Double Magick in the Falls
Description
After serving in the Army, Candi Reynolds has returned home to her Grandmother's small town. She hopes for a quiet life but instead finds mystery, murder, and an oh-so-hot vampire who leaves her questioning her feelings. Searching for answers to his own mystery, Victor Harlow finds himself drawn into Candi's search for the murderer and finds himself attracted to the beautiful witch. With the help of Candi's best friend, and a werewolf detective they race against time to find the killers before they become the next victims. Can Candi harness all the powers she possess to save them and give their love a chance?
Chapter 1
Apr 14, 2025
Dear Journal,
October 31st 2012
It’s been twelve years since I left Paradise Falls, twelve years since I wrote in you. A lot has changed. I joined the veterinary corps, and they became my family. But after so many years, it is good to be home. I brought Jasmine back with me. She’s a beautiful Alsatian and she’s my friend, we’ve been together ever since I joined the army. Though I have to admit, Grandma’s face when she saw her was hilarious. I’ve never seen her look so flabbergasted.
I’m a photographer now, specializing in night shots of wildlife. I still use the camera my mum gave me. Though technically with all the enhancements I’ve done to it, it’s only the shell that’s left of the original. I just can’t say goodbye to it. It’s like my lucky talisman. I’m selling to magazines and getting my name out there. It isn’t mega bucks, but I love it.
I do some daytime shots, too, but since returning to Paradise Falls, I’ve been helping Grandma in the shop in the mornings. It is a good way to get back into the scene and meet people. I can’t believe I ever thought.
Grandma’s shop was a cheap joke shop, instead of a true witch’s magick shop filled with ingredients, tarot cards, and so much more.
I can’t believe my mum has been gone for thirteen years. At times, the pain is so raw it seems like it happened yesterday. Other times it’s like a lifetime ago. I’ve changed so much, hopefully for the better.
I finally found out why my parents were killed, and to be honest it just seems so pointless.
My mum, as I told you long ago, was a witch. And my dad was a werewolf. In the supernatural world, you don’t mix with those outside your own kind. Obviously my parents did, which is why they left Paradise Falls.
They were hunted, and my dad caught and murdered. My mum took me and we fled, but they caught up with her, too. What I don’t understand is the three year gap between the killings, or the ritualistic way it was done. Or truthfully, why I am still alive. Don’t get me wrong. I am thankful, but...it doesn’t make any sense.
Anyway, I am back in Paradise Falls, this time for good.
It still hurts my parents were taken from me, and I want to find out who killed them. They had left, why hunt them down over so many years?
I have to go. Jasmine needs to go for a walk, and it’s a full moon tonight. Everything always looks so much more enchanting and otherworldly under the light of a full moon. Time to take some photos.
Candi Reynolds.
P.S. Happy thirtieth birthday to me
****
Taking a deep breath, I close my journal. I’d forgotten how good it felt to write in it. As if writing to an old friend. Stretching, I stand and cross the room to the door. Changing my mind, I return to the desk.
Sliding my fingers along the side, I feel for the slight knot in the wood. A hidden drawer pops open. Placing the journal inside, I remove the hidden cloth covered bundle. I don’t have much time, but feel the need to do a three card spread, with my Midnight Mystic Oracle Cards.
Card 1: MOONLIGHT.
Mystery
It’s time to examine your dreams, and remember them as well. As the answers you seek, are there.
Card 2: BLOOD MOON.
Caution
Have faith and work hard, but don’t become self-obsessed. Ask for help to achieve your goals, if required. Always be yourself.
Card 3: WOOD SPRITE.
Spirit of Nature
It is time to get back in touch with nature. Explore woods and wildlife. Experience new things, and open your mind to different things. Seek adventure. Rebuild your life and live it the way you desire.
Huh, okay, ask for help if I need it? Why would I need help? With a puzzled frown, I quickly write down the cards and their translations.
Quite often, things become obvious later. Putting the cards back into the draw, I close it and leave the room. A full moon is not something to waste, especially when you’re a photographer who prefers taking photos at night.
I leave Grandma’s house and call Jasmine to me; we walk to the East Bridge where we cross over. Witches do not like their surrounding areas to be photographed. Mainly, I believe, in case they’re up to some hocus-pocus.
Once we cross over the bridge and car park, we head toward the woods. I hear wolves howling and feel disappointed I can’t photograph them. They’re across town, and most likely werewolves. A full moon, though wonderful, can make werewolves a higher risk than normal. The call of the moon is too strong, and so is the hunt for prey. I sure as hell don’t want to become part of their hunt.
As Jasmine and I slip into the woods, she suddenly goes still. In the army, you learn to sense danger and always trust your instincts. My instincts scream out a major predator is near. I spot a group of men outside a bar. I don’t know why I can differentiate major predators from simple humans. Witches and werewolves obviously, but humans, though they can be vicious, don’t normally cause this strong a reaction.
However, my senses keep telling me danger is near, and I need to take care. Suddenly one of them turns and stares directly at me, or at least in my direction. I don’t think he sees me. My senses go on high alert and lust shoots through me. He is gorgeous. Built like an Adonis come to life, he looks dangerous as hell, his glowing blue eyes pull me in, while his full sensual snarling lips, drawn back over huge fangs, assure me I’m right. He most definitely is a predator.
I have always assumed vampires were myth. Stupid, since I am a witch and I’ve worked with werewolves and shifters, you would think I would have realized, there are, or could be, other supernaturals as well. But hey, you learn something new every day.
I just learned I’m attracted to a very hot vampire with huge fangs and glowing blue eyes. Who knew? I sure as hell didn’t!
Keeping low, I quietly ease back, making my way to the other side of the woods with Jasmine securely at my side; I hurry across the car park and over the bridge.
On the other side, I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. With one final look back, I scan the trees, but see nothing, though for just a second, I sense someone watching.
A sense of change washes over me, as if nothing will ever be the same again. With a shake of my head, I brush away my thoughts and retreat to Grandma’s house. I’ll ask her tomorrow about the vampires, and if she knows of any houses up for sale.
I need my own space, and I don’t think it’s wise to use the woods across the bridge for any more photo shoots.
Thinking of the woods brings the vampire to mind. I bite my lip hard to clear my thoughts. I need a run, that’s what’s wrong with me. I’ll have to go for a decent run tomorrow, to burn off the extra energy from tonight.
I love running, and my body needs it as well. The army was great, all the exercise regimes helped keep me focused, and solutions to problems became clearer.
I do my best thinking while running, and get a serious case of bad attitude and total bitch when I don’t find the time for a regular run. And hopefully, it’ll get the lust-filled cravings out of my system, too.
Cutting across the grass, I smell a storm coming. “The elements are gathering. It’s going to be a rough night,” I whisper.
My mum always said that, when my dad smelt the coming storm. She was always right, too.
“God, I miss you, Mum, and you, Dad, as well,” I say on a breath of a sigh.
Reaching Grandma’s, I sense she’s back, so I call out a greeting and quickly hurry upstairs so I can get my trainers off.
Grandma does not appreciate dirty trainers in her clean house. She also cannot understand my need to run. She also believes an Alsatian is not the right pet for a witch, and surely, she can take herself for a run without me! My grandmother has many opinions!
Quickly putting my camera down, I lament not having taken any photos, but I have a feeling I probably would have been caught by the vampire if I had.
“I’ll be down in a minute, Gran. I need to ask you something,” I call out.
Quickly removing my trainers, I run a brush through my long red hair and clamor downstairs to the sitting room, where my gran is waiting, relaxing in front of a blazing fire, the book she’d been reading closed on her lap.
“Hey, Grandma Eve, I’ve decided that I’m staying put in Paradise Falls. Do you know of any houses that are for sale or rent?”
Where my gran is concerned, it’s best to just get to the point, she prefers it. Come to think about it, so do I.
“I’m glad you’re staying, child.” Giving a nod of her head, she continues as if coming to a satisfying conclusion.
“The old Winters’ house is up for sale, not too pricey since it’s been abandoned for a while. I think you will be well suited to it. There’s even a dog flap in the back door you can use for that dog of yours.” Eve gives a puzzled shake of her head, as if saying why a dog?
“Thank you, Grandma,” I reply with honest relief. “What do you know about vampires?” I ask with some hesitation. It feels so strange to be wondering. I mean I love reading and watching films about them, but who knew they were actually real?
“They’re dangerous, and you should stay away from them,” was Eve’s definite, but non-helpful reply.
“Yessssss, but...”
“No buts, child, stay away from them, and that’s final. Now I’m tired, and going to bed.” Shaking a finger at me, as if to emphasize her point, Eve rises and strides out of the room, without a backward glance or another word.
I gape in surprise at her unusual behavior. The wagging of her finger at me and the sharp tone of voice was normal enough. The year I previously lived with Eve after my mum’s death had me on the wrong side of her plenty of times. But the lack of any information, and the finality of the conversation, surprised and troubled me.
Looking thoughtfully out the door, I wondered if Eve could be scared. Could vampires be so dangerous?
Double Magick in the Falls
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