Page 13 of Jade Lion and the Witch Boy (Haunted Hearts: Season of the Witch #5)

I YAWN AS I whip up the ingredients in the bowl. It’s early, but the sweet scent of butterscotch always lifts my spirits. With my muffin mix done, I proceed to spoon it into the large plastic zipper bag.

“You are up early.”

I turn to see Kai walking into the kitchen. He’s wearing pajama pants and a white t-shirt that fits his muscles in all the right ways. My eyes only wander up and down for a moment before I return to the task at hand.

“Yeah. I actually enjoy baking, even though it’s my morning off, go figure.” I snicker, and Kai leans on the counter. Without saying a word, he holds open the baggie, making my task easier. Working with Kai in silence doesn’t feel weird at all, just like rubbing his lion body last night.

“Is that why you took the job at Brew-Ha?”

“Kind of.” I seal up the bag and look at him. “I’ve always had the propensity for putting ingredients together. I thought I just liked baking and cooking, but…”

“You are actually a potions witch,” he says with a smile.

“Bingo.” I tap the counter. “But to answer your question, it’s because Lisbeth owns the place. Tips are good, and I get to spend time with my coven. Between that and living here rent-free, it makes sense for now.”

“And if she did not, what would you do?”

I mull it over in my head. “I don’t know. My college degree was kind of vague. I’ve been so focused on saving money and doing witchy things that I haven’t even thought about applying to culinary school.”

“If that is the next step, then you should consider doing that. Pursuing your passion is important.”

“Yeah, but slinging coffee at Brew-Ha is fine for now.”

Kai studies me for a long moment. “I worry about you on the evening shift, Sebastian.”

My eyebrow furrows. “Kevin ran off. You scared him away. And you wiped his memories, did you not?”

“I did, but what of other intruders?”

“There isn’t anyone else. I don’t have any other aggressive ex-boyfriends, I promise you.” I tap his hand. “But thanks for being there.”

“Morning, boys!” Taina says. She walks in wearing her scrubs and reaches the fridge for her lunch. “I thought you’d be asleep.”

“I wanted to use the kitchen to make some muffin mix for the coffee shop.” I raise up the bag, and Taina nods.

“Ah.” She looks between us curiously. “What are you up to today, Mr. Zhou?”

“I was going to practice magic to try to jog my memories.” He glances at me. “Care to join me in the woods, Sebastian?”

“Of course!” I turn to Taina to see her frown just for a moment. “Um, give this to Lisbeth for me?”

“Sure. Hey, maybe when I come home, I can join you guys?”

“If we’re around, sure.” I tap Kai on the arm. “Let’s go.”

“Bye,” Taina says. I only glance at her once to see a face of concern. With all the drama of rooming with the Jade Lion, I haven’t hung out with my best friend in days. I make a mental note to try to chat with her later, but a whole day spent with Kai is too tempting to pass up.

The next four days go by without incident.

I take Kai around town and teach him about everything I can think of, from airplanes to internet trolls.

When I’m not at work, we go out into the woods.

He uses a spell to cloak us in fog so we can practice magic undisturbed.

And by we, I mean Kai does magic while I watch.

I still have no solo abilities, but it’s riveting watching him do all sorts of magical maneuvers.

He moves dirt, swirls air around, and conjures various mystical ingredients I’ve only read about in books.

His aptitude for magic is enchanting, pun intended.

When I inform the others about the occurrence with Kevin in the alleyway, they’re naturally concerned.

But I point out that Kai wiped his memories.

My housemates give me peculiar looks and whisper about me, but I don’t care.

I don’t need people hovering over me and criticizing my choice of men—I do that enough to myself.

Besides, we have the Jade Lion on our side now.

One day, he might recover his memories and go back to Hong Kong, so I’m enjoying his company while I still have it.

Even though the thought of him leaving makes my heart hurt, I’m still trying to help him remember his past.

One morning, Ashley, Kai, and I are commuting with Lisbeth to Brew-Ha.

Kai typically hangs out during opening before our walk to the library.

Today, he might be regretting that choice since our leader is lecturing about how unsafe the world is.

She regales us about violent news stories, and I try not to roll my eyes.

“What made you think about this now?” I ask with a yawn. I unlock the door and let Ashley into Brew-Ha. She scurries in and turns on the lights. Kai begins to move chairs off of tables as I follow Lisbeth to the kitchen.

“Well, um…” She opens the cash register. “I watched a worrying documentary last night. Very frightening stuff.”

I walk by Kai and say, “A documentary is kind of like the programs you’ve seen on the internet. A true story, nothing scripted.” I approach Lisbeth and add, “That stuff will mess with your mental health.”

“Hey, you’re the one who almost got hurt. Don’t change the subject,” she retorts.

“It’s not a big deal,” I say.

“Oh, yes, it is.” Lisbeth stands with her hands crossed, blocking me from walking to the back. “Honey, you were assaulted.”

“But he didn’t get far. And Kai scared him away.” The man moves to my left, and we share a smile. “Thanks again.”

“You are most welcome.”

Lisbeth’s face softens for a moment, then she frowns again. “As great as it is that the Jade Lion was here to protect you, we need to do more.”

I scratch my arm, annoyed that we’re having this conversation at all. Lisbeth is a second mom to me, but I don’t need overprotection. Frankly, I just want to forget Kevin and move on with my life. “What are you going to do, put more cameras around the place?”

“Better than that. Ashley!” she hollers. My housemate appears and places pieces of cloth into Lisbeth’s hands. In a blur, my coven leader takes my left wrist and ties something around it.

“What’s all this?”

“Upgraded protection charm,” Ashley replies with a smile.

“It pushes away any malicious thoughts and makes others not want to mess with you. No more muggings or assaults from mortals, or any spellcasters who may be in the vicinity.” Lisbeth finishes tying the ward around my wrist. The charm resembles a tiny copper pressed coin with a rune etched into it, held together by a white braided rope.

“Everyone in our coven needs to wear them now,” Lisbeth says with a firm tone that leaves little room for argument.

She’s been my wise mentor ever since I discovered my witchy nature, but I’m not fond of being told what to do.

Still, she might have a point, since superhero lion mages won’t always be around.

“That means one for you too, Kai,” Ashley says. Kai seems amused as she wraps one around his wrist.

“Are we sure the Jade Lion himself needs our protection? You’ve seen his arcana,” I murmur.

“He definitely does!” Lisbeth turns to him. “It is imperative you keep it on even when you sleep.” She seems particularly serious, and Kai nods with understanding.

“Please keep this on,” Ashley urges.

“I will.” Kai turns to me. “As long as you do as well. You were assaulted once, and I will not let that happen again. Keeping you safe is my priority.” His chivalry warms my heart. It’s almost as sweet as the feeling of his lion form sleeping under my hand. His purring was so cute.

I bite back a goofy grin and force myself to break eye contact with Kai.

We’re simply new friends, and we have to remain that way.

He’s new to this era, he’ll probably move away eventually, and most importantly, I want to focus on being single right now.

I need to remind myself of the reasons not to jump his bones when we sleep together every night.

Even though he is my daily lustful fantasy wrapped in tight abs, huge biceps, and magical skills.

“I’m gonna get started on the baking,” I murmur. “You know how to get to the library, right?” I ask, avoiding eye contact.

“Indeed, I do. Stay safe, and have a good day.”

I make it to the kitchen just as I hear Kai walking away and the girls bidding him goodbye.

Once the door to the front counter shuts, I take a deep breath, trying to focus on something other than Kai.

I put on my apron and begin assembling my ingredients for muffins.

Baking isn’t as fun as potion-making, but I love being able to spend any time in a kitchen and get paid.

After I pour in the cinnamon, Lisbeth walks in, then studies me carefully. I avoid her gaze and say, “We have some pumpkin spice muffin batches in the freezer. I’ll go get started on that, then make this new batch.”

“That’s fine. I’m not messing with my favorite potions witch.” She shoots me a coy grin, and I don’t know what she’s getting at.

So, I keep moving, preheating the oven, and taking the batches out of the freezer. “How many potions witches do you know?”

She continues to study me with an odd smile, so I turn my attention to assembling the fresh batch while the other one defrosts. After another minute, I can’t take this weird scrutiny. “Can I help you, Lisbeth?”

“It’s nothing,” she says, implying that it is certainly something.

“Right.” I crack two eggs, then toss out the shells. “Look, I’ll stay away from Kevin, but maybe we should have two people during closing? That will keep me safe.”

“It’s not that. We’ll be fine as long as you wear your charm.”

I give her a bewildered look. “Then what is it? Because you never hang out here when I bake.”

She looks me up and down. “You and Kai are growing quite close, yes?”

There’s no way she knows I rubbed him to sleep as a lion. “Um, we’re friends?”