a witchcraft mystery 08 - a toxic trousseau Read Online Free Page B

exception that proves the rule. Aidan gave the bag to me.”
    Oscar cast me a disbelieving look from the corner of his eye.
    “Oscar, honestly?” I said, exasperated. “You honestly believe I stole this? And then brought it home to paw through it?”
    After a beat, he relaxed. “Nah, I guess not. You’re crazy but you ain’t stupid.”
    “Thanks for the vote of confidence. Now, let’s get you fed so I can get on my way.”
    “Why would Maaa—iiister Aidan give you the satchel ?”
    “He had to go out of town for a little while, so he asked me to take care of a few things for him. It’s no big deal; it’s temporary, just while he’s gone. Why are you so surprised? You know we’re supposed to be working together for the coming . . .” I didn’t know what to call it.
    “Apocalypse?” Oscar suggested.
    “ No , of course not.” In fact, that was the word that came to mind, but I knew it wasn’t anything nearly so severe. “Let’s just say magical mayhem—it might be toughand require a united front, but it won’t be the end of the world.”
    I looked at Oscar, hoping he’d jump in and agree. But he just gazed up at me, unblinking, with those big green eyes.
    “Speaking of which, did you turn up anything?” Oscar was supposed to be my spy. He had connections with other familiars and magical creatures; Golden Gate Park was, apparently, chock-full of woodspeople and the like. I was hoping he’d be able to root out some information as to the looming threat Aidan insisted was on its way to the City by the Bay.
    “Nothing yet. Everybody’s on edge, but it’s all a little . . . vague.”
    I nodded. “Okay, so what’s up with this bag? What’s the big deal?”
    “Nothing! Um, that’s . . . that’s great that you would be trusted with that! Really. What’s for dinner?”
    “Oscar . . . is there something I should know about this satchel?”
    “Um . . . er . . . no. Maybe put it in a salt circle, is all. And . . . yeah, maybe a salt circle with some of your crystals around it. And a binding charm; maybe use some tallow. That’s all.”
    Thanks a bunch, Aidan, I thought. Clearly, this was no everyday item. But further interrogation of Oscar would have to wait; Autumn Jennings’s shop closed soon and Maya was waiting for me downstairs.
    “Okay, I’ll put it in a circle of protection, but when I get back we’re going to have a little chat, you and I.”
    “I always enjoy chatting with you, mistress.”
    “I’ll just bet. For the moment, tell me what happened between you and Autumn Jennings.”
    “Who?”
    “Don’t play dumb, Oscar. I have to go talk with this woman, and I need to know what happened.”
    He shrugged and picked at his talons. “I didn’t like her.”
    “That became apparent as soon as you head-butted her.”
    He snickered. “You said ‘butt.’”
    “Yes, and I’m trying to save your green scaly butt, as well as my own.”
    He snickered some more. Goblin humor.
    “This is serious, Oscar. Autumn Jennings is suing me. I need to know why you didn’t like her. Did she do or say something in particular? You’ve never done anything like this before.”
    “She was up to no good,” he said, opening the refrigerator and poking around for leftovers. “Anyway, I didn’t hit her, exactly. She hit me with a parasol! All I did was sorta, like, nose her a little, ya know, to help her leave, and she’s got a very challenged sense of balance, from what I could tell. Is there any pizza?”
    “In the freezer,” I said, turning the old Wedgewood oven on to preheat. “Sorry I don’t have time to cook for you. I’ll bring you a doggy bag from dinner. Thai food.”
    “I love Thai food! Don’t see why I can’t go with you,” he added in a sullen tone.
    “I think you’ve done just about enough damage at this point. Now, getting back on topic . . .”
    “That Autumn person was looking through the inventory like she was afraid she was gonna catch a