Page 25 of Herbs & Hex-breaking

First thing, I decided, I needed to have a chat with Lorna and clear the air. Second? Do a deep dive on the Poindexter family and find out more about Dex’s relatives, in case any more of them decided to come calling. Third? Do some protection work for myself and The Apothecary Shoppe.

“Or maybe that protection magick should be the first thing I do,” I said to my reflection.

“Not that I’m worried,” I muttered and fished out a charcoal eyeliner pencil from my makeup bag. “But I should definitely be proactive considering the current situation.” With that thought in mind, I drew a careful line around my eyes, then smudged the eyeliner a bit.

I narrowed my eyes, taking in the changes to my appearance. My face was a tad flushed—from being angry—and to my surprise, my hair being pulled back only accentuated the dramatic makeup. I’d clipped it up wet to get it out of the way, but damned if it didn’t look good.

Maybe it was my mood, but I reached into the bathroom drawer and pulled out a large eye shadow palette. It had been a gift from Circe, but I’d rarely used it. Today seemed like the day to do something different, and so I selected a deep violet glittery shadow and added that to my lids. Then I blended and changed a basic everyday look into a smoky eye. Normally I didn’t wear such intense, witchy cosmetics to work. I left that for Circe. But the purple was flattering. It accentuated my eyes, turning them from basic blue to something more.

When I went to tuck the palette away, I spotted a tube of deep plum lipstick. Circe had also given it to me, and I’d never worn it. I’d always thought it was too gothic, not to mention too dark for my coloring...

“Fuck it,” I said, and popping the top off I swiped it on. I pressed my lips together and reconsidered my face. “Take no prisoners, Hekate,” I told my reflection.

After arranging my Hekate’s Wheel pendant to lay on top of the bodice of my dress, I turned from the mirror, snagged my shoes, and grabbed my purse. I checked to make sure I had my phone and rushed out the door, only to find more spiderwebs all over the metal stair rail.

What’s with all the webs lately? I wondered crossly. Avoiding them, I made a mental note to spritz the peppermint oil spray on the landing as well and hustled down the back stairs to open up for the day.

I was inside for less than a minute before Circe opened the sliding door from her candle shop and stuck her head in.

“Morning!” Her jaw dropped. “Hekate Fiona Weaver, look at you!”

“Circe.” I nodded in her general direction and proceeded to the point of sales program on the front counter.

She let out a low, appreciative whistle. “Did the energy from Halloween inspire you, or were you feeling particularly witchy today?”

“Maybe a little of both,” I said and began to boot up the system.

“I must say I’m loving the new makeup. You look dangerous cousin.”

I inclined my head at the compliment. “It’s been a morning.”

Circe frowned. “What happened?”

“I had a visit before opening,” I said and then shared my encounter with Dex’s mother with my cousin.

“Son of a bitch,” she hissed. “You should have hexed her ass to the state line!”

I rolled my eyes at the dramatics. “Circe, rude comments like that are not helpful to me at this time.”

“At least tell me you did a banishing ritual after she left.”

“You betcha.” I brushed an imaginary bit of lint from my shoulder. “I also stopped her tiny nasty dog—mid leap.”

Circe burst out laughing. “That’ll teach her to mess with a devotee of the ancient Greek goddess of crossroads, keys and dogs.”

“I also invoked a banishing pentagram while she stood on the other side of the door and had a tantrum,” I added.

“In plain view?” Circe wanted to know.

I smiled. “Yes ma’am.”

“Atta girl!” Circe gave me a knuckle bump.

“Now, I’ve got ten minutes before we open,” I said, as the point of sales system booted up, “and I am about to go have a chat with Lorna.”

“I’m going with you,” Circe stated.

“I can handle this,” I assured her.