Not Your Ex's Hexes (Supernatural Singles, #2)(5)

At first, Rose didn’t. Her hearing was only a smidge elevated and only when she concentrated so hard Vi joked she looked constipated.

Rose probably looked severely backed up right then. It took a full ten seconds of hard concentration to hear the sirens over her thundering heart, but then with every beat, the wails got louder.

“We need to move faster.” She gently pushed on the horse’s rump again. “Please, Butternut. Let us help you.”

The horse finally shifted, but instead of following Vi and Olive from the stall, the mare backed up, pinning Rose against the wall with her bony behind.

Everyone coaxed and clicked, begging the horse to move as the sirens got louder.

Rose shook her head. “You three need to get out of here. Now.”

Vi’s eyes widened. “We’re not leaving you! Witches who ride together die together.”

“And witches who get caught trespassing also get thrown in jail together,” she quipped, locking eyes with her sister. “You’re the Prima Apparent. What do you think the Supernatural Council would say if you’re tossed in jail?”

Vi visibly paled. “Actually, I’m more afraid of Gran. I don’t think she’s gotten over the whole insulting the Italian warlock commissioner thing yet.”

Edie Maxwell, as the Prima and head of the Supernatural Council, had more power in her little finger than did a dozen covens combined. But she didn’t need Magic to deliver a disappointing punch. She got the same effect with a single stone-faced look.

Vi lifted her chin. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll deal with the fallout. I’m not leaving you.”

Olive nodded. “No witch left behind…”

Harper shrugged. “I give you all ten seconds and then I’m out of here … we succubi are lone creatures for a reason.”

Rose chuckled, knowing there was no way the sex demon would leave them.

They worked together to coax the mare out from the stall. What felt like a lifetime later, they took their first few steps to the door only for it to be flung open.

Two cops stormed inside, flashlights zeroing in on their faces. “Do not move another muscle! Hands up! Now!”

Harper being Harper, she tossed her hands into the air and grinned coyly. “Who wants to frisk me first? Fair warning, though … I’m ticklish.”

Rose couldn’t suppress the chuckle that escaped with the absurdity of it all … until a flashlight beam hit her square in the eyes.

The offending officer muttered a curse. “Maxwell triplets … and a mouthy sidekick.”

“You’ve got to be shitting me.” A second light beam had Rose seeing rainbows. “Well, hell. You see, this is why I don’t pick up extra shifts. Shit always happens. I call not-it on ringing up the Supernatural Council. The paperwork for this will be ridiculous.”

“The hell you say. You’re the damn shifter. Besides, I did it last time this one got into trouble, and I still see the Prima’s glare in my nightmares.” The Norm officer flipped his light to Violet. “It’s your turn for night terrors.”

Rose pushed a hopeful smile to her face as she faced the two cops. “Why does anyone have to ring up anyone else, let alone fill out paperwork? It’s late and people are sleeping, and not enough rest has been linked to a whole host of medical problems. You could just let us mosey on our way. Spare someone the co-pay.”

Both officers turned back to them, matching blank expressions on their faces.

Any hope she had that they’d look the other way was dashed when the taller of the two clicked on his radio. “We’ve apprehended the culprits, and are on our way in.”

Operation Equine Freedom was officially dead in the water.





2





Non-Boo


Half-demon veterinarian Damian Adams needed a night out more than most people required air to breathe, so when his two old college roommates called him up with the promise of free drinks, pool, and generalized stress-relief, he’d dropped his paperwork and his responsibilities at the Marisol Animal Sanctuary and Clinic and met the shifters at Potion’s Up.

So maybe he hadn’t dropped the paperwork so much as his mentor and grandfather figure had ripped it from his hands and shoved him out the door with a threat not to return for at least four hours. Even Miguel, the retired Norm veterinarian, had sensed Damian’s restlessness the last few days.

Or more accurately, his demon’s restlessness.

Despite the night being exactly what the vet ordered, it didn’t stop Damian from checking his phone six times in the last hour, and four in the thirty minutes before that.

A heavy hand landed on his shoulder.

Lincoln Thorne, his college buddy and the North American Pack Alpha, flashed a crooked smirk. “Are we not entertaining enough for you? Adrian’s had an extra beer or two. I might be able to Alpha order him into doing the chicken dance on the pool table if it keeps you here with us a bit longer.”

Adrian Collins, the lion shifter and the third in their college trio, chuckled as he leaned over the billiards table to take his shot. “I told you … that was a onetime thing.”

“That happened twice.” Bax Donovan, Guardian Angel extraordinaire, snorted.

They all laughed.

Damian tucked his phone away. “Nah, I’m good. It’s just been so long since I had a night away. I don’t know what to do with myself.”