Page 34 of Grimoires & Glamoury

He shut his eyes and leaned back against the sofa. “Suddenly the murder of Sawyer’s roommate takes on a whole new level of paranormal problems.”

“Charles, do you have your home warded against the Fae?” I asked him bluntly.

His eyes snapped open. “You’ve never used my given name before.”

“I was trying to get your attention,” I said, frowning at him. “Just answer the question. Is this home warded against the Fae?”

“It is,” he said. “But trust me when I tell you that it’s about to become vigorously protected on a whole new level—” His words stumbled to a halt. “That’s why you gave the verbena to Chloe. The herb is thought to protect from the glamour of the Fae.”

“Correct,” I said. “Now, please tell me that your magickal library is not here in your home, or anywhere around your daughter.”

“No, of course not.” He shook his head. “The collection is at my offices in the lodge.”

“I’d re-ward your offices and magickal library, as well as your home, if I were you.”

“After the theft I reworked them at the lodge, but now I’ll strengthen and refine them all.” He handed me back the paper and the concern on his face was plain. “Do you believe it’s possible that the Fae are still here in Birmingham?”

“Honestly? I think there’d be more bodies and unsolved murders if they were. They can be absolutely ruthless,” I said, tucking the page back in the file. “Good news? They despise big cities, the mortal world, and its technology. If you’re unfortunate to stumble across the Fae, it’s typically in a wild place, and only because they want you to see them.”

“I admit that I haven’t had any experience with the Fae,” he said. “I’ve read about them, heard stories, but I’ve never had any personal contact with them.”

His candor had me blinking in surprise. So I asked him, “How about Lycans and Vampires?”

“Vampires, yes,” he admitted. “I have had business dealing with the Vampire House Olarescu in the past.” When I raised my eyebrows at that, he added, “Real estate business.”

“That tracks,” I said. “They are typically more urbane and upscale creatures. Whereas Lycans tend to live more rurally.”

“The Olarescu House is obsessively private,” he warned me.

“Darlin’ trust me,” I said dryly, “I’ve met the matriarch of that particular house, and while I wouldn’t go so far as to call Ekaterina and I BFFs, we get along well enough. Probably because I have a healthy respect for her clan—I give them plenty of space.”

“Glad to hear it,” he said, rising to his feet. “Thank you for bringing this information to me tonight, Lorna.”

Recognizing the gentle dismissal, I tucked the folder back in my purse and stood as well. “Of course.”

He gestured for me to walk before him and silently accompanied me to the elevator. The doors slid open and I stepped inside.

“Drive safe,” he said as I reached for the garage floor button.

“Goodnight, Charles,” I said as the doors slid shut.

As the elevator traveled down to the parking level, I wondered what in the world would happen next in Birmingham.

“Definitely going to work some protection magick tonight,” I said to myself. “Both for my house and New Moon Books.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

After performing protection magick for my own home, the bookstore, and Kathleen’s house to boot, I staggered off to bed around midnight. Unfortunately, I didn’t sleep very well, nor had I expected to. When the sun finally rose the next morning, I shuffled toward the bathroom and took a long hot shower. Basically on autopilot, I moved through my morning routine and was out the door on time armed with a large travel thermos of very strong coffee and a liberal application of under eye concealer.

By some gracious whim of the gods, Dex had the day off. Otherwise, he would have taken one look at me and known something major was wrong. And I so wasn’t in the mood for that.

However, today it would be only me and Kathleen on the floor. She was scheduled to arrive at noon, and the routine, rhythm and quiet of the bookstore helped ground me like nothing else could have. I spent the morning emptying out the front window display and waiting on customers.

By afternoon, the pace picked up. It was a gorgeous spring day, bright and sunny, and foot traffic in Five Points was brisk. I was busy ringing up purchases, and Kathleen was floating out on the floor, doing what she did best—chatting up the customers and helping them pick out books.

“Enjoy the novels,” I said to my customer, as I handed over her shopping bag.

“Kathleen swears these are the hottest historical romances she’s read in years.”