AllFreeNovel
Share Us
When I emerged from the tiny washroom, I heard Enzo talking to a customer, so I took a second to breathe. Literally.
In. Out. Big breaths. With my eyes closed, I didn’t see anyone, so the feminine voice from right in front of me startled.
“You must be Sadie.”
Instant panic. My eyes opened, and I reeled from the stranger as I blustered, “Excuse me, this room is for employees only.”
“Is it now?” The stranger glanced around, her mahogany features smooth, her hair a dark, curly halo around her head. She wore an elegant pantsuit in a vivid yellow and shoes with a three-inch heel that I’d never dare to wear but did admire.
“Can I help you? Do you need me to check for something out of stock in the store?”
Her full lips curved. “I’m here to speak with you, Sadie.”
“About what? I don’t need insurance, nor does my soul need saving,” I babbled, uneasy with this woman’s familiarity. How did she know my name?
“I’m not here for anything so mundane. My colleague, Cain, had some interesting things to say about you.”
I blinked at the name. “Cain? As in big dude in a long duster?”
“So you did indeed meet him, and while he wore his invisatunica. How fascinating.”
“Not really. He’s kind of hard to miss.”
“On the contrary. Even I have difficulty spotting him when he’s wearing his invisibility coat. The fact you—with no training and with no seeming effort—can is quite remarkable.”
“Listen, I don’t know what he told you, or why you’re here, but now is not the time. I’m working.” I glanced past her, wondering what—the most likely eavesdropping—Enzo thought of this conversation.
“Don’t worry about your employer. I’ve ensured us some privacy for our conversation.”
The statement made me frown. Despite it being rude, I pushed past her to head into the store, hoping Enzo hadn’t been hurt, only to see him frozen in place, arm mid-wave, mouth open, eyes staring but not blinking.
“What did you do to Enzo?” I exclaimed as I rushed to him. I waved a hand in front of his face but got no reaction.
“Tempusprohib is a simple and harmless spell. It stopped time for your boss while we have our chat.”
I whirled. “Excuse me? Stopped time? What the ever-loving fuck, lady?”
“The name is Nova.”
“I don’t give a fuck what your name is. Release Enzo from whatever it is you did.” I gestured.
“In a moment. The spell I’ve placed over the shop won’t harm him.” Nova cocked her head. “And it’s not affecting you. How interesting.”
“What do you mean affecting me? Keep your curses away from me, lady.” I did the sign of the cross.
It brought a small chuckle to her lips. “Sorry, darling, but not only does that not work on witches, it’s ineffective on vampires too.”
Witches. Vampires. My world had gone insane. “You’re not making any sense.” Nor did I like any of this.
“Let’s start over. I’m Nova and I’m leader of the Sororis Magicae, or, in English terms, the sisterhood of witches. My friend, Cain, approached me to tell of a woman who not only perceived him, despite him wearing his cloak, but could see demons as well.”
“He told you that?” Fucking snitch.
“You don’t deny it.”
“Deny what? I saw it. I didn’t want to. I’d rather I never had, and would prefer to go back to not knowing.” Ignorance might mean not being scared of the subway and a bed not drenched in ectoplasm blood.
“How long have you been able to see things others can’t?”
