Wiccan Owen Rhys inherits a house outside a small town, where he hopes the solitude will help with his music. But a zealously religious neighbor is convinced he’s a devil worshiper, and her gossip causes the townspeople to view Owen with suspicion. A series of pranks ensues, including dead animals left on his porch, threatening the feral cats living on Owen’s property. Though a bit out of practice, Owen casts a spell to summon a protector -- someone to convince the town the gossip is false and prevent the pranks from escalating. He confidently waits for his champion to arrive. Marc Elias is the town’s animal control officer and veterinarian. He considers himself a rational man who trusts in science and most certainly does not believe in magic. So when he receives a complaint that Owen is bewitching and torturing cats, he dismisses it as her imagination but goes to investigate. Owen is certain Marc is the protector summoned by the spell. But Marc sees Owen’s altar and hears desperate howling, and he has to put aside any attraction he may feel towards the young Wiccan to do his job. Will a little magic be all it takes for both men to get what they want?

Just a Little Magic

He closed his eyes and, filling his mind with the vision of a strong, wise, protective man coming to his aid, he faced the east and began to sing.


He turned to the north and sang again and then to the west. When he faced south, he smelled the pungent stink of burning hair. Owen’s eyes flew open.


Gideon lay, sprawled, in the center of the altar cloth, his orange fur bright against the black. He was calmly licking the dish of salt while his tail sizzled and smoked in the candle flame.


Panic froze Owen for an instant. Then, adrenaline surging, he grabbed the chalice of water and dumped it over the smoldering fur. Gideon hissed indignantly and swept his dripping tail through the ashes of the incense, flicking them in gray spatters at Owen’s robe.


Chapter 5