Free Witches (Runes series Book 6) by Ednah Walters Page A

you consider tutoring me?”
    “You?” I faked surprise. “In what?”
    “English lit. Have you read The Scarlet Letter ?”
    I nodded. “First semester. It was a tough one, but I enjoyed it.”
    “You’re kidding, right? I hate his style of writing. Anyway, if you can, cool. If you can’t…” he shrugged, but his expression was hopeful.
    I pretended to think about it then nodded. “Sure. When do you want to start?”
    After we set a time and place, I headed straight to the nearest Petsmart and splurged on everything cat—self-cleaning litter box, odor-control litter, and some of the best food a cat could possibly have. I was tempted to get her a tag since they had a machine for making them right there in the store, but I needed a name first. Fur-ball might get my eyes gouged out.
    As though she knew I came bearing her things, she stood at the top of the stairs when I opened the door. “Missed me?” I asked her.
    You wish.
    “She did,” Femi called from the kitchen. “We watched a little TV but she got bored and went to the window to look outside. Did you get her a flea collar? She could go outside to explore when she has one.”
    I placed my purchases at the foot of the stairs. “Yes, but I need a name before I can get her a personalized tag. Where do I put her food and water?”
    “The laundry room is large enough. I moved the hampers and created room for her litter box.”
    “Good. I don’t want my bedroom smelling like fish.” I went back to the car to get the litter. Mrs. Rutledge pulled up into her driveway and nodded without smiling. I bet she didn’t miss a thing.
    No one in our cul-de-sac owned a pet. A few neighbors had dogs when I was young, but I couldn’t remember what had happened to them. Then there was the Labrador on the other side of our backyard fence. The dog ran away so often Eirik and I were convinced dog snatchers, or dognappers as we had called them, got it. I didn’t think my cat was in any danger of being snatched. I was more likely to be scared for anyone crazy enough to kidnap Fur-ball than for the cat herself.
    I set up the litter box while she watched. Femi shook her head when she walked by and heard me explain how the box worked. I stashed the rest of the cat food in one of the cabinets, and headed upstairs.
    I had an hour of homework, then studies with Lavania.

    ~*~

    I peered into the mansion and listened for the housekeeper. All was quiet. It seemed like she’d already left for the day. I stepped into the room and the mirror portal from my bedroom started to change. My cat left her lofty place by the window and peered at me curiously before the portal disintegrated.
    The silence was almost spooky, reminding me of the days when Eirik and his parents had lived here. The Sevilles had tried to act like Mortals, surrounding themselves with expensive paintings and knick-knacks. I’d always known there was something off about them. They’d been cold and standoffish towards everyone, including Eirik, their supposedly adopted child. Turned out I was right. Not only were the Sevilles Immortals from Asgard, they were bound to serve the gods. And their adopted child, my best friend since I was little, had turned out to be the grandson of Odin. How I missed Eirik. I didn’t care that he was a god in his own right. We were raised together, like brother and sister.
    I headed for the stairs, hurrying past the living room. The room was more inviting than when Eirik had lived here. The chairs were comfortable and the expensive paintings and works of art had been replaced by more cheerful contemporary pieces, thanks to Lavania. The two story foyer with its winding staircase was still imposing, but I was no longer scared of knocking down a vase or some museum worthy décor.
    I headed upstairs and turned left past Andris’ bedroom and into the library. Of course, Andris had chosen a room close to books. The guy was a closet nerd. I’d even spied a pair of glasses by his bedside. Not