Page 27 of The Witch's Werewolf
I look at Alma then at Finn, who’s busily shoving cookies into his face. And he doesn’t care for sugar at all.
“I’m touched,” I say to him with a smile.
Uncharacteristically, Finnegan speaks with his mouth full.
“I did nothing of real impact. Make no mistake. If Toby Cook and his family ever truly tried to mess with you, you would have eaten them alive.”
“Finish what’s in your mouth, sweetie,” Morgan says.
He does as he’s told, good little vamp, then continues, “I was protecting the town as much as you. And I was protecting myself. You weren’t here 40 years ago when the whole town freaked out and tried to burn all the witches at the stake on Samhain.”
“No,” I say. “But I’ve studied my history. That was a spell combined with some whacked-out religious fervor.”
“Yes,” he goes on. “You doknowyour history. But I lived it. And we’re not going to give anyone a reason to swing that way again. It was an ugly, ugly time. It’s not happening. Not on my watch.”
I’ve never seen this side of my friend before. I’ve never even seen him once display any type of affection for the monster-riddled town he calls home.
“I’m touched, bro.”
“Birchdale is a safe place for monsters, as long as no one causes a freakout with the humans,” Alma says. Morgan nods along.
“Trust me. No matter how accepting they are, they love a scapegoat, especially one that has fur or fangs or horns. And once they start picking off the werewolves, the vamps are next. Then the witches. After that, I wish them good luck with the demons,” Morgan adds.
I smile at my friend and catch Cherry grinning at me.
“Finn,” I say, nudging my vampire friend. “You can pretend you like to keep the peace for selfish reasons. But I always knew you had a good soul inside that undead heart.”
Alma, I notice, looks pretty focused on stirring her tea.
Cherry comes to my side and threads her fingers through mine. I nudge her shoulder with my nose and she blushes.
“So, Grandma. Since both of you know a thing or two about protection spells, how about we go over exactly what I did the other night so it doesn’t happen again.”
Cherry’s grandmother munches on a cookie and studies the two of us for a moment.
“There’s nothing to be done. There was no accidental love spell, that should be obvious. Love spells are far too advanced, and often result in unhealthy, toxic, abusive situations. They are best left alone. No, the reason you two are so obsessed with each other is because you’re fated mates. Goddess, the way I have to spell everything out for you.”
Cherry looks up at me.
“She’s right,” I say. “About all of it.”
My mate blinks slowly. “I felt it last night. I could feel everything you were feeling.”
“Ew!” Alma cringes.
Morgan chuckles.
Cherry urges her grandmother to keep explaining. “And the protection spell?”
“It worked.”
Cherry looks from her grandmother to me, then back to her grandmother. “No, it didn’t, Grandma. I was in danger the other night on that date.”
Morgan blinks in surprise and looks between both of us. “Don’t you see? The wolf came to protect you from Toby Cook. There’s your answer, silly goose.”
A moment’s silence follows.
“I think I need to sit down,” Cherry says.
