Magic. Medicine. As Chloe walked back to the apartment house, the words set off a wildfire of possibilities in her mind. But another thought whispered as well. Protection.

She sighed and scuffed in to her apartment. The guy was right. She hadn’t been as careful about protecting herself as she should have been. Sure, she had hung charms and talismans to ward off bad spirits and attract good energy. She had the crystals on her windowsills and a bowl of them on the tiny kitchen bar that doubled as her desk. Her apartment overflowed with candles, herbs, incenses… all the essential tools of the Craft. However, when she’d done her rituals, she cast only the most basic of magic circles to do them in, to save both money and supplies. That negligence could have allowed a coven working in unison to spy on her – or even a single witch with the right skills and interest. She needed to up her protection in that area immediately.

Her chest tightened as she switched on her reading light and settled down on the edge of the couch with the invitation in her lap. She unfolded it, staring at the words but not seeing them. The life changing possibilities they offered were immense. She’d always be a part of her family’s coven. But joining the Northern Circle would provide the new beginning she’d longed for, a second coven made of witches who wouldn’t judge her by her past mistakes. And maybe just maybe, the chance to discover a potion or spell that could reverse the harm she’d caused five years ago and lift the shame she’d brought down on her family.

from His Dark Magic (Northern Circle Coven Series, Book 1) by Pat Esden (Lyrical Press)