Page 57 of How to Flirt with a Witch

Fiona crosses her arms. “It’s worth investigating. Any magic in your past, girl?”

Oh God, she’s addressing me.

I sidestep around Natalie to see her better. “Not that I know of.”

I could explain the feeling I get when I see something cursed, but it’s hard to put into words. Also, all the stares on me are making my tongue clumsy.

“I thought she could take one of the empty rooms down Granville hall,” Natalie says. “Keep her safe until we get Freddie into custody.”

Will snorts. “Good luck.”

“He tried to abduct a civilian. That’s enough for a warrant.” Natalie looks at each of them, and when nobody protests, she says, “Time to move in. Sky?”

Skysquares her stance, and after a confirming glance to Fiona, she nods.

Fiona strides closer, searching Natalie’s face. Though Fiona’s a head shorter, Natalie shifts under her glare.

“I want a debrief before you turn in,” Fiona says. “If you’re lying, I won’t be merciful.”

Natalie dips her chin. “Of course.”

“Everyone, as you were.” Fiona waves the crowd away before turning back to me, a threatening glint in her eyes. “I’ll be watching you closely. You are not to tell a soul about this place or what we do here, understand? We have our own justice system, and no lawyer can save you from it.”

I nod, my mouth dry. “Yes, ma’am.”

She looks me up and down, then addresses Natalie again. “Just until we catch Freddie. In the meantime, you’d better prove this isn’t a big, dangerous mistake.”

With a final, piercing glare at both of us, she marches back the way she came, the click of her heels fading.

Me, a dangerous mistake?

I would argue, but maybe she doesn’t mean I’m the dangerous one. After what I experienced tonight in that alley, I don’t know what’s safe and what’s not, what’s impossible and what’s beyond my understanding.

Sky and Will are left, standing at the end of the hall.

“Get Katie’s stuff,” Natalie says. “It’s in my car. Watch out for Freddie.”

Sky nods and brushes past us, her gaze lingering on me. It’s not a glare—more like cautious intrigue. After a hesitation, Will follows, not looking at either of us.

Natalie strides ahead, leaving me to hurry in her wake. Over my shoulder, I try to see what happens when the others get to the clock, but they’re already gone.

We enter a lounge with a square fireplace in the middle and a stone chimney rising into the domed ceiling. Along the brick walls, iron light fixtures give the place a warm glow, and more ivy turns the wall into green patchwork. Wooden tables, chairs, and cushy booths fill the space. A willow tree in the corner forms a canopy over a circle of bean bags, a bookshelf, and a cabinet overflowing with board games.

The people who dispersed are seated at a long table with drinks, playing cards, and poker chips scattered around. Their eyes follow us, speculating, judging.

“Happy New Year, all,” Natalie says.

They murmur back, a jumble of “yeah,” “cheers,” and “New Year” meeting my ears.

On the other side of the lounge, archways lead to half a dozen corridors, which are marked with iron letters readingChambers,Library,Training,and others I can’t read from here.We enter the Chambers wing and turn left at a fork, where a brass plaque readsGranville.

“This hallway runs underneath Granville street?” I ask.

“Yep. Your room’s under a coffee shop. You’ll probably hear their pipes and see their wifi. Which reminds me, our wifi password is ChimeraTown666, capital C, capital T.”

“You… have wifi down here?” I ask, bewildered.

“Well, yeah.” She pulls out her phone as if to remind me she has it. “We haven’t time traveled.”