Free Big Beautiful Witches: I Married A Warlock by Georgette St. Clair Page B

going home again. I hate them.”
    “I’ll take you to Lillith’s house.  If she tries to make you come home, we can threaten to sic the law on her, with her illegal use of herbs. The threat of scandal might make her back off.”
    Hands shaking, Fiona peeled away from the curb.
     

Chapter Eight
    “Pour me another one.” Fiona slammed down her second tequila shot, leaning against the bar of the Three Broomsticks.
    “You’re letting your mother drive you to drink.”
    “No, I’d drink on my own. This just gives me added incentive.”
    It was a typical crowd at the Three Broomsticks, a bar owned by three witches.   Humans, vampires, blood whores, elves, fairies, witches, warlocks, werewolves…all from the seedier side of life.   The lighting was dim, the air was smoky, the din was high. From time to time someone flew across the room, hitting a wall, or landing on a table. It was such a common occurrence at the Three Broomsticks that the customers barely glanced up from their drinks.
    The room was a giant rectangle, with pool tables and dart boards towards the  back.  Fiona, Rosalind and Renoir were leaning on the bar. It was the night before the full moon, and Rosalind’s ears were pointy and tufted with hair, giving her an almost elfin look. She was drinking a beer and surveying the room for a potential partner to romp with during the full moon the next day.
    “Maybe that one?” she wondered, pointing at a broad-backed werewolf standing with a group of friends.
    “Rosalind, you haven’t even seen his face.” Warmth from the shot of tequila flowed through Fiona’s body.    She struggled to put the events of the day, and her disturbing reaction to Erik, from her mind, but the harder she tried not to think about him, the more firmly he was ensconced in her brain.
    Rosalind looked puzzled. “His face? I won’t be having sex with his face.” The werewolf turned and she frowned. “Oh, never mind. Been there, done him. I want a new one.”
    “See? That’s a good reason to look at their face.”
    “Another one?” Peter, the bartender, asked her.
    She sighed. “I’ll wait a few minutes. I’m just looking for a mild buzz, not a full on drunk.”
     “Suit yourself.”
    “That one!” Rosalind’s face lit up. “I totally haven’t had sex with him.” She frowned, trying to remember. “I think I haven’t.  If I have, I can’t remember. That’s the same as not having had sex with him, right?” And she ambled through the crowd towards her intended conquest.
    “It’s a wonder she can remember to walk and breathe at the same time.”  Maizie said, startling Fiona.
    “Must you sneak up on me like that?” Fiona grumbled.
    “I must. I need the practice. Stealth is important in my profession.”  A tall, muscular werewolf accompanied Maizie. Handsome in a loutish way, looked like his nose had been broken more than once. He was broad-shouldered and towered over Maizie and Fiona.
    “This is Konrad.  He’s a member of the bodyguard guild. Good guy, very trustworthy, if you ever need any bodyguard work and I’m not available.”
    “Trustworthy? You wound me, Maizie. That makes me sound…neutered.” He grinned, flashing big white canines that were elongated before the full moon. He looked as if he were ready to tear through a raw steak.
    “Everyone knows you’re far from neutered,” Maizie said with a wink.
    “As long as we’re clear. What can I get you ladies to drink?”
    “Why, thank you, Konrad.  I’ll have a tequila shot.  Maizie, if I get really drunk and start acting like an idiot…”
    “I promise to join in.  I’ll have a double tequila shot, thanks.”
    As Konrad pushed his way down the bar to signal the bartender, Fiona leaned in. “Is that your latest conquest?”
    Maizie fanned her eyelashes, looking innocent. “Who, me?”
    “Have you moved on from the vampire? I was starting to worry about you.  Just don’t let Konrad bite you hard enough to break the skin;