Fire Spell (29 page)

I shoved against his shirt. “I didn’t peg you for the Neanderthal type.”

“Oh, baby, there is so much you don’t know about me.” He growled against my neck before pulling me from the couch.

I still couldn’t believe I was moving. Sullen’s Grove had been my home my entire life. I was born here, took my first steps here, did my first spell here, kissed my first boy here—it was home.

After Finn and I completed the
Fire Spell
and rid the world of a debilitating evil, it didn’t seem to matter to me anymore where I plugged in my laptop and coffeepot. Home was where Finn was. Leo had left him the house, and he needed that connection to his past more than I needed to be in Sullen’s Grove. I had a lifetime of family memories with the people who I called my family. He was still trying to link to his heritage. Living in Leo’s house helped him feel grounded. Since he told me about the Shadow Quest, I had a new appreciation for what he had been through. He needed this.

My contract with Raven Publishing was about to expire, and rather than renegotiate the terms, I agreed to write the western, but requested a new editor. I couldn’t write with Jack anymore. He didn’t argue when I made the suggestion. Jack would always remain a professional in the office, but I couldn’t spend hours poring over my words, and late night editing sessions with him. The same ones I used to live for, I knew we both would dread. That was no way to write a book. Some things aren’t worth fighting for. It felt like Jack finally agreed to let me go when he let me change editors.

He left Charleston the night we returned from the island. Sure, he was grateful to be alive, but he had spent days with people who had erased his memory, sealed him in a hotel suite, and ripped his heart from his chest. He wasn’t a fan of our witch clan. I couldn’t say I blamed him. All I want is for him to be happy. No matter how much I loved Finn, Jack would always be my human. Maybe one day he would get that.

Mama and Daddy were annoyed with Ian, Holly, and me for keeping such an enormous secret about the magical curtain falling to pieces, but Mama forgave me when she saw the ring. She has been planning my wedding since the day I was born. I think Daddy’s still holding a grudge against Finn for whisking me off to Savannah, but I promised we would visit often. They had to know I was sincere. I would miss Sullen’s Grove more than they would miss me. My mother was comforted by the upcoming cake tastings and dress fittings. She would be at the forefront of all the last little wedding details.

Ian didn’t react as badly to the talon injury as I had. We all assumed that maybe the Ladri’s poison lost its potency once they had been wiped off the island. In any case, Ian’s shoulder healed within a few days, and we never had to report that part of the story to our parents. It would only have upset them more.

“Babe, you ok?” Finn pulled a bottle of water from the refrigerator and closed the door.

I grinned. How could I not be ok? “Yep. Everything is actually perfect.”

He pulled something from his back pocket. “I found this in your office when I packed up your stuff.” It was the picture of Leo and Lily. I loved how he looked at her, like she was the reason for the light in the stars and the pull in the tides. It was exactly how Finn looked at me.

I took the picture from him. “It’s pretty amazing, isn’t it?” I wondered if my grandmother knew what we had done. She would be proud that this Laurel and Guardian had taken down the evil she fought so hard to pursue.

He placed the bottle of water on the counter. “The only amazing thing I see is you.” He nipped at my bottom lip before kissing me. He dipped me in his arms.

I closed my eyes and squealed. “You’re going to drop me.”

“Open your eyes, babe.”

I let my lids lift to the ceiling. I looked down. We hovered over the kitchen as Finn twirled me in midair.

I held on to his neck. “Is this how life with you is always going to be?”

“What kind of life is that?” His devilish smile flashed as we spun above the kitchen.

“Unexpected.”

I had seen that look before. He pulled me against him.

“Oh, absolutely. Just wait, Ivy Grace. We’re going to set the world on fire.”

I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck. “I’m counting on it.”

A Page from Ivy Grace’s Spell Journal

BARRIER * Sometimes you just don’t want your conversations overheard. This spell puts up a soundproof wall.

CHARM * Finn’s convincing way of persuasion.

CLOSE * Seals up boxes, suitcases, almost anything you need to keep from breaking a nail while you struggle with tape or a zipper.

COVER * This one doesn’t happen every day. It’s when two witches unite to give one of them the other’s appearance. It’s not easy!

ECLIPSE * Seals the seam.

ERASE * A girl’s best way to clean a room and make sure there’s no trace she was ever there.

ERASER * Holly’s answer to erasing memories, which need to be forgotten.

EXTINGUISH * Quickest and easiest way to turn out the lights, anything electrical really.

FADE * The only way I know how to make myself invisible. Also, involves lots of shimmering, a plus I think.

(DOUBLE FADE keeps me invisible from other witches.)

GLAMOUR * By far, the best spell ever! Makeup, hair, clothes all in perfect order.

GUARDIAN * Performed as a protection spell only by those who can protect, like Finn.

ILLUMINATE * Comes in handy when a girl needs a floating flashlight.

LOCALITY * This one I borrow from my brother. With a little help of a personal object, we can usually find someone’s location on a map.

OPEN * There are those times when you need to get in a locked door or drawer.

RADIANCE * When it’s time to get back in the real world, this sheds the awesome shimmer from the FADE SPELL.

REMEDY * Cool way to repair things I’ve broken (accidentally, of course).

REVEAL * Definitely, the only security system I really trust. The orangey glow particles let me know when someone has stopped by.

STUN * I like having a little defense in my back pocket. Still working out my stunning speed.

TWINKLE * Love this one! Throws the night sky on my ceiling wherever I am.

UNFOLD * Opens the seam.

VOILA * I borrow this from Mama every once in a while. It’s great in a hostess pinch! Sets the table, lights candles, might even pour a glass of wine.

Reader Discussion Questions

Ivy and Finn struggle with not repeating the patterns of the past. Do you think they have the ability to break the pattern on their own, or do they need each other?

Would Ivy and Finn be attracted to each other even if they weren’t a Laurel and a Guardian?

Do you think Ivy and Ian were right to keep their parents out of the situation in Charleston?

Would you make the same decision as Ivy where Jack and Finn are concerned?

What were you thoughts of Lily? Did she help Ivy, or make things harder for her?

How is the
Fire Spell
different for Ivy and Finn than the
Cover Spell
?

Should Holly break up with Mike because he’s human?

What do you think Jack will do next?

What is your favorite Ivy Grace spell?

When I originally created Ivy, I didn’t foresee this part of the writing journey—book three. I felt lucky and blessed to write just one book. I wouldn’t have arrived at this point without my amazing husband, Shane. He supports my crazy writing habits day after day. Thank you to the rest of my family who cheers me on wherever they are.

Jennifer and Mary-Kathryn, who help me analyze and send Ivy in so many different directions, thank you. Alyssa, thank you for all your support.

To the bloggers who share Ivy and the
Spell Series
, I appreciate every post and tweet.

Thank you to Once Upon a Time Covers for the beautiful cover work, and to E.M. Tippetts Book Designs for the interior and formatting. The book is just a little more magical with your touches.