Page 8 of Everything She Does Is Magic

“I don’t know,” I say. “That seemed pretty real to me. There’s no way you’re walking around carrying specialty coins in yourpockets.”

“Of course I am. We keep them in this cape to use on little kids who come into the shop.” She looks me up and down, lingering on my face for so long that my hands start sweating. “Or high school French students.”

It’s hard to meet her eye. She’s justsoconfident, even now when she’s completely wrong.

“It’s fun to pretend, though,” she continues. “That’s what makes Halloween the best holiday of them all. It’s all about the art of make-believe. And I love to imagine things. I just don’t mistake my imagination for reality. So if you see something here you can’t explain…”

“Someone learned how to do it on YouTube,” I finish.

“Exactly.” She smiles, pleased. “Or it’s a natural phenomenon. I’ve definitely seen a lot of what Mother Nature can do while living here.”

“She’s powerful,” I say.

“She is. So, tell me why you’re here.”

She’s been very vulnerable, honest despite her obvious defenses, that maybe Ishoulddo the same in return. Maybe that’s the only way out of all this.

“The truth is…” I start, clearing my throat before I say therest.

Darcy’s eyes widen. Green like spring. Green as hope.

“I’m a witch.”

“Shut up,” she says.

“I’m serious.”

We stare at each other for what feels like a lifetime. What looks at first to be a true, deep understanding dawning on her face turns out to be…

Laughter.

“I never knew you were this funny,” she says, grabbing my arm to steady herself.

“Neither did I.”

She smiles expectantly, waiting for the truth that’s supposed to follow my punch line.

Pulsing with a new wave of adrenaline, I say, “Actually, I’m here because I want to take your art class.”

“You…what?”

“I came here to take your art class,” I repeat. Beads of sweat break through on my forehead. “I always see signs for the shop around town. And since it’s October, it feels like the right time to try it out. Is it too late to join?”

“Not at all,” she says. “Follow me.”

So I do.

I’m not ready to walk away anymore either. Darcy Keller is the perfect girl, and not because she’s beautiful, funny, and smart. Darcy is perfect because she doesn’t believe in magic. My powers don’t matter to her. Instead of asking her about the dinner or about being my protector, I can use her as a template.

Darcy Keller can show me how a mortal makes a living.

And maybe, if I’m lucky, I can pull her out of another bad mood in the process.

5

Darcy

“I like the gnome,” Anya says as she follows me into our shop.