Cimmerian Shade: A Limited Edition Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy Collection

by Kiki Howell

  “Stop being so obtuse,” she retorted faintly.

  Chapter Three

  “REMY, TIME TO wake up,” Cassie’s soft voice broke through the fuzzy cloud on which Remy peacefully floated. Remy peeled opened her eyes and forced them to focus on Cassie’s smiling face.

  “You promised you would stop doing that,” accused Remy, thickly. The gossamer webs of sleep fell away slowly, leaving her mouth filled with cotton.

  Cassie appeared contrite. “Sorry,” she mumbled, “I promise to try harder.”

  Remy rolled her eyes. “Much harder.”

  “Yes, bossy.”

  Snorting, Remy peered out the window. “Why are we stopped?”

  “We’re here,” Cassie announced, pointed to a dark green building at the end of the street.

  A large, wood-framed, picture window glowed invitingly. Scrawled across the glass in gold script were the words ‘Tobain’s Bakery’. Already, the delicious smell of bread wafted from the kitchen.

  “Mm.” Remy’s stomach rumbled. “That smells divine,” she drooled.

  Cassie laughed and patted her stomach, which pooched slightly. “One of the reasons I eat so well. Come on,” she grinned, “I’ll show you the apartment; it’s just up those stairs.” She indicated a tiny, wooden staircase affixed to the side of the bakery.

  Panting as she reached the top stair, Cassie kicked open the front door and hefted the suitcase into the apartment. It crashed loudly on the hardwood floor, exploding under the evening’s strain. Clothing shot out in every direction.

  “I think your luggage is done for,” Cassie announced evenly. She nudged the purple top with her shoe. Now completely detached from its counterpart, the suitcase lay half-buried under the mess cluttering her entryway. “It least my floor is clean.”

  Still suffering from the effects of Cassie’s spell, Remy yawned. “Just point me in the direction of your couch so I can crash. I’ll clean this up later.”

  “No couch,” Cassie shook her head. “Bed.”

  “What bed?” Remy asked suspiciously.

  Cassie whistled a hollow tune, innocently trying to escape into the living room. Her feet tangled in the pile of clothing and she tripped, landing hard on her knees. She sucked in a swear word and rubbed her right leg.

  “The one over there,” she gestured guiltily at a second bedroom, hidden at the end of the hallway. The partially open door revealed all of Remy’s belongings from her apartment.

  “Cassie,” Remy exclaimed in shock, “how did you get all my things here?”

  “Magic,” she admitted, “and a slew of favors. Don’t make me regret my decision.”

  “Your decision? Shouldn’t this have been my decision?” Remy shot back. “I haven’t agreed to live with you.”

  “You were unavailable for consultation.”

  “I was in an airplane.”

  “Exactly.”

  Remy growled, running a hand through her tangled tresses. “Did you consider that perhaps I don’t want to live on the island?”

  “What, you were planning to return to Drew? Beg him to take you back?” goaded Cassie.

  “No,” retorted Remy, crossly.

  “It wasn’t your choice to leave the island in the first place,” Cassie muttered fiercely. “I figured you should at least make your own decision this time.”

  Remy snapped her teeth and took a deep breath, counting backward from ten. “Alright, Cassandra, before I pack everything up again, tell me the reason Mother banished me.”

  Exhaling, Cassie rose from the floor, drifting into the living room. She paused in front of a bookshelf, stocked full of various colored, leather-bound books, odd trinkets from her travels, and three ancestral cartomancy decks. Cassie’s manicured finger traced across several faded titles until she discovered the one she sought; she pulled the book out and thrust it into Remy’s hands.

  “Here, this explains everything.”

  Remy glanced from the worn black binding to her sister’s expectant face. “Cassie,” Remy complained, “I am too exhausted to read. Why can’t you just tell me?”

  “Fine.” She flopped onto the sofa, snuggling against the plush cushions. She patted the seat next to her, waiting expectantly.

  Remy shook her head. “I prefer to stand.”

  “You just said you were tired.”

  “Cassandra,” Remy warned.

  Taking a deep breath, Cassie stared deeply into Remy’s eyes. “We are not sisters.”

  “What?” Remy shouted. The room began to spin. She leaned against the hallway table, waiting for the blackness gathering in her peripheral to dissipate; she squeezed her eyes shut tightly. “Of course, we are. We have the same parents; I have Mother’s eyes.”

  “It’s a glamour.” Cassie casually referred to the spell. She rose, pacing the room anxiously; her hands twisted into knots. “You were left in Mother’s care when you were only four months old. She applied the glamour as soon as you entered our house and introduced you as her youngest daughter, explaining your sudden appearance by claiming you were a premature baby who spent the first few months of life under intensive care on the mainland.”

  Remy’s head buzzed from the revelation. She opened her mouth, but the only sound she managed was a strangled cross between a howl and a whimper.

  “Who was my real mother?” Remy whispered; her chest constricted tightly, aching.

  “Nadine Bonnay.”

  “I never heard of the family.”

  “You were never interested in the history of our coven,” Cassie replied dismissively.

  “It’s not like I was invited to join,” Remy retorted bitterly.

  Cassie gestured her acceptance of the comment. “According to coven history, during the year of your birth, families with newborn baby girls were systematically exterminated, including both your parents. Their mangled bodies were discovered the morning after you were left with us. The elders had no idea who would murder that many prominent coven families. Mother cast numerous protective spells around the house to ensure no one would ever connect you to the Bonnays. She altered your appearance and bound you to prevent you from receiving your gifts.”

  “She is the reason I never developed my talents!” Remy burst out angrily, hatred boiled from her pores.

  “She is,” confirmed Cassie, candidly. “As an undeveloped witch, you were untraceable.”

  “Do you know how horrible my childhood was; an outcast having to live with the guilt of killing Father?”

  Cassie flew across the room, grasping Remy’s face tightly in her hands. “That was not your fault.”

  “Then whose fault, was it?”

  “I do not know,” Cassie replied with a shake of her head. “Whomever forced you into hiding is ultimately responsible. That book,” she gestured to the tome lightly cradled in Remy’s arms, “was delivered with you. Your mother asked that you receive it once your gifts revealed themselves.”

  “What if that never happens?” Remy whispered, staring down at the book.

  Cassie wrapped her arms tightly around Remy’s waist. “I am working on that,” she answered fiercely. “Mother’s spells were quite complicated.”

  “Why did Mother, I mean your mother...”

  “Our mother,” interrupted Cassie with a ferocious gleam.

  “Why did she risk your lives to help me?”

  Cassie sighed against Remy’s neck. “I cannot tell you. The scheme worked, until five years ago, when an anonymous letter arrived in the post. It stated the writer knew of your true heritage and if we did not turn you over to them, our family would receive a dreadful punishment.”

  “Mother choose to banish you,” Cassie continued succinctly. “I heard it was quite the screaming match between the two of you the night you left. You yelled that you never wanted to see anyone in the family again, including me.” Cassie paused, “that one really hurt, Remy.”

  “I didn’t mean it,” Remy whispered, remembering the argument and horrific storm which accompani
ed her departure.

  “I know,” Cassie replied, softly. “Less than a week after you disappeared, the unknown aggressor attacked Mother; I discovered her too late to reverse the curse. Before she passed, she revealed your banishment and the hiding place of that book. The last thing she whispered was ‘follow your heart.’”

  “What does that mean?” Remy asked, shocked by Cassie’s revelation.

  “I don’t have all the answers, Remy.”

  “I could have helped her,” Remy sniffed. “I didn’t even come to the funeral.” A tear rolled down her cheek.

  Stroking a light hand through Remy’s hair, Cassie offered a sad smile. “No, Remy. You couldn’t help. This was not something you were equipped to handle. It was for your protection.”

  “And Drew?” Remy pressed, unsure if she wanted to hear the explanation.

  “I had nothing to do with Drew,” Cassie glanced at Remy’s skeptical frown. “Aside from breaking up with him this evening,” she qualified with an eye roll.

  “What do we do now?” asked Remy faintly. Her shaking legs collapsed and she slid down the wall.

  Cassie strode silently into the kitchen. She returned a moment later with two wine glasses and a bottle of whiskey. Filling both goblets, she handed one to Remy, still crumpled on the floor. Remy accepted the cup and drank deeply, handing the glass back to Cassie. She refilled it with a smirk and joined Remy on the floor, placing the bottle between them.

  “At some point, we need to speak with Grandfather,” declared Cassie as she sipped the brown liquid in her glass.

  “I know,” grumbled Remy, taking a sip as well. “He’s going to be angry with me.”

  “Probably,” answered Cassie, kicking her legs out. “However, he is the only person I know who can answer your questions.”

  Remy sighed. “We’ll go see him first thing tomorrow morning, agreed?”

  “Agreed,” Cassie clinked her glass against Remy’s. Cassie clucked. “Your first night here and you capture the attention of Sebastian Ayres.”

  Remy flushed at the mention of his name. Cassie eyed her suspiciously.

  “Do not expect him to disappear quietly,” she continued with a peculiar expression. “Once he sets his mind to something,” Cassie paused, draining the goblet, “he is insatiable until he acquires it.”

  Remy snorted. “I can handle a guy.”

  “Bastian is much more than he appears, as are most of us. Do not underestimate anyone you meet, especially over the next few days.” Cassie shook her head. “I cannot believe Sebastian invited you to the midnight ceremony,” she muttered incredulously.

  “I don’t have to go, Cassie.” Remy placed a calming hand on her arm.

  “Yes, you do.” Cassie shook her head in annoyance, “and after I told him you were undeveloped.”

  “I don’t understand, is that bad?”

  “Remy, you will be the only non-coven member in attendance. He put you in extreme danger.”

  “Then I just won’t go.”

  “It doesn’t work that way. Sebastian personally invited you; even if you did not want to attend – Remy, I’m not blind; I know you want to see him again.”

  Huffing, Remy bit her tongue, holding back a retort.

  “Even if you did not want to go, you would find yourself inexplicably drawn to the location,” continued Cassie.

  “That seems kind of unfair,” Remy muttered, draining her glass again.

  A thunderous knock echoed through the apartment. Cassie glanced up with wide eyes, her face paled. The knock came a second time.

  “Are you expecting any visitors?” whispered Remy; her identically pale face focused on the door.

  “No,” she murmured back. “Hide in the bedroom,” Cassie instructed quietly. “Here take these,” she whispered, handing the glasses to Remy.

  Remy slipped quietly down the hallway and squished herself into a closet, already stuffed full with clothing. She listened to Cassie’s footsteps as she tiptoed to the front door; the floor squeaked.

  “Grandfather,” Cassie announced in shock, ripping through the bolts and opening the door. “And Drew?” she asked in confusion.

  “Cassandra,” Grandfather Vasile’s voice boomed as he entered the apartment. He gave her a chaste kiss on her cheek. “I see you have already met Drew.”

  “Not in person,” Cassie qualified grudgingly. Heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway.

  “Drew tells me something extremely disturbing, Cassandra,” Grandfather continued, once Cassie bolted the front door.

  “Which is?” asked Cassie, forcing an innocent tone into her voice. Remy imagined her fluttering her eyelashes like she did as a young child.

  “I know she is here,” Drew’s quiet voice interrupted. “Remy, come out. Stop your ridiculousness this instance and come home.”

  “She is home,” Cassie hissed.

  “Remina.” The word echoed through the apartment; a deep guttural sound, which echoed through Remy’s bones. She appeared at the doorway, without understanding how.

  “Yes, Grandfather.” Remy’s automatic response included a respectful bow.

  Grandfather shook his head. “Cassandra, what have you done?”

  “I rescued her from that insensitive jerk,” she stabbed a finger at Drew.

  “That ‘jerk’, as you so kindly put it, is supposed to protect Remina and assist with her transition,” Grandfather replied smoothly.

  “What transition? I have no abilities,” Remy murmured in confusion.

  “You don’t yet,” interjected Drew, quietly.

  Cassie scowled at Drew. “Remy was miserable, Grandfather; she complained to me daily about how he mistreated her. I couldn’t let her continue to suffer any longer.”

  “Were you?” Grandfather asked, turning toward Remy; his probing gray eyes studied her, reading her thoughts. He arched an eyebrow and turned to Drew.

  “I distinctly remember telling you to keep your hands off her,” he snapped.

  Drew offered a guilty grimace. “She had to believe I loved her, sir. She would not have stayed otherwise.”

  “I picked you specifically because you were immune to her charms, because when she transitioned she needed a teacher she could trust,” his nostrils flared, “not a horny teenager.”

  “Well, look at her,” Drew sputtered indignantly, gesturing to Remy, who glared at him in shock, “I’m not dead.” He glanced at Grandfather and hung his head shamefully. “It was only a handful of times,” he murmured to the floor.

  “You said you loved me,” Remy exploded venomously. “You tricked me and lied to me for five years!” she bellowed, slapping Drew’s face. The satisfying sound reverberated down the hallway. “Five years,” she screamed, her fingers balling into a fist. “How dare you!” She struck him again; blood dripped from his nose.

  “It was my job,” Drew replied callously, pinching the bridge of his nose.

  “Your job?” Her eyes popped angrily as she glowered, lunging at Drew again.

  “It was for your protection; you were not meant to have an actual relationship with him,” Grandfather placated, slipping between Remy and Drew. He grabbed Remy’s wrists, forcing her to stare into his eyes. “I would never force someone into your heart, Remy. I hope you think better of me than that.”

  “I don’t know what to believe,” Remy declared. Her eyes darted around the apartment searching for a suitable weapon to exact vengeance upon Drew; the kitchen offered an array of weapons. Her grandfather shook his head slowly, his bright grey eyes focused intently on her brown eyes. His mouth twitched.

  “Do you really think that kind of violence is necessary?” Grandfather asked softly, reading Remy’s bloodthirsty thoughts. “Drew will receive judgement for,” he paused, releasing her arms and glancing at Drew, “his indiscretion.”

  “He was bad at it anyways,” Remy muttered bitterly; the truth of Drew’s betrayal gutted her cruelly. Cassie hooted with laughter, danced over, and gleefully wrapped her arms around Remy�
�s shoulders. Remy shrugged her off, spinning furiously. “You lied to me too!”

  Cassie held up her hands, fending off Remy’s attack. “I didn’t know he was a fraud; Mother never said anything about him.” She thumbed over her shoulder at Drew.

  “Only your grandfather knew my true purpose,” Drew murmured; he shoved his hands in his pockets, keeping his distance from Remy.

  Remy twisted back to her grandfather. “Why?” she asked; her voice cracked. “Why did you send me away,” she glanced at Drew, “with him?”

  “It was your mother’s decision to banish you; I merely supplied an extra level of security.”

  “Some bodyguard,” snorted Cassie. Grandfather tapped his shoe impatiently; Cassie swallowed her smirk.

  “You should have consulted me first, Cassandra,” he stated softly. “Now we must deal with the consequences of your rash actions.”

  “What harm have I caused?” she replied tartly.

  “A great deal,” interrupted Drew, regaining some of his bravado; Remy narrowed her eyes him. He shrank back.

  “Who else knows of Remy’s arrival?” Grandfather asked quietly.

  “No one,” Cassie replied, shaking her head.

  “Sebastian does,” Remy whispered; watching Cassie’s mouth frown.

  “Sebastian Ayres?” asked Grandfather, curiously.

  “Yes,” nodded Cassie. “We bumped into him, well his luggage and then him, at the airport.”

  “Was that the only time?”

  “About fifteen minutes later, we met him again in the middle of Main Street.”

  “Do I ask what you were in the middle of a street at three in the morning?” inquired Drew; he shot Remy an incredulous look. Grandfather frowned; Drew fell silent.

  “It’s probably best that we just continue the story,” Cassie hedged.

  Grandfather nodded. “Did anything unusual happen?”

  “He gave Remy a ride to the ferry dock.”

  “You let a stranger give you a ride?” Drew burst out angrily. “It’s like I don’t even know you.”

  “You don’t,” Remy spat furiously; she crossed her arms, scowling.

  “That is not helping,” Grandfather intervened quietly.

  “I had a disagreement with Cassie,” Remy explained, returning her attention to her grandfather.