CHAPTER1
CASSANDRA
“Wantto help me put a hex on an ex?”Iasked my friendPandora, who was also my boss at theSalemSupernaturalNetwork.
Wewere sitting across from each other at a booth at theDangerZone, a retro rock bar north ofBostonthat was owned byGianna, a half siren.Althoughthe club was a trek fromSalem, my daughterPaigewas with her father tonight, soIhad to take advantage of a girls’ night out.Itwas especially welcome after last night whenI’dhad the “pleasure” of interrogating a surly vampire about his questionable methods of feeding.
Pandora’sdark-lined eyes widened beneath her bangs. “You’rejoking, right?”
“Ofcourse.”Igrinned at her.
Shechuckled with relief and tossed her dark hair over her shoulders. “Youhad me there for a minute.Notonly is it forbidden, but think of the bad karma it would bring back on you.”
“Iknow,Iknow.I’dbe a hypocritical witch ifIcursed my ex.”Especiallysince part of my responsibilities at theNetworkinvolved interviewing others about using magic inappropriately. “Butpicturing the waysIcould put a spell onThornebrings immense satisfaction.”
Iflashed her a conspiratorial glance and raised my glass of sangria.Itwas a new selection on the menu, dubbedSpellboundSangria, although not for magical ingredients.Thatwas likelyGianna’stongue-in-cheek reference to her unfortunate recent encounter with an age spell in her drink.Mydrink had a fragrant bouquet of cinnamon, cloves, berries, and pomegranate, as well as a kick from the brandy.Ididn’t detect anything suspicious, but perhaps drinking too many of these would make me feel bespelled after all.
Ileaned back in the booth and gazed around the club.Afew twenty-somethings were singing along toRatt’s“RoundandRound” on the dance floor, drink glasses in hand.Ah, to be twenty again and without responsibilities; not a single mom in her mid-thirties trying to raise her daughter right while also making a living to pay the bills.
Pandoratapped her long fingers together. “So, what didThornedo now?”
Igrumbled, “Asidefrom not just being a thorn in my side but an ache in my head?”
“Inother words, the usual?”Pandoraturned one hand palm up.
“Yes, that, and he likes to find new ways to irk me.”Iadjusted my position in the booth. “Myparents asked me to bringPaigeup to visit them inMaineover the weekend.He’sgiving me a hard time about it, sayingIneed to discuss these things in advance with him and blah, blah, blah.Funnyhow he only wants to be a father when it suits him—or to rankle me.”
Pandoragave me a sympathetic look. “Frustrating.”
“Men.”Or, in this case, an arrogant fae.Iblew out a rough breath. “Ireally know how to pick them.”
Notonly had he broken my heart and destroyed my trust whenI’dlearned he was cheating on me whileIwas pregnant with his child, but he continued being a pain in the broomsticks since we’d broken up.He’slucky he still had all his appendages.Withhormones surging through my system during my pregnancy, it was a challenge not to conjure a spell to make his wandering weenie shrivel up and fall off.ButIhad a daughter to raise and that wouldn’t have been easy to do from a jail cell.
“They’renot all bad,”Pandoranoted. “Notwhen you find the right one.”Aslight smile flitted across her face as if considering her situation.
Pandorahad her own drama with an ex from her past who’d tried to force his way into her present.Withthat finally behind her, she was now happily living with a bear shifter, who was a good decade younger than her in her early forties.Theynow lived in her house with four cats—a his-and-her feline version ofTheBradyBunch.
Isighed. “Unfortunately, finding the right guy doesn’t appear to be in the tarot cards for me.”Myfeeble attempts at resurrecting my love life by trying to date again in the last couple of years had proven that.Ifound more pleasure in scrying or creating potions over slogging through a date as bland as soggy, spice-less oatmeal.
Thenext song came on,RobZombie’s“Dragula,” andItapped my foot along to the beat.
“Younever know.Sometimes, love comes when you least expect it.”Pandoragestured with a wave around the club. “Perhapsthere’s a tall, dark, and brooding vampire in the shadows for you.”
“Haha.”Igave her a skeptical look. “Afterdealing with that broody bloodsucker last night,I’llpass.Besides,Ienjoy daylight, thank you very much.”
Shelaughed. “Goodpoint.Butyou never know who’ll come knocking on your door.”
Herprivate smile returned, butIsensedIknew why.Shemet her bear shifter neighbor,Austin, when he’d come over to ask her to hide a kitten.
Sheslanted her head to one side and added, “Orwho’ll be sitting next to you at a club.”
Iraised an eyebrow. “Areyou sayingIshould hook up with a stranger tonight?”Iglanced around the club. “Noone strikes my fancy.”
Pandorashook her head. “No.I’mjust saying ifIwas able to find someone after my nightmare of an ex, there’s hope for everyone.”Hergaze moved to the bar. “LookatGiannaandSebastian.”
Ifollowed her gaze to whereGiannanow stood near her usual spot at the bar.Sebastianhad arrived and stood beside her.Hewas a broad-shouldered wolf shifter with a trim beard who loved to cook.Giannawore a sleek black dress that hugged her curves and blended with her dark hair, aside from the red streaks.She’drebukedSebastian’sawkward attempts to woo her at first, but now they appeared tremendously happy.Sebastianseemed almost unable to tear his gaze from his wife, andIdidn’t blame him—she was gorgeous.ButIsuspected the attraction was more than just her looks—she was his mate, and they were in love.
Goodfor them.Somepeople could make relationships work.I’dlearned from my mistakes and wouldn’t subject myself to the potential cruel heartache again.Thatwas fine.Whohad time for a relationship, anyway?Ihad enough to keep me busy with working, raising a child, and taking care of the house.
