The Hex Files: Wicked State of Mind Read online

  “Grey has a work life?”

  “You know what I mean,” I grumbled. “If it weren’t for his tip on the casino, I don’t know that things would have fallen into place like they did. He might have helped in saving several lives, and I can’t ignore that.”

  “He didn’t do it for you.”

  “I know he had his own reasons,” I said. “But he’s not evil.”

  Matthew gave a little derisive snort, but he didn’t disagree.

  “Can you deal with that?” I asked. “I mean, really, seriously get over it?”

  “There’s nothing to get over.” Matthew’s eyes flashed. “What brought you around today, Detective?”

  I pushed past him, a difficult task, seeing as it was like trying to move a brick wall with a toothpick. “I came here to finish what we started.”

  Matthew spun around and faced me. “And what might that be?”

  I scowled. “I’m not here to play games, Matthew. Do you want to be with me or not?”

  “Of course I do, Danielle. I gave my notice—”

  “I know,” I interrupted. “Here’s your badge. Take it back and stop being an idiot.”

  His lips pursed into an amused smile. “But—”

  “I’m reporting directly to the chief now,” I said. “We don’t have any obstacles anymore—at least not through the precinct.”

  “Who says I want to come back?”

  I pushed the badge toward him, but he didn’t take it. “I tried to quit too. The chief didn’t flinch.”

  “Ah.” Matthew reached out and took the badge. His fingers roved over the leather as if the answers were hidden in the seams. “So where does this leave us?”

  “It leaves us right where we should be,” I said. “Unofficial partners on the job. And off the clock...”

  Matthew watched me carefully as my words trailed off. His eyes, dark and murky, flicked over my body from head to toe, and he waited.

  But I didn’t have anything left to say.

  Then Matthew smiled and opened his arms.

  I fell into them, letting my head rest against his chest, and his arms envelope my back. I’d felt like I was drowning for the right words, and the second our skin collided, I could breathe again. Our lips met in a kiss.

  Then he swooped me off my feet and cradled me to his chest, taking the stairs in record time. We reached the bedroom in a fury, and this time, we finished what we had started.

  Epilogue

  “And now,” the man said in the dim, dusky room. “It’s time.”

  “But, master—”

  He surveyed the image playing out before him. The vampire and the witch, lips locked as they fell into bed. He waved a hand over the clear image and brought about a deep sea of murkiness instead. A lightning bolt jolted through the crystal ball and the rumblings of thunder sounded overhead, rattling the table on which it sat.

  “We cannot allow the witch and the vampire to gather the rest of the files,” he explained in a patient, slithery lisp. “If they do, it will ruin everything.”

  “Master, the witch and her lover are stronger today than they were yesterday, and their bond will only grow deeper. The witch has already seen the first of the files—if she finds the other five, we’ll be finished.”

  “She won’t. They’ve been hidden well,” he said with a slow, deliberate laugh. “But we don’t have any more time to waste.”

  “What is it you propose we do?”

  He withdrew a long, crooked dagger that gleamed in the moonlight. “Kill the witch.”

  Author’s Note

  Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed spending a little more time in Wicked! I’m very excited to let you know the next book in the series, THE HEX FILES: Wicked Moon Rising, is available for order on Amazon now! Click HERE to pre-order.

  To be notified of new releases, please sign up for my newsletter at www.ginalamanna.com.

  Thank you for reading!

  Gina

  Now for a thank you...

  To all my readers, especially those of you who have stuck with me from the beginning.

  By now, I’m sure you all know how important reviews are for Indie authors, so if you have a moment and enjoyed the story, please consider leaving an honest review on Amazon or Goodreads. I know you are all very busy people and writing a review takes time out of your day—but just know that I appreciate every single one I receive. Reviews help make promotions possible, help with visibility on large retailers and most importantly, help other potential readers decide if they would like to try the book.

  I wouldn’t be here without all of you, so once again—thank you.

  List of Gina's Books!

  Gina LaManna is the USA TODAY bestselling author of the Magic & Mixology series, the Lacey Luzzi Mafia Mysteries, The Little Things romantic suspense series, and the Misty Newman books.

  List of Gina LaManna’s other books:

  The Hex Files:

  Wicked Never Sleeps

  Wicked Long Nights

  Wicked State of Mind

  Wicked Moon Rising

  Lola Pink Mystery Series:

  Shades of Pink

  Shades of Stars

  Shades of Sunshine

  Magic & Mixology Mysteries:

  Hex on the Beach

  Witchy Sour

  Jinx & Tonic

  Long Isle Iced Tea

  Amuletto Kiss

  MAGIC, Inc. Mysteries:

  The Undercover Witch

  Spellbooks & Spies (short story)

  Reading Order for Lacey Luzzi:

  Lacey Luzzi: Scooped

  Lacey Luzzi: Sprinkled

  Lacey Luzzi: Sparkled

  Lacey Luzzi: Salted

  Lacey Luzzi: Sauced

  Lacey Luzzi: S'mored

  Lacey Luzzi: Spooked

  Lacey Luzzi: Seasoned

  Lacey Luzzi: Spiced

  Lacey Luzzi: Suckered

  Lacey Luzzi: Sprouted

  The Little Things Mystery Series:

  One Little Wish

  Two Little Lies

  Misty Newman:

  Teased to Death

  Short Story in Killer Beach Reads

  Chick Lit:

  Girl Tripping

  Gina also writes books for kids under the Pen Name Libby LaManna:

  Mini Pie the Spy!