r flower store, the painted wooden beams that she had always intended to renovate. She briefly believed she ha

l covered the wooden floor like a battlefield, and pots were broken. The trail of trampled flower petals led to the back door, which swu

ike jelly. The shop's wall mirror gave her a sight of herself. Her hair was unkempt, her face was white and s

body. The wolf It had been quite near. Even now, she was still disturbed by the almost human intelligence in its gaze. H

her bones and mumbled, "This can't be real." However, the devastation all around her w

door. Her breath caught in her throat as she spun around.

hard and took slow, deliberate steps toward the door. Half expecting to see the hunters waiting for

er fingers brushed over her ribcage. Where could she begin to find the answers, she needed? She was referred to as a witch by the hunters. The

force and light erupting out of her per

d the store for hours, preserving everything she could. Her hands were injured from handling broken glass, and her back hurt fr

white lilies. Putting on her best customer service grin, Tessa turned,

t appeared natural yet deliberate. She felt a strange flutter in her chest as his piercing golden eyes met hers. Despite his casual

rich as he said, "Good morning.

With an undertone of caution,

stone, Lucas. For a business function, I'm searching

ast night, even though he didn't appear to be a hunter. "Well, yo

peared unthreatening, but his movements were smooth and almost predatory. So

rby. "These could be effective. Although they are timeless

the flowers. "Your eye is good.

n her chest. Before making a commitment, I'll put somethi

row ni

ent up. "That's n

for the inconvenience." Her fingertips touched his as he handed her a busines

d, "Lucas Greystone." "You are the

arged." However, don't be fooled by the nam

lightly. He had an energy about him that she was unable to fully identify.

way out. You ought to think about locking your back d

ut he had already left, leaving the bell jingling behind him. Unease hung

t that clung to the air blended with the aroma of blooming lilies. As he examined Tessa through the glass window of the store,

as if she was still unaware of the strength that pumped through her. That wild, unbridled energy had exploded the previous evening, sending the hunters

error as she confronted those hunters. Lucas cocked his head, his face contemplative. Her skin had subtle traces of magic that were nearly imperceptible to the nak

ion aside. The truth didn't sit well with her. Not quite yet. It wouldn't help anyone if he told her now because it would

ry eyes met his as she looked up from her task. He briefly noticed a glint of doubt

ce that lacked the warmth of a sincere g

o the realization that my event might require more than one

down the bouquet she had been assembling. "All

oward the counter. "I'll let your experience han

of people know what they want at least somewhat. Are yo

ht me," he acknowledged. "I thought I'd stop by si

behind her ear. It's alright. Don't get

a heartbeat. She wasn't simply unaware of it; whether intentionally or unintentionally, she was repressing it. He needed to

ave a lot on your plate." "Please let

"You want to assist a florist?

ere smile on his face. "Let's jus

he sink, doing the final dishes of the day. Her mind was a jumbled mess of terror and uncertainty that kept returning to what had happened during th

ent to answer the door. Her best buddy from high school, Landon Ashford, was standing on her front step. His ever-present leather jacket fell careles

invitation and said, "Hey, Tess."

door after him. "I'm all righ

dditionally, I am the king of England. What's go

e, saying, "Nothing's going on." A lot of work at t

as he followed her. "You realize that you're a horrible

r glance. Landon, it

his voice grew softer. "Your best friend

ow could she describe what had transpired without coming across as crazy? And what could he do

t I'm all right. Actua

and annoyance. At last, he let out a sigh and moved away. "All right.

id, her voice almost a