Flipping the Bird (Shift Creek #1) - Carrie Pulkinen Page 0,42

skin. “You lied for me, and you didn’t have to do that. It means a lot.”

He took her hand and kissed her palm. “It was the least I could do.”

Chapter Thirteen

“I’m sorry, Donovan, he hasn’t checked in yet.” Karen’s voice was kind and cheerful as usual.

He’d contacted his brother’s assistant two weeks ago, after his first night with Alice, but she’d had no news of Griffin’s location then either.

“Does he usually go this long between check-ins?” He ground his teeth, frustration gnawing in his gut. They’d endured several days of thunderstorms over the week, which helped the level of the creek to rise a bit, but the rain had done nothing to restore the waning magic.

“He’s gone months before. I wouldn’t worry about him. He leaves a crystal that’s tied to his life energy, so if he’s ever in trouble, it will glow red. It’s been a cool blue since he left.”

“I’m not concerned about his safety, Karen.” He clamped his mouth shut. That had sounded much harsher than he intended. “Apologies. I don’t mean to take my frustration out on you, but this town is in crisis, and only Griffin can save it.”

“I’ll relay the message the moment he checks in.”

“Thank you. Have a pleasant rest of your day.” He pressed “end” and leaned his head back on the sofa, pinching the bridge of his nose as he squeezed his eyes shut. He’d scoured all his sources for magical artifacts—even the dark web—and he was prepared to pay any price for a relic that might save the creek.

Sadly, such an artifact didn’t exist. To make matters worse, the warlock he’d been in discussions with over the enchanted trowel pulled out of the negotiations before they could reach an agreement, erasing his digital footprint and virtually disappearing.

Not that Donovan could have stolen the creek’s magic anyway. To drain it now, when it couldn’t regenerate itself, would be detrimental. Even if he did manage to unlock his own powers, he couldn’t replicate a two-hundred-year-old spell when he had no idea how or why it had been cast in the first place.

His brother needed to get here before the stream lost its magic completely. It was the only way to save the town. Donovan knew now that Alice would never leave this place. It was her home, and he wanted it to be his as well.

“Still no luck finding Griffin?” Marty climbed up his pantleg and perched in his lap.

“None.” He straightened his spine and stroked his familiar’s wiry fur. Moonlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows in the back of the house, giving the tree line in the distance a silvery glow.

“I say we cut our losses and head back home. That creek’s not gonna help you, and once it dries up, they’ll crucify you when they find out who you are.”

Donovan closed his eyes again. He’d been fully prepared to tell Alice everything the first time she spent the night with him. Then she’d fallen asleep, and he hadn’t mustered the courage again since he faked the spell on the creek. She’d found his truth so humorous when he confessed to the game warden on their picnic, he hadn’t found a moment that felt right to tear their relationship apart with honesty.

Not only was he a fraud, he was a coward. He could admit as much.

“I’m going to tell her everything tomorrow.” He had to. “If she accepts me, you’ll have to get used to this place. It will be our home.”

Marty narrowed his eyes and hopped off Donovan’s lap, scurrying to the opposite end of the couch. “If we hadn’t lost that amulet, you’d have taken the creek’s magic, and we’d be home in New York by now.”

“You’re right, we would, but I’m glad we lost it. Fate brought us here, my friend. Alice and I are meant to be.”

“That’s your man-bits talking.”

Donovan arched a brow. “Excuse me?”

“I don’t trust her, boss. She’s hiding something.”

“Martin…” He scooped the familiar into his arms. “If you would give her a chance, I’m sure she would grow on you.”

“Like a fungus.” He wiggled free and returned to the other end of the sofa. “She’s trying to take you away from me.”

“She’s not…” He blew out a frustrated breath. “I’m here with you tonight, aren’t I? When I told her you and I needed some bonding time, she took no issue with it. Why do you take issue when I bond with her?”

Marty sat upright and crossed his tiny arms over his chest.