Wolf Marked (Magic Side: Wolf Bound 1)

My cousin patted me on the back. “Seems like your parents both left a little of themselves in your ride. That’s really cool.”

Uncle Pete’s words came rushing back to me from when I’d helped him brew the scrying potion. Sorcerers put their souls into their magic, which is why they seldom gave out potions or enchantments. That meant my dad had left a lot of his soul in my car. And after so many hours working together on it with my mom, so had she.

As had I.

Zara closed the hood and took her flashlight back from Casey, who’d begun to inspect other things in the shop.

I wiped away a tear that slipped down my cheek. I missed them so damn much, and I wished they’d confided in me and prepared me for this bizarre world before they’d left.

I traced my fingers along the Gran Fury with a newfound sense of wonder. It seemed, even with them gone, I hadn’t ever been quite alone. Not as long as I had my car.

Rubbing away the dampness from my eyes, I turned to my new friends. “So, who wants to go for a spin?”

“Hell, yes.” Casey’s eyes lit up. “Happy hour at Cocina del Jorge starts in twenty. Best nachos south of the Midway and microbrews on tap. Also, there’s a band that sings scandalous songs at your table.”

I laughed. “Jorge’s it is.”

He clapped his hands together. “I’ll buy the first round. You coming with, Zar?”

Zara sighed like coming with us would put her out. “Sure. Technically, this was supposed to be my day off, so I’m free for a few hours. But no tequila shots.” Her eyes flicked between Casey and me. “The last time we were there, your smartass cousin shot tequila out his nose and caused a bar fight with a bunch of vamp bikers.”

After knowing Casey for a week, I wouldn’t expect anything less. We were definitely related. “Sounds about right. Let’s see what kind of trouble we can get in today.”

“I call shotgun,” Casey said, sliding into the front seat. Zara shook her head and cursed but hopped in the back anyway while I slid into the front.

“Hey, you can skate?” Zara hefted up my old roller blades by the laces.

Casey laughed, and I blushed as my childhood came back to haunt me. “I’m pretty good at not falling on my face.”

“Hell yes.” She dropped the skates. “I’ve got two words for you. Roller derby.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Roller derby?”

She gave me a wicked grin. “Yep. This Friday. Also, the situation has changed. This is a discussion for tequila shots. Let’s go.”

My hands were damp with anticipation as I slid the key in the ignition.

I closed my eyes.

While my friends chatted, I thought of my mother and father, who’d tried so hard to protect me from this world. And even though they’d never told me anything, they’d done pretty well, all things considered.

There was still a faceless monster out there hunting me, but we’d shut down his organization in Wisconsin and gotten three abductees back alive. There wouldn’t be any new Madison Lees on the news, and that was a win.

I took a deep breath. Today was about getting my car back and being happy. Tomorrow, I’d tackle the rest of my life.

I turned the key, and the engine purred. Pure joy shot through my heart.

My baby was back.