Free Sorcery and the Single Girl by Mindy Klasky Page A

hours—time that could have been spent much more pleasurably, if only I had responded faster to the promise of Graeme’s kiss.

6
     
    D avid shrugged as he completed his survey from the top of my purposely messy chignon to the soles of my practical sandals. Somehow, it had been much easier to prepare for meeting the Coven than it had been to get ready for dessert with Graeme.
    Women. I knew what to wear for them.
    I had pulled on a lightweight knit dress—black of course. Body skimming, but not skintight. Appropriate undergarments to avoid, ahem, the dreaded VPL. I didn’t want to appear too severe, so I had accessorized with a necklace and earrings made out of fused glass. The jewelry reflected hints of lavender and crimson, with delicate sprays of emerald.
    “Not too much?” I asked.
    “I’m sure it’s fine.”
    “You’re sure? What does that mean?”
    He shrugged. “It means that I don’t spend a lot of time tracking women’s fashion.”
    “Neko?” I wailed.
    “Perfect, girlfriend.” My familiar pursed his lips into a saucy kiss. “Trust me.”
    Trust him. Well, I did. At least in theory. But I still recognized the sparkling feeling in my fingertips as nervousness, and I reminded myself to take a few deep breaths. I turned back to plead with David. “Promise me that you’ll stay with me, the whole time that we’re there.”
    “I promise that you’ll never be in danger.” I was going to point out that there was a real difference between what I’d asked and what he’d offered, but he didn’t give me a chance. “Okay,” David said, brushing his hands together. “Let’s go.”
    I realized that I’d overlooked a crucial detail. “The car!” I should have borrowed Gran’s Lincoln Continental after work. I traveled by car so rarely that it had completely slipped my mind.
    I glanced at my watch and swore to myself. Eleven o’clock. We’d really be pushing it, catching a cab and getting over to Gran’s apartment building. I had keys to her car, though, and we could get into the garage easily enough. I just wasn’t certain where Teresa Alison Sidney lived, how long it would take to get there. If the car failed to start (not that it ever had in the past), or if the gas tank was empty (even though I’d filled it two weeks before and Gran never drove), or if the garage gates refused to open…
    “Relax,” David said, producing a key ring from the interior pocket of his summer-weight suit. The silver fob was etched with an intricate torch.
    “What’s that?”
    “My key ring.”
    “No.” My exasperation was only partially based on my blossoming panic. “That design.”
    “Hecate’s Torch? Symbol of witches everywhere?”
    I thought I’d seen it before. It must be printed in some of the books downstairs. I let myself focus on the single silver key that dangled from the device, heavy and reassuring with its black plastic head.
    “My car is out front,” David said.
    “ Your car?” I was shocked. “How come I’ve never seen you drive a car before now?”
    “‘There are more things in heaven and earth,”’ David said with a grin.
    “If that’s supposed to make me feel calmer, I’m not sure it’s going to work.” After all, what did I need with quotations from Hamlet? From a play where the main character sees ghosts, goes mad, and litters the stage with bodies before the end of the last act? “Relax,” David said again. He spared an inquiring glance for Neko. “Ready?”
    For answer, my familiar hefted the Illustrated History of Witches. I reached for it and said, “I’ll carry it.”
    “It’s my job,” he said. “I serve you, remember?”
    “That’s the first time I’ve ever heard you say it out loud.”
    “You might want to mark today on your calendar, then. I’m not likely to repeat it, girlfriend.” He stuck out his tongue and scampered to the door. Neither man spoke further as I secured the cottage, even when I double-and triple-checked the lock. I stopped