Page 1 of Jade Lion and the Witch Boy (Haunted Hearts: Season of the Witch #5)

I CROUCH DOWN to greet the little animal in front of me. “Hi, little buddy,” I coo. I’m a yard away from the critter, smiling so he knows I’m not a threat. The tiny black furball appears to be at least three years old. It stares at me, but makes no move to get closer or farther.

“It’s okay, I’m just a tourist. I won’t hurt you.

” I don’t reach out, opting to speak to it instead, as if it can understand me.

The sound of a truck behind me distracts us both for a moment before we go back to staring at each other.

We’re both on a side street near the famous Ladies Market here in Hong Kong.

The hustle and bustle of fellow tourists haggling to get the best deals on toys, keychains, and various souvenirs must be a comfortable backdrop for the little kitty.

Come to think of it, she might only understand Chinese, a language I certainly do not speak.

The black cat licks itself, and I glance at the peculiar marking on its body.

A white patch on the trunk resembles a crescent moon.

“You got yourself a moon marking, huh? Are you a witch’s cat?

” I chuckle, and the animal continues to study me.

“Meow,” it replies. Aw, I love cats. If I had money or any paternal skills, I’d totally beg my roommate and coven leader to let me keep one back home in Virginia.

I smile, stand up, and readjust the fanny pack on my hip.

The kitty studies me as I tower over her with my five-foot-eight frame.

“I wish you were a witch’s cat. Then maybe you could give me power.

” No one is around us in this alleyway, so I don’t need to worry about any English-speakers finding out I’m a witch.

I only need to worry about people judging me for speaking to a stray.

I chuckle to myself and brush my dark curls away from my face.

“Can I tell you a secret, moon cat?” The creature blinks at me.

“You’re the first one I’ve spoken to in days.

I was supposed to come here with my boyfriend—well, ex-boyfriend now.

” I tuck my hands in my pockets, knowing how strange it is that I’m full-on chatting with a cat.

But hey, I’ve cast spells before, so weirder things have happened.

The cat continues to study me. “My couple’s trip to Hong Kong turned into a solo vacation.

” I laugh at the sky, gazing at overcast autumn clouds.

“This was his idea, but we fell apart.” I crouch back down, and the cat doesn’t react.

“But I’m not letting an asshole ruin my one vacation.

I haven’t minded being alone. And now I have you to talk to. ”

“Meow,” it replies.

I laugh quietly. “Hey, moon cat, you don’t know of a place where I can buy a lucky charm to get over my ex, right?” The touristy trinkets of the Hong Kong market are cute and kitschy, but I kind of want something authentic.

Moon cat nods, then darts away. “Hey!” I call out for it.

The creature turns around, and its expression almost beckons me.

Oh well, here I go, following some random animal.

I’m an aimless witch boy on vacation alone in a foreign country.

I might as well add more weird wandering to the list of activities.

I follow the cat around two side streets until I catch it ducking into what appears to be a storefront. The brown door was open just enough to allow moon cat in, then shut. I gaze up and read the one English word beneath the Chinese symbols above the door. “Antiques,” I murmur.

I walk into the store and take in the scene.

It’s dark and dusty, with shelves of wares piled high, but the store feels comfortable, like a homey coffee shop.

Down the one small corridor sits a woman leaning on a table, smoking a pipe.

The faint traces of tobacco waft to my nose; I find it oddly soothing.

“Welcome,” she says with a knowing grin. She’s presumably Chinese, with long gray hair, and she exudes the confident aura of someone expecting me. “I think you’ll find what you’re looking for here.”

Could she be a witch? I try to subtly detect any flecks of arcana from her or the store itself, but to no avail. A more experienced mage would be able to do it right―my inept ass probably needs my coven and a dozen runes just to trace magic.

I chuckle nervously. “Um, I don’t know what I’m looking for.”

“You’re looking for a souvenir for yourself,” she replies. “To take home with you back to America to remember your trip to Hong Kong.”

I nod and try to look for my buddy, the moon cat. Wait… “How did you know I’m from America?” My brow furrows, and she hops up and rummages around one shelf. Is she a witch? Wizard? Something else?

“Your accent,” she replies matter-of-factly.

“Ah.” I clap my hands out of awkwardness. I inherited my dark skin from my parents’ Mexican genes, but being born and raised in Virginia must be evident from the way I talk. “Well…in any case. I’m good with, um, souvenirs. Just came from the Ladies Market.”

“But did you get anything for yourself, young man?” She puts her pipe down on the desk and opens a large drawer, removing it completely from the old dresser.

“Um, no.” I shake my head. “I was just looking for the cat, but…how did you know?” Cauldrons, I wish my coven were here so I could cast a detector spell.

“Oh, that cat comes and goes,” she says, ignoring my question. Each of her words sounds like she knows much more than she lets on. “Here. Take a look.”

She approaches me and reveals the contents of the wooden drawer. “These are our most unique charms. Ancient objects that might bring you good luck.”

I peer into the container. Indeed, each of the trinkets inside appears to be aged and handcrafted. The wooden box isn’t too crowded, but I take in the menagerie of silver keys, bronze coins, gleaming rings, and tiny statuettes.

One piece in particular catches my attention. In the center of the box lies a tiny lion made of jade. I pick up the green object; it’s three inches tall and two inches wide, but heavy. It’s a solid chunk of rock, with wear-and-tear from the years, but otherwise, it shines.

This jade lion totem speaks to my soul on an instinctual level. I don’t need to detect magic to know that I want this as my souvenir.

“I, uh…like this.” I clear my throat and catch the eye of the woman. She smiles at me in delight. Why do I get the feeling this is a trap? Out of all the tchotchkes in this store, she happened to show me this pricey thing?

I frown. “But I probably can’t afford it.”

“Nonsense.” She walks away and pushes the drawer back into place. “If that old lion speaks to you, it must be the thing that can bring you good luck.”

I raise an eyebrow. “How did you know I needed good luck?”

She smiles and puffs on her pipe, leaning on the desk again. “We all need luck nowadays. Are you telling me life is perfect for you?”

I play with the totem in my hands and think about my ex-boyfriend ghosting me. “No, not quite.” I shake my head. “But I still doubt I can afford it.”

She shrugs. “I’ve been trying to get rid of that thing for years. No one wants it.” She taps her nails on the wooden desk. “Legend says the right totem can give someone the strength they need. So what do you say?”

I bite my lip and gaze at the lion. The carving is exquisite, and simply holding it makes me feel…powerful. And I could use better fortune in my life. After a few seconds, I look at the woman. “My flight leaves tomorrow. So most of my Hong Kong dollars are used up. Do you accept American dollars?”

She smiles. “Not usually, but for you, I’ll make an exception.”

Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I dig into my fanny pack. I’m pretty sure most of what she’s saying is bullshit, and if my coven was here, we could cast some spell to find out her deal. But I want the talisman, and she accepts my few stray American dollars, so off I go.

As I walk out of the store, I smile and take a snapshot of the item in my hand with my phone. After shoving it in my fanny pack, I stride away with slightly more pep in my step. Maybe the jade lion will be my good luck charm.

By the time I walk back to the busy Ladies Market, I remember that I want to take a photo of the shop I was just in. She deserves a good online review, after all. But when I walk back the two blocks, the storefront is gone.

Huh. I probably just got lost.

One of the only good things about living in the coven leader’s home―known as the Boysen House―is having my own massive room.

I’m on the first floor with large windows overlooking the suburban woods.

The nonmagical neighbors―mortals as they’re known by us witches―shouldn’t see my side of the house, not that I cast any spells alone.

But still, I like my privacy, and the blackout curtains allow me to sleep through the day, a feat I need since I’m so jetlagged.

It’s been three days since I flew back home to Virginia.

The other four members of my coven seemed to like the trinkets I bought them.

They even seemed interested in my vacation stories, but I suspect they just want me back to brew potions for them.

That is my specialty after all, since I’m the potions witch of the group.

But no amount of coffee or energy potions could combat my sleepiness.

I didn’t want to sleep in the middle of the day, but here I am, waking up from a six-hour nap.

I put on clothes, walk out of my room, and make my way to the kitchen.

I might as well eat since I know I’m going to be awake for half the night.

“Hey, Seb.” I’m greeted with the smile of my best friend and fellow witch, Taina, at the sink.

“What’s up?” I mutter with my groggy, sleepy voice.

“Sandwiches in the fridge,” she says.

“Thanks a million. I’ll make you a salve as my gratitude.”