Return of the Fae Read Free

you better results. Remember, most of all, never tell the fairy your secret name.–The Academy of Witchcraft Manual. Volume 3, page 142.
     
    Ty pulled his Mercedes onto a parking spot in front of the bar. Four hours with Matilda, Parris’ grandmother, and they’d only started breaking the forgetting spell. He’d left her searching through her old spell books, hoping she’d left herself a clue. If she had, she’d hidden the clue well.
    When he’d called to check on Parris and Derek, he’d found Derek had been unsuccessful in getting the woman to focus. Parris had bailed. Again.
    She needed to prioritize, like him. First thing in the morning, he’d checked in at the law office, placed a few phone calls, delegated other tasks, and finished his work. He was a freaking lawyer. Parris needed to learn to let April handle management of the bar for at least a few hours a day.
    Pushing through the heavy wooden door, he caught a whiff of her, reminding him of the first time he’d walked through The Alibi’s door and discovered one rogue witch with no clue about who she was or what she could become. The smell of chamomile, thyme, mint, and a surprising touch of vanilla, mixed with a slight scent of sulfur now meant Parris. Anytime, anywhere. Even in this dark, dive bar filled with spilled beer odors and lingering cigarette smoke. Parris, his soul mate.
    The thought sent chills up his spine. He’d been struggling with the idea of Parris since they’d met. When he realized the strength of their connection, he’d been ready for the commitment.   After his research uncovered she’d been born to First Bloods, both in and out of The Council, he’d questioned their union. Now that The Council had issued an edict for him to train her in her powers, he’d pushed his feelings aside. Right now they had business. Serious business that would keep her alive and her grandmother safe. Now was not the time to imagine stripping off her black cotton sundress and taking her right on the bar.
    “Hey, Ty.” April waved at him from behind the bar. “You want something? Soda, beer?”
    “Coffee.” He walked toward the table where Parris sat, an open book in front of her. Slipping into the chair, he frowned. “You shouldn’t be reading here.”
    “A fairy told me today I needed to study harder. She said my life is in danger.” She paused as Ty’s coffee was delivered.
    “Thanks.” Ty smiled at April but when he saw her face, he frowned. “You okay? You look like you haven’t slept in a week.”
    “Mid-terms.” April shook her head. “Why I ever thought I could take fifteen credits and work full time, I’ll never know.”
    “I should be here more, helping.” Parris touched her arm.
    April put her hands on her hips. “No. You hired me to manage the bar. I just got a major promotion. You hanging here all day tells me one thing. You don’t trust me.”
    “Seriously, I’m not that much of a mother hen, am I?” Parris blushed.
    “Cluck, cluck. Look, I know you love this bar, but you have to let me do my job. Let me prove I can manage everything.”
    “If that’s what you want.” Parris finally took a breath.
    “So, you’re going to leave right after Mr. Wonderful here finishes his coffee?” She raised her eyebrows. “Maybe go have lunch together, like a date?”
    “I can do better than that.” Ty asked, “When is she due back on the schedule?”
    “Monday morning – day shift and payroll.” April’s attention diverted to the opening door, and she waved at the entering couple of regulars.
    “You won’t see her until then,” Ty promised.
    “Guys, I’m sitting right here.” Parris held up her hands in surrender. “Fine, I’m out of here unless you need me. Like today.”
    “I promise I won’t call until I look everywhere for the missing boxes. I can’t believe I didn’t see the stack in the alley.”
    When they were alone, Parris told Ty the highlights of her conversation with Toki. “So a fairy and a