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

“Myrtle, I’ve got eyes. I can tell that boy didn’t climb over the fence and chase you. He was on his property the whole time. And that human sacrifice symbol that spooked you so bad? It was just a tee shirt with a logo for some hippie art festival out west. I looked it up on the internet.” Finch slid a paper across the table to her. “I want you to sign this form dropping your complaint. I’m going to dismiss the charges against that boy and release him. I know that being the God-fearing woman you are, you’ll do the right thing and not bear false witness.” He held out the pen and stared at her, a determined look on his face.


After a long silence, during which Marc watched shifting emotions flicker across her face, she finally yielded and signed.


The sheriff put the form into the file folder and looked at Marc. “Well, we should be getting back. Do you need to stop and feed those cats while we’re here?”


“Not if you’re going to release Owen today.”


Chapter 19