Crescent Calling: The Crescent Witch Chronicles - Book One by R Nicole (essential reading TXT) 📗

“How is that goin’, by the way?”

“Just as shambolic as always.”

“Have you been goin’ to the hawthorn?”

“Of course, I have.”

“Good.”

“This is so weird,” I declared, raising my voice to give Mairead something to listen to. “This should be the other way around. Me complaining and you telling me to build a bridge.”

“Aye, I know, I know.” He leaned against the counter and nudged the tarot cards. “Have you drawn anythin’ good today?”

“The Page of Pentacles,” I replied. “This dude likes to learn new shite, so I guess he’s fitting, huh?”

“It’s a good sign.” He glanced at Mairead, then back to me. “I’ve got to get to work.”

“Mary’s Teahouse today?”

“The one and the same.” He leaned over the counter and gave me an awkward kiss on the cheek. “I’ll see you tonight.”

I watched him leave the shop and wander across the street to the bright pink cottage with the thatched roof. We were close, there was no denying it, but when it came to public displays of affection, Boone sucked. It was like going out with a teenage boy with zero experience who was stuck in the body of a full-grown man. A man who could change into a tabby cat.

“So awkward,” Mairead said, standing by the window.

“Shut up.” I made a face.

“Seriously, I think I dodged a bullet.”

Yeah, right.

“Hey, before I forget…” I reached under the counter and found the box I’d put there that morning. “Here. Something to remember us by.” Offering her the box, she glanced at me warily, and I shook it. “Hurry up before I change my mind.”

Crossing the shop floor, she took the little red box from my fingers and cracked open the lid. I watched her with a smile as she saw the little golden quartz crystal pendant inside.

“It’s just like yours,” she said.

“Sure. They’re best friend charms.”

It was really a talisman I’d spelled for protection, hence the golden flecks in the once clear piece of quartz. This time, I’d gone to the hawthorn in the forest to cast the spell rather than sit out in the open. My little crystal was the beginning of all our problems with the craglorn. By casting the spell outside the protection of the hawthorn, I’d sent up a flare, which attracted any wayward fae in the area, that I was a juicy buffet of magic just waiting to be sucked dry. Starving fae and tender, ripe witch equaled disaster. There was no way I was making that mistake again.

Anyway, it was a much smoother cast this time. I was more experienced and only used a little of my witch juju. I totally felt like a spring lamb afterward rather than having to take a nap among the rhododendron at the tower house.

“They so aren’t,” Mairead complained.

“No, not really. It’s a talisman,” I said, smiling. “It’s a special quartz crystal for protection.”

“Cool.” She tried to sound nonchalant about it, but immediately put the chain over her head.

“We’ll miss you, Mairead,” I said. “You’re welcome to come back anytime.”

“Yeah, right. You’ll replace me the second I’m gone.”

“You keep telling yourself that,” I quipped.

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Crescent Prophecy is out now!

Want more novels just like this one? Check out Nicole’s other series:

THE ARONDIGHT CODEX - An ancient war with demons. A lost sword with the power to end it all. And a woman with purple hair is the world’s only hope.

THE CAMELOT ARCHIVE - Set in the same alternate Arthurian world seen in The Arondight Codex… Deadly secrets. Murder and revenge. The end of the world is nye and Camelot is the last bastion of hope.

THE WITCH HUNTER SAGA - Vampires and witches collide in this thrilling Urban Fantasy adventure. You’ve never met vampires quite like these…

THE CRESCENT WITCH CHRONICLES - Witches, shapeshifters, and ancient myth collide in this colourful Irish flavoured series! Come on an adventure fraught with danger and forbidden romance… and the ultimate battle to save magic before it's gone forever.

THE DARKLAND DRUIDS - A woman with no living relatives travels from Australia to the other side of the world to find out the truth of who she is…only to land in the middle of a prophecy of destruction. Druids, witches, fae, and shapeshifters abound in this thrilling magical adventure!

AND MORE TO COME!

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