Unraveled i-2

by Gena Showalter

  But her nervousness was growing with every minute that ticked by. Was Aden okay? Were Riley and Victoria okay? Was this her last night alive?

  “You’re distracted again,” her dad said with an ever-patient grin.

  They were sitting at the kitchen table, playing cards. War, of all things. She glanced down at her pile, picked a card and flipped it over. An eight of hearts. Her dad’s card was a three of diamonds, so she gathered that round into her deck.

  “Want to tell me what’s on your mind?”

  “I’m fine,” she lied. She hated the necessity, but wouldn’t cave. He didn’t believe in the paranormal, even when the evidence of it was right under his nose, and she wasn’t in the mood to fight. Or receive a therapy session.

  “Problems with Riley?” he persisted.

  Riley, her sweet Riley. The boy she would date for one more day, then never speak to again. At that, her heart actually lurched inside her chest. “Dad, what do you do when you know you’re no good for the person you love?”

  He looked at her for a moment, then sighed and pushed his cards aside. He propped his elbows on the table and stared over at her intently. “I hadn’t realized you and Riley had reached the I love you stage yet.”

  Her cheeks heated. “We haven’t said it to each other, no.”

  He relaxed a little. “So why isn’t he good for you, sweetie?” Gently asked.

  She squirmed uncomfortably in her seat. She couldn’t tell him that it was the other way around. That she wasn’t good for Riley. He wouldn’t believe her. “What would you tell a patient who asked you the same question?”

  His lips twitched at the corners. “I see what you’re doing. Deflecting. I’ve taught you well. So, are you asking what I’d say to a patient if she refused to share all the details with me?”

  She nodded.

  Another sigh. “I’d tell her to ask herself a very important question. Will the person cause her harm, emotionally or physically?”

  He still had it backward, but the answer was yes. She, too, pushed her cards away. She’d been right, then, to break things off with Riley. She’d been wrong to let things start back up again. But she couldn’t regret her actions. She’d had that one glorious night with him, and she could die without regrets. For the most part.

  Die. She swallowed the lump in her throat.

  “If the answer is yes, I always tell my patients to leave the relationship.” He reached over and took her hand. “Always. Now. Do I need to get my shotgun? What’d that boy do?”

  She laughed. “You hate guns, and therefore don’t own one. Besides, Riley hasn’t hurt me or anything like that. He never would, either. He’s very protective.” And I need to be protective of him.

  “Then what’s the problem? You can tell me. This is a safe space.”

  Another laugh, though this one was forced. “That may be true with your patients, but that’s never been the case with me.” Which she understood. She was his daughter. Everything was personal. “So anyway,” she said, quickly changing the subject. “I’ve been wondering. If you knew you only had one more day to live, what would you want to do?”

  “Planning on killing me?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Be serious.”

  “You’ve never been this morbid before, but I guess I can play along.” He released her and tapped a fingertip against his chin. “I’d pay the premium for a higher life insurance policy, make sure you were going to be properly cared for, and then spend the rest of my time here, with you.”

  Tears filled her eyes, burning. “Thank you.”

  “And I’d want to tell you the truth about something, since I’ve learned my lesson about keeping secrets.”

  Her mind locked onto that one word—secrets—and she froze. Even her heart skipped a beat as panic whipped through her. “Wh-what?”

  “I, well, I met someone,” he said, a blush staining his cheeks.

  Her eyes widened. “Really? Who? When? Where? Tell me everything!”

  He laughed. “So many questions at once. Yes, really. I met her yesterday, at the grocery. And I, well…I asked her out on a date.”

  “Dad!”

  “I haven’t been on a date in ages, but I couldn’t help myself. She was just so intelligent and, well, pretty.”

  Mary Ann was…glad. He deserved to be happy. Especially if she…if she…no, she wouldn’t think like that. He just deserved to be happy. “You’re leaving details out. What’d you guys talk about? What’s she like? Where are you going to take—”

  The doorbell rang, and they both jumped.

  Her dad grinned sheepishly. “We’ll resume this conversation in a bit. I’ll get the door.” He uncoiled from the chair and strode off while Mary Ann cleaned up the cards, marveling at the turn of events. Her dad. On a date. Oh, he’d been on one or two over the years, but nothing serious, and not once had he lit up like that. His interest had always been detached.

  A few seconds later, she heard a female voice and laughter. Her dad’s laughter, and it was such a sweet sound. What was going on in there?

  “Mary Ann,” he called. “Come on in here, honey.”

  She padded into the living room, hands stuffed into her jean pockets. Soon she was standing in her mother’s rainbow living room, staring over at her dad, who was grinning like a loon and saying something to a young, gorgeous blonde wearing a white silk blouse and a flowing white skirt. Her skin was flawless, almost too much so. Her features were perfect and heart-achingly lovely. Could this be the mysterious grocery store babe?

  Mary Ann cleared her throat.

  Her dad glanced over at her, radiating so much excitement she actually had to look away. “Mary Ann, this is the woman I was telling you about.”

  The blonde nodded in greeting, though her gaze didn’t leave Mary Ann’s dad. She was petting his cheek, as if he was a favored puppy. “Mary Ann. I’ve heard so much about you.”

  From their one conversation at the grocery? Don’t be petty. This was a good thing. “Nice to meet you,” she said.

  Finally the newcomer turned and faced her, and Mary Ann gasped in horror. Those eyes…glowing, wide and brown, revealing the sheen of glitter in her too-perfect skin. This was no human.

  This was a fairy.

  “Leave my father alone,” she barked. “He’s done nothing—”

  “Mary Ann,” he said, clearly shocked and disappointed by her behavior. “That isn’t how you—”

  “Be a dear and go to your room,” the fairy told him. “Stay there, no matter what you hear.”

  “Of course,” he said, and walked off without another word, heading up the stairs and never looking back.

  Mary Ann’s heart threatened to beat its way out of her chest. She wanted to run, but she remained in place. She would protect her dad, no matter what she had to do. But the simple fact was, she’d never dealt with a fairy before. She knew only what Riley and Victoria had told her.

  They couldn’t control people with their voices, like vampires could, but humans were so entranced by them, they usually obeyed their word without question. They craved power and didn’t like anyone who was stronger. They were cold, icicles on the inside, yet desperate for warmth.

  Despite all of that, or maybe because of it, they considered themselves protectors of mankind. Mary Ann was part of mankind. Maybe. With her ability…

  She opened her mouth—to say what, she didn’t know.

  “Do not scream for your boyfriend,” the fairy said with a frown. “At the moment, the wolves are busy fighting a swarm of goblins. I made sure of it. And you’ll only distract them. Do you want their blood on your hands?”

  She gulped. “I wasn’t going to scream.” She wasn’t a coward. Anymore. “What are you doing here? Who are you? What do you want?”

  A grin met her words, and yet, the expression lacked any hint of amusement. “I am called Brendal, and as to why I’m here, I would think that was obvious. I want you to follow me.”

  “Why?”

  �
��Answers will come later.”

  “Hardly. Did you lead my dad on to get to me?”

  “Of course. We do what we must.”

  Spoken without a hint of remorse. Bitch. Anger sparked.

  “Now. Come,” Brendal said, and motioned her over.

  Mary Ann raised her chin. She felt no compulsion to do as the fairy wished. Because she muted the fairy’s powers? Maybe, but she wasn’t fully muting them, since her dad had climbed those stairs on command. Remember what Victoria told you. Your ability doesn’t work on someone’s natural gifts. “I think I’ll stay here, thanks.”

  Dark eyes narrowed. “You desire answers, fine. I want you to follow me because I have a use for you. You repel, while your friend Aden attracts. You dull, while he magnifies. You, too, are a weapon, though most probably you do not realize it.”

  “You’ll have to do better than that.”

  “He pulls them in, and you finish them off.”

  As if. “Just who am I supposed to finish off, hmm?”

  “The enemy, of course.”

  According to the fairies, vampires and werewolves were the enemy. “Is that why you’re here? You think I’ll help you?”

  “Not me, no.” Brendal strolled to the left, increasing the distance between them, her hand brushing along prized knickknacks. “You wish to help your friend Aden, do you not?”

  Mary Ann’s stomach twisted painfully. “What do you mean?”

  “The witches have him, and they aren’t happy with him. And yes, I know about the required meeting and how you’re most likely going to die tomorrow. Aden loves you, though, and refuses to give the witches what they want until they call their meeting to order so he can save your life. He refuses to give me what I want, as well.”

  Don’t give her a reaction. Don’t you dare give her a reaction. “And you want?”

  “To know what happened to my brother. I’m willing to do anything to find out. Anything. Even…betray my allies.”

  Was she saying what Mary Ann thought she was saying? That she would betray the witches in exchange for information about her brother? That she would help Mary Ann rescue Aden?

  “That’s why you’re coming with me, Mary Ann.”

  She shook her head. She couldn’t afford to trust this being. “No. I told you. I’m staying here.”

  Brendal arched a golden brow, ever the picture of calm acceptance. “If I told your father to kill himself, he would. Happily. Your ability to dull my influence might stop him, yes. I know that’s what you are thinking, but I can call others of my kind. They can drag you away. Then…”

  For a split second, Mary Ann imagined flying at the fairy, a catapult of fury, nails bared, teeth ripping. No one threatened her dad. No one. Only Brendal’s promise to summon others stopped her. One on one was manageable. More than that, iffy. “How, exactly, do you expect me to help you?”

  Frustration bloomed, the first true emotion to touch the beautiful female’s face. “I told you. You will come with me. You will weaken the witches while I obtain the boy.”

  “And that’s all?”

  “Yes.”

  Did she know Mary Ann could drain the witches of their power or did she simply mean for her to mute their abilities? “And what will you do with Aden?”

  “As soon as he tells me what I want to know, I will release him.”

  Or try to kill him. Because Mary Ann knew the answer this fairy craved, and knew she wouldn’t like what she learned. Her brother was dead and Aden was the reason. “You’ll free him? No matter what?”

  She nodded. “No matter what.”

  “How can I trust you?”

  “Do you have any other choice?”

  God, she wished Riley was here to tell her whether or not fairies kept their promises. “And what about the witches meeting?”

  Triumph replaced the fairy’s frustration. “I cannot force them to call a meeting to order.”

  At least she’d been honest. About that. “All right. I’ll help you.” After that…

  THIRTY

  THE KISS ON THE COUCH, when he’d tasted blood. It hadn’t been his own, Aden realized now. It had been Victoria’s. She’d given him several drops—accidentally? purposely?—but that had been enough. Now he was inside her head, hearing her thoughts, seeing the world through her eyes. Feeling her pain.

  And oh, was she in pain. There was a burn in her chest, directly over her heartbeat, as if the skin had been singed away. She barely seemed to notice, though.

  She stood in front of Riley, gaze cutting through the darkness. They were in the woods, wolves and goblins fighting all around them. Snarls rent the air, as did shouted commands and groans of agony.

  “—found him,” she was saying. “He’s in a cave, an entire state away.”

  Riley swiped at the blood dripping from his hairline. “I know. We can feel him, too. We just can’t leave this forest until this swarm of goblins is taken care of. Otherwise, they’ll hunt humans.”

  “Well, I need a few of your men to follow me to the cave—after they return to the mansion and gather as many vampire warriors as possible.”

  Riley shook his head. “You’ll get the wolves and the vampires, but you aren’t to enter the cave alone.”

  Stubborn. As always. “I can move faster than you can.” To prove it, she grabbed a goblin racing past by the neck, swooped down and bit, hard, sucking him dry in seconds. The body fell, and she tried not to cringe as she swallowed that last drop of blood. Goblins’ blood always tasted like bile. “You’ll just slow me down, and Aden could be…hurt.”

  “You’ll be distracted by the witches, Victoria.” Riley’s gaze was pointed. “You know you will. You’ll do more harm than good.”

  No. She wouldn’t. Aden was priority one. “As you just saw, I ate. I’m not hungry, and this conversation is wasting precious time. I’m only here to tell you not to let your wolves or the vampires inside the cave while I’m in there. They’ll ruin everything. Okay? They are only to fight the witches outside.”

  Now he frowned, suspicion dancing in his eyes. “Why? What will they ruin? What are you planning?”

  What’s necessary. She didn’t say the words aloud.

  “And anyway, I need you to listen to me. Your father—”

  Is dead. She already knew. “Goodbye, Riley,” she said, and rose on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. Then, before the shape-shifter could grab her, she teleported. The ground abandoned her feet, wind rustled her hair and she spun…spun…darkness closing in, sounds fading away. When she reached her new destination, the darkness gave way to beams of light. Panting breaths disrupted the quiet.

  Suddenly, Aden was looking at himself.

  “Aden.” Her voice stroked his ears. “Aden. Wake up.”

  A sharp sting lanced his cheek, then another, as he watched Victoria slap him. Slowly he blinked open his eyes. The cave seemed coated with Vaseline. He blinked again, once, twice, his own image fading and Victoria’s taking its place.

  She was here. With him. “Leave,” he croaked. If they found her… “Now.”

  “Shhh.” She tugged at the ivy around his wrists, but when she cut one vine, another quickly grew in its place. “Was the meeting called to order?”

  “No.” The admission shamed him. “What time is it?”

  “Almost midnight. The true countdown has begun.” Still she tugged and clawed. “They kept us busy or I would have been here sooner.”

  “Leave me here, and try to get the witches to return to me. That’s the only way.”

  “No. I won’t. If I don’t do this now, I may not…I may…”

  Be dead, he finished for her.

  “And you’ll be stuck,” she whispered, still chopping at the vines. “I can’t allow that.”

  He couldn’t fail. He couldn’t. Wouldn’t. “Do you know where the witches are?”

  What are you planning? Caleb asked, speaking up for the first time in what seemed an eternity.

  Aden ignored him. When it came to t
he witches, the soul had no objectivity.

  With a screech of frustration, Victoria grabbed the vine, pulled herself up and slashed the root with her teeth. Aden’s arms fell heavily to his sides as she spat the leaves onto the ground.

  “The witches?” he prompted, trying to rub feeling back into his shoulders.

  You’re not thinking about hurting them, are you? Caleb demanded.

  And if he is? Irritation pulsed from Julian. What if it’s them or us?

  Guys, you need to— Elijah began, only to be interrupted.

  “Couldn’t get enough of me, princess, and decided to find me?” Jennifer asked. “I’m touched, really.”

  “Yes, thank you for joining us,” Marie said. “Now I won’t have to go to the trouble of sending you an engraved invitation to the night’s festivities.”

  The witches had returned.

  At the sound of Jennifer’s voice, Victoria had spun around, arms splayed to act as Aden’s shield. He shoved her behind him. They wanted him alive. Victoria, not so much. When she tried to return to her position in front of him, he reached back and squeezed her wrist.

  “Do you think we failed to realize the exact moment you had stepped onto our land, tick?” Marie said. One by one, the witches marched to their boulders, claiming their spots around him. They still wore red robes. “Now we can watch you die and revel in the knowledge that we have one less bloodsucking enemy to contend with.”

  “No,” Aden barked. Despite the cold, sweat beaded over his skin. “Call the meeting to order. Now.”

  Marie nodded as if she had every intention of obeying. “I will. As soon as you give me your vow of loyalty.”

  “And trade one death sentence for another? No.”

  She gave another of those acquiescent nods. “Then you have brought this on yourself, Haden Stone. I had hoped it would not come to this, but… You will not help us, and so you must die with your friends. Sisters?”

  Arms outstretched, fingers interlocked, completing their circle.

  Behind him, Victoria stiffened. “On my signal, drop,” she whispered. “I’ll take care of the witches.”