Page 53 of How to Flirt with a Witch

Nausea bubbles in my gut. “They’ve killed?”

Her silence tells me all I need to know.

“Take tonight,” she finally says, weaving through traffic. “They’re smart enough not to get their hands dirty, so Freddie sent some guy into get the curse. Paid him. Guy almost got to it before I did—I had to knock him out, and he’sluckythat was the outcome.”

I stare. “What would’ve happened otherwise?”

“Those curses you ended up with? Imagine being stuck with one for days.”

My mouth goes dry. “It… it kills them?”

Natalie says nothing, her jaw tightening.

My insides twist. First, curses are more serious than I thought. Second, I can’t believe I came face-to-face with a killer tonight.

Natalie drives us toward downtown, glancing repeatedly at her mirrors. I look behind us too, but none of the headlights are in frantic pursuit. Did she shake Freddie off?

“So I’d just be another lackey,” I say, wiping sweat off my temples.

Natalie’s brow furrows. “You’d be more than that. With your ability…” She shakes her head.

A pull inside me grows stronger, leading me closer to a sense of purpose. If witches need to track down curses in order to keep the public safe, I can help them. I can use this unique gift to make a difference. “Why don’t you use me instead? Let me help you.”

Her gaze darts sideways to me. “Nobody should beusingyou. You have no idea what you’re asking for.”

“I’ll work for you, then. Or volunteer. Whatever.”

She doesn’t answer.

The sobering truth settles over me. This is why Natalie is saving me. She has a duty, and she can’t let the Madsens get a hold of my ability to sense curses.

In my pocket, my phone vibrates. I pull it out.

Clayton

Hey, just checking if you got home okay. I’m sorry for making you uncomfortable. I didn’tmean to make you leave.

I stare at the text. It feels like the normal part of the evening happened weeks ago.

If he only knew the extent to which Ididn’tmake it home okay.

Actually, Clayton, I bumped into someone who tried to kidnap me, witnessed some kind of magical duel, and now I’m on the run with a girl who claims to be a witch.

I let out a breath, softening. It’s nice of him to check in and apologize.

Katie

I did. Thanks. Don’t worry, we’re good.

Natalie’s gaze flicks to me, but she doesn’t ask who I’m texting.

The city lights blur past, and her erratic driving calms a little as we pull further ahead of Freddie. My heartbeat slows, the adrenaline leaving my body—and in its place, numb shock at how my life has managed to completely flip over in the last couple hours.

After a few minutes, Natalie pulls over in a loading zone. “We’re here. Leave everything but the cat. I’ll send someone to get all of it.”

“Where’shere?” I fumble with my seatbelt and open the door, my pulse picking up again.

The streets are rowdy, everyone spilling in and out of the nearby pubs as they get ready to celebrate midnight. The cold, crisp air threatens snow, sending a shiver through me. I grab the kennel and hug it to my chest, holding Ethel like she’s my last tether to reality.