Bloody Valentine (Blue Bloods 5.50)

Oliver was himself again. He had the memories of his time as Schuyler’s human familiar, but he no longer felt the ache of need, the suffering in his very soul. Whatever he had felt for Schuyler had not been removed forcibly. Instead, his love had been absorbed and dispersed into his spirit. It would always be a part of him, but it did not have the power to hurt him anymore. Freya had done this. She had healed him. Freya, the witch.

“Thank you.” He rose to kiss her on the forehead. “Thank you so much.”

“Oh, sweetheart, it was my pleasure.”

One last hug, and then they parted.

Oliver walked down the street in the opposite direction. His cell phone began to vibrate, and when he saw the number, he answered it immediately. He listened for a moment, and his face broke into a smile. “Really? Wow. Congratulations. When? Of course I’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Freya Beauchamp’s Scrambled Eggs for the Brokenhearted*

(For those who like their breakfasts fortified by a little magic )

eggs

salt

heavy cream

&nbs

p; black pepper

chopped fresh mint

butter

As you chop the mint, repeat these lines:

Broken hearts take a toll.

Mint shall heal the shattered soul.

The Goddess breathes new life in you.

Go forth and find a love that’s true.

Whisk the eggs with the cream in a bowl. Add the chopped mint, salt, and pepper. Melt the butter on a pan over medium heat. Add the egg mixture; cook two minutes without stirring. Using a large spoon, gently turn over until it is cooked through but still soft.

Garnish with mint sprigs.

Serves one broken heart and one friendly one.

—Adapted from The Book of White Magic by Ingrid Beauchamp

*For more about Freya and her spellcipes, watch out for Witches of East End, due Summer 2011 from Hyperion.

A L W A Y S S O M E T H I N G T H E R E

T O R E M I N D M E

Endicott Academy

Endicott, Massachusetts, 1985

ONE

Patient Zero