Simon looked at Shanna. “How does it work, then?”
“I’ll have to charge it first. Give me a few minutes, please.” She went to a bench by the side of the parking lot. Her privacy extended to what the bond allowed, so Simon stayed fifteen feet away; still close enough to be able to spy on her and sate his curiosity. He did stay silent, though, letting Shanna perform her magic.
For several minutes, she stayed sitting, cradling the locket in her closed fist, leaning over as she murmured something under her breath. Then she straightened up and dangled the locket byspreading the chain between her thumb and forefinger. With the locket lying perfectly still, she gently brushed the fingers of her other hand down the chain and across the locket, pausing at the pointed end of the heart and holding it for a few moments. The gestures were slow and tender, as if the locket was her greatest treasure …
And Simon would probably be kicked out of the first witchy coven for finding them erotic, instead.
Maybe it was because of what the locket represented—their wedding in Vegas. Maybe it was because Simon’s spirit had inhabited it for three years. Maybe it was because Shanna always carried it close to her skin, and he knew that locket was warm from it, fromher.
They had a lawbreaking bird to find, and here he was instead, his mouth watering over the mental image of Shanna wearing nothing but that necklace, with the heart dangling between her breasts.
He’d been so distracted he hadn’t even noticed the locket had started moving.
On its own.
Shanna murmured some more words, nodding approvingly as she watched the heart swing. She looked at Simon. “It’s working. It’s moving correctly to all the yes or no questions.”
“What did you ask it?”
“Simple things with sure answers. Is my name Shanna? Am I currently in New Zealand?” Her eyes glinted. “Why, would you like me to ask it something for you?”
Well, he already knew what the answer to “Would Simon rather go traipsing through impassable woods or have another tumble in the bed with Shanna” would be. “Eh, no need. As long as you know what to do.”
Chris returned then, saving him from more uncomfortable thoughts. A young man with curly brown hair, a short beard, and decked in sports gear, trailed behind her.
“Hey. This is Charlie.” Chris made a vague motion toward the man. “He’s our forest guide.”
Charlie nodded in greeting. “Your daughter tells me a kea made away with some of your stuff.”
Shanna and Simon began protesting over each other.
“She’s not our daughter,” Shanna said.
“We’re not nearly old enough,” Simon went.
Charlie shrugged. “You could’ve started young. I don’t judge. Anyway, I’m happy to lead you on this crucial mission to retrieve your things. We have to keep the forests clean of rubbish.”
“It’s a priceless bracelet,” Simon said.
“You know what they say, one man’s treasure …” Charlie swung a backpack off his shoulder. “Brought some equipment for you. Here you go.” He handed them each a headlamp, a whistle, and a device that looked much like Shanna’s vintage phone. “Personal locator beacon, in case you get lost.”
Simon opened and closed his mouth, then finally asked, “Are we?”
“You can never be over-prepared,” Charlie said.
“Don’t worry.” Shanna squeezed Simon in a side hug. “If you get lost, I can track you down with my pendulum. No locator beacons needed.”
“Your what?” Charlie asked—genuinely curious, not irritated.
Shanna beamed a smile at him. “My pendulum! I charged it with my energy so it can track the object we lost.”
“She’s a witch,” Simon explained casually.
Charlie’s eyes rounded, but then he said, just as casually, “Neat. Never met one before. Pleasure.”
Simon suppressed his laughter. Another day, another victim of Shanna’s friendliness.
No wonder he loved her. He’d yet to meet a person who couldn’t.
