Page 48 of Vengefully Matched

“I beg your pardon,” he began, but Connie was not done. Whipping around, she reached for Agatha and Priscilla, her hands snaking out to grab one of each of theirs. Her skin was freezing. Cold enough to hurt.

“This cannot be good if it happens with humans.” Priscilla ground her teeth. Dammit. She’d thought she had a handle on this thing, for once.

“It seems the blowing off steam isn’t going quite as swimmingly as I had hoped,” said Lex, still holding his hand, eyes darting between them.

“TRUST EACH OTHER OR YOU SHALL REST NOT IN PEACE, BUT IN PIECES. BETRAYAL LURKS NEARBY. HARK! THE GARDEN! IT BECKONS!”

And with that final pronouncement, Connie slumped over, snoring lightly.

“This is awkward,” said Lex.

Connie sat up, shaking her head. “Who? What? Oh, damn. It’s happened again, hasn’t it?”

“New plan,” said Priscilla, hoping her voice didn’t sound as shaky as she felt. “We set you up online to solicit magical clients. That way, the explosions are less alarming, and with any luck, you lean into that so that human clients aren’t on the receiving end of all of this.” She gestured.

“Sure,” said Connie, yawning. “But for now, could you lock the door on your way out and turn my sign to Closed? I need a nap, and the two of you have a garden to save.” She winked at Lex. “Good luck with your heartbreak, buddy.”

The devil scowled at her before vanishing into a cloud of purple ginger-and-bergamot-scented smoke.

Much to Priscilla’s chagrin, they called Kevin on the way back. His irritating baritone boomed through the car, Agatha’s phone on speaker.

“How did it go?”

“Priscilla has it well in hand.”

“Hah,” said Kevin. “I’ll believe that when I see it.”

“You’re on speakerphone,” said Priscilla, cutting in ominously. “And let me remind you that I’m at that age where I only have one thing on my mind.”

“What, men? Women?”

“Homicide,” said Priscilla, and then instantly regretted it when Agatha sucked in a deep breath.

“Are you admitting to being behind the attacks on President Vanderbilt Voisin?” Kevin’s voice was slick and silky now.

“Are you suggesting,” Agatha interrupted, “that an invested member of the Council and the witchery community is trying to kill me?”

“Well,” said Kevin, “if the buckled shoe fits.”

“That is an extremely serious accusation to levy without evidence. Consider this an official request. Unless you wish to present evidence, please do not bring this up again.” Her voice was firm.

“Fine.” Kevin sounded pouty. “But you should know she offered me a raise to come work for her. Maybe that’s looking better and better.”

Priscilla frowned. Fucking Kevin had to go and bring that up now.

Agatha turned and looked at her, and she pretended to be very busy concentrating on the road, a tall task because it was one of those mountainous Vermont highways that stretched on straight for as far as the eye could see. It would be a bit before it curved and turned, and she was certain Agatha would see through the façade of careful driving.

“Oh, she did, did she?”

“Mm-hmm,” said Kevin eagerly.

“Well, that doesn’t change the urgency of my request. Can you send me the most up-to-date file on Green Witch Gardens?”

“Consider it done. Anything else?”

“No, but I will keep you up to date if it changes.” She paused. “Oh, and Kevin?”

“Yes, boss?”