“I can’t speak for the others, but I can tell you one thing for certain.” Johnny let go of the steering wheel to place one hand on her leg. “I’m not going anywhere, regardless of who you choose. You can be damn sure I’ll love that kid if it’s my own or not.”
Tears sprang to Holly’s eyes. She slid across the middle of the cab to cuddle into his side.
“You have no idea how grateful I am for you,” she whispered.
Johnny pressed a kiss into the top of her head. “Right back at you.” Johnny parked as close to the stones as he could.
Holly held his hand as they made the short trek uphill. She hadn’t been to the stones since she had first learned of the shifters.
When they reached the stone circle, Holly traced her finger over the etchings of the Maiden.
Do you find their interpretation insulting? she asked.
No, the Maiden replied. I find it charming.
I’ll tell them you said so.
“Ready?” Johnny asked.
“If you are.”
After removing his clothes, Johnny moved to the center of the stone circle. The air came to life with magic as a golden glow enveloped him. When the light dissipated, a proud-looking brown bear with gray-green eyes stared at Holly.
She’d never get over watching the transformation. She couldn’t stop staring at him as she picked up his discarded clothes and tucked them into an empty backpack they’d brought along.
Johnny lowered himself onto the ground so Holly could easily climb onto his back. They took off into the forest just as the last light of day leeched out of the sky.
Holly buried her face in his fur. Even in the dark, watching the forest whiz by made her dizzy. She focused on the way Johnny’s muscles moved beneath his coat. She felt the power of the shifter beneath her.
Within twenty minutes, they arrived at the gaping mouth of a cave. Light from a fire buried within its depths illuminated the inner cave wall.
“Looks like they’re expecting us,” Johnny said once he returned to human form.
Holly eyed his naked form with a grin.
“Are you planning on negotiating like that?” she asked. “I think it’ll sweeten our odds.”
“I considered it,” he admitted. “Can I have my clothes, please?”
Holly tossed him the backpack and gave him a moment to dress.
“Be honest with me,” she said as they stood at the mouth of the cave. “How much danger are we in?”
“A fair amount if we piss them off,” Johnny admitted.
“How do we avoid pissing them off?”
“Not sure. One of them hates my guts.”
“You couldn’t have mentioned that sooner?” Holly gaped at him.
“I didn’t want to worry you.” He shrugged. “Come on. Let’s get this over with.”
“You really know how to make a girl feel secure when she walks into a witch den,” Holly muttered.
She allowed Johnny to lead her deeper into the cave. The light from the fire grew brighter and brighter until it suddenly changed to purple.
“Oh good, they know we’re here,” Johnny said brightly.
“Took you long enough,” a familiar voice purred from up ahead.
The cave opened up into a cozy, candlelit cavern. Purple flames crackled in the fireplace.
Edwina lounged on the couch, staring at the cavernous ceiling.
Holly’s gaze flicked to the two other women present. A pretty blonde sat near the fire. A raven-haired beauty glared at them from an armchair.
“Ladies.” Johnny grinned. “I believe you know why I’m here.”
“Of course,” Edwina said. “I knew you’d rush down here to make sure I wouldn’t steal your precious plaything’s life.”
“You came to me offering help,” Holly seethed. “I didn’t expect you to lay a claim on my life.”
“That’s your own fault,” the raven-haired one said. “Edwina, get to it. I have things to do.”
“Not so fast,” Johnny said. “I’m here to finalize the terms of the contract.”
“A deal was struck. There’s nothing to negotiate.”
“Did you shake on it?” Johnny asked. “Was anything signed?”
Edwina furrowed her brow.
“No, nothing like that happened,” Holly supplied. “I sort of got attacked by a dark shifter.”
“One Edwina likely summoned herself.”
“That’s a lie,” Edwina said. “I’m not stupid enough to send a shifter, even a dark one, to attack the Maiden’s vessel.”
“Oh, well, thank goodness for that,” Holly muttered.
“The mortal has quite the tongue,” the raven-haired witch hissed. “I say we cut it off.”
“Take it easy, Susanna.” Johnny sighed. “Your jealousy is showing.”
Susanna crossed her arms over her chest and looked away.
Johnny returned his attention to Edwina. “What do you want, aside from her life force?”
“I never wanted her life force,” Edwina said with a dismissive flick of her wrist. “She’s vital to this world. I’m sure as hell not going to be the one who kills our best chance at peace.”
“Then why not get into specifics in the woods last night?”
“Because I wanted a firstborn to come to me.” She grinned. “What I want is something only you can provide.”
“You could’ve sent a text. You have my number.”
“Where’s the fun in that?” The blonde witch giggled. “You know we’re a theatrical bunch, don’t you, Johnny?”
“I’d never forget, Hattie.” Johnny offered her a tight smile.
“How do you know these women, exactly?” Holly murmured.
“It was a phase I went through during my wilder years,” he replied. “Nothing more.”
“We’ll see about that.”
Johnny returned his attention to Edwina. “State your terms so I can go home.”
“We will provide the spells requested by the little mortal.” Edwina grinned at
