I open my mouth to argue—what’s the point in elevating my foot when he’s already fixed me up?—but the look on his faces stops the words that are ready to tip off the tip of my tongue.
“All right,” I accept, pulling on my winter boots, all the while making a mental list of things that I can do instead of elevating my foot.
“I don’t want to see you here tomorrow.” He’s glaring at me like he thinks I’m incapable of obeying his order.
“That’s okay,” I say smoothly. “I need to find somewhere to live anyway.”
“Aren’t you happy at the manor?” he asks, surprised.
“It’s a hotel,” I grumble. “It’s not home.”
“I didn’t realize you were planning on staying here long enough to get somewhere to live.”
He doesn’t understand, and in fairness, most people wouldn’t. It doesn’t matter if I’ll be here only for a few short weeks or for the rest of my life. I need my own space, a place that belongs to me. A home.
I don’t bother trying to explain, not that it matters anyway because his attention has already moved elsewhere. He’s spotted the rink’s manager and is squaring his shoulders, preparing for a confrontation.
Garrick strides towards the ruggedly handsome blond. I wouldn’t be surprised if Garrick forgets to use his words and goes straight for the poor guy’s jugular. I sometimes wonder if my coach is actually a vampire, instead of a witch, or some sort of witchy vampire hybrid.
Even from here, it’s hard to miss the way Whittaker’s shoulders droop. I can’t exactly blame him. He probably receives twenty or more complaints a day from Garrick, if my past experiences at other rinks are anything to go by.
Garrick loves to complain, even when there’s nothing to complain about. The aircon is too cold. The ice isn’t smooth enough. There are too many people. It’s too noisy. I wouldn’t mind if Garrick was right. But this rink is perfect and I really don’t want Garrick to annoy Whittaker so much that I end up barred.
“Ember fell!” The way Garrick says it, you’d think it was Whittaker’s fault. The fact that my skate broke has apparently been completely forgotten. “The rink is too busy. She needs more time alone on the ice.”
Garrick is being ridiculous. The rink has only just opened. There’s no way Whittaker can give me more ice time, and Garrick knows it.
He doesn’t wait for Whittaker to respond before continuing, “This just won’t do. She’s training for the world championship, do you understand that?”
“Nope. I didn’t know. I don’t believe you’ve mentioned that before. I guess that changes…absolutely nothing.”
I know what’s coming next. He’s going to tell Whittaker that he should be honored that I’m using his rink to train, he’s going to make it sound like some sort of benevolent act of generosity on my part. It couldn’t be further from the truth, a fact my coach is fully aware of. I need this rink. I need the spell that has been encased in the ice.
Shaking my head, I make my way towards the two men, giving Whittaker my most apologetic smile.
“Sorry, Whittaker,” I say calmly, putting an arm on my coach’s forearm, allowing my touch to burn him for just a fraction of a second. It’s enough to make my displeasure clear and Garrick glares at me. “Garrick is just being a worrywart.”
Or a complete bastard, I add in my head.
“Or a complete bastard. It’s okay, I’m used to it,” he replies, his violet eyes shining brightly with amusement. “If you need anything, Ember, come see me. You…” He points at Garrick with barely concealed dislike. “Stay away from me.”
“You see here! I’m going to talk to your boss. Ember, where’s the owner?”
I pull a face. How the hell am I supposed to know that? I don’t even know who owns the rink. Apologizing again, I pull Garrick away before he can say anything else.
Click here to read Ember.
Also By Mia Harlan
Did you know that Amber and Violet have their own books set in Silver Springs?
Amber (Jewels Cafe #1)
I'm in love with my best friend. But one sip of a spelled pumpkin spice latte, and two shifters are calling me their mate.
Amber
Amber: Deja Brew
Amber Goes Yeti
Violet (Spell Library #1)
Can I tell you a secret? My chameleon shifter powers let me take the shape of anyone I want... and I've spent the past year posing as my 80-year-old best friend!
Violet
Young adult paranormal romance now available for pre-order:
Lunaverse: Saffron
My dad sold me to a pack of werewolves to settle his gambling debt.
Sold to a Wolf Pack (Saffron #1)
Saved by a Wolf Pack (Saffron #2)
Loved by a Wolf Pack (Saffron #3)
LUV Academy (with Vivi Clarke)
I write songs about fairy tales, but I never thought four gorgeous princes would sweep me off my feet.
Fractured Heart (LUV Academy #1)
Forbidden Heart (LUV Academy #2)
About the Author
Mia Harlan lives in Canada with her husband (who’s definitely Not a Vampire) and their adorably fluffy cat. They recently welcomed a Mini Mortal (a baby girl) and are happy to report she doesn't have fangs. Mia is a librarian by day and an author by night. She's been reading romance since she turned thirteen and published her first novel in 2019. She writes humorous, quirky (and mostly paranormal) reverse harem romance as Mia Harlan, and teen paranormal romance as Mia Meade.
Mia loves sending out super weird emails, where she drags you into stories, explains why her husband is Not a Vampire, and reveals that her bestie has fangs. Sign up on her website: miaharlan.com
If you'd like to chat with Mia, you'll find her in her Facebook Group, Harlan's Harem, and on Instagram.
Thank You
Thank you so much for reading Wynter: for giving the world’s first ice block shifter a chance; for accepting a hockey player who kept shifting into a bee; and for giving Ghost a chance to win back Wyn’s heart. I had so much fun writing this book (I laughed, I cried, I ate A LOT of cake!), and I hope I’ll get to bring you along on more fictional journeys (however weird they may be)!
Katie from Kaye Kemp Book Polishing: You stopped me from giving up on Wynter and her guys so many times! Without your encouragement and support when the writing got tough (and oh boy, did it get tough), this book wouldn’t be here.
My fellow Silver Skates authors (and PAs): Silver Springs is my favorite small town in the world, and I am eternally grateful to you for continuing to write in it and keep it alive. I know so many readers are too!
Eva Delaney, Jewels Arthur, and Hanleigh Bradley: You guys keep me sane and remind me again and again why I love what I do. I am so lucky to have friends like you!