Page 7 of A Warlock for Halloween

Silvia is the first to catch her breath. She rolls her bright blue eyes. “Get with the times and get a phone.”

I sniff and peer down my nose at my sisters still lounging on the ground. “I have no need of one.”

Smirking, Silvia bounces to her feet. “If you’re going to date a human, you’ll need one.”

Drawing myself up to my full six-foot two-inch height, I give her a frosty glare. “I’m not dating Natalie. I’m claiming her.”

“This should be good,” Patience mutters, rolling her eyes over to Silvia and smirking.

“It better be.” Silvia snaps her fingers and time resumes.

***

NATALIE

I’m having a lot of second thoughts as I wait for Ambrose to pick me up for our date. I don’t know this man at all. Other than he’s odd and yet insanely hot.

A shiver goes through me at the memory of his piercing eyes and the way even his scent called to me. I’ve never been so attracted to anyone like this before.

Surely that’s a good sign. Wouldn’t I get a bad feeling if he was a deranged psycho killer or something? He doesn’t wear serial killer glasses, which is a point in his favor.

Actually, the man has a lot of points in his favor and if he can hold a conversation, has a decent job, and doesn’t live in his parents’ basement, he might be the guy I’ve been hoping for.

Other than the down-to-earth part.

Any guy who wears silver contacts and works as a magician is a far cry from that.

Glancing at my phone, I see it’s almost six and still no sign of Ambrose. I’m getting hungry and a bit on edge, so I step away from the window and plop down on the couch to wait for him, taking care to smooth my skirt as I do.

An odd sound reaches my ears that I simply cannot place. It almost sounds like… I shake my head. I’m in the middle of a housing development. I couldn’t be hearing a horse.

Several minutes go by and the strange sound ceases. I’m twisting my necklace around when a brisk knock comes on my door.

I open the door to Ambrose, standing tall and handsome on my porch. He’s in a perfectly cut black suit, complete with black shirt and tie. I’m sensing a dark theme here with him.

My gaze moves past him to the gleaming black horse and carriage in front of my house. A gasp leaves me, and my hands pluck at my long skirt.

I dressed casually in an ankle-length brown skirt and an off-the shoulder turquoise blouse that has two layers of ruffles around the top. It’s fun and makes the most of my blonde hair and blue eyes. Except now I’m feeling severely underdressed.

Gesturing at my clothes, I ask, “Should I go change?”

Ambrose’s silver eyes glow as they trail over me. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever beheld.”

Hot color rushes to my face and I’m sure I’m bright pink.

“Our carriage awaits.” He holds out his hand and guides me over. A man in a black uniform stands at attention, holding the door open for us. I go to step up when hands grasp me about the waist and smoothly lift me into the carriage.

Where Ambrose’s hands touched, warmth remains as my heart thuds in my chest and I take a seat on the padded bench inside. Climbing into the carriage, he takes a seat next to me instead of on the opposite bench and suddenly my side and leg are pressed to his.

He’s so close that my nose fills with the enticing scent of him. It’s like a drug as I breathe him in, my eyes feeling heavy as my breathing speeds up.

I swallow hard and shift over a little to put some room between us. He’s such a sexy man. Odd too, but I guess that goes along with his job.

“Tell me, Ambrose, how long have you been a magician for?”

His dark brows swoop into a tight V above his nose. “Magician? I’m a warlock.”

It takes a moment for my mind to process that, and I fight back a grin. Of course he is. “Oops. My mistake. Sorry. Being a Fall Festival, I should have guessed that. I didn’t really wear a costume, though I tried to have a little fun with my clothes.”

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