An hour had passed since Knox had shown up at the cabin door with Sheriff Tate and her daughter in tow. Knox had gone about getting us some firewood that had been in a box out back with a tarp wrapped around it, providing us with a good heat source for the remainder of our time there. Piper had raided the lone cupboard and discovered coffee grounds and a pot, for which she was able to make us coffee using the flames in the hearth.
Pearl would have to wait until morning to get her spot of warm cream.
Don’t remind me. By the way, that wasn’t a gust of wind you just heard. It was the rumbling in my stomach.
“You realize that if I’d changed fully into my werewolf form, I wouldn’t be wearing any clothes right now, right?”
I so wasn’t answering that question.
Perhaps you should, dear hexed one.
I took the safest route, which was to discuss our next move.
I might need to adjust my knock-knock jokes to include a bit of encouragement in the romance department. Duly noted, Miss Lilura. You’re a slow starter.
It was a really good thing that Knox couldn’t hear Pearl.
“Professor Weaver is the only loose thread in this scenario,” I pointed out after clearing my throat. We’d all been able to remove our jackets. Seeing as we were pretty much stuck here for the duration of the storm, I scooted back on the bed until I could lean my shoulders against the wall behind us. “I mean, other than the fact that good ol’ Uncle Hal has no place to live. Hopefully, someone will offer him a place to stay until he and Jerry can rebuild their home. With that said, we might need to drive back to Minnesota. Professor Weaver put a hit out on one of his former students. That can’t go without some consequences.”
I took a sip of the black coffee, grateful when the warmth spread throughout my body. A jolt of caffeine would be good right about now.
I’m glad to see you enjoying your beverage of choice, dear hexed one.
I couldn’t help but lift my mug in salute, unable to prevent the smirk that graced my lips.
You find my plight amusing, but I will have you know that I’ve deduced you have a very dry sense of humor. I might need to switch off knock-knock jokes entirely to some appropriate English humor.
“I’m sure Cassandra can handle the professor,” Knox said, lifting his own coffee cup to his lips. After he’d taken a fortifying sip, he motioned toward Emily. “Do you think she’ll stop hunting?”
“Piper can be very convincing,” I reminded him wryly, thinking about Knox’s personality change. Technically, he was still quite intimidating and only spoke when he had something to say. It was the flirting I needed to get used to, because there was no room in our lives for anything but a partnership at this point. We had two curses to cure, and no time to waste. “I feel for Jerry and his brother. They never asked for their lives to be turned upside down, let alone to be targeted for assassination.”
“Hmmm,” Knox hummed, the vibrations from his body washing over mine. “That sounds oddly familiar.”
We continued to sit in silence, listening in on the conversation taking place between the others. The blazing fire continued to crackle and pop, giving off welcome heat that chased away the cold that seemed to have settled into my bones. The cabin wasn’t as comfortable as the RV, but we were safe.
Orwin was alive, and that was all that mattered. He caught my eye, mouthing a silent thank you. I nodded back, knowing full well I didn’t have to tell him we were all in this together. He’d come with me on this journey, and his secret was still safe with me, tucked away in the corner recesses of my mind where Pearl wouldn’t have access to it. When he was ready, he would share his reason for accompanying me on this journey with the others. In the meantime, I would take this night of reprieve given to us and hope that I didn’t experience another premonition.
“My shoulder makes for a great pillow,” Knox murmured, leaning his head back against the wall and closing his eyes. I resisted the urge to run my fingertips over his five o’clock shadow. We were partners, and I would do well to remember that. “We might as well get some rest. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.”
May I point out a bright spot, dear hexed one?
I did my best to stop myself from smiling, knowing full well that Pearl was going to tell me about this bright spot even if I’d said no. I also went ahead and used Knox’s shoulder against my own better advice. He was right. It made for a better pillow than the hard wall behind us, and I needed to be ready for whatever tomorrow brought our way.
Our own Mr. Emeric was cursed with lycanthropy. A curse that would have bitten sour grapes had it been one with fangs and the need to drink blood to survive. Imagine wondering if he was going to bite you every time you turned your back, dear hexed one.
Pearl always did manage to point out the bright spots in our cases, and she wouldn’t be wrong this time, either. Having our very own werewolf on the team had proved useful many times already.
Now that you’re seeing things my way, I should point out that I finally understand our alien hunter’s need to search for extraterrestrial life. I will do my best to corral my witticism regarding his conspiracy theories, though difficult it may be. If I was a descendent from Ammeline Letty Romilda, I’d want an escape plan, too. No worries, dear hexed one. I shall reserve my next knock-knock joke until tomorrow. After all, I do have impeccable manners.
~ The End ~
Thank you so much for joining Lou and the gang as they continue to solve supernatural mysteries! There are more magical whodunits in their future, and you can find out more about Curse Me Under the Mistletoe below…
Click HERE
Curses and kisses are stirring up a cloud of fresh snowflakes this holiday season in the latest installment in the Hex on Me Mysteries by USA Today Bestselling Author Kennedy Layne…
Delicious peppermint candy canes, a mug of creamy hot chocolate, and a deadly curse all seem to be connected in the next mystery that Lou and the gang unravel just in time for the winter solstice. Not for the first time, another one of Lou’s premonitions ends up with a dead body. This time, there seems to be a seasonal twist…in the form of a very special type of mistletoe.
Grab your earmuffs and scarves if you want to help Lou and the gang solve this latest whodunit in a magical winter wonderland this holiday season!
Books by Kennedy Layne
Hex on Me Mysteries
If the Curse Fits
Cursing up the Wrong Tree
The Squeaky Ghost Gets the Curse
The Curse that Bites
Curse Me Under the Mistletoe
Paramour Bay Mysteries
Magical Blend
Bewitching Blend
Enchanting Blend
Haunting Blend
Charming Blend
Spellbinding Blend
Cryptic Blend
Broomstick Blend
Spirited Blend
Office Roulette Series
Means (Office Roulette, Book One)
Motive (Office Roulette, Book Two)
Opportunity (Office Roulette, Book Three)
Keys to Love Series
Unlocking Fear (Keys to Love, Book One)
Unlocking Secrets (Keys to Love, Book Two)
Unlocking Lies (Keys to Love, Book Three)
Unlocking Shadows (Keys to Love, Book Four)
Unlocking Darkness (Keys to Love, Book Five)
Surviving Ashes Series
Essential Beginnings (Surviving Ashes, Book One)
Hidden Ashes (Surviving Ashes, Book Two)
Buried Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Three)
Endless Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Four)
Rising Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Five)
CSA Case Files Series
Captured Innocence (CSA Case Files 1)
Sinful Resurrection (CSA Case Files 2)
Renewed Faith (CSA Case Files 3)
Campaign of Desire (CSA Case Files 4)
Internal Temptation (CSA Case File
s 5)
Radiant Surrender (CSA Case Files 6)
Redeem My Heart (CSA Case Files 7)
A Mission of Love (CSA Case Files 8)
Red Starr Series
Starr’s Awakening(Red Starr, Book One)
Hearths of Fire (Red Starr, Book Two)
Targets Entangled (Red Starr, Book Three)
Igniting Passion (Red Starr, Book Four)
Untold Devotion (Red Starr, Book Five)
Fulfilling Promises (Red Starr, Book Six)
Fated Identity (Red Starr, Book Seven)
Red’s Salvation (Red Starr, Book Eight)
The Safeguard Series
Brutal Obsession (The Safeguard Series, Book One)
Faithful Addiction (The Safeguard Series, Book Two)
Distant Illusions (The Safeguard Series, Book Three)
Casual Impressions (The Safeguard Series, Book Four)
Honest Intentions (The Safeguard Series, Book Five)
Deadly Premonitions (The Safeguard Series, Book Six)
About the Author
First and foremost, I love life. I love that I’m a wife, mother, daughter, sister… and a writer.
I am one of the lucky women in this world who gets to do what makes them happy. As long as I have a cup of coffee (maybe two or three) and my laptop, the stories evolve themselves and I try to do them justice. I draw my inspiration from a retired Marine Master Sergeant that swept me off of my feet and has drawn me into a world that fulfills all of my deepest and darkest desires. Erotic romance, military men, intrigue, with a little bit of kinky chili pepper (his recipe), fill my head and there is nothing more satisfying than making the hero and heroine fulfill their destinies.
Thank you for having joined me on their journeys…
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twitter.com/KennedyL_Author
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www.kennedylayne.com
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www.kennedylayne.com/aboutnewsletter.html
The Curse that Bites Page 12