Fifth Time's A Crisis: Grimalkin Academy, #5

By Laura Greenwood

The kittens are in danger and Mona will stop at nothing to save them.

I thought being cured would solve all my problems, instead, it seems to have made them worse. 

With my kittens in trouble, and the threat of black magic users only getting stronger, I have more than enough on my plate. 

At least I have my best friend, and my warlocks to lean on for help. 
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Fifth Time's A Crisis is book five of Grimalkin Academy, an urban fantasy academy series featuring two best friends, lots of kittens, and a low-heat poly romantic subplot.

If you enjoy paranormal academy, cute familiars, light-hearted romance, witches, and friendship, you should start the Grimalkin Academy series today.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Drowlgon Press
• Release date: Jan 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393816171

Laura Greenwood

Laura is a USA Today Bestselling Author of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and fantasy romance. When she's not writing, she drinks a lot of tea, tries to resist French macarons, and works towards a diploma in Egyptology. She lives in the UK, where most of her books are set. Laura specialises in quick reads, with healthy relationships and consent positive moments regardless of if she's writing light-hearted romance, mythology-heavy urban fantasy, or anything in between. You can find a full book list and more information on her website, or in The Paranormal Council Facebook Group. Happy Reading!

Book preview

Chapter One

I pace back and forth, trying not to let my nerves get the better of me. How am I supposed to focus on anything when my kittens are missing.

Caspian pushes through the door of Thomas' office, something bulky in his hands.

What are we doing here again? he asks as he narrowly avoids knocking over a side table full of books.

Mona's room is compromised, Thomas answers offhandedly. We don't know how they got in and got the kittens, but we do know they managed.

Daphne nods. For all we know, they have a bug in there and are listening.

I shudder as I consider that. They could have overheard so many intimate conversations, and that doesn't sit well with me.

Caspian sets his box down on the table and pulls the cloth away, revealing a softly fleeced bag with what looks like a drip water thing normally used for bunnies.

What... Ryan starts asking the question we all have on our minds.

It's for Rhubarb and Lola, Caspian says. Mona isn't going to leave them on their own now, and I thought this would be better than them staying in her school bag all the time.

As if to prove his point, Rhubarb pops his head out of my bag and mewls, demanding attention from one of us so he doesn't have to stay in there any longer. Lola follows.

My heart almost breaks at the sight of them. A reminder of the nine kittens who aren't with us.

Thank you. I make my way over to Caspian, trying not to destroy any more of Thomas' office than we already have. I throw my arms around his neck and hug him tightly.

Caspian's arms wrap around me, hugging me back and giving me the reassurance I need. I'm not going through this alone. I pull away before I start crying. I did that after finding the kittens gone, but now I need to focus. Tears won't solve my problems or bring my kittens back. Only a straight head and determination is going to help me now.

That's what we're here for, Caspian says.

No, it's not. I smile at him, finding some of my strength. I don't need you to fix things for me, but I do appreciate your support.

Ryan scoops the two kittens out of my bag and places them in the playpen thing Caspian brought.

It zips up too, he points out. So when you're carrying them around, you don't risk them escaping and running around the academy.

I snort. That may cause the kind of distraction we need at least. But it isn't something I want. No one is endangering their lives for me, especially not innocent creatures who haven't done anything wrong.

Daphne taps the chalkboard we've been using. If we're quite done with how cute Mona's relationships are, can we get back to what we know?

Sorry, sis, Ryan says, a wide grin on his face as he perches himself on the desk and swings his legs back and forth. Did you just call me cute?

Nope, she responds instantly. Far from it.

You did! I'm not going to let you live this down. I'm going to tell everyone and...

"If you dare, then I'll text Cade and we can start making out in front of you," she threatens.

I place a hand over my mouth, trying not to let my amusement over the snogging-the-best-friend threat. No doubt he'll try and use it against her soon too, though I don't think he understands that it's different for girls. Daphne won't be nearly as bothered by him being affectionate towards me as he will be by his best friend treating her like his girlfriend. Personally, I think Daphne and Cade are adorable together, but I don't share that with Ryan.

Thomas clears his throat. Can we carry on? I need to mark some papers before tomorrow's class, and I'm sure you all have homework.

Ryan groans. Don't remind me. I need to work out that thing for potions, and I don't even know where to start.

Mona will help you, Daphne quips.

I know she will. But when she starts talking potions, it goes in one ear and out the other.

I think the same thing happens when anyone talks to you, Daphne mutters.

Guys, can we not? I ask, putting my hands on my hips. We have more important things to talk about right now. My eyes lock on Rhubarb and Lola where they're playing and a lump forms in my throat. I need to get them back.

Thomas grabs hold of my arm and tugs me toward him. He puts his arm around me, and I burrow my head in his chest. At least he's getting comfortable showing me affection in front of the others.

Sorry, Daphne murmurs. So, what do we know? she checks.

Not very much, I admit, the words disappearing into Thomas' shirt.

We can make an educated guess that it's Feathertop who has them, she says. She was far too interested in them to be innocent.

I nod. She also seems to be paying a lot of attention to us. She'll have known I was out of the room.

What if... Caspian trails off uncertainly.

What are you thinking? Thomas prompts him when it becomes apparent he isn't going to continue.

Caspian swallows loudly. What if they put some kind of tracker on me in Gevang?

Silence greets his question as we all consider it.

If they did, then it would have been after they released you, Thomas says. Otherwise the prison would have caught it when they scanned you for charms and things like that.

I twist around so I can see the uncertain look on his face.

They had scanners in all the hallways, I point out. Didn't they tell you?

Nope, he responds, looking a bit more secure. The lack of people didn't help with that. You probably know more than I do about Gevang.

I grimace. You're probably better not knowing.

Without a doubt. I know more about that place than I ever wanted to.

I pull away from Thomas and go over to him, wrapping my arms around his waist and pulling him close. I'm sorry, I whisper.

He drops a kiss on the top of my head. It's not your fault.

But the black magic...

I decided to help, it wasn't you. Plus, we never went through with it. His phone pings, breaking the moment between us.

I pull back so he can get it. All right. So the kittens are probably with Feathertop, she's probably using black magic... My voice hitches. My poor kittens. I'm supposed to protect them, and yet now they're in the hands of someone as ruthless as our teacher.

I have to go, Caspian says suddenly.

I frown. What's wrong?

He's still holding his phone, so it must have been whatever the message was that is making him so nervous.

The Dean wants to see me.

You'll be okay, I promise. When the Dean talked to me, it was just a warning.

That's good. He leans down and kisses me on the lips. I'll text you when I leave.

Good luck. I watch as he leaves the room.

He'll be all right, Thomas promises. But we need more information before we can go ahead.

We have Feathertop's class tomorrow, Daphne points out. "Do you think