by Sarina Dorie
My heart was heavy thinking about Thatch’s horrible childhood after he’d run away from home. I could only imagine how he’d wanted to flee from this woman and her ways.
“How does one ensure the offspring will be a Red affinity?” Queen Morgaine demanded. “I want heirs who beget more heirs.”
She wanted her army to be fruitful and multiply. Not only would she use the Red affinities to destroy other Fae and enslave Witchkin, but most likely she would use them to destroy the Morty Realm. She would be able to stop the production of pesticides, herbicides, plastics, and other toxins poisoning their world. I didn’t know whether she would be able to stop the mining and production of cold iron, but it would make sense she would try. Left unchecked, the Raven Queen would destroy Morty civilization.
I couldn’t allow her to build an army.
“You’re asking about genetics. Science. That’s considered a forbidden art.” I crossed my arms. “Maybe if you hadn’t seen to it that this was banned, you might understand how science works.”
She waved me off dismissively. “I will see to it our school boards remove the ban on science immediately. Explain how it works.”
“It’s about dominant genes. Haven’t you ever crossbred plants? Or dogs?” Humans had figured this out hundreds of years ago, maybe thousands. It wasn’t a secret. “You need more Red affinities in the bloodline to beget more Reds.”
“A male and female Red affinity?” she asked incredulously. “And they’re out there in hiding because we’ve banned their magic?”
Maybe pragmatism would win the day. Elric might not have been able to spread the idea of equality and alliance with Witchkin out of altruism, but the Raven Queen might inadvertently do so in order to get what she wanted.
“Yep,” I said. “Now you know my dirty little secrets and what I uncovered that Alouette Loraline didn’t want you to know. It’s your turn to uphold your end of the bargain. I want you to release Felix Thatch from your service so he can come home with me.”
“No. I require proof.”
One of the dancers jostled into me. I scooted back. “Sure. Let’s just have ourselves some scientific experiments and write a research paper about it afterward.” As if she would agree to that.
“I never said an ‘experiment.’ I want a demonstration. You agreed to give me a demonstration of what you said was possible.” She waved her scepter at me as she spoke.
I didn’t like the way she said “demonstration.”
“No. I’m not waiting around nine months for someone to get pregnant and have a baby.” Nor did I want to watch Odette or anyone else be forced to serve their queen. I didn’t want to be forced to serve her.
She jabbed a talon at my chest, the sharp tip snagging on the black lace of the gown. “You will provide an adequate demonstration. Otherwise I will not release Felix from my service. What do you choose? Him or your secrets?”
END OF EXCERPT
For the rest of the novel, go to Sarina Dorie’s website for information about the next book in the series:
https://sarinadorie.com/writing/novels/wombys-school-for-wayward-witches
If you enjoyed this not-so-cozy witch mystery in the Womby’s School for Wayward Witches Series, please leave a review at the online retailer where you purchased this collection. You might also enjoy free short stories published by the author on her website: http://sarinadorie.com/writing/short-stories.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I want to thank my fans for their enthusiasm reading my novels. My Street Team/ARC Team has done a great job telling me when you find typos, pointing out formatting errors, leaving reviews, and purchasing books from Amazon so that you can help my ranking. Downloading books from Amazon also helps you become a verified reviewer and Amazon is more likely to show your review—and not delete it later. I also have many people on my team who review on Goodreads and Book Bub, post on social media, and tell their friends. I am thrilled to have so many fans!
For those who have filled out my Google form, it has helped me become more organized so that I don’t have to search my emails to find all the wonderful things you have done to support the creation of my novels; I have them all stored in the same place. I wanted to send a shout-out to the people listed below who have filled out my Google form. I know there are more people out there who are fans who have contacted me in the past, but the people listed below are the readers who used the form. I also know there were times some of my readers have told me other books they’ve reviewed, but it wasn’t necessarily on the form, so I wanted to say one giant THANK YOU for everything I didn’t list below. For those who filled out the form after I included it in the back of this book, I also wanted to say thank you, even if you are not named.
After hearing some people’s comments and thinking it over, I decided to only use first names and last initials to keep identities semi-confidential in the list below.
A BIG SHOUT-OUT TO:
Mom, thank you for being my number-one fan of all time. You encouraged me when I was six while I was writing and illustrating my own picture books, kept encouraging me in middle school, and read my stories and novels in high school. I have kept writing because of your nurturing, enthusiasm, and your brutal honesty that has helped me improve my writing. I probably wanted to be a writer because of the respect you showed for literature. You read me bedtime stories, our house was always full of books, and you let me watch Romancing the Stone over and over as a kid.
Evelyn G., thank you for purchasing Books 1-13 from Amazon and posting reviews on Goodreads, Bookbub, Amazon and all those reader Facebook groups. Holy cow! You have shared my books in many places.
Sandra H., thank you for posting reviews of Tardy Bells and Witches’ Spells and Hex-Ed on Amazon and Bookbub. I was excited to hear you were reading The Memory Thief as well. I was delighted when I read: “A book that will keep you prisoner and wanting for more.” When readers like you are willing to leave honest reviews, it helps other potential readers decide if my books are a good fit.
Veronica M., thank you for your kind words of encouragement and enthusiasm. I appreciate you posting reviews on Amazon, Bookbub, and Goodreads and purchasing Books 1-14 from Amazon.
Linda B., I appreciate that you have posted reviews of Wedding Bells and Midnight Spells and Hex Appeal on Goodreads, Twitter, and mentioned my books in Facebook feeds. I am glad you are enjoying the books!
Jennifer L., thank you for posting a review of Hex and the City on Bookbub. I am glad to hear you are enjoying the magic and characters.
Jodi S., thank you for purchasing my books from Amazon and posting reviews of Books 1-13 on Amazon and mentioning the books in your Facebook feed. I appreciate you letting me know about those formatting errors in Wedding Bells and Midnight Spells! I am grateful that you have been telling your friends and getting them hooked!
Pam, thank you for purchasing my books from Amazon and posting reviews of Books 1-14 on Amazon and mentioning in your Facebook feed. I am glad you are enjoying the books enough to share with a friend! Thanks for letting me know how much you enjoyed the hands and your favorite unicorn!!!
Wayne N., thank you for purchasing Books 12 and sending me typos to correct. You found errors that spellcheck didn’t, and it made the manuscript cleaner!
Steve P., thanks for reading Hex and the City and posting your review on Amazon.
Elaine S., thank you for recently purchasing Wedding Bells and Midnight Sp
ells my box set on Amazon and leaving your honest review. The information you gave about the series is exactly the information that will help the right readers find the books and the people who aren’t the right fit to steer clear of the books. I couldn’t have explained it better myself!
Janet S., thank you for posting a review for Wedding Bells and Midnight Spells on Goodreads. I am happy you are enjoying the books!
Travis P., thanks for reading Witches Gone Wicked and posting your honest review on Amazon.
Joeline W., you have recently read Book 1-10 in a short amount of time. Wow! Thanks for purchasing books and leaving reviews. I am so happy you shared my books with your book group and they are reading the first book. That is so exciting!
Brian B., thank you for sending me those typos in Hex Appeal. You have helped me create a cleaner manuscript.
Stephanie M., thank you for posting about my books on Facebook, reviewing on Amazon, and purchasing Book 13 and Book 14 recently. I appreciate your enthusiasm for my writing.
Vicki G., thank you for purchasing my books and posting on Goodreads! Your reviews help other readers find me.
Lynn E., thank you for purchasing Books 1-14 and reviewing on Amazon, Goodreads, and mentioning on Facebook so more people can see them. One of the things I think you said so much better in your review than what I could transmit in the book description was that the book was HOT and has “sexual scenes.” That helps serve as a warning—and an enticement. As always, I appreciate all the typos you find. Thanks for being such a superstar!
Linda C., thank you for purchasing my book bundle and leaving your honest reviews!
Billie W., you’ve recently gotten through Books 1-5 in a short amount of time! Thanks for being willing to purchase books, post reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, and post on Facebook.
Michael R., thank you for recently reading Hex Appeal and sending me typos to correct. I appreciate that you are helping me provide a cleaner manuscript to readers.
Barb F., thanks for purchasing my book bundle and leaving a review for it on Amazon and Goodreads. I appreciate your enthusiasm for my work!
Barbara H., thank you for reviewing all my books on Amazon, Goodreads, and Library Thing. I had never heard of Library Thing, so I am glad you mentioned it as a tool to look into!
Shoshanah L., thank you for purchasing my book bundle, Books 1-15 and leaving reviews on Amazon, Bookbub, and Goodreads. What a great idea to share the cover on Pinterest! I will definitely check out MINDS. I appreciate your enthusiasm for my writing and your willingness to send me a list of typos and continuity questions to think about. My favorite typo that you found was “ludic-dreaming techniques.”
Katie T., thank you for your recent purchases of Tardy Bells and Witches’ Spells and the book bundle and being willing to leave reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. I am pleased to hear you are enjoying the series.
Tonya G., thank you for posting reviews on Goodreads, Bookbub, and Amazon for Hex and the City and Cackles and Cauldrons. Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm for my writing and telling your friends.
Linda M., thank you for purchasing Tardy Bells and Witches’ Spells, Hexes and Exes, Cackles and Cauldrons, Wedding Bells and Midnight Spells, and Hex Appeal from Amazon and posting reviews on Amazon, Bookbub, and Goodreads. When you leave honest reviews, it helps readers know what to expect. I appreciate your enthusiasm. I also enjoyed your clever use of the malapropism, “hex lover” in your review.
Norma A. S., thank you for purchasing Wedding Bells and Midnight Spells and Hex and the City on Amazon and posting reviews!
Sheree K., thank you for purchasing Books 1-10 and posting a reviews on Amazon and Goodreads for Tardy Bells and Witches’ Spells: Book 1, Hex-Ed: Book 2. I am happy you are enjoying the series.
Shannon T., thank you for purchasing my book bundle from Amazon and leaving a review. Thanks for suggesting my book to a book group. That is exciting!
Donna J., thank you for posting reviews on Books 1-13. Honest reviews help readers know what to expect. I am so happy that you are willing to talk about my books.
Jennifer V., thank you for posting reviews on Amazon, Bookbub, and Goodreads for Books 1-10 and my book bundle. I appreciate that you leave honest reviews to help the right readers find me. I am glad you enjoy the characters so much!
Dawn H., thank you for your continued support purchasing my books on Amazon, and posting reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.
Katherine M., thank you for leaving an honest review on Amazon.
Heather P., thank you for posting reviews on various Facebook reader groups, Goodreads, and Amazon on Books 1-5 and both of my book bundles. I think it is great you mention which book you are reading in your Facebook feed.
Annalisa, thank you for purchasing Tardy Bells and Witches’ Spells on Amazon and leaving an honest review. Your willingness to leave reviews helps people find my series.
Pamela S., thank you for purchasing books 1-12 on Amazon, posting reviews on Amazon and suggesting my book to a book group. I am always excited about book groups!
Holly W, thank you for recently posting a review of Hex Appeal and Hex Crimes. I appreciate that you have purchased Tardy Bells and Witches’ Spells: Book 1, Hex-Ed: Book 2, Hexes and Exes: Book 5, and Reading, Writing and Necromancy: Book 6. I appreciate the corrections and typos you have sent me as well! I agree with you: word of mouth goes a long way. I am grateful you are letting people know about the books at your university.
Holly Z., thank you for your recent purchases of Spell It Out for Me: Book 9; Hex Crimes: Book 10; Of Curse You Will: Book 11; and Cackles and Cauldrons: Book 12 and being willing to leave reviews on Amazon.
Michelle R., thank you for posting reviews for Wedding Bells and Midnight Spells, Hex Appeal and Hex and the City recently. I appreciate you purchasing Tardy Bells and Witches’ Spells: Book 1, Reading, Writing and Necromancy: Book 6, My Crazy Hex-Boyfriend: Book 8, and Spell It Out for Me: Book 9 recently from Amazon. I’m also grateful for you having a review ready for release—and sending me those pesky typos when you find them. Your timing is always great!
Diane K., thank you for recently posting a review and purchasing Books 1-13 from Amazon. Thank you for posting reviews on Goodreads and Amazon.
Cavell K., thank you for posting a review of Wedding Bells and Midnight on Goodreads. Your reviews are helping me get exposure.
Jennifer W., thank you for purchasing books and posting reviews on Amazon, Bookbub, and Goodreads for Reading, Writing and Necromancy and Budget Cuts for the Dark Arts and Crafts, Wedding Bells and Midnight Spells. I appreciate that you are mentioning the books on Facebook as well. You are such a superstar!
Christina B., thank you for you for leaving an honest review of Cackles and Cauldrons on Amazon.
Cheryl C., thanks for posting an honest review on Amazon of Hex Appeal and Hex and the City. I think one of my favorite things you said in your review of Hex and the City was “jump on the broom and enjoy.” I am glad you are enjoying the series and I appreciate you purchasing the books and your honest review on Amazon.
Sherri C. L., thank you for posting a review for Cackles and Cauldrons on Goodreads and other social media. I appreciate that you downloaded copies of Reading, Writing and Necromancy and Spell It Out for Me from Amazon.
Cathy S., you are a superstar! You posted reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, and Bookbub for the books 1-8 in the Womby’s Series. It was fun reading your review of Wedding Bells and Midnight Spells and hearing you were excited there finally was a wedding. Thank you!
Patricia G., thank you for downloading and posting reviews for the first twelve books in the series on Amazon. I appreciate your willingness to share on Facebook groups to help me get more exposure. That’s a lot of reading and writing!
Becky B., thank you for purchasing Tardy Bells and Witches’ Spells and my box set. I appreciate your willingness to leave an honest review on Goodreads and Amazon.
Jeannie M., thank you for talki
ng your friends’ ears off about my novels. I appreciate you reading, purchasing, and reviewing Books 1-8. You had some great suggestions for Womby’s merchandise that I am going to look into for the future!
Kris T., thank you for posting on social media and downloading Books 1-11. Purchasing and download books helps with author ranking and visibility.
Donna F., thank you for downloading and reviewing Hex and the City from Amazon! By downloading, it helps you become a verified reviewer.
Valerie L., thank you for purchasing and posting reviews on a Books 1-13 and my book bundle. Your honest reviews help the right readers find me.
Sandra Van D., thank you for sharing Tardy Bells and Witches’ Spells: Book 1 with your friends and letting them know you are enjoying my books. I appreciate that you have purchased Hexes and Exes: Book 5, Reading, Writing and Necromancy: Book 6, and Budget Cuts for the Dark Arts and Crafts: Book 7 so that your reviews will show up on Amazon.
Dave M., thank you for sending me typos. You always find some good ones. I appreciate it you have posted honest reviews of Cackles and Cauldrons: Book 12, Hex and the City: Book 13 even though it is outside your comfort zone. The more ratings a book has, the easier it is for people to find it. Thank you for purchasing and downloading books 1-11 from Amazon.
Michelle F., thank you for posting recent reviews of Tardy Bells and Witches’ Spells: Book 1. I appreciate you purchasing Books 1-9 from Amazon.
Brenda P., thank you for recently posting a review of Hex Crimes: Book 10 on Amazon, Bookbub, and Goodreads. Although you get ARCs of the books, I appreciate you have purchased Tardy Bells and Witches’ Spells: Book 1, Witches Gone Wicked: Book 3, Hex Crimes: Book 10, and Of Curse You Will: Book 11. Did I understand that you are posting reviews on Reddit too? Thank you!
