Solstice in Bloom

By A.L. Kessler

Candy canes, holly leaves, and Christmas trees normally ring in the holidays, but this Solstice, they spell murder. With bodies appearing to fall from the sky, Abby is on the case. Only an unidentified paranormal group takes center stage and time is running out to solve this murder.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.L. Kessler
• Release date: Dec 2, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393464020

Book preview

Solstice in Bloom: A Here Witchy Witchy Short Story

A.L. Kessler

Copyright © 2020 Amy Kessler

No part of this book maybe reproduced without the express permission of the author.

Editing: No Genre Left Behind

Formatting & Cover: Imagine Ink Designs

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Sneak Peek

Chapter One

We wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas... The song rang out among the halls as a group of teenage carolers visited door to door through the PIB offices. It was a cute tradition that they’d been doing for the last couple years. They’d sing outside each door and leave us a little basket of treats.

I sang along under my breath as I finished the report I was working on, shut down my computer, and continued to hum along. When I left my office, the carolers had moved to the next office down from mine. I gave them a little wave as I scooped up my baskets of treats and headed toward the stairs. I climbed into my car, my heart light, because I was off for the next few days. As long as nothing crazy happened.

I started the car and waited for a moment. Who was I kidding? Something crazy always happened, even when I wasn’t at work.

When I was sure the car wasn’t going to explode, I pulled out of the PIB parking lot to head home. Solstice was in two nights, and I had no plans except to enjoy coffee and thank the goddess for the year we had. That included me surviving the year.

I pushed the gas pedal down to accelerate up the highway ramp when something darted in front of my car. My headlights bounced off the human-like shape as I slammed on the brakes. I took a moment to catch my breath as my mind tried to piece together what it was.

I took a deep breath and started moving forward again, but this time something landed on the hood of my car. The sound of claws against metal made a noise that caused my insides to cringe. The figure slid across my car, and all I saw through the windshield was a flash of clothing and fur.

My first thought was werewolf. I swung my car onto the shoulder and jumped out, putting my hand on my gun, and looking around for whatever might have been chasing what I thought was a werewolf. I glanced in the direction the creature had come from. Nothing came after him, and nothing else darted out of the dark. I looked where he’d run off too. My car hadn’t hurt him enough to even slow him down, because he was gone. I sighed and climbed back into my car.

After a moment, I pulled back onto the on-ramp and headed home. I had no idea what that might have been, but I didn’t want to stick around and find out. Not tonight.

Maybe it was just a werewolf on a joy run.

Half shifted and still clothed. At least he wasn’t naked.

It was possible. There were wolves that could shift just parts of their bodies. Travis, the alpha’s second-in-command, was one of them.

I tried not to put too much thought into it as I drove home. I parked the car in front of the house and got out. The automatic light Simon had installed for me flared to life.

I used the light to examine the hood of my car to see what kind of damage I was looking at. I cringed when I saw claw marks scraped through the paint and the metal below. Damn it. At least I could have it repaired, and it didn’t destroy the whole car. Especially since I was in it.

My front door opened, and Simon walked out.

What’s wrong?

I glanced at him with the light silhouetting him. His coppery brown hair was sticking up like he’d just woken up from a nap. Seeing as he’d been out of the house since five a.m., he probably was taking a nap.

Something scraped up my car on the way home.

Simon walked out to join me. While you were in it?

Yeah, it slid across the hood. It looked like a werewolf, but I’m not sure. I shrugged. You don’t have anyone visiting, do you?

Simon shook his head. No, I don’t.

Well, hopefully it wasn’t one of your pups. And whoever it was, hopefully they are more careful, so no one gets hurt. I grabbed my bag and my treats out of the car and headed into the house. Simon followed me and shut the door behind us. I placed my treats on the breakfast bar and Simon wasted no time digging around in them.

No candy canes?

I raised a brow. You can pick some up next time you go to the store.

He huffed a little. Okay, fine. Are you going to spend Solstice with Liz?

Liz was my lead. No, she’s on vacation for Solstice, so it’ll just be me. I glanced at Simon. And you?

He tossed me a peanut butter cup. And me. Unless you have some super special ritual to do.

I laughed. Since when was I one for traditions? No, I’m going to enjoy a night of coffee and maybe sit out under the moon.

I like that idea. He kissed my cheek as he walked past me into the living room. We both plopped