The women around me all nodded—even Will snorted. “Or a vacation ever.”
Sue uncorked the vials, one by one, as they floated in a line around the room past our faces, each glowing a different color. Some fizzed, others swirled, and they all smelled of various herbs and fruits. “Potent Potions holds powerful healing properties—you can help your family stay healthy and strong while bringing in more income. And a starter chest like this one is only five hundred merkles!”
I choked as Sue began to rattle off the names of the potions. Five hundred merkles! Who had that kind of money lying around to spend on this nonsense?
“Snakes blend is great for under-eye circles, but it also cured my mother’s dementia.”
I snorted but tried to cover it up with a cough. A few women around me shot me looks. I licked my lips and tried to hide my grin. Who could believe such a claim? I mean, sure, the vials smelled pretty good, but I was pretty sure the magical community at large would be clamoring for a cure for dementia if it actually worked. I arched a brow. Or under-eye circles, for that matter.
“And this one”—Sue held up a glowing green vial before releasing it to let it float about the room on display—“almost brought my dog back from the dead.”
I frowned. What the shell did almost mean?
The women nodded appreciatively. Was no one else concerned by that?
“Careful with this one.” Sue winked, then allowed a glowing purple vial to float away from her hands. “Twinkle Cloud helps calm nerves, but take too much, and you’ll sleep like the dead.”
The room quieted, and Sue quickly recovered. “Bad choice of words.” She pointed to the sky. “Let’s all take a moment of silence to honor poor Mama Pearl.”
The woman all clasped their hands and bowed their heads. Intensely uncomfortable, I glanced to my right at Will and found him hanging his head. I elbowed him, and he flashed his eyes at me, then went back to his moment of silence.
Had he not paid attention last night when I told him about the lavish vacations Pearl and Ralph were going on while their consultants were losing their houses? He hadn’t even known Pearl existed before last night, and now he was acting all solemn.
I heaved a sigh and glanced toward the exit. Maybe I could make a break for it? I’d have to shove my way through a tight crowd, though.
Three sharp knocks at the door broke the silence.
Sue shrugged. “Oh, latecomers.”
Polite laughter sounded around the room as the women relaxed and lifted their heads.
“Eep!” Sue let out a squeak and then scrambled back into the room, wide-eyed and nervous. “Come right in, Officer.”
“Officer?”
Murmurs sounded around the room as Peter and Daisy stepped into view. I couldn’t stifle a grin. Even though we were on the outs, Peter was a welcome sight.
I shot my arm in the air and waved to catch his attention. “Oh, snakes, come to arrest me again, Officer Flint?” Grinning, I slid toward him, the ladies pressing up against the walls and couches to make way for me. I leaned over Heidi and grabbed a bunch of grapes before sidling up to Peter and Daisy.
“Look at me, repeat felon, caught again.” I shrugged at the party at large. “What’re you gonna do?” I popped a grape in my mouth, then held my wrists out to Peter. “Alright, Officer, cuff me and take me away.” I shot Sue a smile. “Lovely party, thanks so much.” I waved at the party in general—Heidi looked completely unamused. “Bye, ladies!”
I hustled to the door and dove outside into the cool night, followed by Peter and Daisy. After the door closed behind us, I burst into laughter. We sauntered down the uneven cobblestones, past iron fire escapes and dark alleys, and for a moment I forgot all about the tension between Peter and me.
“Thanks for rescuing me.”
Peter only nodded, his expression grim, hands shoved in his pockets.
My mirth faded, and I felt my smile slide from my face. “You got my message?” I’d fastened a note to the outside of my door giving Peter the address of the party and my reason for going, in case he showed up at my place. It’d been a long shot that he’d come by tonight anyway, much less notice the note among all the peeling band posters and graffiti that covered the door.
“Well.” I shrugged. “Thanks.”
Peter kept his eyes forward as we headed uphill. “Did you get the name of the leader of the protest?”
I nodded. “Carolyn Lopez.”
Peter stopped, and Daisy and I came to a halt beside him. “I’ll call it in to the station.” He touched the gumball-sized device in his ear. “And get her address.”
Peter moved a few paces away, talking, I assumed, with Edna, the station manager.
I held a grape out to Daisy and whined. Want one?
She narrowed her dark eyes and sniffed it, then growled. Smells toxic.
I shrugged and popped the plump fruit into my mouth. When she didn’t add anything, I glanced down at the dog and woofed. What? You’re not going to say, just like my personality? Or maybe, toxic like my lies, or something?
Her ears flattened as she watched Peter, and she let out a pitiful whine. I’ve never seen him so down like this. I’m worried about him.
My throat grew tight. Peter paced, shoulders hunched, a scruffy beard on his pale face. I whined. He’ll be okay, Daisy. I gestured at my wrinkled band tee and torn jeans (not the fashionable kind). Let’s be honest, I’m not that hard to get over.
The dog tilted her head back to look at me, and the tip of her bushy tail wagged just the tiniest bit. She woofed. I was going to say, toxic like your breath.
I grinned, and she smiled back. There was the Daisy I knew.
17
THE PROTESTOR
Edna came through with Carolyn Lopez’s address, and luckily for us,
