Page 26 of A Touch Enchanted

Mayor Chase’s face was a light shade of purple as he marched over to me, frothing at the mouth. “I’ve had enough of you Lathams thinking you own this damn island. You could’ve hit someone, caused serious bodily harm to innocent people, and I won’t stand for it.”

“Fucking fine me.” I shoved him out of my way.

“The voters won’t stand for it either.” The mayor straightened his bowtie and launched into a practiced speech about the safety and well-being of the island. While he spoke to the crowd at large, it was obvious he was directing every word to Thora.

Before she could haul off and slap him—something he would’ve deserved, but it wouldn’t have helped her secure votes—Finn scooped her up and got them both out of there. The mayor still held the attention of the crowd, who treated the attack like a spectator sport, but I tuned him out. I only had eyes for Violet.

I crouched in front of her and took one of her hands, rubbing it between mine. “I hope you know CPR, because you just took my breath away.”

“Oh yeah?” She gave me a faint smile. “Well, it’s a good thing I have my library card on me, because I’m totally checking you out.”

Stewart gave me a knowing smile and clapped me on the shoulder as he stood. “Your woman did great today. Take her out dancing. They like that sort of thing.”

I raised an eyebrow at Violet. “What do you say? Do you like that sort of thing?”

“I’d rather stay in and watch Netflix,” she said.

“Ach.” Stewart flapped his hands as he wore a look of disgust. “Waste of youth.” He poked my arm with his cane. “See that you make it back here for tomorrow’s game to get the ass-kicking you so richly deserve.”

“Dream on, old man.”

He ambled away, joining his rat pack of seniors to no doubt embellish an already wild tale. By this time next week, it would be all over town that eighty-year-old Stewart Koning wrestled a fifty-foot python to the ground with one hand tied behind his back. And honestly? I hoped that story spread far and wide. If he hadn’t intervened, the snake might’ve clamped its fangs around Violet’s throat.

She swallowed and glanced at the mayor, still holding court and putting on a show for his more rabid followers. “You took your bike out.”

I took a seat next to her on the bench and cupped her cheek. “You scared me, Cricket.”

What I didn’t say, what I left hanging in the air between us, was that I’d risk everything if she was hurt. Nothing could keep me away. I’d tear the world apart with my bare hands to get to her. When I got that call from Bob, all the worst scenarios went through my mind. I didn’t function without Violet. She was, and always had been, the other half of my soul.

“When that snake went after Stewart …” Her hand began to shake as the shock and adrenaline wore off. “The curse has never attacked a non-magic user before.”

None of us had planned for this. We understood that the curse would eventually go after the non-magical residents, namely when it attempted to sink the island into the ocean, but we thought we’d have more time. Up until this point, it had only been targeting the pairs that presented the greatest risk to whatever phase it was implementing.

If anything, this only solidified the need to shut everything down for the summer. Get everyone off the island, residents and tourists, while the twelve of us with power stayed behind to do what needed to be done or die trying. We couldn’t afford to keep dragging our feet.

“Have you had a chance to talk to your parents about leaving yet?” I asked.

“What?” Violet’s brows pinched. “What does that have to do with anything?”

Was she kidding me right now? “The curse is attacking residents. We can’t wait for the next town hall meeting to act, we need to start getting everyone off the island now.”

“Hold on a second.” She shook her head. “The only reason the snake attacked Stewart was because he hit it with his cane when it went after me.”

“Still, it made a move out in the open. It’s never launched an attack when there were other people around. It’s gaining strength. We can’t keep taking chances with people’s safety. I thought you were on board with this?”

“I understand why you feel the way you do …” She drew the words out slowly.

“Good. Because we’re about to be in for a fight, and we need you and your parents in this with us.” I kissed her forehead and stood. “I’ll text Finn and have him take you back to your apartment. I have a few things to take care before we meet tonight. Call me if you need me.”

“Wait, I …” She bit her lip and stared down at her lap. “Good luck. With whatever it is you’re about to do. I guess I’ll see you later.”

Goddamn, she was cute when she was flustered. Unable to help myself, I tucked a loose lock of her soft hair behind her ear and skimmed my fingers along her jaw, needing that small bit of contact to get me through the next few hours. With a heavy dose of reluctance, I turned away from those gorgeous eyes that threatened to hold me in place all day, and headed to my bike.

I was already getting the damn fine. Might as well take full advantage of it.

As I passed by the mayor, I overheard the words “dangerous” and “reckless,” and I had a feeling he wasn’t just talking about my bike anymore. When I caught the word “magic,” that’s when my worst suspicions were confirmed. It was already no secret the mayor had it in for Thora and Finn, and he didn’t much care for my family because we had the kind of power and influence he desperately craved, and he absolutely hated Audrey because she wasn’t afraid to mouth off to him in front of the entire town.

I should’ve known it would only be a matter of time before he tried to use our magic against us. Most of the residents had fully accepted that the curse was real and giving those of us with magic a fair bit of trouble, but they had also grown up with the legend and with us. They tended to be supportive. Leave it to the mayor to attempt to twist things. To make the magic we used to protect this town into something people thought they should fear.

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