Chapter 5

TheModernCabinet of Curiosities was hosted in an old brick building near BaltonSquare, sandwiched by a fast-food chain and a vintage music store. According to my ex-bestie Vicky, if you told the ticket seller that you were there to pray, they’d show you a secret room full of witch relics.

Unfortunately, when I’d tried it myself, the guy had treated me like I was part of a cult looking to recruit him.

Veryawkward.

TheCabinet was also the only non-paranormal business on the list, which made me think it might be another red herring meant to distract us from the culprit’s true motive.

Thebig window flanking the main door had been painted over in a dark gray color with the Cabinet’s name written in vintage gold-and-silver letters. The shutter over the main door was drawn down, and a fast check on my phone told me they opened in the afternoon on weekdays. 10 a.m. on weekends and holidays.

Iknocked on the shutter, in case anyone was already in, but nobody came to open.

Followingthe same pattern as with Bosko’s and Janet’s shops, we found the pentagram on the back of the building. Thisone was slightly bigger than the others, the symbols clear and crisp. The residue of magic almost faded but present.

“I think our suspect drew this before the one on Janet’s,” I murmured aloud as I took photos. “The symbols don’t look hurried.”

Fluffylet out a yip of agreement.

“If the place is closed,” Key said, “who reported the pentagram?”

“Excellent question,” I told her, impressed. I sent Sonia a fast text. Her response arrived a minute later. “‘Anonymous text to OfficerBrooks early this morning.’”

“Sus,” Key said.

Verysus. “I wonder if there’s a way to track texts.”

“They probably used a burner phone.”

“Probably.” Plus, I wasn’t about to ask OfficerBrooks unless there was a dire need for it.

Istudied the surrounding buildings. No security cams in sight. Half of OldOlmeda’s blocks consisted of rows of connected buildings, giving the city a ton of back alleyways. Whoever had drawn the pentagrams had chosen these businesses because they could use the back walls rather than the front, where there was always someone walking around during Halloween, no matter the time of night.

“WhyHalloween?” I wondered aloud. If their intent was something beyond a prank, why risk painting them during such a busy time? Why not wait a couple of weeks?

“Maybe it’s only a prank after all,” Key said.

Butsomething about that didn’t sit right. “It feels like a warning more than a prank,” I said. “If it were a prank, wouldn’t they have left them on the front of the shops for a bigger impact?”

“Too scared of getting caught?”

“If they used a glamour potion, people wouldn’t have been able to recognize them. They could’ve painted it and run away.”

“Unless a paranormal saw them.”

Keyhad a point. Shifters had natural increased speed and agility, as did demons, and berserkers could put in a rush of physical power that’d overtake them both. Mages could use their elemental powers to stop or slow anyone.

Theonly ones who were screwed in a chase situation were witches, unless they’d taken the time to set wards ahead of time, which would attract more attention than painting a red pentagram on someone’s wall.

Eventhe more evil, delinquency-prone paranormals respected the need to stay secret from the human population. Which is why glamour potions were a permanent bestseller, the legal ones I sold and the highly volatile illegal ones Bagley had probably made a fortune on.

Asmall squeal nearby caught our attention. A little girl was pointing at us and tugging at a man’s hand.

“Dad, can we take a photo with them? Pleaaase?”

Ayoung teen by his other side watched us with interest. “You guys actors or something?” Her gaze fell on the logo on my T-shirt, partially showing through my open jacket. “Is that the name of your theater?”

“It’sGarress the Hound,” the little girl whined. “And a witch.”

Ismiled widely. “Happy to take photos.”

Theman eyed Rufus wearily. “Is he dangerous?”

“Duh, Dad,” the little girl said. “It’sGarress the Hound!”

“Completely harmless,” I assured the dad. Looking down at Rufus, said, “Rufus—er, Garreth—sit.”

Foronce Rufus complied, his tongue lolling in a friendly gesture, and his huge tail wagging slowly.

“Daaad!”

“All right, all right. Fine.”

“Yay!”

Thelittle girl rushed to us, as did the teen.

“Make sure the pentagram is visible,” she told her dad. She struck a pose, pointing at the pentagram with an expression of mock horror.

Thelittle girl hugged Rufus’s neck and grinned. I hovered over them, doing my best scary witch impression, complete with clawed hands hovering over the little girl. EvenFluffy got in the action, settling by Rufus’s side and lolling her tongue, all happiness.

“Done,” the dad said after a few seconds. “Thank so you much.”

“No problem,” I told him. Under me, the little girl had discovered Fluffy and was showering her with pets.

“He’s so pretty,” she said in awed tones.

Fluffylapped it all up and half of the girl’s face.

“Her name is Fluffy,” I said, my heart full of joy. Was there anything better than being identified as a witch, asked to be part of a family memory in front of an evil pentagram, and watching kids enjoy life?

Ididn’t think so!

“Oh, my God,” the teen said, stifling a laugh. “Fluffy.”

“C’mon, Hazel, let the doggy alone,” the dad said in a more severe tone.

Myheart almost stopped. Hazel—Grandma’s name. This was the universe assuring me my life was on the right track yet again. WouldMotherEarth’s blessings never end?

“Bye, Fluffy,” the little girl said. “Bye, Garress.”

“Bye,” the teen dropped, scrolling on her phone and walking back to their dad, her sister in tow.

“Have a wonderful Halloween,” I told them. “And visit us at the TeaCauldron later! We have Halloween muffins!”

Justbecause the universe sent me free signs, it didn’t mean I couldn’t network.

Thedad nodded affably, taking hold of his daughter’s small hand again. As they walked on, I heard the little girl say, “Dad, I want a dog.”

Ichuckled and checked with Key. She was grinning as well.

“Let’s see if the last pentagram gives us any hints,” I said, my energy refilled to full. If the aim of whoever had left the pentagrams was to scare away people, they’d done a horrible job. I couldn’t wait to apprehend them and present them wrapped with a big bow to Sonia.

Keyagreed and waited for me to name the next item on the list.

“ClawstonePark.” Hutton’s pack.