Solstice Heat (Magic Seasons Romance Series Part 2)

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.

By the time they pulled into the gates at the gathering, Chris wanted to jump out and stretch. He’d barely moved a muscle the whole trip, not wanting to disturb Kasey’s sleep. Running a hand up and down her arm, he spoke softly. “Kasey, we’re here.”

She opened her eyes and turned to look up at him. His heart hammered in his chest when he caught her sexy, sleepy expression.

“Thanks,” she whispered with a raspy voice.

He touched her cheek with the back of his hand, brushing his knuckles lightly over the soft, glowing skin. “Anytime, sweetheart.”

Kasey smiled as she pushed herself up. “I feel so much better.” She brushed her lips against his cheek, lingering for a short moment. “You are quite a comfy pillow, Chris.”

“You can use me anytime you need, little Kasey,” he said in a low voice, almost drowning in her pale green eyes.

“Are you getting out sometime today?” Dade looked in the window at them.

Steven winked at Kasey as she got out. “Kase, you look good enough to eat today.” He walked over and hugged her, ignoring the glare from Chris.

Chris was almost certain Doc was doing that, just to annoy him.

“Oh! I love the belly ring, Kase! Where did you get it?” Rachel squeaked as she was bending down to look closer.

Kasey smiled up at Chris. “It was a gift.”

Chris grinned down at her, liking the way she kept it between the two of them.

Cora walked over and looked too. “Oh my, those have to be real diamonds. Fake ones wouldn’t sparkle like that.” She reached out a finger to touch it and got a small zap. “Oh!” She put her finger in her mouth and laughed. “This dry weather is so awful for static charges.”

Chris stuffed his hands into his pockets when he noticed Owen raise an eyebrow at Doc, and they both turned to stare at him. He glanced down at the ground, pretending he didn’t understand their knowing looks.

Kasey chuckled. “I’ll have to call her the electric fairy.” As everyone started moving towards the registration, she pulled him and whispered. “The stones are not fake, are they, Chris?” He just shook his head. “Great!” She puffed out her cheeks. “I need an insurance policy on my belly button!” He threw his head back and laughed as she headed to join the others.

Chris followed along behind, still close enough to hear Owen as he leaned close to Steven. “Can he do that?”

Steven nodded. “Yes, and I’d say he definitely did.”

Owen laughed.

“Who did what?” Dade asked, pushing between them.

Steven glanced towards the women and then whispered to Dade.

“No way! Really?” Dade chuckled. “Sneaky bastard,” he muttered and then immediately walked ahead of them when Cora turned and gave him that look.

Leena stood by the registration, noticing that this site was more beautiful than the pictures on the website had shown. There were herbs and grasses growing wild around the whole camp. She couldn’t wait to wander through the trees and along the creek to discover what was there. Harvesting herbs for her magic was very important whenever she had the chance.

She started a list of the herbs she most wanted to find. Wild catnip, of course, was always better than cultivated. Would there be motherwort here? Oh, and ground ivy would be at the perfect point to harvest. Grinning, she sighed and leaned back against Owen. Now seemed as good a time as any to get him playing in the weeds. She was just turning to tell him of her plans when Gwen, in her vintage, flowing, hippy skirts, came flying out of the little building. She ran over to Leena and hugged her tight.

“Cora just told me. Congratulations!” She picked up Leena’s hand and looked at the ring. She then kissed Owen. “This is so lovely!” She smiled at them both. “It makes my heart so much lighter to know something this wonderful came out of the Beltane gathering.” She kissed both of them again. “Oh! You’ll be dancing your first coupled union tomorrow night. Oh, this is wonderful!” She sniffled as she walked back into the building.

Owen looked down at Leena. “Coupled union?”

Leena laughed and started towards the building. “I’ll explain later.” Justin was walking towards the group and she could see the strain of the past few months in his eyes.

“Justin, how nice to see you.” She hugged him briefly.

The older man grinned back at her. “Gwen just told me the news, congratulations you two.” He shook Owen’s hand and grinned. “You’re a lucky man, but you know that.” He turned to nod to the others. “It’s great to see all of you here. Thanks for coming back.” He rubbed his jaw and glanced around. “You’ll need to meet Mr. Blaine, the detective. I’m not sure where he is at the moment, but stop by at dinner, and I’ll point him out.” With that he offered a small grin. “It’s certainly drier this time.” He turned and went back into the building.

“Poor guy,” Cora mused as she followed him into the registration building.

When Chris walked out to where the others waited, he noticed a few tense stares.

“Chris,” Kasey said in her sweet tone. “Did you happen to pay for all of our registrations and the cabin?”

He grinned down at her. “What could be more magical than the eight of us together at a gathering? My Solstice gift to you all.” He looked at them with a slightly smug expression, they couldn’t refuse this gift.

Owen stepped forward until Leena put a hand on his arm and shook her head. “You can’t refuse a Solstice gift, or you’ll bring bad luck to the season.” Unhappy blue eyes looked at Chris, and then Owen looked back at Leena and sighed in defeat.

Chris walked past them. “Shall we go check out our lodgings?”

Cora caught up to him and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

Rachel did the same.

Kasey just looked up and frowned.

The outside of the cabin didn’t look like a typical cabin. A simple square building with dark siding and white trim with a deck, or the white boards that could be referred to as a deck, were large enough for two or three people to stand, but not sit.

Once inside the cabin, they all stood in the small sitting area and looked around. There was a woodstove in the corner, with a well-polished wood floor that had seen many feet over the years. Two large armchairs, one of faded blue and one in red and a large brown wicker chair, with a green couch loveseat meant that gathering comfortably would be a challenge.

“Well, at least we all won’t have to sit on the floor,” Dade muttered as he walked over to open a door. “And people, we have a bathroom. Okay, a tiny sink and a toilet.” He turned to grin at Owen. “You, big guy, might have to go in and out sideways, but at least it’s not a sixty-foot hike outside.”

Leena stood there and looked at the four closed doors. Sighing, she went and opened the first. “Double bed and a tiny TV-table-sized table. The wall is a foot from each side of the bed,” she reported.

Opening the next, “Single, possibly a twin-sized cot in this room. Nothing other than that, including space.” She lifted her brows at the others as they peeked in the rooms after her. The next door revealed two cots and a tiny window the size of a vent.

Chris looked in the last door over her shoulder. It had three narrow cots and almost a half-sized closet. “Well.” Leena grinned at him. “We have four rooms, double bed, a single bed, two singles, and three singles, in addition to a closet sized space.”

Owen grinned. “I’m calling the double bed that I’ll be sharing with my fiancée.” Everyone smirked, not arguing because it did make sense.

“I’ll take the single then,” Chris added as he stuck his head in and looked at the tiny space and realized Leena hadn’t been exaggerating. He leaned against the wall beside the door.

Dade walked over and looked into the other rooms. “Guess Doc and I’ll take the two beds in there, unless you ladies want to mix it up?” He lifted an eyebrow at the three women.

They laughed and walked into the room with the three single beds.

Leena dropped her purse on the chair. “Guess we’d better go haul everything in.”

Dade shook his head. “I’ll just drive the van over and park it beside the cabin. There’s enough space.”

It only took half an hour to get everything sorted out. Cora set the last package on the shelf they’d discovered behind a curtain they thought was a window. She looked over at Owen. “Were you expecting us to feed the whole camp?”

Owen shrugged and then grinned at Chris. “Just didn’t want anyone to go hungry. You never know when those middle-of-the-night munchies will get you.” Cora laughed.

Rachel was already putting some of the food back in bags. “If no one objects, I’m going to take this to the children’s area. Munchies always come in handy there.”

Steven nodded. “I’ll go over with you and see if any of my fest kids are here.”

Straightening from setting up the little travel table, Leena glanced at the women. “Before anyone goes anywhere ladies, shall we cleanse and protect?” The women nodded and went into their room. Leena looked around at the men. “A little tradition, although we could use this to recharge the gris-gris too.”

Cora nodded as she walked back out. “Yes, good idea.” She stepped forward and placed a wooden carved mask on the table. “To watch over all,” she said and stood to the side.

Rachel stepped up and placed her large blue and black candles down. Holding her hand over them, they smoldered and then caught fire. “To protect and repel negative.” She took her place beside Cora.

Kasey stepped up to set a large piece of raw jasper down. “To bring courage and tranquility to us all.” She stepped over next to Cora.

Leena stepped up and opened her hand over a small dish. Herbs floated from her palm, then settled in the dish, immediately smoldering. She waited for the smoke to rise and then lifted her hands. “To cleanse and protect us all.”

Chris watched as the smoke swirled around the small table, then around each of them before circling the room and coming back to the dish.

Cora motioned them to form a circle.

The four women joined hands with the men and as soon as the circle was complete a warm tingle shot through their hands before everyone let go.

“That should also strengthen the gris-gris bags,” Cora said as she went to sit down.

Chris raised his eyebrows at Kasey. “Tranquility?”

She nodded. “I didn’t know if everyone else was as uneasy as I was after Beltane, so I thought it wouldn’t hurt.” She looked down at her clasped hands.

“A perfect choice, Kasey, thank you.”

Dade sat on the edge of the little couch and sent Chris a determined look. “To test your stone out, Kase, now would be as good a time as any to discuss what Justin asked the men to do, before we all head in different directions.” All eyes were on him at once.

Dade glanced once at Cora. “Justin says this undercover cop asked if the four of us would help by making rounds, off and on throughout the next few nights.” The other three men nodded, but none were jumping in to help Dade explain.

“Alone?” Cora asked. Dade nodded and started to speak when she stepped in front of him and looked down at him, hands on hips. “I don’t think so.”

“Coralee, the killer isn’t after men, obviously from that vision...”

“No,” was all she said and then sat down, crossing her arms in front of her.

Chris looked around at the women. He had been sure this wasn’t going to go over smoothly. “I have a suggestion.” Everyone looked at him. “We could take turns going out as couples and wandering around. It would look less suspicious.” He grinned over at Kasey. “I don’t know about you, but I’d feel safer knowing Kasey was with me. If we saw anything, she could work a confine spell while I ran for help.” Kasey laughed and put her hand over her mouth.

Owen chuckled. “He’s right, well, for the most part. I’d feel better with Leena beside me than worrying about her.”

Dade laughed. “You just want to sneak off and have sex in the bushes with her, bro. Tell the truth.”

Owen grinned back at him. “Hadn’t thought of that, but not a bad idea, thanks.” Leena lifted a cushion from the couch with a brush of air and tossed it towards him.

Ducking, Owen laughed and walked towards her. “Behave, woman.” He grinned.

Steven stood up. “Other than the sex thing, which does have some merit, I agree with the idea.” He looked over at Rachel and smiled. “Well, warrior woman, you want to protect me from the dark shadows?”

Rachel laughed and then shrugged.

Cora stretched. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m going to go try to grab a nap. It’s going to be a long night, and getting up at dawn to light the Solstice fire will be even more difficult if we’ve all been in and out all night.”

Dade nodded. “I’ll head over and let Justin know our plans. I also want to see what this undercover cop looks like, so we don’t attack him thinking he’s the killer.”

Leena sighed. “See if you can get the list of registrants too, Dade. We could check them with the Beltane list before dinner.”

Dade saluted her and walked out the door grinning.

Rachel grabbed the bag of munchies and headed to the door. “You know where to find me.”

Steven followed her. “Me too.”

Leena grinned at Owen suggestively.

Owen held up a hand. “I know that grin, it says, ‘Come get me,’ but the eyes are saying, ‘Owen, honey, I need a hand with something.’”

She laughed. “I do need your hand, to hold mine while we walk through the woods and meadows, foraging.”

He shrugged. “I can do that.” He took the bag she held out and opened the door.

The list didn’t provide any big clues. Twenty names were the same, not counting themselves and the organizers. Twenty names of the people who had all been at events for years.

The revel fire was more of a social gathering than ritual, as everyone knew the early morning and long day that would follow. The eight wandered through the attendants looking for something out of place or disturbing, but hadn’t picked up on anything. Finally, everyone agreed to go back to the cabin and try to rest before their watch shifts began.

Leena and Owen took the first watch, and no one complained, knowing they were still so newly engaged they should be able to lounge in bed longer than the others.

Steven and Rachel took the midnight shift while the others tried to get a bit of rest before their turn.

Kasey wandered out to the sitting area to find Chris there. “Are they still out?” she whispered, not wanting to wake the others. He nodded. “Do we go out right after them, or is it Justin’s turn? I keep forgetting.”

Chris patted the cushion beside him, waving the puff of dust away that flew out. “We’re out after them. Then at two it’s Justin. It’s either Charlie or Kevin at three. I’m not sure which order they’re in. Dade and Cora will be out until we light the fires.”

She nodded and then sighed. “I couldn’t sleep. Maybe the nap was a bad idea.”

Chris picked up her hand. “It’s going to be okay, Kasey.” His voice was soft and reassuring. “We’re doing all we can do.”

She nodded again and went to speak when Doc and Rachel stepped in quietly, grinning.

“It’s all yours,” Rachel whispered with a grin on her face.

Steven smiled at them too. “You might want to avoid the little ring of trees behind the dining hall. Another couple is busy there right now.”

Kasey blushed but noticed that Chris grinned.

“We’ll check there last.” He turned to her. “Ready?” She nodded and grabbed her sweater.

They walked in silence. Kasey was happy to hold his hand, she felt less nervous about what they were watching and listening for. The only sounds they heard were the crickets, and their own footsteps.

She glanced up at him. At nearly a foot taller, he always made her feel smaller and more feminine. He looked so sexy in the almost-full moonlight. It cast a light that made him look stronger, almost invincible, she thought with a girlish grin. “Leena said there was a creek down that way. Do we look there too?” She kept her voice hushed.

Chris smiled down at her. “Sure. And I’d like to say, despite the reason we’re out here, I’m enjoying walking with you in the moonlight. Kase. You look like a fairy in this light.”

Kasey felt more relaxed. “It is beautiful out here tonight, isn’t it?”

Lifting their entwined hands to his mouth, he kissed hers. “I think the woman beside me outshines the moon every night.”

She felt her cheeks flush. “You say the nicest things, Chris.”

“I mean them, or I wouldn’t say them.”

They both looked over as they heard the water trickling. Spotting a large rock, he headed over to lean against it, turning her to stand in front of him. They were face to face now. “I still feel guilt over how I behaved a few weeks ago, Kasey.”

She was silent for a minute. “It’s okay. You were right, in a way. I should work harder so I can stay focused during a ritual. I’ve been practicing ever since.”

His hand moved up to caress her face. It was big enough to cover the whole side of it. “I could have told you in a friendlier way. I have no excuse for my behavior that night. It was just a bit of a shock, to be honest.” His thumb moved slowly over her cheekbone.

“I’d like to explain what happened, Chris.”

“There’s no need...”

Kasey put her hand up to stop his caress. “There is, I need to.”

He nodded silently and dropped both hands to her waist, resting them there. Could he sit here and listen to her explain about the lover he had seen with her in the vision? He wasn’t sure he could, but he owed it to her to at least try, after being so rude to her over it.

“During the ritual, when we were all touching the edge of the dish, the currents flowing were very strong. The stones I used were doing their part really well, too. I guess you leaned up to look closer, I’m not sure. I was pretty deep in the vision at that point. I remember feeling your hand brush mine, an accident, of course.” She paused and lowered her lashes, hiding her eyes from him.

Letting out a shaky breath, she looked back at his eyes. “When your hand brushed mine, it changed my focus to you, Chris. That was you I projected in the vision of... It was you.”

She finished so quietly he almost didn’t hear her. He stood there looking into her eyes. Her fantasy lover had been him? How had he missed that? As he thought of the dark-haired man’s reflection in the bowl, he felt ridiculous. How was he supposed to know what he looked like from behind? Him.

Chris searched her eyes for a moment, then looked at her mouth. She bit her bottom lip gently with her teeth waiting for him to say something. No words could be found to express how happy he was. Relief flooded through him. It hadn’t been another man’s mouth moving over her with frenzied passion. It had been his. A rush of heat went through him as he thought of the images.

“I’ve embarrassed you now,” she said quietly.

“No, I’m not embarrassed to know that.” He did wonder if everyone else had realized who the man had been. “Kasey...” He didn’t know what words to use. His eyes moved over her face and he felt he had no choice but slowly lean closer, watching her eyes as he did. When his lips brushed against hers, she moved her hands to his shoulders.

Turning his head, he deepened the kiss and pulled her closer. Her mouth opened, allowing his tongue to brush against hers.

Struggling with whether he should pull her tight or release her, he groaned against her mouth and broke the kiss. “Kase,” he whispered against her lips, “we’ll have to continue this when we’re not on duty.”

“Oh!” She put her hands up to her cheeks and looked at him with wide eyes. “I forgot! You distracted me, and I forgot why we’re out here.”

He kissed her mouth gently. “That makes me feel better than you could ever know, sweetheart.” Straightening up, he took her hand. “Let’s head to check the other end of the camp.”

Chris fought his impulses for most of the way touring the camp. He wanted to pick her up to lay her gently in the long grass, to play out the visions of the fantasy now running rapidly through his mind with new vigor. If he didn’t let her know how he felt, soon, he was going to lose his sanity.

After they finished their hour, they saw Justin and Gwen step out of their cabin. Nodding wordlessly to the other couple, they turned and headed back to the own.

As Kasey reached for the door, Chris pulled her away from the door, to the side of the small deck. “We’ll go in shortly.” He picked her up quickly, seating her on the rail before she could react. “We’re not on duty now,” he whispered against her ear. “I want the rest of that kiss, sweetheart.” Kasey ran her hands through his hair, pulling his head down.

Kasey held her hands in his hair as she pulled his mouth to hers. She didn’t know if she’d get another chance to kiss him like this, when he’d asked, so she threw herself into the kiss and swallowed any hesitance.

With her tongue, she explored the inside of his mouth and stroked along his. He gripped her waist and stepped closer so his body was up against hers. She felt his hips push between her thighs, and gasped against his mouth.

Dropping her hands, she ran them down over his chest, loving the feel of his hard muscles.

When she touched him, he pulled his mouth away to run his lips across her throat. His hand cupped the back of her head as she leaned back to give him access to her entire neck.

Lifting her with one hand, he pulled her tightly against his hard chest and devoured her throat. She moaned softly, and he felt need jolt through him like a bolt of lightning. “Come inside with me, little Kasey.” He groaned against her throat, and then felt her tense in his arms.

“I can’t...the others...I’d…” She bit her bottom lip.

“It’s okay,” he said, pulling her to rest against his chest as he tried to regain his own breathing.

“It’s not that I don’t want to. I do. I just...if they found out...” Kasey stopped.

Chris leaned back and looked down at her flushed face. Her eyes were glazed with passion, and he wanted to carry her inside all over again. “I understand, sweetheart. It’s okay, really.”

He brushed his thumb over her swollen lips, almost dropped to his knees to beg when her mouth opened and her eyes drifted shut at his touch. She was the sexiest thing he had ever laid eyes on.

Dropping his hand, he pulled her into his arms again and held her. “Just let me hold you for a second while I settle down.” Her little arms wound around his waist, and she nuzzled right into him.

Taking a deep breath, he straightened and picked her up from the rail and lowered her slowly to the deck. “Go get some rest, Kasey. I’ll be in shortly.” She looked up at him for a moment, then nodded and opened the door.

He watched her close the door, and then let out a long breath. This was going to be a very long, restless weekend.

As he turned to follow her someone stepped out of the trees on the other side of their cabin. His whole body tensed as he watched the man walk towards him.

He was a tall man, with short, dark hair with a bit of gray showing, and several years older than himself, he thought. Maybe it was that rough “seen it all” attitude.

“Mr. Larkin, isn’t it?” the man asked with a slight Irish brogue.

Chris nodded, sizing up the other man.

When he put his hand out to shake his, he winked at Chris. “I’m Patrick Blaine, a special friend of Justin’s.”

Chris relaxed and shook his hand. Well, at least he didn’t look like a cop, far from it, actually. To describe him, Chris would have used the word “dangerous.”

“Just wanted to stop by and introduce myself. Saw the group of you at dinner last night and decided with all your men I’d better make sure you knew me.” He winked again. “Appreciate the help you’re all lending.” He looked around the area for a moment, then pulled a dark stone of his pocket.

Chris grinned at the man as the stone hovered a few inches above his palm. Snapping his fingers, the stone fell into Patrick’s hand. “Good thing you did at that, Mr. Blaine.”

Patrick leaned against the rail for a moment and grinned. “It was thought I’d be best to handle this situation. I’ve been keeping an eye on the woman you all saw. She’s been tucked in all night.” He straightened up. “I need to talk to the lot of you before the fire-lighting about a few ideas I have, well, now that Justin has explained a bit about some gifts you all have”

Chris nodded.

“I’m off for a nap before everyone’s all aflutter over the fire-lighting. I’ll see you later on.”

“Absolutely,” Chris said as he watched the man walk away. Well, well, they had a magical cop. Things were definitely looking up.

As they stood in a circle with dawn only a few moments away, the silence prevailed. No one spoke or moved. Chris noticed Patrick looking silently at each face.

Justin asked Cora to give each person in the gathering a small token. With her moving slowly and Owen one step behind her, carrying a basket holding the tiny wrapped bundles, they moved around the circle handing them out.

They reasoned it would allow them to see if Cora, or even Owen, picked up on any vibe to point them in the right direction. Her hands would be close enough to the one accepting the gift to get a reading, of sorts, and with Owen being close, they hoped he would sense something also, or even amp up her abilities.

Chris glanced at Dade, who was very unimpressed with this plan. He stood rigid and waiting. At the slightest sign Cora needed him, he’d be there, Chris knew. Of course, it surprised him when the plan was being discussed that Dade hadn’t just slung Cora up in his arms to march away with her. He smirked. Someday she would put him in his place once and for all, and that day wasn’t far off.

He glanced down at Kasey. She was looking around the circle at each person when he felt his hair ruffle in the breezeless air. He glanced at her again, and she smirked. Looking at the ground, he concentrated and sent a brush of fingers against her neck without ever moving a hand. She smiled up at him.

When he lifted his head again, he saw Cora turn her head and glare at them both. Then she quickly handed Charlie and Kevin their gift bundles before taking her place back between Justin and Dade.

Patrick turned toward them as well and raised an eyebrow at Chris. So using magic when so many witches were seeking hadn’t been the best idea, he realized. Just what was it about the sexy little witch beside him that turned his usual logical, analytical mind to useless mush?

Shaking his head, Chris moved over to take his place with the drummers as the single women moved to the center of the circle. The sun finally crested the horizon, and as the first beat played, the women lit their torches and circled the fire pit slowly.

Dade had clipped on the waist strap of his drum and stood up without ever missing a beat. He moved slowly through the other drummers and out into the circle. Each woman walked past him as he went to stand in front of the wood that was to be lit.

As the last one passed by him, they began to throw their torches into the pit and walk slowly around the fire.

To someone without the knowledge of real magic, Chris mused, it would appear that Dade was drumming in the day as the lead drummer, with the others as a background. To many at this gathering who knew magic was a very real thing, they knew he was calling the sun spirits to keep this fire ablaze through the long day. They would feel the magic and know.

Cora passed Dade and ran her hand lightly from one shoulder across his back to the other. She would feel the spirits as they arrived and would feel the pull of the magic echoing from his drum on this bright early morning.

The women continued to circle the four-foot blaze, always moving more slowly by Dade, making sure they didn’t step between him and the flames.

When he finally slowed the beat and finished, he was slick with sweat and out of breath. Chris watched Dade turn to Cora and give her a knowing glance. He stood for several moments by the fire letting the energy flow around him.

No one made a sound as they watched the Solstice fire burn as brightly as the newly risen sun.

Chris looked over to see Owen sitting with the other drummers and watching everything. One of the women walked to Cora and handed her a towel. Cora took it, smiling her thanks, and walked over to Dade to wipe the sweat from his face and chest, then slowly moving around to wipe his back. She whispered something to him, and he nodded. Then they both turned, and he walked out of the circle with the women following.

The Solstice morning had arrived.

Steven leaned over to Owen and spoke quietly. “The single men, that wouldn’t be you, take turns keeping this fire going all day. At noon, we’ll meet back here as a group and give offerings or thanks. We place them in the fire. Many will bring their Yule wreath to burn. Then we’re back again tonight.” He grinned at him. “The women will want to do the gift exchanges now, so you best cuddle up to your lady and see what she has for you to give out.” Chuckling, he got up and walked over to Dade.

Chris watched Kasey go to Cassidy and speak for a few moments. With a smile, she handed Cassidy a small bundle. The other woman hugged her, and then Kasey turned to walk back to them.

Beside him Dade was guzzling a bottle of water. He stopped and smiled. “It was nice to see Cora giving someone else the look for a change.” He grinned and walked towards the cabin, following after the others.

He dried the sweat from his body and reached into his bag to touch the box.

He didn’t take it out yet. It was too early for that.

Tonight he thought they would reveal themselves to him.

Tonight he would cleanse their souls from all their sins.

He lay back and closed his eyes.

He needed to rest to prevent the pain from coming again.

He had to be well enough to do as was expected of him.

He couldn’t fail.