Page 42 of Witch Unexpected
Geraldine let out a shriek, hand going to her chest, but Dottie’s eyes lit up.
“Oh, my. What a cutie.” She drifted closer. “Hello, sweetie, hello.”
“Hello,” Wren said.
She squeaked in surprise and clasped her hands together. “Oh, so adorable.”
Wren scrambled over my shoulder and into my arms.
I hugged him. “This is my friend Wren. He’ll be staying here with me.”
“Wren?” Dottie said. “What a lovely name.”
“Thank you,” Wren said.
Dottie looked like she was about to melt. She turned to Meredith, and some unspoken communication seemed to pass between them.
Meredith huffed then nodded, her watery gaze fixing on me. “You can stay,” she said. “But I warn you, we like our quiet. No noisy parties.”
I bit back a snort. “I think I can manage that.”
The spirits began to drift away, but Meredith lingered. “And you,” she snapped at Anna. “Next time you want to send us a message, have the courtesy to deliver it personally.”
She trailed after the other ghosts and through a wall.
I switched out of othersight to find Anna watching me with an indecipherable expression.
“What?”
“Nothing,” she said. “Follow me.”
We continued past the windows, and I caught a glimpse of a stone form jutting up from a ledge outside, but the moon was playing peekaboo, so it was impossible to make much out.
We took a flight of steps to an upper floor and onto a carpeted entranceway. There were no windows here, but there was a door in front of us.
Anna strode to it and pushed it open. “These are your quarters.”
The room beyond was the size of the lower floor of my house, and it was all lounge space. Cushy sofas, throws, cushions, two coffee tables, and a huge fuck-off window seat. There were bookcases lined with colorful paperbacks and even an old-style record player with a box of vinyl.
“Wow, high five to the person who decorated this space.”
Anna’s eyes lit up. “Yes, Penelope did an excellent job. I’m glad you like it.”
“Is Penelope another witch?”
Her expression clouded. “She’s my granddaughter. You’ll meet her tomorrow. She’ll show you around and answer any questions you may have.” Her gaze dropped to the amulet around my neck. “There are protective wards around the mansion, but I’m afraid only the amulet can keep your malevolent spirit at bay. Make sure to keep it on.”
She stepped out of the room and closed the door behind her.
I slumped onto the sofa, and Wren scrambled off to explore. My hand went to the amulet, and thoughts of Jasper filled my head.
He’d come for me when the slau attacked. Tried to save me. I shook my head. He’d been saving himself, not me. That was all.
Was he okay, though? Was he hurt?Couldhe be hurt? Why hadn’t he come to me yet? Surely, he’d want to know I was all right.
And why the fuck did I care?
Wren rejoined me and hopped up onto the sofa. “Cora, this place is big. Do we stay here now?”
