Magic and Mayhem: Witch and Were (Kindle Worlds Novella) Read Online Free PDF Page A

years using different methods for mixing up the cards, but no matter how I did it, the readings were always painfully accurate.
    A strange sense of foreboding washed over me and I half wanted to bolt from the room and drive away. This wasn't my life anymore. Not really. With a thriving business I'd finally started to put all the shame and inadequacies I suffered as a witch behind me.
    Until now.
    "Since I can tell you don't want to be here, we'll keep it simple with a three card reading."
    I didn't bother denying my need to run. Francine had a sense about anyone who walked into her space. You could run, but you sure as hell couldn't hide. I cut the deck into three stacks and watched Francine turn over the cards.
    "The Two of Swords for your past. I don't think either one of us is surprised. You've been in some sort of denial about who you are forever."
    "That's not fair. I've accepted my limitations." I objected strongly to the denial part.
    She turned over the second card. The judgment card appeared. Naked people coming out of graves. Great. That did not look promising at all.
    "Your present is complicated. It seems you've finally reached your crossroads. You'll have a decision to make about whatever is troubling you if you hope to move past this."
    "What kind of decision?" I asked, staring down at the cards as if they would magically turn into written directions on how to fix this Shifter thingy.
    Francine shrugged. "Hard to say without knowing more. Care to share what's changed with me? We could get more in-depth if I knew what you are looking for."
    As much as I loved Francine, I did not want to admit I'd begun shifting into a wolf on my fiftieth birthday. There had to be some sort of adjustment period for that kind of thing.
    I shook my head and tapped the third deck. "Might as well get on with it."
    Francine sighed and did as I asked, turning over the card that represented my future.
    The Lovers.
    "Are you freaking kidding me?" I dropped my head in my hands. "That's ridiculous."
    "Yeah, if you're current hook up is that fox out there then yeah I am going to have to agree. Shifters and Witches. That's some messy shit, Patience. Just ask your mother."
    I didn't know exactly what incident she was referring to with my mother, but I could certainly imagine. We all knew my mother had a knack for trouble. A pattern I had no desire to follow.
    So there I had it. Denial. Decision. Love. What kind of bullshit was that supposed to be?
    I placed my palms on the table and pushed up. "Thanks, Francine. I guess I have some thinking to do."
    "Don't try to hand me that BS. You're only here because your mother sent you. She thought I could give you some peace of mind about this situation you're in. Of course she should have known better. Whatever mess you've wandered into, it's serious. The decision you have to make is going to change your life forever."
    My head was beginning to ache from the seriousness emanating from Francine. "I got it. This journey I'm about to take is important. Don't worry, I'll be fine." I wasn't sure if I believed that or not, but I didn't want Francine to see my fear.
    She grabbed my hand and pulled me back down into my chair. "Wait. I have something to give you."
    "Okay," I said, tapping my fingers on the table as Francine disappeared through the curtain. I heard her mumble something to Mick I presumed and then nothing.
    A few minutes later she rushed back into the room and pressed something into my hand. "Take this. Keep it close. It has healing powers that I think you're going to need."
    I looked down at the object to see a beautiful tear drop crystal about the size of my thumb on a thin velvet rope. "Oh, that's beautiful."
    "It's a lot more that pretty, my bebe. It has the power to help you if you keep it close to your heart."
    "Okay," I said as I began tying the rope around my neck. "I'll keep it close."
    "Good girl. Now go on and get out of here and take that Shifter with you. Keep an eye on him too. He's