Shortly after her brother and Charlotte left for their outing, Cassie grabbed her purse, slung it over her shoulder, and took her store key from the glass bowl on the small stand next to the door. She turned off the living room light, closed and locked the door, then headed downstairs.
Stepping inside her shop, she closed the door behind her and took a deep breath. She loved the myriad of scents that welcomed her—the mix of incense, candles, and various enchanting items she displayed with meticulous care. With creativity and attention to detail, the right fragrances floated through the air in harmony rather than clashing, creating what she liked to think of as a rainbow tingle for the senses.
She thoroughly enjoyed creating unique atmospheres, and every season provided her with the opportunity to rearrange and decorate in new, exciting ways. When a larger space had become available two years ago, she'd eagerly seized the chance to have a bigger canvas to work with. There was an art to presentation, and she embraced the challenge, refining it to match each season.
But it wasn't just about setting the mood—it was also about showcasing some of the most sought-after magical items on the market, the ones that fueled most of her income. Most were safe or entirely fake. The more potent items were kept safely stored in boxes, jars, or wrapped bundles.
Yet true magic could be found among the items mixed in with the mass-produced trinkets. When wielded by someone who understood its genuine essence, these objects held significant power. However, for her casual patrons, they were nothing more than decorations or paperweights. Among the various types of magic she continually studied and explored, crystals and amulets remained her favorite displays.
However, it was a different kind of magic—a rare and relatively unknown form within the witching community called powder magic—that she was exceptionally skilled in and felt a deep connection to.
Moving behind the counter, Cassie opened a small door tucked between two shelves of untagged merchandise and stepped into a tiny, pantry-like room. The cramped space was filled with dozens of glass jars, each holding powders of varying hues and textures, their contents hinting at the vast array of secrets stored within.
Gliding her fingers over some of them, she deftly realigned and repositioned them, mentally cataloging their contents. Among the more potent ones were those for healing and cloaking, and one that, in the wrong hands, could blind or destroy a person's vision permanently. A slight frown crossed her face as she noted the absence of any in her collection that could work with memory.
Yet she contemplated whether any of these might prove useful now that she had a demon living in her home.
Exiting, she closed the door securely and headed to the book section. Scanning the titles and genres with a practiced eye, she selected half a dozen that looked promising. Glancing at the digital clock over the main door, she estimated she had about forty minutes before her assistant, Davis, would arrive.
She placed the books on the glass counter next to the register, just above the display case that showcased her favorite amulets and charms. Pulling up her padded stool, Cassie sat down, flipped open the first one, and began reading.
Lost in her research, time slipped like sand through an hourglass until her assistant, Davis Carpenter, arrived carrying a tray with two large cups of coffee and a worn leather satchel slung over his shoulder. She glanced up and smiled at him as he approached the counter.
Davis moved with an easy grace, his build neither too slender nor overly muscular. He had short, neatly cropped black hair and warm, inquisitive hazel eyes that constantly observed everything, absorbing the world around him like a curious scholar. He had the look of an enthusiastic reader who enjoyed daily walks and maintained healthy habits—which, knowing him, was probably accurate.
He returned her smile as he set the tray down, sliding one cup toward her. Next, he slipped his satchel off and laid it on the counter. As he did, his oversized, black-rimmed glasses slipped down his nose.
Accepting the cup graciously, she wrapped her hands around its warmth.
"Good morning, Davis." She settled on her stool. "I'm sorry to bring you in on your day off."
"Morning, Cassie." His voice was bright and cheerful. He pushed the frames back to rest on his freckled nose. "It's really no problem. I planned to study all day today anyway, and I can do that here while earning a bit extra for my trip over Christmas break."
After taking a much-needed sip, she set her cup down and began collecting the books to clear the counter space for customers. She eyed him and playfully teased, "You know summer is supposed to be for fun, not schoolwork, right?"
"I want a head start on the next semester." He shrugged, his glasses sliding forward again. "Plus, working here is where I have the most fun." A smile crossed his face as he readjusted them. "I get to learn about spells, demons, and the supernatural from you, and I meet all kinds of fascinating people who come in to shop and browse."
She winked with warm humor. "If you insist."
Glancing down at the books, an idea formed. "In that case, if you'd do me an extra favor, I'll add a bonus to your pay for today."
Curious, he set his coffee down carefully. "Oh, what do you need done?"
Tapping the pile with a hint of frustration, she huffed. "I'm not sure I'll find what I want in these. I sell them to customers because they're popular and affordable, but sometimes the authors' novice knowledge irritates me. I swear they write more from Googling than from genuinely understanding the material." She paused, considering. "However, there may be some hidden gems among them. If you could take some time during your studies to review our inventory, I need information on memory spells. Whatever you find, pull those books, bookmark the relevant pages, and stack them in my office."
His eyes lit up with interest. "Memory spells? Got it! Anything else?"
After considering it for a moment, she nodded and tapped the glass case. "For today, nothing in this display is for sale. Please put a satin display cloth over it for me."
"Will do." He nodded and headed toward the back corner of the shop, where supplies were kept.
Moving around the counter in the other direction to take up the spot he'd vacated, she reached for her purse and opened it. She extracted her wallet with a questioning look. "How much do I owe you?"
Fetching a deep blue satin cloth from a storage bin by the wall, he shook his head. "It's on me. But I'd appreciate some lunch later?"
Dropping it back into her purse, she draped the strap over her shoulder. "You have a deal. I'll see you in a few hours."
With a final goodbye, she picked up her coffee and exited the shop, the little bell above the door chiming softly as she left.
As soon as it closed behind her, Davis paused for a moment, his hand still holding the satin cloth. He'd seen her dive headlong into research plenty of times over the months he'd worked for her. He knew she was part of a coven and practiced various types of witchcraft, but he'd never seen her this serious—this emotionally invested in her research. Whatever it was, she needed information on memory spells, and she needed it quickly.
Draping the cloth over the counter, Davis cracked his knuckles and adjusted his glasses once again, then got to work collecting a stack of books from the shelves. His college studies could wait.
Reading up on magic spells and demons was a lot more interesting anyway—even if they didn't really exist.