Practical Magick: Magick Series, #3

By J.E. Taylor

When Paige and Austin find out the truth about Austin's heritage, they must come to terms with an evil much greater than Hunter's ghost. An evil targeting Austin, coveting his blood.

 

Paige must keep him safe from the devil's henchmen, and the only way she knows how is to call into practice her rusty skills wielding practical magick.

If she fails, Austin's heart will be used in the battle of good versus evil.

 

WARNING: If you have any triggers, or issues with dark situations and violence, then Magic Trilogy is not for you. But if you like a little kink in your style and aren't afraid of a dark undertone in your stories, then by all means, pick up these books… if you dare.

• Language: English
• Publisher: JET-Fueled Fiction
• Release date: Apr 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9781540189189

J.E. Taylor

J.E. Taylor is a USA Today bestselling author, a publisher, an editor, a manuscript formatter, a mother, a wife, a business analyst, and a Supernatural fangirl, not necessarily in that order. She first sat down to seriously write in February of 2007 after her daughter asked: “Mom, if you could do anything, what would you do?” From that moment on, she hasn’t looked back. In addition to being co-owner of Novel Concept Publishing, Ms. Taylor also moonlights as a Senior Editor of Allegory E-zine, an online venue for Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror, and co-host of the popular YouTube talk show Spilling Ink. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and during the summer months enjoys her weekends on the shore in southern Maine. Visit her at www.jetaylor75.com to check out her other titles. Sign up for her newsletter at https://app.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/y2z2x6 for early previews of her upcoming books, release announcements, and special opportunities for free swag!

Book preview

PRACTICAL MAGICK

When Paige and Austin find out the truth about Austin’s heritage, they must come to terms with an evil much greater than Hunter’s ghost. An evil targeting Austin, coveting his blood.

Paige must keep him safe from the devil’s henchmen, and the only way she knows how is to call into practice her rusty skills wielding practical magick.

If she fails, Austin’s heart will be used in the battle between good and evil.

Practical Magick Chapter 1

A drawing of a piano Description automatically generated with medium confidence

AUSTIN SHELTON STARED AT the road in front of him, lost in thought. Everything Tom Ryan had said crawled under his skin like a cluster of spiders. Austin still couldn’t decipher how much was fact and how much was bullshit; from being a descendant of the archangel Raphael to Tom’s lecture telling him to throw away his training and just treat his girlfriend without kid gloves. He glanced at Paige in the passenger seat and sent her a strained smile.

What’s wrong? she asked, reading his apprehension correctly.

Austin looked away, focusing on driving and trying to put his unease into words. Are we okay?

Her silence lasted long enough to pull his attention her way, and her chewing her bottom lip in contemplation set his heart racing. He gulped air and tried to calm the sudden shudder clenching his muscles. He did not want to lose her.

I don’t know, Paige answered. You seem to want to know everything going on in my head, but have issues sharing what’s in yours.

His defensive wall slammed into place, to the point he actually heard those steel doors clanging in his head. Austin forced himself to pry them back open, resetting his reaction, especially after Tom’s astute observations. If he closed down now, Tom’s little preview of his future would absolutely come true, and he did not want that.

You could have told me about the angel thing, she said, and turned her gaze from the passing scenery to him.

Austin let out a laugh. Seriously? He glanced her way. That’s what you’re upset about?

Her lips thinned, and she turned away.

Austin took a deep breath, hell bent on turning this conversation around. Sorry, he said. It’s just... I didn’t know what to think. We had just been through all that stuff with Hunter’s ghost, and I didn’t know if CJ’s comment was bullshit or if he was just bat-shit crazy.

The point is, you didn’t say a thing. Her hard glare landed on Austin, making him shift in the driver’s seat.

I didn’t think it was worth the time to discuss, he mumbled. I guess maybe I should have mentioned it.

The edges of her lips softened, and she nodded. So, what do we do now?

Austin glanced at her and shrugged. I don’t know. How much of what Tom said do you think was true, and how much of it was him being on the cusp of a breakdown?

Paige offered a half-hearted shrug.

I know he has some unimaginable powers, but angel descendents? That’s just insane.

We both saw his brother when he took out Hunter. He had wings, so maybe it isn’t as farfetched as you think.

Austin sighed. I can understand ghosts, but the devil? He shook his head. I don’t accept that concept.

What if he’s right? she asked with such force it drew Austin’s gaze to hers.

God help us if he’s right.

Practical Magick Chapter 2

A drawing of a piano Description automatically generated with medium confidence

AUSTIN SCANNED THE CROWD, searching for Paige in the sea of family and friends attending graduation. When his gaze landed on her, he smiled. Paige nodded, and even from this distance, the pride in his accomplishment shined on her face.

He refocused on the stage, waiting for his name to be called, so he could collect his medical degree. While this was a big milestone, he still had at least four years of psychiatric residency to fulfill before he could apply for his medical license. If he chose child and adolescent psychology, that added another two years onto the docket.

His acceptance in the Dartmouth residency program was a relief, especially since Paige seemed to have settled in with him here in Hanover. Now and then, he thought of Maine, but nothing had happened since he left the Ryans behind a few years back, so he just wrote it all off as crazy talk.

When the dean of medicine called his name, Austin rose and crossed to the stage. A chill hit him in the center of his spine as he climbed the steps. It traveled in a slow creep until his flesh crawled with it, and Austin forced a smile as he took the diploma and shook the Dean’s hand.

He waited until he was at the bottom of the steps before he did another sweep of the crowd. Paige was still staring at him, but the slight cock of her head unnerved him more than the chill had. He moved his gaze on, towards the back of the auditorium. A figure stood masked in the shadows, and that chill settled again just as Austin arrived at his seat. He ducked into the sea of graduates, thankful for the standard robes that made them all a carbon copy of each other when seated.

Austin’s mouth dried, and he forced a swallow, ingesting what seemed to be the last of his spit. His hand traveled to his chest where the amulet that Tom Ryan gave him still lay, like a talisman warding off evil.

As he sat listening to the dean of medicine drone on, each second ticked by, and apprehension crept into his muscles, tensing them into tight knots. Having Paige half an auditorium away sent his heart into a staccato beat that drew sweat into his tightly clasped fists.

Before he formed a coherent thought, the medical students were asked to rise and recite the Physician’s Oath. Austin recited it by memory, just like the other hundred students standing with him. The words calmed his racing heart, and once the oath was spoken, the flutter in his stomach receded.

Everyone was directed to move their tassels, and then the congratulations came over the loudspeaker. Within a split second, the graduating class announcement settled on the crowd, and the graduates’ caps flew into the air. Austin turned, catching Paige’s eyes, and all the momentary fear he felt on the stage disappeared.

His grin actually made his cheeks ache, and as the graduates dispersed, he walked straight to Paige.

Stage fright? she whispered in his ear when his arms wrapped around her.

I was hoping no one noticed, he said, pulling away and planting a kiss on her lips. He didn’t want to worry her about whatever had grabbed his imagination.

I don’t think anyone noticed, but I know you well enough to notice the change in your eyes, even from this distance.

You ready to go celebrate? he asked, changing the subject.

Paige lit up, and Austin smiled at her enthusiasm. Sure.

He escorted her to the car and helped her into the passenger seat. An undeniable chill shifted through his shirt, and he shivered, but refused to let this overshadowing fear rule his actions today. Not with the plans he already had set in motion.

Austin drove to a little restaurant at the edge of town. La Bistro served the best Italian in the region, and he had a private table reserved, along with a bottle of champagne.

He pulled the chair out for Paige and sent a soft smile in her direction. The way she beamed at him warmed him to the core. Only Paige could turn his insides to molten mush, and he prayed tonight would go as he planned.

As soon as the champagne was uncorked and poured, Paige picked up her glass and raised it to him. Here’s to graduating from medical school!

Actually, I’d rather toast to us, he said and tapped her glass with his before taking a sip.

That’s sweet, Paige said. But you’re the one who put in all those long hours studying.

He slowly nodded. But without my favorite study partner, I never would have gotten through it. He set his glass on the table. This leads me right into my plans for making this night memorable. Austin moved from his seat, taking Paige’s glass from her and setting it on the table. With her hand in his, he took a breath and dropped to his knee, ignoring the pounding of his heart in his ears. He couldn’t recollect a time he was this nervous, and he reached into his coat pocket, pulling out the little velvet box.

Paige’s eyes widened, and he smiled up at her.

Paige, I really couldn’t have gotten to this point without you by my side, he started, and the tables close to theirs became quiet. Austin fought the urge to look around and just concentrated on her wide blue eyes. "And I don’t even want to entertain a future where