Page 146 of How to Flirt with a Witch

Freddie scans the bookshelves and flings open cabinet doors while Wyatt sniffs around with the focus of a bloodhound.

Heart pounding, fists clenched at my sides, I step through the doorway. “Wrong room, buddy.”

Freddie and Wyatt spin around. Wyatt snarls, his hackles rising.

“Katie!” Freddie looks past me, and his surprise melts into a sneer. “Here all alone with nobody to protect you?”

Wyatt creeps forward like a wolf stalking his prey. His claws click on the stone floor.

Fear prickles up my spine, but I stand my ground, trying for a taunting grin. “Not the threat you think it is, when all you’ve done is tried to recruit me over and over… and over.”

He drops his chin. “Well, you made your allegiance clear. I think I’ve given you enough chances.”

I edge sideways along the wall. The items from my failed test are still piled on a wooden table—the antique typewriter, traffic cone, feather boa, and the katana with a red handle and scabbard.

“I should’ve taken that thing from you while I had the chance.” Freddie’s gaze falls to the gauntlet on my hand. “That’ll teach me to be nice.”

“Yeah, you’ve been a real peach.”

He tilts his head. “You still owe me a vial, by the way. We had an agreement.”

Wyatt stalks too close for comfort, his fangs glinting in the glow from the skylight.

“Considering the circumstances, I hope you understand why I’ve changed my mind.” I lunge for the table of items and grab the katana—my mark of failure when I first came to CSAMM. Now, I hopeit’s about to redeem me. I hold it in front of me with both hands, trying not to let the heavy blade waver.

Dog and handler tense, but they stay put.

I cock an eyebrow, challenging Freddie to try me.

“Did you like our gift?” he asks, mockingly casual.

“A bit on-the-nose.” I adjust my grip. My first time holding a sword, and it’s heavier than expected. “I gotta say, your mom’s already pretty good with earth magic. The curse was strong.”

“Helps when the magic is fresh.” He walks closer, coming to stand beside Wyatt. They’re a step away from the sword tip.

Sweat prickles on the back of my neck. “How’d she get it?”

Freddie smirks. “You have your secrets; we have ours.”

Dammit, where’s the help Millie promised to send? I strain my ears to listen for approaching footsteps, but none come.

“I have a hard time believing you figured out how to neutralize a curseandturn the gemstone into magic,” I say. “Which makes me wonder… How did you find feral magic?”

He inclines his head, a gleam in his eyes.

He steps sideways, and Wyatt steps in the opposite direction.

Shit.If they come at me from two sides, I’ll have to choose where to swing the sword. I flick my gaze between him and the dog, ready to defend myself.

“We had some help,” Freddie says.

“Someone in CSAMM?” Cold realization trickles through me. “Same person who’s telling you about curse locations?”

A little smirk appears on his lips, like he’s sharing a private joke. “In a way. He’s not exactlykeenon helping us, but when your next meal is on the line, it’s a little easier to talk.”

Disgust rises in my throat, bitter and acidic. “You’re holding someone captive like a prisoner of war?”

“That’s a harsh way to put it,” Freddie says casually. “But I suppose.”