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

Marc scoffed. “Of course not. I believe in what I can prove. I know that disease is caused by microscopic organisms, not hexes. And cures come from effective drugs, not wishful thinking.”


Trying very hard not to overreact, Owen simply said, “That’s a very narrow world you live in.”


“Well, it’s a world you should be embracing.” Marc dropped his hands from Owen’s shoulders and started pacing. “Look, all this hocus-pocus gave Myrtle a perfect weapon to use against you. You set yourself up to be different, mysterious—which, to a lot of people, seems like a threat. You’ll get along much better if you tone down the Wiccan thing and keep it to yourself.” He stopped in front of Owen with such a patronizing look on his face that Owen’s fingers curled into fists.


Chapter 24