Selkies and Spellcraft (Crescent Cove #1)

Chapter 1 Tipsy Thirties

Juniper

Salt twined on the air over the subtle musk of seaweed. I drew the scent deep into my lungs, and something settled inside of my chest. It felt so good to be back in Crescent Cove, even if I was here for a reunion with a family that drove me crazy.

The playful breeze whipped a few strands of my pale hair over my face, and I smoothed them down anxiously. Warm evening light drenched the space in peach and gold, from the bartop tables to the weathered shingle siding.

Past the patio, larger groups dined at tables right on the sand between patches of swaying beach grass. A towering lighthouse twinkled at the edge of the cove.

Around me, strangers laughed and drank. I’d only lived there a handful of weeks each summer growing up, but it still felt like home. Those were the best weeks of my life.

My thumb rubbed the side of my ring finger unconsciously. It still felt weird to not be wearing a wedding ring, but I had to admit it was nice to travel without Derek there to complain and whine.

A familiar witch with hair the color of amethyst crossed the patio. The recognition and warmth in her heart-shaped face washed away the rest of my nerves. Standing, I opened my arms to hug one of my oldest friends.

“Cat, it’s been way, way too long,” I said, savoring the way she squeezed me back. “We should have done a girls trip or something in the last couple of years. I’ve missed you.”

“It’s good to see you too, Junie.”

Finally, we broke apart. Catherine settled into the seat opposite me, smiling as the sunset kissed her freckles and warmed her azure eyes.

The server approached, and I ordered a bottle of Riesling. It appeared with two chilled wine glasses. We both raised our glasses and clinked them together.

“So tell me everything I’ve missed. Last time we talked, you were starting a new job,” I said, leaning forward to hear my friend better. The beachside bar filled up as the evening darkened.

Catherine cocked her head, her dimples appearing as she pursed her lips. “That’s sort of one of the reasons I’m back. The finance job laid me off, but that’s okay. I can always find another job. And since my aunt needed someone to watch the house and her puppy, it was perfect timing. ”

My fingers squeezed the stem of my glass, a wave of guilt hitting me. As much as I hated my job, at least I had one.

I’d been so focused on my divorce and my awful job, I’d neglected my friend. Reaching across the table, I took her hands and gave them a squeeze.

“I’m really sorry,” I said softly. “The job thing sucks, and I know it’s gotta be hard coming back to that house.”

Her bittersweet smile tore my heart in two. The unspoken truth sat between us. She hadn’t visited Crescent Cove since losing her mother while we were away at college.

“It’s fine, I’m fine, no big deal. I’ve got my aunt’s dog to keep me company,” she said, blinking to clear her glassy eyes.

“Let me know if you need anything.” I meant it. Screw my family reunion, I’d jump to help my friend if she needed it.

Catherine waved her hand, pausing to sip her glass of wine. When her eyes returned to me, they were clear and bright.

“That’s sweet of you, but right now I want to hear about you. You kicked Derek to the curb finally?” Her delicate eyebrows arched.

With a rough exhale, I took a long swig of my wine, rolling the tart flavor over my tongue. Catherine’s eyes narrowed. It had been a few years, but she could read me like we’d never been apart.

Cringing, I confessed.

“Yeah. Actually he filed, not me. But it’s a relief. We gave it a solid four years, and I don’t think we were ever happy.” I raised my glass in cheers. “And the divorce was final last week, so I’m back to being a Beck.”

“Juniper Beck sounds so much nicer than Juniper Mallory anyway,” Catherine said.

“I think so too,” I said, my lips curving in a genuine smile.

Maybe this is what I needed —being around friends. For the first time in months, a warm hopefulness filled me.

Subtly, I drew the pad of my index finger down my water glass to gather the condensation. Rubbing the liquid between my fingers, I reached for that elemental magic buried deep in my soul.

Nothing.

Who was I kidding? My magic was probably dead. Derek had drained the spark out of me over the last few years, and it was all my fault for letting him.

I should tell my friend. Her water magic and telekinesis were always stronger than mine. Maybe she could help. But I couldn’t pile something else on her plate—not when she faced her own set of problems.

Catherine’s soft voice pulled me from my brooding, and I blinked up at her. “So, we should plan to have dinner again before you leave. I’ll be pretty busy the next few days, but maybe next week?”

I shoved aside my worries over my magic and focused on my friend. “I’d love that. With the reunion on Saturday, I’m sure I’ll get pulled into helping with stuff, so who knows if I’ll have any time before Sunday anyway. Monday or Tuesday before I head home would be perfect.”

“Are you excited for the reunion?” she asked, her tone casual.

“Of course. It’s always good to see family,” I said automatically.

Catherine pursed her lips.

“Okay, it’s a little stressful. But it’s worth it to see my gran.”

She nodded, looking thoughtful.

“So what’s your plan?” I asked, changing the subject.

“Other than puppy-sitting and job applications, nothing really,” she said, her gaze going distant.

I wanted to pry and see if I could help, but I wasn’t good at that sort of thing. I’d probably just upset her. Gnawing on my bottom lip, I looked for our server. Maybe more snacks and drinks would help.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur. We laughed at childhood memories of running around the small town getting in trouble together and playing mermaids in the surf until we were burnt to a crisp .

One glass of wine turned into two until we finished the bottle. The mini lobster roll bites I’d ordered from the bar didn’t soak up nearly enough alcohol, and by the time we left, my hips swayed a bit too much.

“It’s getting late. I need to head back,” Catherine said.

“Okay, but text me when you get home, okay?”

We hugged again, harder this time, and I ran my hands down Catherine’s glossy waves. I’d always been jealous of her beautiful hair when we were kids. She was stunning.

“You too!” she said, waving as she headed to the exit.

Absently, I tugged on the tips of my champagne hair, noticing the split ends.

Maybe I should chop it off —fresh start, and all that. No, I was tipsy, and that wasn’t a good state for making decisions about my hair. Cutting my own bangs in college had taught me that lesson.

Sighing, I straightened and looked across the bar. My eyes locked with a stranger’s. He was staring directly at me with soft gray eyes shadowed by tousled silver hair. Despite the hair, he was young, and honestly gorgeous. Definitely something supernatural.

My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly spun away, my face flaming. My sense of time wasn’t great, and I had no idea how long I’d been staring back at him. That stranger probably thought I was an absolute weirdo. There was no telling how long I’d stared at him.

I was more intoxicated than I realized .

The world rippled around me, and I locked my focus in on walking straight and smooth. My heels didn’t help. Luckily it was only two blocks back to my rental condo, and the walk was along the beach.

Moonlight illuminated the scene, painting the sand ivory and the waves into molten silver.

I couldn’t help myself. Slipping off my shoes, I stepped off the sidewalk and into the sand.

It squished between my toes, and I closed my eyes for a moment, lost to childhood memories of running along this beach.

I’d give anything to live in Crescent Cove full time. Summers here with my grandmother were the best part of my childhood. The sense of longing stole my breath.

Tears wet the back of my hand as I swiped at my eyes. I had a full nine days in town, and I vowed not to waste it crying over the fact I’d have to leave—back to the city, back to my soul-sucking job and my empty apartment. It seemed unbearable, but I’d manage. I always did.

Sand rippled over my feet as I trekked along the beach. The roughness felt good, and I didn’t care if I was destroying my pedicure.

My phone buzzed, and I pulled it out of my pocket to see a text from my mother, moving our coffee date back a few hours so she could sleep in.

I typed back my agreement and hit send before shoving the technology back into my pocket.

I didn’t want to spend my time with my mother and sister, but we were there for a family reunion, so it seemed inevitable.

The last thing I wanted was to listen to lectures about my divorce.

Huffing, I trudged forward. Exhaustion weighed down my limbs until it felt like walking through silt. I needed to get some sleep. There was one more block between me and my rental condo.

Large rocks lined the edge of the beach where the sand met the sidewalk. Sometimes tourists left towels or swimsuits on them, but my eyes caught on something unusual.

Frowning, I stepped closer. For a second, I thought it was an animal. Silver fur stretched across the boulder, dotted with lighter patches. Cautiously, I reached for it. My fingers dug into the silky, soft fur, and I pinched it, picking up the mysterious item.

Turning it, I canted my head and squinted. There was no way. Who would leave an expensive fur coat at the beach?

It was undoubtedly real fur. No faux substitute felt this luxurious. I’d felt a few fur coats worn by the wives of executives at my job. They usually made me cringe, but this one didn’t. I ran my hands over the coat, relishing the texture. Something about it lured me in.

What am I doing?

It was late, and I needed to be in my rental in my pajamas, not standing on the beach in the middle of the night, petting a stranger’s undoubtedly expensive fur coat like a weirdo.

But I couldn’t leave something that nice on a rock to get rained on and maybe shit on by a seagull. Vaguely, I remembered something about coats like this having serial numbers inside so they could be registered or something.

Frankly, it would be irresponsible to leave it there. I could take it home for safekeeping and then figure out how to track down the owner the next morning. It was probably a pompous older lady who would want to reward me somehow. Maybe she’d tell me to keep it.

A giggle bubbled out of me, and I swayed on my feet, holding the coat with one hand while the other trailed over the silky fur. I fought the urge to raise it to my face and bury my nose in it. That would be ridiculous.

Fighting back a yawn, I folded the coat over my arm and set off to my rental condo with stumbling steps, completely ignoring the prickling feeling on the back of my neck.