kate storm 04 - witches dont back down by meredith allen conner Page A

bourbon down. I didn't recognize either label. Not a big surprise as I don't drink bourbon, but I knew they were old and probably expensive. Like they should be in a museum expensive. I could see a cobweb dangling from the top of one bottle. I didn't even want to know where he had unearthed them.
    "I can't wait to try these two." Al walked over and sniffed one of the bottles. And promptly sneezed.
    I eyed the bottles, nudged Morgan and whispered. "Are you sure they're safe to drink?"
    Maybe I needed to be more concerned about Al being poisoned instead of getting drunk.
    "Pretty sure."
    I glared at her. Morgan laughed. "Don't worry, Chickie. Al will be safe. I'd never let anything happen to him."
    I did know that.
    Morgan loved Al almost as much as I did.
    She smiled. Beautiful and teasing and almost perfect. Except for the shadows in her emerald eyes. They were growing darker all the time.
    Morgan and I didn’t talk about it, but we both felt the ticking clock of Morgause moving closer and closer all the time. I could see it in her eyes every time I looked at her. And I knew Morgan could see it in my eyes as well.
    "Did ya bring the photos?" Al tilted his head to look up at Morgan.
    "I bookmarked the pages in my phone." Morgan leaned over and unsnapped an outer pocket at the top of her boots. I hadn't even noticed it. She pulled out her phone.
    "What photos?" I moved so I could see what they were talking about.
    "Al and I were thinking of getting our own karaoke machine. I've been researching different models."
    I froze. A karaoke machine? One that didn't reside in a bar, but they had access to all the time?
    Oh Sweet Glinda. The horror.
    Ash stepped into the living room. "Hi, Morgan. Drake." He held out his hand and they shook. "Kate, are you ready?"
    I said my goodbyes over my shoulder as I hustled down the hall. I didn't even wait for Ash.
    Next thing I knew, they'd be planning karaoke nights at my place.
    "Kate, have you thought some more about Friday night? I could pick you up at sunset."
    I pretended I didn't hear Morgan and almost ran down the front stairs.
     
    ****
    Ash opened the door to Spike's and ushered me through.
    Spike's is a typical bar. A few windows, neon signs in those windows, tables and chairs scattered around inside and a long L-shaped bar with stools lined up. Behind the bar there were the usual display of alcohol bottles.
    It was still early, which meant there was a decent crowd, casually dressed and casually chatting.
    It suited the after-work crowd perfectly. The music was mellow and so was the clientele.
    Around ten every night the bar changed. The after-work crowd went home and the late-night group came out. And they all wore spiked accessories of some sort.
    It was almost a rule.
    I'd never figured out if Spike, the owner, had somehow arranged it to happen that way or if he'd just seen an opportunity and taken advantage.
    Either way, his business savvy impressed me.
    At ten, the display of alcohol bottles opened up to reveal various leather and spiked accessories for sale: wrist cuffs, necklaces, bandanas, belts and jewelry. The music changed and took on a heavier and rougher beat and so did the later crowd.
    Depending on what time we came to Spike's , I dressed accordingly. Tonight I had on my usual biker boots, jeans and a beautiful dark blue stretchy top that managed to hug my breasts without hugging my stomach. I had two spiked, leather cuffs in my purse in case we stayed later.
    Ash had on his typical biker boots, leather pants and leather vest in dark gray. His head wrap was also dark gray. He looked like he fit in better with the later crowd, but no one ever complained to Ash about the way he dressed. Most people crossed the street to avoid him. His physical size alone is intimidating. And once you toss in the scars, the bulging muscles on prominent display and the don't-fuck-with-me attitude, it added up to one formidable package.
    I loved Ash's package. His whole package.
    Our table was