"Can I help you find something?" A soft voice from the front of the chapel interrupted us. A scrape of matches was followed by the flicker of a large candle.
I would be hidden if I ducked down, but White Feather had hardly been standing down there on a chair talking to himself. "I lost my wig." It was the only thing I could think of to say. I was so desperate, I didn't even care who had found us.
"Ah." Feet shuffled. The light disappeared, and there was the soft click of a door.
With a gulp, I climbed the railing. "White Feather?"
He reached for my ankles, easing me down. I didn't try for his shoulders and in any case, he wouldn't have let me.
I slid down the length of him, my toes barely touching the edge of the chair. "Okay?" he whispered.
"Who was that?"
It wasn't White Feather who answered. "I'm Brother Scott. I believe this is what you are looking for?"
I nearly leapt off the chair.
White Feather eased me to the floor.
After scant hesitation, I met Brother Scott halfway. He didn't try to keep the wig from me.
I held it to my face and breathed in. Mine. It was definitely mine, blood and all. "Thank you. Thank you for keeping it safe."
"This obviously isn't your first trip to the loft. Do the two of you make it a habit of meeting up there?" There may have been some disapproval in his voice.
White Feather spread his hands. "Not me, sir. I'm just helping a lady in distress."
"I was by myself," I agreed.
Brother Scott titled his head, the candle still held high. "I see."
It was clear that he didn't. "I was hiding in the church because I wanted to leave a message after closing. Only I hit my head and injured myself so I didn't immediately realize I'd left the wig. I needed it back."
He waited. I looked down at the floor.
Brother Scott sighed. "I suppose it is a long story."
I squirmed, nodding frantically. "It's a very long story. We needed a safe place to meet." I stopped. "Not for that reason."
"It's a very long story," White Feather inserted. "She was worried about the wig because a rogue witch was after her."
I winced.
Brother Scott blinked. "I see."
I was fairly certain that he did not. He smiled anyway. "I trust you will not need to worry about the witch anymore."
We both nodded.
Brother Scott lowered the candle. "I trust you will put the chair back and can show yourselves out?"
We nodded again, enthusiastically.
"Peace be with you then." He sounded vaguely regretful. When he said those words, my feet, bare of shoes, felt a beat of energy through the church's wooden floors. It was like water running through me, clear, fresh and wonderful.
White Feather replaced the chair where we had found it. He grabbed my hand, and we scampered back outside into the night.
I couldn't help but giggle as we raced across the church courtyard.
He squeezed my fingers. "Shh. He could have called the police."
"Thanks for helping me."
His laugh started small, but it got deeper. He put his hand around my waist and pulled me around, sweeping my feet off the cobblestones. When he put me back down, he leaned close and kissed me in the moonlight.
It was pure magic.
The sequel to this novel: Under Witch Aura is now available.
Acknowledgments
To Grammy and Mom for their love of gardening and respect for spiders. To my other Grandma for her love of herbs and for teaching me. Turns out, I needed all three of you to be a complete person. To Dad for his love of the earth and the heritage that is always a part of me.
A special thank you to Cinderspark, a fairy who flew by with encouragement and suggestions when I needed it. Even though LeAnn didn't do the editing on this particular book, her wisdom still shows in places--thankfully. Irene, I owe you one. To Deb Wentz for patience and fabulous artwork. To the folks at Baen's bar, especially Paula Goodlett, who plucked the first chapter of this story out of the slush because she saw a worthwhile glimmer. To Meredith, because you believed, and you had good suggestions as well.
To my husband--who keeps the magic alive.
Other Works
Most of my other works are cozy mysteries. Some contain magic, such as the anthologies: Tracking Magic (Max Killian Investigations) and Sage (Tales from a Magical Kingdom). The Sedona O'Hala series (Executive Lunch, Executive Retention, Executive Sick Days) is a series of contemporary cozy mysteries: Sedona must solve a few crimes while fighting her way up the corporate ladder; mostly she dangles from her fingertips, just trying to survive. Catch an Honest Thief is a stand alone mystery, combining a stealthy caper in the New Mexico desert with high-tech gadgets. Alexia must try to save her career--and her life.
My Amazon Author Page
To find out what I'm currently up to, visit me at: BearMountainBooks
Under Witch Moon (Moon Shadow Series) Page 28