Page 21 of Cat’s Guide To Romance

“I’ll grab two.”

“Thank you. I'll see you shortly with Ferris.”

My shoulders drop, and I just stop to take a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself before I have a breakdown. This is nothing. It’s basically an easy day, I tell myself. And once I pick up Ferris, then I can come home and take a nap before dinner. Hopefully. I've been running around all day doing tasks for mama, and I'm exhausted, but I get to go to Flutter and Fangs tonight, which always makes me happy.

I clutched the bundle in my arms, but try not to wrinkle the cloak because Mama would be so mad if I messed up her work. The covens all come to mama for anything they need handmade. She’s the best seamstress in Hex. She hand stitches everything. She doesn't like machines. Well, the sound of a sewing machine, and I understand. Even with earplugs and human ears, it's very loud for cat shifters. And me, especially, since I can't shift away my cat ears. I can hear much better than the rest of my family.

Ferris can do a partial shift, but he can always go back to his human form, or to his kitten form, while I'm stuck in my partial or my cat. I don't mind my cat. My cat is very luxurious, if you ask me. I could shift and go to a cat lover’s house to be pampered for the rest of my life if I wanted to. But I don't really want to go feral.

I’m still so far away from the Hawthorn Coven House. But I finally get a bing from my phone. Someone responded to my SOS.

Beau: I'll be at Renaud’s or wherever you want me shortly. Poe's gonna drop me off, and I'll meet you wherever.

Sparkle: Could you meet me at Renaud’s?

Beau: Of course, I'll see you soon. Kisses.

I can't help but laugh. Beau is the best.

Finally, I'm at the Hawthorn Coven House. It's a huge two-story house that if you don’t know it’s the Hawthorn Coven House you’d never know. I’ve always wondered what the inside looks like. Unless you’re part of the coven or a client of the coven, you’re not allowed in.

I walk up the driveway, which seems to go on forever. The house sits back in the woods just a bit. I keep walking and walking and realize that, of course, it's a spell.

I lift the bundle a bit. “I'm here to deliver the cloak from Mrs. Boots.” The next step I take the house is right there. “Thank you.”

I walk up the porch steps and the door opens before I get to it. The witch in the doorframe has shiny black hair and blue eyes that pop.

“Oh goodness, I was beginning to wonder if we'd get it here in time for the ritual tonight.”

“I'm sorry.” I hand the bundle over and step back. “I had a lot of running around to do.”

“Oh,” they wave a hand at me. “Don't worry, dear. We're not mad at you or your mother. I was just impatient and I ordered a little too late. But I'm very happy that she could make it on time. In fact, she is several hours early, and I appreciate that.” The witch hands me an envelope. “And to show my gratitude, here's a little bit extra.”

“Thank you. I'm sure mama will appreciate it.”

“And a little bit for you for delivering on such a timely matter.”

“There's no need for that,” I say.

“I insist,” the witch says.

Not one to argue with witches, I say, “Thank you.”

“No, thank you.” The witch turns and closes the door.

I turn, arms empty, except for the envelopes. I don't dare look to see what's inside mine, but I tuck it inside my back pocket, and clutch the other one close to my chest. I know no one in Hex will try to steal it, cause that's just not how Hex runs. But I clutch it close, anyway. And now it's time to go pick up Ferris at school.

If I don't get there before he starts heading home, he'll start wandering around instead of heading straight home, so I have to get to him before he starts his trek.

I pick up speed. It’s gonna be a very close call. While it's the beginning of November, it's warm today, and I'm not a fan. I swipe sweat from my brow and wipe it on my pants.

I could shift to my cat and run to school, but then I'd have to find a receptacle for the envelopes and my clothes, and that's just too much effort right now.

I'm still several blocks away when the bell rings, and I can hear it where I stand.

Well shit. I sprint. Thank goodness I get to the school just as he leaves from the double doors. I bend over, panting, dropping my hands to my knees, and he skips over to me, laughing.

“Sparkle, you're so funny. Why are you breathing so hard?”