Haunting Blend

by Layne, Kennedy

  Oh, there’s going to be a war, all right. Wait until your mother sees what Rowena left behind.

  “There shouldn’t even be a conflict.” It was ridiculous to even speak the words, let alone have Leo egging on more family feuds. Seriously. A war between the family of witches and warlocks? “The coven is a community, and they should all work together. If our powers are weakening, then we should band together…not fight one another. And Aunt Rowena seemed to want us in her life. Would it be so bad to reconnect with her?”

  In a single word? Yes.

  “I hate to admit it, but I agree with Leo.” My mother sidestepped a garden gnome that had seen better days. “Your grandmother always said that Aunt Rowena had an agenda of some sort. We don’t want any part of a war, and we certainly don’t want to be beholden to her for any reason.”

  We were almost to the street where Liam’s truck was parked, but I had to slow our pace when the shadows of the houses made it hard to see the ground in front of us. It was a good thing, too. Otherwise, I might have gotten severe frostbite with Mazie’s sudden appearance.

  You tell that tea-drinking witch we’ve solved her case. She can repay us by telling the other unsettled spirits that we’re out of the investigative business. Our doors are closed.

  “Mazie, you can’t be here,” I whispered, hoping that Liam stayed in the truck. Peering through Mazie’s floral dress and matching teacup, I could see the front grill of his F150. “Liam is going to—”

  “I don’t know how I can ever repay you, Raven,” Mazie gushed, fairy dust glowing in the dark despite my warning that Liam might catch sight of something that would scar him for life. “You’ve given me back my precious Strifle.”

  Hey, ask that pixie tyrant how I get this fairy dust off my fur!

  Strifle’s high-pitched laughter filled the air, along with another shower of pink and turquoise hues showering the darkened night. She was very pleased with herself for marking Leo. Mazie just smiled and held up her teacup in salute before more than repaying any amount of money I could have put into an invoice.

  “Rosemary wishes more than anything that she were here with the three of you.”

  Oh, I miss that woman.

  My mother’s hand covered her heart and a tiny squeak escaped her lips that revealed how touched she was by Nan’s sentiment.

  I’m not crying. Are you?

  “She also wanted me to tell you that Rowena will need all of your help in the coming year, and she’s asking that all of you let bygones be bygones.” Mazie and Strifle both began to fade, but not before she finished speaking. “That includes Mr. Leo! Please tell him that Strifle left something behind to help when the time comes…”

  What’s that supposed to mean? Hey, tell those two tricksters to get back here! They can’t drop a bomb like that and think it’s okay to just vanish.

  Mazie and Strifle seemed to believe otherwise, and they both eventually faded into the dark night.

  Leave it to a pixie and her witch to ruin a perfectly good ending.

  “Well,” my mother declared, clearing her throat as she composed herself. She had been harboring guilt over not making up for lost time and being at odds with Nan for years. I was happy she’d been given a message from beyond. I wasn’t sure if fate existed, but I do believe Mazie came to me and Leo for a reason…and maybe it was to heal old wounds within the Marigold family. “Shall we continue on before Liam decides to leave without us? Let’s hope that Aunt Rowena took care of all the loose ends.”

  Trust me, Rowena did that and more.

  Leo was beginning to worry me by not telling us what Aunt Rowena had done, especially if she hadn’t come up with some plausible explanation for Liam to believe. Was this it? Would we even be given a chance to have dinner Friday night?

  You can always stay at home with me. I’ve got no plans. I’ll let you share my pipe.

  We finally cleared the last yard and practically spilled into the street right next to the front gate. I immediately breathed a sigh of relief to find Liam standing next to his truck with his cell phone next to his ear. He appeared worried, but relief filled his handsome features at the sight of me.

  Fine. Go to dinner with him. Just so you know, I’m not sharing my pipe with Ted.

  Tonight had been quite emotional, and I couldn’t stop moving my feet and walking right into his embrace. I inhaled his scent as I wrapped my arms around his neck, ignoring that I would have to explain my overreaction at some point.

  “Your great aunt said that you went to visit one of your grandmother’s old friends who isn’t doing well,” Liam murmured against my hair, wrapping his arms around my waist as he pulled me closer. I couldn’t resist closing my eyes and soaking in his warmth. The cold must have gotten to me without me realizing how much. “I’m sorry, Raven. I’m sure it brought up memories that you’d rather forget.”

  Liam had to be referring to my practically nonexistent relationship with Nan. In a way, he was right. Seeing Aunt Rowena and knowing that old family feuds had kept all of us apart had been difficult to face. The security of his embrace had been needed more than I’d realized.

  “Thanks for waiting,” I whispered, grateful that my mother and Leo hadn’t said a word while I had taken a bit of refuge in Liam’s arms. “I’m sorry we took so long.”

  Liam studied me carefully after I’d slowly pulled away, and I smiled to reassure him that I was okay. And I was, especially knowing that Aunt Rowena had kept her word.

  I can’t remain silent anymore. That brief stint almost killed me. Rowena? Keep her word? Oh, are you in for a treat! I only stayed long enough to see the look on your mother’s face, but I’m going to have to meet you at home. I’m not riding in that truck with that…thing.

  “It was no problem.” Liam looked over my shoulder to where my mom stood with her arms wrapped around her waist. “Ms. Marigold, let’s get you inside the truck with Strifle. I’m sure she’ll calm down once she sees you. I’m glad you and your aunt worked things out, and it was very nice of her to invite me inside for a cup of coffee.”

  “Strifle?” Mom had tried her best not to act surprised. She didn’t succeed, but she did cover it up by placing her well-manicured hand over her mouth as if she were overcome with emotion. “Oh, that’s just wonderful news. Isn’t it, Raven?”

  I could only nod and follow behind Liam as he closed the distance to the driver’s side door. He opened it before doing the same to the slim back door where the dome light shone brightly on…

  You guessed it.

  Leo was very pleased with himself, so I’m hoping you did guess what was going to be in the backseat.

  They’re smart, Raven. Give them the credit that is due.

  “Oh look, dear,” my mother exclaimed, the stress in the tone of her voice evident. “It’s Strifle…my sugar glider.”

  That cackling sound I heard was definitely Leo laughing, in spite of him sounding like he was choking to death on a hairball.

  There, in a beautifully crafted carrier cage, was the cutest little sugar glider I’d ever seen. Well, I’ve never really seen a sugar glider in person. It didn’t matter. He was still the most adorable looking creature with the biggest greenish yellow eyes that blinked slowly as he watched us carefully from his carrier.

  Does this mean war? If so, I’m going to need time to pop some popcorn and settle in with my pipe. These future battles are going to be epic entertainment!

  ~ The End ~

  Thank you once again for joining me in another adventure within the Paramour Bay Mysteries. Raven and Leo’s escapades are far from over, though. Click on the link below to find out more about Charming Blend!

  Click HERE

  Compelling love spells are used to brew up one charmingly delightful whodunit as USA Today Bestselling Author Kennedy Layne continues her cozy paranormal mystery series…

  Boxes of delicious chocolates and roses by the dozen are aplenty in the small town of Paramour Bay as Valentine’s Day approaches, but all is not
so rosy in Raven Marigold’s life when a simple love enchantment goes horribly awry. You see, the affection spell is only meant to affect one recipient…not the entire town!

  Things for Raven go from bad to worse when small fires begin to break out all around town, causing damages to the local shops and homes alike. What’s a witch to do when she believes her attempt at evocation magic might be responsible for sparking these crimes? Why, she must grab her trusty familiar and investigate, of course!

  Open your hearts to this spellbinding Valentine’s Day tale by falling in love with this charming adventure of mischief, tea, and magic!

  Books by Kennedy Layne

  Paramour Bay Mysteries

  Magical Blend

  Bewitching Blend

  Enchanting Blend

  Haunting Blend

  Charming Blend

  Office Roulette Series

  Means (Office Roulette, Book One)

  Motive (Office Roulette, Book Two)

  Opportunity (Office Roulette, Book Three)​

  Keys to Love Series

  Unlocking Fear (Keys to Love, Book One)

  Unlocking Secrets (Keys to Love, Book Two)

  Unlocking Lies (Keys to Love, Book Three)

  Unlocking Shadows (Keys to Love, Book Four)

  Unlocking Darkness (Keys to Love, Book Five)

  Surviving Ashes Series

  Essential Beginnings (Surviving Ashes, Book One)

  Hidden Ashes (Surviving Ashes, Book Two)

  Buried Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Three)

  Endless Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Four)

  Rising Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Five)

  CSA Case Files Series

  Captured Innocence (CSA Case Files 1)

  Sinful Resurrection (CSA Case Files 2)

  Renewed Faith (CSA Case Files 3)

  Campaign of Desire (CSA Case Files 4)

  Internal Temptation (CSA Case Files 5)

  Radiant Surrender (CSA Case Files 6)

  Redeem My Heart (CSA Case Files 7)

  A Mission of Love (CSA Case Files 8)

  Red Starr Series

  Starr’s Awakening(Red Starr, Book One)

  Hearths of Fire (Red Starr, Book Two)

  Targets Entangled (Red Starr, Book Three)

  Igniting Passion (Red Starr, Book Four)

  Untold Devotion (Red Starr, Book Five)

  Fulfilling Promises (Red Starr, Book Six)

  Fated Identity (Red Starr, Book Seven)

  Red’s Salvation (Red Starr, Book Eight)

  The Safeguard Series

  Brutal Obsession (The Safeguard Series, Book One)

  Faithful Addiction (The Safeguard Series, Book Two)

  Distant Illusions (The Safeguard Series, Book Three)

  Casual Impressions (The Safeguard Series, Book Four)

  Honest Intentions (The Safeguard Series, Book Five)

  Deadly Premonitions (The Safeguard Series, Book Six)

  About the Author

  First and foremost, I love life. I love that I’m a wife, mother, daughter, sister… and a writer.

  I am one of the lucky women in this world who gets to do what makes them happy. As long as I have a cup of coffee (maybe two or three) and my laptop, the stories evolve themselves and I try to do them justice. I draw my inspiration from a retired Marine Master Sergeant that swept me off of my feet and has drawn me into a world that fulfills all of my deepest and darkest desires. Erotic romance, military men, intrigue, with a little bit of kinky chili pepper (his recipe), fill my head and there is nothing more satisfying than making the hero and heroine fulfill their destinies.

  Thank you for having joined me on their journeys…

  Email:

  kennedylayneauthor@gmail.com

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  facebook.com/kennedy.layne.94

  Twitter:

  twitter.com/KennedyL_Author

  Website:

  www.kennedylayne.com

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  www.kennedylayne.com/aboutnewsletter.html