Hounded

time. Still, Emily looked as if she would rather mate with a goat than apologize to me, so I was enjoying it, even if it was a performance. Other customers were looking around at Malina’s raised voice, their gazes lingering on the two women. They were difficult to look away from, albeit for very different reasons.
    When Emily took too long, Malina’s voice lowered to a threatening growl so that only Emily and I could hear. » If you do not apologize to him right now, then I swear by the three Zoryas that I will measure your length on this floor and put you in breach of contract. You are in so much trouble already, you will be cast out from the coven. «
    Apparently that was worse than mating with a goat, because Emily suddenly could not be more sorry for her behavior and hoped I would forgive her discourtesy.
    » I accept your apology, « I said at once, and the tension in their shoulders eased.
    Malina finally turned her attention to me. » Mr. O’Sullivan. I am so embarrassed by our entrance. I hope you will forgive me as well. I am Malina Sokolowski. « She smiled brightly and extended a hand to me—gloved, I noticed, in brown leather—and I shook it once.
    » Forgiven, « I said, » though there is really nothing to forgive. You’re welcome to look around if you’d like, or if you’d simply rather wait for the tea, you can sit at one of the tables over there while I make it. «
    » That’s very kind, thank you, « Malina replied.
    » It will just be a couple of minutes. «
    » Great. « She gestured toward the tables and gently pushed Emily in that direction. » After you, miss, « she said.
    › I like the blond one. She knows how to show respect, ‹ Oberon said from behind the counter.
    I busied myself making Emily’s tea and spoke to him through our link. Yes, well, she’s decided to take the high road, so I’ll be happy to walk it with her as long as she likes .
    › You don’t trust her? ‹
    Nope. She’s a witch. A polite witch, but still a witch. She’s got a charm on her hair that would have had me giving her anything she wanted if I hadn’t been wearing protection. Don’t take anything from her, by the way .
    › You think she’s going to pull a sausage out of her coat or something? She doesn’t even know I’m here. ‹
    Oh yes she does. Emily has probably already told her .
    › Okay, fine. But seriously. You think she has a magic sausage for me? ‹
    How would you know the difference if she did? You think all sausages are magic .
    Serving Emily her tea was quite nearly magical for me. I set it down in front of her and she drank it straight down, despite its heat, without making eye contact. When she was finished, she rose from her chair, said, » Excuse me, « and left the shop without another word.
    » That was great, « I said to Malina. » Can you come with her every day? «
    Malina chuckled throatily, then clapped a hand over her mouth. » Oh, I shouldn’t laugh. It’s just that I empathize with you. She is not well behaved. «
    » So what’s she doing hanging out with you? «
    Malina sighed. » That is a very long story. «
    » Haven’t you heard? I’m a Druid. I like long stories. «
    The witch looked around. There were still quite a few customers in the store, and someone scruffy had walked up to my apothecary counter and was squinting at the labels on my jars. » While you have a lovely place here, « Malina said, » I do not think it is the right time for such a story. «
    » What? You mean the customers? Perry will take care of them. « I walked to the counter and put a CLOSED tent sign significantly in front of the scruffy man.
    » Whoa, man. You’re closed? « He frowned at me but was not to be deterred. He had something on his mind. » Hey, dude, you got any medical marijuana back there? «
    » No, sorry. « These guys just wouldn’t leave me alone.
    » It’s not for me, I swear. It’s for my grandma. «
    » Sorry. Try back next week. «
    » Hey, really? «
    » No. «
    I turned my back on him, pulled up a chair next to Malina, and plastered an attentive look on my face. » You were telling me why you tolerate Emily in your coven. «
    Scruffy Weed Man interrupted before she could answer. » You have really beautiful hair, « he said to Malina. She looked annoyed and told him curtly to go away, and he promptly turned and exited the store. Pretending to be self-conscious, she pulled at a lock of her hair near her shoulder and muttered something under her breath,