Page 56 of How to Flirt with a Witch

“It’s New Year’s Eve, dumbass,” the girl says.

“Right. Uh, this is Katie. Katie, this is my sister, Sky, and that’s Will, Hayley—”

Sky steps closer, dropping her arms with her fists clenched. “Skip the introductions and explain before I knock you out.”

I shut my mouth, letting “nice to meet you” die on my tongue. This is not how I would’ve wanted to meet Natalie’s sister.

Under everyone’s glares, guilt and shame churn in my stomach. I’m getting her in trouble. “I can stay somewhere el—”

“No,” Natalie says. “You’re staying here.”

Heels click, and they all turn as a tall Asian woman comes around the corner in a black suit and long traveling cloak. Her eyes widen and hernostrils flare when she sees me—and between the formal wear and her murderous expression, I shrink back.

“Natalie, you’d better—”

She puts her hands out to calm everyone. “It was the Madsens.”

An intake of breath passes over the group, and their frowns deepen. Sky’s expression turns into a full-on glower.

“They found out about the curse.” Natalie drops her hands. “Fiona, we have to look into this. Freddie Madsen showed up at the site, and the curse wasn’t the only thing he tried to nab. I brought Katie with me because he tried to recruit her.”

The woman in the cloak, Fiona, turns her gaze to me with narrowed eyes. “And? They hire lackeys all the time. What’s so special about this one?”

I bristle at the way she refers to me like I’m disposable.

“Katie can pick up on curses,” Natalie says. “She’s brought me two already. The Madsens are after her ability, and if we don’t keep her safe, they’ll get to her.”

Everyone stares at me, a mixture of wide-eyed surprise and skeptical frowns. I want to say something to get them off Natalie’s back—and mine too, I guess—but I don’t understand enough about what’s going on.

“Prove it,” Will says.

“What?” Natalie asks.

Will paces closer, raising an eyebrow, until he’s right in Natalie’s face. She stands taller, making it clear she’s got at least two inches of height on him.

“Prove she can sniff out curses,” Will growls, “and you’re not making this up so you can bring home a booty call.”

A couple of people gasp. A flame of hot embarrassment burns inside me.

Natalie seizes Will by the collar. “Don’t you dare.”

Will stumbles and grabs Natalie’s wrists, ready to fight back. Around us, the ivy on the walls hisses and twitches like snakes ready to strike. My skin prickles.

“Natalie, don’t,” I whisper, but my voice comes out so softly that I’m not sure she hears me.

“Let him go,” Fiona says sharply, and they step apart, fuming. “How do you know it wasn’t luck that she brought you two curses?”

“We’ll take her thrifting,” Sky says, a hand on her hip. “See what she can do. Maybe she’ll be useful.”

My breath catches. Finally, someone gets it.

Natalie forces her gaze away from Will, her chest heaving. “I know. I’ve tr—I’ll try a test or two to see if my hunch is right.”

The way she changed her words is interesting. She doesn’t want them to know we already tried and failed. She’s giving me another chance.

A spark of hope ignites within me. I won’t fail her this time. She’s going to realize how helpful I could be in tracking down curses.

“If I am right about Katie’s ability,” Natalie says, “then you understand how important it is to keep her away from the Madsens?”