Page 62 of Familiar of the Witch

The title made my heart clench. ‘Not from you,’ I whispered as I pulled him upright. ‘It is Am Bam to you, always.’ According to the rules, the Crone’s family could retain and use her given name.

His smile was like the rising of the sun; his joy lit up the room as he pulled me into his arms. ‘Am Bam,’ he murmured, kissing my forehead. His cold hard arms encircled me. Cold or not, he truly gave the best hugs. He released me. ‘Where are we going?’

I sighed. ‘To clean out another black witch.’ He looked at me expectantly. ‘We’re going home,’ I explained grimly.

Chapter 51

‘You’re not leaving without me!’ a small voice piped up. Frogmatch.

I turned to the little imp, noting with relief that his skin had darkened back to his signature red. Food, rest and potions had done him the world of good. He shot up from the floor, moved past Benji’s intricately tied shoelaces, scrambled up his legs and swung onto the golem’s shoulder.

With Benji’s height, I only had to crane my head a little to make eye contact with the impertinent imp. I told him he was looking much better. ‘Thanks to you, Ellie,’ he said solemnly. His jaw worked. ‘Not all the others were so lucky. Thank you, though, for forcing the Council to heal as many of us as possible without charging anyone.’

‘It’s only right,’ I said firmly. ‘It was our mess to clean up.’ I realised as soon as I said it that calling the abduction, torture,maiming and death of dozens of creatures a ‘mess’ was inaccurate and highly insensitive. I winced internally. ‘I just meant—’ I started.

‘I know what you meant,’ Frogmatch interrupted with a wan smile. ‘It’s okay. But if you’re off to confront another black witch, I’m coming with you.’

‘Evil witch,’ I corrected him absentmindedly.

‘What?’

‘We’re not using the term “black witch” any more. It makes them less evil, less offensive, and it’s too easy to start on the slippery slope of grey witchdom. Saying “white witches” and “black witches” just makes it seem like they are on opposing sides, but it is more than that. So we’re calling them what they are.’

Frogmatch conjured up a smile which had none of its usual joviality. ‘You’re re-branding evil, huh?’

‘Just calling them what they are,’ I repeated firmly. ‘No more of this fifty shades of grey.’

‘From the contents of your bookcase,’ Frogmatch muttered. ‘I thought you were a fan ofFifty Shades.’ I felt myself flush. Great: even my imp knew about my romance-book addiction. I levelled him with a glare. I wasn’t ashamed of mybook choices.

‘Whether I like it or not, you shouldn’t yuck someone else’s yum,’ I said firmly. ‘Your kink may not be my kink, and that’s okay.’

He blinked and tried to find his footing again. ‘I’m just saying, I’m totally okay if you want to spank me.’

Bastion let out a low threatening growl. I’d never heard that sound from him before – an eagle screech, yes, but not his lion’s growl.

Frogmatch blanched. ‘Sorry, your growliness,’ he blathered. ‘Of course she is your witch to spank or not spank. You know, whatever floats your boat.’

‘Frogmatch,’ I sighed. ‘Stop talking.’

‘You know, I sense that maybe I should.’

I grinned. ‘So you’re coming with us to confront evil?’

‘Yes, ma’am, I am. And I want to spit in its eye.’

I met his gaze and found that I wasn’t inclined to deny him. He’d been through hell and back; if he wanted to spread around some bodily fluids, who was I to say no?

‘Can we address the you-growing-huge thing?’ I asked. He started to quirk an eyebrow and I knew that an innuendo was coming. I held up my hand. ‘No. I did leave that open, butno. We’re talking seriously, as adults.’

‘My response was going to be very adult,’ he huffed.

‘No.’

He sighed. ‘Imps can grow in size in emergencies. It’s asecret. It’s not done often or lightly.’

‘Because?’

‘Because it can kill us. You felt how cold I was.’

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