Travis Grayweaver is a witch with two significant problems. First, he has a tendency to run toward trouble instead of away from it without the insurance of a Guild to back him. As a freelancing witch taking odd jobs wherever he can, this has landed him in some trouble with the Grand Council of High Magic. Second, he's madly in love with his best friend Niko, and is much too afraid to confess his feelings to him. Niko, born between the corporeal and ethereal worlds, is a familiar -- cat one minute, human the next -- with a rare, pure source of magick sought after by people all over the world. When contracted, familiars will do whatever they have to in order to protect their human. Although Travis has no contract with Niko, they share an unshakable bond built on friendship, loyalty, and trust. But their bond is put to the ultimate test when something dark and sinister threatens their community and their lives. If they don't stop it in time, Travis might lose Niko -- and the chance to ever tell him how he really feels -- forever.

Watch with Glittering Eyes

Travis’s heart jumped to his throat when it opened. He thought maybe a hobgoblin or warlock or a banshee ready to scream about a recent death would be standing there. Instead, he saw nothing. Nothing but people milling around the marketplace, wandering in and out of shops, heading home, even deciding on what tavern to go for supper.


The sky swirled in pinks and golds, soft, gentle shadows beginning to stretch across the world. A warm breeze kissed through Travis’s hair as he stepped up next to Niko. The wishing star blinked high above the Eastern Woods. A perfect day easing into a peaceful evening. Nothing out of place. Nothing out of the ordinary.


Slipping an arm around Niko’s waist, Travis pressed a kiss to his cheek and chuckled.


“You scared me,” he said. “I thought something was wrong.”


But Niko didn’t return the affection. He might not’ve even noticed that Travis had kissed him at all. He did nothing but blink at something in the distance and sniff at the air.


Chapter 20