Page 7 of A Second Roar for Love

“Ellie, wait—” Reed started, but it was too late.

The moment her skin made contact with the metal, a burst of energy surged through her, a blinding light filling the room. Ellie cried out, her body lifting off the ground, suspended in midair.

Reed shouted her name, but she could barely hear him over the roar of magic in her ears. Images flashed before her eyes, too fast to comprehend. A circle of witches, hands joined. A dark figure looming in the shadows. And a prophecy, the words echoing in her mind.

“When the witch and her cat unite, the evil shall be revealed. The secret that lies beneath shall be the key to salvation or destruction. The choice will be theirs to make.”

As suddenly as it had begun, the magic released her, dropping her to the ground in a heap. Reed was at her side in an instant, his arms around her, his voice urgent in her ear.

“Ellie! Are you okay? What happened?”

Ellie blinked, her vision clearing. She looked up at Reed, her eyes wide with shock.

“Reed,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “I think we’re in trouble. Big trouble.”

Reed helped her to her feet, his hand warm and steady on her back. “What do you mean? What did you see?”

Ellie took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. “A prophecy. About a witch and a cat. About a secret that could save or destroy everything.”

Reed’s face paled. “A witch and a cat? You don’t think…”

Ellie met his gaze, her eyes dark with fear. “I think it’s us, Reed. I think we’re the ones the prophecy is talking about. The cat being your tiger.”

Reed swallowed hard, his hand tightening on her shoulder. “Then we better figure out what this secret is. And fast.”

Ellie nodded, her heart racing. She looked down at the trapdoor, the wood seeming to pulse with hidden power.

FOUR

The morning sun fought its way through the stubborn cloud cover, casting a muted light over Whispering Pines. Sheriff Mallory strode into the station, his footsteps echoing off the polished floors. The weight of the prophecy hung heavy on his shoulders, a palpable presence that shadowed his every move.

As he entered the conference room, Reed was greeted by the sight of his trusted magical enforcement team. Alone with his peacekeeping crew, Luna Nightshade sat at the table, her silver-streaked hair pulled back into a neat bun. Beside her, Celeste lounged in her chair, her auburn curls bouncing as she tapped a rhythm on the table.

Reed cleared his throat, commanding the room’s attention. “Thank you for coming on such short notice,” he began, his voice steady despite the turmoil within. “As you all know, we’ve uncovered a prophecy that could have dire consequences for Whispering Pines.”

He paused, meeting each team member’s gaze. “We need to increase patrols around Ellie’s house and other magical sites in town. We can’t afford to take any chances.”

Luna leaned forward, her violet eyes sharp and focused. “I agree, Sheriff. But we put a lot of magic into the wards around the town when we fought Damien’s dark coven. What more can we do?”

“Are you sure the threat is coming from more dark magic wielders?” Celeste asked. “We did quite a number on the last group who tried to take us down. We can do it again.”

Therein lay part of the problem. He had no idea who the threat was. How could you prepare to fight when you didn’t know who the enemy was?

Celeste raised her hand. “I can check with Molly at the Bewitched Bakery. If anyone’s had any visions related to this prophecy, it’ll be her.”

A smile tugged at the corner of Reed’s mouth. Celeste’s friendship with Molly was a well-known fact in Whispering Pines. The two were thick as thieves, always ready with a laugh and a freshly baked treat.

“Excellent idea, Celeste,” Reed said, his tone warmly approving. “While you’re there, see if Molly can whip up some of her famous focus-enhancing muffins. We’re going to need all our wits about us.”

Celeste grinned, her dimples flashing. “You got it, boss. Those muffins are like a magical pick-me-up. We’ll be sharp as tacks.”

As the team dispersed, Reed felt a flicker of hope amid the gathering storm. With Luna’s knowledge, Celeste’s powerful magic, and the combined skills of his officers, they stood a fighting chance against whatever darkness the prophecy foretold.

But even as he clung to that hope, Reed couldn’t shake the image of Ellie from his mind. The thought of her being at the center of this mystical maelstrom made his heart clench and his tiger shifter instincts roar to life.

He would protect her, no matter the cost. She may have left him years ago, but his feelings for her had never wavered. And now with danger lurking in the shadows of Whispering Pines, Reed would move heaven and earth to keep Ellie safe.

After the meeting, Reed found himself at the library, seeking Jasper Moon’s ghostly wisdom.

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