By
USA Today Bestselling Author
Kim Richardson

Lucifer took my magic.

Okay, so technically, Derrick the incubus douche took it, but he was Lucifer’s guy and following orders.

Still, I can’t be a witch or a Merlin without magic. Can my life get any worse? Of course, it can.

As I try to adjust and accept life without a drop of magic in my veins, Marcus disappears. Well, not exactly, more like he ghosts me. He’s not returning my calls or my texts. Just when I think I finally have my love life on track, it gets derailed, and my heart is slowly torn apart.

Even if Marcus is gone, I’m not about to give up on my magic. I have plans. Crazy-ass, possible death plans, but I’ll do just about anything to get my magic mojo back.

Yes, it’ll be dangerous. Insane. Only a crazy person would be willing to try it.

Good thing I’m just crazy enough.

Even though the last book was a win over Derrick, for Tessa it changes everything. Lucifer used Derrick to take her magic and unfortunately Lilith can’t give it back.

Her aunts won’t give up and have Tessa trying to make potions, she never was good at them but without magic it’s just a waste of ingredients and time.

Greta and her Merlin committee are also coming to test her magic, or rather her lack of it, something Tessa is not looking forward to.

In response to that Marcus has done the unthinkable and assigned Allison to train her in self-defense, and without her magic, that turns into a disaster. Then to top it off Marcus disappears again.

Tessa’s desperate to get her magic back and Iris is going to help her by summoning Derrick and doing a transference spell. This goes horribly wrong as does the Merlin testing.

When Lilith shows up, Tessa unloads on her and then Lilith takes her to Marcus, that doesn’t go as planned either.

This is a favorite scene.

Marcus grabbed my arm and pulled me closer, bumping me into his hard chest. “Tessa. What are you doing here?”

“Looking for ticks? What do you think? I was worried. I came looking for you.” I realized then that my coming here was probably not good for his image. The fact that no other females were here told me this was a boys-only club, and I’d just crashed their party.

The chief’s jaw tightened. His gray eyes searched my face, and the corners pulled in worry. “What happened to your face?”

The pang in my chest became a physical ache at the real concern in his voice. I thought about telling him what Allison had done to me, but now wasn’t the right time. “It’s a long story.”

“But how did you know where to find me?”

“Lilith brought me here.” At the frown on his face, I added, “I got worried when you didn’t answer my calls or my texts.” I felt strangely annoyed that all the wereapes were listening to our private conversation.

“I took his phone away,” answered Zeke before Marcus had the chance. “I didn’t want anything distracting Marcus.”

I wasn’t sure I liked this Zeke character. “I wish you would have told me where you were going before you left me with Gorilla Barbie,” I told Marcus.

“I hadn’t planned on staying. This wasn’t supposed to happen.”

“You’re not our kin.” Zeke stepped closer, which meant his man junk was closer still. His nostrils flared as he took in my scent. My face flamed as I remembered I hadn’t put on any deodorant. “She doesn’t smell like any paranormal I know, yet she saw through the glamour enough to find you.”

He got me there. If this area was glamoured to keep humans out, how could I see them if my magic was gone?

“I was a witch.” Yeah, that sounded pretty lame. And the laughter that came from the surrounding wereapes didn’t help.

Zeke looked over and behind me, like he was looking for my broom or something. “You were a witch, but you’re no longer a witch?”

“Something like that.”

“This is Tessa Davenport from Hollow Cove,” announced Marcus to the encircling wereapes. “A witch from my town. And my girlfriend.”

The wereapes stiffened, and it was almost like they were frozen in place.

Zeke, though, was not. His face wrinkled in disdain.

“Not for long, she won’t be. When you take over my pack, you will find a proper mate. A wereape female to stand by your side while you rule. It’s how things are done. You can screw this… ex-witch for the time being, but you will marry a wereape.”

Oh. My. God.

Okay, I could either start bawling my eyes out or take a stand. I chose to take a stand.

“Listen here, you big sasquatch,” I said, pointing my finger in his face. “I don’t care who you are or how big you are. I don’t even care that your junk is practically rubbing against me right now. No one talks about me like that.”

Marcus gently pushed my hand down and used it to pull me back to his side. He had a strange, proud smile on his face. His body pressed into mine, so warm, and his delicious musky scent sent my lady hormones pounding.

The chief’s gaze moved to the alpha. “I told you before, Zeke. I don’t believe in those traditions.” His voice was dangerously low. The muscles around his shoulders popped, and I knew he was getting angry. “I came here out of respect for you and my father. I told you I would help find your new alpha. That is all. Tessa is my mate, and you will respect her.”

His mate.

A pool of warmth settled in my gut at his words. We were going to do all kinds of mating later.

All my previous emotions and uncertainty toward the chief vanished. Part of me wanted to run my fingers in his glorious black, tussled hair and pull his face to mine so I could kiss him right there in front of all these naked men.

The alpha’s eyes danced with a dangerous fire. He looked at me for a moment, staring at me like I was the one thing standing between him and Marcus. Maybe I was. “Fine. But she has no business here.” His voice lacked sincerity, and I knew he was just saying that to keep Marcus in check with his agenda. The only truth to his words was that he wanted me gone.

“You can’t lie to yourself any longer, Marcus,” continued Zeke. “You are the rightful alpha. No one has beaten you.”

“Yet. Lucas still owes me a fight. I will keep fighting until you make your choice.”

According to the spark in Zeke’s eyes, it was obvious he’d already made his choice.

I took Marcus’s hand, Ruth’s words coming back to me. I knew this was Zeke’s way of trying to get Marcus to become the new alpha for this pack. I would have never thought Marcus would be involved in this until I saw it with my own eyes. The way he commanded respect without even asking for it. The way he fought, how every move was strategic. He was a king, a crownless king.

My heart thudded with what I was going to say next. “You’re staying. Aren’t you?”

If it were just me, I’d grab him and drag him by the hand out of the park. Obviously, I’d have to find him some clothes first. Not that I minded this sexy male wandering around in his delightful nakedness, but the rest of the New Yorkers might take offense. The males, that is. And I’d probably have to fight my way through some horny women too. I smiled at the thought.

The chief squeezed my hand and then let it go. “I have to stay,” he said, his warm breath caressing my hot face.

I stared at him. “Have to stay?” I repeated, trying to get the words to sink in.

The satisfied smile on Zeke’s face had my blood pressure on a high boil. Heat rushed to my face, and I felt like a complete fool.

“I can’t leave. Not right now.” Marcus sighed through his nose. “It’s complicated. But I have to see this through.”

I knew then how important this, whatever this might be, was to him. The respect of all these strong wereapes. Being the alpha. Being the one in command.

I looked around, and I saw what was mirrored in all their faces: respect.

All but one. A large, ridiculously muscled, red-haired male, which I knew was probably Lucas, was still staring at Marcus like he wanted to fight him. But all the others were looking at Marcus like he was already their alpha. Their king.

I felt like an idiot. No one in their right mind would want to take that away from their partner. That would be incredibly selfish. What if Marcus was the right choice? What if this was his true path? It was incredible to see, to witness. Maybe Marcus was supposed to lead this group.

And like Zeke said. I was a distraction.

I knew if I stayed any longer, my tears would betray me. I was still standing with my defiance on full blast, but for how long. The words wouldn’t come either. If I opened my mouth, my emotions would deceive me. I did not want to break down in front of all these naked dudes. I’d been humiliated enough.

I wasn’t sure what I’d expected, but this wasn’t it. And I wouldn’t stand in the way of someone who could achieve greatness. “Tessa…” whispered Marcus, his breath tickling my neck. The heartache in Marcus’s voice was almost my undoing. It was horrifying. Carrie-at-the-prom-with-pig’s-blood horrifying. I swallowed past the lump in my throat, turned around, and walked back on the trail the way I’d come, with stiff feet. I was going home alone.
Richardson, Kim. Cosmic Jinx (The Witches of Hollow Cove Book 10). Kindle Locations (1077-1139). Fableprint. Kindle Edition.

Lilith sends her back home, and it’s Beltane. Tessa’s only hope of getting her magic back now is her father. Obiryn doesn’t give her much hope but agrees to try and find Derrick.

The big surprise is after talking with her father is returning to her room to find Lucifer there. He has only one request of her, turn Lilith over to him and he’ll give her magic back.

What could possibly go wrong…

Marcus does return, but these two have a lot to figure out, plus the whole Lucifer thing.

I couldn’t put this book down, there’s a lot of pain and emotion, romance and that perfect touch of heat.

5 Contented Purrs for Erin!

Kim Richardson

Kim Richardson is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of urban fantasy, fantasy, and young adult books. She lives in the eastern part of Canada with her husband, two dogs and a very old cat. Kim’s books are available in print editions, and translations are available in over 7 languages.