Witch in the Wind (Bandit Creek Books) Read Free Page B

wasn’t as strong, or even stronger. No one knew how familiars travelled from witch to witch and many assumed they were from the spirit realm.
    Finally, the creature eased back on his haunches.
    “Busby’s giving me a reprieve.” He very slowly withdrew his hand. To the familiar he said, “Giving me a chance, aren’t you, Busby. But you let me know who’s got the teeth when it comes to this woman.” He stepped back.
    “That’s why I’m here. I thought you could help me find Busby’s owner. He doesn’t have a tag or tattoo.”
    Without being asked, Cora handed him the microchip scanner from behind the counter.
    He took it knowing there wouldn’t be a microchip but he might as well keep up the pretense and see where things went. He eased into a squat beside the beast as he very carefully ran the scanner over his coat. The animal angled his head to watch but sat patiently.
    When the scanner didn’t flash a number, he looked up at the woman and confirmed, “No sign of a chip.”
    He would swear she was genuinely concerned. She furrowed her brow and stroked the familiar’s back. “I can’t believe no one owns him. He’s obviously well cared for.”
    Still confused, he played along. “Sometimes country folk don’t bother with chips or even tags.”
    As he was about to stand, he noticed an oversized silver ring on her hand. It seemed too heavy to belong on her small hand. He thumbed the snake ring his father had given to him when he came into his magic . Silver rings were frequently used by witches to store and transfer magical power.
    “That’s an unusual ring you’re wearing there,” he said. “It looks like a gryphon.”
    She looked at her finger and quickly brought her other hand over it. Almost as if she felt a need to protect it. Strange.
    “They were my parents’ wedding rings.” She looked puzzled as she fidgeted with the ring. “It’s two rings, really. An eagle and a lion.”
    “Oh,” he said, thinking fast. He knew from his investigation those were the animal symbols of the two murdered witches. A coincidence? Odd wedding rings for mortals to choose. Who the hell was this woman? He pushed himself slowly to his feet, taking the time to get his thoughts under control.
    “By the way, I should introduce myself,” he said. “I’m Marcus Egan. Covering for Dr. Hunter this month.”
    She held out her hand to him as courtesy dictated, and replied, “Avalon Gwynn.” Her smile bewitched him. “Call me Avy. Everyone does.”
    Marcus hoped his jaw didn’t drop. What the—a daughter?
    Guardian witches couldn’t breed with each other. It hadn’t been possible for over five hundred years. It was the price they paid for their power over The Otherland. At the end of the Coven War, the five governing families of the Witches Council were each given enhanced, but incompatible magic. Only compatible magic can form new life.
    Marcus’s mind raced. Maybe Devlin and Eavan adopted a mortal child.
    “Gwynn?” Marcus made sure to furrow his brow as if he was struggling to remember. “Any connection to the Old Gwynn Place up by the cemetery?”
    Her face immediately clouded and he was afraid she’d just walk away. He’d better tune up his interrogation skills if he wanted to keep her talking. He had to be sure. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…” He fumbled to explain his lack of tact. He was trampling over her feelings like a damned cyclops. He tried again. “I’m new in town …”
    She straightened her shoulders and gave him a small smile. “Yes, that Gwynn.” She didn’t seem to notice she’d dropped her hand to the familiar’s head.
    “I’m sorry about your parents,” he said, still not believing it could be possible. He waited for her to correct him and give him some other explanation.
    A tear slipped down her cheek, and she whispered, “Thank you.”
    They looked at each other in awkward silence.
    If the impossible had happened and she is their biological child , how much magic