Hemlocked and Loaded by Annabel Chase

Author:Annabel Chase [Chase, Annabel]
Language: eng
Format: E, P, U, B
Publisher: Red Palm Press LLC
Published: 2017-10-28T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

“What’s the special today?” I asked.

“Bucksberry fizz and caviar,” Agnes replied.

“In your dreams,” I shot back.

Agnes eyed me. “You could make it happen. One little flick of those sorceress fingers.”

“Agnes.” I used my warning tone to make it clear bucksberry fizz and caviar would not be on the menu today courtesy of me.

We made our way to the cafeteria of the care home where I’d promised to join her for lunch so we could discuss the coven’s most recent findings. No sooner had I pushed open the double doors when a voice shrieked in horror.

“Watch out for the kittens!”

I whirled around, hoping to avoid whatever kitten calamity threatened to unfold. The floor around me was bare, however.

“Hazel’s hallucinating again,” Agnes whispered.

“Nothing wrong with my hearing, Agnes Weatherby,” Hazel said. The elderly elf stood next to one of the long tables, which was currently empty. The lunch crowd hadn’t quite meandered in yet. “And I am not hallucinating. There must be a hundred kittens on this floor. You’re simply as blind as the bat you rode in on.”

“I’m a witch,” Agnes huffed. “We don’t ride bats.”

“I admit to having ridden one or two in my day,” Hazel said. “Vampires are delightful creatures. Terribly sexy.” She gestured wildly to my feet. “Watch it! You’re on that little one’s tail.”

I gingerly lifted my foot so as not to crush the imaginary kitten.

“Aren’t they the sweetest?” Hazel said, staring down at a kindle of adorable kittens only visible to her.

“I take it you had cats before you moved here,” I said.

“Oh, yes,” Hazel replied. “Witches aren’t the only ones. Of course, mine can’t talk to me the way familiars can, but I don’t mind. We have our own ways of communicating.”

“I’ll bet,” Agnes muttered.

I pretended to admire the kittens on the floor. “They’re all lovely. Such beautiful eyes.”

“Aren’t they, though? I’m so grateful the care home allows pet companions.” Hazel bent over to stroke one and I felt a pang of sympathy. While I understood the reasons why the care home didn’t allow actual pets, I couldn’t imagine severing such an important bond.

I cast a furtive glance around the cafeteria. “Let me know if you see anyone official,” I said in a hushed tone to Agnes.

Her lips curled. “That was a quick one-eighty. Taking one for the team, are we?”

“Don’t get excited,” I said. “I’m not planning to make a habit of it.” Besides, it would be a good test of my manifestation skills. If I could manifest kittens, maybe my mother’s letters weren’t far behind.

“Ditch the doubt,” Agnes hissed. “I can feel it oozing out of you. You’re a sorceress, my dear. Don’t be afraid to act like one.”

I closed my eyes and gathered the magical energy into a ball in the pit of my stomach. Once I felt secure, I focused my will, stretched out my arms and said, “Hats, gloves, scarves, and mittens/cover this floor with adorable kittens.”

I heard the sweet sound of purring before I even opened my eyes. There were kittens everywhere.

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