24
Emma
I had my brights on as I went down the little dirt road that led to Daniel’s cabin. To my surprise, I liked the dark woods around me and the quiet of knowing I wouldn’t be running into anyone else on this road. Whatever reason Daniel had chosen to live out here, probably bear-related, was smart. I’d love to live in a place like this.
When I pulled up outside of the cabin, I turned my lights off and just sat for a moment. His cabin looked so dang picturesque. I wished instead of me being here to bring him a rat, I was pulling up to a place that was mine too. Boy, that thought would probably freak him out. But I could almost picture us sitting together inside, drinking cocoa before a fire.
His door flew open, and he stood, silhouetted by what must have been a warm fire inside. He was wearing a white t-shirt and long pajama pants. Seeing the outfit on anyone else, I might have laughed. But he was all man in his clothes. So much so that my mouth went dry.
I killed the engine and opened my door as he came out toward me. “What’s going on?” he called, and I instantly felt bad about not calling him and warning him that I was coming.
“Everyone is okay,” I told him instantly and unbuckled.
“Then,” he hesitated. “Uh, is this a social call?”
I felt my cheeks heat. “No, I brought something for you.”
He lifted a brow. “A gift?”
“Not exactly.” I peered down into the metal garbage can in the seat beside me. “Well, Rat-Cliff, your time is up.” Grabbing the garbage can, I stepped out of the car. “This whole mess is over. The curse is broken, so to speak.”
Daniel seemed confused. “Come in and explain, please. And what’s with the trash can?”
I laughed uneasily. “Your gift. Well, not a gift. If this was a present, it would be the worst present ever.”
He gave me a funny look, but headed back up the porch, and held his front door open for me. I followed him inside, feeling confident until the door closed behind me, and I realized we were alone in pretty much the coziest cabin I had ever seen. This seemed like the kind of place you went to for a romantic getaway, not to deliver a man-rat to a potential love interest. It was also pleasantly warm inside with a cheery fire crackling away. But that was the only sound. A thick, hardback book rested in the seat of a recliner near the fire. Daniel had been reading.
I loved that. A man who liked to read. A rare commodity anymore. “I’m sorry to bother you.”
“No.” He took the trash can from me and motioned toward the couch. “You’ve made my night infinitely better by coming.” But then, he peered down into the can. “Um, what’s this?”
“That,” I said carefully, “is Cliff, Roger’s ex-business partner who has been missing for five years.” I plopped down on the couch and sighed, happy to be able to relax after such an exhausting day.
“Wh…” Daniel gave me a cockeyed glance. “What?”
“Set him down. He’s not climbing out of that. He almost chewed through the purse we had him in, so we had to find something he couldn’t get himself out of.”
Daniel nodded and put the can on the coffee table, then sat beside me. “Start at the beginning.”
“Okay, so we tracked the curse to a witch named Catrin who Roger had an affair with when he was married to Beth. I had to lean on Catrin a little, but in the end, I was able to get her to admit that she’d cursed Cliff.” I sighed and told the rest. “And when we went to the office to undo the spell, Cliff turned up. He, ah, he killed the witch, Catrin before we could even think about fighting back.”
A wave of sadness came over me. I’d help run a business for years. I wasn’t a soldier or a police officer. It wasn’t a part of my daily life to see people die. I didn’t think I’d ever forget watching that witch be attacked like that. It was sad, even if she had a responsibility in all of this.
“What did you do after that?” Daniel asked, his tone gentle.
He must have realized that it was a traumatic thing to see someone die, even if that someone used dark magic, cheated, and overall seemed to be a terrible person. I was glad I didn’t have to explain the way I felt to him.
I released a slow breath. “By the time he turned to attack Beth, I had time to gather my thoughts and my magic and…” I motioned to the trash can. “I unleashed Karma on him.”
“Karma?” He lifted a brow.
I nodded. “That’s who, or what, I am now, Daniel. That’s why I suddenly have powers. I’m Karma.”
His brows drew together, and he was quiet for a long minute before he said, “Okay.”
“Just okay?” I asked, studying him carefully.
I kind of expected him to be shocked. Or ask a lot of questions. His quiet acceptance of something I was still struggling to accept felt weird.
“Well,” he gave a small smile. “You kind of accepted the whole bear shifter thing pretty easily.”
I couldn’t help but return his smile. “Well, I’ve always kind of liked bears. And, somehow, the whole thing fits you. It feels like I can’t like you without…” I realized what I was saying but caught myself. “I can’t accept Daniel without accepting you’re a bear. So, I did.”
He rubbed the back of his neck, looking pleased. “So, you unleashed… karma on the guy.”
“Yup,” I gestured to the trash can. We both leaned forward and looked down at the brown tear-drop shaped creature. Its claws scraped against the bottom of the trash can as though it was trying to dig itself out, but there was no chance he was going to get through the metal. Every so often he’d stop as though he needed to catch his breath and his tiny nose and whiskers would twitch. The little rat would be almost cute if I didn’t know it was Cliff. “And that’s what he turned into.”
Daniel whistled through his teeth. “Well, at least he’s not the hulking beast anymore. I can’t tell you how many slaughtered animals I’ve come across in the last few days, how many families I’ve had to reassure. I wanted this thing caught as much as anyone. And then there’s the fact that Beth is safe, too. That all of you are safe.”
“Yeah, it’s the best ending we could have hoped for,” I muttered.
“What about the witch’s body?” He asked.
“I think the police decided to tell everyone that a mountain lion came out of nowhere and killed her. I don’t know if anyone will buy it but that’s the story we’re going with and would explain all the random animal deaths around town.”
He shook his head. “Good. Although the sheriff must have grown a liking to you, because he knows about all this supernatural stuff, but he doesn’t usually like to be involved in it.” He grimaced at the garbage can. “And I can take care of that.”
“Oh, I’m relieved. I hoped you’d be able to. I wasn’t really sure what I was going to do if you didn’t know what to do with him.” I laid my head back on his couch and sighed.
“Hey, um, so I got a call from the sheriff,” Daniel said carefully.
“Oh? Tonight?” Lifting my head, I tried to be casual.
“No, earlier. He said that your local PD called here to check up on you. Apparently, your ex is missing, along with his new lady friend.”
I tried to act surprised. “Oh, no. Do they have any idea what’s going on?”
It felt weird to hide the truth from Daniel, but he was still working with the police. If I told him what I’d done, he’d either have to get me in trouble or lie for me. And I didn’t know how all of that would go. Were there specific punishments for the supernatural? Judges and juries? I’d have to ask the ladies. But for now, I didn’t want to put him in a difficult position. Especially since I planned to address the issue anyway.
After a second of Daniel studying me, he continued, “They’re not sure what’s going on. They wanted to talk to me to see if I thought you’d have anything to do with it.” He shook his head. “I told them it wasn’t possible.”
I was careful not to directly lie, and even though this was the perfect opportunity to fess up, I c
ouldn’t bring myself to say the words. “That’s crazy. Do you think they’ll want to talk to me?”
Daniel nodded. “If they don’t find your ex, I’d say so.”
The mood in the cabin had darkened with the mention of my toad ex. I stretched and stood. “Well, I should be going, I suppose.”
“Yeah, of course,” he said, sounding uncertain.
I went to the door, opened it, and forced myself to walk out onto the porch. It felt like every instinct inside of me was screaming to stay longer, to just enjoy my time with Daniel for a few more minutes. But another part of me knew that might lead down the wrong road, and I wasn’t ready for that yet.
“Before you go, I wanted to ask…”
I turned, feeling nervous. “Yes?”
“Would you like to go to dinner sometime?” Daniel leaned against the door jamb, looking the most awkward I’ve ever seen him, like he didn’t quite know what to do with himself. “Or maybe I could cook for you?”
I wanted to scream yes, but I had to tie up some things with my ex first. “I think we could maybe set something up. Call me.”
There. Now it was a little up in the air still and didn’t feel so final.
25
Emma
I was whistling, actually whistling when I got out of my car back home. Was it weird to think of my parents’ old house as more of a home than the one I’d lived in with Rick and Travis? Sure, I’d grown up here, but it was different living in it as an adult. Still, there was something comforting about it that I appreciated after everything that had happened.
Yeah, it was true that it’d been a heck of a last few days, but everything seemed to be coming together. I’d deal with my ex and his girlfriend, with my friends by my side, tie up my life back in Springfield, and settle back in at Mystic Hollow. Then, I’d go on a date with Daniel. And, I had a feeling, one date would turn into two and then three, until we were just together. Or that was what I hoped at least.
Maybe I was being silly. Hopelessly romantic. A few months ago, I would have called myself an idiot for even considering trusting another man, but now it felt as if everything I’d ever gone through was always leading to this moment.
It was the most certain I had ever felt about anything, other than my love for my son.
Pulling out my keys, I lifted them to the lock and froze. A note was taped to my door. My whistling died a swift death on my lips. My hand shook as I reached out for the note.
Maybe it was just a neighbor, reminding me to trim my shrubs. Or my brother, telling me to be quiet when I came home. There were a thousand things it could be.
But when I open it, I see the familiar writing.
* * *
You did a bad thing to your husband and his lover. Karma comes for everyone.
* * *
I felt sick. Not knowing what else to do, I texted my friends, telling them about the note. All the while, I was glancing around my darkened streets, looking for the culprit who was turning my life upside down. Fortunately, or unfortunately, the entire street was silent. Only the lonely wind kept me company.
A second later, a text came in from Deva. It looks like it’s time to end this thing, once and for all.
My teeth clenched together. She was right. No one was going to keep me scared. No one was going to ruin the new life I’d worked so hard for. Whoever this note person was, whatever they wanted, once I dealt with Rick, they’d have nothing to hold over me.
I’d be truly free.
Crumpling the note in my fist, I glared out at the street. Karma was officially pissed.
* * *
Did you enjoy this book? Then preorder your copy of Karma’s Spirit.
Also by L.A. Boruff
Prime Time of Life https://laboruff.com/books/primetime-of-life/
Borrowed Time
Stolen Time
Just in Time
* * *
Girdles and Ghouls https://www.books2read.com/girdles
* * *
Witching After Forty https://laboruff.com/books/witching-after-forty/
A Ghoulish Midlife
Cookies For Satan (A Christmas Story)
I’m With Cupid (A Valentine’s Day Story)
A Cursed Midlife
Feeding Them Won’t Make Them Grow (A Birthday Story)
A Girlfriend For Mr. Snoozleton (A Girlfriend Story)
A Haunting Midlife
An Animated Midlife
A Killer Midlife
* * *
Fanged After Forty https://www.books2read.com/fanged1
Bitten in the Midlife
* * *
Magical Midlife in Mystic Hollow https://laboruff.com/books/mystic-hollow/
Karma’s Spell
Karma’s Shift
Karma’s Spirit
* * *
Shifting Into Midlife https://laboruff.com/books/shifting-into-midlife/
Pack Bunco Night
About L.A. Boruff
L.A. (Lainie) Boruff lives in East Tennessee with her husband, three children, and an ever growing number of cats. She loves reading, watching TV, and procrastinating by browsing Facebook. L.A.’s passions include vampires, food, and listening to heavy metal music. She once won a Harry Potter trivia contest based on the books and lost one based on the movies. She has two bands on her bucket list that she still hasn’t seen: AC/DC and Alice Cooper. Feel free to send tickets.
Also By Lacey Carter Andersen
Guild of Assassins
Mercy’s Revenge
Mercy’s Fall
* * *
Monsters and Gargoyles
Medusa’s Destiny *audiobook*
Keto’s Tale
Celaeno’s Fate
Cerberus Unleashed
Lamia’s Blood
Shade’s Secret
Hecate’s Spell
Empusa’s Hunger
Shorts: Their Own Sanctuary
Shorts: Their Miracle Pregnancy
* * *
Dark Supernaturals
Wraith Captive
Marked Immortals
Chosen Warriors
* * *
Wicked Reform School/House of Berserkers
Untamed: Wicked Reform School
Unknown: House of Berserkers
Unstable: House of Berserkers
* * *
Royal Fae Academy
Revere (A Short Prequel)
Ravage
Ruin
Reign
Box Set: Dark Fae Queen
* * *
Immortal Hunters MC
Van Helsing Rising
Van Helsing Damned
* * *
Magical Midlife in Mystic Hollow
Karma’s Spell
Karma’s Shift
* * *
Infernal Queen
Raising Hell
Fresh Hell
Straight to Hell
* * *
Her Demon Lovers
Secret Monsters
Unchained Magic
Dark Powers
Box Set: Mate to the Demon Kings
* * *
An Angel and Her Demons
Supernatural Lies
Immortal Truths
Lover’s Wrath
Box Set: Fallen Angel Reclaimed
* * *
Legacy of Blood and Magic
Dragon Shadows
Dragon Memories
* * *
Legends Unleashed
Don’t Say My Name
Don’t Cross My Path
Don’t Touch My Men
* * *
The Firehouse Feline
Feline the Heat
Feline the Flames
Feline the Burn
Feline the Pressure
* * *
God Fire Reform School
Magic for Dummies
Myths for Half-Wits
Mayhem for Suckers
Box Set: God Fire Academy
* * *
<
br /> The Icelius Reverse Harem
Her Alien Abductors
Her Alien Barbarians
Her Alien Mates
Collection: Her Alien Romance
* * *
Steamy Tales of Warriors and Rebels
Gladiators
* * *
The Dragon Shifters’ Last Hope
Claimed by Her Harem
Treasured by Her Harem
Collection: Magic in her Harem
* * *
Harem of the Shifter Queen
Sultry Fire
Sinful Ice
Saucy Mist
Collection: Power in her Kiss
* * *
Standalones
Worthy (A Villainously Romantic Retelling)
Beauty with a Bite
Shifters and Alphas
* * *
Collections
Monsters, Gods, Witches, Oh My!
Wings, Horns, and Shifters
About Lacey Carter Andersen
Lacey Carter Andersen is a USA Today bestselling author who loves reading, writing, and drinking excessive amounts of coffee. She spends her days taking care of her husband, three kids, and three cats. But at night, everything changes! Her imagination runs wild with strong-willed characters, unique worlds, and exciting plots that she enthusiastically puts into stories.
Karma's Shift (Magical Midlife in Mystic Hollow Book 2) Page 14