Magic and Mayhem: When You Witch Upon A Star (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Melanie James Page A

“Okay, that’s pretty good. It’s quite a stretch, though, from butterflies to werewolves, but I get what you’re saying. You’re still going to be hunting for a guy, I hope?”
    “Of course. I suggest we work together so we can both get one.”
    “Teamwork! I like it!” Gina high-fived me and we unloaded the Suburban before I even peeked in the house.
    You know, when you meet someone you really click with, you don’t question it. You just go along for the ride, curious to see where it’ll take you. We were both that sure of our compatibility.
    It wasn’t long before my luggage formed a little mountain in the living room. The house was comfortable and loaded with country-life flair, right down to the blue-and-white goose-themed wallpaper in the kitchen.
    Tiago took to the air, disappearing around the corner. I knew he was making a mental map of the house as he identified ideal roosting spots.
    I stood in front of the fireplace, eyeing the mantle, which displayed framed family photographs of Gina with her parents. She was lucky to have grown up in a nice, stable environment.
    “Ugh! I was going to tell you. Honestly.”
    “What?” I squinted at the various photos. Then I realized they all showed a tropical background.
    “So, my parents aren’t touring the country in a fancy RV. They’re off on another mission.”
    “They’re missionaries.”
    “Yep. The sad truth is I grew up being dragged every few years from one third-world hell-hole to the next. My mom homeschooled me. Once I hit my twenty-first birthday I told them I was done with it. I need to feel like a normal young woman, whatever that means.”
    “Oh my God, it’s like we’re soulmates. I grew up traveling with the circus. My mom was a knife-thrower and she homeschooled me. I don’t remember my dad. He was a sword-swallower. He got the hiccups during a performance and I don’t have to tell you how that turned out.”
    “God… just when you think you’re the only one with a weird family.”
    “Missionaries can’t be too weird.”
    “They are when they’re missionaries for the Church of the Venusian People. About a year ago my parents watched a TV show about how aliens from Venus are walking among us, and they became convinced they were both from Venus. Next thing you know they’re off to South America spreading the word about how they plan to take the worthy ones back to Venus in five years.”
    “Okay, you’re right. Weird.”
    “I know, right? For ten years before that, they were missionaries for the Tree Spirit Unified Church. You know, they hug trees and feel the vibes. Usually they break down in tears because the trees tell them something sad or hurtful. Basically they’re nuts. This house was my grandma’s. I stay here because it’s normal. It’s not a hut, or a teepee, or a fucking yurt.”
    “It’s a great place. Guess what, Gina? I live with my grandma. It beats living out of a forty-year-old camper towed by the ugly Suburban.”
    “See? We are soul-friends. Now let me show you your room and the rest of the house.”
    Once I learned this had been Gina’s grandma’s house, I understood the somewhat dated décor. But it worked—it felt cozy.  My room was just a few steps from the top of the stairs. Gina scavenged furniture from two other upstairs rooms, adding an extra nightstand and the all-important desk.
    Not only had I found the perfect place to live and a job, I’d found someone who would be both a friend and an investigative partner. As if by magic, everything seemed to be headed in the right direction.

Chapter Ten
     
    M y first day at the new job was much easier than any day at my old job. The tips weren’t nearly as good in Assjacket, but then again the meals were less pricey so the tips weren’t quite as nice as I was used to.
    As the days flew by, I quickly fell into a routine. Gina and I were completely comfortable together, and our introductory phase was made easier by the ample space and separate