Jenks closed his eyes, seeming to soak in the sun. He was smiling.

“Scent amulets?” Marshal said, a hand tracing the line of muscle of his upper arm, hidden under his windbreaker. “When would I ever use one of those?”

Affronted, I froze. “I use them all the time.”

“Well, I don’t. I bathe every day.”

Jenks snickered, and I warmed. “They aren’t deodorant charms,” I said, offended. “They disguise your scent so Weres can’t follow you.”

Marshal glanced from me to the island. “You’re serious. Damn, who are you, girl?”

Sitting straighter, I stuck my pasty white hand out, thinking it must be really clammy from the cold damp on the water. “Rachel Morgan, third partner of Vampiric Charms out of Cincinnati. That’s Jenks, second partner of the same.”

Marshal’s hand was warm, and as we shook he gave Jenks a sideways glance, a smile quirking the corner of his lips. I didn’t think he believed me yet. “You’re the silent partner, eh?” Marshal said, and Jenks cracked an eyelid and let it shut. “You know,” he went on, releasing my hand, “I was willing to go along with the joke because you’re cute and we don’t get many cute witch tourists. But this?” He gestured to the distant island. “Can’t we just go to dinner?”

My eyes narrowed. I leaned forward until I was too close for my comfort. “Look, Mr. Captain of the good ship Lollypop. I don’t care if you believe me or not. I need to get to the island. I’m going over the side of your boat. I want to trade for an extra charm from you so my boyfriend—” I gritted my teeth. “—my ex-boyfriend doesn’t freeze on the way back. Actually, I want to trade for three, because I don’t have any warmth amulets and I think they’re pretty cool. The equipment, I’d like to arrange for an extended rental. If I lose them on the way, which is a distinct probability, you can take the price of them off my card. You got it on file.”

He looked at me, and I felt queasy from the adrenaline. “Is it real?”

“Yes it’s real! It ran through, didn’t it?”

Hairless brow furrowed, he eyed me. “How do I know your magic is good? You smell good, but that doesn’t mean fish guts.”

I looked at Jenks, and he nodded. “He’s a pixy,” I said, tossing my head to him. “I made him big so he could handle the cold temps up here while we rescued his son.” Okay, technically Ceri made the curse, but I could stir rings around this guy.

Marshal seemed impressed, but what he said was, “His son is your boyfriend?”

Exasperated, I felt my hands start to shake with my desire to scream. “No. But Jenks’s son was with him. And he’s not my boyfriend, he’s my former boyfriend.”

Exhaling long and slow, Marshal eyed first Jenks, then me. I waited, breath held.

“Bob!” the man shouted to the front of the boat, and I stiffened. “Come on back here and help me get my gear on. I’m going to take Mr. and Ms. Morgan on an extended tour.” He looked at me, taking in my obvious relief. “Though I don’t know why,” he finished softly.