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“You look tired,” Kinsley said as she flipped her long brown hair over her shoulder. “Did you overdo the fun yesterday?” She leaned over the front counter and pumped her eyebrows up and down as if insinuating something.

They’d just opened Brooms that Vroom, and Indigo felt barely functional. She refrained from rolling her eyes, but that was probably because she was too weak to move them. After the visit to the hospital, Niko had brought her back to her apartment and then stayed with her while she slept for nearly eighteen hours. At some point while she was dead to the world, he’d secured one of her grandmother’s potions, clearly because the man was a saint. She’d downed the potion when she’d woken up, and while it had done the trick to clear some of the cobwebs, she still wasn’t feeling a hundred percent.

“I knew I was barking up the wrong tree with that one, but with a man that good-looking, it’s not like I couldn’t try,” Kinsley said. “Amiright?”

“I’m sorry, what?” Indigo asked, having no idea what she was talking about.

“Niko. Hello. I saw you two leave your apartment yesterday, looking mighty cozy, too. And his truck is still parked right outside as well.” She tsked. “Were you trying to hide the fact that you two have something going on? Because if you are, you’re doing a pretty bad job of it.”

“I’m not…” Indigo shook her head at her employee. “I’m not sure this is appropriate work conversation.”

“Oh.” Kinsley looked defeated as she straightened and took a step back. “I’m so sorry. I’ll?—”

Indigo held her hand up. “Stop. Never mind. I’m just really out of it today. Niko and I… I don’t know what to say about us other than he’s been helping me with something.” More like a few things, one of which was protecting her from a vengeful ex while sharing her bed. But Kinsley didn’t need to know any of those details. “We’re… friends.”

“Really?” Kinsley let out a soft chuckle when Niko walked in carrying a coffee tray, a pastry bag, and a single rose. When Kinsley spoke again, her voice was dripping with sarcasm. “Definitely looks like friends.”

A huge smile claimed Indigo’s lips when Niko handed her the rose. “You know you’re not being the least bit subtle. Kinsley over here was just grilling me about you.”

He barely glanced at the other woman as he shrugged one shoulder. “There’s nothing to hide as far as I’m concerned.”

She wanted to ask if she was a conflict of interest with the case he was working on, but she didn’t want to say anything about that in front of Kinsley. So she just said, “Right. Niko and I are just friends.”

“Friends who spend the night,” Kinsley muttered as the bell on the door buzzed and she slipped out from behind the counter to help the customer.

Indigo pulled him aside. “Aren’t you worried that your boss might think it’s a conflict of interest to date me when you’re working on your new case?”

“Why? You’re not involved in this new case at all,” he said. “Sure, you have information that’s proving to be important, but you are neither a victim nor a suspect. In the eyes of the MTF policies, we’re nowhere near breaking any sort of protocol.”

“Good.” Indigo leaned into him, enjoying the warmth of his skin after being in air conditioning all morning. “Because I think I’m starting to like having you around.”

His slow, easy smile made her want to drag him back upstairs, but that would have to wait until after the store closed.

“What’s on your agenda today?” she asked him.

“I’m going to do more research on my case. I actually want to head to Olympic Witches University and conduct a couple of interviews there.”

Hearing the name of her former college, the one she’d failed to graduate from, made her stomach churn with nerves. After she’d left—no, after they made her leave—she hadn’t stepped foot on the campus since. It wasn’t just that they didn’t believe her when she said she had nothing to do with Tricia’s compulsion, it was also the university itself. Thinking about her time there, and ultimately how Tricia’s time was cut short, just hurt too much.

“In fact,” Niko continued. “I was hoping you could come with me. I need to interview some of the faculty about the compulsion spells happening right under their noses.”

Indigo felt her insides go cold. “I can’t go back there.”

“The last thing I want is to cause you more stress, but if you change your mind,” he said, empathy practically radiating off him, “I’ll head out late this afternoon.”

“I won’t,” she said. But even as the words flew out of her mouth, she wasn’t so sure. Maybe, just maybe it was time to face her demons. She started to call Niko back, but he was already out the door and climbing into his truck. It was just as well. It’d give her time to think and mull over Niko’s request.

“Indigo? Can I take a break?” Kinsley asked as she practically hung off the customer she’d been helping. Only when Indigo looked closer, the man wasn’t a customer at all. He was Mateo, Dante’s brother, and he looked completely smitten with Kinsley from the way he was gazing at her. Moon-eyed and everything. “Mateo here is dying to buy me a meal.” She batted her eyelashes at the poor bookseller.

Indigo wondered what spell Kinsley had put on him and then quickly shook her head. Kinsley didn’t need a spell. She was a gorgeous twenty-two-year-old who flirted with the best of them. It was obvious what Mateo wanted.

Chuckling to herself, she waved them off and told them to take their time. Alone time in the shop was exactly what she needed.

* * *

Indigo glanced at the clock again and scowled. Kinsley had gone to lunch with Mateo over four hours ago and had never returned. She hadn’t answered any of Indigo’s texts either. She knew she’d told Kinsley to take her time, but four hours and no communication? That was something else entirely. Frustrated, she walked into the back of the store, where she found Luke, her assistant, reorganizing for a shipment they were due to receive in a few days.

“Hey, boss,” Luke said, leaning against a supply rack. His handsome face was red from exertion, and he’d sweat right through his Brooms that Vroom T-shirt. “What’s up?”

“You’ve been working hard,” she said, reaching into a mini fridge and pulling out a bottle of water for him.

“It’s all in a good day’s work.” He took the water and gave her a grateful smile. He’d always been single-minded when he was on a task, forgetting to hydrate and take breaks.

“Kinsley never came back from lunch, and something unexpected came up this afternoon that I have to take care of. Have you gotten to a point where you can stop organizing for today?”

“Sure,” he said after taking a long swig of water. “Give me a few minutes to clean up, and then I’ll take over the store.”

She gave Luke a grateful smile. “Thanks. You’re a lifesaver.”

He gave her a small shrug. “Just doing my job.”

Indigo had lucked out when Luke had come to work with her. He had come to Befana Bay to be a production assistant on a movie that was being filmed there but had fallen in love with the magical bayside town and decided to stay. The day he’d walked into her broom shop had changed both of their lives. She finally had someone she could count on, and he’d found a stable job where he was appreciated that afforded him the life he wanted.

Fifteen minutes later, Luke appeared from the back room, freshly washed up and in a clean Brooms that Vroom T-shirt. His brow creased with concern when he asked, “Have you heard from Kinsley yet?”

Indigo shook her head. “Not a word.”

“I hope everything’s okay.” Luke pulled out his phone and sent a text. “I know you already tried to reach her, but it’s worth a shot.”

“I did. I also texted Niko for Mateo’s number. I’ll call him as soon as Niko replies.” Indigo didn’t know Kinsley all that well, but she didn’t think she was the type to just run out on a job without notice. And she was getting more and more worried by the minute.

Luke stared at his phone for a few beats and said, “Text sent. I’ll let you know if I hear from her.”

“Thanks, Luke.” Indigo gave him a grateful smile. “I’ve got to get going. It’s highly unlikely I’ll be back before closing time. Just let me know if you hear from Kinsley, and I’ll do the same, okay?”

He gave her a small salute. “You got it, boss. See you tomorrow?”

She shook her head. “It’s my day off. Kinsley was supposed to be here to help you. Hopefully that’s still the case, but if not, call me if you need help. I’ll come in.”

He frowned at her. “I can handle it.”

“I’m sure you can, but this time of year you just never know how busy it might be,” she said, squeezing his arm as she walked by. “I don’t want to take my favorite employee for granted.”

He chuckled softly. “I doubt there’s any chance of that. Have a good afternoon and don’t worry about a thing here. I’ve got it under control.”

She nodded at him, knowing that was true. Then she hurried upstairs to grab a quick bite to eat and freshen up before Niko was supposed to pick her up. As she was walking into her apartment, her phone pinged with a message from Niko. He relayed Mateo’s number and indicated he’d be there in ten minutes.

Indigo immediately called Mateo but was greeted with voice mail. “Damn,” she muttered and then left a message. “Hi, Mateo, I’m wondering if Kinsley is still with you. If so, could you have her give me a call? If not, could you let me know when you parted ways? I was expecting her back at the shop today, and I’m just getting a little worried. Thanks.”

Frustrated and also a little annoyed at the thought that Kinsley could have just blown her off, she dropped the phone into her purse and went to freshen up. By the time she made it back downstairs, Niko was already waiting at the curb.

“Hi.” She smiled at him as she climbed into his truck.

“Hi.” He pumped his eyebrows at her, looking a little ridiculous.

“If that’s your form of flirting, you might want to work on it,” she teased.

“I’m saving my best moves for later,” he said as he pulled out onto Main Street.

Shaking her head, Indigo chuckled. “I can hardly wait.” There was humor in her tone, but as soon as the words faded away, reality started to kick in. The entire purpose of their trip was to head to Olympic Witches University, a place she thought she’d never visit again. Not in this lifetime anyway.

“Are you okay?” Niko asked, obviously sensing her mood change.

“Honestly, I don’t know.” She glanced over at him. “I’ve spent a lot of the last ten years pretending that those four years I spent at OWU never happened. And now… Well, I guess there’s no running from the past after all.”

His grip tightened on the steering wheel, and she kept her gaze focused on his white knuckles as he spoke. “I can only imagine how hard this is for you, but I hope you know that I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t think it was vital to have your input.”

“I’m not sure if I’ll be able to offer anything, but if I can somehow help you figure out who spelled Polly, then I’ll do whatever it takes… even if it means facing down my demons.” She gave him a weak smile. The truth was, as apprehensive as Indigo was to be going back to the place that had nearly broken her, she knew it was something she had to do. If not for Polly, then for herself. If one more person was harmed by the spell that she created while she did nothing to stop it, she’d never forgive herself.

Niko glanced at her. “I’d bet a month’s paycheck that you don’t need me, but I’ll be right by your side anyway for whatever you need today.”

“Thanks, but don’t take that bet. You didn’t know me back then, and I’m afraid the minute I step on campus I’ll revert right back to being that scared young woman.” She couldn’t believe she was being so honest with him, or herself for that matter. But somehow, acknowledging her fears was giving her the strength she needed to face her past.

“The minute it’s too much for you, I’ll get you out of there,” Niko promised.

Indigo nodded once, knowing that she wouldn’t do anything that would hurt his investigation, even if it meant enduring whatever was waiting for her on campus.

When the truck rolled up to the front gates of the prestigious school, Indigo’s head swam as her pulse quickened with unease. At the same time, she admired the beautifully manicured grounds and the blooming dahlias that framed the entrance. The place had always been so inviting. So warm. And she’d always felt at peace there. Or at least she had until everything had gone to crap and she’d been banned from her happy place.

She stared out the window, taking in the large trees that shaded the campus. Students lounged on the lawn, using backpacks as pillows, or sat against tree trunks as they studied. It all seemed so… normal. As if nothing nefarious had ever happened or would ever happen there.

Indigo knew better.

“The experimental lab is down that road to the right,” Indigo said, pointing toward the section of campus where she’d spent most of her time during her senior year.

Niko turned down the road and followed it until it came to a parking lot at a dead end. After they parked, Indigo hopped out and waited for Niko before leading the way. Now that she was there, something had come over her, and she felt an irresistible pull toward her former lab. It was as if she needed to see it, smell it, experience it again just to prove to herself that the experience hadn’t broken her. That she could go back and not lose herself in the process. It was as if all the rage and disappointment she’d carried with her after being expelled needed to be purged, and the only way to do that was to face the ones who’d failed her.

Memories of Indigo’s time on campus came flooding back. All the time she and Tricia had spent walking the grounds, the time they spent in the lab, the parties they’d frequented at the Witchery Society, the club they belonged to that was supposed to help them with connections after they graduated. Indigo hadn’t been surprised when all her close girlfriends suddenly disappeared once she’d left school. None of them would want to be associated with a witch who’d gone bad. She couldn’t even say that she blamed them. If she’d had limited information to go on, she’d likely have done the same in their shoes.

All the hope and pride she’d felt back then had just disappeared into the ether. She’d hoped she’d be some sort of revolutionary when it came to creating spells and potions. It was everything she’d been focused on since before she’d even started high school.

That girl back then would have been horrified to learn that she’d just moved home and taken over the family business. But now? Indigo was a different person. She loved her close-knit hometown and being near her grandmother and sisters. There was a quiet joy in her work. Bringing enjoyment to the people who visited her shop was more than enough. She’d learned the hard way that ambition wasn’t everything.

Niko cleared his throat.

Indigo turned to look at him, having almost forgotten that he was there.

“You seem to be on a mission. Want to fill me in on where we’re going?”

She blinked. “I thought you wanted to talk to Polly’s adviser.”

He nodded. “I do. Professor Cannon. Do you know her?”

“Professor Cannon?” Indigo glanced up at the building in front of them. Then she felt a smile claim her lips. “I thought…” She shook her head. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter. I do know Professor Cannon. Come on. This way.”

Indigo grabbed his hand and tugged him along with her. In her excitement to see her favorite professor, the majority of her anxiety seemed to melt away. Professor Cannon had been one of only two professors who’d been kind to her after they’d lost Tricia, and Indigo had never forgotten.

When they arrived at Room 312, Indigo paused as she knocked on the open door. The woman sitting at her desk pushed back her long, wavy blond hair and squinted in Indigo’s direction. It took her a few seconds, but recognition dawned in her deep blue eyes before she gasped and ran over to Indigo.

Professor Cannon clutched her arm and pulled her inside. Niko was barely in the office when the professor slammed the door shut and turned around, her expression grim as she said, “Indigo, you shouldn’t have come.”