Pretty Little Fliers: A Cozy Witch Mystery (Magic Market Mysteries Book 1)

tawny fur and reached across the table. He handed Heidi a clump of hairs. “Put it in some spider tears.” He turned to face Peter. “Aubergine or more of a lilac?”
Peter blinked at him. “Uh….”
Will rolled his eyes and leaned into one hip. “Dark or light purple?”
“Dark.”
Heidi held up a flask. The dog hairs floated inside a clear liquid. “Didn’t react.” She bit her lip. “What next?”
“Honestly, I wasn’t trained in animal curses and this isn’t something I’ve seen before, so…” Will straightened. “I don’t know.”
“Please.” Peter’s voice broke. “Please, you’ve got to try and save my dog.”
Will folded his hairy arms across his chest. “Whatever this is, it’s powerful. And if I don’t get the antidote exactly right, if I’m off by even one ingredient….” He raised his brows and his gaze slid to me. “You’re up, slugger.” He jabbed his thumb at the convulsing dog on the table. Her nails rattled and tapped against the metal.
“Me?” I pressed a hand to my chest. “I don’t know anything about curing curses or—”
“You know what I mean.” He flashed his eyes at me. “Miss Pet Psychic extraordinaire.”
“What do you want me to do?” I staunchly avoided looking at Peter, though I could feel his gaze intent on my face.
Will took me by the shoulders, spun me around, and pushed me toward the dog. “Find out what she saw, what she heard. It might give us some clues.”
“Fine,” I grumbled through my teeth. I stared down at the trembling dog, her eyes unseeing, bile dripping from her lips. Even as a non-veterinarian, I could tell she didn’t have long, and I supposed I could at least do my part to help. I glanced over my shoulder. “Peter, I’m going to need you to leave.”
He started. “What?”
I hiked my brows up. “I need privacy to… you know.” I touched my middle fingers to my temples.
The cop set his jaw. “No way. I’m not leaving Daisy.” He widened his stance.
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever.” I let out a heavy sigh.
“We don’t have all day, drama queen.” Will swept a palm toward the dog.
I scoffed. “Oh, that’s rich coming from a—”
“Will you please just help my dog!” Peter cried.
Will, Heidi, and I turned slowly to face the cop.
“Bossy,” Heidi muttered.
“Someone’s got his panties in a twist.” Will folded his arms.
I smirked and turned back to Daisy. I pulled a rolling stool over and plopped onto it. I’d have to get right up in her face to speak with her without the cop overhearing.
I pointed at Peter. “If she bites my face off, I blame you.”
He frowned in confusion.
I turned my head away from the dog’s foul, hot pants, took a deep breath and held it, then lowered my lips close to her furry black ear. I let out a low whine, followed by two short huffs, a sniff, then (to my utter mortification) licked the side of her face. Ugh. I scraped my fur-covered tongue over my teeth. Dog language was so… boundary free.
Did the person who cursed you say anything before the flash of light?
The dog jerked and struggled to lift her head. She blinked her eyes rapidly, and her dark pupils focused on my face. She let out a pained cry.
This human spoke to me? I must be dead.
I rolled my eyes, then grunted and woofed quietly.
Not yet, pooch. Now focus. Do you remember anything that might help us cure you?
Daisy startled again and whipped her head toward me.
You can speak to me?
Her side heaved with labored breaths. Suddenly, she struggled to rise, her legs scrabbling under her. Will and Heidi lunged forward and pinned her to the table.
“It’s alright, Daisy, I’m right here.” Peter rushed forward and cupped the dog’s head in his hands.
The dog barked, so loud I had to cover my ears.
Peter! She’s a shifter! She can speak to me! Don’t trust her!
I scowled at the dog and growled.
You narc!
Peter crouched beside the table to my left, eye level with Daisy. He turned his worried gaze up at me. “What’s she thinking?”
I smirked at Daisy before turning back to him. “She thinks I’m the loveliest human she’s ever seen and I deserve a big tip.”
Peter’s brows drew together.
I jerked a thumb over my shoulder. “Now back up. I need space to work.”
His throat bobbed and he cast another doubtful look at his dog, then obeyed.
I winked at him. “Good boy.” Unlike his tattletale dog.
Peter! Don’t listen to her!
I rolled my eyes and leaned closer to Daisy, careful to avoid her fangs. Good luck with that. Only I can understand you, remember? Now if you want to live, let’s try cooperating, hm?
She dropped her head back down to the table and closed her eyes. Her pale tongue lolled out of her mouth. She whined with each labored breath.
The man. Threw a. Powder. In my. Face. I breathed. It in.
“I’ve got it.” I pushed back from the table and stood.
“What?” Peter lurched forward, his eyes intent on my face.
I gulped and forced my gaze away from him to look at Will. “She said the guy threw a powder in her face.”
My friend’s eyes widened. “Followed by a purple flash?”
“Belladonna poisoning!” Will and Heidi chorused.

POISONED
“Poisoning?” Peter looked from me to Will. “I thought you said she was cursed?”
“I thought so.” Will shoved past me and took my spot on the stool. “Swab.” With his eyes glued on Daisy, he held out his hand, and Heidi deposited an extra-long cotton swab in it.
He slid it up the dog’s nose, twirled it, then pulled it out.
Daisy whimpered but otherwise didn’t move.
Will held it up to the light of his wand and squinted at the round end. Tiny flecks of purple powder glinted there. “Belladonna powder.”
Peter whirled to face me as Heidi and Will got to work mixing up an antidote at the back counter. His mouth fell open. “Sands! You—you really are a pet psychic.”
I pressed my mouth into a tight line and looked to the side. I shrugged as heat flushed up