Page 17 of Magic's Rise

“Very funny,” Jesse growls, clearly not amused. “Now, take off that ridiculous mask, and let’s go.”

Before Jesse can drag me off and stuff me full of delicious—and sickening—apple pie, help arrives from an unexpected quarter.

A shrill voice pierces through the autumn air. “Jesse! Don’t think I’m unaware of what you’ve been up to!”

Mrs. Smith huffs and puffs her way toward us, her cheeks flushed red with little Westen in tow behind her.

The old hag had finally adopted him after the death of his parents during the huntsmen battle, and after only a week in her care, he’d transformed back from a pup to a real boy.

“Mrs. Smith.” Jesse blanches as he turns to the shriveled-up old woman. “I don’t know what you’re talking about”

“You’re trying to rig the contest, aren’t you?” She jabs a gnarled finger at him. “Yesterday, I saw Rowe coming out of your place stinking of pie!”

Alarmed, I lift my mask to give myself a subtle sniff.

Jesse juts out his bearded chin. “Rowe is my childhood friend, so of course she comes to visit me.”

“She’s one of the judges, and your oven has been on all week.” She puffs up and somehow manages to look down her nose at the much taller man. “You’re rigging the contest, which means you’re afraid that you’ll lose this year. As you should be. My new recipe will crush yours.”

Not wanting to be caught in the middle when the rolling pins come out, I tiptoe over to where Westen fiddles with a display of charms.

Delilah stands on the other side of the counter, patiently explaining them to him. “These have been crafted with care and magic. They can bring luck, protection, or even help you find a lost item.”

“Wow.” Westen stares at the charms with newfound awe. “How do they work?”

“Each charm has a specific enchantment that’s activated when it comes into contact with its owner’s energy.” Delilah picks up a small, four-leaf clover. “For example, this one is imbued with a luck spell. When worn by someone, it brings good fortune their way.”

“Like with pie contests?” Westen whispers.

“Exactly like that.” Delilah smiles and extends the charm. “Just hold it between your palms and whisper your wish to it, then give it to the person whose fortune you want to improve.”

The boy takes it with both hands and stares down at it. “It kind of itches.”

Delilah leans closer and winks. “That’s the magic.”

“That’s cheating,” I hiss when Westen scampers over to Mrs. Smith’s side. “You’re aiding the enemy.”

“Like you’ve been aiding Jesse?” She gives me an impish smile. “I’m just leveling the playing field.”

About to argue that logic, a tall figure in the crowd catches my eye. A head above those around him, Levi would stand out even without the air of authority that surrounds him, making the wolves in his path unconsciously step out of the way.

“Excuse me, I need to talk to a man about a horse.” Not waiting for a response, I pull my mask back down and sneak out the back of the booth.

Like a stealthy ninja hidden among the rest of the wolves, I slip through the crowd.

I reach Levi as he passes a stall for caramel corn, taking two strides for every one of his to keep pace.

Tipping my head back, I gaze up, up, up to his rugged jawline. “Fancy meeting you here.”

He glances down, his brow furrowed in confusion. “Ms. Wendall?”

“Absolutely not.” I point to my mask. “I’m a wolf, just like any other wolf in town.”

“Oh, of course.” A hint of amusement lights his eyes. “Your disguise is foolproof.”

“It’s the plastic fur.” I stroke my snout. “It really sells the look.”

“The red hair gives you away, though.” He makes a show of peering around. “Not a single other redhead in Hartford Cove.”

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