The Professor Woos The Witch (Nocturne Falls Book 4)

by Kristen Painter

  The sheriff shook Cole’s hand. “Call me Hank. Come on in. You two want coffee?”

  “I’m good.” She looked at Cole.

  “I’m fine, thanks.”

  “Good,” Hank muttered. “Birdie’s lousy at getting it.”

  “I heard that, sassmouth,” she screeched. “Don’t forget I changed your diapers.”

  Hank grimaced and shut the door. “Make yourselves comfortable.”

  They sat while Hank went to his desk chair and settled in. He looked like a werewolf. Or what Cole imagined one might look like in human form. Blue eyes, five o’clock shadow at nine A.M., gravelly voice and a slightly predatory gleam in his gaze. It wasn’t entirely welcoming, but Cole supposed it suited the man well, considering his occupation.

  Hank rested his forearms on the desk. “What can I help you with?”

  “This is a supernatural matter,” Pandora started.

  Hank seemed puzzled. “Witch business?”

  “Yes.”

  “You’ve always handled that yourselves. What’s going on?”

  “My ex-wife is what’s going on,” Cole said.

  Hank’s brows lifted slightly. “I see.”

  Pandora explained about Lila and what they suspected she was up to.

  The sheriff shook his head. “Not sure what I can do for you.” He looked at Cole. “I could add your house to one of the deputies’ patrols. Alex Cruz lives in Pandora’s neighborhood. He could drive by on his way home.”

  “I appreciate that,” Cole said. “But I don’t think Lila’s going to be that obvious. And Pandora’s got a plan.”

  “That’s really where we need you, Sheriff.” Pandora laid out the strategy to catch Lila in the act. “Ultimately, things will go smoothest with the ACW if there’s an impartial witness to this whole operation.”

  A light came on in Hank’s eyes. “And that’s where I come in.”

  “Yes. My sisters and my mother will be there to contain her magic, but I’m sure you can see that us all being related creates a bias. Your impartial word would go a long way towards making sure Lila can’t try this again.”

  Hank seemed to think for a moment. “What will the ACW do to her?”

  “The penalty for this sort of violation is usually a five-year suspension from magic.”

  Hank nodded. “When do you need me?”

  She glanced at Cole. “Could be as early as tonight.”

  Hank scrawled something on a business card. “Text me. I’ll be there. And if Marigold needs to drop Saffie off at our house, I know Ivy would be happy to watch her until this matter is settled.”

  Pandora smiled. “Thank you, I’ll tell her. I don’t suppose Charlie would mind Saffie’s company either.”

  Hank smiled, shocking Cole. He hadn’t thought the man capable of it. “That boy’s got himself an awful crush.”

  Pandora laughed. “I’m pretty sure it’s a two-way street.”

  Then Hank looked at Cole, and his expression went back to sheriff-on-the-job. “You’re new in town, so—”

  Cole nodded. “New to this whole world, actually.”

  Pandora put her hand over his. “Cole only recently found out he’s not entirely human.”

  Hank nodded. “That had to be a shock.”

  “You can say that again.”

  “Well,” Hank continued. “You need anything, you call me. We do our best to take good care of all our citizens, but our supernatural ones especially.”

  “I appreciate that, but the only thing I’m going to need after this is over is a job.”

  “What kind of work are you in?”

  “College math professor. Algebra and Calculus, mostly.”

  Hank nodded thoughtfully. “I’ll mention it to my wife. She works part time for Delaney Ellingham at the sweet shop, and Delaney’s married to Hugh Ellingham.”

  “One of the town’s founders,” Pandora supplied.

  The name rang a bell for Cole. “She made the desserts that Stanhill brought to dinner.”

  “That’s her,” Pandora confirmed.

  Hank leaned back. “The Ellinghams run this town. If there’s a job to be had, they’ll know about it. Anyway, I’ll send word you’re looking. Of course, I imagine Corette could do the same with Stanhill, seeing as how he’s Hugh’s rook.”

  “Great idea, and one I should have thought of.” Pandora stood. “I’ll talk to my mother about it. Thank you for all your help. We should let you get back to work.”

  Hank got to his feet as Cole did the same. He stuck his hand out. “You, your aunt and your sister, who Pandora introduced me to at lunch the other day, are the first werewolves I’ve met.”

  Hank smiled again as he shook Cole’s hand, but this time it was more amused than overtly joyful. “I can guarantee that’s not true. We’re just the first ones you’re aware of.”

  Back at Cole’s, Pandora headed straight for the attic to search Gertrude’s things for the key ingredient in their sting, the substitute feather. Cole declined to join her, begging off to get out of his dress clothes and into something suitable for hauling junk out to the dumpster so he could get back to work.

  Pandora had a feeling it had more to do with Gertrude than his desire to get the house emptied.

  She flipped on the attic light. “Gertrude? I need your help.”

  A vision in lemon appeared before Pandora. “Hello, dearie!”

  “Hi, Gertrude.”

  The ghost clasped her hands in front of her. “Oh, I do love a visit. You know the stud muffin came to see me.”

  “I heard. I sent him up here, so you’re welcome.”

  She grinned. “He is a tasty cookie, isn’t he? Speaking of, have you had a bite yet?”

  Pandora did her best stern face. “Gertrude, that’s my familiar you’re talking about.”

  Gertrude put a hand to her mouth and floated back a bit. “Oh my, yes, sorry. No disrespect meant.”

  “No harm done. And yes, he is a tasty cookie. Now, I need some help.”

  “Anything, dear, anything. Just name it.”

  “I’m looking for a very specific ingredient for a spell, and I thought you might have just the thing.”

  Gertrude hovered up and down, the ghostly equivalent of yes, Pandora imagined. “I’m sure I do. What do you need?”

  “A black feather.”

  Gertrude’s smile fell off her face. “What’s wrong? The bonding didn’t work?”

  “It’s not what you think. We’re not doing that until we know each other better and are more sure we’re compatible.”

  Gertrude clucked her tongue. “If you haven’t tried bonding the old-fashioned way, then you don’t need the feather yet. Trust me, child, nature’s way is better, and that’s not something I often say when it comes to the craft. Just give it time.”

  “No, it’s not for us.” Pandora sighed and gave Gertrude the quickie version of what was going on.

  “Oh my, I see. Well, then. A feather.” She floated around the attic, inspecting her shelves and the storehouse of witchly goods contained there. She waved her hand, and a box drifted toward Pandora. “See if those will do.”

  Pandora plucked the box out of the air and opened it. It was filled with black feathers. “These are perfect. I just need one.” She selected one and returned the box to the shelf it had come from. “Where did you get all of those?”

  Gertrude’s smile held sadness. “They were Ulysses’.”

  “Are you sure using the feather of another familiar won’t backfire? Especially one that’s related?”

  “Doesn’t work that way. At best, she might be able to bond herself to Ulysses, but seeing as he’s long gone…” Gertrude sighed and lifted a lacy handkerchief to her eyes.

  “You still miss him, huh?”

  “I do.”

  “I hope this isn’t too personal a question, but why didn’t he end up a ghost like you?”

  Gertrude shrugged. “I guess because I had unfinished business here. And once that’s done
, I’ll be with him again. I hope.” She hovered lower as she nodded. “He was the great love of my life.” She sniffed, then her smile brightened. “You’ll see. That man downstairs will be yours.”

  “Maybe.”

  “No maybes. He is meant for you, just as you’re meant for him. I saw it when you two were up here together the other day.”

  “I do really like him.”

  “You love him. You just won’t admit it yet. You young people are so scared to be in love these days.” She did a little twirl. “In my day, you found a fella, you knew it was right and you acted on it. None of this pussyfooting around.” She flopped her hand in the air and fluttered her lashes. “None of this I like him, I adore him, he’s so nice business.”

  Pandora laughed.

  Gertrude stuck her tongue out and made a rude noise. “Enough. Love is love. You know it when you feel it.”

  Pandora shrugged. “Maybe I haven’t felt it.”

  “Liar. If you don’t love him, why are you doing all this to protect him? Out of the goodness of your heart?”

  “Maybe.” Pandora was getting mad now. “You don’t know what I’m feeling.”

  “Yes, I do.” Gertrude waggled her finger. “I know what he’s feeling too.” She grinned. “I can’t leave the attic, but I can hear him singing love songs in the shower.”

  Pandora blinked. “He sings love songs in the shower?”

  “Not well, but it’s very endearing.” Gertrude floated closer. “He’s got it bad for you.”

  Pandora stroked her fingers down the silky feather. “He did agree to stay. But how do we know if what we’re feeling is real and not just a product of the connection between a witch and a familiar?”

  Gertrude shook her head. “It’s a good thing the two of you are so pretty, because you’re both tremendously dumb.”

  Pandora crossed her arms. “That’s not very nice.”

  Gertrude sighed. “Do you think the connection you’re feeling is somehow fake? That it’s somehow been manufactured because of who you are? Those feelings are real! If Cole fell in love with you because you were a witch, he’d be in love with your sisters and your mother too. Think, girl. That’s not how it works. Those feelings are there because you’re meant to be together. If you weren’t, you’d feel nothing.”

  Pandora felt like a lightbulb had gone off over her head. “So…”

  “Yes,” Gertrude hissed. “Get out of your own way and just be in love already.”

  “You say that like it’s so easy to do.”

  “Because it is. Taxes are hard. Raising kids is hard. Learning to drive a stick shift, that’s hard. But love?” She did a slow twirl mid-air. “Love is easy.”

  “I can’t just blurt it out.”

  “Sure you can. Unless you’re just pretending at all this. Are you pretending or do you love him?”

  Pandora fell silent and searched her heart. The truth. She did love Cole. “I don’t think I have the courage to tell him I love him.”

  “You already did. And I’m sure he feels the same way.” Gertrude looked past Pandora and smiled. “Isn’t that right, cookie?”

  Pandora turned to see Cole standing in the attic doorway. She shivered. Either Gertrude had just passed through her or it was the cold panic of the realization that Cole had heard the tail end of that conversation. “H-how long have you been standing there?”

  “Long enough.” His expression looked…funny.

  She wished she was a ghost. She twisted to face the conniving apparition. “Gertrude, you tricked me into—” Gertrude was gone.

  Pandora stayed where she was. She stared at the feather in her hand. It was easier to have her back to Cole while she dealt with this mortification.

  Of course, he didn’t stay where he was. His arms wrapped around her and pulled her against his chest. “She’s right, you know.”

  “About what?” She couldn’t look at him. Couldn’t bear to see rejection in his eyes.

  “I love you too.”

  She stiffened. “Are you just saying that to make me feel better?”

  “Yes. But also because it’s true.” He laughed. The sound came out shaky. “It’s also frightening as hell.”

  She smiled and turned to look at him. “That’s the truth.” But his admission allowed her to catch her breath. “So we’re in love.”

  “Seems that way. You all right with that?”

  She nodded, and a slow smile bent her mouth. “I am. Still completely freaked out by how fast this is happening, but I guess Gertrude is right. If our feelings are there, why deny them?”

  “Agreed.” He kissed her. “I still think we should take things slowly. I want you to be completely comfortable before we do any…”

  “Bonding?”

  He nodded.

  “Me, too. Thank you.” She held up the feather. “Now we just need to talk to Kaley and make sure she understands the plan.”

  “She’ll be home at three fifteen.”

  “Good. That gives me a couple of hours to get some work done.” And to get used to the idea that she and Cole were in love. She kissed him back. “See you then.”

  It wasn’t until after four that Pandora was able to return to Cole’s. She stood with him in the foyer. “I meant to be here sooner, but I had to run comps for a new client, then email them, then they had questions. You know how it is.”

  “I sure do. Work happens. I get it.” He slipped his arm around her waist and kissed her cheek. The comfortableness of his affection was sweet. “Kaley’s in the kitchen. You ready?”

  “I guess.” She bit her lip.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m just nervous Kaley won’t go for our plan. What if this doesn’t work?”

  “We’ve been through this. It’s going to be fine. We’ll make her understand. She’s thirteen. She needs to recognize what her mother is really capable of.”

  Pandora let out a little sigh. “Okay, let’s do this.”

  Kaley was at the table eating apple slices and Nutella and texting. She looked up from her phone. “Hi, Miss Williams.”

  “Hi, Kaley. Is that what you get for an afternoon snack? Man, all I got as a kid was lizard tails and eye of newt. That’s what witches eat, you know.”

  Kaley laughed. “That’s totally gross and totally not true.” She held up her plate. “Want one?”

  “No, thanks, I’m good.” Pandora took a seat at the table while Cole leaned on the counter. “How was school?”

  Kaley munched a bite of apple. “Good. You know, school is school.”

  Pandora nodded. “Talked to your mom lately?”

  Kaley held up her phone. “She texted me this morning to say have a good day.”

  Pandora nodded again. Enough beating around the bush. “Your dad told me that you mentioned his being a familiar to her.”

  Kaley’s happy expression disappeared. “I thought it would be okay because she’s family.”

  Pandora made sure to keep her voice soft and kind. “It’s something your mom already knew, but she probably didn’t know that your dad knew that about himself.”

  “So I still shouldn’t have told her?”

  “Well… Based on some other things I’ve learned, I think your mom could be out to hurt you or your dad.”

  Kaley glanced at Cole. He nodded. She looked back at Pandora. “What kind of things have you found out?”

  “For one, you told your dad that she asked if you’d found any feathers.”

  Kaley shrugged. “So? She wants to make me an amulet. I think that’s cool.”

  “It would be, if that’s really what she wanted to do. But neither my mother nor my sisters or I have ever heard of a feather amulet for those who see auras.”

  Kaley sat back, eyes clouded with suspicion. “You think she’s lying to me? Why?”

  “Yes, she’s lying,” Cole said. “It’s because she knows I understand who I am. She wants that feather so she can use it to cast a spell on me. Not a good spell, either.”<
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  Kaley crossed her arms. “Of course you’d say that. You hate her.”

  “I don’t hate her.” A muscle in Cole’s jaw jumped. “I just know what she’s capable of and honey, you need to too. Lila’s needs come before anyone else’s, Kaley. Yours included, unfortunately.”

  Pandora could feel the mood going south. “Kaley, there is proof in the American Witch Council records that your mother was married and divorced to two other human familiars. We think she’s back for another attempt to get your father to bond with her.”

  “I don’t know what that means.”

  Cole straightened. “It means that I would be permanently attached to her, even though I’m in love with Pandora.”

  Kaley’s eyes got wide. She glanced at Pandora.

  Pandora nodded. “I feel the same way about your dad. We’re meant to be together, Kaley. Our spirits recognize each other as one half of a whole being. When I’m around your dad, my magic works perfectly. And it never worked right in my life until he showed up.”

  “And,” Cole went on, “I finally know and accept who I am.”

  Kaley seemed to take that all in. “I still don’t get the feather thing.”

  Pandora looked up at Cole. “Show her.”

  “I don’t think—”

  “She’s your daughter and a fledging witch. She needs to fully understand.”

  He nodded and took a breath. “Don’t freak out, Kaley.” Then he stepped to the center of the room and shifted into his bird form. He stretched out his wings and flew onto the back of the empty kitchen chair.

  “Holy crap,” Kaley whispered. She looked at Pandora. “Is that seriously my father or did you do that to him?”

  “That’s your dad.” Pandora reached out and stroked one of his wings. “Human familiars have the ability to shift into an animal form. When your dad and I are bonded, I’ll be able to see through his eyes when he’s a raven and we’ll be able to communicate telepathically.”

  He cocked his head and cawed at Kaley.

  She just sat there. “Dude. That is so cool.”

  Pandora smiled. “I think you can change back now, Cole.”

  He hopped off the chair, and a second after he landed on the floor, Cole stood before them again. “The feather she wants is one of mine.”