Read First Destroy All Giant Monsters (The World Wide Witches Research Association) for Free Online Page A

only thing that would take her father’s love from her. She knew it. Smoke knew it. Aunt Lucinda, bless her heart, wherever she was, knew it. Which was why she’d arranged for Amber’s magical education to take place long distance and only as much as Amber was willing to receive … until recently. And what her dad didn’t know didn’t cause screams loud enough to raise the ceiling.
    “Is it a crime not to want to test that?” she said after a pause.
    “In this case, yes. It’s not just magic, it’s every parent. He can’t live your life. Time comes when all kids go off and make their own choices, live their own lives. You gotta make your choice, girl. You’ve got the magic in you and this is where your responsibilities lie.”
    “It’s easy enough, Smoke, since I’ve already chosen. I’m not doing what Dad wants, in case it’s escaped your notice; he’s as pissed at me as you are. If I was doing what he wanted I’d be on the PhD career path at some university heading toward a life of teaching esoteric math. Instead I’m a computer software engineer and good at it. Very good. But,” she caught the look in her cousin’s eye. “I’m here now and I’ll stay until Aunt Lucinda comes back. This doesn’t mean I’m accepting the guardianship. You can put that scroll away. Not until we know for certain that … that Lucinda isn’t coming back. I’ll stay until she does.”
    “Stay? You aren’t here to visit. This isn’t a social call,” shouted Smoke. “Or have you forgotten the small problem of the Giant Monsters?”
    Amber winced, then straightened her spine, giving Smoke a suspicious glare.
    “How, exactly, did you find out about these alleged monsters?”
    “What do you mean, ‘‘alleged’’?”
    “Come on, Smoke. You’ve got to admit, it is kind of convenient a Giant Monster emergency occurring just in time for me to be dragged into the family business.”
    “The hell with you, girl. What do you think of us? That we’ve got no other problems but your intransigence? Damn you. If we had any other choice …”
    “But you don’t.”
    “Yes,” his grin was feral. “Exactly. We have no choice and neither do you.”
    “Let me prove you wrong, old man.”
    Smoke sank into a Judo crouch. “Bring it, little girl!”
    Before Amber could respond another item descended from the ceiling. Both Amber and Smoke crossed to examine the latest offering.
    “ NOW magazine,” murmured Amber.
    “We don’t subscribe,” said Smoke.
    “Then where did it come from?”
    They both stared upwards. Nothing else was thrown at them.
    “Well, we’ve got our orders,” said Smoke. “Unless, of course, you want to argue with the house.”
    Amber’s lips twisted. “What are my chances of winning?”
    Smoke held up one hand with thumb and finger pinched so that only an anorexic ant could crawl between them.
    “But you remember the house from last time, don’t you?” he asked. “You were sensitive to it then.”
    “I remember …” Amber paused. “It was odd. Jimmy didn’t know what to make of it all. I would talk about the doors opening before I got to them and he said it was because the house was so old. Talked about cellars and uneven boards and pressure on specific floorboards. He never could get anything to happen.”
    “Jimmy doesn’t have magic. Not the way you and Lucinda have … and your mom used to.”
    “Leave it alone, Smoke. It’s none of your business. None of anyone’s business.”
    Her mom was happy. Happy in her marriage. Happy with her kids. Happy with her life.
    That was what she told anyone who was rude enough to ask.
    “Fine,” Smoke gathered up the magazine and straightened the cover. “Well. We have our marching orders. I was about to tell you what you had to do to get Five Corners back on balance, but it seems the house has its own agenda. So despite the wards thinning, the full moon not celebrated for two months, you have to go hunt a giant