Chapter 6 Gracie
Suggested Listening: Hot Goblin by Em Beihold
It’s after lunch by the time I sweep into the store with my growing entourage.
Tito sees us coming and merely nods at me before fixing his eyes on the parking lot behind me.
At a glance, I can tell Ezra hasn’t been in the shop.
There are smudges on the glass. Displays are messy.
Some jars are empty. There’s really no one who pays attention to the details like he does.
And now I understand what all that care and attention really meant.
Ezra took care of the shop as a way to show me how he felt. So, it makes me irrationally angry to see dirty footprints and wrappers on the ground.
There are two budtenders currently helping four groups of people. Which is typical for this day and time. It’s slower. This many customers isn’t usual, but the budtenders should be able to handle it.
Jenn hasn’t glanced my way, but I’m confident she’s aware I’m here.
She’s also beautifully bouncing between two different customers while they browse the pre-rolls and gummies.
She’s an excellent employee when it comes to dealing with customers, but it’s always been clear that this is just a job to her.
She doesn’t care about the shop like I do.
She won’t take the initiative to tidy up unless told.
And she’s one of the worst about leaving the jars of smokeable flower empty.
She has a clear aversion to restocking things if it means going into the back. Which is something I don’t understand.
And then there’s Tanner.
Tanner is our token human. He has just enough magic that he can see the witchweed products, and that’s it.
He has no abilities. No outward differences.
There just happens to have been something magical somewhere back far enough in his genes that he can’t help but be aware of this world.
Of all my employees, he is the most normal.
The most human. And often our barometer for how human-friendly we’re being.
He needs the most managing, which is why he gets paired with Jenn on shifts.
My heart climbs into my throat seeing one of our largest wholesale customers literally twiddling his thumbs watching Tanner flirt with a busty brunette. I don’t think they’re even talking product at this point.
“Be with you in a moment, Mr. LaMari,” Jenn calls out.
There’s no way she’ll tie up what she’s doing in time to help him.
No, that’s Jenn trying to alert Tanner to his impending doom.
We might need a human on staff, but it doesn’t have to be him.
I won’t fire Tanner today. I can’t deal with that drama.
He has never been what I would call reliable.
He’s just a typical young guy that wants to flirt and get his rocks off however he can.
I screw on my smile and walk over to Mr. LaMari, who is currently typing away on his phone.
“Hey, there,” I say brightly. “What brings you in today?”
Tanner jumps, and I see him visibly pale out of the corner of my eye. He might be human, but even he should have glanced at a group of five people entering the shop.
Mr. LaMari isn’t much better off. His head lifts and his brows arch. I guess I snuck up on him, too.
“Gracie, hi.” He pockets his phone and gives me a nod while Puck and Vys descend on the shop and begin immediately tidying up. It’s almost like they can see the same thing I do. I don’t know if they want to help or just want to take away what stress they can, but I’m grateful.
Mr. LaMari doesn’t offer to shake my hand, not because he’s rude, but because most people avoid touching him.
Both Jenn and Tanner gape first at Puck then the rest of my entourage. I can barely see them out of the corner of my eye. No doubt they have a million questions.
Puck ducks behind the counter and grabs the broom out of the nook, then tosses Vyslan the bottle of glass cleaner.
While those two roll up their sleeves, Luciu and Darius peer around the shop, letting their curiosity lead them.
Well, in Darius’ case, Isa is doing the looking while Darius follows close to Luciu.
Mr. LaMari waves me around the corner to the more magical display.
“Luc, hey,” Jenn calls out. “I’ll be with you in a moment, okay?”
“That’s fine.” Luciu scratches the back of his neck and catches my eye.
“Luc’s with me, Jenn.” I turn my attention to Mr. LaMari as we reconvene around the corner and ask again, “What brings you in today?”
He huffs a little and looks down while leaning an arm on the counter. “I was hoping to talk to one of you girls. I’m not proud of this.”
Shit. We cannot lose his business.
Mr. LaMari runs The Lizard Den. Despite its name, it’s a very upscale club for non-humans. He offers a lot of our products on their menu, and his staff makes their own food items from the flower, oils, and budder1 we sell.
“I’m sure we can work something out. Would you like to step into the back?” I gesture toward my office.
He shakes his head and holds up his hand. “No. Okay. The coven has been pressuring me to buy from anyone else.”
I clench my jaw. It is news, but not a surprise. I just hadn’t known the coven was working against us while we were still members. I’ll have to check, but this might fall under the retaliation laws. I really should have paid more attention to things like that.
“This guy popped onto my radar offering product. I bought a small supply.” He reaches into his pockets and pulls out two sets of bagged, ground witchweed flower ready to be smoked or processed into something else.
He holds them up. “Can you tell which I bought here and what I got from this new guy?”
I peer at the baggies. Poppy would be able to tell at a glance. I’m fairly confident those are not only the same plant, but the same crop based on the bits of purple flower sprinkled through the baggies. If I had to guess, this is a hairy goat strain.
“Would you mind if I took a look?” I ask.
He nods and hands them over. “His name is Logan. His price was a little higher than yours, but then again, it would have to be if he’s buying from you and flipping it for a profit.”
“Logan?” I mutter and look at the two samples. “I’m not sure I know that name, but I’ll get to the bottom of this. I’m sorry the coven is hassling you. It will hurt to lose your business, but we understand you have to do what you have to do.”
Mr. LaMari shakes his head. “Nah. I’m pretty pissed they think they have a say in non-witch matters.
They don’t own my business. I’m not part of their coven.
It was my own dumb curiosity that made me buy this stuff, and I deserve to lose some money over it.
They won’t be telling me what to do again.
I just wanted you girls to know, and that you’ve got people in the community that will support you.
Heard you three were trying to cut ties. ”
That last bit surprises me. I rub the bags between my fingers as I process his words. “Thank you, Mr. LaMari. That’s very kind of you. Again, I’m sorry that our conflict bled over into your business.”
“I more than understand, Gracie.” He stares at me, and his amber eyes seem to shimmer and move in a very in-human kind of way. “What I mean is… You have friends in your corner when you need us.”
The carefully couched intensity infusing his words make me pause and not only hear him, but I imagine I feel some of his indignation and rage. It mirrors my own.
“Thank you, Mr. LaMari. That means a lot.” I’ve gotten so wrapped up in what we’re doing and going through, I hadn’t considered what the larger community might think of us beyond our fellow witches.
It’s silly. And short-sighted. Our coven isn’t exactly friendly or doing community-bonding activities.
It’s not like I’m unaware of how people were wary of us in the beginning.
But this is something to think about later.
After my vampire is home. Then we can discuss what steps we can take to be part of the local community.
With no recognized coven to shelter us, we will have to rely on friends.
“If it’s okay with you, I’ll show these to Poppy.
She’ll bring you something later for the trouble. ”
“That’s not necessary—”
“I think it is, Mr. LaMari.” I reach out and put my hand on his arm.
I’m not the touchy-feely sort, but most people wouldn’t dare to make contact with him for fear of death or poisoning.
He’s a rare type of creature that has gone by many names.
I’m still not sure what he calls himself, but I know the act of touching him willingly speaks volumes as his eyes widen and he tenses up.
I’m not ignorant enough to think casual contact is a death sentence.
But it sends a more important message of acceptance and gratitude.
“Thank you for your support. I mean that. And from a personal standpoint… Yes, we are trying to cut ties with the coven. Our vision for our future doesn’t align with the coven’s goals.
It’s as simple as that. You can probably imagine how well leaving is going. ”
He ducks his head and smiles sheepishly.
“You girls have always been mindful of the entire community. We need more witches like you lot. You need anything, give me a call. We have to look out for each other. Now, I’ll get out of your hair.
And if Logan comes back by, I’ll see what I can do about getting his contact information for you.
He’s a sly little shit. Avoided all of our cameras, but I’ll be ready for him next time. ”
“I’d appreciate any information you’re comfortable passing on.”
We trade a few more words before he makes a hasty exit from the shop. I watch him go as my head throbs and my heart warms.
I hadn’t ever stopped to really think about how the coven might be impacting non-witch businesses. It’s foolish. But I’ve been so focused on our problems.
For now, I’ll have to push this issue off on Poppy.