Upside Down Magic (Good Bad Magic #6)

Epilogue

Atuxedo cat meowed at me from my lap as a ginger one and a black one tried to catch the small fish on a stick I kept dangling just out of reach. A fourth one slept curled by my side while three others eyed us suspiciously from the cat towers on the opposite side of the room. Two more hid somewhere nearby.

It was three days after Christmas , and we had the room all to ourselves.

Christmas miracle, indeed.

“ Use the other toy,” Bagley snapped from the locket hanging around my neck over the green bohemian shirt Dru had given me as a present. Perhaps not the best thing to bring to a cat café, but I’d wanted to wear it right away, it made me so happy.

Not as happy as the tiny silver octopus and witch hat pendants Ian had given me, of course, but still up there. We had spent Christmas with Dru and the strays, and even Brimstone had joined for dinner. As had Natalia and Mark , a very shy Norman , who was still trying to come to terms with the whole paranormal thing, two of Alex’s friends, and Hutton . Veva and Mei had sent their best wishes along with a Black Forest cake, and Ian’s mom had Facetimed with us. I’d even allowed Bagley a view from the top of the fridge.

It had been the best Christmas ever, and I only wish Grandma could’ve been there to share it with us. But , as Ian had reminded me, she had shared it through me and my memories of her. I really liked that.

I switched the fish toy with a mouse filled with some sort of crinkling material. The cats seemed unimpressed.

“ I think they like the fish better, Ms . Bagley .”

“ Bah , you just don’t know how to play with cats.”

“ How would you know? You didn’t even own a cat.” Thankfully . Who knew what evil dark magic would’ve befallen the poor kitty?

“ You don’t have to own to know, child. Just like you apparently don’t need to own power to be given a magic shop.”

As if I’d let her attempt to ruin my dreams come true. “ I sense a note of envy, Ms . Bagley .”

“ I laugh so I don’t cry at how low my lovely witchy shop has fallen.”

“ In the universe, there is no high or low, only different paths.”

“ Can your path put me into a cat? I bet it’s fun.”

“ No .” And not just because of the poor cat’s soul, but giving Bagley access to sharp claws? Talk about an unwilling blood dark magic bonanza!

“ You’re no fun,” she grumbled.

“ I’m lots of fun. I brought you here, didn’t I ?”

“ Can you get more of that special food from the girl at the counter? They really liked that.”

“ In a few minutes.”

“ Pet the black kitty. She looks like she needs it.”

I extended a hand toward the black cat, and she immediately hissed.

Bagley cackled. “ I think she likes you. You should adopt her as your familiar.”

“ I already have a familiar.”

“ The drooling ball of white fluff doesn’t count.”

“ Fluffy is the best familiar. I’ll have you know she once saved my life by going to get help.”

“ Exactly .”

I couldn’t help but laugh at that one. “ Familiars are supposed to help, Ms . Bagley .”

“ Yeah , help me .”

Grinning , I ran my hand along the tuxie settled on my lap, and it purred in response. Grandma had never owned a pet, but I think she’d have enjoyed this place. Maybe I’d return with her spellbook, allow her essence to bask in the atmosphere.

“ Look ,” Bagley suddenly exclaimed. “ The gray one with white mittens has come out of the hidey-hole! Go catch it!”

This would be the third time Bagley tried to get me to grab the cat. Fool me twice, shame on the witch, fool me thrice… I unlocked the locket and tossed it to the floor, a few paces away from the gray cat.

“ Go , catch!” I said.

“ You little— Ahh ! ”

The gray cat had indeed caught. A few others approached.

I relaxed against the cushioned seat and enjoyed the show of Bagley’s outrage at being pawed and tossed around by half the feline population in the room.

And still, I couldn’t wait to get back to the shop— my shop. My own witchy shop in the best paranormal town on the planet. I couldn’t wait to make more potions for my customers and help with whatever magical mishap came our way. There were still things to be dealt with, like Hutton’s secret dark magic alphaness or Key’s missing brother, but I had no doubt we’d eventually find the answers.

Because it wasn’t just me and my shop against the world, but the amazing family I’d found.

Grandma would be so proud.

Thank you for reading!