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Fredi lolled in the bedcovers, feeling a rare sense of peace. For once in her life, she was happy and everything was okay. Gus spooned her with his arm wrapped around her waist. His chest rose and fell with each heavy breath. She patted his hand to reassure herself he was real. The sensation of lying next to his warm body was a sweet luxury. It came as a terrible disappointment when the sound of splashing water fully woke her and ruined the elusive moment of hovering at the edge of a dream realm, neither here nor there.
Warily, she opened her eyes and was startled to see the pink tint of dawn already creeping across the bedcovers. Then she realized, beneath the sound of gurgling water, she also heard a man outside her bedroom window, humming.
She rose on her elbow and gently shook Gus. “Wake up.”
Gus’s lashes fluttered, but, otherwise, he remained unmoved by her prodding as he sprawled on his back, sound asleep.
“Someone’s in my front yard.”
Clutching the sheet, he woke with a start. “Holy shit, it’s morning!” He rubbed his eyes with the heel of his palm, as if he could burnish alertness into them. “How did this...? I don’t even remember falling asleep.”
Silently, she mouthed the words, Out there, and pointed through the open window, with its singed curtain still heaped on the floor. She tucked the sheet around her.
“Go look,” she whispered.
With a lazy shove, he rolled from the bed, fished his torn jeans from the floor, and tugged them on. His hair was bed-rumpled and wild as he strode toward the window and peered out.
“Good morning.” He addressed someone standing below the window. “It’s pretty early. Is there something we can do for you?”
“No,” a cheerful-sounding and completely unapologetic man answered. “I was just on my way.” The water was turned off with a few twists of the squeaky faucet, followed by the sound of bare feet slapping against the stepping-stones.
Fredi sighed. “Was it the naked jogger?”
Gus covered his eyes with his palms and rubbed hard. “Technically, no. This guy was wearing a red, white, and blue G-string, but he’s gone now. He’s heading across the beach. God, I wish I could un-see that. Hasn’t anyone ever complained about that guy?”
“This is California. Who would we complain to?”
He stepped away from the window and turned toward her. “Do you always look this beautiful in the morning?”
Her heart leaped. He looked gorgeous too, bathed in the dawn light with broad shoulders and a wavy mane. She wished every day started with such a stunning view. “Look where you’re standing.”
He glanced at the windowsill. “How far apart do you think we are? Ten, maybe fifteen feet?”
With a wave, she motioned toward the kitchen. “Would you get me a glass of water?”
Taking cautious steps, he headed toward the kitchen. “Look at this! I’m all the way over to the sink, and nothing’s happening on my side. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
Once in the kitchen, he opened cupboard doors, searching. “Where do you keep the glasses?”
“To your left.”
He grabbed two heavy highball tumblers from the shelf and filled them from the tap. Immediately, he gulped one and refilled it twice. “I’m thirsty. I think the hoodoo wore off. I feel completely normal, except I’m starving.”
“We skipped dinner.” Hoodoo or not, she didn’t feel normal at all. Having Gus in her bed and then seeing him standing at her sink was incredibly intimate. A little voice in her head said, This is great. I could wake up to Gus every day.
“I have an idea.” He strolled toward the bed and delivered the tumbler into her waiting hand. “Do you have to be anywhere this morning? Let’s get breakfast at Pete’s Breakfast Shack near the pier. They have the best corned-beef hash.”
“I want pancakes, but I need coffee, now. Don’t you have to work today?”
“As a buffer. I told the homeowner I might not be able to come in today. I have to cover my ass the day after a full moon in case I wake up naked, stranded too far from my truck, or generally unable to cope with mainstream society.”
Tilting her head, she scanned the sweeping breadth of his back. “You look fine to me.”
He sat beside her on the edge of the bed. “I feel really good, better than I’ve felt for a long time. I sort of don’t want it to end, but...”
She sipped her water. “But what?”
“It’s morning. Don’t you have something you need to do?”
The sudden look of conflict on his face confused her.
“The hoodoo? Don’t you need to break it?”
“Oh, the hoodoo!” Leaning over, she dipped her hand under the bed and pulled her wand free from its hiding place. “I forgot about that. It feels like the hoodoo has long worn away, but I guess it won’t hurt to finish it off with some sunlight and focused intent.”
A hint of sadness shone in his eyes. “Finish it.”
She lifted the wand.
“Wait!” He raised a hand. “Once the hoodoo’s broken, will I go back to feeling the same way I felt before I met you and drank the Hoodoo Blue?”
“Most likely. The hoodoo can only affect you for a limited time.”
He reached for her hand and gave it a soft squeeze. “I like being with you. Once the hoodoo’s gone and you’re free to do as you like, would you consider... could you picture... with a Lycan?”
“Are you asking if I would date a Lycan? Yes, I would.”
Relief flooded his face. “Fredi, I was asking more than that.”
“I thought so, but I’m a witch. I’m choosy as hell, and I like to take my time coming to obvious conclusions. I want to get to know you, and we can start with breakfast. I don’t have to work today.”
A big smile burst across his face. “Fair enough. I have an extra set of work clothes in my truck. Would you mind if I jumped in your shower?”
She took a long sip of water. The thought of warm soapy water flowing over his chest was too irresistible. “Would you mind if I joined you?”
His eyes sparkled. “Sounds like breakfast might turn into brunch, or lunch.”
“If you’re lucky.”
Gus laughed. “I think I am pretty damn lucky. I’m going to get my clothes.” He stood and walked out the front door.
“Wait.” She pointed the wand at him. “Purgo, declarare.”
“What does that mean?”
“Purgo, declarare is a standard spell breaker; it means to cleanse and clarify. If there’s anything left of the hoodoo affecting your behavior or judgment, it’s gone now.”
The morning light warmed his hazel eyes. “I don’t feel any different. I still want to take a shower with you. I’ll be right back.” He turned and darted toward his truck.
Fredi reached for her phone and saw a bunch of messages from Estele that had silently rolled in while they weren’t paying attention. She hit Play.
“10:04. Beep. Fredi, pick up. I remembered part of the spell.”
“10:09. Beep. Why aren’t you answering? I thought you were desperate? I’ve got good news. I need to tell you something.”
“10:23. Beep. What’s with you? I’m just going to say it. It’s a miracle! I reversed the hoodoo all by myself. I finally think I got something right. It feels great! I can’t wait to tell Madame Dahlia about my little victory. She’ll be shocked all the way down to her purple pantaloons. You and Gus should be out of danger now. You can send him home if you like. Again, I’m so sorry about this. I hope everyone is okay. Call me when you get this message. Bye.”
“10:58. Beep. I forgot to tell you that, after I removed the hoodoo, there might be some mild side effects that could leave you drowsy. No one should drive. Hopefully, you are sleeping right now and not driving in your sleep. Call me when you get this message.”
Gus walked inside and made a beeline for the bed. “Who are you talking to?”
“I was listening. These were messages from Estele. I’ll call her later.”
He winked. “Be sure to tell her I say thank you.”
She shook her head. “It will only encourage her to cause more trouble in the future.”
“I’m in trouble now.” He took the phone from her hand and set it on the nightstand. With a glint of mischief on his face, he took hold of her hand and pressed it hard against the bulge in his pants. “I think I need another dose of blonde witch. Would you prefer a lazy roll in the sheets or a sudsy stand-up in the shower? Lady’s choice.”
She laughed. “I won’t be tricked into choosing. I want both!”
Epilogue
Six months later
A mild December evening swiftly faded into night. Fredi stood on the patio of Gus’s condo, looking out on the scruffy canyon forest and watched the first stars appear.
Gus wrapped his arms around her and kissed her nape. “You smell nice.”
“It’s a new shampoo. You notice everything.” A chill in the evening air encouraged her to nestle closer to his chest. Being around a Lycan had honed her sense of smell and appreciation of all things earthy. Scents were more intriguing, and forest trails had become favorite haunts. A hint of hickory smoke from the barbecue clung to his plaid flannel shirt, creating a wonderful aroma. “Dinner was good. Your steaks were perfect; they always are. Do you have time for dessert?”
“Sure. I have at least an hour until moonrise.”
“Are you taking a wolf romp tonight?”
“Yeah, I need to wolf-shift. It’s good for me. I’ll only be out for an hour or so.”
“So little? Every month you seem to go out less.”
“I don’t seem to need more than that, now that I’ve got a mate. Actually, I want to get back to you as soon as possible. You’ll be here when I return, won’t you?”
She nodded.
“And spend the night with me?”
“Of course.” She spent most weekends at his place to avoid the weekend crowds at the beach, but she loved that he didn’t take her for granted and still asked. Gus was good company, and a big help at the animal shelter, too. The animals sensed he was a kindred soul paired with a gentle human heart and loved him for it. Scared dogs gave him their trust, and kittens melted in his hands. In many subtle ways, he’d charmed her, too. To her delight, she now also enjoyed long walks in the wooded canyon behind his condo and had a well-broken-in pair of hiking boots to prove it. “I have a surprise to show you.”
“I have a something to show you too, but I want to see your surprise first.”
A warming tray had been set on the sturdy patio table. She lifted the steel cover to reveal two ceramic dishes. “I made crème brulée.”
Without hesitation, he reached toward one of the dishes. “It looks great, Fredi.”
She gently brought his hand to a halt. “Wait, that’s not the surprise.”
“What’s the surprise?”
Pursing her lips, she drew a rough breath. “I’ve been toying around a little with the Wiccan fire.”
Alarm registered on his face. “Is that wise? I thought that was over with?”
“Every now and then it returns, but I’m learning to control it. Watch.” She rubbed her hands together and pointed her fingertips at the crème brulées. A soft, glowing green light crackled from her fingertips, heated the sugar sprinkled on top of the desserts, and turned it a perfect golden brown. The rich scent of caramel wafted in the air. “Isn’t that cool?!” she squealed. “I’m learning to make toast that way, too, but it's tough. The other day, I burned so many slices of bread I managed to set off the smoke detector on Mr. Plotkin’s front porch.”
He laughed. “Poor Mr. Plotkin will be so happy when you move away.”
“Why would I move?”
Gus pulled a velvet ring box from his pocket. “Because hopefully you’ll be marrying me.” He opened the box and displayed a vintage engagement ring with a delicate, square-cut diamond. “I love you, Fredi. I knew you were the one for me since that first night we got hoodooed. I want to make plans.”
“You want to live on the edge of a state park or wilderness corridor, right?”
“Yes, and I want to have a family, too—when you’re ready.”
“You sound like you’re ready now.”
“I sort of am. I’m Lycan; I can’t help it.”
“Well?”
“Well, what?”
“Are you going to keep talking, or will you to put that damn ring on my finger before you wolf-shift and leap over the patio rail?”
The End
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Author’s Note:
Did you enjoy meeting Fredi and Gus and getting hoodooed? Want a little more Sorcery By The Sea in San Buena? Guess what’s coming next—Estele’s story. Estele is trying to graduate from the Master Mage Magic Academy, and the seaside town of San Buena will never be the same. Yep, Estele has been a bad girl, and she’s going to meet her match in a handsome Brujo who drives an enchanted food truck. I’m going to mix Estele’s brand of loopy spellcasting with a priceless gem of infinite power, malicious demons bent on world domination, and thousands of innocent people at a county fair—what could go wrong?
Also look for Wild Cards, coming May 30th 2016. Wild Cards will be part of a shared world series with lots of magic and mayhem set in Las Vegas.
And there’s more coming this autumn....