A Faerie's Curse (Creepy Hollow #6) by Rachel Morgan

kitchen table. “It’s like their default setting whenever I’m around.”
    â€œThat’s because your default setting is to push boundaries, break rules and annoy your mom,” Gemma points out.
    In the past, Perry probably would have laughed at a comment like that, but now he mutters something beneath his breath and walks out of the room.
    Gemma looks at me with pleading eyes. “Help me!” she whispers. “I suck at this stuff. I just want everything to be normal again between us. I’d even take his constant teasing over this awkwardness.”
    â€œYou could go after him right now and talk it out,” I suggest. “I’ll stay in here and get ready to vanish at the first sign of guardians.”
    Gemma looks terrified at the thought. “Maybe not right now,” she squeaks.
    â€œYou guys coming?” Perry calls, as if his exit from the room was entirely normal and we were supposed to follow him. “Bring a snack.”
    â€œSee?” Gemma says to me as she opens a cupboard and looks inside. “Now isn’t a good time. I’ll … talk to him later in the week.”
    â€œRight,” I say, my voice filled with skepticism. Judging by the fact that she’s never told Rick the Seer trainee that she has a gigantic crush on him, I don’t expect this conversation with Perry to happen any time soon.
    Gemma removes a bag of fizzing rainbow candies from the cupboard. I follow her into the next room where Perry is lounging in an armchair while tapping on an amber tablet. “No guardians yet,” he says, placing the tablet on the arm of the chair and catching the rainbow candy Gemma tosses his way. “Told you the spell would work.”
    â€œOf course,” I say as I take a seat on the couch opposite Perry. “Because the two of you are so great at making magic together.”
    Gemma looks utterly mortified at my words and Perry chokes on the candy he just put in his mouth. As he leans forward, coughing and smacking his chest, I hide my smile behind my hand and give Gemma a wide-eyed look of innocence. She takes another rainbow candy out of the bag and throws it at me before seating herself in the chair furthest away from Perry.
    After another half hour or so of idle conversation and no guardians showing up, Perry says, “Well, I think we can call this a success, Calla. Someone would definitely have shown up by now if they thought a dangerous Griffin Gifted murderer was hiding out here.”
    â€œYeah. Wow, this is amazing,” I say as the new reality of my situation hits me. “I could actually go home now if I wanted to.” It’s a strange thought. I’ve become used to Gaius’s mountain home so quickly. “I mean, I probably won’t in case it’s the kind of charm that wears off quickly, and I wouldn’t want to get my dad into any more trouble than he’s already in. But at least I can visit my family now.” I look at Gemma, then back at Perry. “Thank you. I’m so grateful to both of you.”
    Perry shrugs. “It was nothing.” Despite his indifferent tone, though, he looks pretty pleased with himself.
    â€œI should go before your parents get home,” I say as I stand. “Wouldn’t want to freak them out.”
    â€œYou could just leave your wig on,” Perry says. “I doubt they’d recognize you. They only know what the Guild told them when they sent guardians to put the spell on our house.”
    â€œI need to go too,” Gemma says. “I’m supposed to be making dinner tonight.”
    Perry stands and fishes in his pocket for the folded up scroll. “Here’s the spell, Calla. Feel free to visit whenever you’d like to.”
    â€œThanks.” I take the paper from him. “Will I be able to perform the charm on myself?”
    â€œI think so. There’s nothing about this particular shield charm that says someone