by Renee Jordan
Penny giggled as the vermin scrambled for their cards.
“What the fuck, girl?” one snarled, rising and glowering at me. He had lank, brown hair that fell in a tangled mess about his shoulders. His eyes were golden-brown, shining in the light. He strode towards me with a feral growl, his body rippling. Fur sprouted, his body grew lean and dangerous, his mouth elongated into a coyote-like snout full of teeth.
Penny yelled in surprise, falling back out of her chair.
I reacted the same way I had against Christian. My tattoo burst in prickling pain as I instinctively commanded the love spirits dancing around my body to protect me. The hearts shot before me, trailing golden light. A shimmering dome appeared. The coyote shifter slammed headlong into it, bouncing off and sprawling in a heap on the ground, yelping in pain.
The other members of his pack watched with weary eyes as the changed one leaped to his feet, whimpering in shock. I took a deep breath and channeled Forrest's commanding strength. I kept my steely gaze on him, taking a step forward as he whined on the ground like a pathetic dog. I let my shield drop and planted my boot right on his chest.
“If you know what's good for you, dog,” I said in the strongest, most authoritative voice I could muster, “you’ll scurry out of here before I pluck every strand of fur from your mangy body.”
The coyote shifted back into his human form. “Sorry, miss,” he pleaded, his nose crooked and bleeding.
“Then get your furry behind out of here! And take your filthy friends with you.” I fixed the other Donovan boys a look.
The man scrambled to his feet and fled to the door. His friends were ahead of him, whining and yelping as they pushed and pulled each other to be the first one to escape. Before he fled through the door, broken nose turned and fixed me with a hate-filled stare.
I met it without flinching. I was mated to a wolf, and he was just a sniveling coyote. A dog.
He fled.
“Oh...my...god,” Penny gasped in awe. “That was fuckin' awesome.”
The plump witch ran over and gave me the biggest hug. I laughed and hugged her back. I had power. I wasn't weak. I could protect myself from Burt or anyone else. With Forrest at my side, I could accomplish great and amazing things.
Chapter Seven: Little Black Dress
“We need to go shopping!” Penny squealed. “To celebrate just how awesome you are!”
I giggled, nodding my head, still buzzing from the thrill of dominating and sending the mangy pack of werecoyotes scampering off.
“We were going shopping anyway, Penny.”
“So? Now it's even more amazing. Ooh, wow, you are an awesome witch, Kotie. You didn't even flinch when he charged you.”
“It was well done, Kotie,” Ms. Maggie said.
I turned to see her leaning against the kitchen door. She had a proud, mama-bear smile on her face.
“You watched?”
“The whole thing.” Miss Maggie stomped over and wrapped me up in a fierce hug. “To think that scarred, half-starved girl that walked in a not even a week ago would blossom so fast...”
“Thanks,” I said, a few tears forming in my eyes. Her hug was just like my momma's. I felt like a five-year-old girl again.
“Thank you kindly for everythin' you've done for me, Miss Maggie.”
“Don't give it no mind,” Miss Maggie shrugged. “As I said, the Lord put us here to help one another. Remember that.”
“I will,” I nodded my head.
“Well, your shift's over, and I expect Penny back in an hour.” Miss Maggie fixed the plump witch a tight gaze. “You hear that, missy?”
“Yes, Miss Maggie,” Penny nodded before grabbing my hand. “Come on, Evelyn's Treasures is just up the street. I know she'll have a dress for you.”
I was excited to buy a gorgeous dress. Tomorrow night was the Policeman's Ball. I couldn't wait to dress all pretty and dance with Forrest. I grabbed my purse from behind the bar and followed Penny out of the roadhouse. Her small pickup truck was parked in the gravel lot, a red ford with a few dents and muddy tires.
The drive to Evelyn's Treasures only took a few minutes. It was up the main drag from the Moon Tear Roadhouse. Penny parked on the street, her tire bouncing up on the curb as she pulled into a gap between two cars. I gasped, her shocks badly creaking as the tire bounced back onto the road, rocking the cab back and forth.
Penny giggled at me, not caring at all how she had bounced me about, and bailed out of her truck. I ripped my squeaky door open and piled out after her. I stepped down onto the sidewalk and followed her; Penny was positively dancing as she strutted into the store.
Evelyn's Treasures was filled with clothes—bright and colorful, somber and dark, and everything in between. Most of it was daily wear, a large collection of jeans and outdoor clothes, but there were cute blouses and fun tops hanging on circular racks and an entire wall of shoes. I admired the collection of cowboy boots as we moved farther back.
“She always has a few nicer dresses in the back,” Penny said. “Now they might not be the latest styles from New York, but they're just fine for out here.”
“Well, I'm not one for keeping up with the newest styles. So long as I take Forrest's breath away, then that's good enough.”
Penny giggled, “Oh, we'll find a dress that can do just that.”
A mousy girl about my age walked up to help us. Penny greeted her with a hug. “This is Connie, the owner's daughter.”
“Hi,” I smiled.
“You're the Sheriff's mate, huh?” Connie asked.
“Does everyone know?”
Penny laughed again. “Gossipin' is half the entertainment in Moonrise.”
Connie showed us the few party dresses they had. I fell in love with a short black, strapless gown. “Every girl should have a little, black dress,” Connie agreed as I stared at the fabric. “Make that wolf of yours howl when he sees you.”
“Try it on,” Penny giggled, clapping her hands as she bounced on her heels. “Let's see how sexy you look in it.”
I took the dress into the changing room. A flush of heat trembled through me as I remembered the previous night's fun in the changing room. “Well, that's not happening today,” I reminded my body. I tried to control my lust as I stripped down to my panties.
I pulled the dress on, the fabric so cool and silky on my skin as I worked it up over my hips and bosom. “Penny, can you zip me up?” I shouted.
Penny pushed in, grabbing the zipper at the back and pulling it up. I adjusted the dress a bit, the bodice had built in support, pushing up my breasts into a nice mound of cleavage. I did a few poses, eyeing myself in the mirror.
“Oh, yes, he is gonna howl when he sees you,” giggled Penny. She threw an arm around my shoulders and beamed at our reflection.
I grinned back.
Connie opened the changing room, peering in. “Ohhhh, that looks just scrumptious on you.”
“She'll need stockings,” Penny added. “Do you own any, Kotie?”
I shook my head. “I'm not really a dress girl.” A nice pair of jeans and my cowboy boots was what I liked to wear.
“Do you own any heels, or is it just your boots?”
“I left all my other shoes behind when I fled Burt,” I sighed. “I had to pack light.”
“Oh, that's terrible,” Connie frowned.
“Then we get to buy shoes as well,” squealed Penny, giving me a quick hug. “Ooh, I think I saw a pair of heels that is perfect for this dress. Connie, find her some stockings and a nice garter belt.”
“A garter belt? I've never worn one of those.”
“Ooh, Forrest will love it. Tomorrow night, after you danced the night away in those strong arms, he'll take you home and explore what's beneath your dress.” Penny's grin grew naughty. “Every guy loves thigh-highs and garters. He'll worship you.”
Another flush of heat went through me. “Do it,” I smiled, shaking my hips. I felt so sexy. I couldn't wait for tomorrow night.
I w
as sad to take off the dress, careful not to damage it. I hung it up as I dressed and left off my cowboy boots and socks, padding barefoot over to the shoe section. Penny already had three different pairs of heels out, ready for my approval.
“I like these,” Penny said, pushing the first pair into my hand. “But you would look cute in any of these pumps.”
I sat down on the bench, pulling on the first pair of strapless heels. I stood up, walking through the store. I hadn't worn heels in a few years, but I still remembered how to walk in them without falling over.
“Hmm, they keep feeling like they're about to slip off. Let me try the pair with the strap.”
“Okay,” Penny said, her blue eyes brimming with disapproval.
I sat down, pulled off the shoes, and grabbed the next pair. I pulled the first on my right foot and tightened the strap. I wiggled my toes in the pointed tip, admiring how it looked on my dainty foot when a shadow fell upon me.
“So another guy is after you already,” a woman said. “I knew you were trouble, Kotie.”
I gasped, stood up in only one heel, and turned around in shock. “Vanessa! You're out of the hospital already?”
The wolf shifter deputy was dressed in a pair of jeans and a black sweater, her blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail. Her blue eyes stared at me, her shoulders tense, her forehead furrowed. She licked her lips, breathing fast.
“I'm so glad to see you!” I gave her a fierce hug over the bench.
Vanessa relaxed, hugging me back. “I'm so sorry, Kotie,” she whispered. “I tried to fight him. I really did. But...”
“I know. It's okay. Christian was a monster. You have nothing to apologize for.”
“Thank you.” Vanessa stood back, quickly wiping a tear from her cheek.
“How's Hank doing?”
“Better. He was torn up pretty bad by that asshole.” For a moment, Vanessa's eyes flashed green-gold, and a snarl escaped her lips. “But he's mending. He's a tough asshole. He'll be in the hospital for a few more days at least.”
“But how are you out so soon? You were shot in the stomach.”
“Shifters heal fast,” Vanessa laughed, then winced. “I'm still not a hundred-percent, but I convinced the doctor to discharge me this morning.”
“Oh, let me help you.” I reached out, touching her body. I concentrated on the spirits, and they suddenly seemed to spring into focus, the store alive with them. I sent the Love spirits towards her, healing the wound in her belly as golden light danced about us. “There.”
Vanessa blinked. “You're a witch, too?”
“I found out that night. That's why Christian was after me. He needed to use me to tap into the hot spring's power.”
Vanessa nodded her head. “No wonder you're such trouble. And now your ex is back. He's not a witch, right?”
I laughed so hard. “That's ridiculous. Burt? He's just an asshole musician. Trust me, that guy is not a witch.”
“Good.” Vanessa shook her head. “Well, I think it's safe to say he's gone. The pack's scoured Moonrise for his mustang and have come up empty.”
“That's good,” Penny smiled. “Of course, the way Kotie handled the Donovans this afternoon, I would love to see Burt try and mess with her. She's got power and spunk.”
Vanessa laughed as Penny retold a quite embellished version of what had happened at the bar.
“So what are you here for?” I asked Vanessa once she stopped laughing.
“Same thing as you,” Vanessa smiled, nodding to the black dress I hung up nearby. “I always put things off to the last moment.”
“Who's your date?” I asked as she walked back to the store's dresses.
“Going stag,” she shrugged. “I'm just gonna have some fun. Who knows how the night will end up.”
Penny and I chatted with Vanessa as she tried on a slinky, red dress that hugged her body like a sheath.
“You are gonna break hearts,” Penny giggled when Vanessa emerged from the changing room.
I nodded my head in agreement.
Vanessa's wolfish grin grew and she licked her lips. “Mmm, yes, I'm gonna catch a nice meal with this dress.”
I hugged Vanessa one last time before walking to the cash register. Connie had the stockings and the garter belt, and she quickly wrapped up my black dress in a white box. She rang it up, and I didn't even wince as I paid her two days’ worth of tips—those miners sure were generous.
Connie slipped my purchases into a large, plastic shopping bag. “It was nice to meet you, Kotie,” Connie smiled. “Good luck making your wolf howl.”
“I'm sure I'll be popping in here again,” I said, glancing back into the store where those cute tops were, “when I have more money.”
Connie sighed and nodded. “I know. If I'm not careful, I can spend my entire paycheck sometimes.”
It was a nice day, so I declined Penny's invitation of a ride and walked to the Sheriff’s station. Penny made me promise to meet her at Kalipsel Park to practice more magic around noon the next day.
“Since you predicted it'll be a gorgeous day,” she laughed as she hopped into her truck. She whipped out into traffic, pulling a crazy U-turn. Her truck didn't turn that well, so she bounced the passenger tire up onto the sidewalk on the other side of the street before roaring off, the tail pipe rattling and clacking.
I enjoyed the walk to the Sheriff’s station, my cowboy boots clicking on the sidewalk, adding a staccato beat to my stride. A few clouds drifted over head, barely dampening the gorgeous, spring day. The people of Moonrise all gave me friendly nods. They all seemed to recognize me and knew I was the Sheriff's woman.
I really was falling in love with this town.
“Dakota.”
I jumped, whirling around to face Burt. He leaned against a beat-up old jeep. Where had he gotten that? He never owned at jeep. Burt stared at me, his eyes hungry. I tensed and prepared to use my magic on Burt. If he thought I was helpless, he was mistaken.
“What?” I demanded, bristling at him.
“You've changed,” he said, shaking his head. “This just makes this harder.”
“Well, you haven't. I can tell you're still an asshole. If I was you, I'd drive on out of here. The deputies are all looking for you.”
“I know,” he shrugged, a slight smile curling his lips. That darned bravado of his. He always was picking fights when he thought a guy was hitting on me. Burt thought he could take on any guy. I hoped Forrest and his deputies would disabuse him of that notion.
“Well, that's their precinct right there,” I pointed up the street. “You can march on up there and see if you're a real man. In fact, we can walk up that way together. I would love to see you try.” I couldn't help the malicious glee in my voice.
“Dakota, I want to give you one last chance to come back with me, or things will be bad. Very bad.”
“Right,” I said, arching an eyebrow. “I'm not afraid of you anymore.”
“If you don't come with me, I'll kill your boyfriend.”
His words sent a chill through me. “You can try,” I blustered. “But he'll tear you apart.”
“So, are you coming?” Burt held out his hand, his eyes so earnest. His face a handsome lie, promising passion, but I knew what he really was.
“I'll never go with you. Burt, you have no idea what you wandered into in Moonrise. Forrest is not a man to be messed with. He's not afraid of a punk like you.”
“I tried to be civil,” he sighed, pulling back his hand to rub at the back of his neck. “Why do you have to be so difficult, Dakota? I'm just looking out for you.”
“Right, practically keeping me a prisoner was for my own sake. Oh, and let's not forget those wonderful beatings. That was just you looking out for me, doing what was right, huh?” My fingers clenched and my tattoo itched, my magic begging to be unleashed on this asshole.
“Yep.”
My anger flashed. The way he said it, so matter-of-fact, offended me. He really believed beating me would help
me out. “You're such an asshole, Burt,” I snarled.
“I did warn you, Kotie,” he reminded me, opening the door of his jeep. He climbed in and it roared to life. “What happens next is all on you!”
The jeep's tires squealed, leaving a streak of black rubber as Burt took off down the street. He reached Spring Drive and made a right, the rear end of the jeep fishtailing. I pulled out my new phone and called Forrest.
“Hey, Kotie,” he answered.
“I just saw Burt. I'm outside the station.” I quickly told him which way Burt had driven off and a description of the jeep.
Moments later, Forrest burst out of the Sheriff’s station. He raced down the street to me, covering the ground as fast as an Olympic sprinter. I told him everything that happened. His face grew more and more angry; his hazel eyes flashed to gold and a dangerous growl escaped his lips.
Good thing there wasn’t a full moon. Forrest trembled, his muscles bulging as the beast threatened to burst forth. A tingle crackled in the air, the magic of his barbed wire tattoos restraining his bestial transformation.
Forrest grabbed his radio, the plastic creaking as he squeezed hard, and barked orders into it. Deputies streamed out of the police department, roaring off after Burt. I nodded in satisfaction. He wouldn't escape them long. It galled me that he threatened my man. It was ridiculous that he even thought he could hurt my werewolf.
Then I remembered the notebook. Was there a spell in there that could help?
Chapter Eight: Death Magic
I shoved my shopping bags into Forrest's arms.
“What?” he blinked, then looked down at the bags.
“For tomorrow night,” I smiled as I ripped open my purse and pulled out the notebook Penny gave me. I flipped it open, scanning her curvy words written in blue ink. My eyes went down the page. Nothing. I turned the page, my heart beating with excitement.
