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The tall lady seemed to grow, and her voice deepened even more. “For centuries, witches have been summoning demons, capturing them, and burying them in the earth for this moment. Witches who knew they wouldn’t be alive to see this. They wouldn’t get to witness the rising of a legend. But they persevered, and because of their efforts, we have reaped enough fire for our mission.” She paused in her rant to lower her voice to a threatening whisper. “I will not be handing over any of the hard-earned fire to otherworlder terrorists. Do I make myself clear?”
Winnie’s voice quivered when she replied, “Yes, mam.”
“Good.” She shrank to her normally large size, and her tone was cheery again. I remained frozen on the bed, watching, listening, trying not to tremble in fear at the terrifying lady in front of me. “I will need you and Mary to sort out this problem for me. I can call more witches to add their power to the reservoir, and you can add anything you can spare after you’ve dispatched the faei.”
“What about the others?” Winnie asked.
Debbie turned to me, and I stiffened under her icy gaze. “The other two males are not faei, are they?” I shook my head. “Do you know what they are?” I shook my head again, promising to keep Charlie and Zaide safe from her.
She tilted her head as she stared at me. “Someone broke into my house a few days ago. My casting room was discovered, and the bad luck curse I used to punish such fools has been activated.” She narrowed her eyes. “I don’t suppose you know anything about that either, do you?”
I shook my head.
She cursed Charlie and Daithi with bad luck?
“Why are you protecting them, familiar? Your loyalty should be to your witch. In the old days, we’d have separated you from her and killed you for your treachery.”
Winnie gasped and jumped to my defense. I didn’t know if that was to protect me or to protect herself. I wasn’t sure what breaking a familiar bond did to a witch, but I didn’t think it was pleasant. “She knows nothing about it, Deb. We won’t need to be separated.”
She eyed us both suspiciously. “I have a book on the subject if you change your mind. I think she needs to be properly punished, Winnie.”
Thinking quickly, Winnie added, “Perhaps the faei has cast a spell on her, making her silent. I can’t punish her for that.”
“Very well. She is your familiar. Do as you see fit.” I flinched as she glared at me. “However, if she causes any more upheaval, I will separate you, and there will be nothing you can do to stop me. As for this spell of silence …” She grabbed my arm and squeezed tightly.
I made a noise of protest and tried to move out of her grip, but Winnie held me, too. Debbie’s eyes were closed, and I could suddenly feel her magic spreading through me, rifling through my brain, seeking answers. It hurt. It was a violation. My body revolted as I struggled underneath her. Fury flooded me and I tried to push her magic out, to no avail. I was so tired of being a victim, of being taken advantage of, of being out of control.
The witch opened her eyes, let go of my arm abruptly, and hummed. “Human and titan. That’s what the other two are.”
Winnie's eyes shuttered over her emotions, and she turned to Debbie. “What do you want me to do with them?”
Debbie considered that for a moment. “If a human goes missing, you might get yourself in trouble with the police, and that will take more time and magic to fix than we can spare. I suggest you erase his memory and kill the titan. See if there is anything harvestable from his corpse for a potion.” I felt sick at the picture she painted.
Not going to happen.
Winnie nodded, but it was not enough for her leader.
“Swear it to me.”
“When I see the faei and titan, I will kill them. When I see the human, I’ll erase his memory.” There was a subtle glow coming from her chest. “By magic of old, it will be done.”
Debbie smiled when she saw it. “By magic of vow, you are bound. Death is your punishment should you fail,” she replied and clapped her hands jubilantly. I flinched. “Well, I’m glad to have gotten that sorted. If successful, you and Mary will be an important part in ensuring this event goes smoothly. Witches years into the future will know your names, and I’m sure that once he has risen, he will want to give you his thanks.”
Winnie nodded meekly before asking, “What about Clawdia? Can we help her?” My heart burst with hope and happiness. She hadn’t forgotten about me and, despite her fear, asked this terrifying witch to help me. I didn’t want to be a cat when I still had a promise to keep, but it was the thought that counted.
I was a little less appreciative when Debbie turned her dark, intense eyes to focus on me. “She seems settled in her new form,” she finally said after a period of silence, dismissing me. “I’m afraid there isn’t anything we can do for you. You will need to get used to being human.”
Nothing they can do? I’ll be human forevermore?
“But I—”
“You were a cat, but if you were not meant to be human, you would not be. A faei’s magic cannot completely reshape a being. You are human now. A human familiar. Enjoy.” And with that, she turned to the door. Before closing it, she peered her head around again and said, “Winnie, I will expect updates on your progress with our terrorists. Do me proud, dear.”
The slam of the door had both of us flinching.
Winnie crawled onto the bed beside me. “I’m sorry, Clawd. I really thought she’d be able to help. Now we are in even more trouble.”
“It’s okay,” I whispered. It would be okay because I had information now. I could help. I just had to get back to them. I wouldn’t stand by and watch as Winnie killed Daithi and Zaide or erase Charlie's memories.
