Page 25 of Wandering Witch

“Now, what were you boys saying about a magic map?” I looked up from the flames in the pit to see them still staring in the direction of the wolf’s call.

They both jumped and turned back to glare at me. Like it was my fault for listening to their, rather loud, debate held right in front of me.

I wasn’t entirely sure what they were talking about, but I think I got the gist.

“Let me see if I got all the details. You both are related to events around towns that had some supernatural help getting wiped off the map. If not for a magical map that appeared in Lady Fare’s dreams, neither of you would have ever left your homes, because this same dream map led her to both of you. Now it told you to seek out a similar town in this rough area.” I leaned back on my stool as I let the flames in my hands return to the main fire.

The ghost dropped his jaw and nodded slowly while the bear just growled.

“I’ll save you the trouble. There’s no special town here.” That I’ll admit too, I added silently.

“That’s what I was thinking,” muttered Ghosty. “But there have been disappearances in these woods.” I nodded my acknowledgment.

“Fair enough, but they weren’t caused by anything paranormal in nature,” I answered.

“Interesting phrasing, demon,” the bear mused, “It sounds like you’re implying you were still involved. Just as the solution in place of the cause.”

“Clever beast. You’re not wrong.”

The spirit looked confused as he bounced his focus between his friend and me. When it looked like his companion was more than willing to leave him in the dark, I decided it would earn me some brownie points with Fare if I took pity on him.

“I may be wrong as this is just a guess. But from what I understand about our situations, the bear here was his source of death, while you were a victim of yours. I on the other hand was summoned after the deaths had started. Once freed from my contract, I ended the needless slaughter.” My voice dropped the temperature around the fire with my final words. I decided it would be a good idea to try to lift the mood again before I was seen as a threat again. “Don’t worry, I’ll warn you before you cross my very fine line and I find myself having to end you out of obligation.”

I stood as I dusted off my ass before I sauntered over to the nearest edge of the barrier that protected my home.

“By the way, what are your names anyway? I figure I should ask if we are going to be together for a while.” When only silence met my question, I shrugged and stepped across the line to keep watch.

Farren

Abright beam of light settled over my eyes and forced me from my deep sleep as I tried to hide my face in the pillow. I moaned as the scent of campfire smoke filled my nose.

I really didn’t want to wake up. It had been far too long since I had the chance to sleep in a real bed, and the demon, Benny, wasn’t being deceitful when he said it was comfortable.

I had just closed my eyes to try to fall back asleep when I remembered the situation I left by the fire last night. Shooting up, I glanced out the window and saw it was already late morning.

Fear filled me as I could only imagine what Locke and Roan could have done to Benny by now when left to their own devices. I didn’t need to be a psychic to know that neither of my guys liked him.

I scrambled out of bed and fumbled around for my pants that I must have pulled off before I crawled between the sheets last night. I shot out the door, and in my haste, I didn’t see Locke sleeping right in front of the door in his bear form and went flying.

“Whoops! I told him it was a bad idea to sleep right there.” My flight was halted as I was caught in a warm embrace that smelled like the pillow I had just left.

I looked up and saw Benny was holding me, watching me carefully. When I struggled to my feet, he eased me down and took several steps away with his hands raised in the surrender position.

“What are you doing?” I cocked my head to the side as I watched him smile warmly back at me.

“Trying to prove to you and your guardians that though I may be a demon, I do have manners. Did you sleep well, my goddess?” The silk was back in his voice and I was lost in his eyes that shone like the lit end of a sparkler.

I swallowed hard and looked away as I nodded.

“Y-yeah. Thank you for letting me use your bed last night.”

“That’s good. Your bear was concerned I would do something, so he took it upon himself to act as a doorstop. Though, to be honest, I wasn’t expecting you to come flying out the door. Is anything wrong?”

I shook my head and felt my already flushed face darken.

“N-no. I was just worried about you after all the drama last night. Speaking of, where’s Roan?” I asked, trying to take the attention off me and my clumsiness.

“Is that the name of your spirit? Got it. He’s checking out a small pond I use as a source of fresh water. I thought you’d like us to boil you a bath.” His smile shifted slightly. I didn’t know if I would have noticed if I wasn’t watching him so closely, but he went from cocky to almost shy at the idea of drawing a bath.

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