BeSwitched, Paranormal Romance by Molly Snow Page B

barely taking in a breath. “You thought you would just sneak him in and out before I came home, didn’t you?” It looked as if Julie’s eyes would never blink again. She paused, then walked off to her room flustered. “And you heard me when I said you are grounded this whole week!”
    Surla sighed deeply . “I messed up…”

Chapter 8
    “Excuse me.” Pussface approached Diamond, the fluffy, white cat from across the street. His own fur was patchy; where some spots were full it wasn’t far from other spots that were close to bare, like around his neck. The Marilyn Monroe of all felines turned her head, eyeing the homely black cat.
    “Listen, I know only black cats can speak, but you can be of great help to me if you would just nod or shake your head in response to questions I’ll ask you.” He sat in front of her, desperate. “I’m helping my witch’s sister find her missing cat.”
    Diamond began to lick her paw.
    “The cat I am talking about is the one who lives across the street.”
    Diamond looked to the pale-green Victorian home with its witch’s cap’s sparkling stained-glass window and beat-up wrap-around-porch.
    “Have you seen Surla around, maybe trying to hide out in corners… or even come over to visit you?”
    She shook her head no, causing her expensive collar to glitter in the sun.
    “Okay.” Pussface gazed at her almost perversely. “Well, I see you’re of no help to me in this area, but… if you ever feel lonely and want to go for a stroll through some ally, then just ask, Sweet Thing.”
    Diamond yawned and jumped onto the porch’s rocking chair.
    “I’ll take that as a maybe.” He walked off slowly. “Catch ya later.”
     
    “What is the matter with you?” Idis said t o Pussface, while she tried to start a fire in the fireplace. “I send you out to do a simple task, yet you come back with no information.”
    “Well,” Pussface scratched behind an ear, “I did find out one thing while looking through a next door neighbor’s window. Did you know that humans have no fur on their butt s?” Pussface’s snaggle-tooth poked out in a grin. “How’s that for some information?”
    “Did you happen to be looking in a bathroom window? You nut!” She turned around sharply. “You have to take this job seriously. Surla is your cousin and my only way to perform magic.”
    “But there are so many places she could be… doing anything.”
    Idis’s mouth dropped open in realization. “You are right. Absolutely right!”
    “What, what did I just say that was so important? I’m confused here.” He scratched behind an ear again.
    “Don’t you get it?” The witch smiled crookedly, not noticing the newspaper she had been using to feed the fire was flaming up wildly. “Surla could be switched at this very moment with a pathetic, lonesome soul.”
    “Idis, that dress is on fire!” Pussface warned.
    “I know it looks great, but there’s no time to bring up how beautiful I am right now. We have to think up a strategy.” The burning was slowly creeping up the bottom of her short skirt.
    “No, Idis. You are literally on fire. If you don’t put out the flames now I’ll have to put them out for you.” He lifted one of his back legs like a dog.
    The witch finally understood. Feeling the burning sensation, she took off running to the bathroom to douse it in the sink.
    Fearing for Idis’s safety, Pussface cast a spell. “Flip that witch ’round and ’round, ’til those flames are—uh—drowned!”
    Idis hit the floor, f lames growing. “Oh no!” she yelped, then rolled across the shaggy throw rug, back and forth, back and forth, so fast that all Pussface could see was wildly wind-milling legs and red hair. “I’m going to kiiiillll youuuuuu!”
    “Should I stop this or keep it up ?” Pussface laughed. “A few more seconds won’t hurt her.” But he did stop the magic right away.
    Idis laid flat on her back , unable to speak or move.
    Pussface approached her slowly.