Page 7 of Magic on the Prowl
What did she mean by that? Earlier, Sheriff Reed had said Daisy Bloom had caused the town’s current havoc. Was this her?
The Reaper’s eyes widened, and for the first time, a flicker of fear crossed his face. But before he could react, Daisy unleashed her final spell, a beam of concentrated light that struck him square in the chest. The Reaper screamed, his form disintegrating into a cloud of dark mist that dissipated into the night.
Roarke barely had time to catch Daisy as she pitched forward, her strength giving out as the magic drained from her.
She sagged against him, her slight weight barely registering through the surge of relief that crashed over Roarke. Concern was a gentle undercurrent. And there was something else, something warm and achingly tender that he didn’t dare put a name to.
“I got you,” he murmured into her hair, wrapping an arm around her waist to steady her. “I got you, Daisy. You’re safe now.”
Daisy’s laugh was shaky and tearful, but genuine. “My hero,” she said, turning her face into his chest. “Guess I owe you an apology. And maybe a catnip mouse or two.”
Roarke snorted. She did seem the type to joke about his panther form at a time like this. “I’ll settle for getting you home in one piece before nightfall,” he said, gently disentangling himself so he could assess her injuries. “Think you can walk?”
“Walk?” Daisy scoffed, tossing her matted curls. “Please. I could dance a jig right now, I’m so high on being alive. But, uh, maybe keep a hand on me. Just in case gravity remembers it has a job to do.”
With an affectionate eye roll, Roarke secured his arm around her shoulders. “Lean on me,” he instructed gruffly. “And try not to do anything too whimsical for the next five minutes, okay? I’d like to get out of here without any surprise feathers or sparkly explosions.”
“No promises,” Daisy singsonged, but she did as he asked, letting him take most of her weight as they picked their way through the forest.
FIVE
Daisy’s lungs burned as she and Roarke trudged through the dense underbrush of Whispering Pines’s enchanted woods. The foliage around them shimmered with an ethereal glow, the colors shifting from deep greens to shimmering silvers as the night descended, casting shadows that danced across their path. Daisy risked a glance at Roarke, his chiseled face set in fierce determination, his dark eyes scanning the surrounding woods for any sign of Reapers.
Despite the dire circumstances, Daisy couldn’t resist the urge to lighten the mood. “Hey, panther,” she panted, a grin tugging at the corners of her mouth, “you gotta name?”
Roarke’s gaze flicked to her, his expression still focused and unsmiling. “Roarke Easton,” he replied curtly, his voice a low rumble. “I’m here to help.”
Daisy sighed dramatically, her pink hair bouncing as she dodged a low-hanging branch. “Wow, tough crowd. Remind me to never try to lighten the mood around you.”
Roarke didn’t respond, his attention fixed on navigating the treacherous terrain. Daisy couldn’t blame him for his intensity. Being attacked by people who wanted to exploit their powers was hardly a laughing matter.
When her guide remained stoic, she itched to break the silence. “I’m Daisy Bloom. What do you mean you’re here to help?”
“Reed called me to come in to assess the town’s situation.”
She snorted. “By situation, you mean my royal mess-up.”
He grinned ever so slightly. “I’m guessing so.”
She sighed. “So you know everything that’s going on?”
“Most of it,” he replied.
“And what do you think?” she asked.
“I think just about anything is fixable. It just takes time and patience. And a little magic always helps.”
“Or hinders,” she mumbled.
As they continued, Daisy’s foot caught on a gnarled root, and she stumbled forward with a yelp. In a flash, Roarke’s strong hand gripped her arm, steadying her. Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, a jolt of electricity passed between them as if the magic of the forest had somehow amplified their connection.
“Thanks,” she mumbled, a blush creeping up her cheeks as she regained her footing.
Roarke nodded, his hand lingering on her arm for a heartbeat longer than necessary. “Be careful,” he warned, his deep voice sending shivers down her spine. “These woods are full of hidden dangers.”
Their path soon led to a wide, fast-moving river, its waters churning with an otherworldly luminescence. Daisy closed her eyes, reaching out with her magic to the water sprites she knew dwelled in the depths. After a few moments of silent communication, the sprites emerged, their translucent forms shimmering in the moonlight. With a series of graceful movements, they weaved a bridge of interlocking water arches, each glittering like a diamond in the night.
Daisy turned to Roarke, a glint in her eye. “Bet you’ve never crossed a bridge like this before.”