by SA Magnusson
“Who is it?”
“You are here, Stone.”
I breathed out, relaxing. Pulling the door open, I smiled at Brad. He was dressed in a casual shirt and jeans, and the worry on his face left my heart fluttering.
“You weren’t answering my calls, and after hearing the hospital was back up to full speed, I didn’t think you’d still be there, so…”
“Thanks for coming to check on me,” I said.
“You look like hell.”
“Thanks.”
“I mean—"
I shook my head. “You don’t have to explain. I feel like hell. The last few days have been brutal.”
“Yeah. For me too. It just goes to show you how greatly we rely upon electricity and air conditioning and all that.” He stood at the threshold of my door, waiting, and I glanced over my shoulder. Barden was still resting.
“You’re welcome to come in, but my grandfather is here.”
“Really? I’d like to meet him.”
“Are we at that stage?”
“I don’t know. You’re the one who wanted to meet my parents.”
I stepped aside, letting Brad in. As he entered, Barden suddenly stirred, smiling. Some of the fatigue had disappeared from his face, as if that brief nap was enough for him. He still had dried blood on his head, and I tapped my forehead, motioning for him. Barden smeared his hand across it, wiping it away.
“Grandpa, this is my friend, Brad Roberts.”
Barden gave me an amused look, and reached out his hand. “Good to meet you, Mr. Roberts.”
“Actually, it’s Dr. Roberts,” I said.
“Is it?” Barden smiled again, though I suspect I was the only one to see it. “Thanks for letting an old man take a rest. I think it’s time for me to get going. The two of you look like you have plans for the evening.”
“We do?” I asked.
Brad glanced over at me, smiling. “I thought you agreed to a night out?”
“I don’t know. After a day like today…”
Barden clasped me on the shoulder. “It’s days like today that remind you of the need to enjoy yourself.” He flashed a wide smile as he looked at Brad. “Don’t mind her. She’ll go.”
“You could join us,” Brad said.
Barden cocked his head to the side, studying Brad for a moment. “Perhaps another time. I need to follow up on a few things.”
As Barden reached the door, I mouthed a question to him. “Are you all right?”
He nodded, smiled, and walked away.
Once he was gone, it left Brad and me alone, and I breathed out. “Let me shower, and then we can go wherever you want.”
“A date?”
“I thought you promised to take your girlfriend out after a hard day at work.”
Brad smiled. “Is that what we are?”
I kissed him on the cheek. “Yeah. I guess we are.”
The next book in Hedge Mage and Medicine: Lost Cause
When a friend disappears, will an old enemy help me find them?
I might be nothing more than a hedge mage, but I still work to understand my particular specialty of magic. I’ve already proven how useful it can be and have even saved fully fledged mages.
Now that specialty will face its greatest challenge.
When a friend disappears and I’m faced with needing to cross the deadly Veil to go after them, what choice do I have but asking a powerful enemy for help?
It might be a lost cause, but I’m not about to give up—even if it means sacrificing everything.
Looking for more in this world?
Flatline: Book 1 of Medicine and Magic. You’ll find Kate’s story here.
Taker of Spells: Book 1 of The Tattered Veil. A story of the fae, with some vampires and shifters mixed in.
Author’s Note
Thank you so much for reading Heat Stroke. I’ve really enjoyed writing Jen and her magical adventures and hope you’ve enjoyed reading about her.
Now’s the time for your assignment! Amazon uses reviews from readers like you to help others find my work. If you would be so kind as to take a moment to leave a review on Amazon or elsewhere, I would be very grateful.
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Cheers,
SA Magnusson
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For more information:
www.samagnusson.com
Also by SA Magnusson
Medicine and Magic
Flatline
Postmortem
Malignant Magic
Hemorrhage
Anaphylaxis
Paralyzed
Hedge Mage and Medicine
Frost Bite
Open Fracture
Heat Stroke
Lost Cause
The Tattered Veil
Taker of Spells
The Silver Chalice
Wand of Despair
