Dangerous Magic

by Evie Hart

  I was okay with it. Honestly, I was. I understood it. It really was a living thing and it deserved my respect and my trust. After all the things I’d accomplished with it in the basement, there was no doubt in my mind that it was the most remarkable magic I’d ever come across.

  And it was mine.

  We worked together. If nothing else, I’d learned that the silver magic was not to be feared, that it was to be respected and treated as if it were my fuchsia magic.

  Eventually, according to Aristotle, the two would become one if I worked hard enough.

  I was willing to work on it, even though it would take time.

  Now, I was sitting in the library at home in yoga pants and a tank top that proclaimed me to be “indoorsy.” I mean, you couldn’t blame me.

  The last time I’d gone outdoors, I’d gotten myself imprisoned in a basement.

  Dax was sitting in the chair opposite me with Angus curled at his feet while I had Snow in a ball on my lap. She hadn’t left my side since I’d walked through the door, and apparently, the cuffs were why she hadn’t been able to access me.

  She was connected to my pink magic, but Aristotle was a part of my silver magic, and that was why he’d been able to find me.

  I’d soothed her with a week’s worth of sushi in twenty-four hours and that seemed to have done the trick. For today. Tomorrow was anyone’s guess.

  “He admitted it all to you?” Dax asked, pen poised over his notebook.

  “Yes. He said he’d poisoned Betty Lou because he hated the fact a witch held the control over the border decision. Honestly, he hates witches.” I pushed my hair behind my ear. “A lot. There was an awful lot of vitriol toward me, but especially her. He poisoned her so she’d be out of the picture, thinking that would give Lorenzo full control over the border issue.”

  “And Amelie?”

  “He said she saw him leave Betty Lou’s office, so he shot her, because he realized she’d put two and two together and know he’d killed her.”

  “What about Cameron?”

  “Didn’t you already ask him?”

  “Yes, but I want you to tell me what you know.” Dax paused. “I’m not trying to be awkward here, Avery. All we have to go on is the word of two people who were poisoned. And a bat’s. It’s not as simple as it looks.”

  “Fine.” I relayed to him what Cameron had said to me. “Is that good enough?”

  He nodded. “I already have your account of what happened to you. For what it’s worth, your story and Cameron’s line up perfectly. We shouldn’t have any problem getting a conviction, especially as the forensics line up. You may be called to testify, though.”

  I shrugged. “I don’t care. I’m just glad it’s over. I have no idea how long I was down there for, only that it was lunchtime when I got there and very dark when I left.”

  Dax shut his notepad and put it on the coffee table. “Around twelve hours,” he said softly. “We got there just before midnight, which probably explains why your bat was there.”

  “No, he was there because of my magic.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “You remember the day at the Town Hall?”

  “Burned into my memory,” he admitted.

  “That was the manifestation of my specialty. That extra power? The one you sniped that I couldn’t control? That saved my life.”

  “Avery, I—”

  I held up my hand. “You were right. It is no good if I can’t control it, but being in that basement while staring down a gun barrel does a thing or two to a girl. I learned the first key to unlocking the power thanks to Aristotle.” I paused. “Snow couldn’t find me because the cuffs Samuel used on me blocked my regular magic, which she’s connected to. It couldn’t block my extra power because nobody knows it exists. Even if they did, it’s so rare that it would take something special to stop it. Aristotle is an extension of the new power, which was why he was able to find me.”

  Dax blew out a long breath. “I’m not going to pretend I understand that.”

  I laughed, scratching the top of Snow’s head, surprised she was so quiet. Until I saw that her eyes were closed, and she was asleep.

  Of course.

  I rolled my eyes.

  Dax laughed quietly. “I’m glad you’re okay, Avery. I won’t lie—I was damn terrified when I got Dotty’s call.”

  “What did she say to you?”

  “She told me you’d been kidnapped by a man at the Martinez Mansion and that you were going to blow the place up if I didn’t get there as soon as possible.” It was his turn to pause. “Of course, in hindsight, she may have exaggerated to get what she wanted.”

  “Yeah,” I said slowly. “She might be the quiet one, but she’s still a Thorn.”

  He chuckled quietly. “Anyway, we’ll have her testimony as the only Seer in Haven Lake, plus yours and Cameron’s. We’re lucky that you’re a Thorn and he’s the alpha’s son—that should be enough, because I don’t think Judge Hawthorne will take Aristotle’s word as fact.”

  “Nobody should take it as fact,” Snow muttered out of the corner of her mouth. “Stupid flying mouse.”

  “He saved my life,” I reminded her.

  “Only because I couldn’t,” she replied grumpily. “Now scratch under my ears, witch. And I still don’t like that policeman.”

  “The feeling is mutual, Snow.” Dax glanced at her, smiling wryly. “Avery, I mean it. I’m really glad you’re okay. I—”

  The library door opened, and Aunt Shelly gripped the edge of it. “Sorry to interrupt, but Lorenzo Martinez is here to see you, Avery. If you’re done here and you’re up to it, of course.”

  I shared a glance with Dax. “Of course.”

  Lorenzo stepped past my aunt when she moved to the side. He was dressed impeccably in a crisp, light blue shirt tucked into white pants.

  I was jealous.

  I could barely wear a white shirt, never mind pants. That was asking to spill something on myself.

  “Mr. Martinez, what a surprise.” I moved to stand, but he held up two hands.

  “Please, Miss Thorn, not on my account. You stay right where you are. I hope I’m not interrupting, Detective?” He turned his attention to Dax.

  “Not at all, sir. We’re just talking. Can I pour you some water?” Dax asked.

  “I won’t be staying long. I’m just here to speak with Miss Thorn for a moment.”

  “Will you sit, Mr. Martinez?” I motioned to the empty sofa.

  He sat. “Thank you. How are you feeling?”

  “Tired, but otherwise okay. My aunts made a great, if disgusting, tonic to clear the poison from my body.”

  Lorenzo nodded. “They sent some to my house for Cameron, also. I must remember to thank them on my way out. They’re very talented.”

  I nodded my agreement.

  “Anyway, I wanted to thank you.” He turned his black eyes on me. “You saved my son’s life through your courage and skill. Without you, I have no doubt that Cameron wouldn’t be here today.”

  Heat rushed to my cheeks. “I wouldn’t say it was bravery or skill. More a moment of winging it that worked.”

  “Call it what you want.” Lorenzo clasped his fingers. “But you saved my son’s life, and I am in your debt.”

  I sat up straight, and even Snow woke up and jerked her head up. “You’re in my debt?” I asked. “You don’t even like me.”

  “I don’t,” he confirmed. “But that doesn’t change what you did and what that means to me. Therefore, I, and my pack, are in your debt, Miss Thorn.”

  I swallowed and paused stroking Snow to fiddle with the edge of the thin blanket that covered my legs. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

  Lorenzo nodded. “I’ll take my leave of you now and let you get back to business.” He stood and, after a few steps, stopped and turned. His dark eyes met mine with a wry smile. “One more thing. Let it be known that I do not approve of this message, Miss Thorn. My son asked me to tell you that he owes you d
inner for saving his life.”

  I bit the inside of my cheek and smiled. “Please tell Cameron thank you.”

  “I will.” He inclined his head and left, pulling the library door shut behind him.

  He left silence behind him. Until Snow put her head back down and nudged it against my hand, demanding I give her attention again. She broke that silence with her loud purring.

  “Dinner with Cameron, huh?” Dax finally said. “You could do worse.”

  I peered at him through my lashes—and not in a sexy way. “I saved his life. It’s as friends. He’s a nice guy, but he’s the future alpha. I’m pretty sure Lorenzo would hire a hit on me before I was ever able to date his son.”

  Dax smiled. “I should go, too. I need to get your statement on file. Are you sure you’re doing okay?”

  “I’m fine!” I laughed. “I promise. Thank you for checking on me.”

  “Well, I came to take your statement, but if you think I was checking on you…”

  “Don’t make me curse you again, Sanders.”

  He held up his hands. “Calm yourself, Thorn. No cursing needed today.” Dax stood and took a step toward me. “If you need anything…”

  “I have five crazy witches, a ten-year-old, a ghost, six cats, a bird, and a bat.” I smirked. “But you got it.”

  His laughter was deep and rich and gave me an unwelcome shiver that felt way too good. “Sounds good.” He bent forward and scratched the top of Snow’s head, making her hiss. “See ya, cat.”

  She hissed again. “Don’t make me pee on your backseat again!” she shouted after him as he strolled out of the library. “I don’t like that man,” she reiterated.

  “Neither do I,” I replied.

  “Really?” Snow tilted her face back. “Tell your smile that.”

  I scowled at her. “Do you want sushi for dinner or not?”

  “Meow.”

  RECKLESS MAGIC

  (Haven Lake Mysteries, Book Two)

  Haven Lake’s famous summer festival is here—and so is another dead body.

  Two months after solving the murder of the Head of the Witch Council and almost dying in the process, Avery Thorn has re-settled into life in Haven Lake.

  Snow is still ornery, Aristotle is still playing Scrabble in the attic with Lady Barnacles every night, and Grandma Cherry is threatening to cross over if her binding spell isn’t lifted.

  As the new historical tour guide for the influx of visiting paranormals, Avery doesn’t have the time to worry about her ghostly grandmother. She has enough on her hands between the grumpy Detective Dax Sanders, her new friendship with future werewolf alpha Cameron Martinez, and one persistent elf who won’t let her get out of a dinner date.

  Until she finds a dead body in the cemetery on the first night of the festival.

  A dead body that isn’t supposed to be there—and it belongs to the visiting werewolf alpha’s daughter.

  With the town on lockdown, Avery knows it’s only a matter of time before the pack from Haven Bay get involved and things go crazy. Between her, Nicole, and Dotty, they have to get to the bottom of this as quickly and easily as possible.

  But where the Thorn witches go, havoc is sure to follow…

  COMING SOON…

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  About Evie Hart

  Evie Hart is the paranormal cozy mystery-writing alter-ego of New York Times bestselling author, Emma Hart. She resides in North Wales and has a minor obsession with serial killers and all things witchy.

  You can connect with Evie on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and on her website at www.authoreviehart.com, where you’ll find her newsletter to make sure you don’t miss a book release.

  Books by Evie Hart

  Haven Lake Mysteries:

  Dangerous Magic

  Reckless Magic (coming Summer/Fall 2019)

  Freaky Magic (coming late 2019/early 2020)