Charmed Offensive Read online

  “I’m sorry I disregarded your warning,” I said. “All the power I have in my arsenal and I nearly got us both turned to stone.” I stroked my stomach, a silent offer of apology.

  “I understand why you went,” Gareth said.

  My eyes met his. “You do?”

  “Aye. Not every decision requires a Dr. Hall-level analysis.”

  “I’m not sure I would call what she does analysis,” I said. Still, Dr. Hall’s methods were effective, at least for me.

  “Your body is changing,” Gareth said. “Your whole life is about to change, so you wanted to prove you’re still Emma. That you can do the things you’ve always done. Be the same impressive sorceress you’ve always been.”

  “I don’t know that it’s impressive that I put my baby at risk for the sake of a case.” Guilt gnawed at my bones. “I want to be a good mother, Gareth. I swear it didn’t feel reckless to go and confront Jerry. He was just this little gnome…”

  I felt a wisp of air by my ear as Gareth placed a ghostly hand on my shoulder. “I can’t wrap you in cotton wool any more than you can keep your baby in a protective bubble,” he said.

  I cradled my stomach. “You don’t think this qualifies as a protective bubble?”

  He smiled. “Can’t stay in there forever, no matter how cozy.”

  Without warning, Sedgwick swooped into the room with a note dangling from his beak. He perched on the top of the chair and I plucked the paper from him. As I scanned the message, a yelp of joy escaped my lips and Gareth peered over my shoulder.

  “Millie won?” he asked, his voice laced with skepticism.

  I clutched the note to my chest. “This is wonderful news. I’m so happy for her.”

  “Do you really think Millie is the right choice for the Voice of the Coven?” he pressed. “Perhaps if it were called the Shrill Voice of the Coven…”

  I swatted the paper at him and my hand went through his ghostly body. “Don’t put her into a box. Millie is going to surprise us all, I just know it.”

  “What about the name of the academy?” Gareth asked. “Wasn’t that put to a vote as well?”

  I glanced back at the note. I was so excited about Millie’s news that I forgot about the rest. “Phew. Apparently, Arabella St. Simon won by a landslide.”

  “Long live the ASS Academy,” Daniel said, entering the room. He bent down and kissed my cheek. “Congrats to Millie.”

  “Where did you come from?” I asked.

  “I left work early,” he said, grinning from ear to ear.

  “What has you in such a good mood?” I asked. “You’re not that pleased about coven matters.”

  He held up two tickets. “Pack your bags. Tomorrow morning, we’re heading to Starry Hollow for our babymoon.”

  Gareth rolled his eyes. “When will everyone stop inventing ridiculous excuses for holidays? There’s no such thing as a babymoon. Just call it a trip and be done with it.”

  “I think someone’s grouchy that he has to stay home,” I told Daniel.

  “He has to look after Magpie,” Daniel said.

  I laughed. “I think it’s been established that Magpie can look after himself.” Not that I ever doubted it before.

  “That reminds me. I bought more tuna,” Daniel said. “I figure it can’t hurt to spoil him.”

  I gave Daniel’s waist an affectionate squeeze. “You’re an angel.”

  He tapped his glamoured halo. “I sure am.”

  “Starry Hollow has a beach, doesn’t it?” I asked.

  “Is that okay?” Daniel asked. “I know you weren’t allowed beach vacations as a kid, but I figured it was time…”

  I nodded vigorously. “It’s a wonderful idea.” I had no plans to keep my child away from water the way my family had done to me. To be fair, my grandparents had acted out of fear that I would drown like my adoptive mother. Although I understood their reasons, I wouldn’t saddle the next generation with that same fear.

  Daniel visibly relaxed. “There’s a nice restaurant at the top of the lighthouse with an amazing view of the ocean and the town. The food is supposed to be fantastic.”

  “Sounds perfect,” I said. “Where are we staying?”

  Daniel cracked a wide smile. “A beautiful place called the Palmetto House. Linnea seems very nice and eager to give us ideas on what to do while we’re there. I told her about your condition and she said she has two kids of her own and knows just what to recommend.”

  “Linnea’s the owner?” I asked.

  Gareth groaned. “No, she’s the plumber. Of course she’s the owner.”

  “Thank you, Daniel. Palmetto House sounds ideal.”

  Gareth scrunched his face. “It sounds small and inexpensive to me. Can’t the man splurge for his pregnant wife? I thought he was wealthy.”

  “I can’t wait to spend time alone with you,” I said, ignoring the crabby ghost.

  Daniel rubbed my stomach. “Before long, we’ll never be alone again.”

  I smiled at Gareth out of the corner of my eye. “Daniel, my love, I think that ship has already sailed.”

  *Don’t miss Emma and Daniel’s babymoon…er, trip to Starry Hollow in Magic & Mishaps, the next Starry Hollow Witches book!

  Also by Annabel Chase

  Thank you for reading Charmed Offensive! If you enjoyed it, please consider signing up for my new releases via e-mail here http://eepurl.com/ctYNzf and receive a free copy of the Starry Hollow Witches short story One Witch’s Trash Panda Is Another Witch’s Treasure.

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  While you’re waiting for the next book in the Spellbound Ever After series, you can check out my other series:

  Federal Bureau of Magic cozy mystery:

  Great Balls of Fury, Book 1

  Fury Godmother, Book 2

  No Guts, No Fury, Book 3

  Starry Hollow Witches:

  Magic & Murder, Book 1

  Magic & Mystery, Book 2

  Magic & Mischief, Book 3

  Magic & Mayhem, Book 4

  Magic & Mercy, Book 5

  Magic & Madness, Book 6

  Magic & Malice, Book 7

  Magic & Mythos, Book 8

  Magic & Mishaps, Book 9

  Spellslingers Academy of Magic

  Outcast, Warden of the West, Book 1

  Outclassed, Warden of the West, Book 2

  Outlast, Warden of the West, Book 3