Malice: A Barrington County Novel

by Stacy Charasidis

  Tess and Gabriel finished putting the food onto platters. They rang the dinner bell, giving the family their ten-minute warning. Tess watched Gabriel speculatively. “Is Rain coming?”

  Gabriel glanced at her, but then turned his head away. “No, she called to cancel. She’s working on a history of Barrington and Superstition and she’s meeting with another old person to talk about their memories.”

  Tess was secretly relieved, but angry at Rain. Did she not see how much she hurt Gabriel?

  She didn’t want to say she was sorry when she wasn’t. “I opened the wine. Let’s have a glass before we go in.”

  Gabriel smiled. “That sounds like a great idea.” He went and grabbed two glasses, poured the dark red liquid and handed one to her. Their glasses clinked together and they each took a sip, their eyes locked. The wine was delicious and slid easily down her throat. She ran her tongue along the edge of the glass and watched as Gabriel’s eyes tracked the motion. Then he tossed his wine back and refilled their glasses. “We’re going to need more bottles.”

  Tess was breathless. Elanah was right. Gabriel wanted her.

  Claire walked in and looked at the glasses in their hands. “Surely we’re not taking that long,” she said dryly, grabbing a glass and indicating Gabriel should pour her some. Elanah came in behind her.

  “Hello everyone,” she said with a smile. Tess and Gabriel smiled back. Elanah was fitting in extremely well. Everyone was glad she was here to help, and she was glad to help. She was such a nice girl.

  “Dad’s home!” Luke yelled, heading toward the dining room. He never missed a meal. Sadie’s light steps were right behind him with Nathalie and Dean in tow as they chattered away, catching up on all the news.

  Gabriel took the wine, and his glass, and headed to the “mess hall” as he called it. “I’ll save you a seat, Tess,” he said on his way out.

  “Well, he could have taken some of the food,” Claire exclaimed, exasperated. “Really, that boy is so spoiled.”

  Tess laughed. “He took the important stuff.”

  Elanah smiled. “We’re here to help, don’t you worry.”

  Tess hesitated. She was unsure what to do. Theoretically, she was the “help” today.

  It was as if Claire could read minds. “Don’t be silly, Tess. You’ll be joining us,” Claire said in her no-nonsense voice. “You helped cook it, you get to eat it,” she said as she swept out of the kitchen, arms full of dishes.

  Tess reached for a platter but Elanah stopped her. “A moment, please, Tess,” she said softly, touching her arm lightly.

  Tess turned and there was a necklace with a doll charm on it dangling from Elanah’s fingers. The little doll’s head was painted wood, its neck, arms, and legs were cleverly made from exquisitely carved wooden parts. The body was soft, and clothed in a dress made from a beautiful shamrock-patterned material. The doll’s hair was a golden blond. Tess gasped. “Why, she’s beautiful!” she exclaimed.

  “For you, for luck,” she said, clasping it around Tess’ slender neck. “You have been so sweet this week, keeping me company at the hotel that I wanted to make something nice for you.” Elanah kissed both of Tess’ cheeks. “Wear it in good health.”

  Tess hugged her. “I love it, thank you so much.”

  A voice could be heard from the dining room. “We’re only having potatoes and vegetables for dinner? What kind of feast is this?”

  Tess shook her head. Gabriel could be funny at times, or maybe that was the wine talking. “We’d better get in there,” she said, grabbing a meat platter. “Coming now!” she shouted.

  Elanah grabbed the bread.

  “Bring more wine!” was the retort.

  In the dining room, Tess put the platter down and went to sit beside Gabriel, who was patting the chair beside him in a welcoming manner.

  “My wine!” she exclaimed, heading back to the kitchen to get it. She grabbed another bottle while she was there. When she turned, Sadie was behind her. Tess was so startled she jumped. She hadn’t heard her approach.

  Sadie looked pale, paler than her normal white hue, especially since she was supposed to have a tan. She was looking at Tess’ necklace. “I was on my way back from the bathroom when I sensed something strange. That’s a very pretty doll charm. Where did you get it?” she asked curiously. Tess noticed Sadie was sweating.

  She put her hand on it protectively. Instinctively she knew that she shouldn’t let Sadie touch it. “It was a gift. Hey, Sadie, are you okay?”

  Sadie shook her head and touched her forehead. “I’m fine. Just some travel tiredness.”

  “Come, let’s get you something to eat. You’re so thin,” Tess exclaimed, taking Sadie’s arm and pulling her into the dining room.

  Elanah was at the head of the table, putting down the bread when she saw Sadie and gasped. “Willow?” she exclaimed aloud, stumbling back to lean against the wall. She seemed stunned.

  Sadie smiled faintly, putting her hand out to steady the shocked woman, but Elanah shied away. Sadie took her hand back and nodded politely instead. “No, not Willow. Allow me to present myself. My name is Sadie Kellar Barrington. It’s nice to meet you, Elanah Von Vixen.”

  Elanah was frozen for a few moments more before she inclined her head in greeting. It looked as if she had seen a ghost. The room was quiet. “I’m so sorry…you look so much like her,” she said softly. “It took me by surprise. Beauty like yours is so rare…” she trailed off.

  The two witches stared at each other. Then Elanah looked at Sadie’s forehead.

  “Is it bad?”

  Elanah nodded.

  “Can I have dinner?” Sadie smiled.

  “Yes, but you should leave Barrington right away, tomorrow morning at the latest.” Her eyes drifted back to Sadie’s forehead.

  Luke came to take Sadie to her seat. “Time to eat, wife.”

  Elanah’s eyes followed her. Claire stood up and brought Elanah a chair. “Seeing familiar faces we know are long gone can be harder than we think,” she said softly. “Sit. Eat.”

  Strangely, despite the awkward meeting, dinner was a lot of fun.

  Sadie and Luke told everyone about their honeymoon.

  Gabriel was making funny comments and was very attentive to Tess, flirting with her in a light way and making sure both their wine glasses were always full. Tess was feeling very good.

  Nathalie noticed their intimate behaviour and stared at both of them, frowning, until Dean pulled her attention to him and Luke instead, and she finally relaxed.

  No one talked about the tainted magic, the girls quarantined in the woods, or noticed that Max was very quiet. He hadn’t told anyone about Katie, or Ella’s meltdown before she’d been sent to the cabin.

  Elanah kept staring at Sadie, her face getting more worried. Luke noticed, and just after dessert dragged his wife off to bed. “Say your farewells, darling. We need to pack.”

  Sadie kissed everyone goodbye.

  The wine had flowed, and after the stress of the last week, everyone imbibed. By eleven o’clock, Claire had locked the liquor cabinet and declared that no one was fit to even ride a bike, so she made them all call their parents and spend the night. Even John was too tipsy to drive, and had protested the loudest at having his liquor denied.

  She organized rooms and sent everyone to bed.

  Later that night, Tess slipped downstairs quietly. Plagued with dreams, and being in a strange place, she’d slept fitfully. She’d gotten up to pee and drink a gallon of water and found she was starving. The wine she’d drunk had hit her like a truck when she’d gone to her guest room, but now she was alert and needed food. She’d borrowed a white cotton nightgown from Sadie, a long, old-fashioned job that fell to her ankles.

  “Luke likes them,” she said mysteriously.

  Tess snuck into the kitchen and opened the fridge. The light shone right through the gown. Tess could clearly see her breasts jutting out through the material. Now we know why Luke likes these, she thought with
a smile.

  “Well, I certainly didn’t expect this vision of loveliness to be here when I came to get a glass of water.”

  Tess’ stomach dropped to her feet, her heart pounding as she turned her head to look behind her. Gabriel was standing in the kitchen, barefoot and shirtless, wearing only pajama bottoms riding low on his hips. He was staring at her backside with something like hunger.

  The light! He could see right through her freaking nightgown.

  She hesitated a moment before she shut the fridge door and leaned against it. The gown clung to her curves and glowed slightly in the dark. She found herself breathless. They didn’t speak. As her eyes adjusted to the moonlit room, she could see Gabriel’s slender, naked form clearly. His hipbones jutted out from the sides of his body, and his stomach muscles were flat and well defined. He had wide shoulders and a furry chest. His hair was disheveled from sleeping. A glint of silver showed he still wore his bracelet.

  She must have made some sort of sound or signal; a moan maybe, that propelled him toward her. With two strides he grabbed her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her to him. His lips covered hers and he plunged his tongue inside her mouth. If he hadn’t been holding her up she would have fallen as he kissed her hard, sucking on her tongue. She kissed him back fiercely, all her pent up desire and attraction for him raging through her. His hands were on her hips, underneath the gown that was now bunched at her waist. They moved over her stomach and breasts. He was kissing her so intently, so passionately, her legs were like jelly. Fire ignited in her abdomen at his touch, and she felt her knees give. She knew then that Gabriel was hers for the taking.

  Gabriel could feel Tess weaken and held her weight. Lord, he wanted her, and his need to possess her flared because he knew she wanted him too, just as badly. There was no resistance as he lowered her to the floor and yanked off her panties. She had her arms wound tightly around his neck and was kissing him hotly. He pushed his pants down, wild with desire for this beautiful girl who’d laughed with him all week. Somewhere in his passion-fueled brain he thought of Rain, and how what he was about to do was very wrong, but he couldn’t fight his body’s reaction to Tess. His heart beat frantically at the warmth of her mouth and the fire of their kiss. Her body was soft and ready for him. Blood pounded forcefully to his lower body, making it hard as rock. She lay on her back and opened her legs as he fell upon her, his mouth pressed against hers.

  He pushed inside her, moaning as her slick, tight heat surrounded him. He couldn’t think straight. She moaned and writhed quietly beneath him. Her soft body cushioned his as he thrust, his hips grinding against hers. His elbows were beside her head as his tongue ravaged her mouth. He drove deep, groaning and lifting her hips with each push. Her hands were on his butt, squeezing and pulling him deeper. She cried out when she came, the sound muffled through his mouth and lodging in his chest. He groaned with his release, pleasure flooding his body.

  His heart was thundering and he could feel some mild strain in his arms and abdominal muscles from his bucking body. Tess’ legs fell to the side as she panted against his mouth, and he thrust his hips a few more times, enjoying the friction where their bodies were joined. They were still making out even though he was breathing heavily from exertion. He couldn’t seem to stop.

  Finally Gabriel tore his mouth away to look into her face. Tess’s face, not Rain’s. He pushed that thought aside. The look of hot desire on her face mirrored his own. “Let’s go back to my room. In five minutes I will really need to fuck you again.”

  He pulled out of her and hauled her up, grabbing her undies at the same time. He pulled up his pajama pants and when he looked at Tess, she was staring at him intensely, as if being separated from him was torture. Taking her hand, they ran lightly up the stairs and into Gabriel’s suite of rooms. He shut the door quietly behind them then pulled off her nightgown. “Where’d you get this monstrosity?” he asked with a low, rumbling laugh, tossing it to the floor. He was already naked. He held her close for a few minutes, the heat of their bodies blending together. They kissed slowly. Tess was shaking. Gabriel’s warm mouth tasted like heaven as they rolled their tongues together. He moved his mouth down the side of her neck. Her nipples puckered as the cool air swept over them when he moved, then the heat of his mouth covered one breast, and zips of electricity sparked at her core. “God, you’re so beautiful, Tess,” he sighed. “At the wedding all I wanted to do was push that silky dress of yours aside and suck on your breasts.”

  As his mouth trailed down over her belly to kiss the juncture of her thighs, and his fingers slipped inside, she sighed with pleasure. It was only when he picked her up and tossed her onto his bed, spreading her knees wide and putting his mouth between her legs did she think, I’m so sorry Rain, as she ran her fingers through his beautiful, soft hair and moaned in ecstasy.

  In a suite of rooms down the hall, Sadie and Luke were curled up together, asleep. Luke wasn’t sure when he felt something change, but he suddenly woke up in a cold sweat. He’d only slept lightly because he was worried about Sadie’s condition. Her health was degenerating quickly and he wasn’t sure Sadie had until morning. He’d insisted she show him her power before they’d gone to bed. Her purple power had fizzled a bit, to her shock and his consternation. Luke could clearly see black rot infiltrating the purple electricity that was Sadie’s magic. He had kept calm for her sake, but he wished he and his father hadn’t drunk so much. He wanted her to leave immediately and be out of the poison zone. Damn booze!

  Sadie was lying on her side, facing him. When he opened his eyes he shouted in fear and scrambled out of bed, adrenaline flooding his body and senses. Sadie’s eyes were open and staring at him with hostility. They were glowing a sickly green.

  And she was baring her teeth.

  “Sadie!” he screeched, his voice breaking with panic. He went toward her but she began to hiss at him as she sat up in bed. In the moonlight, her face was white and her lips were black.

  Luke was terrified. What the hell had happened to his wife? “Dad!” he screamed at the top of his lungs, running to the door. “Daaaad!” he screamed again.

  Thundering footsteps could be heard down the halls.

  John was the first to arrive, skidding to a halt when he saw his daughter-in-law, Claire right behind him. “Holy shit,” he breathed. “Claire, get Elanah right now.”

  “I’m here,” she said, appearing very suddenly at the room’s doorway. “Oh, my God, her mark is bleeding red. She’s dying!”

  “Do something!” Luke yelled, lunging at Elanah and grabbing her arms. “Do something, please.”

  As he touched her, images flashed into his head. Willow crying. Danner, bloody and triumphant, staring over her with lust and then with fury. Two babies, one boy, one girl. A handsome man’s face with love in his eyes. An angry mob with torches. A cool, ancient forest. A tall, slender Fae with silvery blond hair and high cheekbones…

  All transmitted within seconds before Luke was thrust forcibly away, green power propelling him backward. “I can’t work if you smother me,” she said angrily, rubbing her arms and striding toward Sadie. The sick girl was terrifying to behold. Her face was twisted into an insane sneer. Her glowing green eyes lit the room. Elanah didn’t hesitate. With a flash of green power and a quick touch, Sadie crumpled to the ground.

  “She needs to get out of Barrington now,” Elanah said with shock. “Can you drive?” she asked, looking at John.

  “I just need some coffee,” he said in a rough voice.

  “I’ll take care of that,” Claire said quietly as she left the room.

  Luke was wringing his hands. “I’ve packed her bag.” In his distress he didn’t see the flicker of tainted purple power igniting along Sadie’s body.

  “Let’s get her to the car,” John said, but the moment he reached for her, Sadie opened her eyes and gave a high-pitched wail then leapt to her feet. She was in a long nightgown that flared as she turned, searching the room. Then she bolted—a st
reak of white as she raced to the door. They all exclaimed in surprise and jumped out of her way.

  “Shit!” Luke screamed as he sprinted after her. “Sadie, wait!”

  She ran down the staircase, heading to the front door, but at the bottom she slowed, putting her hands to the sides of her head and moaning. Shaking her head as if to clear it, she strode to the front door, which wouldn’t open. Claire had fastened all the locks before bed. Sadie just put up her hand and blew the door off its hinges before fleeing into the night. Everyone raced outside and watched as Sadie ran, her gown fluttering behind her. Then she was gone.

  Luke was shocked. Five minutes ago he’d been curled up in bed with his wife. Now she’d run off like an escaped patient from a mental institution.

  Elanah spoke. “She’s on autopilot. She doesn’t seem to be in possession of all her faculties, but she knew enough to get rid of the door blocking her way.”

  “Where is she going?” Nathalie asked. She and Dean had come down the stairs behind Tess and Gabriel.

  “I have no idea,” Elanah said with grave concern. “But now we know what the last stage of degeneration looks like.”

  Luke was wild-eyed. “We need to find her.”

  “Son…”

  “I’m going out and I’m taking a car.”

  “I’m coming,” Dean said.

  John sighed. “Get dressed. I’ll meet you at the car in five.”

  Everyone else had coffee and waited for news.

  Although they searched for hours, Sadie was nowhere to be found.

  Chapter 13 – Developing Relationships

  Barrington County, Present Day

  Planning for the grand opening of the Barrington Hotel continued. One of the little shops in the spacious lobby was a colourful candy store called Baby Sweetes, a small offshoot of Eric Sweet’s Ye Ole Sweete Shoppe in town. Since the Limerick Candy Factory supplied all the candy for Eric’s shop, Dean was at the hotel every morning that week, getting the store ready and making sure his new little client was well stocked.