Rules of the Flame: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery (Witches of Hellforge Hatchery Book 1) by Skye Sullivan

Author:Skye Sullivan [Sullivan, Skye]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-06-12T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

I waited outside the cauldron shop, needing all of my willpower to not press my forehead against the widow as I peered inside. The shop was dark, lit only by wall sconces and the eerie glow of the cauldrons on display.

I would have gone inside to get a better look, but I didn’t want to miss Deputy Cooper when he arrived. I also had to use what little willpower remained to keep from bouncing on my toes like a little kid waiting to open up birthday presents.

The only thing that could ruin it was the haughty, nasally laughter polluting the crisp evening air. My supervisor at the hatchery, professional snake in the grass, Drusilla. “Get lost?” she asked.

“No,” I said primly. “I’m waiting for someone.”

“I wasn’t asking,” she said. “I was telling you to get lost. I’m going into the shop. I don’t want you gawking through the window glass.”

“Do you need to buy a cauldron to make a potion that will wash away the stench of guilt that’s all over you?” I asked.

“Guilt?” she scoffed. “What am I guilty of? Other than my flawless complexion and soulful eyes?” She smiled, showing that gap between her teeth that made her look like she belonged on the cover of a fashion magazine.

“You set me up earlier to drop a dragon egg,” I said.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, that conniving smile still slashed across her face. “I told you several times that you needed special handling gloves. But poor scatterbrained Elsie from the outside world couldn’t remember.”

I knew she was lying, but I still couldn’t shake the fact that she was sort of right. This town was so foreign to me. I didn’t know the rules of the game. I almost dropped a dragon egg this morning because I was in way over my head. Would I ever be able to figure out how to live in this town, to be a normal witch like everyone else?

“You didn’t say anything about gloves,” I said. “Because all the work you’ve given me involves dragon droppings. Which makes sense—being surrounded by dung is great practice for having to deal with you.”

“Such a feisty temper,” she said. “But good luck proving anything about the dragon egg. If you say anything, you’ll only look like you’re desperately trying to blame someone, rather than maturely taking responsibility.”

I clenched my fists and balled them in my pocket to keep from punching the shop window. Or Drusilla’s nose. Something cold and hard pushed up against my knuckles.

“Oh, I can prove something all right,” I said, taking the necklace out of my pocket. I held it up for Drusilla to see. The smile faded from her smug face and she put one finger to the hollow of her throat.

“Give me that,” she said and snatched at the chain.

“Not so fast,” I said and put it back into my pocket. “Aren’t you dying to know where I found it?”

“You probably stole it from me,” she said.

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