Page 84 of Wild Scottish Fortune

“It’s also not a game.” Munroe sighed, stretching his legs out, and pushed his glasses up his nose. “It’s deadly serious.”

“Oh, don’t I know it. Kelpies shrieking in the night. Ghosts trying to kill me. Yeah, it’s great fun for all.” I shook my head, clenching my jaw, and looked out the window to the placid waters of Loch Mirren. “Would have been nice to be let in on the secret.”

“Orla didn’t tell you?”

“You fecking knew she was a witch?” My eyes widened and I gaped at Munroe. He’d known before me and hadn’t said a damn word. My fury intensified. “That’s real class, Munroe. Thanks for that.”

“I can explain if you’ll calm down enough to listen.”

“Oh, I’m calm. Perfectly calm. See?” I waved my hand holding the glass in front of me and whisky slopped close to the rim but didn’t spill.

“I know you’re about two seconds away from burying your fist in my face.”

“There’s that too.” I tipped the glass at him in acknowledgement and then took another long searing sip.

“Lia is also a witch.”

I paused mid-sip, the liquid sloshing against my lips, and stared at him over the rim of my glass.

“Um…” Pretty Lia who ran an extraordinary restaurant? “A witch?”

“Aye, mate. It’s a lot to take in, but it’s also really amazing and beautiful. She’s a kitchen witch, a member of?—”

“The Order of Caledonia,” I said faintly, recalling Orla’s words.

“That’s it. There’s more of them here, Fin. They’re protecting the town and the people here. Orla just found out and she’s learning.”

“She didn’t know she had magick?”

“No. Many don’t until they join the Order. It’s a whole thing.”

I blew out a breath.

“When did this all happen?”

“Recently. Over the last couple of months. At least for Orla. For Lia, when she arrived here.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Tell me what happened?”

I gave him a quick rundown of what I’d seen in thecottage, and how I’d walked in on Orla, bloodied and working her magick, shock and fear igniting my anger.

“Is she still there?” Munroe’s face creased with worry.

“I made her leave the cottage. She’s safe.”

“Still.” Munroe pulled his phone from his pocket, tapping a message out.

“She lied to me.Youlied to me.”

“Aye. And no. For me? My choice was to protect Lia. It’s her story to share, you ken? I trust you with my life, Fin, but it’s her decision who she tells. It wasn’t about lying to you, it was just about respecting my fiancée’s story. I don’t see why she wouldn’t tell you, other than we’ve all been so busy lately you’ve barely seen her.”

That was true enough and I nodded, accepting his words.

“Plus, when is a good time to drop that on someone? Guess what, Fin? My woman’s a witch? We already had enough drama at the gala, which is one of the few times you’ve even had to hang with Lia lately.”

“Point taken.” I sighed, feeling my shoulders relax slightly.

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