by Cate Dean
Max claimed the right side of the bed, so she took the other side, and slid under the covers.
“Good night, old man,” she mumbled, her eyes already closing.
Just before she fell asleep, she whispered an old earth spell. One that protected all those who wandered the dreamscape.
Three
Harrison compiled the day’s to-do list in his head as he carefully made his way across the dim shop.
He enjoyed the mental challenge, and focusing helped with his inherent clumsiness. His foot caught on the edge of a Persian rug, and he cursed under his breath, catching the closest shelf. Some days it worked better than others.
Tomorrow was the anniversary of his injury, and his ability to trip over nothing seemed to accelerate in the days leading up to it.
With a sigh, he gave up on the list, rubbing his right shoulder as he leaned against the shelf. After last night’s dream, it ached more than usual. Almost as if he had really been there, fighting to reach the witch, fighting against an invisible wall—
“Enough,” he muttered. It had been a dream, nothing more. He had enough to deal with today; there was no need to add an imaginary woman to the list. No matter how much he had been drawn to her. “No point in dwelling. About last night—or the past.” No amount of self-pity would change the fact, that as a wolf shifter, he couldn’t shift. Not since a rival had shoved a silver knife into his shoulder mid shift—
“Not today, Harry.” He pushed off the shelf, determined to push away the depression that always gripped him this time of year. “Today is going to be a good day.”
He could wallow tomorrow. Today, he was going to sell customers tokens of their time in Nocturne Falls, and enjoy every minute, no matter how exhausting.
He strode to the high front counter, proud that he made it without his foot finding some invisible obstacle, and opened the antique cash register.
The loud ding made him smile; visitors loved the tall, gilded machine, and more than one child had stood on the tall stool he kept under the counter, ringing up their own sale.
His heart ached every time he saw a happy family, knowing that children would never be part of his own future. No female shifter would have him, and since all the locals knew about his disability, he felt uncomfortable dating any eligible female. The few times he had tried ended miserably.
Human women were not even a possibility. How would he explain his injury, without revealing what he was?
With an effort, he pushed the image aside, and counted out the till. Just for today, he was going to enjoy every customer, every experience.
Even if it killed him.
~ * ~
Long streaks of sunlight striped the bed when Lidia woke the second time.
She sat, blinking the room into focus. “What time is it? Better question,” she muttered, reaching for her phone. “What day is it?”
The date startled her. After her nightmare, she’d slept through the rest of the night, and most of her first full day here. Her growling stomach confirmed the fact.
Max had joined her at some point, and opened one eye when she poked him.
“Get up, lazy bones. Time to explore our new home.” She stretched, feeling refreshed, and ready to wander the town. “Halloween every day—what a fun way to attract tourists.” Never mind that it allowed anyone with supernatural tendencies to hide in plain sight.
She headed downstairs, and found her single suitcase in the hallway. Elias must’ve brought it inside for her.
“I’ll have to cook him a thank you dinner.”
Lidia may be losing her magic, but she hadn’t lost her skills in the kitchen.
“Max!” She opened the suitcase, grabbed a fresh set of clothes and a towel. “You have ten minutes, or I leave you behind.”
An irritated yowl answered her, and she smiled as she bounded up the stairs. A quick shower would be just the thing to refresh her.
She was thankful now for the impulsive decision to cut her bright red hair from hip length to just past her shoulders. Ned had coveted it, which made the decision to cut easy.
Instead of spending hours waiting for her thick hair to dry, now she could throw it into a ponytail or bun and go. The sense of freedom was heady, after spending most of her life pampering her hair.
She wished she could have seen Ned’s face when he’d heard about the drastic change. He couldn’t have even gotten a lock for himself; she had the salon donate her hair to a local charity.
Every thought flew out of her head when she got her first glimpse of the master bathroom. It had been completely remodeled, and looked like it belonged in a hotel, or spa.
“Wow,” she whispered. She moved to the long, white marble counter. It had double sinks, with a mirror framed in bleached wood hanging over each one. The slate floor was warm under her feet, and she spotted the controls on the wall. “Heated floors, Max. We hit the jackpot.”
She set her clothes on the toilet, and stripped down, staring at the shower that took up the far wall. It had three showerheads that she could see, and when she stepped inside, she found two more, on each wall.
“This is going to be the best shower of my life.”
After a fast, but luxurious shower, she dried off and got dressed. Wrapping her hair in the towel, she strode into the bedroom, stopping next to the bed.
“Max.” She looked down at him, hands on her hips. “Are you getting up, or do I have to tickle you out of that bed?”
Max opened one eye, managing to glare at her while he yawned and stretched at the same time.
“I’ll take that as a no. Your loss.”
She pulled the towel off her head, and ran one hand through her hair. The damp strands felt good brushing against her neck, so she decided to leave it down and let it air dry.
“Last chance, old man. Coming or no?”
When Max burrowed his face into the pillow, she smiled and walked out of the bedroom. After a quick stop in the kitchen, to leave fresh water and food for Max, she grabbed one of the apples she’d lived on while driving, and headed out, excited to see her new home town.
Cauldron Lane led right into the center of town. It was a short, eye-opening walk, and gave her a preview of what to expect when she hit the main street.
People flocked past her, most of them dressed in outlandish costumes. Kids were everywhere, trick-or-treating at the businesses on both sides of the street. The businesses themselves had the most fun, crazy names, some of the buildings tilted at odd angles. She decided it would be fun to make a list of the more outrageous names as she walked through town.
First, before she gave in to her need to explore her new home, she had a stop to make.
She pulled the directions up on her phone, and oriented herself. Willa Iscove’s jewelry store, Illusions, was a few blocks away. Taking a deep breath, Lidia started walking. The sooner she faced the fae who might be able to help her, the sooner she would know if that was even a possibility.
Her walk ended too soon. Before she knew it, she had turned down Jack O’Lantern Lane, and stood in front of the pretty jewelry store. She hesitated, rubbing her rose quartz to help calm her nerves. Finally, she squared her shoulders, took in a shaky breath, and walked inside.
A tall, beautiful woman looked up, smiling as Lidia approached her. “Good afternoon, and welcome to Illusions. How can I help you?”
“I—” Lidia cleared her throat, her heart racing. She had placed all her hope on this one meeting, and now that she was here, she didn’t want to let go of that hope. “My name is Lidia Reston. I just moved here, and I—I need to order some custom jewelry.”
“Of course.” The woman moved around the counter, almost gliding as she walked over to Lidia. “I’m Willa.” A frown marred her forehead. “Lidia—you’re the witch whose power is fading.”
Lidia sighed, not surprised that Willa knew. Like Elias had told her, news traveled fast in small towns.
“That’s me.”
“Let’s go in my office
and talk about what you need. Ramona, watch the store.”
A pretty woman with an explosion of brown curls smiled, waving at her. “Take your time, boss. I’ll hold down the fort.”
“Just don’t offer a discount to everyone who walks in.” Willa shook her head as she led Lidia through the store. “Brownies,” she muttered.
Shock had Lidia staring at Ramona. “Brownie?”
“Your first?” She smiled when Lidia nodded. “Get used to it. You won’t find a bigger variety of supernaturals anywhere else.” They walked into an office, and Willa pointed at a chair. “Make yourself comfortable, and start when you’re ready.”
Lidia sat, watched Willa sit in the chair in front of the desk, and took a shaky breath.
“My magic started fading about a month ago.” Just saying it helped ease the burden on her heart. A burden she didn’t know she was carrying around, until it lessened. “I don’t know how, or why. Every witch I knew in California checked me out, and all they could find was the echo of what might be a spell. A spell they’d never seen before.”
“I see.” Willa picked up a notebook and pen, and flipped open the notebook, writing as she talked. “And do you know any witch who might have a grudge against you?”
Lidia shook her head. “I broke up with my boyfriend, but he doesn’t have any power. He didn’t even care I was a witch. Not at first.”
“Then what happened?”
“He claimed that what he always referred to as my little hobby was coming between us, about a month before I...” Pieces fell into place, the final picture shocking Lidia. “My magic started fading not long after he—it can’t be.” She pushed away the memory of the nightmare. It had been a dream. A terrifying dream, but just a dream.
“Humans can always surprise.” Willa leaned over and touched her hand. “Especially if they think they’re being neglected.”
“But—none of my friends could find the source, or a reason.”
“Just the echo of a spell.” Willa wrote something down, then looked at Lidia. “You need to face this man, find out if he’s behind your loss. Until then, I can help enhance what you have, and maybe put up a block between your magic and whatever’s draining it.”
“I—thank you.” It was so much more than she had hoped for.
“No guarantees, Lidia. Whatever was cast on you smells like ancient magic, which is tricky, and will get nasty with any attempt to block it.”
“I understand.”
“For the jewelry, I’ll need something personal, something important to you. It has to be an item that will be difficult for you to give up. Something of deep, personal value.”
Lidia nodded, and rubbed her crystal heart one last time before she slipped the chain over her head and laid the pendant in Willa’s open palm.
“This has been my focus, since I started practicing.”
Nodding, Willa closed her fingers over the pendant. “It will do nicely. I can have the piece ready in a week. Any preference on what type of jewelry?”
“I would prefer a ring. Something that can’t be easily removed.”
“Got it.” Willa made a note and stood. “All I need is a contact number, and I’ll get started.”
“What about payment?”
“We can take work that out once I’m done. I won’t know the cost until then. Do you have an upper limit?”
“I’d like to keep it under a thousand dollars, if possible.”
“I can do that.” After another quick note, Willa tucked the notebook under her arm and held out her hand. “You’ll be protected here. We take care of each other,” she touched Lidia’s shoulder, and a sense of calm flowed through Lidia. “If you learn anything else, let me know. If you can’t get in touch with me, our sheriff, Hank Merrow, can pass on any message.”
“Okay.” She wasn’t used to people rallying around her, much less strangers in a town she had lived in for less than two days. “Thank you.”
Willa smiled, and rubbed her shoulder. “Don’t worry—you’ll get used to it. You might even like having people who understand at your back.”
Lidia raised her eyebrows. “You must have friends in California.” The witches she knew rarely stood up for each other. Too much competition.
“I know a few witches. They all spoke highly of you. Especially Pandora.”
Lidia stared at her. “My realtor is a witch?”
“Right—you never met her. She wouldn’t have sold an enchanted house to just anyone.” Willa studied her. “You did know it’s enchanted.”
The glamour. “Yeah.” Just how enchanted was something she’d have to find out. “Thank you, for taking this on at the last minute.”
“I like a challenge, and I want to help you, Lidia. Remember—you’re not alone anymore.”
Tears stung her eyes, and she nodded, walking out before she ugly cried all over Willa.
People here knew about her, about her—issue. People she hadn’t even met yet. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that.
She took a shaky breath, blinking back her tears.
“A step at a time,” she muttered. “Let’s start by finding someplace to eat.”
She started walking down the street, and smiled at the poster she saw every few feet. It hung in store windows, and was also plastered to the side of the bus that trundled by.
Let Dr. McGuire ease all your pains!
A photo of a smiling man in a doctor’s coat accompanied the claim. He looked kind, and trustworthy. She made a mental note of him, and kept walking, drawn in again by the costumed tourists, and the groups of shouting, laughing kids. Just like the other streets, this one had fun, whimsically named stores.
The Hair Scare made her smile, and she laughed out loud when she saw kids walking out of I Scream, with huge ice cream cones tilting sideways in their hands. On another street, she saw Mummy’s Diner, chuckling as she read the tagline out loud.
“Our food is to die for. That’s definitely going on the must try list.” She was still smiling when she turned around, and another sign caught her eye.
The Grey Wolf was probably the most subdued and normal store name she’d seen so far, but it drew her across the street, until she stood in front of the huge picture window.
She studied the display. Everything from cute stuffed wolf cubs to huge cauldrons filled the space, all of them sitting on a swath of rich, midnight blue velvet.
When she spotted the baskets of crystals, she knew she had to go inside and check them out.
A family crowded the front of the door, the two small boys arguing with their parents. Lidia stood back and enjoyed the scene, silently siding with the boys. Who wouldn’t want a life-size stuffed wolf for their bed?
She saw movement on the other side of the glass front door, and wondered if the owner was going to come out and help settle the argument. Her heart skipped at the thought of meeting another supernatural; what would it be this time? A shifter? A witch? She held her breath as the door opened. It looked like she was about to find out.
~ * ~
Harrison had spent the day waiting on the constant influx of customers, happy for the distraction. Now, with sunset coming, the crowds had thinned, and he had too much time to himself. Too much time to think.
Loud voices just outside pulled him out of his dark thoughts. He headed to the door, a smile tugging at his mouth when he heard the young male voices begging for their own stuffed wolf. It wasn’t the first time his display had prompted just such a tearful plea.
Determined to remain neutral, even though he already sided with the two boys, he opened the door—and promptly tripped over the threshold he had crossed thousands of times.
He fell, landing right side first on the sidewalk. His shoulder screamed at the impact, but he was too distracted by the pair of small red ballet flats in front of him to pay attention.
“Are you okay?”
The soft, husky voice warned him a second before its owner crouched down. The voice also sounded familiar—whic
h meant he had tumbled in front of a local. Again.
Harrison was mortified, and wanted to be anywhere but here at this moment. He started to push himself up, but his right arm finally caught his attention by buckling under him.
“Whoa—I’ve got you.” Her slim hands gripped his left arm, surprisingly strong as she helped him sit, and leaned him against the brick storefront. “Can I get someone for you?”
“I’m fine,” he whispered. He knew he didn’t sound fine—far from it—but it might make her go away. He was embarrassed enough without a strange woman witnessing his latest trip and fall.
“At least let me help you inside.” He nodded, and gathered the courage to look up at her.
Everything in him stilled when he met her clear grey eyes.
She was the witch from his dream.
He was as drawn to her, in the clear light of day, as he had been in the dream. Her vivid red hair was short now, just brushing her shoulders. He found that he liked it better than the long, wild strands she had fought to keep free of the malevolent plants.
Normally, he walked away when he had embarrassed himself in front of someone. But she pulled at him, and he wanted to get closer, touch what looked like soft skin—
Stop. She is not for you.
She was a witch. That alone made her off limits for him. Witches could see too much, especially when he had so much to hide.
Her power is gone—she will not see more than you want—
He frowned as his dream started to leak into reality. There were cracks in her power, as there had been in the dream. She managed to hide her loss behind the façade of concern.
No—it wasn’t a façade. She really was worried about him.
“Can you stand on your own?”
Harrison nodded, and proved it by pushing to his feet, using the wall behind him as a support. The arguing family had moved on after his spectacular tumble, obviously embarrassed for him. She didn’t seem the least bit embarrassed; instead, all he sensed from her, all he saw, was concern. And maybe a little amusement in those beautiful eyes.
He found that he didn’t mind that amusement, not from her.