by Nova Nelson
“I see someone’s in a good mood.” I tossed my cup in the magical waste bin that never got full.
“Yes, well, I do love a good coup.”
I glanced at Tanner for clarification, but he only shrugged.
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
Ruby stood, grabbing her mug of tea from the table. She giggled maniacally, and I wondered, not for the first time, if she was about to murder me. “Oh, it’s just nice to be surprised every once in a while. Do me a favor, dear, and make sure I’m around whenever you tell Mayor Esperia and the so-called high priestess that you’ve officially formed the first complete circle in Eastwind since the Were-Witch War.”
“Come again?”
Ruby cackled and slapped her knee. “Oh, I know. Isn’t it great? Here they are trying to act like they’re lifting up witchkind only to discover that it will be their fellow witches that bring about their downfall.”
“Whoa there,” said Tanner. “We have no plans to bring about their downfall.”
“Yet,” Ruby said. “But don’t worry. I have faith that you’ll come up with something.”
“You’re not upset, right?” I asked.
She chuckled. “Upset about what?”
I hesitated then went for it. “Ezra.”
Her expression calmed. “Why would I be upset about that? It was a good couple days. But much more of it, and you would have had to call Ted.”
Yep. There it was. I regretted asking.
“I’ll give you this, Nora,” said Ruby, “I never would have guessed archetype, even if I had been thinking straight.”
“Really?” I asked. “You wouldn’t have guessed that?”
“Oh, well, I’m sure I would have eventually. But you beat me to it.” She smirked. “Guess you are learning something from all your time with Oliver. Huh. Who would have thought?” She stood gingerly, cringing against sore muscles. As she made for the stairs, she pumped a fist into the air, shouting, “Viva la revolución!”
I watched her go then addressed my boyfriend. “Why does she believe I was the one who realized it was an archetype?”
“Because I told her you did.”
I rolled my eyes, but said, “Thanks. Also, we’re not leading a revolution, right?”
“Not anytime soon.”
“Phew. Good. Might throw my work-life balance out of whack.” I took a seat at the table next to him.
“It does sound like a lot of effort. And I’m pretty sure it would get me fired.” He paused. “Do we need to talk about what happened last night? The circle part, I mean. The other stuff …” He grinned. “I think I understand that bit just fine.”
“If you decide later on that you’re confused, I’m happy to clarify for you.” I found his foot with mine underneath the table.
“Come on, Nora,” he whined. “Now you’re just distracting me. This is important. We formed a circle last night, and that’s no small thing.”
“I know.”
“It was … man, it was powerful.”
“I know,” I repeated.
“Not sure if you know this, but once you form one, there’s no going back.”
“What do you mean?”
“A connection ritual between two people is one thing, as you already know, but the effects of that fade over time. Once you form a circle, you can’t forge that bond with anyone else afterward.”
“Oh.” He allowed me a minute to let it sink in. “Are you okay with Donovan being in the circle?”
He reached forward and grabbed my hand out of my lap, holding it in both of his. “The only thing that would upset me about it is if you weren’t in it. All the rest is details.” He squeezed my hand. “But promise me one thing.”
“Yeah?”
“If you do, you know, ever have those feelings come back, would you give me a heads up?”
“Of course.”
He nodded. “Because I’d like a fair shot at reminding you why I’m the far superior choice.”
“You think so, huh?”
“What, you don’t believe me?” He sighed dramatically and pulled me up to standing with him. “Fine. I didn’t want to have to do this …” He dropped one of my hands and drew his wand. “Nora Ashcroft, you’re under arrest.”
The glowing cuffs appeared on my wrists and my mouth fell open. He tucked his wand away. “Afraid I’m gonna have to take you in, ma’am.”
I fought back the grin. “You little …”
He scooped me up and took off for the staircase, adding “I’m gonna have to ask you not to resist, Ms. Ashcroft.”
We fell into a fit of laughter as he hauled me upstairs. He didn’t need to worry, though, because I was all done resisting him.
END OF BOOK 7
Book 8 of the Eastwind Witches is coming soon. In the meantime …
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Acknowledgments
A huge and overdue thank you to my review team, the Eastwind Owls, for all your hard work, help, and encouragement. Also, a big hug to all my North Wind, West Wind, East Wind, South Wind, and North Wind witches in the Cozy Coven Facebook group. Getting to know each of your quirky personalities has been such a gift.
-Nova
About the Author
Nova Nelson grew up on a steady diet of Agatha Christie novels. She loves the mind candy of cozy mysteries and has been weaving paranormal tales since she first learned handwriting. Those two loves meet in her Eastwind Witches series, and it's about time, if she does say so herself.
When she's not busy writing, she enjoys long walks with her strong-willed dogs and eating breakfast for dinner.
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