Owl Out of Magic (The Owl Star Witch Mysteries Book 14) by Leanne Leeds

Author:Leanne Leeds [Leeds, Leanne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781950505852
Publisher: Badchen Publishing
Published: 2023-10-18T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

I tossed and turned in bed, unable to quiet my restless mind. The day’s events kept replaying—the unexpected arrival of Hermes, Lothian’s thoughtless behavior, Angela’s odd insistence that the festival was all Marcus’s idea, the chief’s—

“What’s it going to take for you to pipe down and get some rest, a magical sleep potion?” Archie quipped from his perch near the open window. “I already had to stay home with the bird and the dog. Now you want to rob me of my beauty sleep, too? Just close your eyes and snooze already.”

“If you don’t like it, go hunt or something.” With a frustrated huff, I punched my pillow and flipped over again, kicking off the sheets twisted around my legs. Sleep remained elusive. The old house creaked and settled around me in the darkness. “Aren’t owls nocturnal, anyway?”

“You’re thinking of owls that don’t have witches to give them bacon. Besides, a heavy meal before bed? What am I, a masochist looking for a night of searing heartburn and restless tossing and turning like you?” he said. “I think I’ll pass on inflicting pain on myself, but thanks for the awful suggestion.”

I sighed and threw an arm over my eyes. “You’re annoying.”

“I’m annoying? Says the worrywart who’s stressing over everything and nothing. Your anxiety is so loud the dolphins off the coast are wondering what’s wrong.”

I sank into the mattress, the sheets cool against my skin as Archie’s words echoed in my mind. I opened my mouth, a barbed reply on my lips, but clenched my jaw before it could slip free.

He was right.

Of course, he was right. If I continued churning over every detail of the day, sleep would remain as distant as the moon.

I squeezed my eyes shut and focused on the rise and fall of my chest the way they’d taught me in the military. Soldiers could sleep anywhere.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Like waves smoothing the sand, the frenzied activity in my mind ebbed as an abnormally cool breeze drifted through the open window. I shivered as it raised goosebumps on my bare arms.

“Archie, are you too cold?” I mumbled.

Silence. That was weird.

“Archie?” I called out more insistently.

More silence.

Propping myself up on my elbows, I peered through the inky blackness toward the window bathed in moonlight. To my surprise, a figure stood silhouetted against the lunar-lit frame. I bolted upright, heart pounding.

“Who’s there?” I demanded.

The shadowy figure stepped forward into a shaft of moonglow. I recognized the woman’s flowing garments and winged helmet—it was the blond woman from the festival, the one dressed as Athena.

I slid back against the headboard, staring. “Well, I guess that answers the question of whether you’re human.” I narrowed my eyes. “But just because you’re supernatural doesn’t mean you’re a goddess.” I looked around. “Where’s my owl?”

“My owl.” The woman’s ice blue eyes glinted. “Did you really believe it mere happenstance that brought someone to your celebration clad in the vestments of divine Athena herself? Though you comprehend little of the gods’ grand designs, Olympus ever turns around you, child.

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