The Witch Rescues Her Werewolf: A Nocturne Falls Universe story Read online

  Table of Contents

  The Witch Rescues Her Werewolf

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Excerpt from More Than A Feeling

  About the Author

  Dear Reader,

  Nocturne Falls has become a magical place for so many people, myself included. Over and over I’ve heard from you that it’s a town you’d love to visit and even live in! I can tell you that writing the books is just as much fun for me.

  With your enthusiasm for the series in mind—and your many requests for more books—the Nocturne Falls Universe was born. It’s a project near and dear to my heart, and one I am very excited about.

  I hope these new, guest-authored books will entertain and delight you. And best of all, I hope they allow you to discover some great new authors! (And if you like this book, be sure to check out the rest of the Nocturne Falls Universe offerings.)

  For more information about the Nocturne Falls Universe, visit http://kristenpainter.com/sugar-skull-books/

  In the meantime, happy reading!

  Kristen Painter

  The Witch Rescues Her Werewolf

  A Nocturne Falls Universe Story

  Copyright © 2017 by Cate Dean

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without permission in writing from the author.

  This book is a work of fiction and was made possible by a special agreement with Sugar Skull Books, but hasn’t been reviewed or edited by Kristen Painter. All characters, events, scenes, plots and associated elements appearing in the original Nocturne Falls series remain the exclusive copyrighted and/or trademarked property of Kristen Painter, Sugar Skull Books and their affiliates or licensors.

  Any similarity to real person, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author or Sugar Skull Books.

  Published in the United States of America.

  One

  Lidia Reston stood in front of the house she had bought, sight unseen, not sure whether to laugh or weep.

  “The realtor, Pandora, did say it looked spooky.” She wrapped her fingers around the rose quartz pendant she always wore. Contact with the warm, smooth crystal helped calm her. She traced the simple heart shape, and glanced down at Max, her black cat, and constant companion. “What do you think?”

  He glared at her with his jewel green eyes, and let out an unhappy yowl.

  “Well, I like it.” Lidia crossed her arms, looking beyond the naked, black trees in the front yard, and dormant rosebushes along the front of the porch. She could make those bloom. “We live on Cauldron Lane, Max. How cool is that?”

  A cold breeze ruffled her bright, shoulder length red hair, and she huddled in her thin jacket. She was going to need warmer clothes, which would be a perfect excuse to explore downtown, and peek into all the local stores.

  Her enthusiasm faded as she remembered her reason for fleeing California, and landing in Nocturne Falls, Georgia.

  Her magic was fading.

  She had no idea how, or why. When her best friend, Tami, had told her about Nocturne Falls, she knew she had found the place for her. Tami had claimed she’d stumbled across it while researching an answer to why Lidia was losing her magic—something Lidia was inclined to believe. That girl had a way with a keyboard.

  Even though she knew she would miss Tami, moving across the country ticked several boxes: escaping her possessive ex, Ned Turner, finding a place where she could blend in, and hopefully learning why she was losing her magic.

  She tapped Max with her foot. “Let’s go inside, grumpy, and check out our new digs.”

  He sniffed, but he followed Lidia through the rickety gate, and up the surprisingly well-kept sidewalk. In fact, the closer she got to the house, the less run down it looked. When she reached the base of the porch steps, she finally sensed it.

  “A glamour,” she whispered, reaching out. Power hummed against her fingers. “A powerful one. The former owner obviously didn’t enjoy visitors.”

  “No, she didn’t.”

  Lidia jumped at the masculine voice. When she spun around, Max crouched in front of her, hissing, she had to look up to meet the owner’s amused blue eyes. He was tall—and really muscular.

  “Sorry,” she said. “You startled my cat.”

  He smiled at Max. “He’s a fierce protector.” To Lidia’s shock, he crouched down and reached out to Max.

  “Don’t—” She cut herself off and stared, mouth open, as Max not only purred, but wrapped himself around the man’s ankle. Max, who hated every male who had ever stepped into Lidia’s life. “Max...”

  The man slid his fingers into Max’s thick fur. “You recognize one of your own, don’t you?” After a few more rubs, he straightened, and held out his hand. “I’m Elias Saunders, your next door neighbor. Well, your kitty corner neighbor.” He pointed at the beautiful blue and white Victorian that sat on the left side of the street. Lidia’s house stood at the street’s dead end, on a big lot that isolated her from her neighbors.

  She held out her hand. “I’m—”

  “Lidia.” He smiled at her raised eyebrows. “Pandora told me to watch for you, since she couldn’t be here to meet you when you arrived.”

  Lidia glanced from him to Max, who now lay on his back, his belly exposed. Max didn’t do that for anyone but her.

  When her gaze moved back to Elias, she saw the energy around him—an energy she’d never seen before. And after spending years in L.A., that was saying something. Tami had told her about the history of the town, but Lidia had expected other witches, maybe a fae or two...

  Not something she couldn’t identify.

  She grabbed Max and took a giant step back. “What are you?”

  Elias kept his distance. “A gargoyle.” He glanced down at Max, who was fighting Lidia’s grip. “My natural form is a cat, which might explain Max’s unusual behavior. And you’re here to find out why your magic is fading.”

  “How—”

  “Small town. News travels—at least among the supernaturals. Don’t worry—we keep each other’s secrets.” He took her hand, his grip surprisingly gentle, considering her hand looked like a doll’s in his large palm. “If there’s an answer, Lidia, you’ll find it here.”

  “Thank you.”

  He squeezed her hand, then let go and picked up Max. The traitor curled in the crook of Elias’ thick, muscled arm like he was a long-lost relative.

  “Want to go inside, check out your house?” He must have sensed her hesitation. “I promise, I don’t bite. But if you’d be more comfortable, I can give you the keys and leave you alone.”

  “No.” She took a deep, not quite steady breath. If she was going to have a gargoyle as a next door neighbor, she needed to get used to the idea. “I’d like the company.” Some of her enthusiasm returned, along with a zing of nerves. “All I know about the house is that it came furnished. I never even saw a photo.”

  Or her realtor, who Lidia suspected wasn’t just a realtor.

  “Ah, Pandora. She could sell snow to Eskimos. You’ll find that’s not unique here.” He winked, and took her hand. “Welcome to Nocturne Falls.”

  ~ * ~

  Lidia followed her
gargoyle neighbor around the surprisingly spacious interior, rubbing her rose quartz pendant, and tried not to cringe as they encountered piece after piece of hideous furniture.

  I hope they have flea markets here, or discount shops.

  It looked like she was going to have to replace a house full of furniture.

  Max didn’t seem to mind. After sniffing the especially ugly purple and black striped velvet sofa, he leapt up and curled into the corner. Lidia wanted to join him; the drive from California had been beyond exhausting, fueled by need and gallons of caffeine.

  Now she was paying for it, fighting to stay awake, and fighting the urge to plop down on the queen bed in the master bedroom.

  “—new mattress. Lidia?”

  She jerked her head up at Elias’ voice. “Sorry—everything’s catching up with me.”

  “Pandora did tell me you were driving from California. Why don’t you take a nap? All the mattresses are new, courtesy of the former owner, and Pandora bought sheets. A housewarming gift,” he said, when Lidia started to object. “She figured you’d be exhausted, and want a freshly made bed to slip into.”

  “I’ll thank her, when I—” A giant yawn cut her off, and Elias smiled.

  “There’s my not-so-subtle hint. I’ll leave you to your nap. If you need a guide to take you around in the next day or so, just give me a holler. After that, I’ll be out of town, visiting family.” He didn’t look all that happy about it. Lidia could relate.

  “Thanks. It was nice meeting you, Elias.”

  He winked at her and walked out of the bedroom. She heard him say goodbye to Max, accompanied by loud purring.

  “Looks like you found a new soulmate. Traitor,” she muttered, smiling as she said it. If Max could be receptive to one male, he might accept another—

  “Not going there, Lidia. This is the first day of my new, man-free life.”

  She moved to the window, and watched her neighbor cross the street. Her gargoyle neighbor. A gargoyle. She’d expected some unusual supernaturals in Nocturne Falls, but not one who turned into a stone statue.

  She’d work that out later. Right now, she had an appointment with her new bed.

  She stripped off everything but her cami and her panties, and climbed up to the tall bed. A thick pillow top enveloped her as she stretched out, and she sighed, snuggling in. The sheets were soft, the comforter warm, fluffy, and just right.

  Everything about this house felt that way, like it was waiting for her. As she drifted off, Lidia began to hope that her decision to move to Nocturne Falls would finally give her the answers she sought.

  If not—she hoped that being around those with power would give her some sense of peace when she lost her own.

  Two

  The dream pulled Lidia in. She was too exhausted to fight it, or wake herself up to escape it.

  She found herself in a garden—her garden, back in California. Her heart ached as she walked the brick pathway, missing this vital part of herself. As an earth witch, she loved the outdoors, and tending her garden had been her greatest joy.

  It looked wilder, with dark shadows where she only remembered light. The plants that had always made her smile seemed menacing, and snatched at the sleeves of the dark blue robe she wore.

  A robe she’d left behind when she walked away from the coven.

  “This isn’t real,” she whispered. “It’s a dream—just a dream.”

  The fear threatening to choke her was all too real. The feeling of being trapped, in a place she had once escaped to for solitude, left her shaky. When she backed into a rose bush, thorns coiled out of the branches to snag at her robe, tangle in her hip length hair.

  She jerked away, the part of her mind that clung to the present reminding her that she didn’t have long hair. Another small, but jarring detail that reminded her that she was caught up in a dream.

  Just when she thought she could ride it out unscathed, a hooded figure walked out of the shadows. Pain ripped through her when one gloved hand held out a glowing white stone.

  She sank to her knees, her legs refusing to hold her. “No—please—not my magic.”

  Hope filtered through the terror when she felt a presence. She looked around, toward the dark corner of the garden. She couldn’t see anyone, but she felt—someone. She also felt the invisible wall that separated them. Whoever it was, she wouldn’t get any help from them, no matter how much they wanted to give it.

  “Go—while you still can.” She pressed one hand to her heart, and let out a wordless cry as the stone sucked at her power. It left her, a thin, glowing strand of blue light, taking with it all that she was, all that she had ever hoped to be. “Stop,” she whispered. “Please—”

  The stone pulsed, and the figure holding it laughed. Lidia recoiled, and lost her balance, falling against the cracked brick pavers. If she didn’t escape now, she knew she would die, here, in this dream landscape. Alone.

  Not alone.

  She reached toward the shadows, felt whoever was there fighting to get to her, fighting like a wild man—

  A quick glimpse of gold eyes and dark hair showed Lidia her would-be hero, before he disappeared.

  “No—”

  Agony had her doubling over. She used the last of her strength to lift her head, face the hooded figure—

  She screamed when all she saw was empty darkness.

  ~ * ~

  Harrison Grey jerked upright, still reaching for the woman. The throbbing in his right shoulder finally forced him to lower his arm, and he opened his eyes.

  His neat, familiar bedroom greeted him. He let out a shaky breath, and swung his legs over the edge of the bed, his left hand clenching the tangled, damp sheets.

  It had been a dream.

  Once he was certain his legs would hold him, he stood, and made his way to the small bathroom. The cold water helped him focus, washing away the smell of fear sweat that still slipped down his face.

  He had never had a dream as vivid, or as bound in emotion. The woman—the witch—had been terrified, and he had been helpless, trapped behind an invisible wall as he watched her power drain from her.

  Even with the agony that radiated from her, she had warned him to leave. Harrison would never forget those clear, haunted grey eyes, or the pale, beautiful face. It may have been a dream, but it was one he would remember.

  That kind of raw fear was impossible to forget.

  He dried his face, and went back to the bedroom, pulling out a clean set of sheets. There would be no more sleep for him, not tonight. He glanced at the clock on his nightstand. Just past three am. He could remake his bed, take a shower, and get some paperwork done before he opened the shop.

  With a sigh, he started stripping the bed, careful to use his left arm for the bulk of the work. His right shoulder would only ache more as the anniversary of his injury drew closer. No need to aggravate it more. It was already going to be a long, lonely few hours, with the memory of grey eyes, red hair, and admirable courage to keep him company.

  ~ * ~

  Lidia’s hoarse scream woke her.

  She bolted up, and almost fell out of bed. Max let out a startled yowl and leapt off the pillow next to her.

  “Max—oh, thank heaven.” Now she knew she was awake. Max hadn’t been part of her life when she’d belonged to the coven. “I’m sorry I scared you.” She stared at the new, unfamiliar comforter. “That was some messed up dream.”

  After a few deep, shaky breaths, she calmed herself enough to reach for her phone without fear of knocking it off the nightstand. Just after three in the morning. She’d been sleeping for hours, but she felt more exhausted than when she went to bed.

  Max crawled over to her and laid his head in her lap. “I never want to have a dream like that, ever.” It was more like a nightmare, and her fading magic had prompted it. Just like in her dream, it leaked out of her like she had a hole somewhere, one she could find, and couldn’t fix. “I thought moving here would help,” she whispered, burying her fa
ce in Max’s thick, silky fur. “What if it gets worse?”

  What if all the hopes she’d laid on this unusual town blew up in her face?

  “Enough of that, Lidia.” She scrubbed at her face, and pushed aside the image still seared into her mind. A faceless, hooded figure, holding a stone that could steal her power. “Enough.”

  She climbed out of the huge bed, and padded downstairs, Max on her heels. Her hand found every light switch on the way, flicking on lights. She told herself it was because she didn’t know her way around yet, but she knew she couldn’t face darkness, or shadows. Not yet.

  The bright overhead lights in the kitchen made her wince, and she closed her eyes almost to slits until she got used to the glare. Even though she knew it was empty, she opened the fridge, and closed it again.

  “Looks like it’s leftover road snacks, Max.”

  She grabbed the box of cheese crackers and opened them, throwing a few Max’s way. He made short work of them, and she tossed him a few more, smiling as he gobbled them down.

  With a sigh, she munched on a handful as she stared out the window over the kitchen sink. The backyard of this house stretched out behind the house, almost an acre of smooth green lawn. Not a bush or plant in sight. Lidia might keep it that way for a while.

  Having her own plants attack her, even in a dream, had disturbed her almost as much as the hooded figure. She absently rubbed her rose quartz heart, the crystal quickly warming under her touch. Contact with it calmed her, like it always did. With a tired sigh, she let that calm seep through her.

  She expected to be up the rest of the night, but the aftermath of the long drive here, and the soothing effect of her crystal, had her eyes drooping again.

  “Come on, Max.” She yawned, and closed up the crackers. “Let’s go back to bed.”

  She would take some ibuprofen—enough to knock her out for a few hours.

  Let some creep in a hood try to find his way through that drug haze.

  She turned lights off as she headed back upstairs, all of them but the one next to her bed. That would stay on, as a way to keep the nightmare from finding its way back into her subconscious.