Content Note: This backstory takes place five months before Nick and Karina officially meet. Some parts have been omitted due to spoilers. This story contains graphic language and alcohol use.

Part Two: Change is Good for the Restless Soul

Memorial Day Weekend

Chicago, IL

Dark velvety clouds draped the late-night sky as the humid air pulsed with electric energy. Karina took a sip of her drink, not even tasting a hint of vodka in the blueberry lemonade cocktail. Gods, that was dangerously delicious. It was the kind of drink that snuck up on you, catching you off guard and knocking you flat on your inebriated ass. If you were a typical human, which she was not. Thank the gods.

Someone needed to stay sober tonight, and it was not gonna be Courtni, who was busy getting her flirt on with some hotshot lawyer over by the bar. The place was shit-packed for a Sunday night. The spacious rooftop patio was overflowing with people, their drunken laughter and chatter twining with the modern pop tune blaring over the speakers. There was gonna be a fuckton of hungover humans tomorrow, and her bestie would be one of them.

How in the fresh fuck was she gonna get Courtni out of here? Alone. Kari needed to pry Courtni away from her man candy, because there wasn’t a single chance in fiery hell that guy was coming back home with them. No matter how friendly and harmless he seemed. And she wasn’t trying to be a buzzkill or anything. She had no problem with one-nighters. She really didn’t. Karina was all for the casual hookups. But she didn’t want some random stranger taking advantage of her bestie or knowing where she lived. That was how murders happened.

“Penny for your thoughts?” A deep voice rumbled from above.

Karina turned, craning her neck upwards until her gaze landed on a handsomely familiar face. “Josh.” She smiled. “The ER doctor, right?”

“Karina.” The corners of his mouth lifted, a warm smile playing up on his lips. “Our newest charge nurse, right?” His dark eyes twinkled with amusement.

“Yeah,” she blurted, shocked by her admission. Karina hadn’t told anyone about her decision, not even Courtni. Fuck. Her bestie was gonna be pissed. “I think so,” she mumbled, feeling a surge of heat flooding her cheeks.

“Really?” Josh’s dark brows shot up. “You’re not fucking with me, are you?”

“No.” Karina laughed, shaking her head. “Looks like Lincoln Park is gonna be my new home.”

“Well, damn. That’s fantastic news.” His easy smile stayed in place as he nodded at the empty stool across from hers. “You mind?”

“No,” Karina replied. “Not at all.”

“What changed your mind?” Josh sank down onto the padded stool. “Last night you were on the fence about the whole thing. I thought for sure you were gonna swing the opposite way.”

“I thought so too.” Karina fiddled with her straw. “But after spending a weekend here, I guess I just fell in love with the place.”

“Courtni must make a hell of a tour guide.” Josh grinned.

“She does,” Karina replied. “But honestly, she didn’t have to work all that hard on her sales pitch.” She drained the rest of her cocktail. “The city pretty much sold itself. It’s kind of hard not to love.”

The last two days had been nothing short of amazing. Courtni had given her the grand tour, hitting up all the cute stores, cafés, and bars she knew Kari would love. Courtni had taken her to the local farmers market—which reminded Karina of home—where they spent a good chunk of the afternoon shopping and sampling pastries, jams, and all sorts of summertime treats. But that wasn’t what had sold her. It had been the beach that sealed the deal. Lake Michigan, with its vast, sparkling blue waters and long stretches of shimmery sand, had solidified her decision.

“I hear you.” Josh flagged a waitress down. “I spent a week here after my interview last year and after one day, I knew Lincoln Park was gonna be my home.”

“Yeah.” Karina tucked a stray windblown wave behind her ear. “It’s like the perfect blend of urban and suburban living.”

“Oh man, it really is.” Josh nodded. “You’ve got the best of both worlds here. You can’t beat this neighborhood, you really can’t. And just wait until the off-season, you’ll have the parks and beaches all to yourself.”

“I love being within walking distance of the beach. That was one of the biggest selling points for me,” Karina replied. “Back home, I have to drive over an hour just to get to the beach, then spend another thirty minutes parking, and then another thirty trying to find a spot on the sand. It’s a stressful pain in my fucking ass.”

Karina didn’t know why she was being so candid, especially with someone she’d just met less than twenty-four hours ago. But then, Josh was easy to talk to. They’d hit it off instantly last night, chatting and trading ER war stories like they’d been friends for years. And that’s how they would remain. Friends. Nothing more, and hopefully nothing less. Josh didn’t date his colleagues—which was just one of the many things the two of them had in common—much to Courtni’s dismay and Karina’s sweet relief.

And it wasn’t because Josh was a bad guy. Not at all. If anything, he was the opposite—the perfect catch—smart, charming, outgoing, with a killer sense of humor and undeniably good looks. Most women would line themselves up around several city blocks just to go on a date with him. But she wasn’t most women. Nope. Karina was completely and utterly broken inside.

Every single one of her past relationships had failed, fizzling out after a few short months. Karina had never felt a true connection with anyone she’d dated. She’d never felt those butterflies in her belly that everyone raved about, never felt her pulse race, or heart flutter after meeting someone. Sure, she felt attraction, but it was all on the physical level. Nothing more.

And Karina wanted more. She wanted to feel that spark, that undeniable chemistry that set her soul on fire. She wanted someone who saw her, who truly saw her, and accepted her—wonky magic and all. She hated hiding her witchy side—hated keeping secrets and hated lying—and her entire existence was nothing but one gigantic fucking lie. And maybe that was the problem, or at least a part of it.

“Karina.” Josh clasped her wrist. His touch was as gentle as it was warm. “You okay?” His slate-gray eyes flickered with concern.

“Yeah. Sorry.” She mentally shook herself. “I was just thinking about my start-a-new-life checklist,” she lied. Again. “I didn’t mean to ignore you.”

“As long as you’re good, so am I.” Assurance flooded his resonant tone. “Hope you don’t mind, but I ordered you another drink.” He nodded at the spiked blueberry lemonade sitting in front of her.

“Thank you,” Karina replied. “I’ll get the next round.”

“No. Drinks are on me tonight.” Josh’s mouth curved up as he lifted his pint glass in a toast. “Welcome to Chicago.”

“Thank you,” Karina repeated, taking a sip of her chilled drink. Gods, that was refreshing.

“Not to be a buzzkill.” Josh set his beer down on the table. “But have you thought about what you’re gonna do with the townhouse once Courtni gets the promotion? From what I’ve heard, she’s practically a shoo-in for the position.”

Karina stiffened. An electric chill raced up her spine, shooting through her nerves as a volcanic fire singed her veins, and before she could even understand what was happening, magic—raw and powerful—exploded out of her. A fierce wind lashed the patio, knocking over glasses and snuffing out candles as a flurry of paper napkins whirled about in the air.

Karina gripped the table, white-knuckling the black steel as she focused on reining in her powers.

Breathe. Come on, Kari. Just breathe. Nice and slow and deep. In and out. In and out.

The magical maelstrom subsided—the gusts dwindling as the cool, steady breeze resumed, providing much-needed relief from the stifling humidity.

“That was weird.” Josh frowned. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” She raked her fingers through her tousled hair. “I’m fine.” But she wasn’t fine. She was as far from fine as she could possibly get. Her nerves were shot—completely fried and frazzled—like she’d been electrocuted. Exhaustion flooded her muscles, seeping deep within her bones, leaving her feeling weak and wobbly.

What in the fresh fuck had just happened? What was going on with her powers? It was like her magic had gone rogue.

How the hell was she supposed to blend in with the humans? How the hell was she supposed to pretend to be normal when her powers continued spiraling out of control? Maybe moving in with Courtni wasn’t such a hot idea after all, especially if her bestie was still up for the promotion. But Courtni wouldn’t lie about something that big.

Sure, her bestie had fibbed plenty of times, weaving white little lies here and there, but those tiny fabrications of truth had been mostly harmless. Courtni would never deceive her like this. It wasn’t her style. There had to be some logical explanation, because the alternative was a betrayal—an inconceivable and unforgivable breach of trust. And Courtni wouldn’t risk their friendship like that.

“I’m drunk.” Courtni plopped down onto the seat next to Karina, dropping her head onto the table. “I should’ve never had that last shot,” she slurred. “It’s always the last one that fucks you up.” She lifted her gaze, her bleary green eyes bouncing between Karina and Josh. “Told you, you’d hit it off.” Courtni grinned. “I am an excellent matchmaker. I should start my own business.”

“Yup, you’re a regular cupid.” Josh smirked. “We’ll buy you a bow and heart-shaped arrow for your birthday.” Josh directed his gaze at Karina. “Maybe we should call it a night.”

“Yeah,” Kari replied. “I think that’s a good idea.”

“I’ll pay the tab.” Josh got to his feet. “And then I’ll help you get Courtni home, if you want.”

“That would be great.” Kari smiled. Normally, she hated asking for help—hated burdening people with her problems—but there was no way she was gonna get Courtni home all on her own. “You’re a godsend.”

“Noooo,” Courtni groaned. “The night is still young. We need to drink and dance and party some more!”

“I think you’ve had enough to drink,” Karina muttered as Josh strode over to the bar. “For all three of us.”

Josh came back a couple of minutes later and wrapped a strong, sun-kissed arm around Courtni’s waist, helping her walk the short distance from the bar to his parked SUV. He’d driven them back home and carried Courtni up to her bed, where he’d rolled her on her side and pulled the pale blue covers up over her shoulders.

Josh hadn’t stuck around for long, but he had promised to introduce Karina to the night crew once she was back in Chicago for good.

After Josh left, she locked the front door and leaned against the frame, casting her gaze up the carpeted staircase. She wanted to wake Courtni up, wanted to ask her bestie about New York again, but her efforts would be fruitless. Courtni was too inebriated to give Karina any honest answers. The conversation would have to wait.

Karina grabbed a bottle of wine from the fridge and made her way up to the deck. She sank down onto the sofa and sat by the fire, sipping her Moscato until the sun’s first rays broke over the horizon, painting the sky in vibrant shades of pinks and oranges and yellows. It was a hell of a view—one she could easily get used to.

The Next Day

“Hey Court?” Karina zipped up her suitcase and sat down on the queen-sized bed. “Can I ask you something?”

“You can ask me anything,” she replied, leaning against the pale lavender wall. “You know that.”

“Did you not tell your friends about New York?”

“No. Not yet.” Courtni shook her head, heaving out a long-winded sigh. “I’ve been meaning to tell them, but I haven’t felt like dealing with all the sympathy stares, you know?”

“Yeah,” Karina mumbled, fiddling with her diamond crescent moon pendant. It made sense. Courtni was as prideful as she was competitive. She hated losing—hated admitting defeat—but still, something felt off.

“Why?”

“Josh thought you were still up for the promotion.”

“Yeah. I’m sorry.” Courtni winced. “I’ll tell him soon. I promise.” She sank down onto the mattress next to Kari. “I wouldn’t lie to you.” Her moss green eyes met Karina’s. “And even if something changed—even if Jay changed his mind—I wouldn’t go, not if you’re gonna move here. I wouldn’t do that to you.”

Relief flooded her system, soothing her frayed nerves and erasing all her worries and doubts. She blew out a long-winded breath. “That’s what I needed to hear.” 

“So…” Courtni shot her a curious stare. “Does this mean you’re moving in?”

“Get the master bedroom ready,” Karina replied. “Roomie.”

Courtni squealed, tackling her in a hug as the two of them tumbled backwards onto the bed in a fit of laughter. “You won’t regret this.” Courtni beamed. “Promise.”

“I’m gonna hold you to it,” Karina replied, hoping she wasn’t making the biggest mistake of her life.

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