Page 113 of Blue Moon Mistress

Will do, Wolf Woman.

I’ll probably find out before she has a chance to text me.

Phones and ephemera glass are great ways to get in touch, but if theyreallydon’t like what I’ve done, I’ll get to feel it.

The only time I’ve felt that particular pain was when I decided to get out of the coven. They’d dragged me in to a trial to see if they’d let me go. The answer had, of course been no. but they’d agreed to this strange “satellite” position I now held within the coven.

“Was it important?” Johnny asked, reaching for me.

I dropped my phone on the table and went to them.

“I don’t know yet.”

They tug me back down to them and Johnny’s hand slips up my leg. “Then where were we?”

I don’t get to answer.

A bang, so loud it leaves my ears ringing echoes through the house, rattling all of the windows and making the lights flicker.

“What the hell was that?” Johnny pulled me tight to his chest, which is probably a good thing, because the other three shot to their feet and I might have wound up on my ass.

He puts me down and follows after the others, my hand firmly in his.

But out the back door, the guys stand in a staggered line, looking at the silhouette cast by Mrs. Miller as she stands in her doorway, the light spilling out from behind her obscured by smoke.

Joshua has clearly already started questioning her.

“I’m fine, fine dear.” She glances back over her shoulder. “I had some apple butter in the pressure cooker. Pretty sure that’s all gone now.”

Her smile is rueful.

“I knew I needed to replace the thing, It’s ancient. I’ve just been lazy.”

It might not snow here with any regularity, but Novembers are cold. In bare feet, without a jacket, I can’t help but shiver.

Johnny pulls me close, rubbing at my arms.

That has to be the movement that draws Mrs. Miller’s attention. She stops mid sentence and her face shifts into something that should be reserved for the most vile of criminals.

“You,” She says with all the deep, spiteful retaliation of a woman wronged. “How dare you show your face in this good Christian community you little harlot?”

The night goes deathly still at that pronouncement and I feel Johnny’s grip on me tense. The others are just as shocked, though probably not for the same reason I am.

I’m surprised she spoke her mind in front of them… with the exception of Joshua who witnessed it before, they probably didn’t suspect her dislike was so strong.

“You won’t drag my boys to hell with you, Harpy.”

“That is enough.” Joshua’s voice is so loud, even I flinch.

It seems to draw Mrs. Miller out of whatever haze had taken he and she shakes her head, blinking as though confused.

“You will not talk to her like that. Or anyone else, for that matter.” He crowds her and she walks stiltedly back into the house.

Joshua looks back over his shoulder and grimaces. “I’m going to make me sure nothing is too damaged inside and then, I’ll be back.”

“What,” Johnny says, repeating his earlier question. “the hell was that?”

“That was my biggest fan.” I try to force a smile, but I know it doesn’t come off right.

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