Howl (Witches & Warlocks Book 4) Read Free Page B

new structure of things, and apparently, none of them have been have been pleasant.
    I make a mental note to look up some info on our government while I’m at the library tomorrow. It really is time that I knew more about my culture. I chuckle to myself, the sound startling Twinks. He lifts his fuzzy little head and stares me down before stretching, rolling onto his back, and falling right back to sleep. I rub his belly and he cracks an eye open, clearly trying to decide between purring and turning into a buzz saw of teeth and nails. He finally comes to a decision and revs up the tiny motor in his chest and closes his eyes.
    There’s the tiniest of sounds outside the big bay window in my living room. The one that looks out towards the woods. The one I absolutely love to look through while I drink my morning coffee. The one with the blinds I forgot to close. Twinks leaps to his feet, making good on that buzz saw promise and arches his back, fur standing out in all directions, yowling towards the window.
    It’s dark outside and light inside. If anyone is out there, they can see me, but I can’t see them. With another wave of my fingers, I turn off the lights, even the playing field. Unfortunately, or fortunately, I guess, I don’t see anything out there. Just the long line of trees stretching out along the edge of my yard, snow gathering on their branches. The moon, low and full, glowing through their edges.
    Twinks bolts off the couch, and runs towards the stairs, a little ball of crazed fur blazing over the hardwood floors. The hairs on my arm are still on edge, and the hairs at the back of my neck join them.
    Muttering a protection spell or twenty, I slink towards the window, careful to stay near the wall in case there is someone, or something, watching me through the glass. When I still don't see anything, I reach out to twist the blinds closed, eyes searching the night, looking for whoever — or whatever — was stalking around outside my house.
    I see nothing. Hear nothing.
    With unease boiling in my stomach, I keep the lights off downstairs. Grab my phone and head up to my room. Keep the lights off up there until I can be sure that the blinds in my windows are closed and then, even though I saw nothing outside and I’m pretty sure I’m safe, I opt for nothing more than a small globe of magic for light until I head to bed.
    If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this life, it’s that you can’t really trust anything to be what it seems.
     

Chapter Three
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    I wake up to a blindingly bright December morning and peek out through the window, unease from last night still raking its way up my back. There’s a fresh blanket of snow on the ground. Undisturbed snow. As in, not a single footprint to be found anywhere. So, either whatever I heard last night was nothing to be concerned about, or it snowed after the something to be concerned about left. Regardless, with the sun up, it feels more like I was just being silly last night than anything else. I take a deep breath and stretch, determined not to let today be ruined by yesterday’s weird mood.
    I check my phone and find a text from Noah.
    It’s a beautiful day for a beautiful girl. Can’t wait to see you.
    I smile and shoot one back.
    Good morning, Mr. Wonderful. Can’t wait to see you, too.
    And that’s totally true. As pragmatic as the decision to live separately is, I still feel better when he’s around. Miss seeing him in the morning, all bare chested and crazy haired. Miss watching him cook eggs and toast. Miss hearing him sing to himself in the shower.
    And so, with all those thoughts in my head, I get dressed, have a quick breakfast and make my merry way to the gym. It’s a longer drive than it used to be, but it’s one that happens in my new car rather than a smelly old bus. So for one, it takes about half the time, and for two, it's a way more enjoyable experience. Radio on, seat warmer on, head boppin’, ready to get