Eva Grace Connelly stepped outside her kitchen and smiled. Fall was her favorite time of year, and the backyard of the stone house she’d recently purchased brought her joy. Tonight, she’d light a fire for the first time, and she was looking forward to a quiet evening. Deep in the woods, a dog barked, and the sound reverberated through Eva Grace’s chest. The wind changed. The chill of October gave way to a wintry blast. Frozen air punched her from behind and threw her into her woodpile. Logs tumbled, and the wind held her down. She gathered her magic, arming herself against the descending evil as she climbed to her feet. Her mind opened, and her family, the Connelly coven, responded. She felt the alarm of cousins Brenna and Fiona, the startled fear of her grandmother, Sarah. However, their strength flooded her and allowed her to step directly into the wind. “So, you’re back,” she shouted into the storm. “I’ve been waiting.” Against the night sky, an ice funnel formed. Though the wind continued its fury, the tornado moved with deliberation down the side of the ridge behind the house. Trees snapped, and the earth gleamed white and frozen in the path of the approaching monster. Neely Powell 2 A face appeared in the spinning cloud, and Eva Grace recognized the demon—her coven’s enemy and this small, north Georgia town’s worst nightmare. She knew this demon well. It had killed the man she loved. It would kill again. The demon’s sharp teeth dripped crimson ice. Laughter joined the roar of the storm. Eva Grace lifted her arms and stared into its face. “Bring it on, you bastard, bring it on.” “Noooooooo!” The scream of her sister witches rang in her head and was echoed by a masculine voice to her right. Dr. Rodric McGuire fought his way toward her. How was he moving through this wind? Only magic kept her from falling. What propelled him? “Don’t challenge it,” Rodric yelled. Stubbornly, she faced the demon again. Her coven’s magic surged through her. The funnel stopped. The demon’s roar turned into a shriek of despair. Rodric reached her side as the funnel exploded. Ice shards flew like spears. Rodric shielded her against the stone wall of the big house. Only the sudden drop of the wind saved them. The ice fell harmlessly to the ground just inches away. Heat radiated from Rodric’s body as his arms curved around Eva Grace. “By the Goddess, I thought it was coming for you. I thought …” The emotion in his voice deepened his Scottish accent. Eva Grace clung to him in relief. She wanted to fight the demon, but this attack was unexpected. Rodric’s ragged, deep breaths were the only sounds in a night that was abruptly cold and still. “I told you it would be back,” she whispered. “When Healing Magic 3 it’s around, so is the Woman in White. She’s coming for me this time.” “But she can’t have you.” Rodric’s arms tightened around her. “Let’s go inside.” **** In the living room, Eva Grace flicked her wrist to spark a flame in the fireplace. The blaze took quick hold of the dry kindling, and Rodric added a couple of small logs. They stood in silence a moment, warming their hands. The nightmare outside seemed a distant memory. “We need some tea.” Eva Grace headed for the kitchen. “The others will be here soon.” The front door flew open, and Sarah Connelly rushed inside. The coven leader’s eyes were bright in her pale face as she crossed the room and took Eva Grace’s hands. “Are you okay? Were you hurt?” “You know I’m all right,” Eva Grace said as her grandmother hugged her. “You made sure I was.” Eva Grace welcomed the embrace of this tall, powerful witch in a denim jacket, T-shirt and faded jeans. No doubt Sarah had flown here, crossing the miles from the family home to reach Eva Grace as soon as possible. Sarah had raised Eva Grace and her cousins, Brenna and Fiona. With Sarah, they always felt safe. But could she protect against the demon and the other, vengeful spirit who was coming? They all knew the Woman in White always got her tribute—from every generation of Connelly witches. In moments the living room and porch were filled with witches. Sarah’s sisters—the elder aunts, Doris and Frances, with their gray hair and still vibrant green eyes. Fiona and Brenna and the other aunts and cousins who Neely Powell 4 made up the coven. All of them were emerald-eyed and with hair from various shades of auburn to red. Eva Grace could see herself in all of them. She remained quiet as they all talked about how the wards around her house held and how their combined power blocked the demon. At times like this, she felt they could survive anything, but then she recalled the funnel of ice ripping through the woods and knew the power they faced was more than equal to theirs. But tonight, Brenna was exhilarated. “The demon made a direct attack this time, and we stopped him. Maybe that’s a sign.” Eva Grace’s gaze met Rodric’s and she saw her own doubt mirrored there. He went into the kitchen, leaving the women to their chatter about the demon and the curse that hung over their family. The Woman in White already haunted this land that the Connelly witches settled in the 1700s. The coven and their families had fled a Second Ice Age in Ireland, but the cold followed them. Snow came before Samhain. They were days away from starvation when their coven leader bargained with the Woman. And so began their terrible sacrifice. The coven had pieced together a history—the Woman’s real name was Catriona MacCuindliss. Her father was possessed by a demon, and he killed her Cherokee husband and their son. The coven believed the Woman had killed her father and perhaps herself. That murderous rage had turned her into a powerful, malevolent spirit. The demon craved the Woman’s strength and sought to steal the magic of the Connelly coven in its quest. The Woman took great pleasure in Healing Magic 5 allowing the demon to pursue the young witches. In the end, she always claimed a Connelly and sent the demon away. She had taken Eva Grace’s mother nearly 30 years ago. Twice the demon had visited this summer and left death in its wake. The Woman came, too, but did not take a Connelly witch’s life. Eva Grace knew tonight had been the opening shot of the next round with their foes. But the rest of the coven did not share her view. Rodric appeared at her side with a tea cup. His smile reached his warm, brown eyes. “Sugar and lemon.” “Thank you.” The rusty-haired Scot knew exactly how she liked her tea. During the past months of chaos, she had come to trust the paranormal expert’s support and understanding. Lately, she’d begun to feel more than gratitude. But Rodric could never be more than a friend. She turned to her family. “Who wants something hot?” Tea was poured and cookies shared. No Connelly gathering was complete without food. Eva Grace was surprised they didn’t whip up a cake or two. As the last witch swept out the door, she dropped onto the sofa. “I’m not sure what’s been more exhausting tonight. The demon or my family.” Rodric smiled and sat beside her, stretching out his long legs. “They are a lively group.” Eva Grace frowned. “And they’re wrong.” “I agree,” Rodric said. “Why didn’t you argue with them tonight?” “They were all feeling so pleased with themselves.” “I wonder how Brenna can be so sure the demon can be held, or the Woman is not coming back,” he said as Neely Powell 6 he stroked his close-cropped beard. “She fought the demon and won. So did Fiona. Along the way we learned a lot about the Woman and why she made the bargain with our family. After the last battle, the Woman wept. They all felt those were tears of remorse.” “No one can be sure of that.” “I may not be a medium like Fiona or have the ability to command the elements like Brenna, but I can feel what’s coming.” “Many beautiful women are not so perceptive.” Rodric’s smile was unexpectedly rakish. “I’m a witch, not just a woman.” “Indeed.” An emotion she couldn’t name flashed in his gaze. Eva Grace turned away. Her fiancé Garth was murdered by the demon in June. She had spent most of her life planning to marry him, and attraction to another man didn’t seem right. She changed the subject. “How did you happen to be here tonight, anyway? I wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow.” “I caught an earlier flight from London.” He had been in Europe for two weeks, investigating claims of a haunting at an inn in the South of France. Internationally known and respected, Rodric was in New Mourne because of his friendship with the county sheriff, Jake Tyler. Jake and Garth were shapeshifters who once served together in an elite, multi-national military team of supernaturals. Rodric was an expert consultant to the team, and the three men became close. Eva Grace hated that it wasn’t until Garth died that Rodric came to New Healing Magic 7 Mourne. But he was now a soldier in their fight against the evil spirit. He was researching the Woman in White’s family, searching for clues about her and the demon who had once been her father. Rodric said, “When I was getting close to New Mourne this evening, I got a weather alert. I checked the radar, and it looked like a weird bit of energy was headed south, out of the mountains in North Carolina.” “Storms don’t move south here.” “That’s why I broke every speed limit to get here. We all know the effect of paranormal activity on weather. When the demon descended on us at the Summer Solstice, the heat was unbearable.” “And the storms were fierce,” Eva Grace said. “When we talked the other day, you said it has been colder than normal for October. That’s not a good sign.” A puff of smoke billowed from the fireplace at Rodric’s quiet words. Both of them stood, on guard. When nothing more happened, Eva Grace gave a shaky laugh. “It would be just like the Woman or the demon to slide down the chimney like some perverted version of Santa Claus.” “Don’t mock them,” Rodric warned. “It’s the same time of year the Woman first cursed your family.” “That’s one of the reasons I know she’s coming.” As if in response, the wind moaned outside. “We can’t give in to the Woman.” Rodric’s hand on hers was warm and reassuring. “Do you feel like this house is too big for you? Do you feel safe out here?” “I do. There’s so much love in this house. Cousin Inez raised her family here. This is where she wrote all the journals that have helped us trace the family history. Neely Powell 8 I feel at home here.” Rodric squeezed her hand again. As a healer, Eva Grace always divined knowledge from touch. His quiet confidence flowed through her. And there was more, a hint of otherness. Rodric never presented himself as anything but human. But sometimes, just beneath his calm surface, she sensed wildness. How had he fought through the wind tonight? Or known instinctively she needed help? Maybe it was that hint of something more that drew her in now, made her lean toward him. He touched her face. Anticipation built between them. A hard knock on the front door startled them both. Rodric glanced at his watch. “It’s nearly ten.” “No one in the coven would knock.” She stepped forward. Rodric stopped her. “Let’s be careful.” “There are wards in place,” Eva Grace said. “They stopped the demon tonight.” “With help from your sister witches. Black magic is full of trickery.” The loud knock sounded again. “I’m looking for Eva Grace Connelly,” a masculine voice said from the other side. “Who are you?” “A traveler in need.” Eva Grace heard that entreaty often. No one but family, friends, and those truly in need could penetrate her protective wards. Rodric shook his head, but Eva Grace opened the door. A blast of cold air swept in. A man stood in the glow of the porch light. His black leather jacket was open Healing Magic 9 to reveal an Angel Witch T-shirt. Eva Grace recognized the heavy metal group’s name from her grandmother’s eclectic music collection. The man’s jeans were worn, and his motorcycle boots were scuffed and dusty. Silver laced the dark hair pulled back in a ponytail. “Are you Miss Connelly, the healer?” “Who are you?” Rodric’s voice was sharp. The man retreated half a step, hands up. “I’m not looking for trouble.” His quick grin was disarming. Recognition stirred in Eva Grace. How did she know him? “Is there something you need, Mr.—” “Mick Phillips,” he said and relaxed his stance. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but my granddaughter is ill. She needs help.” Eva Grace sensed he was struggling, trying to control emotion. “Why not go to a doctor?” Rodric studied Mick with unease. “I fear the cause of my granddaughter’s fever can’t be treated at a hospital. I’ve heard you can help with such things.” Eva Grace opened the door of the closet nearby, grabbed a coat, and slipped it on before retrieving a small, leather bag, purse and keys. “Where do you live?” “We’re at Callie’s RV Park. My crew is doing some work here before winter sets in.” Rodric’s disapproval was clear. “I can’t pay you, but I’ll be happy to take on some projects around the house.” “I’m sure we can work something out.” Eva Grace understood Rodric’s caution, but she felt safe. “Let’s go.” “I’ll go on.” Mick ambled toward the truck he had Neely Powell 10 parked behind Eva Grace’s BMW convertible. Eva Graced locked the door and turned to Rodric. “You don’t have to— “ “You’re insane if you think I’m not going with you.” “People I don’t know come to me for help all the time.” “In the guise of a handsome man, the demon knocked on your cousin’s door this past summer and tricked her into betraying the coven. After what happened tonight, how can you go with him?” “My magic is more powerful than my cousin’s,” Eva Grace said calmly. “There’s true need in this man’s voice.” “And these are dangerous days.” As they hurried to her car, the wind gusted. Leaves from the old oak in the front yard fell in a dry shower. “I promise you this will be okay,” Eva Grace reassured him. “I hope so. You mean so…” Rodric stopped and cleared his throat. “You mean so much to your family. You can’t be careless.” The powerful engine of the man’s truck roared to life. “I don’t trust him,” Rodric said. In answer, Eva Grace got in the car. Still grumbling, Rodric settled into the passenger seat. She smiled. “Fasten your seat belt. This could be a