Free The Witch Who Cried Wolf (Cry Wolf, #1) by Sarah Makela

karma.”
    Blinking at her, I felt an instant wave of guilt crash into me. Not only had I made a love potion earlier, I’d given some to Ethan via the healing salve. My only thought had been helping him. If only I’d remembered the love potion spilling into it sooner. Besides, I’d been so sure Jessa would get behind me that I’d ignored the niggling voice in my head, warning me not to proceed. Now I faced the consequences of my actions.
    “What did you do?” Jessa’s eyes widened. “Did you make the money potion? If you did, I lied. I’ll be the first to try it.”
    “No, I....” The words failed me and a blush burned my cheeks. “Worse.”
    “What’s worse than that? You didn’t perform black magick on someone, did you? No, that’s not you. I’d notice stains on your aura.” Jessa jumped to her feet with a swish of her skirts. “You made a love potion? You’re planning to give it to someone, aren’t you?”
    I looked up at her, unable to hide my guilt. “It was an accident. I spilt some into the second batch of healing salve I made.”
    “And?”
    “And Ethan got hurt protecting me from the werewolf. I applied the healing salve with the love potion to his wounds. Only when I started putting it on myself to take care of a few scrapes, did I remember.” Sagging my shoulders, I stared at the beige carpet. “I didn’t mean for this to happen.”
    “Does he know?”
    “No. I almost told him, but I was too afraid. As it was, he knew I was hiding something and started to storm off, but then Greg showed up. It wasn’t pretty, to say the least.” The memories of the incident were bad enough, but I knew Jessa would ask. “They nearly got into a fight. I’m not looking forward to dinner Saturday. They are probably going to tear each other apart.”
    “Honey....” Jessa sat next to me on the couch. “It’s going to be okay. You didn’t mean to use the love potion. If not much got spilled, then I don’t think you’ll have a problem. Love potions are tricky and unreliable.” She rubbed her hand over my back. I remembered how much went into the salve, and it was enough to affect me. “The boys won’t make too much of a commotion in front of your parents. If they do, they’re jerks. Wait; you said Ethan was injured protecting you. How bad was his injury? Do you think...?”
    “He was scratched. You know what the legends say, and usually when folklore points at something, it’s true. I’m hoping the healing salve will prevent anything...hairy, but I don’t know. I didn’t even think werewolves were real!” I walked into the kitchen, needing space. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
    Jessa followed me. “You think I knew?” Her mouth dropped open, as she leaned against the kitchen counter. “Just because I’m a witch doesn’t mean I know anything and everything about the supernatural.”
    “Sorry, I just figured since you’re my mentor and all.”
    “If you’re trying to take this out on me because I introduced you to someone who needed a potion, then you’re different to how I thought you were. I was trying to help, since you always shut out everyone.” Jessa threw her hands into the air. “You never do anything with your powers. You sit back, thinking you can be a badass witch like your grandmother, while never putting in the work. Your abilities are like any other muscle; they can atrophy.”
    Tears formed in my eyes. I hated how right she was. I’d wondered why my magic was useless against the werewolf, but I had only myself to blame.
    “Look, I’m sorry, but I’m your friend. If you’re going to survive, you need a little tough love.” She closed the space between us and gave me a hug. “Even if that means the truth hurts, you know. If the werewolf comes back, I’ll tell him to get lost. Keep a low profile, and hopefully, they won’t find you.”
    I couldn’t believe this. She had a point, but I was scared. The guy I cared about was injured, and werewolves were after