Don't Hex and Drive (Stay a Spell #2) - Juliette Cross Page 0,19

had mentioned him on occasion. They’ve known each other a while, it seems. And Devraj was the one who acquired that book we needed to help Mateo.”

I frowned, remembering Evie retelling the whole story when Livvy and I had first gotten home. How some vampire had to travel into the Carpathian Mountains, full of dangerous werewolf packs, in order to get this rare book from a witch who lived there. For some reason, the idea of Devraj—perfect clothes and hair, expensive luxury car, ridiculous swagger and charm—didn’t fit my vision of one of the elite, lethal Stygorn.

“Well, I’m sure Ruben has it all in hand.” I grabbed my big bag off the counter, stuffed my pen and pad inside as well as that list, then looped the thick strap across my chest, double-checking I’d packed the treats. I had.

I wished her a good day then trekked through the courtyard and out a back gate that led to the back of our shop, Mystic Maybelle’s. We’d named the place after our grandmother who’d suggested we buy the empty place next door to the Cauldron and open our own shop. Clara ran Maybelle’s, but I handled the inventory and bookkeeping. Livvy took care of the marketing and promotions for both the shop and the bar. Violet and Evie waitressed at the Cauldron while Jules was the chef.

When I unlocked and swung open the back door, I heard the music from the musical Chicago and the undeniable off-key accompaniment of Clara’s voice singing “All That Jazz.”

She was stacking our newest shipment of Tarot cards on the square center display. But she wasn’t just stacking. She was shimmying and shaking her bum to the lively twenties music and singing at the top of her lungs while she did it. Even though she couldn’t carry a tune to save her life, she was the cutest thing I’d ever seen.

When she rounded the center display and saw me standing there, she shrieked and threw a deck of cards in the air. With a quick leap toward her, I caught it in the air.

She laughed and turned down the volume on her phone. “You scared me.”

“Sorry. Say, did a package come in for me?”

She glanced over at the two boxes near the display. “No. I’ve gone through everything we have.”

I needed to email the vendor and see what was up. “I’ll be back soon to work on the books,” I called as I headed out the front entrance.

I strode down the street under the shop awnings, only the coffee shops and breakfast cafes open this early. I’d opted for a shorter flowy skirt that hit just above my knee and a loose white tee with my lace-up gladiator sandals. The sun was just peeking between the buildings, but it promised to be a hot one. It was still May, but the temps were already hitting lower eighties midday. This morning, it felt wonderful.

I skirted around some café round-tops along the sidewalk and pulled a ponytail holder from my wrist, twisting my hair into a messy bun. I couldn’t help the smile plastered on my face, thinking of seeing Archie, as I approached Ruben’s Rare Books and Brew. Perhaps that’s why I wasn’t paying attention to the man approaching from a parked car outside the bookstore.

“Isadora.”

My gaze snapped up. I gave a small wave and tried to skirt wide without stopping for conversation.

“Hold up.”

No such luck. He moved directly in my path, forcing me to stop.

Inhaling deep, I straightened my posture. “Morning, Devraj.” I fiddled with a loose thread on the hem of my skirt, letting my gaze skate everywhere but his face. Clearing my throat, I asked, “Can I help you with something?”

He’d worn his long, black hair up in his own messy bun—just like he did when he stretched his body into inhuman contortions in his backyard—but it did nothing to make him look casual. That was probably because his steely blue button-up had a silken sheen, and even rolling it up his forearms didn’t diminish his style. His sleek black pants and shiny shoes completed the pretty persona I expected of him.

He smiled, teeth and all, though still no canines showing, thankfully. That would be off-putting to say the least. No respectable woman wanted to get too close to a hungry vampire. I’d heard the thrall of being a blood host was completely intoxicating, but being caught in such a state with a vampire was not wise. They were predatory creatures, no matter how pretty