Courting the Darkness by Karen Fuller

permanent.”
    He glanced over at her, seeing the excitement and anticipation of her planned revenge lighting up her face. He chuckled softly. She was a girl after his own heart, although he knew he would have to keep a close eye on her to make sure she did not get too reckless. That he would not stand for. He glanced back at the road. Pointing ahead of them, he drew her attention to some lights up ahead. “There’s an all-night laundry.” He looked back at her for confirmation. “Do you see the apothecary?”
    She sat up straight, staring out the window. “Yeah, I see it.” She looked back over at him tilting her head. “You can’t see the apothecary?”
    “No, all I see is the all-night laundry.” He pulled the Express Van into the parking lot, parking it.
    “This must be the place then. Sherry said that only a witch can see the apothecary.” Grabbing the handle of the door, she glanced back at him, biting her lip. “You might need to stay in the van.”
    He reached for the door handle. “I’m not letting you go in there by yourself.”
    She placed her hand on his arm. “You have to. Agatha is a witch. She will know immediately you are a vampire. If you go in with me, she probably won’t help.”
    “Here, take this money.” He handed her a stack of cash. “If you’re not out here in ten minutes, I’m coming in after you.”
    Her eyes rounded, looking at the stack of cash he placed in her hand. Grinning, her mouth dropped open. “You can take me shopping anytime.”
    He grinned back. “Very cute…just make it fast, please.”
    She wiped the smile off her face, trying to look demure. “Since you said please.” She grinned again when he rolled his eyes. “I’ll be quick.” Jumping out of the van, she ran up to the door, and rang the bell.
    The light in the front room illuminated, the curtain pulling back away from the window, and a dark-haired woman stared out. The speaker by the door sounded off. “Yes?” said the voice from the speaker.
    “Agatha?” she spoke loudly. “I’m Desiree; did Sherry call you and tell you I was coming?”
    The woman looked past her toward the van suspiciously. “Who’s that with you?”
    “That’s—uh—that’s Mica, my bodyguard.” She looked in the direction of Agatha’s gaze, locking eyes with Mica. Her eyes widened at the expectant look he gave her, and she shrugged, turning back to the speaker. “He’s going to wait in the car.”
    The speaker sounded off again. “He’s big enough to be a bodyguard…I don’t know…I don’t want any trouble…”
    She blew out a frustrated breath. “We aren’t bringing any trouble with us.” She knew the woman did not have any reason to trust her, but time was a precious commodity right now. She needed the ingredients for that potion, and this witch was the only obstacle standing in her way. Her tone of voice reflected her desperation. “I just need some ingredients for a spell. My life depends on it.” She impatiently tapped her foot when a new thought occurred to her. “I have cash.” She splayed several bills in front of the camera.
    “Very well, stand back and I’ll buzz you in.”
    The buzzer sounded off and she opened the door. Glancing back over her shoulder at Mica, she smiled, waving her hand to let him know she was okay, and walked through the door, closing it behind her.
    The apothecary was a regular store of witchcraft. Picking up a stack of tarot cards, she flipped a card over. Her eyes rounded at the card. She placed the stack back down and shivered. “It would be the death card,” she grumbled under her breath.
    A tall, dark-haired woman entered the room from behind a curtain. She was sleek and as graceful as a cat. “I’m Agatha.”
    “Hi, Agatha.” She nodded in acknowledgement, sticking out her hand. “I’m Desiree.”
    Agatha looked at her outstretched hand, ignoring the gesture. “What is it that you require?”
    She took her hand back, wiping it self-consciously on her