Page 54 of Herbs & Hex-breaking

I raised an eyebrow. “Bragging is not attractive on you, sugar.”

“Speaking of,” she said. “I bet under that pretty dress you’re all black and blue. Guessing you took a tumble recently?”

You fucking bitch, I thought, as my temper began to rise. A large bag of potting medium fell over and spilled on the floor, but Jolene didn’t realize that was because of me. She was smugly standing there, admitting to her maleficence, and smiling at me. Confident that I couldn’t touch her.

Someone needed to teach her a lesson.

I’m not sure what would have happened next. Maybe we would have exchanged insults a bit longer, or perhaps Jolene would have spit magick at us, or my magick would have caused all the overhead lighting in the greenhouse to blow…

But from behind me I heard a ruckus and the sound of canine paws scrambling across the concrete. There was angry barking and suddenly the trio of large dogs I’d seen earlier ran up and arranged themselves at my side. The largest dog, a black Doberman looking mix, pushed his way between me and Jolene.

He immediately began to show his teeth and snarl at her.

“Kahn!” Jolene cringed back from the dog. “What’s wrong with you?”

Behind us, my magick had the doors to greenhouse two slamming shut. I lightly dropped my hand on the head of Kahn. “Good boy,” I crooned.

Now it was only Dex, me, Jolene and three very angry mixed-breed dogs. I clearly saw the moment that Jolene realized how much danger she was actually in.

Kahn lowered his head, showed even more teeth, and began to stalk toward her. His ears went back, and his barks were mean, sharp, and terrifying.

“Hey!” Jolene yelped and tried to back away but was trapped against the side of the greenhouse and between two long tables.

On either side of me and Dex, the two other dogs began to growl. Lowering their heads as well, they also began to move toward Jolene.

“Stop,” I said quietly, and instantly the trio of dogs were silent. They held position, quivering, but awaiting their next command from me.

Jolene’s eyes were huge as her eyes swung from the dogs and back to me. “How did you do that? Who are you?” she asked, shaking.

“I am a devotee and namesake of the triple goddess of crossroads, witchcraft, and hounds…” I paused for a moment. “Hekate.”

Jolene went pale. “Your eyes are glowing,” she whispered, sounding terrified.

“You played with magick and pissed off a true Witch, Jolene,” I said, my voice deeper and richer from invoking my namesake. “My patron does not tolerate those who use abuse magick.”

For emphasis Kahn lunged forward, barking and snapping. He didn’t bite her, but it was very close, and with a squeal and whimper, Jolene pressed herself against the table and wall as far back as she could.

“You will work to undo the curse you cast,” I told her. “And you better pray to whatever god is listening that they take pity on your stupidity and your malevolent spell fades and ends. Quickly.”

As if to emphasize my words, Kahn snapped at her ankles. I was fairly sure he’d torn her jeans—I heard the fabric rip when he shook his head.

“Kahn,” I spoke his name. “Release and come to me.”

The dog immediately let go of her jean’s cuff and trotted back to my side as affable as a golden retriever. He hadn’t injured Jolene, but he’d scared the crap out of her.

“Have I made myself clear?” I asked the trembling and crying Jolene.

“Yes!” she said. “I’ll undo the hex. Immediately.”

Dex spoke. “We’ll be keeping an eye on you, Jolene. Not only Kate and me, but the entire magickal community. If there is even a hint or suspicion that you are practicing again, what happened to you today will feel like a picnic.”

“I understand,” she sniveled.

“One more thing,” I said. Reaching into the pocket of my dress, I took a handful of the loose dried herbs I’d tucked there earlier. Quickly lifting my hand to my mouth, I blew them at Jolene.

She gasped as they went up in the air and showered down over her hair and her clothes.

“I bind you Jolene,” I said evenly. “In the name of the triple goddess, any harm you cause to another with magick will return upon you three-fold.” I held her gaze for a long moment. “Do you understand me?”