
    "Right. You'd better make an offer before someone beats you to it."
    "That's what I said.” Beth plunked down her juice glass and nudged her fiancé again. “Mr. Indecision wants to look at split levels."
    "I just don't want to make a hasty decision.” Vance defensively spread his hands. “The right place will come along and I'll know it when I see it."
    "Just so long as you know it before someone else's name is on the mailbox."
    Daniel gulped the last of his coffee as Beth and Vance merged in a passionate kiss. He rolled his eyes and got up to leave. “Whatever place you pick will be great. Good luck."
* * * *
    The ride to work took him past Mystikal Excursions as usual. Today, instead of craning his neck to catch a glimpse of Emilie through the window, he parked across the street. A small crowd had gathered on the sidewalk outside the shop, and a police cruiser had pulled up directly in front.
    Daniel hurried across the street just as the officer parted the curious group. Daniel's heart dropped into his stomach when he saw the red puddle oozing from under the shop's front door, which still bore the “Closed” sign hanging untouched from its pewter chain. The officer waved people away from the viscous, transparent fluid.
    "It's blood,” someone said.
    Daniel stepped forward, pushing through the crowd. He kept his distance from the red stain. “What happened?"
    "Is this your property, sir?” the officer asked.
    "No, but I—"
    "Then please step back."
    "It's my store.” Emilie appeared with a tall redhead striding behind her. Her cousin from Seattle, Daniel assumed. The two women elbowed through the crowd. “What's happening?"
    "Witches,” someone hissed.
    Daniel glared at the onlookers, but no one made further comment. The redhead assessed Daniel with a searing gaze, then looked away.
    "There seems to be something leaking out of the premises, ma'am,” the officer said. “It looks like blood."
    Emilie glanced through the window. “It's all over the floor inside,” she said, pulling out her keys.
    Charlotte bent down and boldly stuck her fingers in the substance. She brought the red fluid to her nose and sniffed. “It doesn't smell like blood."
    "You shouldn't do that, miss,” the officer protested. “You don't know what it is."
    "It's floor stain, probably Cedar.” Charlotte straightened and held out her fingers for the cop's perusal. “Looks