A Different Witch (A Modern Witch Series: Book 5) Read Free Page A

one on Aervyn’s head was red and had a slinky strap hanging over his left ear.
    So much for her red silk nightie.
    She was definitely home.

Chapter 2

    Nell took a seat in the Witches’ Lounge, marshaling her thoughts.  The email missive from Fisher’s Cove had been very clear.  Talking Moira out of fetching a new witch right this minute was going to take a mighty act of logic, and possibly bribery as well.
    She waited patiently as Sophie beamed in, clutching a cup of tea and looking fairly harried.  And hoped reinforcements arrived in time.  Not that Lauren knew she was reinforcements.  But when you had a tough negotiation, you called in the best. 
    They didn’t have to put it off for long—Daniel’s words had made it a lot easier to understand the impatience of an old witch who still wanted to make a difference.  A new witch in the new year was fine.  Just not this week.
    Moira landed with a happy thunk, a cup of tea and plate of brownies in her hands.  “A bright and sunny afternoon to you all, then.  Nice to see you, Nell, darlin’.”
    Uh, oh.  The thicker Moira’s Irish got, the more trouble she generally ended up causing.  Nell reached for a brownie—life was always easier with chocolate.  “Does the sun still come up in Fisher’s Cove at this time of year?”
    Delighted cackles from the couch suggested perhaps it did.  “Of course, my dear.  And we watch it from that lovely, warm pool of mine.”
    Sophie grinned and sipped her tea.  “Moira’s been holding court.  Her back yard’s a regular tea house these days.”
    “And isn’t a wee bit of time outside good for all the young ones?”
    “Good for the old and cranky ones too,” said Sophie, with an edge to her voice that suggested she’d had her fill of certain grumpy elders lately.
    Nell shook her head and wondered why anyone lived in a part of the world that deprived them of light, warmth, and good temper for several months of the year.  However, she knew how to handle cranky, and fortunately, Moira responded to the same bribes as most five-year-olds.  “Is everyone ready to make the trip out here for solstice?”
    “Aye.  The party.”  Moira’s whole face brightened.  “Would you be needing a wee bit of help to get ready?”
    It was hard to ignore the pleading in two sets of eyes.   Nell gave in and decided she might as well take her brother under with her.  “Sure.  Another pair of hands would be great.  I have a full house of underage party planners, but Jamie and Nat would love to have you, I’m sure.”
    That was probably true, even if their guest was a mite temperamental—and Kenna adored her “Gra.”  Give Nat and good California sunshine a couple of days to work their magic, and perhaps Moira would be back to her normal cheerfully meddling self.
    “Good, it’s settled then.”  Their elder witch cuddled her tea cup in satisfaction.  “I’ll pack a bag and have wee Aervyn beam me over.  We’ve two birthdays to plan this year—I’m sure you can use the help.”
    Nell exchanged a careful, amused glance with Sophie.  One witch, successfully distracted.  “Aervyn wants a flying carpet for his birthday.  Maybe you can talk him into something a little less likely to scare the whole neighborhood.”
    “A wee magical carpet he wants now, does he?”  Moira’s eyes twinkled, her lilt back with a vengeance.  “Doesn’t that sound like grand fun?”
    Ooh, boy.  Nell made a mental note to warn Jamie.  Moira was a fine model of witch restraint 360 days of the year.  The other five, she taught witchlings more mischief than any other dozen witches combined.
    The next few days were clearly going to be the latter.
    They all spun around at a loud crash behind them.  Lauren grimaced from her landing position in the middle of the new table.  “Who redecorated?”
    Nell winced.  “Sorry.  Looks like someone forgot to update the transport spells.”  That someone was likely small, blonde, and