Free Unlocking the Spell by E. D. Baker

holding the basket with both hands. “Look, Granny, I brought you visitors.”
    â€œHow nice,” her grandmother rasped. “And what did you bring me in your basket? Do I smell baked ham?” There was a loud sniffing sound, then Granny added, “And blueberry tarts!”
    â€œGranny isn’t feeling well,” Little Red Riding Hood said, turning to Liam and Annie. “She has a wasting disease and needs lots of food to keep up her strength. She told me so yesterday.”
    â€œThat’s right, dearie. So why don’t you just set that basket on the bed and I’ll…”
    â€œOoh, Granny,” the girl said, taking a step closer. “What big eyes you have.”
    â€œI know, I know! Didn’t we go through this yesterday?” said Granny. “I have big eyes, the better to see you with, and big ears, the better to hear you with, and a big nose because it runs in the family. Now if you’ll just—”
    â€œMworr!” A large cat jumped on the bed and padded across Granny’s chest. “Get off me, stupid cat,” the old woman said, pushing it aside.
    â€œGranny, you must be really sick,” said her granddaughter. “You usually let the cats walk all over you.”
    â€œHow many cats do you have, Granny?” asked Annie.
    Two cats emerged from the shadows and jumped onto the bed. One strode up to Granny and plumpeddown on her stomach, swiping its long tail across her face. The other sat on the edge of the bed and glared at her.
    When the old woman hesitated, Little Red Riding Hood spoke up. “Granny has twenty-two cats, although the number changes all the time.”
    â€œThat’s right,” Granny said, sounding as if she was speaking through gritted teeth. “I do love cats. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need my rest. Just leave the basket on the bed and I’ll take care of putting the food away. Oh, and be sure to come back tomorrow, Granddaughter, dear. The delicious food you bring is making me feel much better.”
    Annie knew something was wrong, other than just the old woman’s poor health, but she didn’t know what to do to prove it. Maybe if she went outside, she and Liam could figure it out. “We’re sorry we stopped by at such a bad time,” she said. “I hope you’re well soon. Liam and I will leave so you and Gloria can talk before you go back to sleep.”
    â€œWho’s Gloria?” asked the old woman.
    Annie scowled. Either the woman’s memory was going, or it wasn’t the grandmother at all. If Annie was wrong, the worst that could happen was she would embarrass herself. But if she was right… Keeping an eye on the figure in the bed, Annie stepped to the door and flung it wide. While Little Red Riding Hood andher grandmother cried out in protest, Annie went from window to window, dragging the curtains open, letting the tree-filtered sunlight in.
    â€œIt’s a wolf!” Liam cried, dashing to the bed even as he drew his sword.
    Little Red Riding Hood turned back to the bed. Seeing the long, furry face under her grandmother’s ruffled cap, she cried out in horror.
    With one motion, the wolf threw back the covers and leaped from the bed. Snatching the basket from Little Red Riding Hood’s hands, it darted around Annie and Liam and out the door.
    â€œWhat did you do with my granny!” Little Red Riding Hood shouted after the fleeing wolf.
    â€œI thought this room smelled bad because she had so many cats,” said Liam. “I never would have guessed it was a wolf.”
    â€œAnd a talking one at that,” said Annie. “I’ve seen more talking animals in the last few days than I’ve seen in my entire lifetime before this.”
    â€œGloria, are you all right?” a man asked, ducking to enter the cottage. He was a big man with the clothes of a huntsman and a face that was an older, male version of Little Red Riding