By the Strawberry Moon

By M J Vance

Magic is real and those that can harness it are rare.

Felicia is one of the few. Her mother was the only other she knew, but her mother died before she could pass on her knowledge in full. Felicia's mother did warn her of dark magic and an encounter with it left Felicia afraid to expose her abilities at all.

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Twilight and Dusk
• Release date: Aug 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088253960

Book preview

By the Strawberry Moon Copy

M.J. Vance

Copyright © [2023] by [M.J. Vance]

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Chapter one

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Adiamond bracelet glinted in the low lighting of the Blue Cup. Felicia stared at the latest gift hanging from the microphone. It had started with flowers, then stuffed animals, expensive chocolates and perfume once.

This is too much, she said. She turned to Will. I can’t believe no one has seen who’s been leaving these gifts. Ever since she had started singing at the Blue Cup, someone had been leaving them for her at least once a week, sometimes with one-word notes.

I have staff keeping an eye out. Will lowered his voice. Do you think it could be a magic user?

Felicia took the bracelet and crammed it in her pocket. She scanned the small crowd hoping to find clues, but nothing hinted at the mysterious gifter. With it being Halloween weekend, there were certainly customers dressed as if they could be in their capes, masks, and painted faces, but none of them had the aura of a magic user.

She shrugged. I don’t think so. We’re the only ones I know around here.

I’m not much of one.

Felicia rubbed his arm. You’ll get there.

He sighed. I hope so. I hate wasting your time.

She smiled. You’re not wasting my time. We’ll get through your block together.

Will suddenly looked sheepish. Actually, there’s something I want to show you. Let’s go out back. We have a little bit of time before you perform. He nodded to Sean, her brother, who was still setting up the sound and guitar. It’ll give him some time to finish setting up.

A small butterfly fluttered in her stomach wondering what he had to show her. She followed him past the counter into the back hall to the outside door. She glanced into the kitchen and offices as they passed. The staff was too busy working to pay them any mind.

When they reached the door, Will opened it and held it for her as she stepped into the crisp autumn night. Will looked over the parking lot and leaned against the wall. He held his hand, palm up in front of him.

Energy swirled around him, not quite as sluggish as she had grown accustomed to from him. Tiny flecks of silver flashed in his eye as he stared at his palm. The faintest of light glimmered before it flickered out. He sighed releasing his energy into the night and slumped more against the wall.

Felicia clasped her hands together and sprang up on her toes. You did it! See, I knew you could!

Will gave a small smile. I didn’t want to wait until our next session to show you.

The backdoor slammed open. Will! Deedra shrieked as she stepped outside and locked him with her annoyed glare.

Will grimaced before facing her. Yes, dear?

Rupert needs you. I’m sure it’s more important than chatting with the entertainment. Deedra sneered at Felicia. Her ice-blue eyes were nearly white. Why are you out here anyway?

Felicia’s stomach sank. She was no good at coming up with excuses on the fly. Deedra’s anger made it all the harder for her to think of reasons she and Will needed to see one another. Will was dead set against telling her about the magic stuff.

I had a bit of a headache and I came out here hoping fresh air would help. Felicia came with me so we could discuss the upcoming musical.

Hmmph. Deedra crossed her arms. She didn’t approve of local theater either, but it was a reliable excuse.

Later, he said to Felicia before he disappeared behind the door to find his co-owner with Deedra on his heels.

Felicia leaned against the wall to ground herself as a car parked in the backlot. She took a deep breath and stuck her hands in her pockets. The feel of the bracelet fueled the anxiety Deedra left. The car door slammed as Felicia’s head tapped the wall and she sighed. Footsteps approached.

What’s wrong? Kat asked.

Felicia took out the diamond bracelet. Kat grabbed it. Holy…This is getting serious. I thought it was Scott for the longest while. But there’s no way that drunk slob could afford this. Kat handed it back.

It’s going in the box with the other stuff. She put it back in her pocket. She should throw it away, but a part of her hoped that maybe if she kept the gifts, she could find clues as to who sent them.

You know who could afford it? Kat asked. Luke.

Felicia rolled her eyes. He’s getting married next week.

Phft. That doesn’t mean anything.

It should. If he’s sending a woman who’s not his fiancée gifts, I wouldn’t want him back anyway.

Kat’s shoulders drooped. I didn’t say you would.

It’s not him. He’s too good of a person to do something like that.

You say that like you’re not. Her hands went to her hips, daring Felicia to say otherwise. In Luke’s eyes she probably wasn’t a very good person. She sighed. She didn’t want to talk about it again.

I need to get back in. The set is due to start soon.

Kat looked as if she wanted to say more but she only nodded and gestured towards the door. They both went inside, saying nothing more as they made their way to the front. Kat stopped at the counter to order coffee.

Sean waited on the small stage sitting on a stool surrounded by decorative gourds and shiny garland. He adjusted the guitar on his lap as she came onto the platform.

It wasn’t a big crowd tonight sitting at the various mismatched tables and couches. The light was dim, candles in blue holders sat at each table. It may have looked like a low-key setting, but energy was humming through the café causing the hairs on Felicia’s arms to stand on end. Energy always seemed high this time of year. She took a deep breath to ground herself before she began.

Conversation softened or died as she sang the first notes. Kat sat at the counter. Will watched beside her. Behind them, Deedra was deep in conversation with her friend.

As the music overcame her, she lost herself in its flow and everything disappeared but the notes. It was like tapping into her magic. There was nothing but warmth and peace. Too soon, the first set was over and Kat brought her a cup of water.

Will said the auditions are next week.

I’ll have to settle on a song we can use. Will often directed musicals at the local theater and Felicia often helped the music and Kat would choreograph.

Can you help out with this one? She asked Sean

Yeah. The band doesn’t have many upcoming gigs.

Kat sighed and glanced out the window. I’m going to head out. I’m meeting someone soon.

Don’t stay out too late. You’re always so noisy when you get in. Sean joked. Kat had lived with them ever since college after their parents had died. It had helped to have someone fill up some of the emptiness.

Kat rolled her eyes. Whatever. Just be sure to lock the door this time. Your sister has a stalker after all.

Felicia chilled from the reminder. The crowd had grown while she was singing. She surveyed the crowd, but no one was noticeably watching her. They had considered the regulars as potential suspects but no one seemed able or capable of leaving those gifts and notes. Maybe it was a magic user and her skills were subpar to theirs.

Kat’s forehead folded in concern as she rubbed Felicia’s arm. Hey, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have made light of that.

Felicia gave her a small smile. It’s okay. Maybe poking fun will rob them of their power.

Kat returned the smile and said her goodbyes.

Sean and Felicia turned their attention to the last set. Even though she enjoyed it, she couldn’t help but feel as if someone was spying on her. Which was ridiculous, she was on stage, of course people were looking at her. There was no need to be covert about it.

It wasn’t an unfamiliar feeling. It often happened when her admirer left a gift. Most of the time she assumed it was her imagination. Yet, someone felt compiled to leave them secretly. Not for the first time she wondered how far this person’s affection went. It had been happening for so long it was almost normal. But the expensive jewelry seemed to take it to a new level.

Soon the set was over and Sean packed up the guitar. Will came over with more water and to thank them for their performance as he often did. While Felicia gulped it down, he asked, What’s that?

A single red rose sat with a cord next to the mic stand. A gift had never appeared after she sang. Her hand trembled a bit as she picked it up. The card read, Soon, Nightingale.

Chapter two

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Will sat in the office in back of the Blue Cup with only his desk lamp creating a pool in the shadows. He focused on his palm, willing his magic to form a light in his hand. It still felt like he was guiding a river of molasses. Was it worth learning if it was this difficult? Felicia told him it would get easier with time, but shouldn’t it be easier than this by now?

Hon?

He glanced up to see Deedra standing in the doorway with a huge yellow mug filled with steaming coffee. He quickly hid his hand as if there was something to see, although he hadn’t gotten more than a flash in this session. Deedra knew nothing of magic. Telling her seemed pointless if he couldn’t prove it beyond a light he couldn’t keep lit for more than a few seconds. There was no way he could tell her without better proof. It was getting tricky to arrange teaching sessions with Felicia without her getting suspicious. Hey, love.

I thought I’d bring you something to drink before I leave. Monty said he’d take me home.

That’s good. I don’t want to keep you here that long. I’m hoping to get this done so we can spend the day together tomorrow. He pointed at the small pile of paperwork in his tray.

She set the mug down on his desk and slipped into his lap. I’d like that. She rubbed her nose against his as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

We can do anything you want.

Even the mall?

He chuckled. If it makes you happy.

She took his face in her hands and kissed him. Warmth surged down his body and he was tempted to forget about the paperwork.

After she pushed away, he asked, I don’t suppose you’d want to go shopping for a ring.

She groaned and stood up. I told you, I’m not ready for that.

We’re living together, it’s like we’re married already.

So why do we need to bother with a silly piece of paper to make it official?

He didn’t want to argue about this again. I’m sorry. I had to try. He attempted a sheepish grin.

It’s okay. I know how important it is to you, but I need some time. There are so many things that happened to me that make me fear marriage.

Like what?

I told you it’s my parents.

You never go into details about it. He held back a sigh and tried not to sound accusatory. If she sensed that, it would likely start an argument and anger her for a week.

She looked at her hands. I want to forget.

I’d help you if you let me. Seeing her in pain and not being able to help tore him up inside.

You are helping. Trust me. I just need you to be patient. She reached out and squeezed his hand.

He nodded and picked up his coffee. For you, I’d wait forever.

Thank you. You’re so kind to me. I don’t deserve you.

You deserve better.

She smiled. I should go. Monty will be here soon.

I’ll see you in an hour or two. He sipped the coffee and grimaced.

Is something wrong?

Not really. Have we started using a different brand of coffee? Or sweetener or cream?

She shook her head. It’s the same stuff, why?

The last few weeks it hasn’t tasted the same to me. It’s not bad, it’s just not what I’m expecting. It hasn’t been every cup of coffee I’ve had… I don’t know, maybe I’m imagining things.

Well, they say that our taste buds grow weaker as we get older. Maybe it’s something like that.

I’d like to think I had at least another ten years before my body started failing me.

She laughed. I’m just teasing. I’m only a few years younger than you.

Go on, get out of here. Your ride’s waiting.

Bending over, she kissed him before leaving the office. He sighed and took another drink of the coffee. The second sip was as odd as the first. Maybe he should dump it and get another, but he decided against it as it only served as a distraction from his work. As he delved into the papers, he barely noticed the taste.

Have you heard anything about your brother yet? Rupert asked.

Will jumped. He was so engrossed in his work, he hadn’t noticed Rupert and Abby outside the doorway. Abby didn’t answer right away. This was a sore point between them and she seemed to be considering if Rupert was meddling or not. She shook her head no.

Are you sure you don’t need help?

You’ve given me a place to stay and a job. That’s more than enough. Abby lived in one of the apartments above the café. Her sole reason for coming to Haven was to find her missing brother. She looked barely out of high school and that brought out Rupert’s fatherly protectiveness.

Rupert sighed. He wanted to say more; Will had gotten that look enough to know.

Good night. She turned and gave Will a brief, beautiful smile. Night, Will.

Night, he said. She disappeared down the hallway.

Rupert walked into the office and sat on the edge of his own desk across from Will’s. When you’re directing a play, I can handle all the paperwork. I don’t mind. I know how stressful it can all get.

Nah. Not until the month before the performance. Until then, it’s okay. Besides, you have a wife and three girls to take care of.

They can survive without me for a few hours here and there. The girls are getting closer to their teens and soon they won’t want much to do with me anyway.

They’ll say that, but they won’t mean it.

You know so much about teenagers?

I used to be one.

Rupert laughed. Why don’t you go home? I’ll take care of the rest of it.

Will sat back and studied Rupert for a moment. The glare off his glasses hid his green eyes, but he didn’t need to see them to know Rupert was staying for another reason. You’re still researching behind Abby’s back, aren’t you?

A light pink tinged his cheeks as he brushed his hand through his thinning brown hair. Well, I haven’t stopped, but that’s not what I plan on doing tonight. I’ve come to a dead end and it’s hard to get her to reveal much of anything.

You may have to be happy with giving her a safe place to live.

Maybe. I feel bad for her. Every time I think about it, I think about my own kids in her place. He shook his head. Anyway, I’d be more than happy to finish the paperwork. You should get back to Deedra. I saw she left with Monty again.

Will drained the last of his coffee and tried to shrug off the suspicion in Rupert’s voice. He let his opinion of Monty and Deedra be known long ago and since sharing it, he never brought it up again, but he couldn’t always hide his concerns. Will reminded himself that Rupert was only looking out for him.

If you’re so insistent about doing this yourself, I’ll be on my way. Will smiled as he set the mug down. He took his jacket from behind the chair and put it on.

Rupert clapped him on the back. Have a good night.

You too. Will walked outside and shivered at the chill breeze that hit his face. Surveying the few trees in the parking lot, he could make out small dark images hopping bough to bough. A few months ago, he would have told himself it was squirrels, but there was no denying the magical beings that inhabited the world. Not since Felicia taught him how to open up to the magic. They were usually fairies. Magic attracted magic. That’s why he saw so many of them.

He held out his palm and tried to gather his energy into it. The power in him stirred, but he could not bring enough of it into his hand. He shook his head. Maybe he was too tired. Kicking a loose stone, he sighed and went to his car.

Chapter three

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Felicia stared past Luke and Bridgette as they cut into the white cake covered in red and gold trimmings to the picture window behind them. The woods next to the country club reached into a gray sky with thousands of bare limbs. Staring at one lone orange leaf, she focused on her breathing, willing the unwanted emotions to go away. After two years, she thought she had put this beyond her. From the second Bridgette had joined Luke in front of the pastor, all she could think was it could have been her standing next to Luke.

The flash of cameras and the laughing of the crowd ruined any hope of her finding inner calm. How could she turn her attention away from Luke anyway? His black hair was smoothed back with a few stray strands falling onto his forehead. How she loved running her hands through it while they curled up watching television. Bridgette glowed as brightly as the candles flickering on the tables as Luke wiped icing from her face. The couple’s eyes locked and he pulled her closer, ignoring the adoring crowd as he kissed her.

Felicia’s throat clenched and she shut her eyes to stop the stream of tears that threatened to flow. A sudden burning from the base of her neck to her shoulder blades broke through her angst. She looked over her shoulder. Her heart stopped to see the man that sometimes came in with Ruby to the cafe. He was deep in conversation with her, but she knew it was his eyes she felt a moment ago.

What are they doing here?

Sean and Kat followed her gaze.

Oh, them. Kat leaned back and crossed her arms. Luke’s dad owns all the grocery and drug stores in town, so of course he knows Dominick. If not for them, the big box stores would have invaded Haven a long time ago. The business community in this town is pretty tight. They run this place more than the mayor does.

Most of the mayors of Haven have belonged to the business club, Sean said.

That’s true enough. Kat glanced at the front of the room. Hey, it looks like we can get some cake now.

Kat and Sean pushed away from the table and both