A Magic Redemption Read online

  Table of Contents

  Excerpt

  Praise for Tena Stetler and…

  A Magic Redemption

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  A word about the author…

  Thank you for purchasing

  Also available from The Wild Rose Press, Inc. and other major retailers

  Time seemed to go on forever as she slowed and walked backward for a while, her foot steps in the sand filling with water as she traveled along the shoreline, as if nature erased her intrusion. She turned around and continued her trek. Unaware of how long or how far she’d walked, the sudden outline of a figure, cloaked in the fog, jogging toward her caused panic to set in. Her heart pounded rapidly in her chest, she swallowed hard, adrenalin pumping through her veins as flight or fight response kicked in. Digging her good foot into the sand, she prepared to attempt a sprint…to where. Where the hell am I? A quick glance around, she spied a light from a familiar building far off on the bluffs as the figure burst from the fog. A tall, wide-shouldered male with long muscular legs came closer. She froze.

  Once lithe, strong, and agile in her former life, a boss’s retaliation had taken a toll on her body. Because she was tired, her gait was uneven and unsteady, even a slow sprint would likely end with her face planted in the sand.

  Praise for Tena Stetler and…

  A VAMPIRE’S UNLIKELY ALLIANCE, which was voted Best Romance Novel 2017 by Critters/Preditors & Editors Readers Poll.

  ~*~

  A WARLOCK’S SECRETS: “Thank you, Ms. Stetler, for creating a phenomenal world! It’s one where I fell in love with a Warlock and believed in the beauty of a gryphon.”

  ~Author Mary Morgan

  ~*~

  AN ANGEL’S UNINTENTIONAL ENTANGLEMENT: “I wasn’t prepared for how much I would grow attached to both Mystic and Caden. I’m always impressed when any author can create such a bond between her characters and the readers. Tena Stetler has an immense talent for that and more.”

  ~ Reviewer: Mrs. N. Book Heaven

  ~*~

  “What a nice surprise to discover a well written paranormal romance with a touch of fantasy. [A WITCH’S JOURNEY is] a story of witchcraft, dark secrets and second chances. Blended with Magic and Romance, a fun read.”

  ~Books & Benches

  A Magic Redemption

  by

  Tena Stetler

  A Demon’s Witch Series, Book 5

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  A Magic Redemption

  COPYRIGHT © 2018 by Tena Stetler

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  Contact Information: [email protected]

  Cover Art by Kristian Norris

  The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

  PO Box 708

  Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

  Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

  Publishing History

  First Black Rose Edition, 2018

  Print ISBN 978-1-5092-2342-8

  Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-2343-5

  A Demon’s Witch Series, Book 5

  Published in the United States of America

  Dedication

  To my family and friends

  for their continued unwavering support.

  ~

  To my husband

  for his dedication and encouragement.

  ~

  To my editor extraordinaire, Lill.

  You make my words shine.

  ~

  To The Wild Rose Press, a fantastic publishing house.

  ~

  To my fellow authors at the Wild Rose,

  who are always ready to lend a hand.

  What a great team!

  ~

  Most of all to my READERS,

  for whom I write the stories!

  Chapter One

  Is Freedom a Choice? A Responsibility? A Way of Life—She Didn’t Know

  Synn lounged in the front window seat of her cottage, one leg tucked under her, the other dangling, bouncing a stream of gold magic current between her thumb and fingertips. What am I doing here?

  The voices in her head had been silent since defecting to the side of the Demon Overlord of the Western Hemisphere. It was the right thing to do. Her reward for a job well done, “freedom with a few conditions” to quote the Overlord’s words. But am I really free? She scrunched up her face and pursed her lips.

  A question she still didn’t know what to do with. Impatiently, she pushed her long hair over her shoulders, tucking a few shorter wisps around her face and behind her ears. Tobi, a hairdresser at The Wycked Hair Salon had tamed her tresses before she’d accompanied Bruce and Angie to Ireland, giving her a short-layered look around her “pixie-like” face—Tobi’s words not hers—and leaving the back long.

  Tobi claimed it softened her sharp features and made her look cute. Back then she didn’t want cute, she was a warrior, wounded—but warrior still the same. Tobi insisted cute could give her the drop on an enemy. Now, she wasn’t sure what she was, and that was disconcerting.

  Staring out the window at the mist thick as pea soup, she couldn’t see the ocean. But the constant beat of waves crashing against the shore made her restless. She uncurled her legs and stood, padding over to the door and opened it. A cold wind made her eyes water and whipped her hair around her face in stinging tendrils.

  The door slipped out of her hand and crashed against the wall with a bang. Sucking in a breath, she shrugged into her coat, pulled a red, yellow, and orange knitted hat over her unruly raven hair, tugged gloves out of her coat pockets, and slipped them on.

  She shivered zipping her coat up, tucked her feet into the warm boots Gavin had given her, all the while telling her the north wind off the coast could be bitter. He was right—about a lot of things. Most of all that she needed her own space. She wrestled the door closed behind her and locked it, pocketing the keys.

  As she picked her way down the trail, the wind died down to a friendly breeze heavy with brine except for an occasional brutal gust. Screaming sea birds swooped and dived into the white capped waves hunting for food. Wrapping her arms around her body more for a sense of security than for warmth, she continued down the path to the ocean shoreline.

  She breathed in the crisp air and skipped along the beach, skirting the incoming waves and chasing them out. Her limp was barely noticeable. A calm replaced her restlessness. Is this what it’
s like to be free? Make your own decisions, take action without permission? It’s nice, but lonely in a way.

  Time seemed to go on forever as she slowed and walked backward for a while. Her footsteps in the sand filled with water as she traveled along the shoreline as if nature erased her intrusion. She turned around and continued her trek. Unaware of how long or how far she’d walked, the sudden outline of a figure, cloaked in the fog, jogging toward her caused panic to set in.

  Her heart pounded rapidly in her chest, she swallowed hard, adrenalin pumping through her veins as flight or fight response kicked in. Digging her good foot into the sand, she prepared to attempt a sprint…to where. Where the hell am I? A quick glance around and she spied a familiar building far off on the bluffs as the figure burst from the fog. A tall, wide-shouldered male with long muscular legs. She froze.

  Once lithe, strong, and agile, her former life, and boss had taken a toll on her body. Because she was tired, her gait was uneven and unsteady. Even a slow sprint would likely end with her face planted in the sand.

  “Synn, are you all right? You’re a long way from the cottage,” a male voice called to her.

  A familiar male voice. She blew out a breath as her heartbeat slowed a bit. “Am I?”

  “Aye, it’s bitter out here. The pub’s only over the ridge. Want to get something hot to eat and drink?” With a gentle brush of his fingers over her cheeks, he said, “You’re freezing.” Gathering her into his arms, Gavin held her tightly for a moment before loosening his hold. “Let’s get you to Shaughnessy’s where there’s a roaring fire. You’ll be warm in no time.”

  “I’m okay—just out for a walk. The walls were closing in.” She stomped her feet. They were so cold there wasn’t any feeling.

  He narrowed his eyes. “How long you been out walking?”

  “A while.” She pushed his arms away and trudged toward the lights of the pub.

  He grabbed her by the shoulders and whirled her around to face him. “You promised to call me when things got too difficult.”

  She tried to shrug out of his hold, but his hands were so warm. “You also said I need to learn to stand on my own two feet. Discover who I really am in this new world I’ve been thrust into.”

  “Okay, I’ll admit those words were said in frustration.”

  “Anger.” She shot back, giving him a defiant stare.

  “Aye. You’re right.” He scooped her up and sprinted for the pub ignoring her objections and flailing limbs. “We can argue in the warm pub.”

  He was right—again. Relaxing against his muscular body sent spikes of desire through her. Feelings she had no business acting on. At least until she could hold her own without leaning on anyone for anything. She needed to earn his family’s respect—his respect. The fact she was a demon with a terrible history that everyone was aware of was an obstacle she might never overcome. At least the townspeople were oblivious. That was a start.

  The heavy wooden door to the pub groaned as he kicked it open. Warmth and laughter spilled out into the frosty night along with the mouthwatering aroma of Mulligan stew and yeasty scent of the establishment. All the tables in the center of the floor were full as were most the booths along the wall.

  “Put me down. Don’t embarrass me by carrying me into the bar like a medieval knight with his conquest.”

  “Where the hell did you come up with that?” His lips twitched as he set her on her feet and steadied her. Grasping her gloved hand, he strode toward two empty chairs at the bar and motioned for her to sit.

  She straightened her shoulders and remained standing though she was starting to shiver.

  “I’m going to go in the back and get a couple of extra chairs and put them by the fire.” His da, Tim and ma, Mary sidled over to where they stood. Mary touched her cheek. “She’s chilled to the bone.”

  Gavin grabbed her around the waist and thrust her into the last chair at the end of the bar. “Be right back.” He sent a significant glance to his ma and da. Mary nodded and bustled into the kitchen. Before he returned, Mary emerged with a mug and teapot on a tray. She set the tray down and shoved up the pass through at the opposite end of the bar.

  “Darlin’, you look frozen,” Mary murmured. “What were you doing out on an evening like this?” She poured the steaming dark brew into the mug. “Cream or sugar?”

  “A little of both. I can do it myself.” She picked up the spoon, added sugar, and poured cream into the mug. “Thanks. I lost track of time. Sorry. Needed to get out of the cottage for a bit.”

  “Gavin saw you walking along the shore. After a while when you didn’t turn back, he got worried.” Mary shook her head. “We were talking about…” Then she reached out and touched her hat. “Glad you like the hat I made. Looks great on you.”

  “I like it a lot. Makes me feel cheery when it’s gloomy outside.” She smiled. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Mary smiled and returned to take orders at the bar. “Check on you later.”

  Tim came up behind his wife with a bowl, spoon, and large piece of bread on a plate. “Thought you could use a bowl of stew and freshly baked soda bread.” He set the bowl and plate on the bar in front of her.

  Gavin swung out of the back room with two chairs and set them in front of the fireplace, then arranged a small table in front. “Now Kevin, and Will, don’t you think these are for you.” He winked at two men ambling toward him. “My lass and me be occupying these for a bit of a while. Go on with you.”

  They gave a hearty laugh and returned to the bar with their half empty pints.

  She scooped up a spoonful of stew, slipped it in her mouth, and swallowed. “Mmm, this is delicious. Thank you.” She took a couple more spoonfuls and bit into the bread, chewing slowly.

  He sauntered up behind her. “Want to move over by the fire?”

  “Sure.” She could tell from his smile the argument was far from his mind, and that was fine with her. She picked up the deliciously warm mug and wrapped both hands around it. He carried the bowl and plate of bread to the little table, waited for her to take a seat, then eased down in the chair next to her.

  Finishing the stew, she licked the spoon. “That was wonderful.” She nibbled on the bread.

  His face grew serious. “I have an idea. Hear me out before you answer. Okay?”

  She hesitated for a moment, hoping he wasn’t going to bring up…

  “It’s been a couple months since you moved into the cottage. I’ve given you space as we agreed. You’re comfortable there?”

  “Yes, it’s quite cozy. I love the ocean so close. Somehow, the crashing of the waves is comforting.”

  “Maybe it’s time for you to move forward. By that I mean, think about getting a job, meeting people. Making this your home.”

  “Who’s going to hire me? The skills I have are not what most people are looking for.” She lowered her voice, “Demon warrior or assassin for hire.”

  “Well about that. Ma and Da want to hire a couple people during the upcoming tourist season.”

  “Stop right there.” She held her hand out in front of her. “I’ll not take any more charity from your ma and da.”

  “It’s not charity. Bridget will be happy to train you. A dependable employee is what we need, and they think you would fit right in. April, May, and early June we’ll be swamped, then again in October. Ma wants to help Brandy plan the wedding. Especially since Brandy and Stefan had to postpone the wedding for nearly a year due to Randy’s fall.”

  Synn shook her head slowly, what an unfortunate turn of events. Brandy, Gavin’s sister was engaged to Stefan, a vampire. They’d planned a big wedding in Ireland the first of the year, but their plans were derailed due to her boss’s accident.

  Brandy worked as a park ranger in Glacier National Park. During an inspection trip, her boss Randy lost his footing on a steep trail and tumbled down the side of a mountain. Due to complications, his injuries had taken longer to heal than anticipated, putting their plans on hold indefinit
ely.

  “Yeah, what a freak accident. Lucky he only sustained a few broken bones. Messed up Brandy’s plans.” She shrugged. “I could help. If Brandy would let me.”

  “I imagine Ma’s going to need it.” He paused a beat. “What Brandy doesn’t know won’t… Anyway—according to Ma, Brandy’s leave has now been approved for mid to late December. It got pushed back again. Stefan’s radio station is more flexible, he’s free to leave anytime, but they want remotes once a week. That should be a bugger.”

  “A remote?”

  “Yeah, he’ll broadcast from here to his station at a certain time. Don’t have any idea how he’ll pull that off.” He waved his hand dismissively. “Not my problem. The wedding is set for the end of December now. It’s off-season, but prep in October or November is going to drive Ma nuts. Especially with Christmas festivities and the wedding celebration all taking place in the pub. Bridget will cover for Ma, but someone has to cover for Bridget.” He stood and brushed the wrinkles out of his pants. “I’ll be right back.”

  “Brandy won’t be here until maybe December, and the wedding is scheduled for the end of the month?” Her eyes widened. “That’s not much time for final details.”

  “Nope. Possibly mid-December,” he called over his shoulder. After making his way to the bar, he said a couple of words to his da before his ma joined the conversation. Tim turned, drew a pint, and handed it to his son.

  When Gavin returned, a smile brightened his face. “All we ask is that you think about the offer.”

  Staying cooped up in the cottage wasn’t doing her any good. As a teen, she hadn’t been idle after Baltizar murdered her family and forced her to do his bidding. As she grew up, her parents were proud of her many talents. If they’d kept that information to themselves, they might still be alive and her life oh so different. She sighed.

  “Hey, how about it?”

  His voice brought her back to the present. The music, laughter, chatter, she could—would enjoy—but what if someone found out? “I don’t know. I’m a stranger and a yank to boot.” She unzipped her coat, tucked her hat and gloves in the pockets, glad she’d worn new black jeans and a turquoise sweater today.