I shook my head while pouring more hot sauce on a healthy serving of spicy mac and cheese. “I don’t know.”
“Why are you always so accusatory?” Alana questioned, butting in. “Maybe they just bumped into each other. Not everything is all sinister.”
I glared at Cullen. She’d clearly gotten that line from him and I still recalled him saying it to me right before his brother tried to kill me.
“Well, Alana, sometimes things are that sinister and not everyone has good intentions. I learned that the hard way.”
“‘Tis strange to be sure,” Cullen said as he passed around the loaf of sourdough, which I had warmed in the oven, along with fresh butter from the farmers’ market. “But Móraí had just left the bookstore and ye said that lady lives down the street. Isn’t it likely she was just shoppin’ or hailin’ a cab and what ye saw could have been somethin’ innocent or nonchalant—‘nice weather we’re havin’ or ‘do you have the bloody time?”
“No. I’m sorry but I cannot ignore my gut feelings anymore. As a matter of fact, I don’t think Alana should visit Móraí until you speak to her. Not after what she threatened me with this afternoon.”
“What do you mean, she threatened you?” Cullen said.
“This broccoli so good,” Leslie said, trying to lighten the mood. “I’m going to have to roll home.”
I, myself, had barely eaten.
“She…” I realized I should have spoken to Cullen in private. I had only to look at the faces of both Cullen and Alana to know the volcano was about to explode.
“She wanted to take Alana to one of her coven meetings and I said no. I told her she wasn’t allowed to teach Alana anything else to do with magic either.”
“Are ye serious?” Alana gasped. “How do ye have the right? I’m sixteen years old.”
“Exactly, young lady. You’re sixteen years old.”
“So, that was the threat?” Cullen asked.
I shook my head. I sensed he was on the fence about which one of us was over reacting.
“She told me that she would go behind my back if I didn’t let Alana join her coven.”
“Is everyone ready to sing to me? Happy Birthday…” Leslie sing-songed out in an exaggerated fashion. “Man, I could use some cake…”
“Yeah, let’s get this over with. I’ll get the cupcakes,” Alana grunted, pushing her chair away from the table.
I slammed my hand down a little too hard and sent a spoon flying. “Alana, the cupcakes were supposed to be a surprise.”
“Sorry,” Alana said, her voice fierce. “I thought the break-in was the only secret I was keepin’ today, didn’t realize the cupcakes were hush-hush as well.”
“Break-in?” Cullen questioned.
“Oops,” Alana said, throwing her napkin on her plate.
“I’m confused.” Leslie shook her head, looking down into her wine as though looking for the exit.
“Alana, just go to your room if you don’t want to be here.”
“Móraí is right about ye.” Alana retorted.
“Alana—” Cullen began.
“No, Da. Ye know it’s true.” She turned back to me. “Ye don’t want me to grow up, but all ye’re doin’ is makin’ me want to get the hell out of here even more—”
“Don’t get cute, Alana! We’ve had quite enough of yer backchat today,” Cullen said with uncharacteristic anger. “Ye owe your mother an apology.”
“I don’t want a forced apology—” I said, getting up from the table.
“Good, ‘cause ye’ll not get one from me,” Alana interrupted. She turned and stomped up the stairs until we heard the slam of her bedroom door.
Leslie sighed. “She certainly does know how to make an exit, doesn’t she?”
I tried to return Leslie’s smile, but couldn’t.
I poured myself another glass of wine and stepped out onto the terrace to enjoy the fresh air. It was a perfect evening, weather wise—personal-life wise, not so much.
The plants looked phenomenal and I was reminded of Gigi’s gardens. She’d always made me and Leslie tend to them, laughing admittedly that she wasn’t very good at gardening. Natural green thumbs was what she’d called us—not that I knew what that meant—turning soil, planting, watering and pulling weeds was therapeutic to me, just like reading. I picked up my gardening shears and started deadheading roses, then pruned the dwarf cherry.
I’d never realized until reading up on Móraí’s garden that so many flowers and herbs I grew were used in spells: foxglove, yarrow, even water parsnips. If I’d wanted to, I probably could have worked the spells in Rochus’s book a long time ago and if it were up to Leslie we definitely would have. She was always ready to dig in to that book. Speak of the devil, she wrapped her arms around me from behind and hugged me tight. “Don’t let Alana upset you. She’s a little hypersensitive on the issue of her grandmother.”
“I know. I’m going to write her a letter—it helps when I get my thoughts down on paper. I just can’t help but think that Móraí and maybe even Sandra and her husband are up to something. I wish I could figure it out. Something about Móraí’s garden is bugging me…oh my gosh—that reminds me: remember the time we tried to write that love spell?”
“So that Dale would fall head over heels in love with me and hold my hand at lunch. How could I forget?” Leslie said, going into a full giggle.
“Little did we know, we had all the ingredients in Gigi’s garden.”
“That’s right. You’ve been reading that book I gave you.”
“Among many,” I answered. “I guess you were unknowingly interested in being a witch even back then, huh?”
Leslie smirked. “Oh, as if I was the only one who wore black nail polish and played Ouija.”
I shivered. “Knowing everything we know now…I can’t believe we didn’t call up trouble, messing around with that thing.”
“Really, eh. Nice birthday present for a kid. Who got it for you anyway?”
I thought hard but couldn’t recall.
“I’m sorry we ruined your birthday.”
Leslie stiffened. “That’s ridiculous. You guys are my family and fighting—even to the point of temper tantrums—is a part of being family. I’d rather be surrounded by all of you than be alone.”
Tears came to my eyes.
Alana and I took each other for granted. Leslie didn’t have any blood family—she’d lived in the foster system until Gigi took her in.
We were inseparable after that.
“You are just as much a part of this family as any of us,” I said, leaning my head against hers.
“So, what’s this about a break-in?”
“The store got vandalized today.”
“What?”
“While I was at the grocery store when Alana was in there alone.”
“Who did it?”
“I don’t know. She was in the back and she says she didn’t hear anything.”
“You think she did it?”
“No. I definitely don’t but I do think she’s forgetting something—whether on purpose or by accident—and there’s only one person she’d get this defensive over.”
“Why would Móraí ransack our store? Plus, you said you saw her getting into that cab.”
“Maybe she saw me, too; maybe the vandalism was meant to be a threat. I don’t really know. It just doesn’t make sense to me that nothing was stolen. It had to be a message.”
“I think I know a way to find out.”
“Really?”
“Scrying.”
“Like crystal-ball, magic-mirror scrying?”
“I’ve been practicing for a week and ever since I’ve been having these weird dreams. I think I was a really important witch in another life.”
I shook my head. What was getting into everyone lately? “All right, well, all-powerful birthday witch, you do whatever it is you do and call me if you figure it out. This day has been unbearably long so I’m going to read a book and go to bed.�
�
I hugged her goodbye but she pulled back and gripped my shoulders, holding my gaze. “You of all people should believe in this.”
“I believe in my magic, Leslie. I just don’t know if I believe any ordinary person off the street can pick up a book on witchcraft and become an all-seeing witch.”
“Well, I’m not ordinary, and besides, tonight is the summer solstice.”
THIRTYONE
C ullen walked into my dressing room and smiled. “Ye didn’t eat much at dinner, Aeval, are you still upset?”
“I’m just not all that hungry. Your grandmother tends to have that effect on me.” I grinned and unbuttoned my jeans, slipping them off one leg at a time. I was ready to trade them in for something soft.
“Do ye want to talk about it?” he asked.
“Maybe tomorrow, tonight I just want to forget myself in a good cozy mystery.” I disappeared around the corner to brush my teeth and came back out in a short blue nightgown with lace trim at the bust.
Cullen groaned. “Ye’re trying to torture me, then? Ye wanna read so ye put on somethin’ short and silky?”
“As long as you don’t take all night, I have time for other things, too—I just don’t want to dwell on the past or your grandmother’s delusions.”
He reached out and put his arms around me, slowly running his hands across the thin material of my dress. “That works for me.”
I raised my lips to his eagerly. “Do you really have to go away again this week?”
“‘Fraid so. I need to make a ton of decisions before we start construction.”
“Okay,” I murmured, trying not to think about next week. “Why don't we move into the bedroom?” I ran my tongue gently along the line of his jaw and nipped his ear.
His hands slipped to the bottom of my nightie. Expertly he slid it up and over my shoulders and head, allowing the fabric to fall to the floor behind me.
I wriggled away from him and stepped back so he could take in the full view. “I'll turn down the bed.”
He was undoing his shirt, his eyes on my breasts. I walked past him into the bedroom and turned off the light.
He followed me and switched it back on. “I wanna see ye properly, Aeval.”
On the notepad by the lamp was a page of whorls and faces and doodles and strange shapes and in the center of them all, framed with Gothic decoration, a familiar passage.
Cullen picked up the pad and stared at it.
“What made you write this?”
“What?” I slid onto the bed beside him and lay down, my arms above my head.
“Dracula’s Castle?”
I sat up. “I don’t know. I think it was from the regression. I’m starting to have some memories come back.”
“And they involve Dracula? Strange.” Cullen's voice was suddenly quiet and reflective. He pushed me back, leaning over me, his face filled with love. “Ye said a man’s name that day when you were under. It almost sounded like mine. Could ye hear me while it was happenin’?”
For a moment I contemplated the day’s events, something I’d been trying hard not to do. My brain was moving like lightning as I remembered, re-living the captivity, the humiliation and the pain of it all.
“I don’t think so. I’ve heard the Doctor’s voice before, during the session, but I couldn’t hear you until I opened my eyes and even then, not at first. I saw your lips moving before I heard anything,” I said softly. I smiled, reaching up to kiss him, winding my arms around his neck. “You’re right though, now that I think about it, there was a young man and he did remind me of you. I could be mixing things up now. It’s not important—I’m never going back there again.”
“Do ye think I was there? Like with Conrad and the Princess?” Unmoving, he stared down at me and for a fleeting moment I felt a pang of curiosity.
“Maybe—why?” I grabbed the knit blanket from the bottom of the bed and pulled it over myself but Cullen tugged it away.
“I’m sorry, love. I shouldn’t be pryin’ into yer brain like this. We’re done talking about this—at least until tomorrow.”
Without a word he leaned down and kissed me, groping for the zipper of his pants. Underneath him I lay in anticipation, admiring the view. “Cullen, please don't leave me this week.”
He stopped and looked at me seriously. “If ye need me to stay, then I will.”
THIRTYTWO
C ullen thought his heart would give when he saw the dark hair and blue tunic thrashing in the river. He braced his feet on the grassy bank.
“Sophia!”
He’d called to her but anyone could see she was struggling to stay afloat. What was she doing in the middle of the river? The water was cold and she was fully clothed, not to mention she could barely swim. He jumped in the boat and pushed off shore so fast he stumbled, nearly tipping it over. Then he focused himself and rowed faster. Thank goodness the river wasn’t very large. His heart hammered. And what if he hadn’t left his boat there? He shuddered at the thought.
Her hair bobbed, and she disappeared. Then, finally, her face broke the surface again.
She seemed disoriented and she was losing strength fast. He leaned over and attempted to heave her out of the water, into the boat but her dress was sopping wet and heavy. Cursing, he found a knife sheathed at his right hip and cut away the overgown. He’d cut it all away if he had too. There was no way that he was going to let her drowned. He pulled her forward, careful not to tip the boat and propped her against the side. She wasn’t moving or helping. She’d fallen unconscious.
“Please, Sophia, just open your eyes.”
THIRTYTHREE
I woke up with a killer headache – and a slightly intangible feeling of foreboding. I couldn’t decide if it was because of the fight with Alana or my dread over Sandra and the regression situation. It was probably a combination of both.
Cullen was moaning beside me. I debated waking him but I’d heard it was bad to wake a person from a nightmare—or was that night terrors?
Shaking, I got up and shuffled across the floor avoiding certain boards that I knew would creak. I could make out a dim glow that was coming from the hall. It was past midnight, so why would Alana still be up?
Cullen moaned my name and I glanced across the bedroom to see him startle awake just as a sharp pain ran through my head.
“Sophia!” Cullen called from the bed. “Where are ye?”
I tried to respond, but the blood rushed to my brain and the room spun. Cullen jumped from the bed and caught me before I hit the floor.
“Ye havin’ a nightmare?” Cullen asked.
“No.”
Cullen sighed. “I think that regression rubbed off on me. I dreamt ye drowned. Only ye were much younger and dressed funny. Too many pints before bed—so what’s the matter then?”
“I have a splitting headache. I know this feeling. I think someone’s using the book,” I whispered. I looked around as if I could sense from where. “Magic.” I gasped out. “A whole lot of it. That might be why you’re able to remember the past.”
“No, it was just a bad dream.”
“I don’t think so.”
An explosion went off in my head—a kaleidoscope of colors and sensations racing past me at lightning speed. I couldn’t process it all. A scream tore from my lips as I fell to my knees. It just kept coming, wave after wave of piercing agony.
The earth shook hard and something leaked from my nose. Every one of my senses shut down. Cullen might have still been standing close to me, but I didn’t have any way of knowing.
The shaking stopped almost as fast as it started. I forced myself to remain calm. The magic had passed. My body just needed a moment to recover. A few more deep breaths and I cracked my eyes open. There was blood on my hands.
A wet cloth touched my nose and I jerked back. A strong hand gripped my shoulder.
“Hold still.” It was Cullen’s voice. At least my hearing had returned.
“What happened?” I croaked out.
“Ye warned me something was comin’ and then ye fell to the floor just before the earthquake hit.”
This time when I lifted my lids, I could see. Cullen knelt directly in front of me.
“You felt that too?”
“Of course.”
“That was no earthquake,” I said, my voice coming out a little stronger. “Or at least not a natural one—someone caused it.” I’d never experienced anything like that before and yet somehow instinctively I knew it was what happened when someone abused the books power.
“I don’t understand. How can someone cause an earthquake?” he said.
Now that I thought about it, I realized that the earthquake had been happening constantly for the past few months. The migraines, the nausea, the tremors. I wasn’t going crazy—Alana had been dabbling with the book, just as Sandra had predicted.
“It was an explosion of magic.” I rubbed my head. “You check on Alana and I’ll check for the book.”
Cullen frowned and raced into her room.
I worked past the migraine, slowly climbing to my feet, and went downstairs where I’d left the book in my purse by the front door.
Next thing I knew Cullen was right next to me.
“She’s gone,” he said.
“The books gone too.” Sandra Brun had been right. Alana saw me put it in here at the store. I can’t believe I was duped like that and after I wrote her that letter. How could I have been so wrong?
“Any idea where she might be?”
I shook my head.
“Can ye move?”
“Not yet. She hasn’t been gone that long. You should go look for her. She’s not in the house. Maybe you’ll catch her on the road. I’ll follow as soon as I can.”
“I can carry ye to the car.”
“I’ll just slow you down,” I muttered. “Go! I’ll call Leslie and get her to come get me. We’ll be right behind you. Just make sure the book is closed and…Cullen, be careful. She may be more like Liam than we ever dreamed.”
He put his arms around me and kissed the top of my head. “She’s just mixed up. I’ll not let anything else happen to either of ye.”
Cruel Fortunes Omnibus: Volumes One to Four Page 82
