Bartender Among Mythics

Tori Dawson, a quick-witted, tough bartender, has found her place at the Crow and Hammer, a secret guild of mythics—people with magical abilities. As the only human in a world of mages, witches, and sorcerers, she's both an outsider and a cherished friend to Aaron, Kai, and Ezra, three powerful combat mages. Tori's life is a whirlwind of slinging drinks, dodging magical mishaps, and learning the unspoken rules of a world she was never meant to see. Despite her lack of magic, she's become indispensable, her courage and humor earning her a place in the guild's heart. But the shadow of her humanity—and the risk of discovery by the authorities—always looms.

MPD Raid and Fallout

The fragile peace shatters when the MagiPol Department (MPD), the magical police, raids the guild. Tori's illegal employment as a human is nearly exposed, and her friends scramble to hide her. Forced into hiding, Tori faces the reality that her time with the guild may be over. The threat of losing her job—and her new family—gnaws at her, and the fear of being forgotten by her friends is almost worse than the MPD's wrath. The guild's leadership, especially Darius, the enigmatic master, vows to fight for her, but the law is clear: humans and mythics don't mix.

Witch Sisters' Plea

While Tori is on forced leave, two anxious witches, Olivia and Odette, arrive at her door. They beg for the Crow and Hammer's help: fae are vanishing from Stanley Park, and no other guild will take the case. Tori, tipsy and lonely, listens to their story and, despite her better judgment, promises to pass their plea to the guild. The witches' desperation is palpable, and Tori's longing to belong makes her vulnerable to their manipulation. She soon realizes she may have accidentally committed the guild to a dangerous job that everyone else has refused.

Fae Disappearances Unveiled

The witches reveal that smallfae—sprites, pixies, and faeries—are disappearing from the park, likely victims of black witches seeking to bind a powerful fae as a familiar. The sisters suspect the notorious rogue guild Red Rum is involved, but the true danger is unclear. Tori's friends investigate and discover the Crow and Hammer has been named the lead guild on the case, thanks to the witches' maneuvering. The guild is drawn into a web of magical politics, secrets, and a threat that could upend the balance of power in the city.

House Arrest and Restlessness

Confined to her apartment for her own safety, Tori battles restlessness and self-doubt. She misses the camaraderie of the guild and fears being left behind. Her only company is Twiggy, her mischievous faery roommate, whose sitcom-inspired antics provide comic relief but little comfort. Tori's longing to be more than "just human" intensifies, and she questions whether she'll ever truly belong in the mythic world. Her relationships with Aaron, Kai, and Ezra deepen, but the uncertainty of her future casts a shadow over every interaction.

Unwelcome Visitors

The O'Conner sisters' true motives come to light: they approached Tori because she was easy to manipulate, hoping to force the Crow and Hammer into action. The guild investigates the coven and the missing fae, uncovering a ritual in Stanley Park that could bind a fae lord to Red Rum. Tori's accidental involvement escalates, and she's swept into a dangerous confrontation. The lines between friend and foe blur, and Tori's vulnerability as a human becomes a liability—and a source of unexpected strength.

The Stanley Park Ritual

The guild confronts Red Rum at Stanley Park, where a massive ritual is underway to enslave a fae lord—a leviathan of the sea. The witches' duplicity is revealed, and a battle erupts. Tori, desperate to help, is guided by the enigmatic fae Echo, who instructs her to seize the relic binding the fae lord. In a moment of reckless bravery, Tori disrupts the ritual, freeing the leviathan but inadvertently binding it to herself. The cost of her intervention is immediate and severe.

Fae Lord's Bond

The ritual's backlash brands Tori with glowing fae runes, forging a soul-deep bond with the leviathan. She is flooded with alien power that threatens to consume her, leaving her exhausted and vulnerable. The guild's healers and witches are baffled, unable to break the bond. Tori's humanity becomes both her shield and her prison—she cannot command the fae lord, but she cannot survive the bond for long. The weight of her choice—and the knowledge that she saved the fae from Red Rum—battles with the fear that she may not survive.

The Price of Power

As Tori's strength wanes, she turns to Zak, the infamous rogue known as the Ghost, for help. Zak, a druid and alchemist with a dark reputation, is the only one with the knowledge to unravel the fae bond. Their uneasy alliance is fraught with secrets, old debts, and mutual respect. Zak's investigation reveals that the only way to break the bond is to obtain a rare fae relic from a dangerous darkfae known as the Rat. The price of power is steep, and Tori must risk everything—including her life and the lives of her friends—to be free.

Seeking the Ghost

Tori and Kai infiltrate a black-magic auction to find Zak and secure his help. The tension between mythic law and rogue necessity is palpable, and Tori's loyalty to her friends is tested. Zak and Kai work together to extract information from a former Red Rum officer, learning how to summon the Rat and what it will cost. The lines between right and wrong blur as Tori realizes that survival in the mythic world often means making deals with devils—and that her own choices have consequences for everyone she loves.

Druidic Bargains

The guild, Zak, and the witches summon the Rat in Stanley Park, offering powerful artifacts in exchange for the relic needed to break the fae bond. The negotiation turns violent when the Rat betrays them, forcing a brutal battle. Zak, the mages, and their fae allies barely survive, but Red Rum ambushes them in the aftermath. Zak is shot, the relic is stolen, and Tori and her friends are taken hostage. The cost of their quest is blood, pain, and betrayal.

The Sylph Awakens

Amidst the chaos, Tori's dormant fae companion, a sylph named Hoshi, awakens and saves her from certain death. Hoshi's presence marks Tori as a true witch in the eyes of the MPD, providing a loophole that may save her from prosecution. The bond with Hoshi is a symbol of Tori's unique place in the mythic world—a human who has chosen magic, forged her own path, and earned the loyalty of beings both human and fae. But the battle is not over, and Red Rum's grip tightens.

Red Rum's Trap

Red Rum forces Tori to participate in a ritual to transfer the fae lord's bond to their witch. With Kai's life on the line, Tori is powerless to resist. The ritual begins, and the fae lord possesses Tori, flooding her with overwhelming power. In a desperate gambit, she uses the fae's strength to break free, but the witch escapes with the relic. The final confrontation is a race against time, magic, and death.

The Witch's Betrayal

Tori pursues the witch through the park, the last vestiges of the fae lord's power burning through her veins. In a final, brutal struggle, she knocks the witch over a cliff, ending his life and breaking the bond. The cost of victory is heavy—Tori is arrested for murder, her friends are powerless to help, and the line between hero and criminal blurs. The emotional toll of taking a life haunts her, even as she knows she had no choice.

Possession and Sacrifice

Tori faces the human justice system and the MPD, accused of murder and illegal involvement in mythic affairs. Her brother Justin, a police officer, is devastated and powerless to help. The MPD offers her a deal: betray the guild or face prison. Tori refuses, choosing loyalty over self-preservation. Darius, the guild master, arrives with forged documents and a cunning plan—Tori is registered as a witch, her bond with Hoshi providing the proof needed to save her. The price of survival is a new identity and a new set of rules.

The Aftermath and Arrest

Tori is released into the custody of the Crow and Hammer, now officially a mythic and a guild member. The guild welcomes her with open arms, celebrating her courage, loyalty, and the unique path she has forged. Her relationships with Aaron, Kai, and Ezra deepen, and the bonds of found family are stronger than ever. Tori's journey from outsider to insider is complete, but the scars of her choices—and the secrets she still carries—remain.

Mythic or Human?

Tori grapples with her new status as a "mythical human," neither fully mythic nor fully mundane. Zak's parting words remind her that magic is a choice, not a birthright, and that her place in the mythic world is earned, not given. The boundaries between human and mythic blur, and Tori embraces her role as a bridge between worlds. Her story is one of agency, resilience, and the power of chosen family.

A New Kind of Family

The Crow and Hammer throws Tori a raucous welcome party, celebrating her induction as a full member. Surrounded by friends, allies, and the magic she has chosen, Tori finally feels at home. The future is uncertain, and new challenges await, but she faces them with courage, humor, and the unbreakable bonds of her found family. The journey from bartender to mythic is complete—but the adventure is just beginning.

Characters

Tori Dawson

Tori is the fiercely loyal, quick-tongued protagonist whose journey from ordinary bartender to mythic insider forms the emotional core of the story. Her lack of magic is both her vulnerability and her strength, forcing her to rely on wit, determination, and the support of her friends. Tori's longing for belonging drives her to take risks, make mistakes, and ultimately forge her own path in a world that tells her she doesn't belong. Her relationships—with Aaron, Kai, Ezra, and even Zak—are complex, marked by humor, trust, and the pain of not quite fitting in. Tori's greatest growth comes from accepting that her value isn't measured by magic, but by the choices she makes and the love she gives.

Aaron Sinclair

Aaron is a pyromage whose bravado and humor mask a deep loyalty and protectiveness toward his friends. His casual romance with Tori is marked by chemistry and mutual respect, but both recognize that their bond is rooted in friendship rather than passion. Aaron's adaptability and resilience make him a natural leader, and his willingness to put himself in harm's way for others is both his strength and his flaw. He struggles with the tension between following rules and protecting those he loves, ultimately choosing loyalty over law.

Kai Yamada

Kai is an electramage with a stoic exterior and a complex past. His family ties to a powerful mythic crime syndicate haunt him, and his sense of honor is both a shield and a burden. Kai's analytical mind and martial prowess make him the guild's strategist, but his emotional distance often isolates him. His friendship with Tori is marked by mutual respect and a shared sense of being outsiders. Kai's willingness to risk his own safety for the group—and his ability to work with even the most dangerous allies—reveal a depth of loyalty and adaptability.

Ezra Rowe

Ezra is an aeromage whose calm demeanor and soothing presence hide a tempestuous inner world. Scarred physically and emotionally, Ezra's past is shrouded in secrets, including a dangerous, barely controlled power that emerges in moments of crisis. His bond with Tori is intimate and healing, rooted in shared vulnerability and trust. Ezra's struggle to control his magic and his fear of hurting those he loves add a layer of tension to his relationships, but his loyalty is unwavering.

Zak (The Ghost)

Zak is a notorious rogue, druid, and alchemist whose reputation for darkness is matched only by his hidden compassion. His relationship with Tori is built on mutual respect, sharp banter, and a shared sense of being outsiders. Zak's willingness to help Tori, even at great personal risk, reveals a moral code beneath his ruthless exterior. His knowledge of forbidden magic and his connections to the fae make him both a valuable ally and a dangerous friend. Zak's departure into hiding is a poignant reminder of the costs of survival in the mythic world.

Darius

Darius is the enigmatic guild master of the Crow and Hammer, whose calm authority and strategic brilliance keep the guild safe. He navigates the treacherous waters of mythic politics with finesse, always a step ahead of his enemies. Darius's willingness to bend the rules—and his deep care for his guild members—make him a father figure to Tori and the others. His ability to outmaneuver the MPD and secure Tori's place in the guild is a testament to his loyalty and cunning.

Olivia and Odette O'Conner

The O'Conner sisters are members of the Stanley Coven whose plea for help sets the main plot in motion. Their desperation leads them to manipulate Tori and the guild, and their willingness to betray others for their own ends complicates their role as victims. Olivia's ambition and Odette's vulnerability highlight the complexities of mythic politics and the dangers of trusting appearances. Their eventual remorse and attempts at restitution add nuance to their characters.

Echo

Echo is a wyldfae—an ancient, dragon-like being—whose inscrutable motives and immense power make him both a guide and a threat. His interactions with Tori are marked by riddles, bargains, and a dangerous fascination with human will. Echo's assistance is always double-edged, and his lessons force Tori to confront the limits of her agency and the costs of magic.

Hoshi

Hoshi is a fae sylph who bonds with Tori, marking her as a witch in the eyes of the MPD. Hoshi's awakening and loyalty are a testament to Tori's unique place in the mythic world—a human who chooses magic and earns the trust of beings beyond her understanding. Hoshi's presence is both a comfort and a challenge, forcing Tori to redefine what it means to be mythic.

Justin Dawson

Justin is Tori's older brother, a police officer whose knowledge of the mythic world is limited and fraught with fear. His concern for Tori is genuine, but his inability to understand her choices creates tension and heartbreak. Justin's struggle to reconcile his love for his sister with his duty as a cop mirrors Tori's own struggle to bridge the gap between human and mythic worlds.

Plot Devices

Hidden Identity and Outsider Perspective

The narrative is driven by Tori's status as an outsider—her lack of magic makes her both invisible and indispensable. Her hidden identity is a source of tension, humor, and emotional depth, allowing readers to experience the mythic world through fresh eyes. The outsider perspective also enables incisive commentary on power, belonging, and the costs of inclusion.

Magical Contracts and Oaths

Oaths—both magical and mundane—are central to the plot. Tori's fake oath to Zak, the soul-binding ritual with the fae lord, and the legal contracts of the MPD all explore the power of words, promises, and the consequences of breaking them. The tension between choice and coercion is a recurring theme, with Tori's agency constantly tested by forces beyond her control.

Found Family and Chosen Bonds

The emotional heart of the story is the found family Tori creates with the guild. The bonds between characters—friendship, loyalty, and love—are as powerful as any spell. The narrative structure mirrors this, with each crisis deepening the connections between Tori and her friends, and each betrayal testing the strength of those ties.

Rituals, Relics, and Magical Politics

The plot is propelled by rituals (the fae binding, the summoning of the Rat), the pursuit of magical relics, and the machinations of guilds, covens, and rogue factions. The use of foreshadowing—such as the recurring tarot cards and the warnings about the costs of magic—builds tension and highlights the unpredictability of the mythic world. The narrative structure weaves together action, investigation, and emotional stakes, ensuring that every magical event has personal consequences.

Sacrifice and Transformation

Tori's journey is marked by sacrifice—of safety, innocence, and even her own sense of self. The transformation from human to "mythical human" is both literal and metaphorical, forcing her to confront what she's willing to give up for the life she wants. The story uses moments of crisis (the fae bond, the murder, the arrest) to catalyze growth and redefine identity.

Analysis

Annette Marie's Two Witches and a Whiskey is a vibrant, emotionally resonant urban fantasy that explores the boundaries between human and mythic, outsider and insider, law and loyalty. At its core, the novel is about the power of choice—how agency, not birthright, defines who we are and where we belong. Tori's journey from bartender to mythic is a testament to resilience, courage, and the transformative power of found family. The book deftly balances humor, action, and heart, using Tori's outsider perspective to critique the insularity and prejudice of magical society while celebrating the messy, beautiful process of forging one's own identity. The narrative's use of magical contracts, rituals, and political intrigue grounds the fantastical elements in real emotional stakes, ensuring that every battle—magical or mundane—matters. Ultimately, Two Witches and a Whiskey is a story about claiming one's place in the world, not by erasing difference, but by embracing it, and about the families we choose when the world tells us we don't belong.

Last updated: January 30, 2026