The Calling (46 page)

Authors: Ashley Willis

BOOK: The Calling

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“Well, maybe it’s just that you’re too hot for your love potions,” he said in jest. Joke or no, it was the wrong thing to say. She went stiff and pulled her arms around her body again. He sighed. There he went again, saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.

“It was just a joke. I didn’t mean anything by it,” he said in clumsy apology.

She remained silent, refusing to make eye contact and absently rubbing her wrist.

“Are you hurt?” He reached over and took her hand, ignoring her startled gasp. Running his thumb over her wrist he felt the ridge of a thick scar. One old enough that it shouldn’t be bothering her. “What happened?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing doesn’t leave scars like this.”

She yanked her hand back. “I don’t want to talk about it. Actually, I have to go. It was nice meeting you.” Standing up, she stalked across the patio and out the door, her back rigid.

Aidan let her go, sensing she was at her limit. Besides, she’d left a few strands of hair behind, enough for him to do a simple charm to ensure she wouldn’t stay away for long. With a smile, he carefully wound the gossamer strands around his finger and tucked them in his pocket. Marion was a woman of mystery: beautiful, haunted, and in need of an elf just like him.

About the Author

Ashley Lynn Willis lives in the Midwest with her husband of nine years. For eight years, she worked as an engineer in general aviation but quit her job to be a stay at home mom to two precious preschoolers. She wrote her first two books,
Killing Abel
and
Saving Jessica
, in September of 2009 and has been penning her imagination ever since.

Find Ashley Online:

http://authorashleylynnwillis.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/#!/AshleyLWillis

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002829151062

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Calling/121064727991603

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

"Sea" by Jennifer Comeaux