Page 45 of Witch's Fate

Sofia said goodbye to Aleia, then he aetherwalked them back to the interior of the boat they’d rented.

Sofia stepped out of Malcolm’s arms, then used her wand to return to her normal appearance. Once she was dressed inher jeans and jacket, she climbed out to the cockpit. She needed some air.

Kitty meowed. She’d stay down below, or so it sounded.

All day, Malcolm had been making an effort not to be an asshole. It would take a hell of a lot more than pancakes and visits to her village—like him renouncing being a warlock, which wasn’t possible—to make her forgive him.

But every time he did something thoughtful, her heart thawed just a little. It was still a giant chunk of ice, no question—but today had been a reminder of what he’d been like when they were younger. She’d fallen in love with him because he’d been kind and honorable.

Once those qualities were gone, her love had followed. It didn’t matter how handsome he was.

But if he made an effort to be the man she’d once known?

That would be harder to resist, even though she knew it would end in heartbreak.

She scrubbed her hands over her face and muttered, “Get it together.”

“Hello?”

Sofia’s head jerked up.

Lucy strode down the dock, her blond hair blowing behind her in the wind. A pretty blue headband covered her pointed ears and highlighted her sapphire eyes. There was confusion in her gaze, identical to last night’s. No doubt because of Malcolm’s spell.

“Hi Lucy. Thanks for coming.” She gestured the fae onboard.

“Thanks. I think.”

Malcolm came up from the cabin and Lucy’s gaze focused on him. Purpose filled her vision. “I’m here to help you find the Salem Coven’s house.” Confidence filled her voice. “Of course, I’d almost forgotten.”

Forgotten? Not quite. Trybeen brainwashed.

“Thank you, Lucy.” Malcolm took the keys out of his pocket and went to the helm of the sporty white speedboat. “Shall you swim or ride along?”

“I’ll ride until we get close, then I’ll get in the water. That will help me see better. The home is hidden from sight, but when I’m in the water, my magic and my senses are so much stronger. I can usually see through most enchantments.”

“All right.” Malcolm started the boat.

Sofia stepped forward. “I’ll drive.”

His brows rose.

“I live on the Amazon. Boats are kind of my thing.”

“Fair enough.” He handed her the keys.

She hadn’t really expected him to give her the keys. He’d been so heavy-handed that she’d just assumed he’d tell her no. Then she’d have had to kick his ass.

All right, true enough, it had been a test. A little one. But he’d passed.

She cranked the keys and the engine roared to life.

She guided them carefully out of the marina and through the harbor. Large homes dotted the shore on all sides. As soon as they made it to open water, she cranked the throttle and the boat burst forth, speeding across the water.

Wind immediately bit through Sofia’s jacket. She shivered violently, but couldn’t stop the grin from stretching across her face. It froze her teeth, but she’d take that in exchange for the awesomeness of going fast on the water. Gods, she loved this.

The boat cut across the small waves, hardly bouncing at all. She headed north around the coast toward Halibut Point, the place Lucy had mentioned last night. The sun was nearly at the horizon. Dusk was falling.

“Tell me when we’re getting near!” Sofia yelled over the engine and wind.

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