Page 21 of Freed By the Witchbone Knife

Sighing, I stood and brushed the fur off my leggings. While the buns roamed the house under light supervision, I got my pack together. I wasn’t sure how long I’d be on the mountain, so I made sure to toss in some granola bars. My hiking boots weren’t broken in yet, but perhaps after a couple of days spent tromping, as Axel had so kindly put it—that asshole—they’d be more comfortable.

Axel.

My thoughts kept returning to him. It was annoying, really. Especially when the picture forming in my mind kept me up well past midnight. He was grumpy, aggressive, but also…something else. Someone who was isolated, which had to be lonely. Someone who enjoyed chocolate cookies. Someone who generously tipped. Who stood in front of a female witch to protect her, even though he clearly couldn’t stand witches.

There was a lot more to Axel than met the eye. I shouldn’t have cared. And yet…

I did.

After our detente at The Roost yesterday, I’d returned to campus, desperate to get through the day. Two lectures and one lab session later, I’d gone home and called Elle. That’s how we’d spent our Friday evening. On the phone, both of us drinking wine, rehashing the entire encounter.

She was particularly entertained by Axel’s go-to order of coffee and a chocolate cookie, because, a cookie guy?! The fact that he’d returned my detector with fresh batteries, because, how thoughtful! And that he had even paid for my cafe order, because what a gentleman!

“You know, you’re focusing on all the wrong things here,” I’d teased. “Like the fact that he actually agreed to let me on his land. Not to mention the fact that he literally killed the mercenary wolves who were sent by Ambrose. And never mind Ambrose. That piece of shit.”

“Yeah…” She’d sighed. “That is a lot.”

We had proceeded to talk shit about Ambrose and his family for another solid twenty minutes.

Before hanging up, I gave her my plan, which consisted of spending as much time as possible on the weekends combing through Axel’s land, working through my map of high probability locations. Obviously I had obligations for my job, but the witchbone knife was the entire reason I was here.

After returning my gremlins to their enclosure, which required a handful of dried apples, I shouldered my pack and headed outside. I took a moment to inhale the cool morning air. It was starting to feel crisp. We were mere days away from the first official day of fall.

A flash of giddiness stole over me. Fall was my favorite time of the year. Practically its own holiday, in my book. I needed to rummage through my remaining unpacked boxes and find my autumn decor. The little bungalow would look so cute once it was decorated.

A quick glance up the street showed a few houses already had pumpkins on their porches. I made a mental note to find out where the local pumpkin patch was. It would eat into my weekend free time but…priorities!

Usually I walked to The Roost, but since I’d be heading straight out of town, I decided to drive. I parked out front and headed inside. Iris wasn’t working today. But another favorite was. “Hey, Benny.”

“Hola, chica. ¿Cómo estás?”

“Bien. ¿Y tú?”

“Bien, gracias. Just heading out for a hike today. In case you couldn’t tell.” I did a little spin, showing off my athletic wear.

Benny smiled, eyes flicking over my clothing. He a was recently retired teacher and just a little over sixty. Mona and Iris had brought him on part time. He’d taught Spanish at Redding High. And while I’d taken two years of Spanish back in high school, our conversation just now was about the extent of what I remembered. Still, I know he loved it when I conversed with him in his native language, even if it was only a little bit.

“Make sure you bring a sweater, just in case,” he warned. “Temps can drop real quick here in the mountains.”

“Got one in the car,” I assured him.

“Good. Now what can I get you? Iris just added new specials⁠—”

“Ohmigod. The caramel apple latte please.” I happened to look at the specials board just as Benny was mentioning it. Even The Roost was falling in to fall, and I was so here for it. “And a breakfast burrito. Hash browns, sausage, eggs, and cheddar, please.”

“Want jalapeños, peppers, and onions added to it?” He lifted a brow, as if challenging me to decline.

“Actually, that sounds amazing. Sí, por favor.”

“Anything for you.” He rang me up and I ran my card. A few minutes later, I emerged with my to-go cup in hand, and a giant burrito wrapped in foil. I’d grabbed extra napkins and salsa. It wasn’t something I could eat on the drive so I saved it for when I got there.

My eyes caught on Sage and Cedar across the street. An artist stood outside of the bed and bath storefront on a ladder, paints littering the sidewalk as they painted a fall theme onto the window. Ugh, I was going to die of happiness in a place like this. The small town vibes were vibing and it was just too perfect.

For a moment, I let myself wonder what it might be like if I stayed. If I broke the curse, got my magic back, and then let myself settle in this place. What was stopping me? Nothing, really.

When I looked at my life, there had only ever been a single path. Getting my Ph.D in physics, then going on to do research in academia. It was as far away from magic as possible—something I knew I wouldn’t have much of by adulthood. It’s what our family had encouraged us to do. Which was why Vera worked in the medical industry and Robbie worked in software engineering.

The plan had always been that I’d go on to do my post doc at WU. Try for an academic position as a research professor. Eventually go on to earn tenure.