Page 64 of Hex You

Kylie tilted her head and studied Xena. “Who are you and why are you wearing a bathrobe?”

“I am Xena, of course, and I wear only this bathrobe because, kitten, clothes are an abomination.”

“Kylie, Xena is Mercy’s familiar,” Hunter said quickly.

“What’s that?” asked Kylie.

“It is an extremely important being who attaches to a witch—or a family of witches,” said Xena. “And who are you?”

“She’s my friend,” said Jax. “Hi, Xena. Hi, Khenti.”

“Khenti?” Kylie studied him with open curiosity. “Are you another familiar?”

Khenti met Mercy’s gaze. His dark eyes sparkled with humor and he shrugged.

Mercy snorted a laugh. “Not hardly. Khenti isn’t from here. He’s just visiting.” She turned to her sister. “May I have a word with you?In private.”

Hunter blew out a long sigh. “No need. Jax and I filled Kylie in on the way here. She already knows about the Nure-Onna and what we’re doing.”

Mercy squeezed the bridge of her nose, unsuccessfully trying to stave off a headache. “Okay, I’m gonna trust that you had a real goodreason for that.” She turned to Kylie. “The Nure-Onna is dangerous. It has killed at least two people—including your cheerleading coach. It attacked Xena last night. This isn’t a game. Its bite is deadly. I need you to stay completely quiet and away from this tree—no matter what happens.Do you understand?”

Kylie’s bravado deflated with her shoulders. “Yeah, I hear you.”

“Okay, let’s get this over with. No telling how long we’ll have to wait,” said Mercy. “Are you ready, Xena?”

“Kitten, you should know by now that I was born ready. Behold my magnificent acting ability!” Xena untied Abigail Goode’s fuzzy flowered bathrobe and with a grand flourish tossed it to Emily. Completely naked, the long, pink ridges of the newly healed battle wounds were all that marked her flawless skin. Proudly, Xena shook back her thick hair and as the fivekittenswatched she lifted both hands dramatically over her head and spoke words that reverberated with power.“To mine own form be true!”

There was a flash of light and then Xena was nowhere. In her place was a huge Maine coon with truly impressive fur; long, dark tufts of ear hair; big, white fluffy paws; and long, pink scars decorating her shoulder and part of her back.

As Xena trotted to the tree Kylie made a strangled sound and staggered back against Jax, who put his arm comfortingly around her. “What the actual fuck just happened?”

“It’s okay. That’s just Xena. Cats make really good witches’ familiars,” Jax explained.

Kylie’s face was the color of curdled milk. “But, but, but—she was just a person.”

“Actually, no,” said Mercy. “She’s never really a person. She’s a cat who can take human form when she needs to. Hey, are you okay?”

“I’m not sure,” said Kylie. “I may need a minute.”

“Maybe you and Jax should go back to the car,” said Hunter, though not unkindly.

“The Nure-Onna is poisonous. Its bite is deadly. I have to stay,” said Jax.

“If Jax stays then I stay.” Kylie’s hands were back on her hips.

“Bloody hell,” Mercy muttered. “Fine. We’re all going to hide in the cornfield now and wait for Xena to lure the Nure-Onna. When it gets here, Khenti is going to kill it. H and I will be Khenti’s backup.”

“And the rest of us will be your backup.” Emily patted her crossbody.

“Em. Seriously. The rest of you will stay in the bloody cornfield. If that thing gets away from us you run like hell to the car.” Mercy looked from Emily to Jax and then Kylie. “Get inside the car. Lock the doors. And drive out of here.”

“I’m not leaving you guys alone with a snake demon,” said Emily.

“Its bite will kill you,” Khenti said. “We will not be able to save you.”

Mercy nodded. “What Khenti said.”

“What if it bitesyou?” Emily looked like she was on the verge of tears.