Sweet Magical Destruction: Paranormal Women's Fiction (Supernatural Midlife Mystique) (Shrouded Nation Book 3)

SWEET MAGICAL DESTRUCTION SUPERNATURAL MIDLIFE MYSTIQUE SHROUDED NATION BOOK 3 BRENDA TRIM TIA DIDMON CONTENTS Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 EXCERPT FROM IT TAKES A DEMON TO KNOW ONE BOOK #4 ABOUT THE AUTHORS Also by Brenda Trim Also by Tia Didmon CHAPTER 1 My hips swayed, making my body move with them, and I couldn’t erase the smile on my face. Hunter wanted a relationship with me. Shifters hated witches, yet I’d shown him I was worth the risk. I’d even won over his beta, Reed. I was switching the song playing over the speakers in my store to a recent release of one of my favorite singers when Hunter texted. Just wanted to see how you’re doing, Buttercup. I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my mouth. It was still surreal to see his affection so openly. Hunter was a refreshing change from the only man I’d ever been with. Yet, I had to admit; I wondered if the other shoe was going to drop. Shaking my head at myself, I typed my reply. I’m fantastic. Do you need anything? I’ll be making more of the potion in a bit to replenish my stock. I jumped out of my skin and dropped my phone when a loud bang preceded the tinkle of the bell above the door in my store. My head snapped up and my hand flew to my chest. “Ayesha! So good to see you.” I picked up my cell and hit send on the message, then set the device down. Why such a dramatic entrance? I scanned the trees through the picture window behind my Fae mentor and friend. Was it windy? Was that why the door slammed open? Surely, it wasn’t intentional. I couldn’t believe that she had barged into my store like a hurricane. Are you sure? She’s been acting funny for days now. Shushing my inner voice, I plastered a smile on my face. Ayesha’s nostrils flared as her moss-green eyes narrowed on me. My gaze lifted a second time when strands of her long white hair fluttered around her head as if caught in a breeze. My heart skipped a beat when I confirmed that the leaves and branches were completely still outside. There was no mistaking the anger on her beautiful face as she glared at me. Why was she so angry with me? What had I done to her? I had been busy with the store and Nishi lately, so perhaps she felt neglected. After all, I owed her more than I could ever repay. She’d been my friend and mentor for many years, teaching me how to make Fae potions. That I could do so better than most of her kind made many people mad. But Ayesha had always supported me in growing my skill set, even if it meant combining my witchcraft with her fae heritage. Ravenholde wasn’t known for its tolerance. The one thing residents in our little town despised as much as mixed breeds was someone working outside their lineage. A witch should never make fae potions, just like a shifter should never drink blood. Some things just weren’t done. Ayesha prowled toward me. “You are nothing but a huge disappointment.” “Wh... what? What do you mean?” Nerves jumped in my stomach, putting me off-kilter. Ayesha had never talked to me like this. She’d been the one encouraging me and convincing me to expand my horizons all those years that Caton ignored me. And she had been there for me when Caton announced he was leaving me for Lucinda. When my marriage of twenty years ended, I had no job, no house, and no prospects. Ayesha rescued me. To be clear. She gave me a way to pull myself up by the bootstraps when she bought this old Victorian and invested in my business. With one check, she gave me a place to live and a start to the store I’d always dreamed of opening. I did all the hard work to turn Blue Moon into a prospering business. I would have had to move back home with my parents if she hadn’t helped. That prospect was scarier than being homeless. You don’t give yourself enough credit, Eve. Which was something I was working on. Yes. I did all the hard work, but I couldn’t have without her capital and belief in me. This wasn’t her. Something was clearly wrong. So much for my happy bubble. I’d been lost in my thoughts about being in an official relationship with Hunter and on the track to paying Ayesha off in five short years. Her expression squashed every joyous feeling I had. “You heard me, Eve. All that talent and ability you think you have is a façade. You don’t know shit. I cannot believe I supported you in opening this place.” Ayesha closed the distance, each word hitting me in the chest like she was swinging a bat at me. My heart was hammering against the band tightening around my chest. “I don’t understand. Have I done something to upset you?” Ayesha curled her lip and looked me up and down. “You’ve disgusted me. A witch dating a wolf. That’s the icing on the cake, if you ask me. I was stupid to ignore Caton’s warning about you. I can’t believe I was dumb enough to invest in this farce. That’s one thing I can correct. Consider this your notice. The entire balance of your business loan is due by midnight tomorrow. Failure to make the payment will result in me confiscating your home and business. Then you’ll be where you belong. In the streets.” My breath whooshed from my lungs as my mind stuttered to a halt. “You can’t be serious. I’m on track to repay you in record time, but I can’t