Page 137 of Sigils & Spells

A huge crash erupted behind them, making everyone, including Hocus Purrcus, jump in surprise.

The cat leapt to his feet, all his fur standing on end and then for some inexplicable reason, started hissing at Blade, who was seated at the end of the table, leaning awfully close to Morana.

Blade just raised an eyebrow and grinned.

H.P. skittered across the table sideways, knocked a glass over, spilling water everywhere, then leapt straight into the air with a yowl when the water hit his paws.

Of course, when he landed, he did so in a puddle of water, which sent him scrambling across the table toward Pippa, who caught him when he launched himself into her arms.

“It’s okay, H.P.,” Pippa murmured, stroking his fur down and trying not to wince as his claws dug into her shoulders.

Poor thing was shaking like crazy.

“Oh, dear,” Morana said. “Sorry about that.”

Pippa froze and slowly raised her eyes to Morana.

“Why is she sorry?” Amaryllis asked, leaning around Lassiter who wasstillsitting between them, trying to charm his way into a date with her. “Pippa, why is she apologizing? I don’t like it when she apologizes.”

“What’s wrong?” Lassiter stretched out his arm, caught Amari around her waist and lifted her onto his lap. “You’re safe here, Amari. Why are you so upset?”

“I don’t know,” she wailed, “but I know there’s a good reason for it. Pippa?” She looked toward Pippa again, as if she could somehow reverse time and undo whatever disaster Morana had caused.

Amari began wringing her hands.

Dear goddess, could things get any worse?

“Okay, Amari. Everything’s going to be fine,” Pippa said, “Just try to stay calm, all right?” Damn it was getting hot in here.

She couldn’t decide if that was her magic or Amari’s heating things up.

“But she’s apologizing, Pippa. Morana, why are you doing that? I don’t like it when you apologize.”

“It was just a few spiders,” Morana said. “And a beetle. And a mouse or two.”

“What’s that?” Starlight demanded, hands on hips. “There aren’t any mice in the diner.”

“He was in the walls, died there quite some time ago,” Morana said. “I’m not quite surewherehe’s at now.”

“Oh, my goddess.” Pippa groaned.

“Seriously, Morana?” Natalie exclaimed.

“I’m sorry, but the crash of dishes startled me.”

Or more likely, Blade had made her so nervous, she’d panicked and lashed out.

Dear goddess, it was hot in here. “Amari, you have to calm down.”

Natalie looked at Pippa sharply. “Are you hot, Pippa? Because that can’t be Amari’s magic. We’re immune, remember? I think maybe you need to calm down.”

Great. Pippa wiped the sweat from her brow, closed her eyes and pictured the lake on their property, calm breezes sweeping across its surface, sending gentle droplets onto her sizzling skin.

Calm.

Cool.

“You’re soooo beautiful,” a loud voice proclaimed, shattering the moment.

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