I turn and push my way through the crowd. My heart pounds in my ears as I stumble away from the arena, desperate to put distance between myself and whatever just happened.
I can’t afford to be distracted by a nice-looking man. That is not what I’m here for.
I catch a glimpse of my reflection in a shop window and freeze, heart dropping into the pit of my stomach.My eyes are glowing!
I duck into a quiet alley, leaning against the cool brick as I try to catch my breath. Hands shaking, I fumble for my phone and use the front-facing camera as a mirror. My eyes are still glowing—emerald green, instead of brown like they’re supposed to be. I blink rapidly, willing the unnatural luminescence to disappear.
It doesn’t.
“This can’t be happening,” I mutter, pressing my palms against my eyes. Did another witch cast a spell on me. Rachel? Or someone else? How many witches are in this town? No one would know I’m a witch. There’s no way to tell that just by looking at me.
As the initial shock subsides, a horrifying thought strikes me. What if someone saw my eyes? I replay the moment in my mind—the crowded arena, all eyes on Bast. But his eyes had been on me. Had he seen my glowing eyes—the spell someone cast on me?
I peek out from the alley, scanning the bustling street. No one seems to be paying me any attention. Which is good because myeyes are still glowing green. The unfamiliar magick pulses inside me, alive and unwanted and out to ruin everything I care about.
I say a quick cleansing spell under my breath and then check my eyes in camera on my phone again.
Nothing’s changed. Still green.
I rifle through my bag and pull out a pair of dark sunglasses. If I can’t show my eyes, so be it, but I will not let some backwoods mountain witch chase me off of Meredith’s trail…
Though, what if it’s Meredith herself? What if she’s watching me? What if she’s the one casting the spell trying to out me in public? Causing a spectacle around me would be a perfect way to evade discovery herself…
I shove the glasses on my face, take a deep breath, and stand tall.You’ve got this, Bridget. Go find your witch.
Chapter Seven
Bast O’Connor
Just One Drink
The crowd roars, a wave of sound washing over me as I take my final bow. Adrenaline sings in my veins, a familiar high that usually leaves me grinning like an idiot. For a heartbeat, I expect to hear Jackson’s voice calling out some smart-ass critique of my form, like he always did. The silence where his voice should be hits harder than I expect. But then I catch myself staring at these intense green eyes in the crowd and something shifts in my chest.
I know in that instant.Mate.
And I smile.
Jackson would’ve been the first to tell me congratulations. The first to tell me to chase that woman, woo her, and never let her go. And that’s what I’m going to do. My wolf wouldn’t have it any other way.
Find her. Find her. Mate.
My wolf’s chant drowns out everything else. Those eyes haunt me. Vivid green. Glowing with an otherworldly light. A shimmer of magick around her body like heat waves on a scorchingsummer day. Petite frame. Dark brown hair flowing down her back. Beautiful doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Mine.The word echoes in my mind, a claim I have no right to make. Not yet. But every fiber of my being knows it’s true.
“Bast! That was amazing!” Alice’s voice cuts through my daze, yanking me back to reality. “The kids loved it. You really outdid yourself this time.”
I blink, forcing myself to focus on her beaming face. The scent of her excitement mingles with the earthy aroma of hay and the sugary sweetness of candied apples from nearby stalls. “Thanks. Well. I—Listen, can you handle things here? I need to…find someone.”
Alice’s brow furrows, concern clouding her features. “Everything okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Yeah, just…” I trail off, scanning the crowd again. The sea of faces blurs together, none of them the one I’m desperate to find.Come on, where are you?My enhanced senses strain against the overwhelm of the Faire, searching for that one unique scent and the telltale shimmer of magick.
Comprehension dawns on Alice’s face, followed by a knowing smirk. “Go,” she says, giving me a playful shove. “I can’t wait to meet her.”
Shit. Am I that obvious?Heat creeps up my neck, but I don’t have time to be embarrassed. I don’t wait for her to change her mind. I’m gone, weaving through the throng, muttering half-assed apologies as I bump into people.
The scents of sweat, excitement, and fried food assault my nose. The energy, the costumes, the way the whole town comes alive. But right now, it’s all just obstacles between me and her.
