Page 2 of Witch of My Heart

“Or you get possessed by whatever evil dark magic used to live there.”

“No evil dark magic lived in Heartville,” I laughed.

“That’s not where I mean, and you know it. You might have your parents and everyone else fooled, but I know what you’re up to. I can’t prove it but---”

“I don’t know what you mean tonight. I’m tired,” I said and faked a big yawn.

Exhaustion pulled at my limbs, but I ran just fine on a few hours of sleep as long as I grabbed an extra blood shake come morning.

“How do you even know that coven will talk to you? They’ll know who you are without even asking. There aren’t many gingers who are vampire and wolf. It’s not like they want to be reminded of what their coven used to be and what it turned some of their own into.”

“Oh, fuck off, Duke,” I said. “I’m going to bed. You can lecture the wall all night if you want to, but I’ve made up my mind, cousin. I made it up a long time ago. Now I have the chance to go and maybe not break my carrier’s heart in two. He doesn’t even have to know unless you, Bobby, or some other fucker blabs. Do you really want to play a part in breaking your favorite uncle’s heart?”

“Fuck you! This isn’t fair, Blithe! It’s not fair and you know it! Just because they’re under new management doesn’t mean the coven is all sunshine and Pollyanna unicorn farts!”

“Then come with me, cousin,” I huffed, calling his bluff.

We’d been close all my life, but his worry was certainly more about his own hide if our parents found out he knew before I left.

“Okay, I will,” he crossed his arms again. “In fact, I’ll go home and pack right now. Wouldn’t want to miss a road trip like this, would I? Imagine all the help I could be. I have wings. I could fly the moving truck to Heartville if it breaks down.”

“Okay, Fred,” I huffed and headed into my bedroom.

“Quit saying his name like it’s a bad thing!” Duke said and slapped my living room wall as he headed toward the front door. “He hasn’t done anything toyou.”

“Shut up you two or I’m calling security!” My neighbor, a crunchy but studious omega wolf called out.

“Sorry, Lamb,” I called back as I stripped off my jeans.

“I don’t know what he thinks you’re going to do in Heartville, but you be careful. You remember the Tower showed up the last time I read your tarot cards. Death too.”

“Yeah, Death means change. You told me that. The Tower means sudden change and upheaval. That’s happening right now. Good night, Lamb, and thanks for all the Tarot readings. You’ve been a real charmer.”

“You just be careful!” He called back.

I crawled into bed and strained my ears in case Lamb said something else. His full name was Dokata Lamb. He was two years behind me in the Academy before I dropped out to pursue my own magical studies. Still, he was helpful when I needed aid researching the weirdest shit and knew how to keep his mouth closed.

“I will!” I called back wanting to say one more thing to my friend before the whole tower that was my life tumbled over tomorrow morning.

“You never double checked for stuff,”my wolf reminded me as I finally let sleep pull me under.

That was a problem for tomorrow me.

Chapter Two

Cord

“Harder!” Adrian cheered as I lunged at the punching bag.

My fist made contact, but the anger seething inside me didn’t budge. My fingers stung even inside the gloves Adrian forced onto my hands, but my feline brain barely registered the neurons firing off.

Adrian smelled happy and fierce. It was a strange and distracting combination. He was at home in the gym he shared with his best friend and wrestling enemy, Nem. I was here for therapy, but it wasn’t going well. Every time the bag swayed, I wanted to rattle my tail and prepare to pounce.

“Stop holding back and give it to me!” He growled from the other side of the bag he held in place, and I almost cracked a smile too.

His happiness was damn near contagious, but I drew back and punched the bag again. Adrian was right. I was holding back. I couldn’t let go if I did everything inside me would tumble out. He wasn’t ready for that. I sure in Frost’s Pit wasn’t ready for that.

“I’m not breakable,” Adrian growled again.

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