An eerie breeze tickled my lungs. The air around the old, dilapidated house boasted a significantly lower temperature than that of its surroundings: a peculiar pocket of cold for an otherwise sweltering night.

Moonlight bathed my skin, casting shadows over the debris from recent renovations. It was the perfect fall night, giving me a sense of calm, despite the fact that I was breaching several of my coven's rules.

'Come on, Zoe, where the hell are you? I'm on a time crunch.'

The sound of twigs breaking echoed from the woods behind me while I shot Cooper a text letting him know things were running behind. Whipping my head to locate the culprit of my shattered silence, I focused on the tree line and crammed my phone into my satchel.

Foggy shadows seeped between two pines, and a woman emerged from the darkness. Each step drew the smoke into her as she rushed toward me.

“It’s about time, Zoe. I told you to be here an hour ago. And why are you coming from the woods?”

“Yeah, yeah, don’t get your panties in a bunch, Aster," Zoe grumbled, brushing leaves from her short brown hair. “I got caught up with Luca. He needed to feed before I left, which is why I ended up having to fly, which is also why I’m coming from the woods. There, happy mom?”

“Mom? Pfft, you’re older than me, and the coven hates when you shift in the open. You know that, right?”

Zoe patted me on the head. "Well, it’ll be our little secret then, won’t it? Besides, this whole thing is against the coven’s rules. What’s a little extra anarchy?” She turned to the building and inspected the two-story house. Her eyes narrowed. “So what’s the deal here, anyway? Your text was ultra vague.”

“Yeah, sorry about that. It was a last-minute job. I could probably do it myself, but in case things go crazy, it's nice to have some backup. And I thought you could use some extra cash to help with Luca. How’s he doing, by the way?”

“Eh, he could be better. I think he’s finally coming to terms with the change, although I’m almost out of blood bags. So you’re right. I could use the coin.” Zoe shivered and shook her head. “Enough of that. Let’s get the party started so I can go back and warm up. I didn’t have time to change before I left, and it’s freezing. Why the hell is it so cold here? I was burning up earlier.”

She extended her long, bare legs out in front of me and tugged on the bottom of her gym shorts. I peered at the second story and pointed to our target. “That is the party. And the reason it’s so cold around this place.”

Zoe’s eyes followed my finger to the ghost staring out of the top-floor window. Its hollow eyes connected with us, and the windows rattled before it melted back into the shadows.

“You’re killing me, Smalls. Oh, this is going to be fun. It's been a while since I’ve been to a ghosty eviction. What’s the story?”

“The house belongs to Mr. Brooks. His dad went mad after his wife and cat died, committed suicide, and now he haunts the place. The property fell into disarray, and now Mr. Brooks wants to renovate and sell. But dear old dad isn't having it."

“I get the wife, but why the cat?” Zoe kicked the dirt and rubbed her legs together for warmth.

“I’m getting there.” I peeked into a lower basement window. "Apparently, the old man cared more about his cat’s death than his wife's.”

“Oh, you clever bitch! Now I get it.” Zoe huffed and pinched the bridge of her nose, a flick of irritation settling in her brows. “Do you have a picture of the cat or at least a description?”

“Sorry. I knew you wouldn’t come if I told you beforehand, and you’re the strongest Familiar I know. I need you.”

“Here ya go,” I said, handing her a photo. “I wouldn’t let you go in blind. I’m kind of a b-word, yes, but not a total b-word. Only b-word-adjacent.” I tucked my hands under my chin and batted my lashes in an attempt to look innocent.

“The moon be damned, Aster. You and your pious goody girl I don't cuss persona. Repeating the word won't kill you, but after tonight, I might.” Zoe inspected the photo. “A Maine Coon! Seriously?” She threw her head back and groaned. “I’ll be coughing up hairballs for days. Bitch-adjacent, my ass.”

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

After looking around the street and neighboring houses, she studied the photo in the moonlight for a long moment. With her hands stretched to her sides and her eyes dancing with magic, she glared at me. "Oh, you owe me so big, chica.”

Swirls of black smoke rose from the ground around her, creeping up each of her legs. The shadowy mist engulfed her body, and she whispered a single word. The darkness melded with her body, disappearing from sight. Once it dissipated, a hulking cat sat perched on its hind legs, grooming its paw.

"Aww, who’s a cute, fluffy kitty?” I teased.

Zoe’s voice filled my head, and she let out a long hiss. ‘Don’t make me claw your eyes out.’

“Okay, okay. Retract the claws. Let’s go.”

Blinding light showered us as we moved toward the front walkway. A car pulled into the driveway, and the headlights clicked off as the engine came to a halt. The silhouette of a heavyset figure wiggled around before the driver’s door swung open.

“Is it done? I hadn’t heard from you, so I figured something went wrong.” The man glanced at Zoe while he fired off his questions but stopped mid-sentence. “Oh my word, how did you find a cat that looks identical to Mr. Mittens?” He bent down to inspect her further. “He even has the same colored collar. Well, I’ll be. Where did you find him?”

“You mentioned Mr. Mittens was the love of your father’s life, so I thought it might help. I found this one at the shelter and thought he would work perfectly. Right, Mr. Mittens?”

Zoe hissed at the man and her voice filled my head. ‘I’m so gonna kick your ass when we’re done.’

“This one’s not very friendly, is it? Not unlike Mr. Mittens. He was pops’ cat through and through. Wouldn't let anyone close enough to touch him.” Lost in deep thought at the memories, he stared at Zoe but after a moment, he snapped out of it and stood. “Do you need me to show you inside? Or should I go? I’m unfamiliar with how this works or if it even will. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for the help but after seeing the remnants of my father and his rage, I still struggle with making sense of how this can be real.”

"Yes, please show me the way.” I gestured to the house. "I understand what you mean, sir. The supernatural is only ever considered in nightmares and what-ifs. Coming face to face with it brings things into perspective. We’ll have everything handled in no time. I promise. But remember the bargain. None of this is real to the outside world, understood?”

The realization that everything happening was in fact as real as he and I swept across his face as he nodded. He hobbled up the front steps, his right leg stiff from some unseen injury, and Zoe trotted along behind. The bell on her collar jingled as she jumped each step.

"Oh, you poor thing. There are stray nails and debris everywhere. I wouldn’t want you to hurt your little paw. Here, let me help you.” He picked Zoe up and plopped her head and front paws over his shoulder.

‘Not a word, Aster. Not a single word; so help me.’

“Seems like Mr. Mittens appreciates your kindness. What a good little kitty.” I tickled under her chin, and she purred for a moment before her eyes turned wrathful. She snapped her neck back and bit hard on my finger.

Mr. Brooks dropped her, and she slinked to the door and pawed at it. “Good grief, this cat, are you sure that’s not Mr. Mittens himself? Same attitude. If I hadn’t been the one to bury him, I’d believe it.”

Figuring it was a rhetorical question, I continued up the last two steps without answering. A wash of death slammed into my nostrils as he opened the door. Shivers shot down my spine.

‘I'd better be getting paid a shitload for this, Aster.’

“Right this way, Aster. Be mindful of the cords for the tools here.” Mr. Brooks walked toward the center of the room, sliding things out of his way with his foot.

"What’s your father’s name, so I'm better equipped to communicate with him?” I asked as I tiptoed over cords and screws scattered about the floor.

The whole room smelled of death, and I wondered if Zoe could smell it too, possibly stronger in her cat form. It didn’t appear to bother her as she stood by the man’s foot, grooming her paws, licking off the dust that covered each one.

“Atticus Theodore Brooks.”

I glanced around the room, taking in all the smells, familiarizing myself with the layout. “In your message, you mentioned he committed suicide. Where did this take place?”

Sorrow washed over his face, and he cleared his throat before speaking again. "Uh-hum. he uh... hung himself down in the basement.”

“It’s okay, I can handle it from here. Point me in the direction of the basement, and you can wait in the car if you’d like.” I squeezed his arm, trying to offer what little comfort I could to a complete stranger.

He cleared his throat again, an attempt to stifle away tears, and shrugged a shoulder toward a door. “Yeah, the uh, the basement is right over there, through that door. Uhm, if it’s okay, I’d like to stay in the house unless you need me out. It’s just, I’d like to be here when his presence or whatever it is moves on.”

“That would be fine. I’m so sorry for your loss.”

‘It would be better if he weren't here at all, in my opinion.’

I glanced at the man who was making his way to a nearby stool. “I must warn you, though, you may hear things. He may act out, especially if he’s angry. No matter what happens, stay here.”

Mr. Brooks studied me curiously but nodded his head in agreement. The handle to the basement door felt cold as ice in my palm, and I breathed a heavy breath before pulling it open. Air thick with anger and decay threatened to knock me back, but I gathered my strength and took a step down into its maw.