Witch & Curse by Nancy Holder, Debbie Viguié Page B

charger. She sat for a moment, absorbing her shock.
    Back under the bed, Bast growled again.
    As quickly as she could, she slipped on her jeans and dashed across the room, avoiding the place that had upset the cat, and bolted out of there.
    Breathless in the hall, she leaned against the door, taking in the sight of her pile of suitcases. She longed to carry them downstairs, call a cab, and go to the airport.There was far too much weirdness here in Seattle.
    As opposed to San Francisco
, she thought miserably,
where Barbara Davis-Chin is lying in the hospital with an undiagnosed illness. And I apparently own a house that I’m too young to live in by myself. And I have been sent to live with relatives who didn’t even know I was alive
.
    And my aunt is having an affair
.
    A door farther down opened, and Holly let out a startled cry.
    It was Amanda, who raised her eyebrows. She was wearing very small rectangular glasses and she held a book in her left hand. It was
The Mists of Avalon
.
    Amanda said, “It’s just me.”
    Holly ran a hand through her hair. “I’m sorry. I’m kind of jumpy.”
    â€œNew house,” Amanda said kindly.
    She beckoned to Holly, and Holly trailed down the hall and into a beautiful bedroom furnished in warm woods, lavender, and cream. Amanda had a sleigh bed covered with a purple and green iris spread. Over an antique desk was a bulletin board with a few photographs and some notes stuck to it. Her closet was open, and a pile of shoes and a purple bathrobe was heaped on the floor. Most of the wall space was taken up with bookcases, and Holly noted lots and lots of fantasy novels.
    â€œI like your room,” Holly told her sincerely.
    â€œMom wants to redo it.” Amanda shook her head. “I don’t want her to touch it. Did you see the entryway? Can you say Baskin-Robbins?”
    Holly stifled a giggle. “I wouldn’t change a thing in here.” Holly hesitated and switched the subject from Amanda’s mother. “Are you sure the kitten can’t hear anything? It seems like she can.”
    â€œYeah.” Amanda made a moue of apology. “I’m sorry. We didn’t realize it until after we picked her out for you.”
    â€œNo, no, it’s fine.” Holly made a motion in the air that meant absolutely nothing, dropped her hand into her lap, and added, “It just seems like she can hear me. Maybe she’s extra attentive to visual cues.”
    â€œWe had her checked at the vet’s. Mom wanted to get you a new cat, but Nicole said no. She said Bast was right for you.”
    Amanda squatted beside her bed and lifted up the coverlet. “I’ll show you
my
cat. Frey-frey,” she called. “Here, baby.”
    A chubby orange adult cat emerged, plopping itself down with great dignity and meowing up at Amanda. She bent down and scooped up the enormous feline.
    â€œThis is Freya,” she told Holly. “She’s mine.”
    â€œShe’s really enormous.” Holly reached out a tentative hand to pet the cat. The cat accepted her attention like a duchess, preening and condescending, and Holly grinned despite herself. She knew a few horses like Miss Freya, proud and uppity but, in their hearts, craving affection and attention.
    Amanda fondly stroked her pet. Holly joined in, then paused as the animal stared hard at her, accepting the lavish attention without blinking or moving its head. The intensity of Freya’s gaze was eerie.
    â€œI hope you like it here, Holly,” Amanda said.
    Holly swallowed. “I hope so too.”
    Freya meowed and settled into Amanda’s lap.

FIVE
    OAK MOON

    Hands to Heaven, feet to Hell
The House of Deveraux casts its spell
Bring the sun out at night
To defeat the maiden’s light
    To Cahors faithful strong and true
Blessings old we beg anew
And Goddess hear us as we plead
This year kill the Green Man’s seed
    Seattle, mid-August
    It rained in Seattle.