Chapter 1

• Kasey had checked her bag four times now. What time were they supposed to be picking her up? She was tired from working a spell all night. Nervous about going to Solstice, where they expected a killer, she glanced at the clock and tried to exhale slowly. The thought of spending some quality time with Chris just added to her excitement.
• Tired of waiting for him to make a move, she had no idea how to make any move, but the time was now.
• You can do this, Kasey girl, she told herself for the umpteenth time. Maybe, just maybe, if she could manage to take a midnight stroll with him, she would come back looking as thoroughly kissed as Lee had at Beltane.
• Her stomach lurched. The thought of kissing Chris, other than a quick one, tied her stomach into a complete macramé project of knots.
• Owen’s Jeep pulled up, and she was halfway out the door before it stopped. She smiled at Leena briefly, but her eyes quickly focused on the dark-haired man in the backseat as he pushed the door open for her. She stroked over the fairy pendant hanging at her waist, then looked back to Chris to give him an inviting smile.
• Chris glanced at his watch as they entered the highway. Not bad, only half an hour behind.
• Chris looked over at Kasey, his mind still stuck on how she looked running out of her house. Her hair wasn’t helter-skelter for once. The short, choppy ends were soft and flitted about with each movement of her head. She’d done something with the color too, it was darker than normal. He wanted to run his fingers through her short locks to see if they felt as silky as he had imagined.
• In the front, the newly engaged couple were talking softly and holding hands. This only made him turn back to look over at Kasey again. What was this, the tenth time he’d glanced at her since she got in the Jeep? She almost looked sleepy.
• “You look tired, Kase.”
• She nodded. “I am. I ended up staying up most of the night trying to charm a talisman, took me forever to work everything out.”
• He touched her hand softly. “We’re going to recharge the gris-gris bags...”
• “Oh, no, it’s not for me. I made it for Cassidy, only she’s going to think it’s a gift, which works out for the Solstice gift exchanges.” She rubbed her eyes. “If I did it right, it will keep her safe.” Her eyes were so sad when she looked back at him. “I don’t want her to be the next victim, especially since we saw her in that vision...”
• Squeezing her hand, he grinned at her. “I’m sure you did it right, Kase. Your gifts are getting stronger each day and soon you’ll be able to take on anything you want.”
• “Thank you, Chris. Gosh, I am tired!”
• He reached over and undid her seat belt. Without effort, he slid her over closer to him. “Lie against me and catch a nap.” He kissed the top of her head. “I’ll keep you from slipping off the seat.”
• “Thanks.” She slipped down to rest her head in his lap. Shifting around until she curled her small body into a comfortable position in the backseat next him, she closed her eyes.
• Resting his hand on the bare skin of her exposed waist, Chris grinned down at her. She was already drifting off.
• “So...” Owen said, drawing his attention forward. “What is this about gift exchanges at Solstice?” He glanced in the mirror at Chris, and then turned to look over at Leena.
• Chris nodded., “It’s an old tradition, exchange a magical gift or tool at Summer Solstice with friends.”
• “Oh.” Owen’s eyebrows moved down before he looked towards the road again. “I didn’t get gifts.”
• “Yes, you did,” Leena whispered quietly beside him.
• “I did?”
• “Uh-huh.”
• “Thank you, baby.” He lifted her hand and kissed it.
• “You’re welcome.”
• Owen turned back to watch the road. a puzzled look on his face. He was trying to figure out where to get something for Leena.
• Chris studied the woman sleeping on him. She looked like a cherub when she slept and he stared intently at her face for several moments. Her small hand rested on his bare thigh by her head and he noticed, she had perfect hands.
• Lightly, he ran his hand over her hair and almost groaned out loud. It was like silk.
• An ugly, aggressive feeling came over him when he’d thought of Kasey being at risk at this gathering. Were they all crazy to be going if the killer from Beltane would be there? They did have advantages that few were aware of; hopefully the killer wasn’t in the know. He pictured Leena and how she looked when she and Owen returned from finding the bodies. He’d die before he ever let Kasey go through that.
• His eyes caressed her bare waist, imagining his hands doing the same thing. His long fingers lay across her belly button. He could feel the fairy he’d given her dangling there, keeping his fingers still was taking all of his self-control.
• He had to curb the urge drop to his knees and kiss it, when she came out dressed in a tight belly top and short skirt. As she walked to the jeep, he’d seen her hand caress the fairy, making eye contact, ensuring he would notice wore his gift.
• He had no fear she wouldn’t like the Solstice gift he’d spent days deciding on, it was meant for her.
• While allowing his eyes to wander leisurely over her bare legs, he noticed she’d kicked off her shoes. Her toes were painted at least four, no five, he counted, different colors.