Page 15 of Magic's Rise

My gaze catches on Levi’s amulet. Magic like that would make a world of difference for Owen and Deputy Arden. And a coven in a hidden town? They might have access to magics we don’t. Something better than a yearly spell for the vampires.

“I’ll discuss the matter with everyone.” When he straightens with relief, I hold up a hand. “That’s not a promise.”

“It’s more than I had when I came here.” He stands from the table. “Thank you. I’ll be staying in Hartford Cove for a couple of days. You can find me in the apartments above the Pizza Parlor.”

With a nod, he strides for the door and lets himself out.

As soon as his steps fade from the porch, Haut, Ambros, and Owen turn to me and say in unison, “No.”

Behind their backs, Tris pumps a fist into the air and whispers, “Adventure!”

JUST ANOTHER WOLF

“Ow, Tris!” I rub the side of my head where he accidentally whacked me with a broom. “Watch where you’re swinging that thing!”

“What, you don’t like being touched by my rod?” Tris prods me with it, a breeze from the open window of the booth ruffling his sandy blond hair. “Come on, you love it.”

I glare up at him from my spot on the floor, organizing baskets. “I’m going to love shoving it up your?—”

A cool hand slides over my mouth, and Ambros’s eyes twinkle. “That’s enough, you two. We’re in public.”

“He started it.” The words come out muffled against his palm.

Tris sticks out his tongue at me out of Ros’s line of sight.

“Back to work,” Ros says in a tone that snaps us to attention.

“Yes, sir!” Tris and I salute. “Whatever you say, sire!”

Delilah and company had summoned us for help with their booth this afternoon. Or rather, she had asked Ambros. Tris and I had just been the unsuspecting bystanders with free time who got wrangled into the job along with her brother.

I hold up a box of wolf masks. “Why do we have these?”

“Because it’s Samhain, and you wear masks to chase off evil spirits.” Amberlynn takes one and holds it in front of her face. “Beware, for I am a scary wolf.”

I shake my head. “Don’t you think it’s enough that there are literal wolves in town?”

She shrugs and drops the mask back into the box. “Not everyone is a wolf.”

Tris snatches it up and puts it on. “Ah, brings back old times, doesn’t it, Rowe?”

Grinning, I flick the name tag on his collar. “Say the word, and I’ll curse you again, sparky.”

He pushes the mask up. “Shush your mouth, woman. I’m a free man.”

Ros nudges him. “A free man who needs to get back to hanging decorative brooms.”

“They’re not decorative.” Amberlynn’s hands move to her hips. “They’re to sweep out negative energy.”

Tris brushes one over Ros’s back. “Bad energy, go away.”

Spinning, he snatches the broom from Tris’s hold. “I’m beginning to think Rowe had the right idea on where to stick this.”

Tris grins. “Bite me first, and then we can discuss it.”

“Shh.” I hold a finger to my lips. “Sir says that’s an inside-the-house discussion.”

“Does a booth count as a house?” Tris starts to climb over the counter.

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