Page 96 of Fresh Old Bounties

“I’m doing it,” I told Dru and Key, standing suddenly and taking another long sip of my drink. It seemed to chant Do it! Do it! as it made its way into my belly.

“Doing what?” Key asked, slightly alarmed.

I pointed at the karaoke stage. “Singing.”

If Ian could do it to release his stress, why couldn’t I?

I woke up with a strange taste in my mouth and a pounding in my head that made me wish I could keep on sleeping until Christmas. Prying my eyes open, I found myself back in Ian’s guest room. I was still wearing yesterday’s clothes and someone had removed my sneakers and draped the comforter over my body.

A huffing sound came from the edge of the bed, and two white paws anchored themselves on the bedding. A second later, Fluffy’s lovely, eager black eyes came into view.

“G’mornin’ flufee.” I grimaced. Ugh, I sounded gross. Tasted gross. Felt gross.

Fluffy lolled her tongue and jumped onto the bed.

I pushed her fluffy face away when she came to greet me.

“You don’t want to lick this,” I told her. “Gross.”

Fluffy was undeterred, however, so I gave up, allowed her to sniffle, then give a tentative lick, and attempted to sit up.

The movement turned the hammers inside my head into pointy little daggers with nothing better to do than turn my brain into a sieve.

You’re a witch, Hope. You can fix this.

Witches weren’t exactly healers, though. If I were home, I’d make myself a potion. Alas, no potion-making equipment available.

I dragged myself off the bed and into the small attached bathroom. Taking a shower was enticing, but I didn’t feel comfortable enough yet in Ian’s house to do it without the excuse of being covered in mud, so I simply washed my face with frigid cold water.

It helped somewhat. I also noticed a brand-new toothbrush had been placed on the counter. That, I had no problem making use of.

Feeling slightly more human, I ventured down to the first floor and followed the sounds of voices into the kitchen to find a crowd.

Ian was leaning against the counter, a mug in his hands. Key was sitting at the table, laughing, while Alex and Shane stood around talking animatedly. Alex was, at least. Shane had crossed his arms and simply glared.

Key was the first one to notice me, her expression brightening. “You’re awake!”

They all turned to look at me, amusement plain on their faces.

“Hey, boss,” Alex greeted in a cheerful, loud, resonating voice that speared right through my abused head.

I pondered lifting a hand in greeting, but decided it was too much effort, so I simply shuffled the rest of the way to the table and sat heavily on the closest chair.

“Heard you had some fun last night,” Alex continued, the cheerfulness dialed up to eleven.

Hazy memories of the night flashed through my mind. Karaoke. Drinks. Karaoke. Hutton?

Why had Hutton been there?

Ian planted a mug filled with coffee in front of me, and I didn’t even care it was black and I’d rather have a soda. I wrapped my hands around it and awakened my magic. Just a tiny bit.

Clear mind, clear head.

Coffee might not be moon water, but a good witch had to make do with what was available.

My magic infused the drink as sluggishly as the rest of me. Not a lot, not enough to weaken me, but hopefully enough to help with the pounding headache.

It worked a little. A couple of sips, and I was feeling marginally better and like I could face the day. Or if not that, at least the next hour or so.

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