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We opened the cupboard door and marched straight into Winnie’s bedroom. Sighing, I turned my head to survey the room. “That square on the bed. Is that what we seek?”
She blinked quickly and then exclaimed, “Oh, yes! That’s her laptop. At least we’ve succeeded in one task.” She contemplated the wardrobe. “I think I’m going to change into something of Winnie’s too while we are here.”
I quirked my eyebrow. “You will feel more comfortable?”
“Yes. These jogging bottoms keep falling down.”
I nodded. “I will continue to search while you try on clothing. Take extra, as I’m sure you’ll need it.”
“Try the garage. That’s her witch room,” she called after me.
I wandered downstairs, into the kitchen, and out into the garage. Similar to her bedroom, the room was colorful and decorative. Along the walls were large bookshelves holding trinkets, jars, statues, and, of course, some books.
I picked one that had a different cover off the shelf—it smelled older and didn’t have a picture on the front. Brown, soft to the touch with raised sections spelling the title. I ran a hand over the smooth sides and then flipped it open to see the contents. I stopped when I saw the word “familiar.”
“Here you are.” I turned to Clawdia’s soft voice. Clawdia was wearing female clothing, and my mind was suddenly blank. She followed my gaze to her body. “Is it all right?”
“You look wonderful,” I breathed. Her body was now highlighted with a dress that clung to her body. The bodice was a soft blue and splattered with white and yellow flowers. A white-frilled neckline drew my attention to her collarbones and slim neck. She was simply enchanting.
“Thank you.” She gave me a small smile, and her cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink. She cleared her throat. “Have you found something?”
I returned my gaze to the book in my hands and nodded. “Yes, I think so.”
“What is it?”
“A book. It says something about familiars. I thought we could learn more about how you came to be a cat for a witch.”
“That’s a good idea. I’d be interested to know.” Then she sighed. “It’s disappointing we have found nothing to suggest what the mysterious project is.”
I sighed and then had another thought. “Her habits didn’t change? She wasn’t researching something unusual?”
Clawdia considered that. “She started reading a book about Scandinavian myths a few weeks ago, which was unusual.”
“Myths are not part of her interest?”
Clawdia shrugged. “I’ve never seen her take any interest in myths before. But I’ve only been with her for two years.”
I nodded. “We will take this book with us in case Charlie finds it relevant.”
By the time we had gathered our books and the laptop, the weather outside had turned the sky dark prematurely, and there was a hum in the air which warned of something. Rain began pouring down from the clouds above, flooding the ground.
Clawdia looked at the window. “We should get back before it gets too heavy.”
Suddenly, there was a flash of light in the sky. Followed by a roar. Clawdia jumped and gripped onto my hair so hard that I started, and she let go just as quickly. “I’m so sorry. I guess I’m a little skittish still.”
I gave her a reassuring smile and opened the back door. The rain pelted at the paving and splashed on my shoes as I stepped out onto the patio. I reached behind me, holding the books and laptop in a plastic bag in my right hand and taking Clawdia’s with my left.
We dashed to the fence. Rain seeped into my clothes and skin, and soon we were drenched. Clawdia seemed to retain her cat-like agility, especially when motivated by a flashing sky, harsh rain, and loud thunder, as she jumped the fence without my assistance. She received the bag of stolen goods when I dangled it over the fence, then dashed into the house.
Quickly doing the same, I ran into Charlie’s home to find my soul pair waiting for me. The sight of her stopped my heart.
Her hair had turned to strings, heavy and dark with rain. So heavy that it dripped, dripped, dripped down from her forehead, along her nose, over her lips. Another drop fell down the side of her neck, past her collar, to a place hidden by material … material that no longer covered but emphasized her body, clinging to her skin. I saw the outline of her breasts, waist, hips, and thighs.
Instantly aroused, I huffed out my frustrations.
I need to find a way to control my desires; otherwise, I will scare her away.
That couldn’t happen. I needed her too much.
