Night Witch (Weatherstone College, #2)(15)

What I hadn’t been able to see last night in the dark was that beyond Logan’s gorgeous farmhouse mansion was a field of lavender in bloom. I crossed the soft carpet to press my hands against the glass, staring across the purple expanse.

Logan stood at my side, and while he didn’t touch me, it also didn’t feel awkward. We might not still be in the bubble, but we also hadn’t returned to what we were before.

There was progress, and that was enough for now.

He let me look for many long minutes before he said, “Let’s get you home, Precious.” Closing my eyes, I fought for composure, and by the time I turned toward him, I’d gotten myself under control.

“Thanks. Mom was about to send out a council search party to find me. She probably would have if she didn’t think I’d lose my head at the same time.”

Logan’s expression darkened. “Don’t even joke about that, Paisley. I’ll never let them touch you.”

He wasn’t touching me either, keeping his distance as we left the room and headed downstairs. I had my bag in one hand and my shoes in the other as I followed him out the front door.

As we were leaving, I tried not to drool over his property, with its lavender fields stretching on all sides and a creek meandering behind the house. It was easy to see why Logan’s mom had loved this place, and why she’d left it to Logan.

“She left you with her heart.” The words slipped out before I’d realized, and as Logan ground to a halt, I wondered if I’d just majorly fucked up.

He spent endless seconds studying me, and I was about to apologize when his expression cleared and he was moving again. “Come on,” he said, striding toward the gate. “Let’s not worry your family any longer.”

I followed quietly, knowing that despite his promise of answers, all I had were more questions. Typical. At least I’d gotten a night of amazing food and sleep.

With the unpredictable spellcaster, that wasn’t a half-bad deal.





Chapter 7




Our hotel in New York wasn’t fancy. “Sorry, girls, this is the best we could get,” Mom said, handing us a key card each. She’d booked two separate rooms to give Sara and me privacy—my siblings couldn’t get away for the three days to be here, but they were prepared to transport across if the trial went badly. “It’s safe enough, at least. Not that a regular human could ever get the drop on us.”

“Totally fine, Mrs. Hallistar,” Sara said with a smile. “I’ve never been to the city, and I can’t wait to explore.”

“We can go out now, right, Mom?”

She nodded. “Just keep your phones on you so we can coordinate for dinner. We should get to bed early. Tomorrow will be a long day.”

The preliminary hearing started today, but it was closed to everyone except Dad and his coven-appointed lawyer. Tomorrow, though, we would all be there for the main trial. The verdict would be delivered on the third day.

Mom left to unpack in her room. We grabbed our phones and bags, and headed to the street to catch a cab. I’d just waved one down when my phone buzzed, and I hated the way my stomach tightened in anticipation.

Logan had returned me safely home yesterday, as promised, via another illegal transport portal, and I hadn’t heard from him since. I swiped to find the message wasn’t from him.

Haley: I’m reading a shifter book, and he is scenting her to see if she’s clean. He can smell her periods. I mean . . . What the fuck am I even reading? Shifters . . . I tell ya. They have issues.





A snort of laughter escaped me as I slid into the back seat of the yellow cab. After Sara directed the driver to Central Park, I handed her the phone and she lost her shit reading Haley’s message.

She replied before I could stop her.

Paisley: I’m going to need the title. For research purposes.





There was a minute before she responded.

Haley: Hey, Sara. I’d know your dirty mind anywhere.





I snatched my phone as Sara shrugged. “Ask her if she’s going to make it tonight?”

After shooting off another quick text, I threw my phone into my bag and stared out the window, taking in the sights. When we reached the drop-off near the park, my phone buzzed, and I checked her reply.

Haley: Not tonight. But 100% on for tomorrow.





Sara read over my arm. “I’ve missed her so much. It’ll be great when we’re all back together again.” She paused, and I knew what she was going to say. “Did Belle reply to your message?”

I’d messaged this morning to see if she’d be at the trial. Her ass of a father was part of the proceedings, which meant there was a chance.

“Nope,” I said, feeling grim about it. “She hasn’t even read it, and in all honesty, I don’t trust her father doesn’t have her chained up in the basement.”

“I want to laugh,” Sara deadpanned, “but since there’s a chance it’s true, I’m mostly panicking.”

“Maybe she’s with her mom . . .” I suggested to calm my own panic. “She said they don’t get the best phone service near her mom’s village.”

“We should ask Elder Monroe tomorrow,” Sara said, stepping aside as a large group of kids in matching shirts pushed into the park, heading in the direction of the zoo.