Chapter 16. Who Calls?

“Ruby! What are you doing here?” Lacey asked, with mixed feelings and looking a bit tense.

Since Ruby was no longer a guest at Lacey’s hotel, she had moved into the designated staff quarters. Her services were now needed by Lacey, especially after Ruby had cast a warden spell to keep uninvited supernatural and magical beings away from the hotel.

Ruby swiftly turned around. She hadn’t heard Lacey walk in, and her words startled her. “Whew,” she said, leaning on the wall to catch her breath. “You scared the shit out of me! Don’t you make a sound when you move?”

“That depends,” Lacey replied, raising her eyebrows and the corner of her lip. “So witches get scared too?”

Ruby breathed out a puff of air, expressing relief. “That depends,” she said.

“Why are you here?” Lacey asked, narrowing her gaze on Ruby. She hadn’t expected to see Ruby in her room. Ruby should have been fast asleep in her own bed unless something of supernatural threat was knocking. Lacey’