Page 73 of Bewitching the Wolf

“In what way?”

“Some pages, er, fell out.”

She shrugs. “Doesn’t matter. It’s a copy.”

I turn and stare at her. “A copy! Where’s the original?”

“In the Wolftown library.”

“The original is with wolves?” I can’t help it, I start to laugh a little hysterically.

She gives me a mock-stern look, but after a moment she laughs right along with me.

“Oh honey. The nice ladies of Vixenville did not want this book in their collection. So I lent it to the Trojans. We’ve agreed that it should stay down here for now.”

My lips quirk up. Mom and my other aunts and cousins would certainly find that book challenging. “Why did you give me it to read— now?”

She casts me a look, like I’m being deliberately obtuse. “It was time you learned the true story behind our wixen-hood.”

“It was a bit confronting,” I mutter, coloring up slightly, remembering how those images threw me into full-blown heat.

My aunt gives a theatrical huff. “You were fighting your fate, Tippy-Anna. I just gave fate a little nudge. But let’s not quibble. It’s sorted, is it not?”

I clasp my bag tighter and try not to let my smile stretch from ear to ear. “I guess, um, yes, it is.”

Understatement of the century.

Changing the subject, I ask, “Traggar said you and I had work to do on the runes, something about sewing more into the lining of the cape?”

“Yes. I’ve had time this weekend to join up runes from the Silver and Red books. And I have managed to combine three that will enhance the cape’s magic.”

“In what ways?”

“One is for direction. The cape is notoriously bad at knowing where to land, its mapping is not accurate. It has to take Jax to the exact spot he needs to be, not meander all over Sparkle.”

“Makes sense.”

“The next rune is for safety. The cape lacked an aura, which meant if a foot slides out or an arm is exposed, it will be visible to onlookers. This rune will ensure an aura of invisibility surrounds the cape. Thus, if a body part gets exposed within a six-foot radius, it won’t be visible to onlookers.”

I sigh with relief. “What’s the third rune for?”

Auntie hesitates. “To curb emotional disruptions.”

“From Jax?”

“No, from the cape itself. Being a sentient object, it can get excitable just like the rest of us. This rune will help it to remain rational even in exceptional circumstances.”

“Exceptional!” I feel my chest tighten. “Meaning bad?”

“Not necessarily bad.” She smiles at me and pats my hand. “But either way, the portal cape has a job to do, and it can’t let its emotions get in the way.”

CHAPTER 20

JAX

“Have you had enough to eat, Jax?”

I pat my stomach and give Otis’s mom a thumbs-up.