Page 51 of Love's a Witch
“Just a prick.”
I watched, my heart in my throat as Blue held out a paw. With a gentle motion, Broca nicked his paw and collected a couple of drops of blood in a small dish. I winced, but Blue seemed remarkably unperturbed.
“Now you.” I leaned forward and gave Broca my finger, and she added a few drops of my blood to the dish.
“There. Now, repeat after me.” Broca leveled me a look, and I nodded.
“By claw and paw, by tail and wing, I ask the moon to let you sing. Familiar dear, your voice shall rise, with every word, no more shall you hide.”
I repeated the words exactly, my eyes darting around the room in case I started any fires, but nothing came. When I finished, I just looked at Broca, waiting for instruction.
I do believe it’s time for my cheese.A soft voice filled my head, warm and brash, a light growl around the edges as though the words were gently heated with fire.
My eyes widened in shock and I reached for Blue.
“Was that you, buddy? Did you just ask for cheese?”
I mean, I did just get my paw sliced open. Don’t you think that deserves a reward?
“Oh my goddess. It works. I can hear him.” I laughed out loud, hugging him close. “He wants cheese because we cut his paw open.”
“I’ve closed the circle. Have all the cheese you want, Blue.” Broca smiled as I carried Blue across the room to the kitchen, tears pricking my eyes.
I might only be a simple witch, but if that meant we had a chance at breaking the curse and I got to stay here with my sweet little emberwolf, maybe, just maybe, I had a fighting chance at being happy for once.
CHAPTER FOURTEENSloane
You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“I most certainly am not.” Lyra stuck her nose up, though it was hard to take her seriously in a hugely padded puffy toadstool costume.
“You look ridiculous.”
“I look amazing.” Lyra bounced around the room, her mushroom cap swinging about, and Blue zoomed in the air next to her, barking. “Blue agrees.”
“He’s just being nice because you give him snacks.”
“She doesn’t look as good as me.” I turned to see Nova dressed in red overalls, a mustache, and a cap grinning at me.
“It’s-a me!Mario!” Nova lifted her hand in the air and pinched it together like Italians were known to do.
“I’m not going to lie.” I leaned back and crossed my arms over my chest, studying her. “This is a good look on you.”
“Of course it is.” Nova shrugged. “I can pull anything off, really.”
It was true too. Nova exuded effortless confidence in spades. She narrowed her eyes at me, leaning one hip against the kitchen counter.
“Where’s your costume?”
“Do I have to? Why can’t I be Luigi?” I asked, sticking my lower lip out in a pout.
“Because I am,” Broca said, coming out with her walker, wearing green overalls and a sparkly shirt.
“Are you coming to the contest?” I asked, delighted to see her up and about. It had been a challenge to get her to do her daily exercises, but she was slowly beginning to improve from her operation.
“I’m not. I’m staying here to answer the door with candy for any kids that come by. The contest is adults only, remember?”
“Is it?” I hadn’t paid much attention because I hadn’t honestly thought I’d be going. It wasn’t like the town had much warmed up to us, and I wasn’t sure our showing up at one of their parties was going to help things.
