Page 65 of The Unbound Witch

“Nah. Bash has that whole dark and moody thing going for him. Plus, have you seen that jawline?” Atlas asked over the top of a book he’d picked up from a shelf.

“I had no idea you were so interested,” Kir answered.

“Handsome recognizes handsome. It’s a curse, really.”

Moving away from their teasing, I crossed the store, studying the back door. Eden came to my side, looping her arm with mine. I stared out over the half-harvested garden, hardly believing all the changes since the seeds were planted. It seemed a lifetime and yet only a second ago.

“Are we sure no one can see Crow out in the garden? Not only is this place supposed to be locked down, but he’s human and a big liability.”

She patted my hand. “I’ve cast a darkness spell over him. As long as he’s only out under the moonlight, no one will see him. And I’ve been teaching him our ways. In a few days, he’ll be able to pass as a silent witch who grew up as an outcast. If anyone ever questions him, they’ll never know the truth.”

I gave her a pointed look. “Let’s just hope no one questions him.”

“Indeed,” she smiled. “But we can’t stay locked in this shop forever. Eventually, I’d like to return to my home. I know that won’t be anytime soon, but someday.”

“Do you think she’ll come?” I whispered, though I was sure I already knew the answer.

Torryn moved to my side, providing that easy comfort he always did. Squeezing my shoulder, he smiled down at me, his long, twisted hair falling forward. “Have faith, Little Witch. If she comes, we will be ready.”

“Oh, she’ll come. Not for me, but for her Grimoire, she’ll bring the world down.”

“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.”

27

RAVEN

The rich smell of roasted squash permeated Crescent Cottage so thoroughly, I was certain if there were any witches anywhere near the square, they would end up on the outside of the barrier to the shop, staring in the empty windows with total confusion. To them, they would see the battered store we’d found the day we arrived, broken glass and not a sign of life within. But I didn’t know if that would hold true for the aroma.

Torryn wrapped his massive brown hands around his bowl, grinning from ear to ear as he stared down at Eden. “The goddess blessed me the day our paths crossed.”

“Oh, stop.” She swatted his arm. “I am no longer your charge. Your flattery is wholly unnecessary.”

His face fell. “Every word I’ve ever spoken to you was with full sincerity. It was never about watching over you or gaining your trust.”

A blush crossed her pale cheeks. “I didn’t mean—”

A swirling mass of red magic appeared in the shop, and without thinking, I raised my hand to cast as Atlas shifted into his wolf form. My first thought was the Grimoire. Though I hadn’t seen her put it away, I knew without a doubt it was sandwiched between two stacked pots under the oak counter in the backroom. A decent hiding spot, but still one that called to me. The magic thinned for a moment before Bastian and Crow fell from the half-cast door in a heap of soaking clothes and red faces.

“What the hell?” Kirsi surged forward. She swooped low to help Bastian to his feet, but he managed on his own.

“Blame him,” he said, pointing at the captain. “Absolutely refused to bathe without clothes on and then wouldn’t let me help him out of the water.”

“Bloody witches and your magics. Can’t let a man wash his ass in peace.”

“No one’s washing their ass through their britches, Crow,” Torryn said, biting back his giant smile.

He moved to his feet, dripping water all over the shop floor. “I wasn’t going to give him a show.”

Laughter filled the air, each of us with smiles on our faces, the heavy mood shifting into something lighter, easier. And he knew it. Crow smiled, winking at Eden. Embracing the character just to make her smile. I thought he probably loved her, even if she didn’t know it yet.

Relishing the relaxed camaraderie between the witches and the shifters twisted something in my heart. It could have been like this. From the dawn of our days, had there not been so much abhorrence bred into our minds. Had our ancestors not steeped our world in ruination by drawing that line between us. I wanted this. And I’d fight for it. Smelly captain and sopping wet king included.

“For the thousandth time, I wasn’t looking.”

“Mhmm. That’s what they all say… right before they get handsy.”

“Always a valid threat with this one,” Atlas said, clapping Bastian on the back, water spraying from his dark, damp shirt.