thirteen
It took a moment to register that Crys wasn’t actually in Carly’s room, but was instead banging on the bedroom door outside.
“Carly?” Crystal called out, followed by another sharp knock. “Open up, seriously. Everyone’s here, and we’re all starving, and we can’t really eat without you since it’s your birthday. Gabe promised he’d leave you alone, and Abel’s here, so I don’t know what more you could want.”
Carly shifted human, her wet hair and dress dripping onto the hardwood as the skull’s allure burned into her palms. She had to get rid of the skull—now—and raced across the room to the second hidden passage by the bathroom. Her fingers fumbled for the trigger, and she sprinted inside to fall onto her knees before the bench.
“Carly!” Crystal called out again. “Open this door right now, or I swear, I’ll rip it open myself!”
“C-coming!” Carly blurted out as she tore off the bench top. She stood up on her knees and stowed the amethyst skull inside, her breath catching as she pulled away her fingers. She hated to leave the skull—not because she felt it unsafe, but because she didn’t want to be away from it.
“Carly—”
“I said, I’m coming,” Carly spat, and threw the bench top back into place before she sealed up the passage and stormed across the room to the door. She flung it open to find both Crystal and her father, and demanded, “What?”
“Whoa,” Crystal said, arching her eyebrows as she gave Carly a thorough once-over. “What happened to you? You look terrible.”
“Dinner’s already been delayed for far too long,” Howard complained over Crystal’s shoulder. “Carly, I don’t know what you’ve been up to, but we don’t have time to discuss it now. Please get changed and hurry downstairs. I don’t wish to keep our guests waiting any longer.”
“It looks like you could definitely use my help,” Crystal observed, and stepped past Carly into the room. She looked to Howard, and added, “We’ll be right down,” before closing the door in his face. She marched over to Carly’s closet, scowling as she sifted through the meager selection. “Seriously, Carly, what’s going on? That’s the kind of dress you wear to a birthday party, not an impromptu swim in the lake.”
“How do you know I was swimming?” Carly challenged.
Crystal snickered. “I don’t know what kind of story you’ve cooked up for your dad, but it won’t work on me. You were in the lake, and I’d like to know why.”
“Because I decided it would be fun.”
“Try again.”
“What makes you think there’s more to it than that?” Carly asked.
“What makes you think you have any hope of looking halfway decent without my help?” Crystal replied. “How’d you end up in the lake?”
“I… saw Gabe earlier, and it didn’t go so well. I just… needed to blow off some steam, I guess.”
“So, you went swimming?”
“Yes.”
“In your dress?”
“Obviously.”
Crystal grimaced as she turned back to the closet. “We’ve got to take you shopping. There’s nothing in here.”
“Who cares? I’ll just wear jeans or something.”
“Trust me, you’ll want to look your best when you go down there.” Crystal flashed a glorious grin as she pulled out a sleeveless red satin mini dress. “This is actually perfect.”
Carly shook her head. “I can’t wear that.”
“No, you’re going to wear it.”
“No, I’m not,” Carly argued. “I tried getting out of the house in it once, and my dad freaked out. He doesn’t know I even still have it.”
“Good, then it will be a surprise for everyone,” Crystal said. “Don’t be shy, Carly. We don’t have much time. Oh, and don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Warn me about what?” Carly asked.
Crystal winked. “The spectacle downstairs, but you’ll want to see for yourself.”
* * *
Carly noticed her right away among the sea of guests—the gorgeous girl half hidden in the corner by the window. She was tall and thin like a model, with piercing violet eyes and straight white-blonde hair cascading over frail, freckled shoulders. There was a peculiar magnetism about her, as if everyone in the room were present merely to grant her every whim.
Carly wasn’t the only one who’d noticed. Gabe and Abel were on either side of her, the two of them jousting for her attention. It was the first time since discovering they were half-brothers that Carly had a moment to examine them together. Why hadn’t she realized their resemblance until now, hiding in defined brows and chiseled cheekbones?
“Aren’t you glad I made you wear that dress?” Crystal whispered to Carly.
“Y-yes,” Carly stammered in reply, fostering her fascination with the strange girl. “Who is that?”
“Carly, there you are,” Howard sighed, his hand falling in on her shoulder. He added in a whisper, “What on earth do you think you’re wearing?”
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
“How about quick introductions, and then we’ll eat?” Paul Hutchinson spoke up from behind them.
“Oh, yes, introductions,” Howard said, composing himself. “Carly, I’d like you to meet Chandra Phillips, Sharla’s mother.”
Carly turned to the brunette by the door, an ageless beauty who looked more Sharla’s older sister than mother. She flashed a kind smile, and Carly gave one back, hoping she’d be able to ditch early as long as she was polite. What she wanted more than anything today was some peace and quiet.
“And sweetheart, this is Sharla’s father, Damon Phillips,” Howard continued. “His wife, Vanessa, and Vanessa’s daughter, Katia.”
Katia. The mystery woman had a name, and she was Sharla’s stepsister. Which meant Sharla had probably already advised her that Carly was bad news.
“Now that we know one another, are we ready for our meal?” Paul asked hopefully. Carly hadn’t spent a lot of time around Paul, but from what she knew of him, he prided himself in being in control. Which explained where Gabe got it from.
“I suppose we are,” Howard agreed, gesturing toward the formal dining room. “Let’s all have a seat, shall we?”
Carly followed the crowd into the room and settled into a chair between Crystal and Sharla. Gabe and Abel were at the opposite end of the table, sandwiched in a corner with Katia. Carly wasn’t sure where she stood with Abel, but he didn’t seem too concerned with her now—not with a new blonde to soak up all his attention.
Carly determined to ignore them, and stared down at her empty plate. She’d sneak away just as soon as the meal was over and spend the remainder of her birthday alone. Yes, that’s exactly what she’d do…
“Such a long flight from Romania,” Carly heard among the chatter, and her gaze darted up to lock eyes with the man who’d spoken it—Sharla’s father, Damon Phillips. He ran a hand over his salt and pepper hair as he smiled back at her, his arrogance as thick as his musky cologne. He looked away as though disinterested, which was good. That meant he didn’t realize Carly had overheard him in the caves, talking about the amethyst skull.
fourteen
Carly tucked her hands in her lap, hoping to hide the goose bumps forming on her arms. Damon had been in the caves looking for the skull, and he wasn’t going to leave this blemish of a town until he found it. She couldn’t give him any indication that he was under the same roof as the treasure he sought.
“Don’t look so surprised,” Sharla whined in a whisper.
“Hmm?” Carly mumbled in reply.
“Did you really think you were going to be the shiniest object around here forever?” Sharla nodded across the table to Katia. “I guess now you know how we all felt when you showed up.”
Carly crossed her arms over her chest and sat back in her chair. No one else seemed to be alarmed by Damon, or by the fact that Carly didn’t consume one thing during the meal. She had too much on her mind to worry about food—including wha
t to do with that skull.
If Damon sensed that the amethyst skull was in the house, he wouldn’t appear so calm. Would he? She wished she could read him better, but his thoughts were closed up tight. He didn’t seem to notice her noticing him, which probably meant she wasn’t on Damon’s radar. Which hopefully meant the skull wasn’t either.
Howard stepped out of the room just as everyone finished their second helpings. Maybe that meant it was okay for Carly to leave, too. She was just about to slip away when her father returned bearing a sheet cake with her name spelled out in pink frosting. He started a chorus of “Happy Birthday,” and soon the whole room joined in.
Carly closed her eyes as heat filled her cheeks. All she’d wanted was to sneak away, but how could she do that now with the entire room watching?
“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” Howard said as the song ended. “I’ll have a piece of this for you in just a moment.”
“I don’t want any, thanks,” she told him.
“You have to eat cake on your birthday, Carly. Perhaps you’d be more comfortable in the family room. You should show Katia the way, and I’ll serve dessert in there.”
Carly read in her father’s eyes that there was to be no arguing, and although she wanted nothing more than to snap back at him, she held her tongue as her gaze fell to Katia. The young woman was even more stunning up close, but something kept Carly from being totally enamored of her. There was something in Katia’s violet gaze that rang distrust. Was she in on Damon’s plan to locate the amethyst skull?
Carly set her speculation aside, and instructed, “Follow me,” as she glided past Katia for the hallway.
“Your house is quaint,” Katia spoke in a thick Romanian accent as she walked beside Carly into the family room. “My bed chamber alone is the size of your first level. I figured as a full blood shifter, you’d demand better accommodations.”
“Oh,” Carly replied in surprise, stepping into the family room. “Well, it’s just me and my dad here, so there’s too much room.”
Katia snickered. “I had heard you were new to this, and it shows. Your pure bloodline gives you privilege, Carly—I do hope you realize that.”
“I don’t think my bloodline entitles me to anything, but apparently, you do.”
“Are we watching a movie or what?” Kyle asked, flipping his long, blond hair over his shoulder as he sidled up next to Katia. Good, at least he’d keep her distracted so Carly wouldn’t have to. “Do you have any preferences?”
“It’s Carly’s birthday,” Sharla reminded everyone. “I think we should let her decide.”
“I don’t care,” Carly said, stepping over to gaze out the window overlooking Lake Superior. “Whatever you guys want.” I’ll be taking off soon anyway.
“I’ll put something in then,” Sharla announced.
“Katia, how long will you be in town?” Gabe asked as he sat down on the sectional couch next to her.
Carly could see them out of the corner of her eye, and noted that Gabe has his arm wrapped around the back of the couch behind Katia’s shoulders. The fact that Carly found herself startled by the action made her much too aware of the feelings she still had for him. Gabe was exactly the kind of guy she would have fallen in love with without him orchestrating the entire thing. He wouldn’t have had to try at all, and if he hadn’t, Carly would be the one gazing dreamily into his eyes right now.
“I’m not quite sure how long we’ll be here,” Katia answered. “Damon said it could be just a few days, or several months. He has some business to conduct, and we’re not leaving until he’s finished.”
A shiver raced through Carly’s spine like a bolt of warning. She closed her eyes and envisioned the amethyst skull, envisioned an invisible shield of protection surrounding it. Walling up the skull in any physical location wasn’t enough to hide it, but something inside Carly convinced her that if she walled up its location in her mind, if she imagined her power as a full blood shapeshifter guarding it, it would be enough to keep the thing safe.
“Where are you staying?” Kyle asked, swooping in to steal the free spot on Katia’s other side.
“At the resort in McCabe,” Katia said. “I’m in their best suite, but it does nothing to match the comforts of home.”
“What would it take to make you more comfortable?” Abel wondered, settling into the chair across from her. “My parents own the place. I’m sure they’d be more than happy to accommodate you.”
“Is that so?” Katia questioned, leaning forward to look him in the eye. “How about you drop by to accommodate me instead?”
“We’d love to stop by sometime,” Gabe was quick to speak up. “Maybe later tonight?”
Carly hated that she was jealous, especially when she had no right to be. She’d ended things with Gabe, and Abel… Abel had a thing for blondes, so it shouldn’t surprise Carly that he had a thing for Katia.
Carly let self-pity win out, and she skirted around the back of the sectional for the door. But just as she reached it, Howard met her carrying a tray with cut pieces of cake. He left Carly no option but to spring back into the family room and slink out of the way as Chandra followed after him.
“Carly, you should have the first piece,” Howard offered, shoving a plate into her hands.
“I’m not feeling all that well,” she lied, and set the saucer down on the end table next to the couch. “If you’ll excuse me—”
“I think you could stay for one piece of cake.” Howard locked eyes with his daughter, and telepathed, I realize it’s your birthday, but I need you to support me. This isn’t easy for Chandra either—to have her ex-husband here. Please, Carly.
“Fine,” Carly conceded through clenched teeth, dipping down to snatch up the plate. “I’ll have a piece of cake. Is there coffee? You can’t expect me to have cake without coffee.”
“I haven’t gotten to it yet.”
“Then you won’t mind if I volunteer,” she replied, forcing a sweet smile before she made a quick exit into the hallway. An uproar of laughter exploded from the opposite end of the hall, and Carly guessed the adults had gathered there. Which meant she should have the quiet kitchen all to herself.
“I hope it’s okay if I tag along,” Abel spoke up just as Carly stepped into the kitchen.
She glanced at him, not sure what to say as she set to work starting a pot of coffee. Not only had Carly run out on Abel without an explanation, she’d also had a fight with Gabe right in front of him. She wasn’t sure if it was possible to be more embarrassed.
“You changed your dress,” Abel said, walking over to lean against the counter beside her. “Not that I’m complaining. You look fantastic.”
Carly’s lips twitched with a tiny little smile before she could stop them. She didn’t know how to say she was sorry—
“You don’t have anything to be sorry for,” he assured her in a low voice. “What Gabe said to you at the coffee shop was unacceptable, and I don’t blame you one bit for taking off like you did. But you were gone for a long time, Carly. I went after you, but… It’s like your scent completely disappeared, and your mind shut off, and I had no idea where you were. Maybe I’m not supposed to care so much, but I can’t help myself. All I can seem to think about all the time is, well, you.”
Carly dared to meet Abel’s dark gaze, and without even touching, a spark snapped between them. It was getting harder and harder to deny what she was feeling for him—
“Then maybe you should stop trying,” Abel suggested, reaching for her fingers.
But Carly quickly pulled her hand away. She couldn’t tell him about the skull, and because she couldn’t tell him everything—
“You don’t have to tell me everything.”
“Wait, what are you hearing?” Carly asked.
Abel snickered. “Honestly? All I can make out are echoes of you trying to convince yourself that you don’t have feelings for me. If that’s true, why are you thinking about me so much?”
Carly let the blus
h fill her face, let Abel think her confused feelings for him were the only thing on her mind. He was in her head more than anyone these days, and if she was successfully keeping the skull a secret from him, chances were good it was a secret from everyone else, too. At least, she sure as hell hoped so.
“Look, I get that this wasn’t the way you wanted things to turn out,” Abel went on without an answer. “But you feel something for me or this wouldn’t happen every time we touch.” He took Carly’s hand again, their fingers leaving shimmers on the air. “There’s something here, Carly—there’s a connection between us that can’t be explained. And maybe it doesn’t need to be. Maybe we’re both better off without having to define everything. I like you, and even though I’m having a damned hard time getting you to admit it, I’m pretty sure you like me, too. Does there have to be any more to it than that?”
Carly knew this was no time to let her guard down. What if she let Abel in and he discovered her secret about the skull? Her concern wasn’t that she distrusted him; her concern was that such information might put him in danger. And the last thing she could stomach right now was the thought of something happening to Abel.
I’m not going anywhere, Carly, Abel promised, his fingers flinching in hers. Especially not on your birthday, and especially not when you look this beautiful.
Legends: Bloodline Book 2 Page 14
