Page 56 of Castings & Curses

Red light shot from the staff and barreled through the town, lighting up the dead and dropping them where they stood.

Natalie spent the next several moments, focused on somehow saving the wolves from bone-breaking falls or being crushed by falling trees.

By the time everyone and everything was on the ground, the wolves were all howling in victory as iftheyhad somehow defeated the army of trees, and Natalie was utterly exhausted.

“Wow,” Morana said. “I need a staff like that.”

“Yeah. Except now we’ve got a huge mess on our hands,” Tempest said.

Natalie sighed. “This day just keeps getting longer and longer.”

Several hours later, the town square and all the surrounding streets were finally cleared of debris, and everyone was back at the diner, collapsed around another table, eating their weight in food.

“If I never have to face another army of the dead, it will be too soon,” Pippa groaned.

“Sorry,” Morana said. “I mean, I know it wasn’t my fault this time, but since the only reason Natalie can raise the dead is because of my power, I feel kind of responsible.”

“That’s because you are.” Blade glared at her. “Necromancer.”

She grinned. “All you’re seeing are the negative sides to my ability. Trust me. There are positives as well.”

“Yeah, right.”

“Uh, hello. Have you seen my pickup? It’s the 1973 Chevy C10.” She nodded out the window toward the parking lot. “Still runs like it came off the line yesterday.”

He just looked at her, suspicion written all over his face.

Pippa giggled. “Ever since I met Morana, my watch battery never dies.”

“Forget the watch,” Tempest said. “Ever sinceImet Morana, my vibrators are immortal.”

Everyone at the table burst into laughter.

* * *

“I can’t believeyou made Corwin go home alone,” Tempest said with a giggle as they entered the coven house later that night.

“Are you kidding me right now? Did youseethe tornado we generated the first time we kissed? Or how about the army of trees I raised when I realized he believes I’m his mate?”

“Hebelieves you’re his mate?” Tempest asked. “Are you sure it didn’t happen whenyourealized he’syourmate?”

Natalie groaned. “Maybe, but even if that’s true, how the hell am I supposed to have a mate, if every time we kiss, chaos happens?”

“I’ve got a theory about that,” Jo said.

“What kind of theory?” Natalie asked suspiciously.

“I don’t think it’s the wolf causing your powers to go haywire. I think it’s simply the learning curve that comes with inheriting the power of the staff.”

“What are you talking about? I’ve had the staff the entire time we’ve been a coven. Longer, even. Why would the powers start acting up now?”

“Becausenowis when you’re finally accepting your role as High Witch of our coven,” Jo said.

“Oooh, andnowis when your familiar came to you and bonded with you,” Tempest said, “which everyone knows is a sign you’re finally coming into your power as a witch.”

Natalie had been prepared to scoff at Jo’s theory, except it actually made sense.

Damnit.

---