A Witch's Fate: Witches of Lane County
Page 23
“He can’t get away!” Willow yelled.
A gray shadow streaked through the air and landed on the black vulture. Igor, with his oversized paws and extra claws, landed on Gerard’s back like a monstrous, furry leech. He sunk his teeth into the side of Gerard’s neck and clamped down.
The horrendous shriek that let loose from Gerard’s raspy throat raised the hairs on Tori’s body.
“Igor!” Willow yelled.
The cat and vulture were nearly even in strength. The tangle of claws vs. talons, teeth vs. beak, was a nightmare Tori had no idea how to handle. The flurry of fur and feathers frightened Tori for Igor’s safety. She clung to the knife, wanting to help, but she was deathly afraid of catching Igor with the blade.
“Stop him, Willow! He’s going to get hurt!”
“I can’t. A freezing spell, a freezing spell,” Willow murmured, but the words wouldn’t come to her.
Blood dotted and streaked the floor. An awful yowl came from Igor and Tori screamed in alarm and fear. The front door of her loft crashed open.
“Tori!” Leif yelled.
His eyes locked on hers for the briefest moment before moving to the animal attack.
Leif ran straight into the maelstrom and whisked Igor out of the fight. He turned and passed Igor into Willow’s waiting arms. She had been smart enough to run and find a blanket. The cat disappeared into the bundle still hissing and clawing.
“What is that?” Leif asked as he stared at a panting, bleeding, and scrambling creature on the floor.
“It’s Gerard,” Tori said.
Gerard struggled to remain upright. He gave up and toppled over. He kept his eyes trained on Leif, but his lids drifted closed. Seconds later, Gerard lay on her floor in human form, covered in bites and bloody scratches.
“I can’t leave you alone for a second, can I?” Leif asked Tori even though he never stopped staring at Gerard’s pathetic body.
“Next time I suggest you go home, you should probably just stay.”
“I’ll do that,” he agreed.
Chapter Nineteen
“IS THIS REALLY necessary?” Leif whispered in Tori’s ear.
The tickle of his breath caused a pleasurable frisson to pass over her ear and neck.
“Shhh…” she hushed and focused on Willow.
Her best friend held the small plain wood box in front of her, cradled close as if protecting it from the cruelty of the world.
“Igor fought bravely. He’s a hero and protector of his family. The destroyer of our enemies. His sacrifice will not be forgotten.”
Leif snorted and then coughed to cover it up. Tori informed him ahead of time of today’s importance to Willow, but she could tell Leif struggled to maintain the reverence and respect Tori thought was appropriate. In all honesty, Willow’s somber attitude and level of ceremony were a bit much.
Willow and Tori spent the entire morning decorating the roof patio as if they were attending the wake of a high priestess. Flowers, candles, and fancy feline accessories of every shape, size, and color covered the entire patio. Willow sculpted topiary from giant catnip plants and the garden sculptures twinkled with fairy lights.
Igor, the feline being honored in this unusual celebration, looked as content as ever lying on his brand new plush, heated cat bed. He was fully recovered from his injuries. Other than the reason they were gathered together, he only had a small tear in one ear to show for his heroic efforts. If Tori had a new bed as padded and warm, she would be wearing a similar expression. Eyes half closed, purrs of contentment vibrating through her. She couldn’t blame the cat at all. Willow’s devastation over Igor’s loss appeared to far outweigh the cat’s own sense of injury. But, if Willow needed closure, and this is how she would attain it, then Tori was willing to aid and abet all nonsense.
“Today we will honor Igor’s sacrifice by commending the ashes of his—” Willow faltered. Tori saw her friend clutch the wood box tighter. Willow blinked away the tears and continued. “The ashes of his severed tail will return to our Mother Earth and be transformed into a new and beautiful form of life.”
Willow turned to the raised garden bed and poured out a tiny pile of ashes into a pre-dug hole. Skyler stepped up next her mom and transferred a young Alstroemeria plant into the waiting soil. Skyler set the empty pot down and hugged her mom. She walked over to Igor and hugged her cat. The slightly strangled appearance of the embrace didn’t overshadow the sweetness of Skyler’s gesture.
“Igor is the best cat in the whole world,” she declared to the small audience in attendance. “In recognition of his heroic act,” she went on. Her young voice switched to that of someone reciting a speech. “Igor Stravens has earned this medal of honor.” Skyler draped a shiny medal on a short length of ribbon around Igor’s head. She glanced at the crowd and added proudly, “He looks like a bobcat now! He’s my fierce boy.”
Previously content to lie on his bed in a rare moment of warm Portland sunshine, Igor didn’t appear to appreciate something being placed around his neck. He lifted one of his giant paws to investigate or remove said medal. His claw immediately stuck in the ribbon. Igor struggled, and verbally complained, about the sudden awkward position until Skyler unhooked his claw from the satin.
“Thank you for coming everyone. It means a lot to me,” Willow said to her closest friends and relatives. “There is a large variety of flowers and herbs to choose from. If you want to pick something and transfer it to Igor’s garden, he would really love it. Thank you.”
Tori knew what it took for Willow to speak in front of a group. She could all but hear Willow’s pounding heart. Willow was an introverted enigma. She handled one on one with the clients in the office well, and on the computer or phone without any problem, but put her in front of a group of eyes or with someone she’d never met before and her anxiety level shot heavenward. Luckily, today’s gathering included only a few close friends, plus Breck—which thrilled Tori no end—and Willow’s immediate family members.
“Are we done?” Leif asked.
“After you plant some cat grass.” Tori smirked at the thought of Leif continuing this absurdity for Igor’s benefit.
“The cat’s going to use the garden as a litter—”
Tori cut him off. “Let’s give Igor the benefit of the doubt. And he’s a good cat. He may nibble his grass and take naps up here in his catnip heaven and not dig in the dirt.”
“Right.” Leif sounded less than convinced. But he surprised Tori by taking her hand and walking them up to the table set out for the guests to choose a flower or other plant.
He took Tori’s suggestion of the cat grass, and she picked snapdragons. They stepped over to the eight-foot long raised garden bed and found a hand spade to dig their holes. Other guests offered condolences to Willow, Skyler, and Igor, or discussed the new cat garden on the roof of the building.
“This may be one of the strangest things I’ve ever done,” Leif said as Tori transplanted her offering into the waiting soil.
“I think you’ve said that to me before. At least half a dozen times.” Tori covered the exposed roots and patted the dirt with the back of the spade. She reached for a watering can and dampened the soil. “Bene vivere,” she said to the tender perennial. The multi-colored flowers shivered, jiggled, and new blooms opened. The live well charm was a trick she picked up from her mother and helped assure that the transplanted flowers thrived.
“That’s because you’re always dragging me to things like this. Normal people don’t have parties for amputated cat tails… or make flowers dance with a little whispered Latin.”
“Are you sure about that?” she asked. “Maybe we’re normal, and you’re the oddball in the group.”
“I’m definitely the odd one at this gathering.” He glanced around the roof patio and garden at the assortment of witches and wizards.
Outwardly, the guests didn’t appear all that different from the average non-magical human, but Tori had already begun teaching him how to spot
one of her own. He picked up the subtle nuances quickly. Leif had an eye for detail, and missing details, like no one she ever met. She supposed it was part of his job.
“That you are,” she agreed. “But don’t worry, no one will hold it against you. Well, maybe Willow’s brothers, but don’t let them intimidate you. They’re pretty good guys. Mostly. Once you get to know them,” she qualified.
The doubt on Leif’s face made her laugh. Willow’s brother, Mica, stood five foot five, in heeled boots. He weighed about half of Leif’s weight. Willow’s other two brothers’ appearance would suggest, to those unfamiliar with their habits and shenanigans, that they were about as dangerous as an earthworm. The wizarding community definitely held a different opinion of the Stravens brothers. It was probably for the best that Gerard was safely behind bars. But Goddess help him when or if he ever got released. The Stravens weren’t known for their peaceful approach to justice and law.
“I’ll take that as my warning.” Leif planted the cat grass in the corner of the raised bed as they talked.
“You’re a quick learner,” she said, approvingly.
“Because I pay attention. Especially when magic is involved.” Leif drizzled water from the can on his contribution to the flower garden and then dusted off his hands. He slid into her personal space and gazed down at her. “I learned that real magic doesn’t get along with sensitive technology—or video equipment.”
She raised her brows in what she hoped looked like innocent curiosity. She wondered when he’d come to the realization that his video of the séance with Delana wouldn’t record.
“You knew the footage wouldn’t be there,” he accused with little to no upset in his voice.
“I suspected as much.”
“But you let us set up everything with no warning that our equipment would be useless.”
“It was worth a try.” She shrugged. “So, Afton didn’t get anything?” She was honestly curious. The séance was protected by a higher level of magic and craft, put in place with the invention of technology. The ancestors foresaw extreme danger for the magical community regarding recording devices. As technology continued to advance, the elders continually worked on keeping their way of life protected from discovery. Things always slipped through, but certain ceremonies and aspects of the magic could not be caught on film, digital or otherwise.
“There are a couple of minutes at the beginning, but then everything we thought we recorded is black, and there are no sound bites either.”
“The odds were virtually zero that Delana would appear in any video or sound recording, but Willow and I were willing to let Afton try.”
“A heads-up would have been appreciated,” Leif said.
He didn’t appear or sound upset about not having the recording he wanted. Leif continued to surprise her in many ways, but his patience for her oversights made her love him even more.
“If there’s a next time, I’ll try to remember to tell you if your efforts are being wasted. And I’m sorry.” She placed a hand on his hip and stared into his sea-green eyes. This wasn’t the only time she wanted him to understand that she was doing her best, but her best wasn’t always perfect.
He bent down and placed a soft kiss on her lips. “You’re forgiven. This time. You can make it up to me downstairs.” His eyes smoldered with an intensity that had nothing to do with anger and everything to do with the kiss they just shared.
Tori knew the look. His hands stayed inside the pockets on his slacks, but they might as well be undressing her. She breathed in his scent. The smoky cologne now mingled with a hint of earth and fresh grass from the garden.
“Now that you’ve warned me about the three brothers Grimm, and I’ve done my duty regarding Sir Igor the Tail-less, can we take this downstairs? We haven’t seen each other all week. I’ve been thinking about you, and I need to clear my head of a few fantasies that are driving me insane.”
“Work has been busy for me too.”
“We both work too much.” He closed the gap between them, so they stood toe to toe. His hands came to rest on her shoulders.
Voices interrupted them from behind Leif. Willow’s mother and one of the tenants of the building were discussing the new raised garden bed and how Willow’s rain and sun arbor was absolutely ingenious. Leif took Tori’s elbow and guided her to the exit.
“The guests could walk in on us at any minute,” she said as they headed to her apartment.
“Not if you cast one of your spiffy little magic spells.”
“You’re turning into a believer, aren’t you?”
“If it gets you in my bed, I am,” he said without pause.
Her high heels stopped clicking against the stairs. “Leif?”
He stopped, but his momentum had carried him a couple of steps below her. “What’s up? Do you need more cat worshipping time?”
“It’s not that.” She made a vague gesture toward the ceiling. “No. I need to say something.” Tori paused and wondered why she brought up the favor she needed from Leif. It’d been on her mind since she spoke to Aspen a couple of days earlier. She spat it out before she lost her nerve. “If we’re a couple now, and I can ask you to come over and tolerate my friends, and our weird ceremonies and things, then I want to ask something else of you.” Before he could answer, she added. “It’s okay if you say no. If you’re too uncomfortable.”
He swallowed as he considered her words before speaking. “I like your friends.”
“I thought so, but,”
“I do,” he said. “And your odd ceremonies and things, as you put it, take a little getting used to, but I’m okay with that. Obviously, because I’m here aren’t I? But this sounds different, Tori. What’s going on?”
“My cousin, Aspen, is going to marry Rook,” she started. Her heartbeat picked up the pace, and she took a deep breath. She couldn’t believe how nervous she was just bringing up the subject of a wedding. Her entire life had been spent in denial of long-term relationships, and marriage was absolutely forbidden. Now she stood here in front of the single most important man in her life wanting to talk about it.
“Hey,” he said softly, taking both her hands. “It’s okay. Breathe, Tori. Whatever you need to tell me, just tell me. But not if you’re about to pass out.” Leif wrapped an arm around her waist and helped her down the remaining stairs and into her apartment. He closed the door and held her close. “I’m in love with you, Tori Morgan, but I think this is a little soon to be talking about marriage. We should probably take a vacation together. A real one. Not a search for a suspect. If that goes well, we can talk about living together. Then—”
“Sorry. What?” she cut him off. Did he just say he loved her? Joy and warmth overtook her senses and lifted her spirit so much it made her feel like she was floating right out of her Sergio Rossis. “I’m…I was wondering if you would be my date for Aspen and Rook’s wedding?” she said slowly.
The dawning of what he just said in comparison to what her intent had been made him blush. The look on his face was possibly the cutest thing she’d ever seen.
“A date? To your cousin’s wedding?” he asked.
“Yeah. They’re having a destination wedding. In the mountains. And it’s not for some time, so I’m not even sure why I brought it up, but do you want to go? With me?”
The side of his mouth lifted in an awkward, sexy half grin. “Um…all right.”
“Great,” she said and the relief to have that conversation out of the way further lightened her already helium-filled soul. Her hand drifted down his arm, and she intertwined her fingers with his. “I heard what you said.”
“Should I take it back? I don’t want to scare you.”
“I’m not scared. I mean, I might be a little.” Tori raised her free hand, her thumb and index finger held an inch apart. “But I’m more interested in taking you to my bedroom and proving how much I’m in love with you too.”
Thank you for reading.
You can find all of Jody A. Kessle
r’s novels, including Heart of the Secret – A Witches of Lane County Novella, on her website at: JodyAKessler.com
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Other Works Available
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About the Author
Jody A. Kessler is a USA Today bestselling author. Her debut novel, Death Lies Between Us, book one in the An Angel Falls series, is the winner of the Readers’ Crown Award for Best Paranormal Romance. She writes contemporary romance, historical time travel fiction, and paranormal fiction. She is the author of the An Angel Falls series, Granite Lake Romance series, The Night Medicine and more.
When Jody isn’t navigating the terrain of her imagination and writing it down, she can be found exploring the wilderness of Colorado with her family, or in the kitchen baking cookies & brownies – and trying not to eat them all. She’s passionate about continuing to learn and reads anything and everything that catches her interest.