Page 80 of Storm of Summer (Wild Haven 3)

RHYS

“Ihave an idea.”

That simple sentence is how all of this started. I groan as I look down at the penny in my hand. Zara could talk me into strolling naked down Aspen Street in the middle of the Lughnasadh festival. Hell, she wouldn’t even have to talk me into it. All it would take is a simple please as she blinked up at me with those wide hazel eyes. Fuck. I have another goddamn boner.

Dirt. Garbage. My fourth-grade teacher, Ms. Mahoney. She had a mustache and would eat onion salads for lunch, followed up by a cigarette snuck behind the playground.

Okay. That did it.

It was a real slap to the face after having Mrs. Walling in third grade. I groan when I think about revealing the secret of my crush to Zara. How fucking embarrassing. After I woke up, she’d playfully asked me if I wanted her to dress up like a teacher while I was the naughty student. I finally got her to tell me what secrets I’d told her during her dream walk, while she was impaled on my dick.

Ever since the night at my bar when we saw all the Fae, there have been more sightings throughout town. Lena called me freaking out the next day, telling me that she’d seen the auras of three people that looked just like the ones that surround Anthony, Colton, and Seraphina. I had to break the news to her that we’d had an entire passel of them at my bar the previous night. Lena immediately called everyone together, and we’d come up with a plan that was, in my opinion, a total long shot. Now it’s a week later and Zara and I are working on implementing this crazy plan.

“You need to enchant this penny. The goal is that as soon as it touches Colton’s skin, the magic will transfer to him.”

We’re at my place. Zara’s sitting on the couch sideways, so she can look at me while I stare down at the coin in my palm.

“I need to magic it so that this penny will force him to think about why all these Fae are here?” I recite the plan, hoping it will give me some confidence in my abilities.

It doesn’t.

“Yes. More specifically, that he’s forced to answer any question asked. That’s a little more specific than an open-ended answer. This way he has to give a truthful answer, no matter what question we ask.”

I nod, but Zara must see the doubt on my face. Her hand lands on my forearm and she squeezes, scooting a little closer. There’s that fucking hard-on again.

“This is just a precaution. Based on our tests, I think he’ll answer anything I ask him. Besides, I know you can do this. You’re brilliant…” She lifts up to her knees and presses a kiss high on my cheek, “handsome, caring, and so damn sexy. There is no doubt in my mind that you can do this.”

“Fuck, you’re going to make weep. Even if I have no clue what my sexiness has to do with this.”

“I just wanted to remind you.” Zara chuckles in my ear, and fuck if that doesn’t feel good. She tucks herself against my side in a show of support. We’ve both been working on our magic for weeks. Zara’s been practicing her dream walking on me and the girls. They offered up their help when Zara mentioned what she was trying to practice. At the same time, I’ve been trying to manipulate things all over the place. Changing the appearance of objects, adding small enchantments, confusing people.

I was able to add a hex to a pen that caused Ezra to laugh for a solid ten minutes before he was able to shake off the magic. When he’d tried to punch me, I told him it could be a lot worse. I could have made him fall in love with Mrs. Bunchen. At least, I think I could do that. I’m not really interested in messing with people’s minds like that, even as a test.

I inhale and then puff out my cheeks as I loudly blow out my breath. Here goes nothing. Closing my fingers around the penny, I focus on the well of magic that swirls in my gut. It’s getting easier to call on and bend to my will. Focusing on what I want the magic to do, I pour it into the coin, keeping Colton’s image in my mind. We briefly considered if we should be targeting Anthony’s dreams instead, since he’s been here so much longer. But Zara was afraid he was too powerful and would sense her. She’s still worried Colton will as well, but according to her, in the Fae power structure, Anthony is top tier and Colton doesn’t pack as much of a punch. It doesn’t make him any less of a cocksucker.

The magic heats up my palm and the metal briefly gets so hot it’s hard to keep in my fist. I manage not to drop it but uncurl my fingers when I sense the magic is finished with its work. Zara and I both peer down at the penny.

“It looks totally normal.” That’s a good thing, but I guess I thought there’d be an extra glow to it or some residue of my magic.

Zara picks it up and closes her eyes, holding it in her hand.

“Can you feel anything?” I ask and she shakes her head, a smile growing on her face.

“Nothing. I don’t sense any magic, but I’m sure it worked.”

“Now for phase two,” I say, and Zara nods her head. Here we go.

* * *

Tomorrow is the harvest festival, Lughnasadh. Much to Lena and Archer’s displeasure, Colton joined the Wild Haven activity planning committee in the spring and won’t fuck off no matter what they try. Their misery is our good fortune though, because it means we know exactly where to find Colton on Friday afternoon. He’s on Aspen Street, sauntering around like a puffed-up lord while other people work on setting shit up for the event.

Vendor tents line the street, which will be filled with people tomorrow. Many of the stores set up a booth for these events, selling their wares to the crowds that shop while listening to live music and day drinking. My bar, Paul’s Tavern, has a booth that sets up right out front of my building. It seems a little silly to have the tent when people could walk another ten feet and be inside, but they don’t want to go inside during these festivals, unless it’s to use the bathroom. They want to get their drinks and keep on walking.

Besides Drigo and Greta, I also have a few people who help out during the festivals. It’s mainly some locals who don’t want to work full time but pitch in during events like these. The festivals are usually a lot of fun and an opportunity to socialize with a wide spectrum of individuals. Although the last few events have had a bit more action than I care to ever repeat. Tomorrow night isn’t going to be any different.

We’re attempting to break Anthony’s hold on the bonds that have formed in the Axis so far. Lena and Zara both think that on Lughnasadh there will be enough natural magic in the air for them to break Anthony’s ties. I really fucking hope they’re right.

I scout the street, seeing Archer and Lena a half a block away talking to Jim and Janette, the owners of Fairy Cakes, and looking supremely frustrated. Archer catches my gaze and rolls his eyes. Then he almost imperceptibly tips his head to the right, and I follow the line of sight until I spot Colton.

---