Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Irene snorted. “Maybe I’m just too damn sexy for your spell.”
Hazel groaned as they left the kitchen. “And maybe you’re just as big a klutz as I am.”
“Yeah. Maybe.”
Both women laughed and walked arm in arm through the crowd of people. As they passed by the punch bowl, Hazel swore something smelled funny, but she tried not to inhale too much. Last time she’d breathed too deeply in this room, it had made her head spin.
When they walked out the door, neither woman noticed Drake, eyes glowing, watching them intently and curiously as he took a sip from his cup of punch.
Chapter Three
Hazel looked around her tiny apartment. She’d lit about a hundred candles in various locations around the room, and could just imagine how the heat was going to strain her air conditioner before too long. Once Irene helped her set up the candles and the mirror, Hazel was alone to contemplate her spell.
She looked in the full-length mirror at her reflection. Having removed her costume, Hazel stood in a black slip that stopped just above mid thigh and had slits up both sides. Her hands roamed over her body, shaping it, viewing it critically.
When Drake touched her, her body had come alive like never before. Nothing could compare with the thrill she’d experienced in his arms. She wanted to know what she had been missing out on, but not with just anyone. It had to be with Drake. For some reason, even the thought of giving her body to anyone else was terrifying.
Hell. The thought of giving her body to Drake was terrifying, but she had to have more of him. She knew that, no matter what, he would see to her pleasure. It was something about him. He oozed sex. It was impossible for a man like him not to see to his partner’s pleasure.
She only had twenty minutes before midnight, and she simply couldn’t concentrate. Meditation hadn’t worked. All she could think about was Drake. If this spell was going to work, she had to be able to concentrate. Right now, that was next to impossible.
This was her one chance this year to use energy other than her own to cast a spell that would bring out her true power. She couldn’t blow it because she was too preoccupied by a handsome face.
Hazel took a deep breath as she centered herself and stood in front of the mirror. Crossing her fingers tightly, she stared intently at herself, ignoring the shadows reflected with her own image in the mirror.
She spoke quietly, but firmly, staring into her own eyes. “To reach the height of powers known, one’s own true self is freely shown. Reveal what hides so all may see, as I will, so mote it be.”
Nothing happened.
She sighed. Story of her life.
“What the hell did you do?”
That was Drake’s voice!
Catching sight of him in the mirror now, she whipped around, and before her eyes, Drake morphed into a -- a -- a…
Drake’s body sprouted black and silver fur -- right through his clothes. His nose lengthened along with his teeth, his fingernails curved into claws. For a moment, he stood there somewhere between a man and a beast, seeming to struggle with himself, then the transformation completed itself and she stood face to, err, snout with the largest animal she had ever been near.
They stared at each other for several moments. Hazel was afraid to breathe. What had she done? How had she done it?
“Oh, Drake!” Hazel rushed toward him before stopping short. What if he attacked her? She probably would if she were in his place. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to -- to turn you into a -- a -- a dog!”
The big beast plopped down onto the floor, his legs sprawled and looking as confused as an animal can look. Drake whined a bit, looking up at her with wide, blue eyes.
Hazel couldn’t help it. She held out her hand to Drake. When he licked it tentatively, she threw her arms around him and buried her face in his fur. “I can’t believe I did this to you. I’m so sorry, Drake! I’ll change you back, I promise!”
Hazel didn’t know what to do. This was worse than the goat thing. She stood and, unable to resist, scratched his head between his ears. If dogs could express themselves as humans, she’d swear he actually rolled his eyes.
“Sorry,” she muttered. She was about to extinguish all the candles and try to reverse her spell when Drake growled. “Hey, I said I was sorry. Don’t worry. I’ll change you back.” She swallowed. “Somehow.”
“Open up! Police!” A deep, masculine voice boomed through the closed door.
Hazel jumped away from Drake as if she’d been shot, and Drake placed himself between her and the door. He barked and snarled better than any guard dog she’d ever heard, but that didn’t stop her unwanted guests.