A Witch's Fate: Witches of Lane County

by Jody A. Kessler

  Tori held the flame in front of her pursed lips, and she blew gently on the fire. When she performed her magic, he almost believed in all things make-believe including her self-proclaimed witchcraft. As soon as he left her side, his skepticism would resurface, and his logical mind would refute everything he witnessed. He trusted science, not mysticism. Spending time with Tori made him contemplate just how far science still had to go to be able to explain her feats of “magic.” She was changing him. He didn’t know if he was willing to get burned in the process.

  Tori reached forward and slid open the ashtray built into his dash. She tilted her palm over it, and the tiny ball of flame rolled into the ashtray and glowed. Warmth radiated from the fire and spread throughout the cab.

  “Now you’re setting my truck on fire?” He reached over to push the ashtray closed.

  “Don’t do that. And, no, I’m not setting anything on fire.” She batted his hand away. “Give it a minute, and we’ll be dry and warm.”

  Leif swallowed and stared at the burning dashboard dubiously. “I need to leave now. Get out.”

  “No. Why did you follow me here?”

  “What are you doing here? You accused me of suicidal tendencies, but in my experience, the person who smelt it dealt it.”

  The flat expression on her face wavered for only a second. Okay, so it wasn’t the most refined way of saying it. She brought up the word “suicide,” so it was her issue, not his. But at the moment, it was all he had. This night wasn’t turning out the way he’d imagined.

  “I wasn’t looking to jump if that’s what you’re insinuating.”

  “Some people can’t live with themselves after they’ve committed a heinous crime.”

  “We’re not back to that again, are we?” She placed a hand on the door handle as if ready to step back out into the rain.

  “If you would tell me what happened between you and Weston we could put a lot of this to bed right now.” Bed. The word stood out like a neon stop sign. Their night together at the North Star Lodge had been the stopping point on the progress of Delana’s case. At least, that’s how he saw things. He’d been seduced by Tori and put the case aside for one detrimental night.

  “You asked me why I’m here at the Coastal Rim Overlook. There are two reasons. One, I needed time alone to think. And two, I’m watching out for my cousin.”

  “Your cousin?”

  “It doesn’t matter now. Aspen’s fine.” Tori hesitated and peered out the windshield. There was nothing to see other than streaks of rain on the glass and the occasional flash of lightning. “I think she’s fine.” She shook her head as if dispelling unpleasant thoughts and turned in the seat to face him. “I have an idea that may put your doubt about my innocence ‘to bed.’ To use your own words.”

  The minuscule sparkle in her eye when she said the word “bed” back to him, didn’t escape his notice. Damn her. How did she still pique his interest even when he was boiling mad at her? He was coming to the realization that just because her eyes sparkled at him, it did not mean there was anything insinuating or teasing attached. Leif slid his gaze away from Tori’s and placed both hands on the steering wheel. He wavered, so close to cutting ties with her that his fingers twitched to start the motor.

  “You’ll find out exactly what happened to Delana if you choose to take me up on my offer. I wanted to tell you at your office, but you had your own agenda.”

  “Why won’t you just tell me everything right now? Right here. If you have nothing to hide, just say it.”

  “I’m not hiding anything. I could tell you, but it would only be my words against what you think you know.”

  “And those words aren’t strong enough to convince me,” he stated instead of questioned. Leif chanced a look across the cab and saw Tori staring straight ahead as well. There was no pleading or begging for him to understand or agree, only a distant look in her eyes and a sadness lingering on the corners of those full lips.

  “The proof you need can only be seen with your own eyes. I’ve been brewing up this idea since I talked to Weston. You have to see the truth for yourself. If I told you what happened, you would always have doubts. You don’t trust women, and you don’t have any reason to trust me yet. We’re practically strangers, but I know you like concrete evidence, and I can give it to you.”

  “Why are you offering this now? I accused you of murder, and you didn’t say anything about this supposed proof.”

  “Well, excuse me for being thrown off balance when the man I have feelings for thinks I killed my dearest friend—and my father. Then you tell me, you think I didn’t do it and throw me for a loop again.”

  Silence surrounded them, heavy as a dense fog. Leif absorbed her words and chewed on them before answering. She interrupted before he moved on to the other reason he drove all the way to Lane County to find her.

  “I needed to confirm the details before offering you a chance to witness this for yourself. Not all magic and spells can be conjured on a whim, damn it. Transition time and the heavenly bodies have to be in alignment. The weather can make all the difference. You don’t know anything about anything! Not to mention my freaking freaky-ass stalker who is trying to kill me! Do you have any idea what happened when I returned to my loft? No. You don’t. You were too busy trying to convince yourself I’m the bad guy in all this—”

  “Tori,” He wanted to slap a hand over her mouth to stop the rising hysterics. Instead, he calmly interrupted by saying her name. “I'm sure you had nothing to do with your father’s death. I’m sorry I ever brought it up.”

  Tori clamped her lips shut and turned in the seat. Her eyes destroyed him. The fire and outrage in her voice didn’t hold a candle to the level of despair in those pale green irises. He knew deep in his soul that she didn’t have any part of Delana Smootz’s death. But proving her innocence was something else entirely. He couldn’t tell her Breck had yet to remove her from his list of suspects.

  “You can’t trust me because of what happened with Brittany. You’re not the only one who has done their homework. I Googled you and found all the news articles. Brittany messed up your career, but I think she shattered other parts of your life including your heart.”

  Leif stared into his lap for a brief introspective moment. It didn’t take him long to regroup. He’d had over two years to dissect every detail of his predicament with Three Falls PD and his ex-girlfriend. “Brittany was a mistake that I’ll never make again. She slept with my boss behind my back. She convinced him I was working undercover for a drug ring run by her brother. She used me, broke into my computer, and abused the system. The very system I believed in, trained for, swore to uphold. Everything she did taught me that I can’t trust someone who shares my bed.”

  “And you took the blame for your police chief,” Tori said.

  Tension rippled over his back and shoulders. The mini fire in the ashtray waivered and then burned steadily again. “I didn’t take it willingly if that’s what you think. And it was my commanding officer, not the chief.”

  Tori sat calmly in the other seat as he told her about his history. Explaining every detail of his past wasn’t necessary, but he wanted her to understand why he overreacted and investigated her background.

  “The police chief and I decided it was best for me to resign,” he said.

  “They needed a fall guy,” Tori said.

  “She was my girlfriend, or so I thought, and it was my computer. I didn’t totally disagree with my chief. Leaving the department was best for everyone.”

  “Except you.”

  “No,” he corrected. “In the end, it was best for me as well.”

  “But your personal injuries are more damaging than the blow to your career.”

  “That didn’t matter at the time.” He didn’t disagree with her completely, but his mental and emotional wellbeing didn’t compare to the detriment and shame to the Bureau. An entire city and the people in charge of protecting that city were under scrutiny. It mattered little
that one rookie officer had his life cast aside to uphold the greater good.

  “You’re just as important as anyone else, and screw them. Especially that horrible bitch. Did she ever get any jail time? I stopped reading the articles before finding out what happened.”

  “She’s on probation now, and her brother’s in prison.”

  “I could hex her. How about a canker sore? Or an eye twitch? Horrible body odor? It doesn’t have to be permanent.”

  “Is that how a witch gets even?”

  “Believe me. These suggestions are mild,” she said.

  “You frighten me.”

  “You like it.”

  Once more, Leif couldn’t totally disagree with her observation. “When we were in the Ukraine, and you told me you spoke with Weston but wouldn’t tell me anything else, I was immediately reminded of Brittany. I can’t take back what I said or did afterward, but I wanted to tell you why I reacted the way I did.”

  “I get it, Leif. You were a jerk for all your own reasons, and I retaliated by sealing you inside your office.”

  “Sums it up. By the way, the fire department still has no reasonable explanation of why they couldn’t break through my door or the wall.”

  “How did you get out?” The smirk on her lips and the lift of one brow were equally infuriating and tantalizing.

  “Through the window. It wouldn’t open, but we were eventually able to break the glass, one chip at a time with a rock pick and a lot of persistence.”

  “Good to know the weakness of my spell. Thanks for the info.”

  “You’re not welcome.”

  Her satisfied smile warmed him on the inside. The enchanted flame did an astonishing job keeping him warm and drying out his soggy clothes while leaving the dash undamaged.

  “You totally followed me here to apologize, didn’t you?”

  “I did not follow you.”

  “The last thing I need right now is two stalkers. One is bad enough.”

  “Don’t even begin to put me in the same classification as Gerard,” he said, unamused.

  “You can’t seriously try to tell me you accidentally found me out here.”

  “It was partly coincidental. Your friend Willow called me. She worried when she couldn’t get a hold of you.”

  “My phone is off. Is she all right? What’s going on?”

  “What’s going on is, you neglected to tell me about the last attack on the two of you after you left the airport. Willow reported Gerard as the suspected perp. And Willow is just fine. I’m glad she called me.”

  “The second attack was definitely Gerard’s handiwork,” Tori said with a sigh. “He’s not taking no for an answer. I embarrassed him in front of his cronies and rejected him.”

  “I was there, remember?” he said.

  “I remember. But, Gerard’s a warlock and a shapeshifter. He won’t play by your rules.”

  “I’m glad you told me, even though I don’t believe in those things. And, Willow offered to pay me to keep an eye on you.”

  “She did not!” Tori said, affronted.

  “She did. And she has legitimate concerns. I’m not here because she hired me, Tori. I’m here because I wanted to come. Willow gave me directions on where to find you. I was headed to your mother’s house when I spotted your convertible parked at the overlook.”

  Tori glanced in the direction of the cliff. “Who knew the ground would give way when Aspen worked her magic?”

  “Was your cousin responsible for the blue glow down on the beach?”

  “You saw it?”

  “Only for a second.”

  “That was her.”

  “And you’re sure she’s okay?”

  “Her fiancé was with her. I promised not to interfere in her spellcasting. But just before I fell, it looked like she was finished. I need to check on her.”

  “I don’t think I want to know any more about it,” Leif said.

  “I couldn’t tell you anyway. It’s a secret.”

  Leif sucked in a breath and blew it out, yielding to all things out of his control. At least for now. “Are you returning to Portland anytime soon?” he asked. “Willow thinks Gerard isn’t finished.”

  “I’m staying here until I work things out in my head, and then I’m not sure what's going to happen. I have to get back to work soon. The trip to the Ukraine was already the most time I’ve ever taken for myself.”

  “Can you talk to your clients on the phone like you did when we were gone?”

  “I can, but it’s not ideal. I want to be back in my office.”

  “I understand. We’ll deal with Gerard together. Breck has been unable to serve the restraining order. He’s been M.I.A. You should go ahead and press charges against him.”

  “He won’t abide by your laws, so what’s the point?” Her hopelessness bothered him to no end.

  “I can stay on surveillance tonight if that would help. I’m already here.”

  Tori peered down at the floor and then back to his waiting expression. “That’s not necessary. He’s not stupid enough to enter my family home. Four witches, one wizard, and a handful of magical animals would tear him up in a heartbeat if he tried anything shady.”

  “You sure about that?”

  “Positive.” Tori leaned across the space between them and placed her lips on Leif’s cheek. “Thank you for looking out for me.”

  “That’s what friends do.”

  “We’re friends?”

  “I think so,” he said.

  “Friends kiss in my world.” She kept her face close. Her hand brushed against him. “Friends of the opposite sex offer a distinct benefit.”

  “Sex benefits?”

  “If both friends want it.”

  Her breath tickled his jaw. “I’ll keep it in mind.”

  “I can’t stop thinking about our time together at the resort. You’re not like any other friend I’ve ever known.” Her teeth caught his earlobe. Heated lips closed over the sensitive skin. A flick of her tongue along the edge of his ear caused the fine hairs on the back of his neck to rise.

  “Nothing is going to happen again until after you give me the proof of how Delana passed away.”

  “Fine,” she said in a heated whisper. “Just keep an open mind and try to see our world in a way that includes things you don’t understand.”

  “Your world is entirely different from mine, Tori Morgan.”

  “So it is. That doesn’t mean we can’t find a middle ground.”

  The passenger side door swung open, and she disappeared into the inky night. He saw a flash of red hair before the door closed. With her exit, the flame in the ashtray extinguished leaving him surrounded with a cloak of black. The amber fire and peach scent of her disappeared in an instant as ocean scented mist swirled through the SUV, brisk and chilled.

  Her car headlights came on just before she pulled onto the road. He followed her the remaining two miles to her historic and well-known family home located along the Oregon coastline. Tori parked in front of the imposing three-story house, which appeared both delicate and monstrous in the dark. Lost in the shadows of the stormy night, only Tori’s fiery hair could be seen in the traces of light filtering from the windows of the house. She trotted up the front steps, and Leif waited until she closed the front door before turning his SUV around and driving back to the city.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “SHE’S RESTING WELL. Jet and I are certain Aspen’s going to be fine.”

  Tori leaned in and hugged her mother tight. Somehow, she knew Aspen had survived the impromptu dive into the Pacific unscathed, or mostly okay, but hearing the words from her mom relieved any lingering doubts.

  “You’re the best healer in Lane County. If you say she’s going to be okay, she will be.” She unwrapped her arms and took a half step back.

  The surprised look on her mother’s caring face didn’t overshadow the pleasure at the unexpected embrace. “You’re not usually so emotional. Are you okay?” Ivy reached out a
nd placed a warm palm against Tori’s upper arm.

  “I think so. It’s been a rough couple of weeks. And you’re right. I am an emotional mess lately. Guess I better turn my snark button back on.”

  Her mom shook her head. “That’s not necessary. I like the hugs.”

  Tori glanced up the stairs where Aspen’s room was located on the third floor in the converted attic. “I can do hugs and snark simultaneously,” she said. “I’m going up to see her. Should I bring Aspen anything?”

  “I think she’s asleep. Rook’s upstairs with her. Jet and I are taking shifts for the night watch.”

  “Should I take a turn?” Tori asked.

  “If you can give me about two hours to mix up a new bruise balm, it would help.”

  “You got it.” Tori smiled, and it felt tired. No matter how exhausted she was, she could stay awake for two hours to let her mother mix up the healing salve. It was the least she could do given the circumstances.

  “Thanks, sweetie,” Ivy said and headed toward the kitchen.

  Tori kept her steps light as she made her way up two flights of stairs. If Aspen and Rook were asleep, she didn’t want to wake them with heavy tromping up the wood staircase.

  Aspen’s voice drifted out the bedroom door as Tori approached. She would have turned around and given them some privacy, but Aspen sounded so different. The groggy and slurred mumbling worried Tori, but the actual words coming out of her mouth kept her from retreating.

  “The curse is broken,” Aspen murmured.

  “You’re an amazing witch, my darling,” a masculine voice whispered back.

  She barely caught Rook’s reply, and his British accent was clear. The sound of his voice rippled over her skin. She was always such a sucker for an exotic accent. It was one of the things she once mistakenly thought of as sexy about Gerard. Tori tip-toed forward. The door hung open about five inches, but she couldn’t see either of them. She eavesdropped and wasn’t too proud of herself, but she didn’t stop listening. Spying on Aspen from a hundred yards away was totally different, she told herself.