The Hunt of the Grimalkin (Erresuma Book 1) by Dani Swanson (read aloud books txt) 📕

what was running through her head. Thea didn’t know what to think as she studied her friend’s face. “Why aren’t you being straight with me, Robin?” Thea’s voice had turned stern and the expression on her face harden. “What is going on here?”

Robin let out a soft sigh before she started to speak. “When I said I didn’t know what had happened to you, it wasn’t the full truth….” She trailed off as she spoke.

“You need to explain to me what you are talking about.” Thea responded sternly. She could feel her face turning hot as she spoke to Robin.

“Lilly Quinn is following you around for a reason.” She started softly. “People said that she tried to eat your soul, like the other people that she has attacked over the years, but you were different….She couldn’t defeat you or take your powers.” Robin looked at Thea sheepishly as she spoke. “You were hunting her for most of your life. Lilly is who killed your parents and why you were living with your auntie when we were growing up. She ate their souls and stole their powers.”

Thea felt all the blood drain from her face; suddenly felt numb and empty inside. “What?” was all Thea could stammer out as a response. She leaned her body against the counter. “So you are telling me, that I am a witch, that my parents were killed by some super witch, and I’m now a witch hunter? Really? This is my real life?” Thea’s response came out with emotions mixed of disbelief and anger, behind a sarcastic laugh. She was infuriated that Robin had previously lied about the knowledge of her family. Why is she telling me now that my family is dead, when she had said she didn’t know what happened to them?

Robin pursed her lips and slowly nodded her head in agreeance. “People said that you finally stalked her like prey, outside of Starling Township about three months ago and attacked her with your fireball magic. She countered with her own purple fireball. When you two ran together and started to fight, there was a large explosion in the forest, and both of you disappeared into thin air. I had begged you to wait for me before you left to go find Lilly, but you are so stubborn; you were gone before I woke up that day.”

Thea just stared at Robin. She was stunned. With everything that had been going on, and how she woke in the middle of no-where, all by herself. It made sense to her that it was magic that caused all of this.

“You had even left Fig behind at my house; how he ever went out and tracked you down is beyond me. We all thought you two killed each other, but Lilly started hunting again. She is back to taking one person a month….it’s been almost a month since her last known victim. That’s why I’m pushing you to remember.” Robin had hope in her eyes as she studied Thea’s face. “You are the only one that has been known to be strong enough to survive her attack. The only one, Thea!” Robin walked over and wrapped her arm around Thea’s waist. “We just need to figure out how to make you remember.” Fig jumped up onto the counter and started to purr and nudge Thea’s hand. She lifted her bandaged hand and scratched the little orange cat behind the ears.

The two sat on the couch, not really speaking to each other. A small rain storm had rolled in and was rhythmically tapping on the windows. Fig settled himself in between the two women and was showing his belly, looking for scratches.

“I know it is a lot of information to take in….” Robin started “but, you can’t run from Lilly forever. You are stronger than she is, you just need to remember so that we can get her.” Robin paused as if she was looking for some sort of acknowledgement from Thea.

“We?” Thea questioned back as she fiddled with a loose string on her skirt.

“I’m not letting you go out alone this time. I’m not as talented as you are, but I can help.”

Thea looked up and met her eyes. She smiled. “I don’t know where to start to get my memory back. It looks like we have been studying this stuff our whole lives, and now I’m expected to relearn it all in a few weeks.” Thea said with a shrug.

Fig lifted his head up from the couch. “Meow.” He squeaked out with a sleepy yawn. He jumped down and walked over to the stack of books on the floor. He nuzzled the pile until they all came crashing down.

“What are you doing, cat?” Thea questioned.

He started to paw at one of the books while meowing. She walked over to the mess the cat made and started to pick the books up. The book that Fig had been pawing at was navy blue leather and had a purple pentagram imprinted on the cover. Thea bent down and picked up the book. She ran her fingers over the cover, and then noticed the lock with a knotted design on the binding. “Why is this book locked?” Thea asked Robin.

“I don’t know; it’s your book.” Robin said as she walked over to examine the book with Thea. “Grab my bag, will ya?” Thea mumbled as she gestured to where it was hanging on the back of the chair.

Robin grabbed the bag and brought it over to where Thea had plopped down on the floor. “Thanks.” Thea started to rifle through the collection of things she had found over the past few weeks. “Ah!” She exclaimed as she pulled out the small key that she had found in her booth at the market.

It slid into the small rusted lock with surprising ease. She turned the lock and the book flew open