The Last Witch Hunter (Witch Hunters) by Thayer King Read Free Book Online

smile. “See you Friday night. I’ll be by at seven.”

 
    Chapter Five
     
    The town of Gray’s Landing had come to view Halloween in much the same light as that town in Footloose did dancing. Only they were slightly more tolerant. The Fall Harvest Festival, Ronan explained, had once simply been a Halloween Carnival. Particulars of the event had not changed. They still sold candy apples and decorated the place with hay and pumpkins. But there had been a backlash against Halloween due to misbehaving teens. Halloween pranks were few and far between. High school teens still trick-or-treating was a bigger issue. Many didn’t wear costumes and continued to collect candy late into the night. The town had finally had to establish rules setting age limits for trick-or-treaters. Time ranges for visiting houses were also put in place.
    “And then there are the senior citizens who suddenly began saying that it was devil worship. I’m not sure what caused the sudden turnabout. Churches began holding their own parties to keep kids from going out on Halloween. They put on religious plays, play games, and give out candy bags. ”
    Nikita had arranged her hair in a braid that rested over her shoulder. She curled the tip of it around her finger. “It didn’t have anything to do with a coven of witches in their midst, did it?”
    “Ha, ha.” Ronan gave her a quick glance out of the corner of his eye before returning his attention to the road. “My family has never done anything to endanger our position in society. My father is a respected attorney and my mom was president of the PTA. Her specialty is apple pie with a crust so buttery and flaky that she could have sold them for a living if she’d wanted to. But all she wanted to do was be a wife and a mother.”
    “And they’re both witches?”
    “My dad is. My mom isn’t. I might as well tell you now that magic doesn’t run that strong in my family. I do all right but I prefer to work with my hands instead of conjuring the results.”
    How ironic, she thought, because his effect on her was nothing short of miraculous. She’d never been so attracted to a man that she couldn’t ignore it when she wanted. But Ronan seemed to slip under her skin. She found herself thinking about him when she didn’t want to. She’d begun to wonder if he’d placed her under a spell.
    “The strongest witch in my family is my Uncle Hugh and his son is a dud.”
    “A dud?”
    “A non-witch born to two witch parents.”
    “Sounds like a great guy. I’ll have to meet him sometime.” 
    He growled. “Just for that I should introduce you. All witches aren’t bad and all humans aren’t good.”
    “I know that.”
    He pulled into a parking lot that was already filled with cars. Red, gold, and orange leaves decorated the glass entryway to a large brick building. Pumpkins sat on bales of hay. Ronan parked. “I don’t know that you do. I bleed red blood just like a human-”
    She grinned. “Trust me, I know that.”
    He gave an exasperated huff and his hands tightened on the steering wheel. “Damn it. Nikita, you’re my destiny. Like it or not, I’m yours.” His gaze locked with hers and refused to let go.
    Nikita’s heart thumped in her chest. She liked the sound of that more than she should. He was so insistent, it was almost enough to make her believe, but of course, it was ridiculous. They would never work. Even if she wanted them to. And she didn’t. Relying on people only led to disappointment. “Ronan, it’s only a matter of time before I leave town. Mrs. Williams could decide to come home any day.”
    “And then where will you go?”
    “Home.” She shrugged. “Maybe go on a mini vacation.”
    “Vacation with me. ”
    She choked. “Where did you get the impression that I would be the slightest bit interested in spending time with you?”
    “You’re here aren’t you?”
    “After you got on your knees and begged me!”
    “Yeah, and you liked that so much you were