A Crown Of Shadows And Secrets - Sloane Murphy Page 0,13

but it doesn’t get all that much use these days.

I throw my shirt into the laundry basket and grab another from my closet, ignoring the clink of the bracelets on my wrists. I check my reflection to make sure the bright colors don’t clash, and that my hair hasn’t gone insane with this humidity. My black waves are still how I styled them earlier, though they’ve dropped a little, and my eyeliner has melted away, because Mama refuses to keep the store less than like a hundred degrees. I touch it up, the lines making my dark eyes seem bottomless. I then paint another layer of red to my lips and head back out to the store.

It might be the evening, but that’s one of our busiest times. Even humans want to believe in Witchcraft, so we walk that fine line, of telling them the truth, and having them believe we’re talking nonsense, even though most of them desperately wish it were true. Be it a little potion or a card reading, or even an herb and root mixture. Without the right incantations, they’re essentially useless. The night is when most faction customers swing by too.

Since creating a portal isn’t an option as humans are likely in the store, I climb back in my car and crank up the AC. I dance in the car the entire drive. The clouds are so dark, it looks like a storm might be rollin’ in. I pay it little attention as I pull into the spot out the front of the store. I hurry from the car, and get inside just as the heavens burst open, rain coming down like cats and dogs.

This time of year is a pain in the ass with the weather.

I check my phone and fire off a text to Remy, it’s been a few days since I heard from her, and goddess knows she’s got a lot going on right now. I don’t expect to hear from her so I silence my phone and pop it under the counter.

“Misty, girl. Where are you?” I call out, I can’t see any customers, but the place isn’t big enough for her to hide.

“Just back here. I thought I’d restock the tea leaves.” Her head pops out of the back room, her hair is a frazzled mess. She trips as she tries to exit the room, sending bags of tea leaves flying across the store and I cringe as she hits the floor, palms first.

“Are you okay?” I ask and move to help her, but she jumps to her feet, her pale cheeks beet red, and waves me off.

“I’m fine, just tripping over air. If I didn’t know better, I’d be convinced I was being haunted,” she says as she scrambles to pick up the bags she dropped, and I watch closely to make sure she doesn’t trip again. Either clumsiness runs in her family, or maybe she really is haunted. Wouldn’t be the weirdest thing I’ve seen this week.

“Okay, well, you know how to cleanse yourself and your home of a ghost right? Once you’ve put those out, you can head home, take the bits to perform a cleanse with you. Better to be safe than sorry, sugar.” I smile at her and I swear it just embarrasses her more. Goddess give me strength to deal with this girl.

“Thanks, Fallon.” The color on her cheeks deepens and I wave her off. She’s quiet as a mouse while she finishes up, and manages to only drop three more bags while she stacks the shelves. I swallow my laughter, because goddess bless her soul.

I potter around, making sure the usual night demands are available in the counter displays, and just straighten up in general. Goddess knows I love my mama, but she’s like a hurricane, she sweeps through here and leaves chaos behind. This might be her store, but I’m in here more often than she is these days, it’s hard not to think of it as my own.

“Night, Fallon!” Misty calls out as she leaves, the bell over the door signaling the door closing behind her. I switch off the main lights—leaving on what Mama calls the mood lights—but I call it night time ambiance, especially with the dark storm clouds outside, it keeps it cozy.

Time passes quickly, and I read in the lulls of the evening, keeping my Kindle hidden near the register. A girl needs some form of escape, and since I’ve taken a self-imposed break from all types