Page 33 of Magic's Rise

“Aspen and Levi. In the sheriff’s office.” He points toward the back hall.

My voice rises with alarm. “Why is Aspen here?”

Summoned by my words, Aspen appears with Levi towering at his back. “Right on time. We’re ready to go.”

Horrified, I stare at the travel case Aspen carries. “No.”

“Yes,” he says, face totally serious. “I’ve decided to join you guys on your little adventure.”

“Well, you’re not invited!” My arms cross over my chest. “We don’t need a babysitter, thank you very much.”

Tris comes in behind me, takes in the scene, and crosses his arms, too. “What’s going on?”

“Aspen thinks he’s coming with us,” I tell him.

“What?” Tris shakes his head. “No, this is our vacation!”

“Adventure,” I correct.

“Our adventure!” Tris amends. “There are no teachers on adventures.”

“You are both still in training. I have an actual education in magical barriers.” Aspen strides forward with confidence and delivers the killing blow. “Haut and I spoke about it last night, and he agrees.”

Tris and I spin to glare at Haut, who hovers in the doorway. “Traitor!”

He shrugs. “Aspen will help speed things up so we can get home faster.”

“But…what about our coven?” I turn back to our mentor. “They need you.”

“Actually, they need Mel.” He tugs one of the bunny ears attached to my hood. “I came to Hartford Cove to be your teacher, and if that means going on a road trip, so be it.”

“Fine.” I throw up my hands in defeat. “You can come. Just know that some sexy wolf shifter will be wooing Mel while we’re gone.”

“If Mel can be wooed away in a week, then it’s not meant to be.” Aspen steps past me and out the door. “I’m pretty confident that won’t happen, though.”

I chase after him. “I call shotgun!”

Tris follows. “I’m in the middle row!”

Levi eyes the van. “If no one objects, I’ll take the third row so I can stretch my legs out between the center seats.”

Once again, I’m thankful we borrowed Barron’s dad mobile. I hadn’t even considered how cramped a person of Levi’s height would be in Haut’s SUV. Tall people problems boggle my mind.

Aspen takes a small backpack from Levi and loads their bags into the back with our luggage while we climb back into the van.

Haut peers back at Levi from the driver’s seat. “Did you get your stuff from your rental room?”

“All cleared out last night.” Levi sets his cowboy hat on the bench beside him. “The proprietor had no issue finding someone to fill my place, too, so thank you.”

“Do you want coffee or cocoa?” Tris pops open the cooler. “We also have bacon breakfast burritos and granola bars.”

“Granola and hot chocolate sounds mighty fine.” Levi accepts the items from Tris. “Much appreciated.”

When Aspen joins us, he takes a burrito and coffee.

“Everyone settled?” Haut waits for our round of affirmatives before backing out of the parking lot and driving onto the street.

The colorful, festival banners flap in the autumn breeze, and I sip my cocoa as I watch the buildings give way to the woods.

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