Page 144 of Sigils & Spells

“And our packmates’ reactions to having a cat in their midst.”

Jared grimaced. It was definitely going to be an interesting evening, to be sure.

*.*.*.*.*

“You were amazing, Pippa,”Jo exclaimed as she walked into their coven house, holding hands with the shy vampiress. “By the way, this is my mate, Annika.”

Annika blushed as everyone rushed to offer their congratulations.

“We’ll have to celebrate your mating at the next moon ceremony,” Rowan said.

Pippa couldn’t understand why Jo and Annika beamed at that news. It seemed incomprehensible that Jo would be so happy to have found her mate.

Actually, Pippa had never understood the appeal of tying oneself to another human being. It just seemed like another cage to her.

“So, Pippa.” Natalie pulled her attention back to the conversation. “I’m curious because Jo’s right. You were quite effective today with your magic.”

“You really were.” Tempest said. “I can’t believe you used your fire magictwicetoday and nothing burned to the ground.”

“I was sure the diner was toast,” Morana agreed.

“How’d you do it anyway?” Natalie asked.

“I have no idea,” Pippa said.

“I know how,” Amari said. “It’s Hocus Purrcus. He’s becoming your familiar.”

“I always figured that was just propaganda,” Pippa said. “Not to mention blatant stereotyping.”

“Thebroomsare stereotyping,” Natalie said.

“Ilikethe brooms,” Amari protested.

Pippa snickered.

“Yes, I know,” Natalie said. “And don’t think I’m unaware of how many of you have striped knee-high socks in your closets.”

“Hey,” Morana said. “Don’t knock ‘em ’til you’ve tried ‘em.”

Natalie rolled her eyes. “I think I’ll stick to my solid–colored knee-highs, thank you very much.”

“Oh, yes,” Pippa said. “You’re breaking all the stereotypes with your pointed witches’ hat and wooden staff.”

“‘You shall not pass!’” The six of them chorused together, then burst into laughter, Annika giggling with them.

“Yes, yes, very funny,” Natalie said. “But back to the whole familiar question. It’s not propaganda or stereotyping. Familiars can do wonders for a witch’s control and the best familiars in the world are felines.”

“Hmm. It’s really too bad you didn’t keep one of those cougars, Pippa,” Tempest said. “Imagine the power you could wield with a cougar at your side.”

Pippa rolled her eyes. “Please. Those cougars had great stamina, but they weren’t very bright. Fantastic in bed? Yes. Familiar potential? Absolutely not.”

Amari giggled. “Good thing Hocus Purrcus found you then, I guess.”

“Good thing,” Pippa said dryly.”So you think H.P. is the reason I had better control of my power today, Natalie?”

“I think it’s a definite possibility. Where was the cat when you cast your magic?”

Pippa thought about it a moment. “I’m pretty sure he was in my arms when I burned the spiders and he wasdefinitelyin my arms when I cast the fire around us so we could get out of the diner. That’s not super helpful though because it’s not like I’m going to carry the cat around with me everywhere I go.”

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