Page 25 of Witch Bound and Down

"Can you do that flying thing again?" he asked Hazel, gunning the engine.

"Not without at least a few days to recover," she replied, gripping the dashboard as they bounced over the rough desert terrain. "But I might have something else. How do you feel about temporary invisibility?"

"I feel like it's our best option right now."

"It'll only last about ten minutes, and it's going to feel really weird." Hazel was already pulling magical energy around them, her hands glowing with soft blue light. "Also, we have to stay perfectly still while it's active. Any movement breaks the spell."

"Define perfectly still."

"Like, don't even breathe heavy."

"This ought to be good," Hopper croaked from her shoulder. "Last time she tried invisibility magic, she accidentally made herself transparent but not her clothes. Very awkward at the grocery store."

The engines were getting closer. Through the rearview mirror, Bullseye could see dust clouds marking the approach of at least three vehicles.

"Do it," he said, pulling behind the largest boulder he could find and cutting the engine.

"Hold onto me," Hazel said, her magic flaring brighter. "This works better with physical contact."

Bullseye didn't need to be told twice. He reached for her just as the invisibility spell kicked in, and suddenly the world went soft and hazy around the edges. His hand found her waist, and she pressed closer to him, her back against his chest.

Being perfectly still while Hazel was pressed against him was its own kind of torture. She fit against his chest like she belonged there, her head tucked just under his chin, and every breath she took made her body move in ways that were decidedly distracting. Her magic was wrapping around them both like a warm blanket, and underneath that, he could smell her shampoo—something floral that made him want to bury his face in her hair.

Three black SUVs crested the ridge, moving fast and kicking up clouds of dust. They were sleek, expensive rental vehicles, and had the kind of tinted windows that screamed "law enforcement with unlimited overtime budgets."

The vehicles spread out in a search pattern, their occupants clearly looking for something. Or someone.

Through the windshield of the lead SUV, Hazel could see Sheriff Lawman's massive frame squeezed behind the wheel, his face red with determination and fury.

One of the SUVs stopped less than twenty feet from their hiding spot. Doors opened and several figures emerged—Sheriff Lawman, federal agents in serious suits, and oh goddess no, Smokie himself in a wrinkled tuxedo, looking like a dejected teddy bear.

"I'm telling you, Daddy, they came this way," Smokie was saying, his voice carrying clearly in the desert air and making Hazel's stomach clench with recognition. "I can still smell her perfume on the wind."

"Son, you couldn't track a wet bear through fresh snow," Sheriff Lawman replied, his voice tight with irritation. "Let the professionals handle the tracking."

"But Daddy, I know Hazel better than anyone. We were going to be married! I understand her... her feminine mystique and whatnot."

"Your understanding of feminine mystique is why she ran away in the first place, boy."

"That's not fair, Daddy! Mr. Snuggles said she just had pre-wedding jitters!"

Sheriff Lawman turned to stare at his son with the expression of a man questioning his life choices. "You discussed your relationship problems with a teddy bear."

"Mr. Snuggles is an excellent listener! And he has very insightful opinions about—"

"Son, if you mention that blasted bear one more time, I'm going to use it for target practice."

One of the federal agents was using some kind of magical detection device, sweeping it back and forth like a metal detector. "Sheriff, I'm getting readings of recent magical activity in this area. Powerful concealment magic."

Against his chest, Hazel tensed. Her magic flickered slightly, and Bullseye could feel her concentration wavering. He tightened his arms around her, offering what comfort he could without moving enough to break the spell.

"See, Daddy?" Smokie said proudly. "I told you she came this way. My future bride is very magical. Very... enchanting. Like a beautiful woodland sprite who—"

"Boy, she left you at the altar," Sheriff Lawman growled. "She ain't your future anything except your future restraining order violation."

"You don't understand our connection, Daddy. What Hazel and I have is special. Sacred. It transcends normal human—"

"What you had was an arranged engagement and a cake that cost more than my patrol car. Now stop mooning around and help me find her so I can arrest her for destruction of property!"

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