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

After skimming the report, Marc looked up, stunned. “Is she crazy?”


Finch shrugged his shoulders. “Could be. I’ve known Myrtle for about ten years—from the time Joe married her and brought her here to live. But I can’t say we’re friends exactly. I know Joe left her well enough off, but she’s always pinching pennies and hunting around for ways to make money. And as for all that religious fervor, it sure can wear on you. Mind, I got nothing against religion, but I like to keep perspective on it.”


“Well, I can’t believe Owen did any of what she’s claiming. He seems to be a peaceful animal-lover who’s been the victim, not the perpetrator in all this.”


“Maybe. Though he sure looked wild when I came to arrest him. Like he was in some kind of frenzy, slicing away with that scythe. Had meworried. And nobody around here knows him well enough to say for sure.”


They parked the car on the road and walked up the fence line between the two properties.


Chapter 18