Daniel Rose should be having a good night. He’s a bestselling author; he’s had film adaptations of his books; he’s met movie stars. And there’s a storm outside tonight, electric and wild. Dan’s always liked storms. Tonight, though, he’s stuck staring at his computer and suffering from writer’s block, out of ideas and inspiration. But when an adorable young man knocks at his door, asks to borrow Dan’s kitchen spices, and announces witchcraft’s real and their apartment building needs an exorcism, Dan’s dark and stormy night takes a turn for the magical. Sterling Friday’s among the youngest qualified practicing members of the coven, and this haunted building’s only his third assignment. He’s a very good clairvoyant but less good at proper spellwork, and he could use some help with both ingredients and psychic anchors. He also happens to be a fan of those Daniel Rose novels, and he’s hoping Dan, as a writer, will believe his story and not turn him away. On a night drenched in magic and rain, as ghosts hover in the background, the attraction between them is immediate and elemental.

Elemental

He couldn’t move. Frozen. Heart slamming into his ribs.


“Ah,” Sterling said, supremely unconcerned, “hey, there you are, it’s been a seriously long time for some of you, hasn’t it? Let me see what I can do about that…”


Night redoubled. Presences loomed. Every wall, every crevice, became home to uncanny glimmers; Dan’s apartment, once familiar, surrendered itself to gloom.


“Oh, come on.” This time Sterling sounded more amused. “You’re just doing what’s expected, aren’t you, with all that? Well, why areyou, then? Aren’t you still yourselves? Independent enough not to bother with playing the role? Come talk to me.” His fingers shifted, nestled into herbs and blood. His eyes got brighter: more silver, less grey, sparkly in a different and less human manner.


One of the shadows, a spiky ball like a deep-sea fish from lightless oceans, came over and sat on his foot. Right next to Dan’s foot. Okay. That was happening. That was possible. Dan tried to remember to breathe.


Chapter 6