Witches for Hire (Odd Jobs #1)(39)

“I told you let it go, but you did what you wanted to do. Think about the consequences of your actions. You could have killed someone, and I spent what little money I had to keep you from ruining your future.” Mr. Hardy pointed at the door. “What if a witch out there sensed what you almost did? I don’t know….” He dropped his hands, sinking into himself like he thought if he could disappear, so would his problems. “I don’t know what to do with you anymore.” Shoulders sagging even lower, Trey’s father left the room.

Defeating monsters was easy, but sullen teenagers had never been Clive’s specialty. When powerful children came of age in his old world, they could be sent to a knight willing to take on squires, but he knew nothing of Earth Realm’s system of covens. Mia might know, but he didn’t want to give the father false hope. Then again, false hope was better than not trying. “I’ll go speak with him.” He looked at Simone and Jeremy standing against the wall opposite the boy. Their safety probably wasn’t an issue, but if Trey aimed a curse at them…. “Please remember that he’s a minor,” he said before following in the client’s wake.




JEREMY SMIRKED as he looked at the boy pretending to be more adult than he actually was. He saw Trey glance at the door numerous times while his father was gone, and it wasn’t worry Jeremy saw on his face, but guilt. No matter how shitty a kid was, disappointing the parents always felt horrid.

Next to him, Simone whistled. “They’re probably talking about binding you.”

“I’d like to see you low-rent witches try it,” Trey muttered.

“Simone, do you mind leaving me alone with him for a few minutes?”

Simone raised her eyebrow at him. “I thought you hated kids.”

“I don’t hate them. I’m simply bored with their general stupidity.”

Trey’s fingers tapped on the desk. “Keep on calling me stupid, and you’ll see if I’ve got another curse in me tonight.”

“Don’t get me yelled at by Clive later.” Simone shook her head at the boy, and then it was just the two of them.

Jeremy took Clive’s seat and laid his hands on the table on the only area free of lesson-plan books.

The teen turned his whole body sideways, folding his arms tighter against his chest.

“You look like that cartoon rooster who’s always puffing out his chest and has that stutter.”

In answer, Trey pulled his hat lower so his chin was the only part of his face showing.

“I didn’t call you stupid. I said in general, kids can be, but I’m talking to you because I think you’re smart.” Jeremy smiled. “Which coven’s attention are you trying to get?”

Trey turned his head farther away from him.

“The brujas, the Great Mother’s covens….” Jeremy crossed his own arms. “Come on. You didn’t construct that heavy-duty curse just for payback. That intricacy requires weeks of preparation. You wanted to make a splash where several people in the stands had camera phones.”

Suddenly Trey spun in his seat and slapped his hands on the table. “I’m not signing a contract and throwing away five years of my life, so go fuck yourself!” He swiveled back into his original surly position.

“So you want the teachings without swearing your allegiance to anyone,” Jeremy whispered. “I know a man who fits that description.”

“You don’t know shit.”

“Actually, I do,” Jeremy said with his English accent.

Trey’s eyes darted to him.

Jeremy’s smile widened. “It’s too bad you’re unwilling to listen to me. Obviously, you resorted to a desperate act because you’re a seventeen-year-old with no powerful contacts and zero ability to network. This low-rent witch might have been willing to give you a leg up.” He started to stand, but Trey’s chair scraped the floor while he fully faced him.

Trey pushed his hat back. “I’m listening.”

“Mm-hm.” Stroking his chin as the clock ticked loudly, Jeremy mimicked Trey’s earlier tapping on the desk. When Trey began chewing his lips, Jeremy spoke again. “I have an acquaintance who desires three things in apprentices.” He raised one finger. “Power.” Another finger. “Attitude.” His third finger rose. “And intelligence.” Jeremy put his fingers down. “He also regards my opinion very highly if I send witches I think meet those criteria his way.”

Trey gulped.

“Are you smart enough to control that temper of yours?”

“If you’re not playing me, yeah, I won’t curse anyone else.”

Jeremy dug into his pocket. As soon as he brought his knife out, he clicked the button releasing the blade. Trey jumped away from him, but Jeremy calmly held out the knife to Trey. “Swear a blood oath that you won’t hex innocent people in such a way again, and I’ll give you an invite.”

Trey licked his lips. “I, uh, have my own knife.” His eyes nervously flicked to Jeremy’s switchblade.

“Fine.” After pricking his forefinger, Jeremy clicked the button again and returned it to his pocket. He didn’t change his expression, so Trey wouldn’t think he had intimidated him on purpose.

It took a long minute for Trey to dig a pocketknife out of his sock and release his much smaller blade. “I swear I won’t curse innocent people again.” Trey cut the tip of his finger, wincing. He held out his hand, and Jeremy shook it firmly.