Jade gave a low purr. It’s better than starving.

With a shrug, I sat down at the table and started eating. Jade made tiny smacking noises as she chewed. I tried again to look for potion ingredients on my phone, with no luck.

Jade suddenly curled around my ankles. I smiled down at her. “You’re acting awfully cat-like.”

She purred again. The food was good. Thank you.

“You’re welcome.”

I tried not to let my surprise show in my tone. By this point, I knew it was better to let Jade take the lead in whatever weird friendship we had between us.

“There’s more where that came from,” I reminded her as I rinsed the dishes and put them in the washer. “I’m happy to share whatever I’m cooking.”

When I finished cleaning the kitchen, it was only seven-thirty. I was wondering what to do with myself when I remembered Theresa’s wand in my purse. Her instructions for spell work had been basic enough, requiring only visualization. My protection spells seemed to be holding up, so I figured I’d give some other spells a try.

One of the chairs in the living room was comfortable, but an ugly shade of brown. Sitting in the couch opposite the chair, I held up the wand and concentrated. I noticed Jade leaping up onto the arm of the couch, but I ignored her, putting all my focus into my desired outcome.

I stared at the chair, imagining it into a lovely sea green color. Closing my eyes, I gave the wand a flick and felt a barely noticeable tingle flowing down from my shoulders to my hands, then out through the wand.

I grinned, the thrill of performing magic similar to the feeling of riding a really fun roller coaster, or riding a horse at a gallop.

My smile fell away when I opened my eyes. The couch looked as if someone had thrown speckles of paint all over it; an ugly, splotchy, brown and green pattern. With a groan, I lowered the wand. I heard Jade’s laugh chiming in my head.

That went well!

I glared at Jade. “I don’t know what I’m doing! Theresa said that all I had to do was visualize what I wanted. It worked with protecting the house.”

Jade swished her tail back and forth, looking almost as if she were smiling. That’s the gist of it, yes. Your concentration might be lacking.

She continued to laugh as I let out a growl of frustration. I put the wand back in my bag and slumped down onto the couch. Jade jumped down from the arm and settled next to me.

Get that wand back out. Don’t just give up. I can give you some pointers.

I gave her a cynical look, but got up and did as she instructed. Sitting back on the couch, I looked at her.

Start with simple things. Transformation magic is difficult at best.

I remembered Theresa’s failed attempt with the milkshake and felt a tiny bit better. She’d probably known about magic her whole life and had still botched a spell.

“Okay. Give me some examples of simple things.”

Moving inanimate objects is a good starting point. Try moving that round pillow over there to this couch.

She moved her gaze to another chair with a red and white striped round pillow that looked sort of like a peppermint. I imagined in my mind the pillow moving from the chair to the couch. Taking in a deep breath, I flicked the wand sideways.

The pillow shot off the chair and smacked headlong into Jade, who let out a hissy growl as she leapt straight into the air. I couldn’t suppress my laugh, even though I pressed my fist against my mouth.

“I’m so sorry!” I giggled. “I really didn’t mean to do that.”

Jade settled on the splotchy chair, her chin held at a haughty angle.

I’m only letting that one go because you fed me. Now, try again, but move your wand slowly. You’re not trying to rip a tree out of the ground by its roots.

I answered with a nod as I focused once more on the pillow. Using all my powers of concentration, I pictured the cushion floating gently over to its original location.

Too slow, Jade instructed as I began to move my wand. I picked up the speed just a fraction, and the pillow floated neatly across the room to the chair. Jade gave an approving nod.

Well done. Using a wand requires very precise control. Looks like you might have your aunt’s gift for spell work.

I beamed, feeling a ridiculous amount of pride over Jade’s praise.

Now, I want you to try moving that brownie from the basket on the dining room table over to this chair that I’m sitting on…

With a snort, I shook my head. “Nice try, little kitty. Those treats are mine. Besides, you already stole one of my cookies.”

Jade flumped down on her tummy, resting her head on her paws. Mean.

Marching over to the kitchen, I took the treats out of the basket and stowed them in a few Ziploc bags. I felt better once I’d put them safely in the cupboard. I wasn’t opposed to sharing with Jade, but I didn’t want to wake up the next morning to find them all gone, either.

Have you checked the protections on yourself and the house lately? she asked as I walked back into the room.

“Um…no. I haven’t felt either of them slip, though.”

Close your eyes and visualize yourself and the house again. You’ll just know whether the spell is fading or not.

Closing my eyes, I thought of the house first. This time, in my mind’s eye, I could see the transparent field wrapping around the house, almost like a layer of wrapping paper. It was strong, and enveloped the whole house, including the basement.

“The house looks like it’s all right.”

Not waiting for Jade to answer, I examined the shield around me. I could also see the transparent barrier around me, but I noticed that it wasn’t as tight and shiny as when I’d cast it. It looked sort of like an old balloon that was starting to go thin with age.

Picturing the protective bubble once more, I raised my wand hand high and moved it slowly down, covering myself thoroughly with the spell. The spell encased tightly over my body.

“There,” I said. “You were right, my personal protection needed a bit of an update.”

Make sure you check on it every two or three days. Witches have gotten careless with their protections before and paid a heavy price.

I frowned, then bit my lip. Far from reassuring me, Jade’s instruction felt ominous. “Did something like that happen in the big Farrow/Black feud?”

Jade became very still, even her tail stopping its constant twitching. I wasn’t around for a lot of things at the beginning of the feud, but yes. Even very powerful witches suffered because of carelessness.

I let out an aggravated sigh. “Wonderful. I’ve moved to this town for a new start and find myself in the middle of a blood feud with barely any way to protect myself.”

Jade leapt down from her chair, climbed up on the couch and curled herself next to me. Tentatively, I put a hand on her back, but didn’t try to pet her.

I saw that paper on your nightstand with the address on it. Maybe it’s about time to go there, don’t you think?

My jaw dropped. “You were in my room?”