Harvest Moon (Beaux Rêve Coven 4)

“Could it just be a dream?” Darcy asked, frowning.

“It’s not just a dream. Nightmares have never frightened me all that much.”

Bryn leaned forward. “Do you feel any physical sensations, either right before you project or after?”

Radha rubbed her chest. “My chest feels heavy when I wake up. It’s a little hard to breathe, but I thought that might just be stress.”

Khan’s brows lowered, and he shot a glance at Ethan.

Ethan nodded. “Could be a night mare.”

Radha shook her head. “It’s not a nightmare. I’m not yet asleep when it happens.”

“He’s talking about a night mah-ray,” Khan said. “It’s the thing nightmares are named for. A special kind of demon.”

“But they’re pretty rare,” Bryn said. “I’ve only read about them in books, back when I had access to the council’s library.”

“They are used as assassins,” Renner said. “If you’re being haunted by a mare, someone wants you dead.”

“No one wants me dead,” Radha said, shaking her head. “Unlike some of my sisters, my previous fiancé was glad to be rid of me so he could marry the siren he fell in love with.”

“And why kill you?” another sister, Miren, said. “Witches are coveted. Stealing one, I can see. But killing one? That would take someone who was enormously angry with you, and unless you’ve kept secrets, Radha, I just don’t see that.”

Radha let out a deep breath. “No secrets. No mortal enemies.”

“So, if he’s a mare, a demon,” Aoife said, “maybe he’s simply out for what every demon wants—to mate with a witch to gain your power.”

“Then why menace me?”

“Think about it,” Bryn said. “You’re exhausted now. Give it a few more weeks, and you’ll be desperate for relief.”

“Desperate enough to let a mare have me?” Radha snorted. “That’s a terrible plan.”

“What can we do?” Darcy asked, turning to look at Bryn and Ethan. “Is there a spell to vanquish a mare?”

Bryn shook her head. “Not that I know of.”

“People used to smear shit on their doorsteps to keep mares from entering their houses,” Renner said, wrinkling his nose.

“That’s just silly. And ew! Radha has guardians,” Aoife said, pointing at Khan and Nikon. “He can’t get anywhere near her. For all we know, he’s not even on this continent.”

Renner shook his head. “He would want to be near to take her when she’s ready to surrender.”

“How do we protect her?” Nikon asked.

Khan let out a deep breath. “Why not remove the prize?”

Radha blinked, not understanding.

“Marry someone. Now. Bind with another demon.”

Chapter 2

Bryn stood, her hands fisting on her hips. “And what will the mare do if he’s thwarted? If Radha’s power goes to another, what’s to say he won’t kill her simply because he can?”

“Good going, riling up mama witch. Nice try, though,” Nikon said, giving Khan a one-sided grin.

Radha gave them both a quelling glare. Now was not the time for any jealous rivalry.