Off Leash (Freelance Familiars Book 1) Read Free Page A

settled onto my hide. "Tooth and claw will not get you very far in this wild and wooly world. No matter how big you are, you are still a small fish against"—she held up her hand and a spark cracked between her thumb and forefinger—"sorcery. So to prevent any misunderstandings, you will not show me, or any magus in my company, your teeth again. First and only warning, dearie." Electricity arced between her fingers and her palm, hissing and popping as the glow around her brightened. "Understand?"
    My ears folded flat against my head. I nodded, although I made an effort to conceal my teeth. Realization was dawning on me that she wouldn't take no for an answer.
    "Good!" With a clap of her hands, the iron lightning lady instantly transformed back into a hyperkinetic fairy godmother. "Shall we, then? You've got much to learn, and it would be best to fit you with a talking spell sooner rather than later. Words always prevent misunderstandings." She gestured at the floor in front of her. "Now come here and let me get a good look at you."
    I gave a huff of frustration as I regarded her for a moment, trying to buy a little time to think. I didn't know what to make of this woman, but I couldn’t see any alternatives. I could take her up on the offer and possibly get my voice back, or attempt to run and hide—“attempt” possibly being the defining word. She could tase me before I could run my clumsy self out of the kitchen.
    Looking at things in that admittedly cynical fashion, the choice was obvious. Buy time to gather more information.
    Other parts of my brain were busily flipping out over the possibilities hinted at by Sabrina's existence. Woman flying and casually summoning electricity? What was next? Zombies chewing on my door? Werewolves marking territory in my yard? As usual, fear held my awe and wonder in check. Hesitantly I stepped closer and sat down in front of her, my head about even with her chest.
    Sabrina knelt but still appeared to hover an inch off the ground as she looked me over, drifting around me like a buyer around a used car. "Let's see. I'm guessing you're a bit over two hundred pounds, right at the top of the weight range for mountain lions. Although you could probably stand to lose about fifteen of those."
    Just great, I lose my voice but I get to keep my spare tire? Further proof that the universe itself is a sadistic bastard. I flinched a little when she ran her fingertips over the crown of my head. The alien sensation of her fingers threading through my fur to scratch my ears felt pleasant, but did not make me melt into a warm purring pile, as I perhaps feared. I looked up at her and she stopped, flashing me a rueful smile.
    "Oh, fine. And the students wonder why I tell them to pick dogs for familiars." She grumbled as she turned to the door, "Come along, then."
    Outside sat an ancient moss-colored Cadillac convertible, the top up on this warm summer day. Paint flaked around the wheel wells, but otherwise the car looked well kept and free of rust. I looked up at Sabrina and tried to furrow my brow.
    "Oh, dearie. You were expecting a golden carriage drawn by eight white horses, perhaps?" She laughed as she gestured me towards the car.
    I tried to shrug, which didn't really work without a collarbone, so I shook my head.
    She sighed and gave me a little nudge. "Go on, get in the car." The back door unlocked itself and swung open as I crossed the threshold of my doorway. A squirrel, the same one that had been in my window, sprang out from behind the apple tree in my front yard and dashed into the Caddy. Now I knew why this magus was in my house. The little rodent had sold me out.
    "Why, hello, Rudy dear," Sabrina said as she shut the door to my house behind me. A moment of panic shot through me. I didn't have my keys! Or my cell phone or anything! The feeling of nakedness twisted my gut into a knot. Instinctively I turned back and tried to open the door. Sabrina quickly sidestepped out of the way as I