Page 60 of The Librarian’s Familiar

“But one you can control, right?”

“That depends a lot on what it is.” He could be unraveling the bond faster, and he was very tempted to do so, so it would be gone by tomorrow night. He could also go slower, but all of that took energy and concentration, so he hadn’t done either. “And also how you define control.”

He handed the book and card to her.

She gripped them tightly. “How did you know?”

Charlie stared at her. She must be about fifteen or sixteen, certainly old enough for magic to be making an appearance and becoming an inconvenience that couldn’t be ignored. He couldn’t tell her the truth without revealing that he’d lied about his magic. “Mostly weird things happening.”

She pressed her lips together and nodded. “I think I might be a witch, that or I’ve lost my mind.”

How many witches felt like that if they had no one to turn to? If their family knew nothing about magic? Even if she was the only one who came to him while he was here, it was still worthwhile having the Coven outpost.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

She nodded. “There was always someone else in here.” She glanced at the door again. “I know you’re closing soon.”

“It’s okay. I had to stay back today and get these books on the shelves.” He pointed at the two carts of books parked near the desk. There were more out the back, but he figured if he could get these on the bookcase, he could reload tomorrow.

“It’s much nicer in here now. I hated being here before. The other guy acted like he didn’t want to be here.”

“I think he enjoyed fishing more than working. That has nothing to do with him being a witch.”

Charlie grabbed the first cart of books and pushed it over to the shelves. Sometimes it’s easier to talk without being stared at. She followed, keeping a couple of yards away. For a few minutes, she watched as he rehomed the books.

“Why don’t you use your magic?”

“Because magic is taking available energy and using it in a particular way. Different witches have different talents, and much the same way a shifter can’t become any animal, they can only become one.”

“But that runs in families.”

“It does. Which makes it easier for them as they know what’s going to happen to them.”

“My parents were both human…or at least Dad says Mom was as boring as him.”

Charlie didn’t miss the past tense when talking about her mother.

“It happens sometimes.” He wasn’t about to discuss how witch magic was tied to souls. That was too much for someone coming to terms with the idea that they might be a witch. Not only that, but the revelation was quite new…or at least the rediscovery was quite new, along with the rediscovery that phoenix shifters were not as mythological as previously thought. “Do you want to tell me what’s been happening?”

“You can’t tell?”

Charlie paused, book in hand, and glanced at her. “Not by looking at you, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

She shook her head. “I thought I was making it up at first, but I don’t think I am anymore, and I’m scared.”

Prickles ran down his spine, and his arms broke out in gooseflesh. He put the book on the shelf, not caring where it belonged. “What’s been happening?”

“At first, it was only my dog. Like I just knew he hated his food and wanted a change. I thought maybe I’d noticed that he wasn’t as interested in his food. Then I gave him a little voice in my head…” Her frown deepened. “Then it started happening with other animals.”

“Being able to talk to animals is a witch magic. It can be quite useful, especially if you’re working with animals, like in a vet clinic or as a ranger.”

“So it’s real then?”

“Yes.” And as far as he was aware, there wasn’t another one in town; that was, of course, assuming everyone had admitted to their magic and registered with the Coven, which plenty of people didn’t. Not only that, but she may not be comfortable talking to someone she’d run into on a regular basis. “I can put you in contact with an animal talker who can guide you through some steps to both protect your sanity and expand your ability.”

Her expression became more pinched, and her eyes became glassy. “I think something bad is coming. They’re telling me to run.”

“Which animals are telling you to run?” Because that made a difference, right?