Careful What You Witch For Read Free Page B

trying to defuse the situation, but I was still on edge.
    “Are you a witch, too?” Clara asked.
    “My whole family is made up of witches,” Thistle answered honestly. “We’re all … evil.”
    I frowned. I knew she was just playing it up for the crowd, but Thistle was having a little bit too much fun doing it.
    Chet Corbin, a Ford executive from the Flint plant, smirked. “I love the atmosphere of this place,” he said. “I like that everyone pretends they’re in on the gag. It’s great.”
    Dad cleared his throat. “It is great.”
    “And the whole town is like this, right?” Corbin said. “The whole town plays the game?”
    “They do,” Uncle Teddy replied. “Everyone has a great time … playing the game.”
    I knew three men who had disliked “the game” so much they’d fled. Sure, they were trying to make up for it now, but they hadn’t seemed so keen on playing the game when they were married to our mothers.
    “We all love the game,” Bay said, shooting me a sympathetic look. “Clove is great at the game. She’s a gifted psychic. I’m sure she can conjure up a friendly ghost or two for everyone to play with tonight.”
    Clara smiled. “Let’s do it. I’m so excited. I’ve never been to a séance.”
    I let everyone file into the room ahead of me, and Bay stopped in the doorway long enough to give my hand a squeeze. “Just put on a good show,” she said.
    “And when nothing happens?”
    Thistle and Bay exchanged a small look. “We’ll just give them a miniature light show,” Thistle whispered. “It will be fine.”
    My heart dropped. They were planning on using real magic. “What if someone sees?”
    “They won’t know what they’re seeing,” Thistle said. “This isn’t our first rodeo.”
    Somehow their show of solidarity warmed me. “It’s going to be fun, right?”
    “It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Bay said, glancing over her shoulder as Landon sidled up to her and snaked an arm around her waist.
    “Let’s get this show on the road,” Landon said. “My witch turns into a pumpkin at midnight, and I need to … .” Landon broke off, searching for the appropriate words to turn his metaphor dirty.
    Thistle solved the problem for him. “Explore the pumpkin patch?”
    Landon grinned. “Exactly.”
    Uncle Jack moved in behind us, clearing his throat as he fixed Landon with a harsh look. “What were you talking about?”
    “Oh, Landon was just talking about exploring Bay’s … .”
    Marcus slapped his hand over Thistle’s mouth to cut her off. “They were just talking about the best way to give the guests a show.”
    Jack nodded, his eyes wary. “And it’s just going to be a show, right?”
    “Of course,” Bay said, rolling her eyes. “We’re not stupid.”
    “I didn’t say you were stupid … .”
    “Oh, let’s just get this over with,” Thistle grumbled, irritable as she wrenched Marcus’ hand from her mouth. “If we’re going to perform like monkeys, I want to do it now. The longer we stand here talking about it, the more obnoxious it’s going to be.”
    “You always were a ray of sunshine, Thistle,” Jack said. “Even as a child, I could always rely on you to ruin a good mood.”
    Thistle blew him a kiss. “I’m nothing if not predictable.”
    Jack’s face was grim as he regarded the three of us. “Just don’t go overboard.”
    “Of course not,” Bay said, her face bright. “That’s not the Winchester way.”
    Unfortunately, she was lying. That was exactly the Winchester way. I could only hope tonight would break from that tradition.

Three
    The table was big enough for all of the guests to sit around, my father and uncles rounding out the crowd. Sam opted to remain standing, close enough so I could feel his presence, but far enough away that he wouldn’t be mistaken as part of the show.
    Bay was leaning against the wall, her arms crossed over her chest as she waited for me to begin. Thistle was next to her, and Landon and