Page 61 of How to Flirt with a Witch

She stops.

“I—I deleted you from my phone.” I study the brick wall, unable to meet her eye as I admit my petty moment of anger. “Can you text me so I have yournumber again?”

There’s a short, inscrutable pause. “Sure.”

She does, and my phone beeps.

As she leaves me holding Ethel in this unfamiliar bedroom, the events of this evening whirl around inside me like a tornado. Aside from my life changing forever, it hasn’t slipped past me that tonight has changed something significant for the coven.CSAMM. The way they all looked at me when Natalie mentioned my ability to sense curses… The way Sky suggested testing me… Even Fiona’s agreement, however reluctant, hints at the potential value of what I can do.

I might not be a witch, but the fact I’m here proves I have something to offer. Iknewit.

A decision solidifies inside me. Natalie might want me to stay in this room where I’m safely out of the Madsens’ grasp—but I know I can do more than hide. I’m going to prove to her and to everyone here that I have an ability they can put to use.

Chapter 15

The Difference Between a Traffic Cone and Bagpipes

“Breakfast is anything youwant,” Natalie says as we enter the lounge at eight the next morning. “Eggs, oatmeal, pancakes…”

She motions for me to take the lead to any table. Only two others are occupied, so I head for a booth on the other side of the crackling fireplace—out of sight of the hallways and prying eyes.

“Do you use magic to cook?” I ask as I plunk into the cushy seat.

“Yes and no.” She puts a hand on the table and slides in across from me, drawing my gaze to the way her toned arms fill out the sleeves of her black t-shirt. “Controlling earth elements means we can cook anything plant-based in seconds, but with animal proteins, we can go as far as heating the skillet with magic. Either way, it won’t take long.”

Eating food cooked by magic sounds like an experience I need in my life—and after the night I had, a plate of warm, fluffy carbs is in order. “Pancakes would be nice. With maple syrup.”

A tablet at the far end of the table shows the menu, and she pulls it toward her. She taps buttons for two orders of pancakes. “Coffee?”

“Yes, please. Black.”

She taps that too. “And here you’re witnessing a new and exciting form of magic called the internet and an app.”

I laugh.

Her cheeks dimple as she slides the tablet back to its place. “Technology has become better than magic in a few areas, to be honest.”

Her tone is brighter this morning, her posture less guarded. Maybe a weight has been lifted now that I know her secret.

I put my elbows on the table and lean forward. “So, have you decided how we’re going to test my ability?”

She slings an arm across the back of the booth, cocking an eyebrow. “Persistent.”

I return my own sassy eyebrow. “We don’t have long. How quickly will the Shadows catch Freddie Madsen?”

Her lips twist. “Could be a couple days, could be a week, could be longer. But it turns out we are, in fact, going to test you this morning.”

I sit taller, her words sending a shock through me. “Seriously? How? Where?”

The tablet flashes green and pings, snagging our attention.

Natalie removes her hand from the table. “Lean back and tuck in your feet.”

I do, pulling in my arms and legs.

The surface warps and turns hazy, blurring the space between us. When the haze dissipates, I’m left with a steaming stack of four pancakes and a mug of coffee.

Natalie casts me a lopsided smile that makes my heart miss a beat.