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

Riding in Marc’s classic Pontiac, Owen rolled down the window and leaned his head on the frame. Just the feel of the sweet, fresh air buffeting his face was pure bliss after the windowless cell. He relaxed and let his eyes drift shut. Despite the disaster he’d just barely dodged, Owen felt safe—just as he had that first night Marc showed up at his door. He could get used to that feeling.


All too soon they arrived at the house, and Marc parked near the front door. Rousing himself, Owen got out of the car and went up on the porch to greet Gideon. The cat was in his usual place, stretched out on the railing, looking annoyed. “Hi, Gid, did you miss me? Or did you just miss breakfast?”


Marc unlocked the door and handed the keys to Owen. The three of them went into the house.


“Would you mind taking care of the cats for me? I really want to shower and shave this off—it itches.” Owen scratched his growing beard. “I’ll leave the whiskers to the cats from now on.”


Chapter 21