Page 6 of Knot Cursed

Eggatha clucked in my arms.

"Back here," I answered. “Behind the curtains."

"That’s storage and employees only, you're not supposed to be back there," she said as she stepped through them, immediately putting her hands on her flared hips and glaring at me.

She was downright adorable when she was mad. A little vein on her forehead bulged as she glared at me.

My little witch was a bit territorial.

“Afraid someone will touch your cursed objects?” I asked, point blank, watching for her reaction.

Her face was stony and gave no indication she had a secret, and likely banned, collection of objects more cursed than she was.

“I own an antique shop. What comes in the boxes donated to me is out of my control, Mr. Sinclair. Now, this is an off-limits location, can you please follow me back to the counter so I can get the final details?”

“Sure, sorry,” I relented. “Eggatha and I were just browsing.”

Prue turned to walk away before freezing and turning around, her dark hair fanning out as she spun on me. "Did you say Eggatha?"

I let out a laugh that had the chicken squawking again. “Yes. I was trying out names and that’s what she decided on.”

Her laughter was surprisingly light despite the fact we were still standing in her restricted storage room.

"You can talk to chickens?"

"That's a negative. I started listing them off for her and she pecked my hand until we landed on Eggatha," I answered, holding up the chicken and hand with the bright red marks.

"It would be more impressive if you could talk to them," she snorted. At least she wasn’t glaring at me anymore.

"Ross said he’s free right now, if you're heading back to your place," she explained as she turned on her heel and led the pair of us to the counter.

"If he can just set it on the porch, I can do the rest when I get back. I walked here and there is no way that I'll beat him there," I said as I gave her the address.

"You walked from there to the middle of town? That's a mile or two. I would be dead on the side of the road if I tried that," she said with a chuckle. Despite all the chaos surrounding this little witch, she found humor where she could. I respected that.

"Not big on cardio?" I teased, ready for yet another reaction. This little witch thought she had her expressions under lock and key but it was all on display for me. Even as she kept distance between us every step of the way I could tell without trying what was on her mind.

Something about Prue Ever was demanding I pay attention. Now that I was, I couldn’t seem to look away.

“Not in the least,” she laughed. “And sometimes it’s my curse I’m being careful with. Today is one of those days.”

Her eyes flickered down to the chicken and back up to me. I could see her regret but also a hint of determination. This little vixen wasn’t sorry in the least.

I didn’t generally gravitate to people this way, but I knew that I wanted to know more about her, to help with her curse and give her a real life again.

More than that, my alpha and I both agreed that Prue Ever would be ours.

I pulled out a business card with my contact info and offered it to the witch with a smirk to show I held no fear of her curse.

"If you ever want to take a stroll, call or text me. I’m not afraid of your curse, Prue."

"Do we get to take Eggatha?" she asked as she pocketed the card, her gorgeous smile back on her face.

"I’ll have to go to the local pet shop and get her a little collar and leash. I’m pretty good at transmutation, perhaps I can make one work for her,” I laughed, already picturing that disaster. Chickens were as stubborn as they come. I doubted very much she’d walk on a leash for me. “You’ll be far too distracted to worry about a curse.”

"Oh my goodness, that would be so cute," Prue squealed as she reached over to ruffle the feathers on Eggatha’s head. My new pet chicken accepted it with a little, soft cluck. We were growing on her already. "You may need more than one, there’s a lot of stray chickens in town today.."

"I'll be the Henfather," I joked, then cringed a little at my pun. It was truly awful.