Page 44 of Castings & Curses

The witch with a demon-cat for a familiar.

Whatever had he done to deserve this?

* * *

Natalie wokethe next morning with Moonbeam stretched across her chest, purring into her ear.

It was a fabulous way to wake.

She lay in bed for almost an hour, just petting Moonbeam and feeling her purr rumble through her.

Eventually, though, her memories of the day before filtered in and she began to giggle.

Poor Corwin.

She should probably track him down and apologize or at least try to make amends.

Then again, her breath hitched as she remembered the feel of his teeth gripping her neck and the shivers that ran up her spine at the sound of his soft growl and raspy voice murmuring in her ear.

Dear goddess, he was potent!

She had no idea what had gotten into him—or her, for that matter—but Moonbeam had probably done them both a favor.

“Such a smart kitty,” she whispered, then giggled again as she pictured how Corwin had looked with Moonbeam plastered to the front of his trousers. The image reminded her of those ridiculous Halloween decorations of witches on brooms plastered up against a tree.

A knock came at the door. “Um, Natalie? We’ve got a tiny situation out here.”

Fifteen minutes later, Natalie stood, hands on hips, completely stunned at how her coven had managed to understate the situation. “Atinysituation? There are plants growing through the floorboards and vines on the walls! How the hell did this happen, Jo?”

Jo winced. “I’m not exactly sure. It was like this when we woke this morning.”

“Uh-huh. And what were you dreaming about last night? Better yet, what were youdoingbefore you fell asleep?”

Jo blushed. “Nothing you need to know about.”

“It was probably my fault,” Annika said.

“Really?” Natalie asked dryly. “So you’re also a Garden Witch?”

“Well, no, but…” Her voice trailed off.

“Never mind,” Natalie said. “I’m sure we’re all quite aware of what you two were up to last night. I simply have no idea why it triggered your magic, Jo. It’s not like you haven’t been with Annika for weeks.”

Oh, shit.

A memory slammed into Natalie of the dreamsshe’dhad all night long.

Heated dreams filled with writhing limbs and—she slammed the door on those thoughts and yanked her staff toward her.

A second later, Natalie’s staff slammed into her hand, but it was already too late.

The plants and vines all surged upward.

She slammed her staff onto the floor and the foliage quivered to a stop.

Mouths agape, the entire coven stared at Natalie.

“Didyoujust make that happen?” Jo demanded.

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