Demons of Good and Evil by Kim Harrison

            “Vivian,” I started, but my tone said it all. “I showed you Brad’s curse before I even twisted it. You said its legality hinged on how it was used.”

            “I saw an adjusted version. I want to see the original,” Vivian said stiffly as the tingle of line magic began to become obvious in the tense air.

            Patricia was watching us from the register, a package of wooden amulets in her hand, and I warmed. “For God’s sake, Vivian. I’m working on getting Brad uncursed. One of the ingredients is a little difficult to find.”

            “Is it illegal?”

            “No. It’s three thousand years old!”

            “Really?” she said primly, her hands on her book white-knuckled. “I think you won’t show me the curse you used on Pike’s brother because you think it might get you in trouble.”

            Trouble? She said that as if I was going to be sent to the principal’s office or kicked out of college, and I pushed deeper into the couch, frustrated.

            “You will let him become a vegetable because you are afraid to pay for your magic? Maybe I can help.”

            “I’m not afraid to pay for my magic,” I said bitterly. “I’m afraid of Alcatraz. Have you seen what they do to their inmates? You really want to get into this?”

            “Don’t change the subject,” she said, and I grimaced.

            For a moment, neither of us said anything, the snap of ozone sharp in the air. Vivian hadn’t tapped a line, and I sure as hell is hot hadn’t. We both knew better than to bring magic into this—but my hair had gotten staticky and little coils of freed energy played about Vivian’s fingertips until she noticed and shook the tension from her hands.

            “I need to see that curse, Rachel. All of it. I’m running out of excuses for you. The only reason shunning papers haven’t been filed is because I’m here watching you.”

            A little rill of panic dropped through me. If they were going to shun me for accidentally using a dark curse, I wasn’t about to give them the proof.

            “If you show me the curse and evidence of attempted resolution, I can stall them until the first of the year,” she said, sounding apologetic.

            But if I showed them the curse, they might file the papers this afternoon.

            “We all make mistakes,” Vivian said as I drew my shoulder bag onto my lap.

            It sounded insulting the way she said it, and I stood, tugging my coat closer. “I have to go. I’m watching David this afternoon so Cassie can get some sleep.”

            Patricia was smirking as she came forward, a plastic bag from the local grocery store in her hand. She didn’t want anyone to know I had purchased from her. “Here are your amulets and milkweed fiber. That will be twenty-four fifteen. Cash.”

            Jenks hovered behind her, shaking his head, and Vivian delicately cleared her throat.

            “Patricia, if those amulets have been tampered with, I am going to shut you down. You will be selling braided luck charms from the back of your SUV at Findlay Market.”

            Face white, Patricia pulled the bag close. “Let me check the expiration date,” she said, retreating to the storeroom again. Jenks was a soft hum behind her, and I blinked fast, my emotions swinging wildly. He would keep me safe.

            I stood awkwardly before Vivian, appreciating what she was doing, but knowing it wasn’t ultimately for my benefit. “You saw what went into Brad’s curse apart from a broken bone and some dust. Hodin slipped them in when I wasn’t looking.”

            Vivian’s lips pressed. “It makes a wand, if I remember correctly. If you surrender—”

            “I’m not giving that to anyone,” I said, flustered. “It’s buried in my backyard.”

            Vivian stood, her slight form stiff with conviction. “Then I can’t help you,” she said, clearly frustrated. Energy snapped between us, but neither would tap a line. We knew better. “Get Brad uncursed, or you will be in Alcatraz by the first of the year.”

            “Alcatraz!” Jenks echoed, clearly upset, and I felt my jaw clench.