Starlight Web (Moonshadow Bay #1) - Yasmine Galenorn Page 0,10

want to have a séance? Are you nuts? I haven’t held a séance since I was twenty-two.”

“So what? I have. You’re not the only witch around here,” she said, laughing. “I can lead a séance.”

I sighed. One thing about Ari—she was a pit bull in a size 2 body. She might look willowy and petite, but her red euro-bob fit her nature. And when she decided she wanted to do something, nobody could stop her. That was one of the things I loved about her, and always had.

“Fine. We’ll hold a séance. Although I’m not sure—” I paused as the doorbell rang. “Who could that be? I wonder if my aunt forgot anything.” I headed to the door. But when I opened it, I saw that it wasn’t my aunt. Instead, I found myself staring at a man who was a little taller than me. He had curly light brown hair, down to his shoulders. There was a small scar on his cheek that looked long healed. And he had the most beguiling green eyes I had ever seen. I found it hard to look away, actually.

“Hi, I’m your new neighbor. I bought the house next door. My name’s Killian O’Connell, and I wonder if I could borrow a cup of salt,” he said, with an impish smile.

At that moment, all I could do was stare. There was something about him that took my breath away, and I could barely find my tongue to answer.

Chapter Three

I blinked, staring at the glass cup he held out. It was a measuring cup, all right. But a cup of salt? Sugar I could have believed, even in this day and age. But salt? Confused and a little flustered, I motioned him in.

“Salt… You need salt?” I stammered, forcing myself to stop staring at him.

“Yes, I would like to borrow a cup of salt. I’m sorry, but you didn’t tell me your name,” he added.

I raised my eyebrows. “Of course, I forgot. I’m sorry, I’ve had a long day. My name is January Jaxson, and this is my best friend, Ari.”

Killian paused and the smile abruptly slid off his face. “Oh, you’re…” He stopped. “I’m sorry for your loss. My real estate agent told me that the couple who owned this house…” Again, he looked tongue-tied.

His hesitation gave me time to compose myself.

“Yes, I’m Trevor and Althea’s daughter. My parents died in a plane crash about five months ago. I’ve decided to move back to Moonshadow Bay, and I just arrived today. Please, come inside. I’ll see if there’s any salt in the kitchen.” I had spent so many years of playing the gracious hostess that, given the breathing space, I was able to hide my distress. I had spent many an evening soothing ruffled egos with Scotch and bourbon. I could do it with my eyes closed when I wasn’t taken by surprise. The artsy crowd liked their booze.

I led him into the living room. Thanks to Ari and my aunt, the boxes were gone, collapsed and out in the garage, and the house looked tidy and neat.

Killian glanced around. “This is a nice house. You have a great yard. I love how we live right up against the park.” He sat down when I motioned to the sofa.

“This is a wonderful neighborhood. When I was little, I spent more time playing in the woods than I did in my yard. I used to run wild out there, even though my mother tried to put a stop to it—the Mystic Wood is full of shadow as well as light. But Ari and I never let that stop us. We were out there constantly during the summer.”

Ari flashed me a bright smile. “We were, at that. I’m so glad you’re back. Why don’t I make us all some hot cocoa? While I’m at it, I’ll see if you have any salt around.” She turned to Killian. “January just moved back today, so I’m not sure what we’ll find in the pantry, but I know my way around the house.”

“Oh, don’t bother—” he started to say, but Ari shook her head.

“No, you sit here and talk. Moving’s hard enough, and since both of you have been at it today, I’m happy to help.”

She darted into the kitchen as I slowly sat down opposite Killian. He was a striking man, now that I’d had time to get a better look at him. His hair was almost corkscrew curly and the color of honey. But his eyes…they