Page 21 of Hex Appeal

Warm and rich, a little sweet, with enough bite that I know Valerie didn't go easy on the liquor.

“Okay.”

Valerie looks at me.“Okay what?”

“I get it.”

“Of course you do.”

She reaches beneath the bar and pulls out a deck of cards.

Before I can ask why the hell there are cards behind a cocktail bar, she deals one facedown in front of Serena.

Then one in front of me.

I stare at mine.

“What is this?”

“Let me know when you're ready for your reading.”

“My what?”

But Valerie is already moving toward another customer.I look at Serena.

She shrugs.“Don't worry. She hasn't turned anyone into a toad yet.”

“Yet?”

Her eyes sparkle.

“Oh!” She straightens. “That reminds me. I have something for you.”

“For me?”

She reaches into the pocket of her jeans and pulls out a small velvet bag.

“I found this in my production studio while I was unpacking after the market. And I thought of you.”

That shouldn't do anything to me.

It does.

She thought of me.

Serena gestures toward my hand.

“Give me your palm.”

I hold it out.

She unties the drawstring and tips the bag.

A small stone falls into my hand.

I frown.

“What is it?”