Page 3 of Seven Secret Spellcasters
“That’s because Dorian would turn on the kitchen tap for him. He likes his water cold and fresh. I might have to get one of those fountains that keeps water running all the time. I never thought I’d say I miss the days when my cat was sharing his body with a witch’s earthbound spirit.” Mia turned on the outside lights since it would be dark when they got back and left the foyer light on as well. She didn’t like the school to appeared dark. The building attracted trouble when it was dark and unattended. If she moved in with Trent, she’d have to find someone to rent the upstairs apartment. Someone she trusted. That was one of the reasons she hadn’t yet given him an answer.
Besides, she was setting up her potions lab here. What would she do, come over to the school to do her kitchen witch work? Maybe it would be a good thing to separate work and life. Which made her think about the fact that her grandmother had been less than forthcoming about what her responsibilities would be when she took over the role.
As she said, too many moving parts.
When they got to Wolf Creek, Mia realized why the werewolves who ran the training camp had suggested a more individualized plan of training for Cerby. Unlike the first time she’d visited, the place was lit up in pale-pink fairy lights with what looked like a carnival set up in the forest. Mia could see the Ferris wheel circulating in the background. Cerby had been doing some redecorating.
Trent stared into the tree behind Cerby’s cage. “Is that what I think it is?”
Mia nodded. She’d seen the image when Cerby had stayed over and shared his dream. “I think he brought his dragon to life so he wouldn’t be lonely.”
A bright purple dragon about the size of a large wolfhound sat on a branch of a tree behind Cerby’s cage. Cerby wasn’t watching the dragon; he had opened his cage and was dragging his blanket and stuffed lamb out of the oversized cage and toward the truck.
Cerby knew they’d come to take him home. Him and his new friend.
CHAPTER2
Mia pulled out a bacon, egg, butternut squash, and potato casserole from the oven early the next morning. Abigail had made sure that the rest of breakfast, which included muffins, orange juice, and fruit salad, was on Mia’s small kitchen table, along with plates and silverware. Mia could feel the excitement from Gloria as the doll watched the gathering. True to her kitchen witch roots, Gloria loved watching people eat.
Grans had arrived with Muffy and a suitcase. Trent’s letter from the coven leadership had called together what Mia liked to call her “mini coven.” Trent was filling everyone’s coffee cups and making sure there were enough chairs. His parents were there, including his father, Thomas, who had tucked into the table on the window side of the room. He was currently watching the baby dragon sleep in the oak tree in the backyard. The only people missing were Christina and Levi, and they were in Oregon, setting up their new lives. But Trent had talked to Levi last night as they drove home from the training facility.
“How in the world did you get him back from Wolf Creek?” Thomas asked. “I mean, without someone seeing him.”
“We told Cerby that the dragon had to turn invisible. He told Buddy to stay close but not to show himself.” Trent nodded to Mia. “Everything on the table?”
“Looks like it.” She put a serving spoon in the casserole, then pointed to the fridge. “Grab that homemade ketchup and salsa and put it on the table. I can dish up the casserole here and pass out the plates if that works.”
“The dragon’s name is Buddy?” Thomas asked.
“I think it’s Bryghananth but Cerby calls him Buddy,” Trent answered as he sat at the table.
“Perfect.” Abigail set the plates on the counter next to the stove. “I’ll hand them out. Mary Alice, sit down, and we’ll get the breakfast going.”
The system worked well, but Mia couldn’t count the number of meals they’d had up here. And the kitchen couldn’t hold any more people. If Levi and Christina were here, they would have been squeezed in. Maybe moving to Trent’s house wasn’t a bad idea.
As if he’d heard her thoughts, he winked at her. She frowned.If you’re in my head, you’d better get out and stay out.
A surprised look passed over Trent’s face, proving that he had been listening to her thoughts. He took the plate his mom handed him and said, “I’m sorry.”
“We are going to talk about this,” Mia said as she dished up the last plate for herself.
Thomas looked from her to Trent. “Did I miss something?”
Grans waved Mia down with her fork. “I guess we have one more lesson I need to tell you about. The good thing is, it seems like the two of you are bonding well.”
Abigail laughed, then focused on the meal. “Remind me to explain this to Christina as well.”
“It works with humans?” Now Mia wanted to talk about the telekinetic bond she’d discovered.
“I’m not sure what you all are talking about but we need to focus on Alfred Howard’s arrival,” Thomas said, trying to bring the conversation back to Trent’s letter. “Can I say it’s a bad time for a dragon to be hanging around? Maybe you should have left Buddy at the camp for a few weeks.”
Now Cerby woke up from his nap and growled at Thomas.
He’d been sleeping next to Muffy on the floor near the window seat where Mr. Darcy had been curled up. Now all three animals were staring at Thomas like he’d taken the last treat and thrown it away.
“Dad, Cerby and Buddy have bonded. You can’t break up a pair. You should know that.” Trent reached back and rubbed Cerby on the top of his head. “But you’re right on both counts. We need to set up a game plan for this investigator. It’s a bad time for us to have a dragon. I don’t think there’s been one in the area for years.”
Mia shook her head. “When was anyone going to tell me that dragons are real?”
