I sipped coffee from my mug while glancing at Nina. She snored a little as she slept on my sofa bed. Luckily, she was fast asleep when I came upstairs last night. But now I needed her assistance.

  “You gonna wake sleeping beauty?”

  “No more Cinderella?” I wiped some more petrol-menthol mixture on my upper lip, then coughed.

  Nina shifted.

  “Are you awake?” I shouted.

  Her body jerked. “Where…” She rubbed her eyes. “What time is it?”

  “Early.” I stood, but kept my distance. “I found Claude’s wallet at the hotel yesterday.”

  She pushed herself up and shifted to the edge of the bed, letting her feet and calves hang off the side. “I didn’t see it there.”

  I offered her a cup of coffee. After she declined, I poured one for myself. “Did he have bank cards?”

  Her eyebrows raised. “One for our shared account and two credit cards.”

  “Do you have online access?” I placed my coffee mug on the reception desk.

  “Yes,” Nina said.

  I retrieved my laptop, pushed the bills across the reception desk, and set the computer in the unoccupied space, then motioned for Nina. She moved to the leather chair behind the desk. As she passed, I stepped back, attempting to keep a safe distance from her. I had mostly smelled menthol, but now a faint vanilla scent mixed with the familiar aroma.

  My muscles tightened as she stood nearby. I wasn’t sure what proximity was needed for the magic to take effect. The first time she dosed me with a hug, and the second we stood inches apart. Thoughts of her suspicious behavior weren’t forced from my mind by memories of Maya. Perhaps the cream worked. My body relaxed and I let out a long breath.

  Nina opened her bank website. She peered at me. I turned my head, allowing her to enter the username and password.

  She slid the computer to me and leaned back in her chair. I navigated to the recent transactions. No big purchases stood out, nor did any large payments. That didn’t exclude a money motive, but also didn’t provide additional clues. “Have you used your card for this account?” I sipped from my mug.

  She shook her head. “Claude bought everything.”

  Five small purchases occurred after brunch, each with cash withdrawals. A warm sensation emanated from my stomach. Yasmin was wrong about Claude’s disappearance. Whoever drained half of the account avoided bank machines with cameras. They scouted stores unlikely to have working security. But one caught my attention, the Rolling in Layers Pizzeria. A joint that functioned as a convenience store, restaurant, and a venue for off-book gambling. I assisted the owner, Johnny, with a problem a few months back. He owed me.

  I lifted the evidence bag and pointed at the phone. “Do you have the password?”

  She shook her head.

  “Hubby doesn’t trust her with it.”

  Part of me wanted to agree with Junette. Maya knew mine. Even after a year, I remembered hers. That vital information had allowed me to investigate her death while the detectives obsessed over unusual circumstances. I didn’t blame them. They were ignorant of magic’s existence.

  I dropped my coffee as thoughts of Maya wiggled into my brain. Nina flinched as the mug shattered on the table. Her face revealed fear, possibly her only genuine emotion.

  “Talk to me, Lud.”

  “I need to visit an old friend at Layers Pizzeria. He may point me in the kidnapper’s direction.”

  “Is she getting in your head again?” Junette asked.

  “Stay here. I’ll be back soon.”

  Nina’s shoulders slumped, and she rested her hand on mine. “Please don’t leave me alone.” She scanned the room, then her eyes fluttered, fanning me with her long lashes. Her fragrance drowned out the menthol.

  I struggled to push out the words. “Coming with me could be dangerous.”

  She pouted her lips. “I’ll stay in the car.” Then she raised her eyebrows. “And will try possible passwords.” She tapped the phone through the plastic bag.

  “She’s doing it again,” Junette said.

  “Let’s go.” I stood.

  “Fight it!”

  Nina’s eyes widened. “Thank You.”

  “Look at her body language. Not the way a woman holds herself when her husband’s missing.” Junette paused, then said, “Light the candle and leave an offering.”

  Ignoring her, I moved toward the door.

  “Ludwig James Radcliff. Walk out the door without lighting that candle, and we’ll see how well you drive with me screaming in your head.”

  Stopping dead, I turned to Nina. “Give me one moment.” I shuffled into my office, closed the door, and whispered, “They have no reason to keep Claude alive after they finish draining his accounts. We can’t waste time.”

  “Cinderella’s a well-packaged bag of crazy. I feel it in my bones.”

  “You don’t have bones.”

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  “That’s cold.” She paused. “I’m trapped in this meat suit with you. I’d cope better after increasing our luck.”

  “This seems more like superstition than magic.” I pulled a clay pipe from my drawer and approached the shelf. A candle and lighter sat next to a Vodou doll. A few weeks ago, Junette instructed me to glue a photo of my face to its head, then spear a lock of my hair against it with a yellow pushpin.

  I picked up the lighter.

  “Don’t forget to envision what you want.”

  I nodded and exhaled before imagining a luck force-field surrounding me. The lwas demanded gifts for their favors. This one enjoyed a good smoke. I placed the pipe and lit the candle. “Are you happy?”

  Nina lounged quietly in the passenger seat. Her golden hair whipped in the wind.

  “Should I raise the top?” I asked.

  “The air feels good.” She smiled. “I haven’t seen a car like this.”

  “It’s a Thing.”

  Her brow wrinkled.

  Shaking my head, I added, “A Volkswagen Thing.”

  “I’ve never heard of it.”

  “They stopped making them in ‘74.” I patted the dashboard. “No electronics in the engine.”

  “You gonna tell her why that’s important?” Junette asked.

  She knew I wouldn’t. People like Nina would live their entire life not knowing that some wizards could hijack electronic devices.

  As we parked, Nina attempted another password. Six by my count. Again, a denial. This time, Claude’s phone locked for sixty seconds.

  I turned to her. “Keep low.”

  She reclined her seat as I exited the vehicle. I approached the entrance, but stopped before entering and asked Junette, “Is everything all right? You’ve been unusually quiet.”

  “Honey, ain’t nothing right.” I imagined her rolling her eyes and crossing her arms. “You’re under that girl’s spell. You must snap outta it.”

  “No, she…” A memory of the moment Gaby told Nina her name flashed into my head. The realization that Nina influenced my thoughts seemed as clear as the glass in the door I pushed open.

  A bell chimed as the door swung shut behind me. The right side of the room resembled a family-owned pizza parlor I frequented years ago. But the other side looked more like a remote convenience store. Junk food lined metal shelves. Rows of cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and vapes ran against the back wall.

  “Ludwig!” Johnny sang. “Here for a game?”

  A bead of sweat rolled down my forehead. Johnny loomed behind the counter, wearing a long-sleeved shirt and a beanie. Yaksha thrived in temperatures topping a hundred degrees, making Florida a popular destination. As winter dipped to the low 60s, they became a bit more obvious.

  “Not today.” I grinned while approaching him, then whispered, “I need some information.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Come on, man. My clients appreciate privacy.”

  “Suddenly he’s an honorable Wigon,” Junette said.

  “Nothing regarding your back-room crowd. Someone withdrew a lot of cash earlier today.”

  He scanned the area before focusing on me. “After I help, we’re even?”

  “I not only helped you escape the wizards, but you have me to thank for your cozy setup. I’ll need two more favors before we balance the books.”

  He clenched his jaw. “The hoodlum you’re looking for usually buys rolling papers and an energy drink. I thought withdrawing cash was strange for him.”

  “Not enough to verify the card was his,” Junette said.

  “He hangs out on the street corner with friends. A squirrely bunch, always walking around with their underwear hanging out.” He pointed to the right.

  “Do you know his name?”

  “T-Bone.” He rolled his eyes.

  “I’m also looking for a man named Vlad Mooi.” I pulled the picture of their mug shots from my pocket and unfolded it on the counter. “He seems to be part of a crime family of sorts.”

  Johnny held the paper closer and studied it before chuckling. “These fools.” He shook his head. “One of Mamma Mooi’s wayward kids. Except they’re all grown up now.” He squinted. “Are you investigating petty larceny or fencing?”

  “Neither.” I tapped the document. “Kidnapping.”

  He smirked. “Seems above their pay grade. Mamma never leaves her house, and you won’t get anything from her. Vlad’s the muscle. If they turned to violent crime, following him should lead you to the victim. But Fionna, she may be a little more willing to talk. From what I’ve heard, she wants to get hitched to some wealthy man out in Palm Springs and leave behind her criminal ways.” He tapped on his phone’s display. “Her hubby to be is some big shot architect. Designed his own little million-dollar home, bragged about it in a news article. You want the address?”

  I nodded.

  “Your third wish?” He grinned.

  “Have you heard of a magic scent?” I paused. “A woman’s perfume smells different to other people and seems to make them trust her.”

  “I’m not aware of any spells with that ability.” His brow wrinkled. “Maybe it isn’t a smell. My mother-in-law used to tell tales of an Elf warrior that crossed before the portal to Alfheim was closed. Back then…” He put up his finger. “Hold on, she can tell you better than me.” He turned his head and shouted, “Tinesi.”

  The clicks of deadbolts turning emanated from a shelf behind him. Moments later, the wall of cigarettes swung forward, as if hinged on one side. A slender woman peeked from behind the hidden door. “My Love?”

  “Come out here.” He motioned for her to hurry. “Before someone comes in.”

  She stepped out and slid the display into place. I attempted eye contact, but she peered down and tilted her head to the side. “Johnny, I haven’t put on my makeup.”

  “It’s okay.” He placed his hand on her shoulder. “This is Ludwig.”

  “The Ludwig?” She glanced up at me with eyes the color of gold, speckled with red. Their beauty was likely enjoyed solely by her husband, as she would wear colored contacts to conceal her identity. “I can never thank you enough for what you did for us.” Her skin, while blemish free, possessed a shiny appearance, as if she rubbed oil on it. The makeup she spoke of helped her blend in. Just as her long permed hair hid her pointy ears.

  “Tell him about the Pentacle. The one used to control a tribe.”

  Her eyes widened. “My great-grandmother arrived with many fellow Elves from her village. They all followed a man named Ryul Bibella, who they believed to be the wisest leader. The wizards hunted him when they found out he had carried potent magic, a pentacle his ancestors acquired during the War of Ingens Salvos. He fled, leaving his people behind. After time passed, they remembered the horrible things he had done. They realized the forbidden magic caused those close by to trust him, and it blocked any negative thoughts of Ryul.”

  “But her magic made me smell Mia’s perfume, and my friend experienced a different distinct scent.”

  Her eyes lit up. “My great-grandmother said Ryul smelled like her favorite flower during its initial bloom, but my grandfather swore his fragrance matched freshly cut lumber.”

  “Take her necklace to solve the problem,” Johnny said.

  “How do I remove it when getting close to the object makes me trust her?”

  Johnny shrugged. “That’s a difficult situation.”

  Tinesi glared at her husband.

  “We can’t…” He widened his eyes and said between his teeth, “The man is still a wizard.”

  “I have no affiliation with them.”

  Tinesi said, “There is a potion-”

  Johnny threw up his hands, “But since I don’t do that anymore-”

  “Bullshit, Johnny.” I locked eyes with the Yaksha. “You’re the only man I seen get delt pocket aces a dozen times in a few hours. You use luck potions. Why do you think I don’t play at your table?”

  “I would never.” He shook his head. “Telling you about the magic was the third favor. We’re even.”

  “Even?” Tinesi put her hands on her hips and leaned forward. “You can’t repay a life debt so easy.”

  He sighed. “Keep this between us.” He closed his eyes and sucked in a deep breath. “I can make a potion for temporary immunity to mind-altering magic. But it won’t be cheap.”

  “It will be on the house.” Tinesi flashed a smile. “Come back in a few hours. I’ll put on my face and watch the store while he mixes.”

  As I stepped to the door, Junette said, “What you going to do about Cinderella? Drop that evil woman off somewhere and let’s get going.”

  “She may be useful. Just keep reminding me not to trust Nina.”

  The bell rang as I exited the store. Nina glanced up at me and smiled. I walked to the car and slid behind the wheel, spitting out my plan before my mind fell under her influence. “We have a lead, Fionna Mooi. She’s marrying some developer in Palm Springs. It may be useful to have you question her. Play up the sympathy card about your missing husband.”

  “I can do that.”

  I started the car and pulled out, repeating two sentences in my head, she is using magic. Don’t trust her.