Epilogue

Maya stood back to study the Christmas ornaments and mugs of hot chocolate with candy canes that she'd painted on the front windows of the Witch's Brew. They weren't nearly as good as Skye's, but they were expected for the holiday season, so they wo uld have to do.

Dropping her brush into the water bucket she'd set next to the palette of paints, Maya tilted back her head to study the thick clouds that obscured the sun. She'd spent the past weeks fretting over both Peri and Skye. Not only did she distrust leeches, but now they believed there was a connection between Peri and an ancient creature they knew nothing about, and Skye's brief but worrisome encounter with a dragon.

Today, however, was Sunday, and she'd promised herself that she was going to take care of the chores that had rapidly been piling up. Starting with the tedious paperwork that came with owning a business, followed by checking on Skye's friend, Madame Clarissa, who had come into an unexpected inheritance (that she had no idea came from Skye) and retired to a small house outside of the city. Then there were the order forms she needed to—

"How does it feel?"

Magic danced around Maya as she whirled around to discover Joe leaning against the nearby lamppost. Just for a second she held the spell that bubbled through her, longing to vent the irritation that had become her constant companion. She'd reached the limit of her patience when it came to this man sneaking around, spying on her, and hiding his true identity behind that ridiculous velour tracksuit a nd fishing hat.

It was only the knowledge that he was deliberately provoking her that forced her to release her magic and paste o n a cool smile.

"How does what feel? " she demanded.

He jerked his head toward the shop. "Becoming an empty nester."

Lonely . The word whispered through her mind, but she kept her smile in place.

"It's not the first time I've run the s hop by myself."

"True." Joe sucked air between his teeth, considering her with a gaze that threatened to pierce her very soul. "It won't be long, though. Soon enough you'll be on the search for your next stray mage to bring home."

Maya refused to react, even as she wanted to reach out and give the man a good shake. How had he known she'd already been searching for a suit able candidate?

"What does it matter to you?"

"The service in your coffee shop goes to hell when you're trainin g someone new."

"Service?" Maya sent him a mocking glance. "Since when have you ordered, let alone paid, for anythi ng in my shop?"

"Don't be a hater. I offer mo re than money."

"Really ? What's that?"

He straightened from the pole, running his hands down his velour jacket. "I give the whole neighborhood its special vibe."

"Yeah, it's special all right." Maya folded her arms over her chest. It was that or striding forward and punching him in the nose. "And that's why you han g around here?"

"Why else?"

"That's a question I intend to answer." She deliberately paused. "With or with out your help."

Joe snorted at the threat. "I admire your confidence. Even if you're doomed to failure." With a shrug he strolled down the sidewalk, pausing to whisper in her ear. "Enjoy the peace, Maya. It's not going to last."

She froze in place, the warning tingling down her spine. "Grea t. Just great."