Rags to Witches: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery by Mary Beth Olglethorpe

Author:Mary Beth Olglethorpe [Olglethorpe, Mary Beth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: SOS Novels
Published: 2024-10-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Hexes and Heartstrings

The bells over the door to Cup of Leaves gave their familiar soft jingle as Luke stepped inside, and just like that, the air in the shop shifted. I’d been expecting him—after all, we were trying to keep him in the loop now—but I couldn’t ignore the way my pulse quickened at the sight of him. His tall frame filled the doorway, his dark eyes scanning the shop before they landed on me.

I had just finished cleaning up the counter, trying to get back into the rhythm of running the shop after the chaos of the last couple of days. But ever since the hex on the tea, things had felt… off. My sanctuary wasn’t quite so safe anymore, and Luke showing up now felt like another reminder that danger was lurking around every corner.

I wiped my hands on my apron and forced a smile. “Luke. Here to rescue me from the hexes and curses again?”

He gave me that half-smile of his—the one that made my stomach do a little flip, even when I wished it wouldn’t. “Something like that,” he said, his tone light but laced with concern. “Heard about what happened with Mrs. Dunbar.”

I sighed, leaning back against the counter. “Yeah. It wasn’t pretty. She’s fine now, though. The clinic said it was a mild reaction, but that’s only because I caught it in time.”

Luke’s brow furrowed as he stepped closer, his eyes scanning the shop like he expected something to jump out and hex him too. “And you’re sure it was the tea?”

I nodded, feeling a familiar knot of frustration forming in my chest. “It wasn’t just any tea, Luke. It was hexed. Someone deliberately tampered with it. I checked the blend afterward—it had a faint magical signature, something dark.”

“Dark magic again,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m starting to hate those words.”

“You’re not the only one,” I said, crossing my arms. “But this isn’t just about dark magic. Someone’s targeting my shop. And they’re using magic to do it.”

Luke’s jaw tightened, and I could tell he was trying to find the balance between his skepticism of magic and his genuine concern for me. “Any idea who?”

I hesitated, then shook my head. “I thought it might be Madeline from The Twilight Brew. She’s got a history of using magic to get ahead, and she’s not exactly shy about cutting corners.”

Luke raised an eyebrow. “You think she hexed your tea? That’s a pretty bold move, even for someone as competitive as her.”

“She denied it, of course,” I said, rolling my eyes. “But the way she talked to me… I don’t know, Luke. She knows more than she’s letting on. And she hinted that I might be the one with something to hide.”

Luke crossed his arms, his expression hardening. “What did she mean by that?”

I threw my hands up in frustration. “I have no idea. She was vague, but she suggested that maybe Cup of Leaves—or I—am more involved in this crypt-o-currency mess than I realize.

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