I woke up this morning expecting a hangover. What I got was an Eskimo-er, Ekimmu-allegedly dispatched by Baba Yaga to trash my apartment and summon me home. But, with no magic, little money, and a pathetic sense of direction, finding my own way back to Hemlock Hollow could be a bit of a challenge. Does that witch not know me at all?

As if that wasn't enough, it turns out the stray cat with whom I've been cohabitating for the duration of my exile is, in fact, a wolf Shifter under a curse. A curse only I can break. Without magic. And exactly how is that supposed to work? Coincidentally, a Shifter is the reason I'd ended up banished to the mortal world in the first place. Sort of. Let's just say I think a girl is entitled to end a dry spell-no matter how many decades it lasts-on her own terms.

Stranded at a truck stop, things don't look promising. I can only hope the stray cat-wolf Shifter whose name is not Doyle is more resourceful than he looks. At least he can read a map. But, something about that Ekimmu smells fishy-actually, everything about her smells fishy. I can't imagine why the Yaga sent such an unusual messenger. Or why she appears to be following me.

An exiled witch, a hexed Shifter, and a vengeful spirit with breath as foul as her intentions…road trip, anyone?