Blonde With a Wand by Vicki Lewis Thompson Page A

“Anything’s possible. Orion used to be fascinated by the printer, for different reasons of course, but he’s lazier these days.”
    “Orion’s fatter these days. How’s the diet working out?”
    “I don’t think he’s lost much. I’ve tried to get him to exercise, but he’s not the type to leap for feathers or chase a jingling ball. He loved chasing Jasper, though.”
    “So I see from the wreckage he left in his wake.”
    Anica grimaced. “I hate to ask, but can you clean it up for me?”
    “If this potion works, you’ll be able to do it yourself.”
    If the potion worked, the cat in her arms, the one she was so affectionately petting, would soon be a man she used to dream of having sex with. Now she only hoped he wouldn’t ruin her life. Feeling less affectionate, she put him down. Orion had climbed on a chair and was sound asleep, so Jasper was safe for now.
    “Let’s cook us up a recipe.” Lily grabbed the printout and stood.
    Anica took a deep breath. “Okay.”
    As they headed for the kitchen, Jasper at their heels, Lily lowered her voice and leaned toward Anica. “Before we do this, make sure changing him back is what you want.”
    “Of course it is.” Shielding her gesture with one hand, she pointed frantically at the cat following them into the kitchen. Jasper’s hearing was better than hers.
    “Uh, good point.” Lily reached for the pocket door and slid it closed in Jasper’s face. Then she walked over and turned on the blender, which still held last night’s magic margarita.
    “This is silly. He’ll know we’re talking about him.”
    “But he won’t know what we’re saying. Anyway, have you thought this through?”
    It was a strange comment coming from the woman who hardly ever thought things through, but Anica’s world had turned topsy-turvy in the past few hours. “What’s to think about? I can’t take a life and that’s essentially what I’d be doing.”
    Lily crossed her arms and leaned against the counter. “Noble sentiment, sis. But he’s smart and he’s pissed. Plus he’s capable of shitty behavior. You changed him into a cat for a reason. What was it?”
    Anica told her about Sheila.
    “So he’s a player.”
    “I guess, although I really thought he cared about me.”
    Lily rolled her eyes. “Then he’s a polished player, which is worse. No telling how many women he’s seduced with that technique. I don’t blame you for drawing your wand. I would’ve been tempted, too.”
    “I didn’t draw my wand at first. I wouldn’t have done anything to him, except when I tried to end the relationship he followed me and kept insisting that he hadn’t done anything wrong, even after I laid out his sins in detail. He still wouldn’t take no for an answer, and then he grabbed me and tried to kiss me, even after I told him not to.”
    Lily threw up her hands. “I would have wanded him just for that alone! And you want to take a chance on jeopardizing your future by turning this guy loose?”
    “Yes.”
    “Look, I admit he’s pathetic now, but that’s always the way. Some guy finally gets what’s coming to him, and then everybody feels sorry for the bastard. I say he’ll make a really nice cat, especially after he’s neutered.”
    “Lily!”
    She shrugged. “I’ve had a few men in my life that deserved that fate. Don’t blame me for wanting to act out a long-cherished fantasy.”
    “Jasper is not getting neutered, and no matter what I have to do I’m going to see that he becomes a man again.”
    “If the issue is losing your magic, then—”
    “It’s only a secondary consideration.”
    “We could appeal to the Wizard Council, Anica. There are mitigating circumstances.”
    “Not really. I lost my temper and invoked a spell I hadn’t researched. I don’t care what Jasper did; my reaction was irresponsible. I need to set him free again. That may not even be enough to return my magic powers to me, but I have to do it for his sake.”
    “Oh, Zeus’s