Romer stood up, shimmering, as the others squinted.
“What?”
“Bon Ami, you dialed to ten.”
Romer let his eyes rest in Lyra’s and she smiled. “You are greater, Romeo. I don’t understand what transpired, but this is new territory to explore.”
“For us all,” Melia stood as the filaments pulled away from Romer, who continued to blast light. “You must learn your new gift and how to control it.”
“For now,” Topper tapped her palm, “we’ll need these.” Sunglasses landed on each face.
“Wow, better. Thanks, Topper.” Jasper moved and hugged Romer. “I’m not sure how I earned a friend like you, but I’m grateful. To the end, Romer.”
He reached out and pulled Wellie in to the hug. “You too, Wellie. When you were burning, I thought you were dead. I couldn’t believe you did that for a fuck-up like me. Good thing you know your way around a mojo bag.” He rubbed Wellie’s bald head and received a punch for his effort. “To the end, Wellie.”
“You too, Bon Amis.”
They sat, and Jasper looked at his friends. “What’s next? The 420 festival in Albuquerque seems like a decade ago. For me, heading back to El Paso isn’t happening. I will marry Melia if she’ll have me, and,” he looked around the library’s floor to ceiling books, “if Topper is willing, I need to go to school. So much effort went into beating Big Daddy and saving me, I have to learn how to use this gift and be the best damn warlock possible.”
“You got it, Kid,” Topper’s voice was gruff with emotion. “It will be an honor to show you how to excel in spell work and craft. You possess the base to be a different kind of warlock. Positive and profound.”
“We are one in our hearts, Jasper. Theo can make it official if you wish.” Melia’s smile squeezed Jasper’s heart.
“I’m staying too,” Romer replied. “Hitting the books to figure out how to stop being a glow stick seems prudent.”
“Chere, I am moving to Magic to keep my eye on these two, and begin a love affair with this library. I can be with you in a snap, if you need me.” Wellie’s grin beamed. “I know a witch.”
Topper laughed. “I promise, Alma, he will have no transportation issues.”
“When I miss his cooking, I’ll let you know.”
“Since you gentlemen are staying, perhaps the town can work something out so you can start a bar and restaurant together,” Topper mused out loud.
The three exchanged looks. “Let’s take a walk,” Wellie said. “We need to talk.”
“You look distinguished without hair,” Taloot accepted the offered shades, and gave Wellie a wink as he donned them. “Sure I can’t persuade you to bat for my team?”
“As likely as you batting for mine, Taloot,” Wellie laughed, taking a seat.
“For the hand of the delectable Melia, I would consider it for at least a full half minute, but alas, she chose another,” Taloot’s exaggerated sigh earned him a grin from Wellie.
“Dragonale? No risk to the hair today.”
“You know what, you’re on, Taloot. I am ready to roar.”
“Saw Melia and had to go for it, Taloot,” Jasper laughed.
“No, Jasper, she saw you. I’ve never seen a woman turn her light up like that. She meant to have you.”
“She’s stuck now,” Romer grinned. “Poor Melia,”
One flaming and two impotent dragonales slid across the bar, and the friends clinked and drank.
“Holy shit,” Wellie roared.
“It’s an acquired taste,” Taloot acknowledged as Wellie eyed the smoking ale. “Helps if you’re an actual dragon.”
“Now you tell me? My throat is peeling.”
“You’ll heal. Try this.” Taloot pushed a shot glass over, smirking. Wellie’s skeptical eye had Jasper and Romer rolling.
Feels good to be back to whatever our new normal is, and that we all made it. Never told Topper, but I think she knew we had dreams about this place for a few years. And I got to hear from Mom, even if it was for a single moment, and that gives me peace.
“Taloot, we’re discussing opening a bar, but you’ve been good to us, and we don’t want to step on your toes.”
Taloot lifted a huge hairy foot and raised an eyebrow at Wellie. “You think I’d notice?” As the shouts of laughter subsided, Taloot leaned forward. “I’ve wanted to travel, see family and the world. We might strike up a sweet deal that works for everyone.”
The door creaked and Melia, Topper, and Theo, backlit by the afternoon sun, eased into Kokopelli’s.
“My beloved, you glow with happiness!” Taloot kissed Melia’s hand and beamed. “He must have the right moves, yes?”
The corners of Melia’s mouth tipped and Taloot hooted. “An ouzo to celebrate? I have a special bottle, direct from Greece.”
“Lovely and appreciated, dear Taloot.”
“Your mothers are back home, gentleman,” Topper eased onto a stool. “I’ve released our people who sheltered underground. All is well. Have you decided what to do?”
“In negotiations, my dear, but I think we can strike a bargain. I’ve never had a kitchen here, but perhaps we require a permanent source of good gumbo.”
“If you add a second story, Taloot, the dwarfs can build out one that’ll last 500 years,” Theo tapped the bar and Taloot started a dragonale.
“Longer than this old troll will be around, but that’s a thought. Gentlemen, let’s discuss a takeover.”
Heads together, a plan, along with several shots of ouzo, took wing.
“Bourbon?”
Theo nodded. “One. Where are your houseguests, Topper?”
“Jasper is with Melia. I expect they want a wedding tomorrow. I’ll pop the mothers back here if they do. Wellie and Romer are still at Kokopelli’s, talking with the dwarfs. They’re discussing building out a restaurant and two apartments in a second-floor addition. This came together pretty well.”
“Taloot has a brother in England. I know he wants to spend time there. This gives him peace of mind to go, knowing he can stay for a while.”
They settled around the kitchen island and looked at each other. Topper’s shoulders slumped.
“I overstepped on this Theo. Big time. People, for all intents and purposes, died.”
“At first, I felt you were being a pain in the ass, but in hindsight, I don’t.” Theo sipped the last of his drink and pushed it toward the bottle. “Okay, make it two. Topper, that explosion was coming before Jasper was ready. Big Daddy was searching for him. This was the best place for it to go down. But, next time, let’s stick to teamwork. We do that pretty well.”
“We do. I’m excited about that call you made from the desert, Theo. That’s cross-magic, and it’s rare. Witches call witches, vamps call vamps, but call each other? Nope. It’s why I came up with the coin system. I wish I knew what was in your woodpile. I wonder if there was a witch in there that was recent enough to matter. Otherwise, what you did is significant.”
Theo leaned over and tapped the top of her hand. “All I know is when I needed you, it worked.”
Topper raised her glass. “To best friends, and new loves.”
They clinked, drinking in companionable silence. Theo swung a long leg off the tall chair and stood. “Gotta roll out if I’m performing a marriage tomorrow. Deck the jail out, make it smell better.” He winked and Topper laughed.
“It’s at Kokopelli’s, Theo. There’s enough sulphur residue there to reek for the next 6 months. Just show up and tie their knot.”
Theo’s truck rolled by, headed to town. Settled on the porch of their home, Jasper snuggled Melia on his lap as the stars rose, reveling in the sense of pervasive peace flowing in his veins. Whatever Romer’s packing, he’s a force. I’m well and whole for the first time in my entire life.
“Flying with the stars sounds amazing, Melia. What a beautiful gift.” He kissed her lips, lingering like a whisper. “Your beauty is of the light above. I’ll love you until my last breath.”
She smiled and rose, pulling him to his feet, a silver line flowing from her heart and tying them close. They kissed and drifted over the railings, edging up into the twinkling night, surrounded by the soft serenade of the Muse.
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The End
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Who should be the star of the next book?
Wellie or Romer?
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Email [email protected] to sign up for the newsletter and cast your vote!
About the Author
Winnie Winkle is a fabulous Central Florida broad who swills bourbon, likes dogs and cats, and practices yoga, but not with any degree of grace. Supporting live local music is a passion, so if you pass a gravestone that admonishes, ‘Go see the band and hit the tip jar’, it’s probably hers. But, since she’s not dead yet, she’ll keep penning fun stuff to rock your reading chair.
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A 30-year transplant to Florida, Winnie splits her time between South Daytona Shores and the Mount Dora area. She prefers writing beach-side because, if we’re baring our souls, the ocean is a mighty muse and there’s only so much you can expect from coffee.
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Winnie writes for the series “The Worlds of Magic, New Mexico” in the paranormal romance/sci-fi romance genres. She also writes speculative women’s fiction and fantasy.
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Guess what? Winnie loves to sign books at local Florida venues and conferences and to visit book clubs!
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Email [email protected] to schedule an event.
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Follow along!
Books by Winnie Winkle
Messing Up Magic
© 2018 Winnie Winkle, All Rights Reserved.
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Swimming for Air, Messing up Magic - Book 2
© 2019 Winnie Winkle, All Rights Reserved.
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Raining Magic, Messing up Magic - Book 3
© 2019 Winnie Winkle, All Rights Reserved
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Broke in Magic, Broke in Magic - Book 1
© 2019 Winnie Winkle, All Rights Reserved
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Coming soon!
Broke in Magic - Book 2
Releasing October 15, 2019
Broke In Magic Page 11