Free A Pinch of Kitchen Magic by Sandra Sookoo Page A

hand. “I just realized something and was trying to
commit it to memory.” He leaned over and scribbled on the
clipboard. “Last part. If I should fail in my mission to use my
energies for the betterment of the world around me, I hereby
authorize the Skills Assessor in charge to drain my power and
revoke my license. Thus I will return to humanity an ordinary
mortal with no knowledge of events pertaining to magic.”
    “ Oh, wow.” Aidan dropped
her hand as awareness of the pledge took hold. “If I mess up and
you have to come back to drain my magic, I’ll forget you, won’t I?”
Panic fluttered in her chest and she bolted from her chair so
quickly it tumbled back to clatter against the tiles. Her breath
came in short gasps as she stared at him.
    “ It’s true.” Matteus
looked up at her. “If you don’t say the final words to the pledge,
I can’t give you the license.”
    “ And if I don’t get the
license?” Her voice was little more than a scratchy
whisper.
    “ I’ll have to drain your
powers anyway.” He fiddled with his pen. “You’re not allowed to use
magical energy without a valid license or permit.” He glanced away.
“I’m sorry. It’s my job.”
    She drew a shuddering breath, quickly
said the last of the oath, and then retreated to the stove. “How
long?” She busied herself with filling the teakettle with water.
She needed a distraction from him.
    “ Until you get your
license? Maybe a week. The Institute has a quick turnaround
time.”
    In frustration, she slammed the
teakettle down on a burner then whirled to face him. “No, how long
will you be staying? I mean, your job’s done. Why would you stick
around?” Her body tensed as she waited for his answer. She wanted
him to say he would stay if she asked him. She wanted to throw
herself at him. The words danced on her tongue to ask him to
linger, but she didn’t do any of it. She had her pride, after all,
and he hadn’t indicated his interest in her extended to anything
beyond magic.
    Matteus cleared his throat, and then
stood. “My job here is essentially over. I’ll be back for periodic
visits to check on your progress. Until then, call me at the
Institute if you should need me—for anything. I’ve already given
you my card.”
    Did his eyes hold an
unspoken plea or was it dreaming on her part? She stifled the sob
that clogged in her throat. Why couldn’t she say anything? Why
couldn’t she forget about her shortcomings and admit she needed
someone in her life? “I wish you well then.” Please just say you’ll stay for me !
    “ It’s been a pleasure
working with you.”
    When he faded from view,
she crumpled against the counter, her shoulders shaking with the
force of her tears. Why couldn’t I have
just asked him?
    * * * *
    Matteus cursed under his
breath when he realized he forgot to take his clipboard with him.
He wanted to make a clean break. He wanted to leave her and never
look back. She hadn’t asked him to stay. She didn’t say anything.
Just let him go without a word. Of course
I didn’t say anything either. She didn’t
understand why he couldn’t tell her he’d die for her if she
asked. Have I made my magic more important
than everything else—anyone else—in my life? He stumbled over an upended empty bucket on her back
doorstep. It reminded him of what his chest felt like. Hollow and
discarded. The downside to having magical powers sucked.
    It was a foolish waste of time to
agonize over a female who didn’t know her own mind. Sure, he had no
doubts she’d do well with her magic, but everything else in her
life was chaos. He’d retrieve his clipboard and return to the
Institute then forget all about Aidan. It was the only way to move
forward. He tried the doorknob. Damn. She must have magically
enforced the locks. Determined to get his mission over with, he
attempted to enter the house by zapping himself inside. What he got
for his effort was a smart smack on the head from the
wall.
    The woman had