The Witch's Familiar

by T J Nichols

  So Jude smiled and let himself enjoy the moment—and the snap of attraction. He’d never once been attracted to a shifter until now. Would Mack be wild in bed? Shifters had a reputation.

  “So, what’s so interesting about ghost towns?” Mack’s voice was like campfire smoke, hot enough to melt Jude’s insides but sweet enough that he wasn’t going to step back.

  Jude would have to keep up the lie instead of asking Mack outright about the cattle mutilations. He didn’t even know how to ask that, and if Mack was guilty, he wouldn’t just admit it. “History and mystery.”

  He knew enough about ghost towns and Mercy North to get by. But if Mack started digging, his cover story would come undone.

  Mack laughed. “There’s no mystery about North. People left after a string of accidents. They believed the mine to be cursed.”

  “But the people here stayed?” That was curious. There wasn’t that much distance between the two towns, and he was sure the bridge had existed back then. The river it crossed wasn’t particularly wide.

  Mack shrugged and sipped his beer. “Maybe farmers are less superstitious than miners.”

  Now was the time to raise the cattle deaths and get the gossip he’d come to the bar for. He could ask what Mack really did in his spare time. The words stuck in Jude’s throat. He didn’t want Mack to lose interest and brush him off. So he said nothing.

  He needed to do something.

  Was Mack being friendly or did he want more?

  Jude wanted more. Why couldn’t Mack have been a nice boring human?

  “How about instead of showing me Mercy South you show me Mercy North?” His fingers brushed Mack’s sleeve for a second. If it was nothing, Mack would pull away and put some distance between them.

  Mack’s lips parted, and his tongue darted over his lower lip in a way that made Jude regret that he was here for other reasons, reasons that didn’t include hooking up with the local mechanic. Couldn’t the Fates give him one night of wild sex with a shifter?

  Just once he’d like something to go his way.

  What did he have to do? Pass the Coven’s test and show them he could protect the paranormal community would be a good start. Although, the killer walking up to him was a pretty big stroke of luck. One he shouldn’t be knocking back.

  “First up, no one round here calls it Mercy South, just Mercy. The ghost town is North, that’s it. Kids go up there to drink underage and tell ghost stories.” There was a quirk to the corner of his mouth when he spoke that suggested he’d done exactly that. “But the rest of us just leave North well alone.”

  “You believe it’s cursed?” As a witch, he knew a little about curses, and they didn’t close a mine. That would take several witches all working together. Maybe the town had pissed off the wrong people, and it had been cursed. He’d be able to tell if he went out there. That kind of magic left a residue that stuck around. The bigger the magic, the longer it left traces. If people felt the place was haunted, there was a good chance they were sensing the remains of magic without realizing what it was. He was now tempted to go to North. Population zero.

  “I don’t believe in stirring up old trouble.” Mack pressed his lips together. Conversation over.

  “What about making some new trouble?” Jude held the shifter’s gaze for a moment before slowly glancing down. He was practically hanging up a neon sign that said ‘Do me’.

  Mack took a long swallow of beer. “What did you have in mind?”

  “I’ve got a motel room.” He lowered his voice so the bartender who was cleaning steadily closer couldn’t overhear. Jude hoped he hadn’t taken a massive overstep, but he was usually pretty good at these things.

  It was so tempting to forget about the whole Coven test and enjoy tonight, but he had too much riding on success. Success had never come this easy. It never landed in his lap in such an attractive package. The odds that he’d run into the creature responsible in the first bar that he went to, and that the creature was the hottest shifter in a hundred-mile radius were so small…

  Maybe it wasn’t Mack he was searching for?

  But the odds that there was something else running around the tiny town of Mercy were even smaller. From what he knew about bears, which wasn’t a lot, bears were territorial. Mack wouldn’t be letting something else tear up his town. It had to be him, even though he didn’t appear sadistic or into killing for kicks. But even human serial killers looked like the guy next door.

  Instead of being suspicious, he should be grateful and thank the Fates for dropping the solution at his feet. He’d get to keep his magic and tell Landstrom to go to hell. There were a few shifter bars back home in Sacramento, not that they advertised as such, but when people in the paranormal community gathered in numbers, there was a definite vibe. He’d avoided them because he’d never seen the attraction.

  How wrong he’d been.

  Mack gave a slow nod. “Could be interesting.”

  Interesting? Is that all Mack had? “I’ll make sure it’s interesting.”

  It certainly wouldn’t be anything the part-time bear was expecting.

  Mack unleashed a full-on grin. It was high voltage enough for Jude’s heart to skip and lose rhythm. “Stop trying so hard. I was going to suggest my place, but you got in first.”

  He was an idiot to be screwing this up without at least indulging in a friendly kiss or maybe a little more. Desire thrummed through his body. Mack didn’t seem like the kind of shifter who went a little mad with bloodlust—some did; one kill and they couldn’t stop. It was like the thrill of the hunt got into them.

  Doubts circled Jude like sharks. Something wasn’t right.

  Yeah, he was attracted to someone who killed cows. Clearly, he needed some help. The Fates hated him or were having a damn good laugh. At least he’d get out of Mercy in record time. One night. Case closed. Bed empty.

  Mack finished his beer. “You wasting that?”

  Jude glanced at his half-drunk rum. It was better he didn’t consume too much alcohol before using his magic. “Yup, got better plans than drinking alone.”

  “Amen to that.”

  Except Mack hadn’t been alone. “What about your buddy?”

  “Ned?” Mack glanced over his shoulder. “Ned’ll be fine.”

  Ned gave Mack the thumbs-up. Jude shook his head. Mack didn’t keep his sexuality a secret; did he keep his shifting a secret, or were a few humans in the know? How many rules was Mack breaking daily? Maybe he was a danger to the paranormal community in more ways than one. But Jude couldn’t ask without outing himself as a witch.

  He cast his gaze over the people in the bar again. No one else’s eyes gleamed. There was no distinctive vibe from too much semi-magical energy. They were the only two paranormals in the bar. The warning that this was too easy traced over his skin, but he ignored it. It was about time something in his life was easy.

  “Lead the way,” Mack said.

  Jude had spent many years fretting about what people thought. He’d tried so hard to be normal for his foster family. It was only after the Coven had taught him how to control his magic that some of his weirdness had stopped. That had only solved one of his problems. He’d had to keep boyfriends secret. His parents had hated the way he didn’t tell them anything, but what could he say? He hadn’t come out until after he’d left home. His foster family, while nice, wouldn’t have approved.

  It took a moment before Jude screwed together enough courage to leave with Mack at his heels. As Jude walked under the sign, that was still working perfectly, he tapped into the static and gathered power to his fingertips.

  He didn’t want to use it. He’d never wanted to use magic less than tonight. He was taking a hot guy back to his room for all the wrong reasons. But if he didn’t, he’d lose his magic forever. One night wasn’t worth that. No matter how good-looking the guy.

  They strolled down the sidewalk, and the motel drew closer and closer.

  Jude was going to have to do something soon. He c
ouldn’t zap Mack and leave him unconscious on the street. No, it was better to get him into the hotel room and do this in private instead of making a scene.

  “I’m hoping you’ve got protection?” Mack’s hand brushed against his, but not to grab hold as if they were close, a couple.

  For a heartbeat Jude was tempted, but he resisted. What he was planning was already bad enough. He didn’t want another layer of deception.

  “Yeah.” Jude had nothing. He hadn’t gone to the bar to get lucky, he’d meant to talk to some of the locals about the cows, but somehow that hadn’t happened. He hadn’t gotten brave enough to strike up a chat and then he’d noticed Mack across the bar and his thoughts had gotten sidetracked. He’d felt a spark the first time their eyes met. And he knew exactly how a spark felt and how to turn it to his advantage. He also knew how easy it was to let that spark get out of control.

  He needed the electricity, but he also needed to relax. No accidents this time. He had to be cool and prepared and act as though he’d done this a hundred times before. The snake shifter who’d brought him in when he’d failed to show up at a meeting had been all business. His heart drummed hard; he wasn’t a snake. And while he’d picked up in plenty of places, this wasn’t the same.

  Jude unlocked the door and flicked on the light. He shouldn’t have—the room didn’t scream liaison with its beige walls and dubious worn brown carpet. Double homicide was more the décor, but without the spatter. He shut the door. “It’s not much.”

  “This is the better motel. There’s also a bed-and-breakfast on the outskirts if you want something nicer. Mrs. Hall should be able to squeeze you in.”

  “Thanks, I’ll look into it.” He wouldn’t need to. He wouldn’t be here. He’d be on a plane to somewhere else. He didn’t even care where.

  Mack watched him. One of them had to make the first move. It should probably be him since it was his room. He took a step closer and tilted his head. He’d never been with such a tall man.

  He could try that out another night, too.

  He traced his fingers up Mack’s arm. If this went wrong, the bear was going to break him into matchsticks. Bear shifters were known to get a little crazy at times—contrary to popular belief regarding Vikings, the word berserker had come about because of the bears’ fighting ability—but he couldn’t imagine Mack hurting anyone, or anything. Let alone tearing apart a cow for kicks.

  But he didn’t look like he could shut down the entire East Coast more effectively than a category five hurricane—not that he’d ever tried it, but the power was there. Growing inside him no matter how much he tried not to use it. Of course, Mack wouldn’t run around town scaring people. If he did, the Coven would’ve dealt with him years ago.

  Mack put a hand on Jude’s hip and pulled him closer before he could work out what wasn’t right. He pressed his lips to Jude’s taking the kiss Jude was more than ready to give. It shouldn’t have felt so right. His blood had been hot before, but now it was molten metal scouring his veins. The moment their tongues touched, something else happened. Something more than lust. A ringing formed in his ears, and for a moment he saw the binding of threads as the Fates worked. He blinked and stepped back with a gasp.

  Oh hell no.

  That was most definitely not right.

  Chapter Three

  Mack blinked and rocked back. With the door right behind him there wasn’t far to go. He stared at Jude and fell into his hypnotic green gaze. It took a wrench of will to look away, and he was still off-balance. He tried to shake off the feeling that something had just snapped around and bound him but couldn’t.

  It was another moment before he realized it wasn’t alcohol on Jude’s lips that Mack tasted. It was magic.

  “What are you?” Mack wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, but the taste was still there, and he wanted more. “What have you done to me?”

  “Me?” Jude took several steps back.

  “I don’t see anyone else in the room,” he snarled. He needed to get out of there.

  “You’re the rogue shifter mutilating cows. By the Coven’s authority, I’m taking you in.” Jude’s eyes took on an odd glow, and Mack was sure sparks danced over Jude’s hands.

  Every hair on Mack’s body stood on end as if a summer storm were about to hit. It didn’t matter what Jude was, he wasn’t going to get a chance to do anything to him, and no one was taking him anywhere. Least of all the Coven.

  “I killed nothing.” But he wanted to throttle Jude in that moment. The lust had been fake, a lure to get him alone. The kiss had felt real. There was something about it he couldn’t wipe away.

  Jude lifted his hand and sparks leaped between his fingers.

  Adrenaline flared. He didn’t know what Jude was, or what he was planning, but it wasn’t going to happen. Mack threw a hard punch before Jude could act. Jude blocked, and a jolt of electricity swept through Mack. He stumbled back. Jude didn’t tear his gaze away, and the static around him grew.

  Mack was about to get electrocuted or something. Shifting heat raced up his spine. But then he would be the crazed bear Jude thought him to be. Jude tossed something toward him, and Mack dodged, just.

  “This doesn’t have to hurt. But I have to bring you in.”

  Another blast of something zinged past. The scent of his burning arm hair filled his nostrils. The bear was very close to breaking free. He was not going anywhere with Jude. “It’s not me.”

  The static tugged on Mack’s hair. If Jude hit him with those bolts, he’d be knocked out. He had to get in first. Before he could think about it too hard, he charged Jude.

  Jude had the decency to open his mouth and looked stunned. Then Mack threw a punch that knocked the man off his feet. The static vanished, and Jude crumpled to the floor as though boneless. Mack flinched as a jolt that felt suspiciously like electricity contracted his arm muscles. He kept his hands fisted in case Jude got up, but there was nothing sparking around Jude now. He was out cold.

  Mack’s lips twisted into a grimace. He rarely went for men that pretty, or fancy, and now he knew why. They couldn’t be trusted. Whatever the hell Jude was, or was into, Mack didn’t want any part of it.

  Authority of the Coven. Mack shook his head. Jude thought he’d been responsible for the cow mutilations? His stomach turned, and he wished he’d never won the coin toss. He wished he’d never set eyes on Jude. He stood there a moment longer, staring at the man on the floor, his breath coming in hard pants. The adrenaline left him shaking. He’d come too close to a panic shift.

  What the hell was Jude?

  He’d never seen a man hold electricity before. And he was sure that was what it was. Was Jude like an electric eel or something? Some weird shifter? Mack shook his head. Whatever he was, until Jude fucked off and left town, this wouldn’t be over.

  Jude hadn’t moved. Had he hit him too hard? Mack kneeled, ready to recoil in an instant. Jude was breathing, and when Mack placed his fingers to Jude’s neck, his pulse was strong and even. There was no scent of blood. Jude should be okay.

  Why did he even give a damn? Jude had attacked him. He deserved what he got. And Mack had proven himself to be a hazard. No, it had been self-defense. He should report Jude to the sheriff. Though he didn’t really want to be explaining to his father’s friend why he’d gone to a motel with Jude and how such a pretty boy had even stood a chance. No, that would only bite him on the ass.

  Mack yanked open the door. His arm hairs drew to attention in the cool night air. The breeze was too much on his skin. He was too amped up and raw. Too hard. The lust was still there, hot and hungry. What was wrong with his body?

  Must be the shifting heat and adrenaline all mixed up. Plus the unsated lust of what should’ve been a fun night. Would Jude report the assault to the cops? Or would he ask the Coven for reinforcements?

  Mack was an idiot. A horny idiot. He let the door close softly instead of slamming. There was no need to get everyone curious. Let them think he’d had his fun—in r
ecord time.

  Mack gritted his teeth and started back toward the bar where he’d left his truck. He needed to prove his innocence or find the real cow mutilator before Jude came back for round two.

  With every step, something twisted in his gut. The lust didn’t stop—if anything, it burned brighter. Jude must have cursed him with that kiss.

  Jude wasn’t a vampire, not that Mack had ever met one of them, but from what he’d heard, vampires had a lower body temperature. And while Jude’s eyes had glowed briefly, it hadn’t been because they were catching the light the way a shifter’s would. Except for the scent of the storm, Jude appeared to be human, even though he wasn’t. That left myriad of minor paranormals or Jude was a witch. A witch who could hold electricity. Mack had never heard of that. Maybe he hadn’t seen right, and it had just been the makings of a spell.

  Mack paused and glanced back at the motel. He wanted to wipe his mouth again but didn’t. There was no point. That kiss had been good. And he hated that he’d liked it. He swallowed hard, but the memory wouldn’t fade, even though Jude had been faking. There had been no desire.

  But it had seemed so real.

  Jude thought he was a rogue shifter. It was almost funny if it wasn’t so serious. He should be glad the Coven had sent someone to investigate because whatever it was hadn’t stopped, and it was getting closer to town with each kill. With each kill, the fear in the air around town thickened. He wished the creature doing the killings was just a rogue shifter. That would’ve made life simple. He could’ve hunted it down and shaken some sense into them. Whatever it was, was hard to track. And when it left claw marks broader than the spread of his hand…well, he wasn’t sure he wanted to find it on his own.