Page 3 of Warrior Witch

With a last desperate look at the pile of pillows and blankets that begged for my return, I heaved a sigh and went in search of my little protégé.

“Addison Mae, what the fuck are you doing here at this hour?” I asked, leaning a hip on the kitchen counter and taking in the sight of the little ingrate.

Five-foot nothing, with dirty blonde hair and the biggest blue eyes—which she used to best effect whenever she needed something—Addie was a product of the same orphanage that spat out Lindsay and me, a decade ago. Meaning she was smart as anything, a boss at manipulation, and used to fighting for what she wanted.

“I was hungry. It’s the end of the month, and they’re cutting costs, which means the food is shit until they sell the next kid.”

I rolled my eyes at her dramatics and switched off the burner on the stove.

“So you thought you’d come and burn my place down instead?”

Her lips twitched, trying to suppress a wicked smile. “It’s your own fault for hiding the spare key in the dumbest place possible. For someone in security, you’re pretty lax around here.”

“That’s because anyone stupid enough to break in gets zapped.”

I chuckled to myself at the memory of the last guy who tried. Only things he left with were an eyeful of Lindsay walking around nude, fresh out the shower, and a painful-looking twitch.

“Wish I could zap away the people I don’t like. All I’ve got is the pepper spray you got me for my birthday.”

While Addie was technically a witch, same as Lindsay and me, she’d never been able to access her magic. We could sense it in her, but for some strange reason… nothing. And unfortunately, potential adoptive parents weren’t willing to take a chance on a “broken” witch.

Lucky for her, Lindsay and I had a soft spot for rebellious freaks.

“We’ll level you up to a taser for your eighteenth,” I promised.

It wouldn’t be difficult to get her the taser now if I really thought about it. But she’d already pepper sprayed two other teens in the foster program for pouring a bucket of ice water on her while she slept—got ‘em right in the eyes, I was so proud—and I wasn’t totally convinced she wouldn’t tase them for the same offense. Better to wait just a few more years.

Turning away from the would-be cooking disaster surrounding the stove, I pulled a box of cereal from the cupboard and filled up two bowls.

“Seriously? I wanted to make waffles.” Addie pouted, giving me her best doe-eyes.

“It’s the end of the month here, too, kid. At least this has real sugar.” I grabbed the milk and topped off our breakfasts. “Pick whatever you want on the TV and let’s eat. If I have to be up at this hour, I at least wanna be fed.”

Addie pulled two spoons from the drawer and dunked them in the bowls—her version of contributing to the meal. “I can work with that.”

***

The minutes before opening were some of my favorites at work. The air smelled like lemon from the surface spray used to clean down the bar and tables, and the dance floor shone with polish, clean—for now—of the sticky alcohol that would mar the surface and suction shoes come closing. Outside, the queue of partiers awaiting their first drinks buzzed with excitement, their voices muted by thick walls for the moment, but that would change very soon. I took a deep breath and smiled. This was the quiet before the storm. And I lived for the storm.

“One minute until the doors open. All staff confirm you’re ready, bitches.” Lindsay’s voice crackled through my earpiece, sounding as official as he ever did. I rolled my eyes and added my own “ready” to the chorus of responses.

Power crackled through my veins, lifting the hair on my arms as the first patrons trickled in and bee-lined to the bar for their first round. Kedron would get his panties in a twist if I got in a knock-down-drag-out fight two nights in a row, but it didn’t stop me hoping someone would give me a reason to work out some of this excess energy.

I got my wish three hours later.

“Harlow, I gotta go on my break. Can you cover the door for me?”

A glance at my watch told me it was around about the time Benji’s kid went to bed, so rather than give him shit for handballing his time on the door, I weaved through the mass of sweating bodies and broke out into the night to see a sheepish-looking Benji with his cell already in hand.

The guy may have been half giant, but he had the softest heart of anyone I’d ever met. Especially when it came to his family.

“I owe you one.”

“Say goodnight to Jesse for me.” I gave him a half smile before resuming my best sneer to welcome the preppy douche crew who had stepped up to the entrance.

“Is this really necessary?” Chad #1 asked as he fished his Hermes wallet out of his Prada slacks.

“Not at all. You’re free to fuck off and not waste my time.”

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