How to Stone a Crow (Witch Like a Boss Book 2) by Willow Mason (great novels txt) 📕

“Really? I suppose I should tag along then.”

“Because it’s your job, you mean?” my aunt teased.

“Is it, though? Or is it something my assistant could handle?”

“We’ll all go,” Wendy declared. “Since so many of you don’t have familiars yet, you can adopt one and that’ll be the end of the problem.”

“Some of us are in mourning,” Genevieve snapped back, the jollity disappearing. She exchanged a glance with my aunt, then pressed a hand to her cheek. “Sorry, I didn’t…”

<If you’re in mourning for a lost familiar then you’ll get on well with the familiars mourning their lost witches,> Paisley declared, twining through Patrick’s legs to make it to the front door. <Grab the food and follow me.>

As I hefted the frozen goodies into a carry bag, Jared knocked on the door, apparently the only person left in town who remembered the ability. Pru stood behind him, adjusting and readjusting her horn-rimmed glasses.

“We’re about to go visiting,” I said, quickly explaining the mission. “You’re welcome to join.”

The talk died down as we got farther into the woods, our passage slowed by the riotous foliage spouting fresh twines and burgeoning branches in the late summer heat. As we neared the clearing that was home to the cast-offs, Genevieve clicked her fingers.

“I nearly forgot to say, I’ve commissioned Maribelle at the library to write a new history of Scarlett O’Malley.”

A trace of the ghost’s incredible sadness pulled at my chest for a second, then departed, leaving me breathless. “That sounds like a fantastic idea. I wish all history could be righted so easily.”

Jared pulled away from Pru to race ahead, then ducked back, smiling broadly. “It appears news of our arrival has preceded us.”

I frowned as we pulled into the clearing, then gasped at the array of familiars, all waiting for us. “Hello,” was the best I could manage, followed by a wave.

A squirrel, two possums, and a Pukeko were scattered among the more common cats and dogs that spread across the enclosure. As they introduced themselves and we passed out the contents of the carry bag—apologising for the hours of defrosting still to go—the familiars relaxed, chatting and talking over each other as they held us in rapt attention.

“This was a fantastic idea,” Wendy said, stroking Paisley while the cat basked in the sun. “If I want to become a peacekeeper, I hope you’ll stick around to help me.”

Genevieve frowned at the pair and I caught her inference. The mystery of the potion still weighed heavily on her mind. If the pairing was down to Paisley’s interference, then their bond turned from a triumph to a tragedy.

I was still musing about Wendy’s strong will and the unlikelihood a cat could bend it when Jared dropped down to do a roly-poly in a pile of sweet-smelling grass.

<Not there!!!> Paisley yelled, springing to her feet, and running full tilt at Jared.

“Why not?” He ignored her shrill command and rolled back and forth again, laughing when Meep raced across to join him and enthusiastically licked his face.

<That’s where…> The cat stepped back, casting a despairing glance in Wendy’s direction. <It’s…>

Wendy stepped forward. “It’s where she dumped the potion when she decided not to use it on Violet.” The girl crossed her arms in defiance of the anticipated reprimand.

Jared sprang to his feet and jumped away. “Is it on me?” He twirled in a circle, staring over his shoulder. “Did I get it anywhere?”

<You look clean to me,> Meep said eyeing him up and down. <But you should probably give yourself a vigorous shake, just in case.>

He obliged, sending a few clinging blades of grass flying. <Is that better?>

<Yeah. You look fantastic. Good job, buddy.>

<You look pretty great yourself.>

“Wait.” Genevieve held her hand up. “Since when did you communicate with your mind.”

“Eh?” Jared stared at her in confusion. “I’ve been able to hear the familiars since I was first bitten.”

“But you were talking back the same way.”

Jared stared at Meep. <What are they on about?>

The chihuahua shook his head. <No idea, mate. And you’re the smartest one here. If anything was going on, you’d know.>

Annalisa nudged the backs of my knees, chuckling with amusement. <Looks like your friend found a new familiar. Oopsy-daisy.>

“Stop laughing,” my aunt scolded the panther. “Jared, we can reverse this spell for you. Don’t worry.”

“Reverse what?” He held his arms wide open and Meep jumped into them, snuggling up against his neck.

Genevieve walked over and gave Meep’s belly a rub. “Werewolves don’t usually have familiars. I’m sure this is unorthodox for a reason.”

<We’re not familiars, are we sport? We’re blood brothers.>

<Yeah.> Meep’s entire body wriggled with delight. <Brothers.>

She held up her hands and backed away. “Just keep it in mind, that’s all.”

Patrick’s frown told me that once again he was missing out on half the conversation, so I quickly filled him in. “I wouldn’t mind a familiar, either. Talking to a pet in your head sounds like great fun.”

<He can have me,> Ferdinand the Great offered, scurrying up his leg. <Lizards make great pets.>

I relayed the message to Patrick, though he seemed to have understood most of it given the lizard was now ensconced in his shirt pocket.

“Perhaps there’s a spell in the library to make that work for you,” the supreme mused.

My aunt rolled her eyes. “Or we could just leave it as it is and let them find their own way to communicate with each other. That’s what normal humans do. Not everything has to be hocus-pocused to work.”

She put an arm around my shoulder, giving one quick press before she took it away. Jared had taken Meep over to be introduced to Pru and Aunt Florentine seemed amused at the spectacle. “Looks like your man overflow situation has worked itself out nicely.”

I frowned at her, not understanding, and she jerked her chin to where Pru and Jared were now talking, heads close together.

“Ooh, gross. She’s like double his age.”

“Yeah, but she’s also wealthy so that doesn’t matter.”

When my eyes widened with shock, Aunt Florentine laughed.