Page 3 of The Wolfing Hour

I glanced at Ida and Fennel. Felt for Cecil at the back of my neck.

“Did you like the replacement?” she asked, in a soft, almost ethereal tone. “We tried to recreate the original, but ceramics isn’t a perfect medium, thank the goddess. Wouldn’t it be boring if it were?”

I nodded. “I love it. Thank you. And thank you, Señora, for suggesting it.”

Señora Cervantes looked uncomfortable. “De nada,” she said quickly then gestured to the sullen girl seated at the table. Petrathe kitten purred lazily from the girl’s lap. “This is my sobrina, Violeta. She was the one who summonedher.”

Violeta dropped her chin to her chest and hid her face behind a curtain of straight, black hair. She looked to be somewhere around twelve and was in that last awkward phase before puberty hit like a freight train.

I swear, Señora Cervantes had the tact of a caveman.

Maria Elena sighed but said nothing.

I picked up a steaming mug and took a seat at the table beside the girl. “When I was your age, I summoned an earth sprite.”

I took a sip of the coffee. Cinnamony, creamy, sweet—Maria Elena made a spectacular café de olla. I wanted to gulp down the whole thing and ask for a to-go cup.

Violeta sneaked a glance at me. “A sprite?”

“Kind of like a faery, only nicer. Mom and I traveled a lot, and even when we weren’t on the road, I hung around mostly with adults. I was lonely for a friend my age, so I decided to summon one.”

“People can justdothat?” The girl wasn’t sneaking anymore. She stared straight at me with wide, topaz eyes. Even Petra was looking at me.

“Not people, no. I’m an elemental witch. Sometimes we can evoke living things through our element. Mine’s earth. There are fire and wind sprites—water sprites, too.” I took another drink of the delicious coffee. “The thing is, sprites are pretty, but they aren’t very smart, and they really aren’t great company. It’s kind of like befriending a butterfly. You know it’s going to be a one-sided relationship.”

“Oh,” she said. “What happened? Did you send her away?”

“My mom sent her back to where she’d come from. She told me it wasn’t right to summon friends. That we had to make themthe old-fashioned way, or it was more a hostage situation than a friendship.”

Violeta stroked the kitten’s head. “Did you ever find one—a friend?”

I smiled at Ida. “Eventually, yeah. Some good ones.”

“And you weren’t lonely anymore after that?” Her voice was heartbreakingly soft.

I glanced up at her mother. Her eyes were hooded, and there were dark circles around them. I didn’t know Violeta’s story, but Señora Cervantes had mentioned Maria Elena’s recent divorce, and I could read between the lines.

“Sometimes I get lonely. Everyone does. But it doesn’t last too long.” I reached out a hand for Petra to nuzzle. She really was a sweet kitten.

Fennel trotted up and head-bumped Violeta’s knee. She gave his head a scratch, and he purred at her in return, eliciting a giggle from the girl. “He’s so handsome.”

“Don’t let it go to your head, Fennel,” I teased.

He ignored me and head-bumped her again, requesting more pets.

“Violeta, can you tell me exactly what you said to summon her?” I asked her. “If you want me to help you, I need to know everything.”

“Everything?” Violeta hugged Petra closer.

I didn’t reply. The kid didn’t need any more pressure. I’d figure out how to banish the creature with or without her but knowing the incantation she’d used would help things along.

“It’s nearly midnight,” Maria Elena said.

Violeta kissed Petra’s head and gently set her on the floor. Then she picked up one of the candles and took me by the hand. “It’s better if I show you.”

“Why the candles?”I asked, as Violeta led me down the short hallway to her bedroom.

“Mom’s trying to save on electricity. It’s almost summer,” she replied.