Page 32 of Herbs & Hex-breaking

“Feel better?” he asked her.

Lorna’s silver eyes narrowed.

Before she could launch into another round of ass chewing, Dex said, “I’m sorry that I worried you, Lorna.”

“I hired a private detective to track you down,” she said, and pulled him close for another hug. “You asshole.”

Dex laid his head on top of hers and sighed. “I heard about that.”

“I’m going to forward the bill straight to you,” she warned him. “Especially now since we both know you can afford it.”

“The least I can do.” Dex chuckled as they released each other. He glanced from Lorna and over at me. “It’s good to be home.”

***

I didn’t tell Circe until a few minutes before opening the next day. While I poured apple cider into my big crock pot, and added the mulling spices, I filled her in. She listened and then once I finished, she simply inclined her head.

“What?” I asked, wondering over her uncharacteristic silence and stillness.

“And yet he lives?” she asked me quietly.

“I didn’t lose my temper,” I was quick to say. “He’s fine. I haven’t lost control of my magick since I was a teenager.”

“Seems to me that boy needs karma to bite him in the ass.”

“Circe!” I pressed a hand to my chest, horrified. “Don’t even joke about that.”

“I didn’t mean to upset you. There, there,” Circe said, giving my face a friendly pat. “So, how are you feeling about all of this, cousin?”

“Confused,” I said, turning the crock pot to low. “I’m relieved that he’s back and okay, but I’m a tad suspicious of his intentions going forward. Despite him saying he wants to work things out. But still, I don’t want to make it too easy for him.”

“You shouldn’t,” Circe agreed.

I stacked up some insulated disposable cups beside the crockpot. “Whenever he gets physically close to me...my brain sort of scrambles. Circe, I’ve never been attracted to someone, like I am to him. It’s intense and embarrassing. He’s like my kryptonite.”

Circe hissed. “And with him being a psychic he can probably sense your physical reactions to him.”

“He has me at a hell of a disadvantage,” I agreed, placing the lid on the pot.

“I’m going to want a word with him,” she said, and proceeded to march right across my sales floor and over to the bookstore.

“That’s not necessary—” I began to say, but it was too late. The connecting door swung open—untouched.

Circe was hopping mad and her magick was out and on full display.

“Aw shit,” I muttered and scrambled to follow.

“There’s the pretty boy,” Circe said, spotting Dex standing at the front counter of the bookstore.

“Circe.” Dex turned to her with a friendly smile.

Circe struck, punching Dex right in the solar plexus. His breath whooshed solidly out, and he bent over, gasping in surprise.

“You’re damn lucky I didn’t use my magick on you,” she said.

Dex wheezed.

“You made Kate cry!” Circe snarled at him.