Page 20 of Woodland Web

I grappled at the soaking wet creature, but it was far heavier than it looked and it had me pinned. It made a mad rush for my face and I turned my neck, whipping my head from side to side as I managed to miss being skewered by those teeth. As it reared back for another attempt, I grabbed hold of the arrow and tried to shove it in deeper.

Another second and there was another weight atop me when Killian landed on top of both of us. He dug his teeth deep into the sluagh’s shoulder. I winced as it shrieked and blood sprayed all over me from the wound. Killian held on, trying to drag it off me, as Caitlin joined in. She bit it on the top of the head as she helped Killian pull it away. They managed to drag it off me as Hank ran up, dagger in hand. As Killian and Caitlin held the thrashing sub-Fae to the ground, Hank brought the dagger down, digging deep into its torso.

I sat up, panting, aching everywhere. But the sluagh convulsed and, as the light faded from its eye, I realized we’d managed to take it down. It shivered again, then collapsed. Killian and Caitlin held tight to it until it ceased to move. Killian gave it another shake, but it was limp and lifeless. As he and Caitlin let go, I brought my knees up to my chest, breathing deeply. The sub-Fae was dead, and I was free from my debt.

The body of the sluagh began to bubble, melting into a pile of goo that soaked into the ground. It was over.

CHAPTER TEN

Millie was able to unofficially close the case on Dwayne Stephens and the other murder victim, so that was one headache off her books. Although there wasn’t any proof it had ever existed, she made notes in the file and tucked it away into a folder she kept for the cases that were unexplained on paper, but that she knew were done and over with.

There was nothing left of the creature, and I hoped that it hadn’t had time to make a nest or lay eggs, but we’d have to wait and see about that.

I had managed to get a picture of the creature’s corpse before it vanished, and I printed it out and wrote out a note to Briar telling him we were done and that the case was over. I folded the picture and tucked it into the envelope, wrote Briar’s name on it, then handed it to Rebecca.

She took the envelope, glancing up at me. “Congratulations.”

“Just so long as I’m done dealing with the Overkings,” I said.

“I don’t like them much myself,” she said. “They’re too powerful for their own good.”

I wondered what was going on with the negotiations, and I wasn’t entirely sure whether I hoped they’d be successful or not. I still thought it was dangerous to allow the Fae loose on human society—there was far too much danger for misunderstandings. But it wasn’t my place to say so.

After a trip to urgent care—I was covered with bruises and needed four stitches in my chin to sew up the gash, and a hefty dose of antibiotics given the sluagh had bitten me—Killian, shifting back to being human, drove me home. I snuggled on the sofa with the cats while he made us cocoa and cookies and texted Ari.

you know briar? i fulfilled my debt and that’s now off the table.

A moment later, she texted back. that’s good news—i didn’t like him having a hold on you. Another moment and she texted me again. what about coffee tomorrow? i thought you might like to see the kids. come over to our house after work.

I hesitated, then texted, are you sure?

they miss you, Ari texted back. and i miss you too. please come visit.

all right, i’ll be there around five, if you’re sure.

i am, she texted. see you then.

I set down my phone, feeling relieved in a way I could barely explain. The world was coming back into balance. We had neighbors we loved, we had new friends—Tally and Les—to hang out with, and old friends were coming back in the picture. Tad and Caitlin were getting married. I was working more magic and back at the job I loved. Best of all, Killian and the cats and I had settled into a happy family.

Life was good.

I knew it couldn’t always stay this way. There were bound to be bumps, some large and some just blips on the radar, but for now, for the first time in my life, I belonged in a way that set my heart soaring. I turned on the TV, and we settled in for the best evening we could have—an evening to ourselves, snuggled together, healthy…and happy.

Read on for two bonus never before published short stories!

* * *

If you love Romantasy (Fantasy romance), order the first book in the Winter’s Spell Trilogy: WEAVING WINTER. After her mother’s death, Asajia discovers that the sheriff is planning to confiscate her inheritance, and force her to join his harem. Rather than accept her fate, she escapes into the darkly enchanted Bramble Fel Forest—a forest cursed with the perpetual breath of Winter, nightmarish creatures, and dark, dangerous secrets. Asajia would rather take her chances with real monsters than submit to the vile man. But when his raiders finally track her down, her magic is too unpredictable to save herself, and she finds herself outnumbered with nowhere to run.

A band of outcast wolf shifters arrives just in time to rescue her, but Asajia finds herself caught between the charming Wolf Prince and his rogue assassin brother. There is only one thing Asajia knows for certain—the sheriff will never stop looking for her, so she has little choice but to put her trust in one of the warring brothers. Who will she choose?

For more of the Starlight Hollow Series, you can preorder Elphyra’s next book. Together with her red dragonette—Fancypants—she both protects and heats up the town in every sense of the word. Preorder the fourth book, STARLIGHT WITCH, now! Begin the series with STARLIGHT HOLLOW.

For more of The Moonshadow Bay Series: January Jaxson returns to the quirky town of Moonshadow Bay after her husband dumps her and steals their business, and within days she’s working for Conjure Ink, a paranormal investigations agency, and exploring the potential of her hot new neighbor. Twelve books are currently available. If you haven’t read the other books in this series, begin with Starlight Web.

For all the rest of my current and finished series, check out my State of the Series page, and you can also check the Bibliography at the end of this book, or check out my website at Galenorn.com and be sure and sign up for my newsletter to receive news about all my new releases. Also, you’re welcome to join my YouTube Channel community.

QUALITY CONTROL: This work has been professionally edited and proofread. If you encounter any typos or formatting issues ONLY, please contact me through my website so they may be corrected. Otherwise, know that this book is in my style and voice and editorial suggestions will not be entertained. Thank you.

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