The Truth About Familiars by Michele Hauf

Author:Michele Hauf
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: paranormal romance, shapeshifter romance, magical romance, london romance, dark enchantments
Publisher: Michele Hauf

Chapter 7

Mirabelle managed to fashion a toga-dress out of the floral bedsheet Bane had given her. Draped across one shoulder and wrapped around her hips, it stopped just above her knees. She cinched it at the waist with some green garden twine.

“I’m sorry,” he said, shaking his head as she strolled out of the bedroom to display her project. “I don’t have occasion to keep female clothing here at the cottage.”

“It’ll suit me until I can find something better. My few possessions are at the witch’s house. Oh, Bane.” A shiver crept up her spine and she glanced to the doorway through which the witch had entered earlier. “I don’t want to go out there. She’s lurking. I know she is.”

“I’ve circled the grounds. She’s nowhere in sight.”

“That’s the thing. You will be as blind to her as she is. Her sense of smell is precise. And that gives her a sort of invisibility magic. Others can’t see her unless she’s wearing a mortal disguise as she was with the old woman.”

“I saw her face,” he said. “It began to burn and turn green.”

“That’s her true image. After I clawed her, my magic took hold in her skin and kept her from further repulsing your wards, so she fled. Had you eaten the pie she would have had power over you. That is, if you survived.”

He swallowed. “Not much of an appetite since she’s been here. We’ll get a warm meal at the St. Yve manor. It’s but a jaunt through the forest from here. You ready?”

“No.” Mirabelle took a step back and again glanced at the door.

“Oh, sweetie.” He wrapped her in his arms. “I will protect you.”

“With this?” She tapped the gun he wore in the shoulder holster, which hugged against his ribs. “Salt isn’t effective against witches.”

“But henbane is. I’ve woven it into this braided bracelet.” He showed her the twist of herbs encircling his wrist. “It should, at the very least, keep her at a distance until we can get to safety. And it’s a quick trip. It’ll be nothing more than a dash down the path. So long as the path doesn’t, er, alter.”

Mirabelle winced. The forest did have a mind of its own.

“You’re very kind,” she said. “But I don’t believe you’re fully aware of the danger.”

“Perhaps that’s best, eh?”

His light tone wasn’t giving her the courage she required to venture out and risk the witch picking up her scent and taking her home to again force her into slavery.

“Maybe the St. Ives people can come pick us up?” she suggested.

She knew there was a mansion in the forest that housed a group of humans who studied paranormals. They also exterminated paranormals. The evil ones. The witch had always cursed their presence but had avoided their detection with hexes and wards and even a charm or two. Who was to say those humans wouldn’t label Mirabelle evil for her alliance with the witch?

She stepped out of his embrace. “I can’t do this, Bane.”

His kiss was more than she could ever wish for and the only thing she wanted.

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