Page 10 of Witch Bound and Down

"And what exactly are you transporting that requires aviation units and half the state's law enforcement?"

"The less you know, the better."

"I just used enough magic to power a small town keeping us airborne, and you think I don't have a right to know?"

Bullseye was quiet, hands tightening on the wheel. When he spoke, his voice was softer. "Magical potions. Enhancement elixirs, healing draughts, some experimental stuff. All highly regulated, mostly illegal to transport cross-country."

"And you're doing this because...?"

"Because the payout is eighty thousand gold, and I need the money." He glanced at her. "What about you? Why run from your wedding? Smokie seemed harmless enough."

Hazel's laugh had no humor in it. "You think a guy who sleeps with a teddy bear and calls his father 'Daddy' is harmless?"

"When you put it like that..."

"It's not the teddy bear. It's the fact that he thinks marrying me means he owns me. Controls what spells I cast, which friends I see. His father already had my magical license suspended twice for 'inappropriate use of witchcraft.'"

"What did you do?"

"Turned a catcalling werewolf's fur hot pink for a week." Her grin was sharp. "Apparently that's 'malicious mischief.'"

Bullseye's chuckle rumbled through the car, and Hazel felt it in places that had nothing to do with her ears. "Remind me not to catcall you."

"Don't worry. I like your natural coloring."

The words slipped out before she could stop them, and heat flooded her cheeks. Something about this minotaur made her reckless, made her magic hum with possibilities she'd never considered.

"So what happens when we get caught?" she asked, trying to change the subject.

"We don't get caught."

"But if we do?"

"Then you tell them I kidnapped you. Play the victim."

Hazel turned to stare at him. "You'd take the fall for me?"

"You didn't ask for this," he said, eyes fixed ahead. "Besides, I've been in worse scrapes."

Something warm and dangerous unfurled in her chest. This minotaur she'd known for barely an hour was willing to sacrifice himself for her, while Smokie couldn't even remember her favorite flower.

"That's very noble," she said softly. "Also completely unnecessary. I'm not going anywhere."

"Hazel—"

"No, listen. You think I want to go back to a life where my magic is regulated and the most exciting thing I'm allowed to do is arrange flowers for the church social?" She shook her head. "I'd rather be a fugitive."

The CB radio crackled again. "Breaker one-nine, this here's Moondog calling any units in the Phoenix area. Got myself a convoy of Smokies heading east on I-10, looking mighty determined."

Another voice: "This is Stardust, seeing the same on Highway 87. Whatever y'all did, you sure stirred up the hornet's nest."

"Copy that, Moondog and Stardust," Bullseye replied. "Much obliged."

"No problem, Bullseye. Keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down."

More voices joined in, truckers and haulers across three states sharing road conditions and police sightings. A secret network, all watching each other's backs.

"They're helping us," Hazel said, wonder in her voice.

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