Page 19 of How to Flirt with a Witch

Chapter 6

Rebecca’s Revenge

All the traffic lightsare out, so the bus moves at a snail’s pace. I would walk if I weren’t afraid of getting run over by another cyclist, or worse.

My stomach churns as shadows flicker past the windows and the stale air fills my nostrils. The engine rumbles, making the paper bag at my feet vibrate as if the doll is about to explode.

Okay, I just have to stay calm until I get back to my suite and can call Helping Paws.

Needing a distraction, I put in my earbuds and tap my soothing study playlist.

“Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler comes on.

I pick a different playlist—bossa nova music.

“Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler.

What the fuck?

I try several more playlists, growing more frantic with each attempt. Pop, classical, death metal—it doesn’t matter. My phone keeps jumping to the same song.

Oookay then.

Slumping lower in my seat, I abandon my music app and call Helping Paws. I don’t think I can wait until I get back. “Hi, it’s Katie Alexander again.”

The vet tech sighs. “Miss, Doctor Zacharias clearly said Lucy is—”

“This is different.” I grip the phone tighter, my palms sweating. “I adopted another pet that has the same symptoms. I don’t want to come in person because it’s contagious.”

“Right…” She sounds unconvinced. “I’ll pass on the message, but I’ll warn you now that this isn’t how our appointments work, and she might not call back unless you come in with the sick animal.”

“Noted. Just please tell her it’s urgent, and I’m sure it’s the same disease as before.” I hesitate. What if she doesn’t believe me? What if I get stuck with this potentially dangerous doll? “Tell her it’s really rabid. Worse than last time.”

As we end the call, I rub my face, praying this works. The staff at Helping Paws might think I’m a stalker or a weirdo or both, but I’m in deep now, and there’s no going back.

I bounce my knee as I wait to get close enough to my place that it’s safe to get off. I try the podcast app instead and tap the first one that comes up.

“Total Eclipse of the Heart” resumes.

Resigned, I let the song play, taking slow breaths.

But a shiver crawls up my spine, lifting the hairs on the back of my neck. Is the song trying to send me a message?

I check over my shoulder.

The guy seated behind me meets my gaze and offers a pursed-lip smile.

I return it and face forward again. I’m being paranoid.

By the time I rush into my basement suite, my movements are jerky and frantic. My hunger from skipping dinner doesn’t help. I slap the light switch, but the power is also out here.

“Dammit.”

“Meew!” Not-Lucy trots over to greet me.

I pick her up and clutch her to my chest, her presence and baby-soft fur comforting. I haven’t given up on the real Lucy, but I have grown attached to this one. She’s playful and cuddly and everything I wanted. If—when—I get the original Lucy back, I’ll have two cats.

I take her to my room and place her on top of her scratching post, safely away from the doll.