by Ava Glass
I call Gavin on the phone. “Impromptu exorcism. Bring everything.”
Gods, I hope he has the energy to do this.
Gavin’s eyes widen at the sight of the Cobbolds. “What did you do?”
“Put them to sleep with an experimental sleep potion.”
“Huh.” He studies them aghast. Eventually, he shifts his attention to me. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.”
Gavin gets to work setting up the exorcism ritual. His energy is low, so I help wherever I can.
“Spirits of Violet and Edward Cobbold, leave this realm.” Gavin’s tone is commanding despite his weakened state.
James and Audrey sit up. Their eyes are filled with a rage that is not their own. “Leave us,” Audrey/Violet says. “We have decided to not destroy this house. We will rule it instead. We will live.”
“You can’t have those bodies, and you’re trapped in this circle. Just move on. I don’t know what awaits you on the other side, but you can be together there. There is nothing for you here.”
“There is the house,” James/Edward says. “This house will be ours. There will be satisfaction for what was done.”
“Edward,” I ask, “you were killed in a duel, yes?”
“I fought for my mate’s honor.”
“You’re in James Cobbold’s head. You will find that he is mortified at how his ancestors treated Violet.”
“Times have changed,” Gavin says. “People have changed.”
That’s true. I shouldn’t have assumed James and Audrey would look down at my heritage.
“I am a warlock. If you leave in peace, I will marry this shifter woman here at Moorwolf Hall. Justice will be done in a way—penance paid.”
James/Edward’s head lolls eerily from side to side as he considers Gavin’s proposal.
“Violet,” I say, “you know this warlock is my mate. We are bonded. The present master and mistress will put right what was done.” Probably in that wedding barn they want to build. Who knows how long that will take. It will definitely give us plenty of time for pints and coffee. “Please, take your Edward and be together forever.”
They look at one another. Moments pass. James and Audrey crumple to the ground again.
I sense Violet and Edward move on. I just smile at Gavin, who nods his understanding. Relief radiates through his exhaustion. He backs up against a bannister post and slides to the floor, hitting it with an unceremonious flop. “I’m going to need a nap or five.” His eyes flutter shut, as if he took some of the sleeping potion himself.
I can’t help but laugh.
James and Audrey groan. I help them both to a sitting position. “Your problem is taken care of, Mr. and Mrs. Cobbold.”
“What was all that about a wedding?” Audrey asks.
“Ah. You heard all that?” I check on Gavin propped against the bannister. He’s snoring softly. “Yeah. Agent Brewer—Gavin. He’s my mate.”
I grin the biggest damn smile ever.
Chapter 7
It isn’t difficult for two alphas and one quarter shifter to help an exhausted warlock to bed. I alert The Agency that the situation has been neutralized, but that Agent Brewer needs some recovery time. The Cobbolds are more than happy to provide a bed, not to mention their section of moor. It’s like we’re their first bed-and-breakfast guests.
I spend some time in the Cobbolds’ ginormous kitchen while Gavin rests. Over a bottle of Albariño wine, we discuss shifters—both here and back home. They have some customs for fated mates when they discover each other. It’s sweet.
Eventually, I head to our room to check on Gavin. I sit next to him on the bed. He eyes me groggily. “My wolf girl.”
I take off my shoes and lie next to him. I luxuriate in the ability to get our smells all over the sheets.
He wraps his arms around me. His skin is warm under the blankets and sheets. His heart beats steadily against my chest.
Our lips meet. We spend a long time just kissing. Our hands only explore each other’s hair. I can sense he still needs more rest, so I roll over and spoon against him, fully clothed.
We have so much time now. Time for all the normal things. Time to just be together.
I sense Gavin drift back to sleep. I soon follow.
Epilogue
Gavin and I helped Harry, the little boy, and Maggie, the young maid, move on. It was the least we could do after they helped us. House now empty of ghosts, the Cobbolds decided to market their hideaway to the paranormal community, with the restriction of no shifting. There is more to the paranormal community than shifters, so they still get plenty of business, especially among witches and warlocks. Who’d have thought? Times change, don’t they?
Music starts. Gavin extends a hand. I take it. We step onto a dance floor for our first dance. Moorwolf’s new wedding facilities are gorgeous. Our parents beam at us. I hope our bargain with Violet and Edward is fulfilled, and that they are at peace wherever they are.
For now, we will live in Portland. Gavin’s been tinkering with the wards protecting our house there. Eventually, we will try to find a smaller town or village with a strong paranormal community. It just needs to have a portal to HQ so we can commute to work.
Fate, I know the blind date you set us up on was awkward as hell, but I understand now that you knew what you were doing. My warlock is wonderful. He’s my everything.
Thanks, Fate.
THE END
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Arcane Affairs Agency Series
Arcane Affairs Agency is a series of standalone books written by the hottest authors in the Paranormal Romance genre. Starting October 5, 2016, there will be one release every week. To learn more about the series and the authors, please visit the OFFICIAL WEBSITE.
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More Books in the Arcane Affairs Agency Series:
Bear Enchantment, by Cecilia Lane
Coming October 12, 2016
A man of action, Agent Chase Parker is well-acquainted with impossible odds. So when he’s ordered to take a vacation after a long year of undercover work, the bear shifter grits his teeth and prepares to endure the peaceful mountain resort. He never anticipates to find his mate is not only a witch, but a criminal as well.
The last of her coven, Ariadne Wren firmly blames her sister’s disappearance and her mother’s shocked state on the shoulders of shifters. When one shows up and requests the special cabin, she knows she must do whatever it takes to secure her mountain home from any more of his kind.
When her magic gets out of control and demons appear, it’s up to Ari and Chase to stop the threat before it leaves the mountain. As the two battle through the obstacles put in their place, they can’t deny the attraction melding them together. Will they be able to set aside their prejudices if they survive the demonic attack?
Fated to the Warlock, by Ava Glass
Coming October 19, 2016
Agent Renee Lowe’s mission is simple: banish a troublesome ghost. This should be a slam-dunk, but the owners of Moorwolf Hall are holding back the truth about this powerful spirit. What’s worse is she cannot stop thinking about her temporary warlock partner – a warlock suddenly too distracted to cast spells. Is his problem her fault? Renee is only a quarter-shifter. This warlock, Gavin, cannot be her fated mate, can he? Is her sense not working right? Is she prepared if it is?
Bear My Soul, by Sophia Barron
Coming October 26, 2016
When Michaela’s sister, Sam, shows up with her boys in tow asking to spend the weekend, Michaela is more than happy to have company. The weekend rapidly become
s a week and then some after Sam vanishes without a trace. Michaela calls the Arcane Affairs Agency for help and gets more help than she bargains for in Special Agent Devlin Quinn.
Can Michaela and Devlin keep the boys safe and save Sam from herself without falling for each other? Because falling for a shifter spells disaster for witches in general, and Michaela in particular…