Chapter 11
Witches be Trippin'
Watching the street signs pass in the late afternoon sun, Malachi grew even more uneasy.
When Chuck said they were going to see a witch, he assumed she was kidding.
Surely, she didn’t believe in that stuff.
Then he recalled how easily she had accepted that he wasn’t just a normal dog without freaking out.
He glanced over and studied her. She was calm, her aura a steady, even glow.
She was humming along with the radio and tapping her fingers to the beat.
Reena’s snores were muffled from the backseat where she was snuggled into a jacket.
During the altercation with the past his prime jock at the park, Chuck’s glow had been the steady purple of justice.
She’d never wavered, and he was proud of her for that.
But now he was worried about what her aura would look like once she learned the truth.
If she actually knew a real witch, they might be able to detect his demonic heritage and out him.
“It’s okay, Malachi, Glenda is a good witch.
” She snickered. “And no, it’s not Glenda from the movie.
Her name really is Glenda, and she’s Wiccan.
I figured she might be able to give us an idea of where we could start.
She doesn’t put spells on people and certainly would never put a man in a dog’s body.
” She glanced over and frowned, her glow streaking with blue, indicating sadness.
“Don’t worry, Mal. I would never subject you to someone who means to harm you. I promise.”
Slightly reassured, he turned and licked her hand, releasing a soft woof. It didn’t mean anything in particular. He just wanted to acknowledge her words, but he didn’t want to let her in on his thoughts at the moment.
Pulling to the curb, Chuck put her car in park and glanced through the windshield, pointing at a row of townhomes. “That’s her, 242B.” She unbuckled her seat belt and smiled softly. “You ready?”
After his nervous nod, he waited for her to open his door and stood quietly on the sidewalk while she woke Reena.
Meekly, he followed them both to the door, his steps dragging.
As she rang the bell, he tucked his head into her hand, needing comfort.
It was a strange sensation, seeking solace from another being.
Demons usually only relied on themselves, and no one had ever indicated they would be willing to provide him with anything close to what Chuck offered, without question or quid pro quo.
The door opened almost immediately, and a shrill squeal rent the air with a high-pitched, “Kelly!” This was followed by a boisterous woman swirling out in a flurry of rainbow colors and laughter.
The smell of earthy incense wafted around them as Chuck was enveloped in a cloud of scarves and riotous curls.
Stepping back after her enthusiastic embrace of Chuck, Glenda the good witch glanced down and squealed again.
“Oh, this must be Reena! What a doll baby you are!” The short, curvy woman leaned down and swooped Reena up in her dark brown arms, hugging her tightly against her ample bosom, rubbing her rosy cheeks against the little dog’s fur.
Reena, for her part, welcomed the embrace and excitedly began licking Glenda’s face with her now trademark piggy snorts.
Happy laughter boomed again as the woman squeezed her close before transferring her into the cradle of her arms like a baby.
Now her eyes turned to Malachi, where he was hiding behind Chuck.
Her expression turned serious, and she frowned slightly as her eyebrows drew together.
“Oh my stars. You poor dear. You must be Malachi! I can see why Kelly is so in love with you. What a handsome, strong fellow you are!”
Malachi’s ears perked up, and his tongue flopped out in surprise.
He liked Glenda suddenly. She thought he was handsome and strong.
That’s why he liked her. It had nothing to do with her saying Chuck loved him, of course.
He knew that was just an expression humans used frequently and tossed it about without consequence.
The warmth filling him was from the setting sun shining on his glossy black coat.
And that rosy red color spreading fetchingly over Chuck’s neck as she hissed, “Glenda!” meant absolutely nothing.
“Well, let’s go inside. Time’s wasting!” Glenda declared and spun, her scarves fluttering behind her and her many bangle bracelets jangling while her hips swayed. Marching back into the bright space of her home, she snapped her fingers. “Come on! Let’s go!” she ordered Chuck and Malachi.
Brushing past Chuck quickly, Malachi followed Glenda inside, where he found her seated in a large, fluffy, oversized chair that looked like they could all fit comfortably in it.
The room was stuffed floor to ceiling in white bookcases overflowing with books on everything from religion to alien smut.
Grinning, Malachi studied that section with interest. He especially enjoyed books with women who wanted to make it with demons.
Those were some thirsty bitches, and he was here for it.
In addition to the books, every inch of space was filled with crystals, candles, and plants.
He dropped his tail low, anxious about accidentally sweeping something over and angering the witch.
“Glenda,” Chuck called with a tired complaint. “Please don’t spoil her!” she begged.
Turning, Malachi noted Glenda was rubbing Reena’s belly while stuffing her with treats. His mouth watered as he caught the smell of bacon, and his stomach rumbled.
“Oh, there’s a man for you! Thinking with his tum-tum!” Glenda cheered in a sing-song tone. “Come on then, Malachi, there’s plenty for you too!” She held one out towards him.
Easing over, he gingerly took the treat from her outstretched hand and winked at her.
A large grin spread over her face. “Holy shit, Kelly! It’s true!”
Malachi swiveled his head towards Chuck and tilted it in confusion. What’s true?
Chuck smiled again, this time sheepishly. “I told her about you, Mal. I hope you don’t mind, but I didn’t want to show up and spring this on her without warning. She did laugh herself silly, but she was willing to listen.” She shrugged.
Tapping her finger on her lips in contemplation, Glenda narrowed her eyes while a small snore erupted from Reena, who had fallen asleep again. “Well, one wink does not a human make. Kelly said she can hear you telepathically?”
Malachi shrugged, then nodded. He saw no reason to stick to doglike responses when Glenda obviously knew better.
Her eyes growing wide, Glenda nodded automatically in return.
Suspecting it was one thing. Seeing it with your own eyes was another.
“How about a test?” she blurted. “Malachi, if you’re willing, my bedroom is down the hall, last door on the right.
There’s a dress lying on my bed. Go in there and look, then tell Kelly what it is.
Then she’ll tell me.” At his disgusted expression, she chortled, rocking back and forth.
“Oh, that face was enough to convince me there, but humor a woman, would you, handsome?” She batted her eyelashes at him.
Always a sucker for womanly wiles, Malachi huffed in resignation and trotted down the hall to the indicated bedroom, where he surveyed the scene.
There were colorful fabrics everywhere. It looked like a herd of rainbow butterflies had been massacred in the messy, cramped space.
Wrinkling his nose in distaste, he glanced at the bed and noted the details of the dress in question.
He almost laughed out loud at the pattern, but kept himself together as he hurried back to the living room.
A wheeze slipped from his lips as he approached Chuck, glancing over at Glenda as she watched him closely.
He was surprised Glenda would want to reveal this, but as he had no shame, he wasn’t going to disappoint.
Alright, so I don’t know if you’re going to believe this, but I got an eyeful of that dress.
He shook his head in amusement. Also, please let her know her room looks like a herd of unicorns threw up in there.
Anyway, the dress is teal with a square neckline, sleeveless, and covered in skeletons riding giant purple dildos.
With that announcement, he sat and stared at her expectantly.
Chuck stared back, her mouth slightly open and her glow wavering in confusion and embarrassment. “That’s not funny, Mal,” she scolded as she narrowed her eyes.
Huffing a laugh, he shook his head. I’m telling you the truth. That’s really what it was!
Turning to Glenda with an expression of pure disbelief, Chuck straightened her shoulders. “Um, Malachi said your room looks like a herd of unicorns threw up in there.”
Glenda burst into bright laughter so loud it woke Reena up with an irritated grumble. “Sorry, Princess,” Glenda told her, wiping tears from her eyes. “Go on!” she encouraged Chuck. Her eyes were sparkling with mischief.
Malachi realized now the woman had set this up on purpose.
“Sleeveless square-necked teal dress with skeletons riding purple dildos,” Chuck blurted out.
Malachi narrowed his eyes. Giant! he corrected with a small growl.
Rolling her eyes, Chuck stared at the ceiling. “Sorry. Giant purple dildos.”
Glenda shrieked in laughter, squeezing Reena tightly as she rocked back and forth.
“Oh my stars, that is incredible! Malachi, you are a treasure! Now, my darling. Let’s figure out what’s going on with you.
Sorry, Princess, I need to set you down and take a look at your brother for a moment.
” She gently set Reena on the floor and smiled indulgently as the small dog stretched and trotted over to Chuck before circling and settling by her feet, watching the proceedings with wide eyes.
Nervous again, Malachi made his way slowly to Glenda, sitting politely at her feet, and cocked one ear. Now what?
“Hmm,” Glenda murmured in interest as she gently took his head in her soft hands.
She turned it side to side, lifting his lips and staring at his teeth.
She ran her hands over his ears and stroked down his back.
Low mutters and curious humming noises occasionally came from her while she inspected him.
Finally, she clicked her tongue in satisfaction.
“Okay, well, there’s good news and bad news,” she announced firmly.
Her lips were pursed in slight distress now as she glanced over at Chuck.
“What?” Chuck breathed, leaning forward, her hands clasped anxiously. Her fingers were clenched so tightly that they were turning white.
Malachi’s heart bumped and skipped a small beat at the sight of Chuck, so worried on his behalf. He shook his head, startled by the onset of some feeling. He couldn’t name it, but it was soft and warm in his stomach. A chuckle caught his attention, and he noticed Glenda was watching him closely.
“You wouldn’t know, would you?” she murmured. Turning back to Chuck without explaining her cryptic comment, she pointed at Malachi. “First, bad news. He is cursed by a demon.”
Chuck and Malachi both gasped, but for different reasons.
I am well and truly fucked, he bemoaned to himself. Here’s where I get outed.
“What’s the good news?” Chuck asked, her voice tight with an emotion Malachi didn’t recognize.
A long pause stretched out before Glenda smiled like a mischievous cat. “I think I can help him.”