Witches Under Way Read Online Free

most of the others.”
    Big words.  Dead poets.  Kicking Jamie’s butt at rhyming word games.  Jennie mentally whacked herself for being so slow.   Her favorite delinquent was a poet.  A very well-disguised one—and clearly intending to keep it that way.  So Jennie did the smart thing and decided to totally change the subject.
    Unfortunately, she wasn’t fast enough—and Elsie didn’t get the message.  “You like poetry?”
    It was a polite, interested question.  Just the kind that would make Lizard dive for cover and never come back out.  Jennie could see the delinquent armor snapping on.  “It’s just a stupid course I have to pass.  No big.”
    Jennie watched Elsie’s eyes and saw the hurt—and then, wonder of wonders, the empathy.  “If you need the house quiet so you can study, just let me know.”
    Lizard stared.  And then she let go of her armor a little and grinned, mischief in her eyes.  “How do you feel about rap music?”
    Elsie managed to curb her shudder, but her mind spewed distaste.  “It’s not my preferred musical genre.  Why?”
    “It’s how I study best.”  Lizard scooped a forkful of eggs.  “Preferably really loud rap music.”
    Don’t mess with her , sent Jennie, amused.  She’s trying to be nice.
    Lizard rolled her eyes, but her mind had loosened up considerably.  She eyed Jennie with a tongue-in-cheek version of her scowl.  “So, are you just being my truant officer today, or does this meeting have an agenda?”
    It warmed Jennie’s heart when Elsie snickered.  Not too long ago, agendas had been very serious business for the more uptight of her students.  “Well, the first item for today is that I have good news for you, Elsie.  Vero is ready to start your singing lessons.”
    The last thing she expected was overwhelmed tears.  Or for that matter, Lizard leaning forward, holding out a napkin. 
    Jennie tried to sort out the tangled threads in Elsie’s outer mind.  “It seemed like you enjoyed singing with Vero.  Do you not want lessons?  She’s a very good teacher.”
    “A good teacher?”  Elsie’s voice climbed an octave.  “Veronica Liantro could have students lined up around the block if she wanted—around the state .  Serious opera students, the kind who’ve been taking professional voice lessons for decades.  I’m just someone who liked to sing a little as a child.”
    Jennie was still trying to find her way to the core of the problem, but that last bit she recognized as complete falsehood.  “You love music.  I imagine singing brings you great pleasure, even as an adult.”
    Elsie looked down at her hands and sighed.  “I don’t truly know.  I haven’t sung for years.”  Her voice firmed.  “But Veronica Liantro is a legend.  She sings like a goddess.  I’m not remotely worthy to be her pupil.”
    She had two students having a crisis of confidence this morning?  Jennie picked up a piece of bacon, hoping she had the energy to navigate the suddenly choppy waters, especially since she was fairly certain most of Elsie’s iceberg was still under water.  Layered under Elsie’s certainty that she wasn’t opera material was the glint of terrified desire.
    For the moment, however, the deeper issues could wait—all she really needed to do today was to chase her student to Vero’s living room.  And then Jennie caught an edge of a thought and realized she wouldn’t have to do even that.
    “Oh, bull.” Lizard stabbed an unsuspecting egg.  “She chose you.  That makes you plenty worthy.”  She scowled at her astonished roommate.  “Does this mean you’re going to have to play some of that screechy opera music in the house?”
    Elsie’s mind snapped out of wallowing.  “Certainly.  It’s the only way to properly learn.”  Her eyes sparked in defense of her beloved music and the woman who would teach her.
    Game, set, match.  Jennie sat back, chewing on her bacon, and mentally applauded Lizard.  Well done,