Page 25 of Untraced Magic (Cutters Cove Witches #1)

I placed the book on my bedside table, deciding it would be better read another time.

***

That night, the mood at Jinxed was more lowkey. Turns out I still got the job, even after my magical mishap… Perks of knowing the local supernaturals.

People mingled in groups on the old couches, some in booths. Others swayed to the song that filtered through the bar, and I found myself doing the same. I picked up another glass from the dishwasher, swiping it with a tea towel as I mindlessly hummed along to the lyrics.

I was finally getting my head around the place. Only, now I knew things. Things I didn’t know before. The ‘supernatural’ as Tyler called it.

I glanced around the bar, playing my secret game of what used to be kill, marry, fuck, almost snorting at my naivety.

It had quickly changed to vamp, witch, or human. No doubt there were more, too.

If I was honest, it was harder than I thought. I mean, the witch that only last night had his lips on mine was a grease monkey.

A smile played on my lips at the thought of Tyler in a singlet and coveralls, covered in grease marks. Note to self, visit him at work one of these days.

He caught my gaze from across the bar, and I lifted my brows at him, a subtle smile in his direction. He fired a knowing look my way. Discrete, but I didn’t miss the heart-pounding moment his eyes held mine before he turned his attention to the guys again.

“You look deep in thought…” came Reid’s voice from behind me, and I glanced over my shoulder at him as he walked toward me.

I shrugged. “I was just trying to figure out, you know, how you tell who is what around here.”

“Ah,” he said, leaning a hip into the bar, folding his muscular arms across his chest. “That’s easy once you’re in the know.”

His gaze veered to the doorman at the entrance. A guy who was taller than most, his shoulders broader than Tyler’s, and that was a statement alone.

Reid nodded to him. “Werewolf. They’re naturally larger than the rest of us, and most have an attitude to match. You do not want to piss them off,” he said.

My lips pursed. “Right. Got it.”

“Vamps aren’t often seen in here.” Reid said then, looking back at me once more.

“But when they are, you may not know when you see one. Not all are pale, as the tales are false; some can walk in the sun. But be warned, as their faces are made to attract their prey, even when some are centuries old.”

My brows hit the roof. “Seriously?”

He nodded.

“And because I know you’re going to ask, their typical main course is human blood, but if they haven’t fed in a while, their second choice is a special blend of witch blood.”

Fear traced down my spine, remembering how close Jett had come to me, and it dawned on me that I was his prey that night .

If not for Tyler turning up, I may have been as good as dead.

“Witches are harder to spot. There are no broomsticks obviously,” Reid said with a laugh, and I did the same. “We blend in, and that’s how we prefer things. Only a sensor mage like Wes can sense if someone is a witch.”

I blew out a breath. “Wow. Okay, that’s a lot to take in.”

He shrugged. “That’s just the tip of the iceberg. You’ll learn more as time goes on and once the spell is broken. You turn twenty-five on Friday, right?”

I nodded. “Yeah. Not sure if I should call it a birthday or my reckoning,” I said, laughing nervously. This was all happening so fast, it was hard to take in.

Reid settled his elbows on the bar beside me, surveying the room. “I’m sure you’ll be fine.” He turned his attention back to me. “If anything, maybe your gift might be super sensitive for a while until you learn to control it.”

I bit my lip. “What was it like for you? Learning to control yours?”

Reid stiffened slightly. “A bit like your gift, mine is rare. I’m a blood mage, meaning my blood can heal others.”

My brows raised. “That is special.”

He raised a shoulder, wrinkling his nose. “Like any gift, it has its pros and cons,” he retorted.

“How can healing people have a con?”

He chuckled lightly. “You have a lot to learn around here.” He patted me on the back. “Just concentrate on yourself for now.”

He was right, though. Obsidian magic was apparently in my blood, and it would come for me, whether I liked it or not. My stomach flipped over on itself again, as it had been all day, unsure what would become of it.

Reid finished serving a customer, turning to me when they were out of earshot. “Have you taken any self-defense classes before? It may be worth considering.”

A nervous laugh surfaced again. I didn’t know Reid very well, having only worked with him once, but I got the feeling he was sincere.

“Ah, no. Protecting myself from crazies hasn’t exactly been high on my list of priorities.”

He eyed me sideways as he wiped a rag over the bar. “Maybe Tyler could teach you. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.”

I fought the urge to narrow my eyes at him. Did he suspect something was going on between us? Admittedly, there had been the occasional public touch, and Tyler hadn’t disguised his protectiveness toward me, but we’d kept to ourselves for the most part.

“Speak of the Devil!” he said, turning his attention away from me, and I spun to see Tyler approaching from the far side of the bar.

My insides scattered at the sight of him. Wearing jeans and a black jacket, he had a subtle edge about him that sent a shiver of approval through me. His gaze undid me, as if he could see right through every stitch of my clothing, exposing me bare.

Tyler conjured feelings within me, so genuine, so raw, that if I didn’t have both eyes open, I wouldn’t trust it to be real.

Stormy irises disguised the moment. Our secret, for now .

He rested on the bar stool across from us. “My ears are burning,” he said, hinting to the fact that he’d heard his name in our conversation.

Reid nodded at him. “Ty.”

Tyler lifted his chin in his direction. “Reid,” he said, before turning his attention to me. “Hey.” His lip quirked up into a grin.

“Hey.” I smiled at him, feeling the warmth of his presence in every part of me. “Fending off the groupies, I see,” I teased, nodding toward a group of girls sitting in the bar that watched his every move.

He chuckled. “Something like that. Never was a fan of the young ones.”

He gave me a knowing look that warmed my insides. The good parts.

Reid leaned against the bar beside me. “I was just saying that you could help teach Morgan some self-defense moves.”

Tyler’s brows lifted, his eyes shifting to mine.

Reid coughed. “Being her neighbor and all.”

I grabbed the edge of the bar with a scowl at how obvious he was being.

He lifted his hands in the air. “Just trying to help.” He smirked.

Tyler casually leaned an arm on the bar, the roped veins in his hand flexing at the movement. “Yeah, of course. That’s a great idea.”

“Really, you don’t need to,” I insisted.

I was sure I saw a flicker of amusement behind those stormy grays, no doubt thinking about what positions that would get us into. “Guys, this is too much,” I argued, my mind a disorder of thoughts and feelings .

Betty’s words rang loud in my ears, her warning grating my nerves.

Right now, I wanted to snuggle up with Tyler and pretend this wasn’t happening, but it seemed reality would not allow me to just be . Not time, not Betty, and certainly not these two, currently hell bent on convincing me to throw punches at Tyler’s limbs.

Tyler lowered his voice, so the conversation stayed between the three of us. “No, it’s not. If your gift is as rare as Betty says it is, you never know who or what for that matter may be after it.”

I let out a long sigh. “Okay, okay,” I gave in, pointing at Tyler. “ Maybe I might let you show me some stuff.”

Tyler nodded “Tomorrow it is then.”

Reid’s arm landed on my shoulder. “I’m going to take my break. I’ll be out the back if you need me.” With that, he disappeared through the kitchen doors, leaving us alone.

Tyler adjusted his jacket. “So, what time do you finish up tonight? I’ll walk you home.”

I couldn’t help but think he came here only for that reason. Hiding my smile, my heart lurched at the thought.

“Oh, will you now?” I teased, wondering if this was something he did on the regular.

His tone hardened further. “I’m not letting you walk home on your own.”

I leaned forward, as if to whisper to him. “Do you always walk the bar staff home at the end of the night?” I bantered, flashing him a coy smile .

Tyler smirked. “Never. Maybe I might need to make this a new thing,” he lifted a brow, raising his glass to his mouth and emptying his drink. “In all seriousness though, it’s not safe for anyone to be alone out there.”

I tipped my head to the side in pointed agreement. “You could be a serial killer for all I know,” I said, toying with him.

“Trust me when I say I’m the least of your problems out there.”

I sighed at his seriousness, taking the empty glass from him. “I have an hour left. Can I get you another drink while you wait?”

“Thanks, just another beer will do,” he said with a guarded smile.

Tyler straightened, scanning the room, jaw twitching. He seemed nervous, on edge even.

I arched a brow as I filled his glass. “Is everything okay?”

His knuckles whitened as he clenched his fist, worry lines settling on his forehead. “I just worry… about you.”

“Well, you shouldn’t. I’ll be fine,” I tried to assure him as I slid the drink over.

“You don’t know that.” He scanned the bar full of schmoozing patrons. “Anyone could be after your magic, Morgan. We can’t let our guard down. Not here, not anywhere.”

***

After my shift, we walked the path home, a chill winding itself around my neck. I gathered my hair closer to my skin to protect me from its harsh breath .

I laced my fingers through Tyler’s. “I’ve never had a guy walk me home before,” I said, playfully swinging our arms between us.

A half grin spread over his face, and he spiraled his free hand in front of him like royalty. “The honor is all mine,” he said with a slight bow.