by CC Dragon
“Cute?” I asked.
She blushed. “Maybe. He’s into magical cases so if anything pops up, we might consult with you but we’ve got someone.”
“You’re welcome to visit out in Bethel anytime. Your uncle is doing better with a security system and a little magical protection we did.” I nodded.
“Thanks, he never looks after himself. I’ll be out there when the weather warms up. I hate leaving the city when it’s bad weather.” Zel smiled.
“Such a princess,” I teased.
“I will miss you,” Zel said.
“I won’t be a stranger. Anchorage is a magical second away.” I shrugged.
Zel sighed. “I knew you were special, but I thought it was because you cared so much. The extra powers make sense. You had more confidence than most agents.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” I replied.
“When do you have to leave?’ she asked.
I looked at the time on my phone. “Dinner is in a few minutes.”
“You can stay here,” Zel said.
“I wish but my dad has been staying in the village to get to know me. He’s not quite normal in a place like that, so I don’t want to flake,” I said.
Zel sipped her drink. “I still can’t believe you found your dad.”
“I wasn’t looking, trust me,” I said.
“But he found you. He cared. Even if he was wrong to stay away, he thought he was protecting you.”
“Maybe he was protecting me from the others like him. But I think he could’ve done a better job of protecting me by raising me and teaching how to protect myself. Knowledge is so much more empowering than secrets and lies.” I finished off my shake. “You know if anything magical turns up between two para groups, call me.”
“Yes, I got your magical memo about the council. I can’t believe you managed to make this work,” she said.
I shook my head. “I’m making it work. They all have something to lose if the Djinn go after them. They need each other. Unite against the bully, I guess. Hopefully, the Djinn go bother others. Alaska is a big place full of para groups, so we need to be in touch with each other and have a sort of truce.”
“Fae included.” She frowned.
“Yep, but they’re off village land and know where I stand. They also know my powers, and there’s a Shadowman on the council, plus Dad in the village. They’re out powered.” I shrugged.
“And you and Mason. Baby and wedding. Scary.” Zel laughed.
“If he’d just partnered up with me when we were in the FBI, we might’ve been together a long time ago.”
“But those kids would’ve been screwed. You were where you needed be, and you got together when you were supposed to. I better be invited to this wedding,” she said.
I grinned. “Absolutely. You’ll be in it, just to annoy my future mother-in-law,” I said.
“I’m good at that. Filthy bachelorette party. I’ll be totally drunk and flirty at the reception. Cute guys?” she asked.
“A few but we’ll add a lot of magical guests too. You’ll find someone to have fun with. You’ll be better at the baby shower, right?” I asked.
“I’ll be an angel. But it better be a girl,” Zel said.
“Too soon to tell.” I shook my head.
“The human way. Find out.” She drummed her nails on the table.
“How?” I asked.
She rolled her eyes. “You’re the super witch Shadowwoman.”
I waved a hand over my stomach and turned over my hand. The light glowing in my hand was pink.
“Yes! You can have boys after, but the first one rules the roost.” Zel jumped out of her side of the booth and hugged me. “Okay, fine go home to your family and be boring. Auntie Zel will be planning the baby shower and adorable little outfits.”
“Thanks.” I hugged her and, while no one was looking, snapped my fingers.
Home, I inhaled the smell of dinner. The milkshake didn’t fill me up at all. Margo and ad were coming over, as well as Joyce and brattiest future sister-in-law.
I walked into the kitchen. Mason was checking the oven.
“I can do that with magic,” I teased.
“I like cooking. It’s soothing.” Mason hugged me. “How did it go?”
I leaned on him. “Weird. Just paperwork with Green but talking about Mitch. I’m going to miss Zel. Lots of change.”
“Good change. Less confusion and frustration,” he said.
“Oh, I magically detected something,” I said.
“What?” he asked.
I showed my palm, and the pink glow reappeared. “I think you’re going to be even more outnumbered in the family.”
He grinned. “I can handle another woman in my life. But you better by on my side when her powers get too strong.”
“Always, and she’ll need a little brother or two so she doesn’t get super spoiled and all that power goes to her head.” I shook my head. “How did this happen?”
He laughed. “Too late to run now.”
The doorbell rang. I moaned. “Can’t we have a dinner alone?”
“Tomorrow night is date night. Be nice,” he said.
“I promise.”
Click for what’s next!
Binge the Deanna Oscar Series … A psychic solves para problems in New Orleans with the help of a Drag Queen and an Ex-Priest! 11 books out now!
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About the Author
A loyal Chicago girl who loves deep dish pizza, the Cubs, and The Lake, CC Dragon is fascinated by the magical and paranormal. She loves creating characters with a range of powers who solve mysteries. A coffee and chocolate addict who loves fast cars, she’s still looking for a hero who likes to cook and clean…so she can write more!
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