Free Witch Risen: A Paranormal Adventure (Bad Tom Series Book 2) by Jill Nojack Page B

the time. If someone needs to talk to me and it's important enough, I'll respond to a message as soon as I can. And if it isn't important, why bother? I don't understand why everything has to happen the minute you think of it. Cassie says I'm too "old skool". I have no idea what that means.
    Cassie. Always there in my thoughts. Cat's pulled me off the point again. I focus and say the shift words in my head: good Tom . After the transformation, I fumble with the stupid keyboard on the phone to send Robert a text, "I'm in."
    He sends back, "crfl."
    Sure. Whatever that means.
    I glide up the stairs and into Eunice's old room. Cassie had redone it, but it's back in full Eunice mode now. The spare set of bedding has returned from its attic storage spot, bringing with it Eunice's satin and velvet debauchery. I freeze for a minute, terrified. She's preparing herself for me again. All the reds that Cat can't see are back in place. They were her special treat for me whenever she let me be a man.
    Like hell. Not going to happen. I go to the closet and start sifting through what's stored there. I find nothing. I was sure this would be where she'd put the box now that she's back to nest in her lair. As important as it's turned out to be, she'd want to keep it close.
    I look under the bed, but it's not there. The same with the other two bedrooms. Cassie's room is how she left it. Mine is still as empty as it was when I moved into hers.
    I've got to go prowling through the rooms downstairs to try to find it. I don't want to. This house feels like a cage again instead of the home it had become.
    My hand goes to my neck for the phone, just to reassure myself my early warning system is still in place.
    My heart skips a beat.
    It's not there.
    But where? Where is it? I can't leave it in the house. I have to find it.
    I rush back to Eunice's room, and there it is in the middle of the red and blue flowered, oriental carpet.
    With a text.
    From Robert.
    Two words.
    GET OUT.
    The bell on the shop door jangles below as the door swings opens.
    I turn off the phone and quickly affix it back to my collar. It better stay put this time.
    I shift.
    The only open window is downstairs. Why didn't I think of that before shifting? I'd have to run right in front of her to get to it. I don't have time to shift, open a window, then shift again to escape. And if I run across the landing to another room and she's already gotten to the stairs…
    I'm trapped.

***
    The closest place to hide is under Eunice's bed. Cat is hyped on my terror, the fur at the back of his neck standing at attention. I'm glad he's poised for a fight if something wicked this way comes. Anything can happen with Cat—he could be ready to snuggle up and purr instead of to fight. Thank the Goddess he goes along with me on this one. He doesn't always bend to me when he's in charge.
    Cat stays put, listening, as Eunice prepares herself for bed, making evening ablutions, slipping one of Eunice's gowns on over Cassie's head. I watch her feet pull up from the floor as she finally eases herself into bed.
    Any minute.
    Any minute, I expect Cassie's head to appear suspended upside down, Eunice's smile on her face as she reaches under the bed to grab me, her preparations for sleep nothing but a sham.
    Fortunately, Cat's heart is small. It doesn't thud loudly enough to get her attention.
    The very thought of Eunice touching me with Cassie's stolen body makes me want to kill her. If I'd had the guts to fight her when it involved just me, I might have saved Cassie from all of this. But I was so determined to stay human and not give in to being the predator, the cat. Now, I wish I'd done it, treated her like Cat treats a mouse and gone at her when her guard was down. I'd take her out right now if I could do it without harming Cassie.
    Instead, I'm stuck under the bed waiting for that monster to fall asleep. I keep Cat still and away from the warm body above by filling him with thoughts that the thing the