“Hmmm. I’d have to agree. That was a doozy of a bombshell, wasn’t it?”
Hearing Aunt Rowena mutter the Bishop surname in the middle of her conversation with Rye had Leo going straight into an asthma attack. You see, Bridget Bishop had been the first witch to be hung at the gallows in Salem, Massachusetts. If there was even the slightest bit of truth that Rye’s ancestors were from the Bishop lineage…well, it was no wonder that he was so powerful at such a young age.
It also explains why she sent the fire-breathing monstrosity to guard the cheating wizard and his significant other. It’s clear that I need to come up with another nickname for him. With his powers, he could easily turn me into something worse than a toad. Maybe I’ll start calling him The Wizard Prince. One, I’m sure it would get under his skin equally, as well. Two, he can’t do anything to me if it’s technically the truth.
“Some things are better left buried,” I muttered as we continued to monitor the two as they came to a stop in front of Gary. “I do wonder how she is going to tweak Gary’s sense of humor without anyone realizing that she is casting magic. Either that, or the residents will begin to think that she has lost a marble or two. Ted and Justine will tell us what happened, though.”
Ted and Justine had shown up at the teashop yesterday right after our call with Aunt Rowena. They had done their wellness check on Agnus, and then they’d come back to view the footage on the cell phone.
“I’ve already told Rye that he’s going to have to figure out a way to make sure that Gary knows the difference between jesting and a serious threat. And you can get the idea of using Mom as a guinea pig right out of your mental antioxidants, buster.”
I took another sip of the coffee that I’d dosed with a dash of cinnamon. At this point, Aunt Rowena was still standing in front of Gary. Rye feigned standing between Gary and the entrance, even crossing his arms to make it look like they were in the middle of a conversation. It was still early enough that the residents were probably still digging their way out of the storm, though Newt had already plowed the major streets, as well as the sidewalks on the main thoroughfare through town.
I wasn’t talking about Gargoyle Gary’s sense of humor. Since we’re on the topic, though…at least I can rest easy knowing that he didn’t mean there was a gaggle of his kind about to descend upon us. The Wicked Witch of Windsor confirmed that she put a few spells in place to let her know if something or someone is sniffing around where they don’t belong.
For the first time since last week, the palm on my right hand began to tingle. Whatever was on Leo’s mind was definitely a future threat, and a shiver of trepidation traveled up and down my spine.
“You’re talking about the sole purpose behind Aunt Rowena’s decision to go to such lengths as to create a stone golem in the first place.” I continued to watch closely as Aunt Rowena leaned in close, appearing to inspect the stone statue. Within seconds, she pulled back and simply patted Gary on top of the head. Rye then opened the door and followed her inside the bakery. Had it really been that simple for her to tweak Gary’s ability to sense humor? “She must truly believe that someone figured out whose Rye’s ancestors are, and she assumed that they would want to try and use his powers.”
Can we still sweep all that under the rug? You know, with all the rest of the difficult and dodgy situations that we don’t want to deal with…like me being linked to the Windsor stone, the fact that dead are going to be rising this All Hallows’ Eve, and—
“I get it, Leo. I get it. The secrets are piling up,” I mumbled, realizing that we had been pushing some things aside and avoiding certain situations for a while now. “Maybe that should have been our New Year’s resolution.”
You think that our New Year’s resolution should be to pick up the old rug and deal with what’s underneath? Do you realize how big those dust bunnies are by now? I’m not sure that we have a broom big enough to handle everything that we’ve shoved underneath there. Besides, I’d rather spend my time plotting my victory in the squirrelpocalypse. I have a new partner now.
Leo lifted his paw and set it on the cold glass pane of the display window. That was the moment I’d caught Gary sending a wink and a lifting one thumb on his hand to say that all had been taken care of in the wittiness department. Having him around was going to make things very interesting, but his presence was also a reminder that certain danger could potentially be lurking in the shadows.
Look on the bright side, Raven. We can always have Gargoyle Gary incinerate whatever dust bunnies decide to crawl out from underneath the rug. Don’t you know that the best thing about being in command is to delegate? Don’t stress, Raven. There’s nothing that this year can’t throw at us that we can’t handle. With Gargoyle Gary by our side, I say bring it on!
~ The End ~
Delicious chocolates and mysterious gifts are leaving quite a deathly impression in the next installment of the Paramour Bay Mysteries by USA Today Bestselling Author Kennedy Layne…
Click HERE
Someone seems to want the local librarian—who just happens to be the town’s friendly neighborhood werewolf—erased from Paramour Bay’s history!
After some strange turn of events, it’s concluded that regifting a box of heart-shaped chocolates might not have been such a great idea. The recipient ends up dead and a puzzling whodunit ensues, while Raven and the gang must band together to protect one of their own.
You’ll want to brew up your own cup of tea before reading this quirky murder mystery…just to be safe!
Books by Kennedy Layne
The Widow Taker Trilogy
The Forgotten Widow
The Isolated Widow
The Reclusive Widow
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
Gone Cursing
Paramour Bay Mysteries
Magical Blend
Bewitching Blend
Enchanting Blend
Haunting Blend
Charming Blend
Spellbinding Blend
Cryptic Blend
Broomstick Blend
Spirited Blend
Yuletide Blend
Baffling Blend
Phantom Blend
Batty Blend
Pumpkin Blend
Frosty Blend
Stony Blend
Cocoa 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 Files 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…
Email:
[email protected]
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facebook.com/kennedy.layne.94
Twitter:
twitter.com/KennedyL_Author
Website:
www.kennedylayne.com
Newsletter:
www.kennedylayne.com/meet-kennedy.html
Stony Blend (A Paramour Bay Cozy Paranormal Mystery Book 16) Page 15