Page 12 of Chase Me

She was never going to use it anyway. “You're a witch?”

“I am, just the same as you.” Mrs. Bohacek returned the lamp to its place on the bedside table, then held out the green material, which turned out to be a dress, to Ciara.

“I'm a nice person, really.” Ciara took the dress from her and found it insanely soft to the touch.

“Most witches are. I've only ever known one that I didn't get along with, but whoever really gets along with their siblings? Rivalry and all that, you know.”

“I don't understand why you to think I'm a witch. If I had magical powers, it would make my job a heck of a lot easier.”

“Doesn't it?”

“I can’t make things fly across the room or magically appear.” She could think of at least half a dozen flakey grooms that she would have liked to make magically disappear though.

Mrs. Bohacek twirled her fingers indicating that Ciara should turn around, so she could undo the zipper on the formal gown she had on. The dress that Mrs. Bohacek brought did look a hell of a lot more comfortable than the suck-you-in-until-you-can’t-breath shapewear she had on.

“That's the kind of magic in the movies. Mine and yours is something much more… useful.”

Ciara breathed a sigh of relief as the zipper came down on her gown. Before she could even feel weird about getting undressed in front of this woman, she was out of her uncomfortable undergarments and into the softest dress in the universe. What in the world was this thing made out of?

She felt more like she was wearing pajamas than a pretty frock.

“It's part of why Jakob is so attracted to you.” Mrs. Bohacek picked up the clothes from the floor, folded them, and set them on a chair.

“He's not attracted to me. He thinks I'm a thief and a liar.”

The fire in the fireplace snapped, crackled, and threw sparks out into the room, singeing the carpet.

Ciara watched wide-eyed as Mrs. Bohacek flicked her wrist and put out the flames with the tiniest of rainstorms, then swished her hand again and a hot wind dried the carpet.

“Tomorrow, maybe we will have some time to help you get those emotions –”

“Under control.” That was the same line her mother had been railing at her for years. But, she hadn't had some sort of an outburst, or cried, or even frowned for that matter.

“I was going to say out. Keep suppressing them the way you have been, and you’ll burn the whole villa down. Your magic is more powerful around Jakob.”

Was she inferring that the fire had something to do with Ciara’s emotions? This was all way too weird and wasn't getting her any closer to escaping.

“Never mind.” Back to the escape plan. Ciara hoped the connection she already felt with this woman would work to her advantage. “Mrs. Bohacek, I really need to get out of here. I need to get home.”

“You don't want to do that.”

“I do though. I really, really do.”

Mrs. Bohacek muttered something under her breath which Ciara only caught part of. Something about all they'd done to get these two together. She shrugged and tipped her head to the side. “It might be fun to see Jakob chase his mateacross the countryside. As long as he doesn’t take too long about claiming you.”

What the heck was this beautiful grandma lady talking about? “I don't understand what you're talking about.”

Mrs. Bohacek crossed the room and opened the door, waiting for Ciara to follow her. Awesome. She was going to help.

Ciara tiptoed down the stairs across a cold tiled hallway and into a warm and inviting kitchen. This must be the back door. Damn, she didn't see any way out from here. The only door Mrs. Bohacek opened was the refrigerator. She got out a butter dish and a jar of jelly and set them on the counter. Then she grabbed a loaf of bread and proceeded to make toast. “Would you like a cup of coffee? Or maybe hot tea if you're going to sleep tonight?”

Mrs. Bohacek stared at Ciara then grabbed some K cups out of a drawer along with two mugs. “Coffee it is then.”

“Are you going to help me get out of here or not?”

“Or not. It can be dangerous around here in the dark, which isn’t too far off. Besides, I want to see my Jakob and you happily mated.”

Mated. That was a weird phrase for her to keep using. Happily married, Ciara understood. While Mrs. Bohacek's English was perfect, they were in a Slavic country, so maybe something was getting lost in translation.

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