Familiarity Breeds Witchcraft Read Online Free Page A

the mark.
    If only earning money in the real world were as easy. Gemma would have harvested cabbages all day and all night to bring her vision of the new Ash Academy to fruition.
    “You know you’re welcome at the esbat,” Enid said. “Everyone misses you.” Esbats were rituals that the entire coven performed on the full moons. They were more parties than magical castings, though. Lots of socializing, lots of drinking, and lots of nosy nellies prodding Gemma for information about her love life.
    “Sure they do.” She looked away from her sister’s considering glance. “But you know they only want me there so they can bug me about settling down or whatever. Rowan’s pregnancy has got them worked into a froth. They want all us single ladies to settle down and pop out new witchlings, and they would never leave me in peace.”
    “How would you know? You haven’t been in a long while.”
    Non-attendance seemed easier than dodging intrusive questions like flaming arrows. She would get grumpy and end up snapping at someone who didn’t deserve it—or hexing a mustache onto Iris Westerly the way that Rowan had.
    Grumpy Gemma might look to be a negative person to anyone who didn’t know her well, but she really was positive compared to others, she was just slightly more private than the majority of Secret Hallow. Most members of the coven chose not to be the one to ruin the fun vibe the group created when they got together. They tolerated the too-engaged community atmosphere with aplomb that Gemma simply couldn’t feign.
    Enid picked up her controller again. “Hold on. I’ll make potions.”  
    “In the game or real life?” Relief at not having to argue with her sister cheered her.
    They both chuckled.  
    As a stone witch who specialized in non-dirt earth, Enid wasn’t really the potion type. Gemma thought her sister’s concoctions would have been interesting if she had tried, though. Knowing an earth witch, they would likely turn out very heavy and clunky. She couldn’t imagine they’d be smooth enough to pass unnoticed if they were used on an unsuspecting person.
    Of course, a true witch didn’t attempt to cast magic on someone unaware of the intention, a subject who hadn’t agreed to be involved in a spell.  
    Enid’s character moved to the on-screen cauldron set within a huge stone fireplace and started to throw various items into the bubbling brew. The large cast-iron vessel emitted golden swirls and the air around their avatars turned a vivid shade of lilac. Numbers appeared overhead as the practice increased her experience level.
    This time, Gemma remained the passive viewer, sitting off to one side without participating. Her avatar’s watchful waiting reminded her of her own time spent on the sidelines of local activities.
    Gaming was usually a fun escape from reality. Now it was a little too on the nose for her to have as much fun as she usually did.
    Enid dumped their leftover cabbages into the cauldron.
    “Well, that’s all I got. Guess I should get ready for the real magic.” Enid dropped her controller, got to her feet, and stretched. “Sure you don’t want to join us tonight?” She looked out the window as she spoke, her voice noncommittal.
    “I’m sure.” Gemma plugged in the controllers. They sang out with gratitude, resonating with her techno-witch senses. Everything only silenced when she shut of the game system as Bronson clomped up the stairs and settled onto the floor next to the sofa. Crossing the room, she patted his head. “Bronson and I will chill and watch some movies.”
    “Just you and Bronson, huh?”
    She ignored the tone of innuendo in her sister’s voice and went to boot up her computer.
    Enid patted Bronson and headed down the stairs. “See you later, then.”
    “Later.” Gemma brought up her messenger. RideswithBronson: Hey! Movie time?
    FeistyFox95 was already waiting for her. This wasn’t merely because Fox was always on the internet. They had a standing