Magaestra Trilogy Omibus: The Magaestra Trilogy

By Katherine Kim

Magaestra: Found

Faith Latham has a secret.  She and her sister are witches, and letting anyone know could be fatal.

 

Faith and her sister Crissy were warned that if anyone ever found out they would be hunted for their powers.  Their mother was very clear on that.  And now the pair are watching Crissy's young daughter Kaylee for signs that she, too, inherited these powers.  A vacation at their parents' old cabin seems like the perfect summer break until they are attacked by monsters. Faith draws on magic she has barely used in years to protect herself and Kaylee and is stunned when a man who claims to be a vampire runs into their rescue.  

Aldric Donnelly is dedicated to keeping his paranormal community safe.  HIs community just got a little bigger and a lot more dangerous.

When tracking a group of rogue werewolves, Aldric ends up finding a child being protected by a human wielding magic-- something he had thought no longer existed.  When Faith collapses right into his arms, he decides the best way to keep these two safe is to take them to his clan and try to keep her secret.  

 When Crissy is kidnapped, then later Kaylee is attacked and taken from the middle of town despite the two werewolf bodyguards with her, Aldric and Faith have to decide if keeping her secret is more important than saving her family.

Magaestra: Loyalties

Crissy Latham is still missing. 

 

Faith, Aldric, and the whole Frostwalker Clan are searching for her, but they have no trail to follow, and what efforts they can make are being hampered by constant attacks from the Goldfangs, a rival pack.  When Detective Lincoln reveals his own magic to the clan, Faith is thrilled at the chance to fill in the gaps in her training, but Aldric wonders about the timing and about the man's constant attempts to lure her away from her less-human allies.

Then they learn where the Goldfangs have been staging their attacks, and also that they're keeping a prisoner there, hope to find Crissy rises.  Despite reports of vampire mercenaries and blighthounds, they raid the camp, with Faith in the thick of things.  Instead of Crissy, they find trouble, which blows up in their face.  Can Faith and Aldric survive guilt, jealousy, and being trapped in a cave-in?  

 

Magaestra: Tested

This is not how Faith wanted to find her sister.

 

Faith Latham is still looking for her sister Crissy, kidnapped by vampires crazed by their vision of world dominance.  She is trying to adapt to a world she never imagined only weeks ago, trying hard to learn how to better wield her own magic and getting distracted by her own fiercely protective vampire, Aldric Donnelly. It's confusing and there have been very few leads in the search for Crissy, but she is determined to keep searching as long as it takes.

When her new mentor in the world of magic is attacked in his own home by the same vampires who took Crissy, Faith is ready to rush off and help.  Unfortunately, that plays right into their enemies' hands.  Can she hang on and survive being held by the power-hungry vampires until Aldric and the rest of the Frostwalker Clan to find her and defeat the rogue vampires---or is this the beginning of World War Three?
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Katherine Kim
• Release date: Jul 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223573821

Book preview

The Magaestra Trilogy

THE MAGAESTRA TRILOGY

KATHERINE KIM

CONTENTS

A Quick Word

Magaestra: Found

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Epilogue

Magaestra: Loyalties

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Epilogue

Magaestra: Tested

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Acknowledgments

Excerpt from Caroline's Internship

About the Author

Also by Katherine Kim

Magaestra: Found Copyright © 2021 Katherine Kim.

Magaestra: Loyalties Copyright © 2021 Katherine Kim.

Magaestra: Tested Copyright © 2021 Katherine Kim.

All rights reserved. This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, at [e-mail]

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, or events is entirely coincidental.

Follow me on Instagram @katherineukim or on Facebook

Cover by Sabrina Watts at Enchanted Ink Studio

A QUICK WORD

Welcome to my little quarantine daydream! I needed something a little new to keep my sanity while we were locked down, and the whole thing spun a little out of control, but I enjoyed it and I hope you do too!

If you do, you can keep up with new releases, giveaways, and other antics by joining my mailing list. You’ll get a free short story, news of my new releases and sales, and updates from any shenanigans I get up to!

MAGAESTRA: FOUND

FOUND

To my family, who didn’t murder me during lockdown.

1

Faith smiled to herself as she dropped her bag on the rustic cabin porch, the feeling of fresh air and wild places and dusty old magic pressing into her skin like the embrace of a long-lost family member. It seemed as if this place had missed her as much as she had missed it. She laughed at her own fanciful thoughts and started digging in her pocket for the key.

Come on, sis, I bet this place needs airing out something awful, Faith turned to look over her shoulder at where her sister Christina– Crissy– was struggling with the bags. Her mahogany dark hair was pulled back into a messy bun, though Faith knew that when it was released it swept down her sister's back like a damned dream, making her look like royalty. Like a queen when she was all glammed up and making an effort.

Faith's own black hair was more like their mother's had been: stick straight and boring as hell. Her slight frame and general failure to gain any sort of athletic ability were from her mother as well. It was infuriating, especially when they had both wanted to take gymnastics classes and she watched Crissy doing cartwheels and handstands while the coach had very kindly offered to keep her in the classes though she would never, ever compete. Ever.

Crissy took more after their father, with her sparkling smile and outgoing personality and athletic ability. He had looked like a fairytale prince, they both agreed, and Crissy looked like a fairytale prince's daughter.

Faith wasn't jealous. Usually. She had other skills that made up for it. And, of course, she had her mother's gifts as well. They both did to an extent, but Faith got the greater share, just like Crissy got more of their father's athleticism.

I bet it does, it's been shut up for ages. When was the last time we were up here? Crissy laughed as she managed to finally free the strap of the duffel with all her clothes in it. She glanced around and smiled when she saw her daughter dancing around the half-wild lawn and picking buttercups and dandelions. I think Kaylee was a toddler. She was just starting to walk, remember? Crissy pulled another bag from the car and walked up the steps to the porch.

Faith snickered. I remember. She kept landing on her butt and you kept freaking out that she was going to get hurt.

They both turned to look at the girl in question, not quite five years old and adventurous and eyeing a tree as if considering its climbability. Hell, she probably was. The kid didn't know the meaning of the word fear. Or, unfortunately, the meaning of the word careful.

Faith jiggled the key in the lock again and something finally clicked and the door swung open at last, blasting her with stale air as if the cabin had been holding its breath. Why haven't we come up here more often?

Because it's a pain in the ass to organize while juggling my kid and both of our schedules? Crissy laughed.

No more excuses! We do this more often from now on. Oof, let's get the windows open. I hope we cleaned out the fridge, whichever of us was up here last, she wrinkled up her face to express her opinion on the mustiness.

Still, as the sisters hurried around, opening windows and shaking out blankets and curtains, Faith found herself smiling. The cabin had barely changed since she was a girl. She felt an unreasonable joy surge through her when she looked at the ancient sofa. It was lumpy and patched where her mother had tried to cover up a small hole caused by lord knows what childhood antics. The extremely seventies floral print of the patch clashed perfectly somehow with the rust-colored sofa fabric and the cheerful quilt thrown over the whole mess to try to make up for the sins of several generations of children.

The rest of the cabin was similarly shabby but just as well-loved. Three small bedrooms held five beds between them, each with its own small collection of quilts and worn bedding. The kitchen was full of chipped cups and plastic bowls with scratched pictures printed on them, and a coffee maker that was at least twenty-five years old but somehow still worked.

And neither she nor Crissy had ever considered replacing any of it since they came into their inheritance.

Mom would be so mad that it's been so long, Crissy said softly as if she read Faith's mind.

Yeah. Remember how much she loved coming up here every summer? Man, we must have been out here every weekend from the time school ended till we had to go back in the fall, Faith laughed at the memory of weekends spent running wild with Crissy through the small section of woods that belonged to them. I think we were the only kids at that school who showed up at the end of summer unrepentantly wild.

Well, it sure didn't help us fit in well, that's for sure, Crissy grinned. We didn't have a lot of friends there, but I didn't care. We had each other and Mom and Dad and the best summers ever. And we made up for it when we moved.

"To be fair, there were several reasons we didn't fit in. I'm pretty sure that Mom's special talents weren’t the only reason. She was still different enough even without that. Not a lot of our classmates had seen such an unrepentant hippie, let alone an Asian one," Faith shrugged and turned back to pulling the cooler over and opening the fridge, carefully. It was thankfully empty, so she started filling it up with their supplies. She didn't like to think about the move.

Faith had been only nine and Crissy twelve when their parents died. Just like that, their lives changed dramatically. They were pulled out of school and away from the home they'd shared with their parents and sent to live with their dad's sister, Lucy.

Aunt Lucy was a sweet woman and did her best to raise two heartbroken little girls more used to playing outside and getting filthy 'hunting' in the park than to dressing up like princesses and pretending to find Prince Charming. Aunt Lucy, however, lived and worked in Los Angeles, and while she tried to get them all outside to hike as much as she could, her job was demanding, and the city intruded even into the wilder spaces. It was nothing like the small northern California town they had been used to, but Aunt Lucy tried, bless the woman.

Faith had hated it.

She hated everything about the city– cities in general, in fact, made her teeth itch. The first thing Faith did after she graduated high school was to come back to the town she had started in— with Chrissy following enthusiastically not even a month later— and worked her way through community college while working as a waitress at the local diner. Aunt Lucy helped as much as she could, and when Faith turned 21, she had come into her inheritance as well which put her over the top as far as getting set up for her happy, small-town life.

Now she was settled in her own home, down the street from the house she spent the first nine years of her life in. That house was now occupied by Crissy and Kaylee, inherited along with this cabin when they came of age.

Faith finished emptying the cooler and the bag of dry goods they had packed and frowned at the empty bag.

Crissy? Where's the coffee? Faith called out the front door. She stood up from where she crouched by the fridge and wandered out the door to lean on the porch railing and laugh at Crissy trying to do a cartwheel on the lumpy grass. She was significantly less graceful at it now than she had been when they were kids. Kaylee was rolling on the ground with laughter.

Been a day or two since you practiced, hasn't it? Faith laughed and joined them.

An hour, and about a million grass stains later, all three of them were lying in the trampled grass, grinning like lunatics and staring at the sky. Kaylee was snuggled in between her mom and her aunt and Faith couldn't think of a better way to spend her time than playing on the lawn with her niece and her sister.

Life was pretty good.

Hey, what was that you were yammering on about when you came outside? Crissy asked after a while.

Oh! Hah! Faith laughed. We forgot to pack coffee. Tomorrow morning could turn into a bloodbath.

Oh good lord no, Crissy sat up and glared wildly at Faith, gasping and clutching her chest dramatically. We shall surely perish!

Kaylee giggled and Faith tried to keep a straight face even though she felt the smile tugging at her lips.

Aunt Faith's so mean in the mornings without her coffee, Kaylee giggled again. Like a monster! Aunt Monster!

GRAAAR! Faith growled and rolled over to tickle Kaylee, who squealed with laughter again and squirmed her way free somehow, running across the lawn.

You wind her up again, you calm her down, Crissy grinned. I'll go into town by myself.

Wait, what? Faith turned to glare at her sister.

You heard me! Crissy laughed and scrambled to her feet. I'll grab some coffee and if there's anything that looks good for snacks. I think s'mores supplies are in order, as well!

Ooooh, that's genius! Faith smiled broadly. Okay, that's a deal. Coffee and chocolate and marshmallows in exchange for babysitting and bed-making from Auntie Faith.

Crissy snickered and stepped back just before Kaylee tackled Faith back to the grass. I'll leave you to it, then. She brushed off the grass and other bits of lawn debris she had stuck all over her, completely missing a long bit of dandelion chain that Kaylee had abandoned after three flowers that was stuck somehow to her collar, and headed to the car.

Well, Kaylee-bee, it's just you and me! Faith sang out and Kaylee grinned.

Ice cream for dinner! Kaylee cheered.

Shhh! Faith found it difficult to shush her niece and laugh at the same time.

I heard that! Crissy called over her shoulder as she slid into the driver's seat. That explains why she was still so wired the last time I left her at your place when I had a date!

Just go! Coffee is life! Faith shouted. She chased Kaylee around the yard for another few minutes after Crissy drove off before herding the girl inside.

Okay, Kaylee-bee, I volunteered us to get this place a bit more habitable for this week. What should we do first?

There's suitcases in the living room! Kaylee pointed. That's not right. And I know you said we would make the beds, right?

That's right. They're just case-less pillows under a pretty quilt right now. They need sheets! And pillowcases! And monsters!

Kaylee giggled. No monsters!

Sure, why not? It's not like the monsters under the bed stay there all the time! Faith told her, her laughing smile refusing to stay hidden like she was trying to keep it. She gathered up the bags and Kaylee's backpack and headed down the short hallway. Can you imagine how bored those poor monsters would get in a place like this? They only have little girls to scare maybe once every few years! Poor, sad, lonely monsters.

Kaylee laughed. Aunt Faith! There's no such thing as monsters!

Let's see, now, Faith said. Which room do you want?

Kaylee raced in and out of the bedrooms and finally picked one with two beds and the afternoon sunshine pouring into it.

These are the best quilts here! Kaylee declared. Faith grinned and had to agree. They were the ones she and Crissy had slept under themselves when they were kids, both made of soft pink and yellow and blue squares, seemingly stitched together at random. They looked like they had once been several other blankets or sheets that had been cut up and recycled into quilts by someone's grandmother.

That was likely exactly what happened, in fact. Faith's grin turned into a small smile as the faint memory of her grandmother bustling around the kitchen here, whipping up cookies or muffins or something with a small smudge of flour on her cheek. This cabin held so many wonderful memories.

Well, whip those quilts off there, girl! Faith shook herself out of the memory. We have sheets to tuck and pillows to case and monsters to rent space to!

Kaylee giggled and did as she was directed, and the rest of the afternoon turned out to be one of the best Faith had in recent memory. They really had to get up here more often.

2

Faith had trouble remembering why they hadn't prioritized coming out here. Sure there had been reasons, but it felt now like they had been making excuses. It was bittersweet to think about coming here without their parents, it was true, but the good so greatly outweighed the bad in Faith's mind. It felt like Kaylee was blooming before their eyes after even just one day in the woods.

The weather was perfect, seemingly just for them. Hot enough to make swimming in the small creek the ideal way to spend the afternoon, but cool enough that hikes and picnics weren't uncomfortable. The rain held off on their third day until they were safely inside for dinner, then provided a glorious summer thunderstorm that they could sit on the porch with s’mores and enjoy watching. Even Kaylee loved it, despite the thunder.

That evening, after Kaylee had passed out hard in her bed, freshly washed and wrapped up in the cozy quilt but somehow still smelling of sunshine and creek water, Crissy flopped down on the old sofa with a bottle of wine and two plastic tumblers.

Classy! Faith grinned over at her sister. Plastic souvenir cups for the wine. I feel romanced already!

Crissy threw a pillow at her. Bite me, she said, faking a grumpy attitude. You want to bring cut crystal goblets to the cabin, you go right ahead.

Nah, Faith laughed. Frank's Fried Fish and Bait Shack's line of fine dinnerware is good enough for me.

They both smiled and laughed while Crissy poured a surprisingly decent white wine into the cheap cups.

I'm impressed with the wine selection out here these days, Crissy said, sinking back into the lumpy cushions with a satisfied sigh. Not that I was paying much attention to it when we were kids, I grant you, but still. I can't imagine there was the same variety. There were some good beers there, too, but tonight felt like a wine night.

I'll allow it, Faith agreed. She sipped her wine and enjoyed the crisp coldness for a moment. So, what's had you so tense these past couple of weeks? Don't think I haven't noticed. And this trip was somewhat abrupt, not that I regret coming out here in the slightest.

Crissy sighed. The stress immediately returned to her posture and her shoulders tightened.

I've been getting creepy phone calls lately. Just some jerk who got my phone number and calls to breathe heavily at me. So stupid and last century, but still gross. And there's been a guy hanging out near Kaylee's preschool. And another guy with the same vibe was hanging around the neighborhood. Neither of them have talked to us or anything, but the way they watch us... Crissy shivered and that conveyed her thought on the subject just fine without the words. She shrugged. I guess I hoped that if I blocked the number and left town for a bit, it would all blow over, you know? Seems okay so far.

Well, if you did block the number, Faith pointed out. You might not know if it blew over.

Crissy shuddered. Thanks. I feel much better now. She shot Faith a flat stare.

Faith shrugged. Sorry, but it's true. Where do you think the creep got your number?

No idea. Probably the internet. God knows you can find anything on the internet, Crissy seemed to deflate. I just didn't want it affecting Kaylee, you know? She picks up on things so damn fast. And I haven't seen anyone here in town.

So, you're up here to get loose of a stalker. Thanks for the warning, sis, Faith kept her tone joking to keep the tension from creeping back.

I'm not sure I'd elevate him to 'stalker' status, but yeah. Basically, Crissy shrugged again and took another sip of her wine. Damn, that's an empty cup! Crissy grabbed the bottle and refilled her drink.

Faith nodded. She understood Crissy’s attitude. For a kid, Kaylee was remarkably sharp. She paid attention to the people around her and how they were doing. Faith had the feeling that Kaylee was perfectly aware of her mom's stress, and also of her mom's reluctance to talk about it.

Kaylee also had an excellent sense of who was trustworthy and who wasn't. She had more than proven that fact when the barista at the coffee shop was trying to give her a free cookie and she looked at him and said flat out that she knew he was only pretending to be nice to her because he wanted to ask her mom out. His stunned expression was enough confirmation for Crissy, who thanked him very much and never went back to that shop.

Well, nobody in town but that delicious-looking guy at the grocery? Faith tried to break the tension a bit. The stress lines that were evident on Crissy's face as she spoke and the tight way she held her shoulders were so unlike the brash, confident woman she usually was that Faith was a little freaked out.

Mmmm, he was tasty, wasn't he? Too bad he was there with his whole family, Crissy sighed. All the good ones are taken... So! Speaking of boys. Any luck with your own social life? Any new guys I need to threaten against breaking my little sister's heart?

Faith groaned. No, Cris, geez. When have I had the time to date anyone? As subject changes went, this was a perfect choice. Well, not perfect for avoiding embarrassment, but it would definitely help her sister relax, so she'd take it.

Crissy raised her eyebrow and narrowed her eyes. If you would stop taking on so much damn work that you can't breathe, you'd have plenty of time to date someone. That's the joy of freelancing, after all, right? Making your own schedule? You took the time to come here with us at the last minute, taking the time for a date should be easy.

How do you think I managed to get two weeks free to come up here? I shuffled my projects around and squeezed the time out. As it is, I'm going to have to find some internet somewhere and get an hour or so of work in, before too much longer.

Don't dodge the question, sis.

Faith sighed and drained her own glass– er, cup.

Crissy...

Faith.

You know perfectly well how much men suck, Faith said, pouring the last of the wine. She glanced pointedly at the room in which Kaylee was sleeping. Your baby-daddy didn’t even leave you a phone number, let alone helped raise his kid.

Don't start with me, miss one-bad-apple-spoiled-my-life. I had a one-night stand in L.A. that ended with a statistically unlikely accident, which wound up becoming the best thing to ever happen to me. He has no idea he’s got a kid so you can’t be mad at him. Crissy stabbed a finger at Faith. You let a slimy jackass talk you into a few dates– after I warned you about him, I might add– and then when you found out he was going out after your dates to troll the clubs, you shut yourself down. And now we're done wallowing in self-pity, it's been a year and a half. I'm signing you up for some online dating site or something when we get back.

Crissy! Faith groaned. She knew that her sister meant it, was the worst part. Come on, why do I need to date to be happy? I'm fine. Besides, Dad set the standards way too high. I'm never going to find a guy like that so I'm not going to bother. I'm perfectly happy on my own.

Uh-huh. Sure, Crissy drew the word out as she rolled her eyes the way only sisters can.

You suck.

Not lately, but hey, a girl can dream! Crissy wiggled her eyebrows and leered at Faith. Maybe when we get back I'll call that guy back. The one from Kaylee's favorite restaurant.

Faith cracked up.

It was easily the best week she'd had in months, and it had only been a few days.

A unt Faith! I'm all done!

Kaylee's voice rang out through the cabin and Faith grinned at the sound. It was just her and Kaylee in the cabin at the moment, making sure that all the mud was out of Kaylee's hair. Chasing frogs was all well and fine, but Kaylee had needed to be convinced that they don't belong in the house. Then she had to be convinced that she didn't belong moving into the frog's house either.

Are you sure? Really, really Kaylee-bee? Faith wandered down the hallway toward the bathroom. Between the two adults, they had finally coaxed the mudball formerly known as Kaylee into the yard to get hosed off then into the shower to get washed, by making promises about baking brownies. This meant that someone had to go to the grocery in the nearby small town and get brownie making supplies.

And more marshmallows. Because there's no excuse for staying in a cabin and not having marshmallows, Kaylee had explained. Faith was pretty sure the kid was onto something.

Really, really! See? Kaylee threw open the bathroom door and revealed herself, all wrapped up in a towel, her hair half combed, but clean enough to qualify in Faith's book.

As long as there's not going to be any mud on your pillowcase in the morning, I'm convinced, Faith laughed. Now scoot on into your room and get some clothes on. Your mom'll be back soon and we don't let chefs into the kitchen if they're not dressed. The health inspectors would shut us down so fast!

Aunt Faith, there's no specters! There's no such thing as ghosts! Kaylee giggled but dashed into her room.

"Inspectors, sweetie. That means people who come and look really hard for something wrong and then write a really long report about it and send other people to stop us from doing things, Faith said. Like making the best brownies ever known!"

Kaylee giggled again and went dashing off into her room. Faith smiled. She hadn't been convinced that her sister hadn't lost her damn mind when she got pregnant with Kaylee and insisted on raising her on her own, but the kid had turned out to be the light of both their lives. Aunt Lucy was completely charmed, too, and was determined to fill in for all of the girl's lost grandparents.

Faith headed back to the kitchen, popping her laptop onto the breakfast table and double-checking the recipe they had settled on. It seemed entirely ridiculous but then smores brownies while at a cabin was significantly less silly than when they were back home. At least here it was a reasonable thought that they might work off all those calories.

Faith smiled to herself and stood up to start making a new pot of coffee. Keeping up with Kaylee was a workout all by itself. Who needed a gym membership when they had her?

She scooped the grounds into the basket then dropped it back into place and pulled the pitcher out to carry it to the sink. As the water ran into it she glanced out the window, letting her mind drift around between thoughts. Kaylee thumped around in her room. A bird startled out in the woods and went flying away from the trees, protesting loudly. Some other animal had disturbed it.

She shut the water off and poured it into the reservoir and put the carafe back into its slot, and flipped the switch, starting the machine to gurgle itself from separate ingredients to that life-giving elixir known as coffee. Faith grinned as a poster she almost bought the other day popped back to her mind. It was black with white cursive writing on the front, like words forming out of the steam that drifted out of a cauldron-shaped cup, and it said I'm a witch! Every morning I brew a magic potion from beans!

Maybe she would pick it up after all. Crissy's birthday was coming up soonish. She could get them one each. Crissy would be amused at the semi-truth behind the flippant words.

Aunt Faith?

Something in Kaylee's voice snapped Faith out of her mental wandering. Yeah, sweetie?

Did you hear something weird? Kaylee popped around the corner where the open living room fed into the hallway. Her hair was still half-combed, but she wore shorts and a blue t-shirt with a glittery rainbow and had sandals on her feet. That counted as dressed to Faith.

No, I didn't, but then I wasn't paying attention, Faith said. I was making coffee.

Kaylee grinned. No Aunt Monster here!

Ha ha ha, Faith crouched over and reached for Kaylee, drawing her niece close and wrapping her up in a hug. I'll give you Aunt Monster!

Faith blew a raspberry on the side of Kaylee's neck and danced her fingers over her ribs.

No! Aunt Faith! No tickles! Kaylee dissolved into shrieks and giggles and Faith felt the world right itself. Everything was better when Kaylee was happy.

The low growl outside the back door was quiet but still managed to drown out the joyful sounds. Both Faith and Kaylee froze at the sound.

What the hell is that? Faith's voice was soft now as well, and Kaylee shrank into her arms.

That's the sound I heard, she said.

Maybe it's a bear? Stay back here, behind the sofa. I'm going to look, Faith said. She gave Kaylee a little push, then turned toward the kitchen.

3

Faith stepped close enough to the window to peek out and immediately wished that she hadn't.

What the hell IS that thing? As soon as she thought it, four more of the things slunk out from the cover of the woods. Whatever they were, they were nasty, and they were coming towards the house.

They looked more movie monsters than any kind of real dogs she could think of. Or… wolves? These creatures were way bigger and way more mangy-looking than any wolf she had ever heard of, with red eyes and teeth that were not just there for decoration. The growling stopped and for a moment the only sound was the gurgling drip from the coffeemaker.

One of the creatures swung its heavy head around and looked right at her through the window, making her yelp and scramble back from the kitchen.

The front. They'd go out the front and... shit. Crissy had the car.

Well, then, they'd stay inside. The doors were closed, so they should be safe. Wolf… things... whatever they were, they didn't have thumbs, so they couldn't open the doors, right? She reached into her pocket for her phone to call Crissy and warn her. Maybe she could bring some hunters or a SWAT team or something?

The back door rattled and she imagined the– screw it, she was calling it a wolf, though she had a feeling that she was insulting real wolves everywhere. She imagined the wolf sniffing at the door, pawing at it. Kaylee whimpered.

Faith hurried over to her niece and wrapped her in a tight hug. Don't worry, Kaylee-bee. I'm right here. Those things are outside and we're safe in here, okay?

Kaylee just nodded, her eyes wide and scared. Faith swallowed and glanced back over her shoulder at the door. The wolf-thing was now banging against it and the growling had started again.

Faith's mind flashed back to her mother and a conversation from so long ago she could barely even remember it. Monsters aren't real, she had assured Faith. They're just your imagination putting a form to your fears. She shook her head to try to clear it because her fears never tried to break down a door. She had to focus on the present, and she fumbled her phone out of her pocket.

The first crashing bang made her jump and her phone went flying, skittering across the floor to slide under the table. The imagined-form-of-her-fears was trying to break through the door.

What the hell? Faith whispered and Kaylee whimpered again and pressed herself against Faith's leg. She had just enough time to reach down and smooth her hand down Kaylee's shoulder when the wooden for frame splintered, cracked, and gave way. Stay behind me, Kaylee-bee.

The monster wolf growled– a sound that rumbled against her brain like a buzz saw before it swung its head around, nose and ears twitching. Its crimson gaze landed on her and she would swear the damned thing smiled. She didn't even think, flinging her free arm up and pulling on the few lessons that her mother had managed to pass down before she died. The power tingled as it erupted from her hand, but it formed a barrier just like she hoped it would. Just like she remembered.

The dog-thing in front launched itself at her and slammed into the magic shield, the impact reverberating up her arm and she hissed with the shock.

Another of the things shoved through the door, its matted fur catching in the splinters that had recently been the door frame. Faith couldn't quite get her mind to accept that these creatures were not only real but were in the cabin's kitchen. Claws that made her think of dinosaur movies dragged across the wood floor but barely left scratches. Some tiny, vaguely rational part of Faith's brain was impressed at how delicately and carefully the creature was putting its paws down.

The rest of her brain was nearing panic.

The first wolf-thing slammed into her shield again and Faith gritted her teeth together. She kept one hand wrapped around Kaylee's shoulders, holding the girl's face into her side to keep her from seeing these monsters while the girl whimpered.

Up close she could see that the dog-things weren't actually gigantic, only eye-level with her hips, but they were dense with muscle. The huge claws were matched by teeth that were revealed by the snarling jaws, and those horrifying red eyes...

She pushed her power through her arm, strengthening her shield where it glimmered faintly in front of them. Her mother's words flitted through her mind, warning her to never, ever use her magic in public where anyone could possibly see her. 'They'll find you and they'll kill you, baby. So make sure you only ever use your power when you know you are alone and safe, and that nobody can see you."

Well, Mom. Sorry to break that rule, but I think this would be considered a special circumstance. Not that I know if these things can talk or tell anyone or... god what the hell are these things?

The monster growled, low and angry, and the sound went straight to her monkey brain and activated just about every flight instinct she had. If she and Kaylee weren't backed into a corner, literally, she might have tried it. Although, weren't you supposed to never run from a predator?

Whatever, her shield would only last so long. The second of the monsters flung itself at her and snarled when it bounced off her shield. The impact reverberated up her arm again making her flinch slightly, and she realized that she had less time than she had thought. The first monster noticed her reaction and it growled a bit louder before lowering its head and charging her.

Damn, that hurts! She bit her lip to stop a sob. This wasn't anything like her practice sessions or her childhood tousles with Crissy. She didn't remember the pebbles or paper airplanes that they used in those easy moments ever hurting her. This was neither easy nor painless as the impacts reverberated through her magic and into her body.

Small hands curled into her shirt and held tight, and she clenched her jaw and dug deep to send a little more power into the shield. She didn't have much more left to give.

There was a bang in the backyard and one of the monsters glanced toward the sound but the other one– the leader, she thought– leaped up, slashing its claws down the shield. A trail of sparks showered from the impact and skittered over the floor to fade away quickly.

She cried out, startled as welts formed on the arm she held up in front of her, supporting the shield. What the hell?

I want to go home. I want to go home, Kaylee was whispering into her hip. Me too, sweetheart.

The monster shook itself and turned back, getting ready for another lunge, but before it could leap, the last remnant of the door crashed open, ripped from the hinge, and a blur slammed into the creature's side with a loud crack. When they skidded into the far wall and stopped, she saw it was a man– well, probably a man? A man-shaped creature at least, but no human was that strong or that fast.

The man– for lack of a better word– stood, and after a glance to make sure the creature was down, spun to face the second monster who had stepped back momentarily in surprise. That moment didn't last long before it leaped at the man, claws out and its teeth bared in an angry yowl.

The man dodged to the side and brought his hand up, and the creature made a burbling, choking sound before slamming into the wall about where the man's chest had been before sliding down to land on the first one. The man jerked and she saw that he was pulling a long knife out of the creature's body.

Was this a good thing or a worse thing, now?

The man pulled a cloth out and cleaned the monster's blood off his blade and contemplated the bodies on the floor at his feet, then as he slid the knife back into the sheath on his thigh, he turned, obviously getting ready to leave.

And stopped dead, staring at her with wide, shocked eyes.

She stared back, frozen, but determined to keep Kaylee safe at all costs. She tried to find more power to send to her shield but could tell that she didn't have much left to use.

The man walked over to her slowly, hands clearly visible and palms out, as if he was approaching a stray animal. Heavy biker boots didn't make a sound on the scuffed wood floor of the cabin, and considering how big the man was, that was impressive as hell. Every move was careful and deliberate like he didn't have any movement to waste.

She suddenly knew what a mouse felt like when staring at a housecat. It was both scarier and, weirdly, more comforting than the brute force attack the monster dog things had thrown at her.

He moved like a predator. It was a phrase she read all the time in the romance novels Crissy kept giving her, and she had always thought it was a sort of ridiculous way to describe someone's walk. Moved like a dancer would be better she had always teased her sister, who scoffed and said that's only because you've never seen it! The familiar, friendly argument played through her mind in fast forward and all she could think was that Crissy was right.

The man was tall, with dark brown hair and bright green eyes, and while he had muscles to spare he wasn't bulky like he spent too much time in a gym. Dressed in loose black pants with pockets everywhere, a black t-shirt, and a leather jacket, he could be any dangerous biker she had ever seen in the movies. It was something in his dark eyes that said clearly that he was not just dangerous. This man was lethal. And those eyes were aimed right at her.

It got quiet, Aunt Faith, are they gone? Can we go home now? Kaylee asked her hip, not looking up at all.

The stranger's eyes flicked down to take in the small body, and she moved to try to block Kaylee from his sight.

Magaestra, he said, his voice pitched low and gentle and deliberately non-aggressive. A shiver slid down Faith's spine.

Damn, even his voice is dangerous. like steel wrapped in silk and chocolate and hot bubble baths on cold nights.

I will not harm you or the girl, Magaestra. I swear it, he said. The man sounded slightly awestruck, not that Faith could understand why. He stopped right in front of her and held his hands out, showing that they were empty. It seemed like he was trying to be non-threatening, but she had seen what he did to those monsters. There was no way he wasn't extremely dangerous.

She flicked her eyes over to the pile of monster bodies and gasped.

Look out! Faith didn't think, just reached out with her free hand and yanked the man to them, throwing the shield back up just before the beast slammed into it, pushing her back a step from the impact on her magic.

It landed on three legs, visibly favoring a serious injury, and before she even knew what was happening, the man was standing over the creature again, his knife in his hand and buried in the thing's neck, up to the hilt. Now there was no question that both the monsters that had come inside were dead.

Holy fuck, she said. What are you?

The man turned and blinked at her, his own shock clear. You... you protected me.

It was her turn to blink. Huh, she had, hadn't she? She glanced at where her magic shield glimmered faintly in the air between them once more. How did he get through it? He was going the other way, not the way I was stopping. I guess that makes sense. I wasn’t trying to keep us from getting out. And now I’m rambling in my own head. Focus, Faith!

I can't imagine anyone deserves to be attacked by... she wasn’t entirely sure how to finish that sentence. She eyed the man warily. Not even whatever it is that you are, yourself.

Kaylee stirred behind her and tried to peek around at the mystery man, but Faith held tight. Her niece did not need to see any more of those monsters than she already had.

You have my thanks, he stopped in front of her again, his hands again held loose at his sides. Even before you did that, I was going to tell you that you are safe with me. Now, I offer my protection. I swear to you that I will keep you and the girl safe. You risked your safety for mine. I will protect you with my own life, if necessary.

She blinked at him. She was so damn tired. She knew that she couldn't keep the shield up for much longer, and her choice seemed to be: trust this stranger, or... trust this stranger.

Hell.

Where's my sister? she asked.

The man shook his head with a frown. I haven't seen any others. Only more of those. He gestured over his shoulder. But I haven't seen anyone else. He glanced down at Kaylee's head and back up to meet her eyes, and she knew what he wasn't saying. He hadn't seen anyone alive or dead.

Double hell.

Please, Magaestra. We should go. I don’t know if those things were part of a larger pack or were just a small group of rogues, but either way it’s not safe here now.

Oh God, she tried not to cry. She had to be strong for Kaylee, and she had to find Crissy.

I will protect you. But we should go.

His steel-silk-chocolate voice was far more soothing than it should be from someone so deadly. Still, she found herself nodding.

Okay. Yeah. Let's go, Kaylee, she said. She felt Kaylee start moving, and warned, Don't look, sweetheart. Keep your eyes closed and hold onto me while we get out of here, okay? We'll call your mom when we get someplace safe.

Okay. Kaylee slid her small hand into Faith's own and she lowered her arm, the shield shimmering away into nothing.

Oh. That... that was holding me up. As soon as she released her hold on the magic shield she felt like all the energy was drained from her body, like a plug was pulled. She felt herself crumpling to the floor and her own voice sounded like someone else was talking, and the last thing she felt was strong arms catching her and a warm voice saying Rest, Magaestra. I will protect you.

4

Aldric blinked down at the woman in his arms and struggled to get his mind fully wrapped around the last few minutes. A human woman. Using magic. A human woman protecting a child from a rogue werewolf attack, by means of a shield formed entirely of magic.

And as clear as the distrust of him was in her eyes, she hadn't hesitated to try to protect him from the rogue he had failed at first to actually kill. What Aldric had thought was the sound of the beast's neck snapping had been merely a leg, and he cursed his own carelessness. He would have to be more thorough in the future, especially now that he had this woman and this child to protect.

It was very nearly beyond his capacity for belief.

He hadn't seen a human mage since he was a small child– and that was a very long time ago– and now not only was there one right here, but she had defended him. And there had been something fierce in her eyes before they had fluttered closed that he wanted to see again.

Aunt Faith? the child whimpered, still following her aunt's instructions to keep her eyes closed.

Your aunt is safe, child. But she wore herself out in the battle and needs to rest, he said.

The child didn't much resemble the woman. Where her aunt had long, soft brown hair pulled back in a braid, the child had wild, dirty blonde curls flying around her head. The woman's eyes had been hazel, and the child's eyes were a deep green. Well, they were when she wasn't squeezing them shut. Aldric had only managed that quick glimpse.

Here, put your hand out, I will guide you, he said.

A small crease formed between her brows. Mommy and Aunt Faith both said that I shouldn't talk to strangers.

Aldric found himself smiling despite himself.

Your mother and aunt are both wise women, he said. But if there was a fire, you would speak to a firefighter, correct? Or if you needed an ambulance you would speak to the paramedic?

The child's frown deepened slightly and she chewed on her lip for a moment before nodding. That's true. Mommy says that when I'm in trouble I should look for a helper, like a policeman or a doctor.

Exactly so,

The girl's expression cleared, though she kept her eyes squeezed closed.

Okay, she said. But you're a monster fighter, not a firefighter.

Aldric was unable to stop the chuckle. Among other things, yes, I am. My name is Aldric Donnelly, and it is my job to try to keep this area safe from monsters. It was as good an explanation as any he could come up with. Defining the differences between rogue wolves and his clanmates could wait until all three of them were safely away from here.

She held her hand out now in as formal an introduction as she could manage, and Aldric couldn't help but be charmed. He reached out and shook it, which made the girl smile in delight.

My name is Kaylee Francis Latham. It is nice to meet you, she said. You promise Aunt Faith is okay?

It is an honor to meet you, Miss Kaylee. I believe your aunt is perfectly well, simply exhausted. Here, he took her hand and guided it to her aunt's shoulder, and Kaylee immediately wrapped her arms around Faith's neck in a hug.

We should go. I will take you both someplace safe where your aunt can rest.

My mommy went to the store. What if she gets back and is worried?

Aldric frowned at this information. Faith had asked about her sister, and now Kaylee said that the woman was somewhere nearby and unaware of the danger.

I will call a friend of mine to come and help look for your mother. Now, I'm going to pick your aunt up so I can carry her to my truck, so step back for a moment, Aldric said.

Don't forget her purse! Aunt Faith never goes anywhere without her purse, Kaylee said.

Where is it?

On the little table by the front closet. She says that if she doesn't put it in the same place all the time she'll never find it again.

Aldric smiled again. We will walk past the table on the way out. Perhaps you could pick it up for me? Once we are by the door, you may open your eyes. Just be sure not to look behind us, it's not something you need to see.

Okay, Kaylee said. She backed up enough to let Aldric stand, then reached out blindly until he put his elbow in the way of her hand. Hang on to me and I will guide you.

Faith fit neatly into his arms, her head resting on his shoulder like a lover's, and Kaylee trotted along beside him without hesitation as if they were old friends. Something in his chest squeezed and he recognized it as satisfaction. An odd reaction, certainly, over two people he hadn't even properly met.

Okay, Miss Kaylee. We are at the table. Would you please take your aunt's purse and open the door?

Kaylee opened her eyes to find the bag and then eyed the door with something like suspicion before turning those emerald eyes on him.

You’re very big, she said.

I am six feet and three inches tall, he replied, not sure what else to say. He probably looked like a giant to the child. She nodded as if this was exactly the information she wanted, then frowned and glanced at the door she stood beside.

What if there are more monsters outside? she asked. Her voice was small and frightened, and her eyes wide.

He shook his head. I would know if there were any more of those rogues here. I could hear them, for one thing. They are annoyingly loud creatures. Quiet makes them nervous, Aldric said.

Like when you're in a library and it's really quiet and you have to sneeze but you don't want everyone to look at you? Kaylee asked.

Aldric opened his mouth and tried to think of a response that made any sense but couldn't form any words. I suppose? he finally said. It seemed to be enough for the girl since she nodded