“Of course” Anne agreed, but as I stood and started clearing the table, I heard a knock on the door.
“Who could that be?” I asked.
Anne shook her head and stood up. While I placed the dishes in the sink and wiped my hands, Anne swept into the hallway and opened the door. I heard a muffled female voice.
“Is Willow here? I have a birthday gift for her from my aunt.”
“Come on in out of the rain,” Anne invited politely.
I looked to see Lacey step into view as Anne closed the door behind her. She was carrying a gaily wrapped present in her long thin arms. Her white blonde hair was piled on top her head and she was wearing a long wool coat and black boots.
“You have a beautiful home Ms. Scott,” she said to Anne. Her voice was soft and courteous. When she spotted me she extended the gift. “Lauren wanted you to have this.”
“Lauren?” I repeated with surprise. Lacey nodded.
I accepted the present and set it on the black console table in the hallway. I tugged at the red ribbon and delicately removed the royal blue wrapping paper. Inside the box I moved the tissue to see a box of black tea and some chocolate hazelnut biscotti. Beside the treats was a book of quotes. I picked up the book and casually flipped through the pages. Lauren had signed the book in her elegant scrawl.
To Willow on her 18th birthday,
Remember my dear, this quote: The harder the struggle, the more glorious the triumph…
Your friend, Always, Lauren.
“This was very thoughtful of her,” I said aloud.
“She is a thoughtful person. I’ll be sure to pass along your appreciation.”
With that Lacey nodded towards Anne and left the house. While still holding the book of quotes, I walked to the window and watched Lacey leave.
Anne’s voice spoke up behind me.
“At 6 p.m. we’re going to meet Jericho and Reece at the Steak House where we have reservations. I spoke with Amber and we will be giving her a ride this evening. It’s okay with me if you would like to have her spend the night.”
The phone rang and Anne went to retrieve it while I collected my dad’s journal and the book of quotes from Lauren. I began ascending the stairs when Anne came around the corner and handed me the phone.
Tavia was inviting me to go bowling with her and Amber in Gunnison. I checked with Anne and she said that was fine as long as I was back in time for dinner. With a smile I handed her the phone and went to change. I placed the books on my dresser and slipped into some jeans and a long sleeved pink t-shirt. I coiled my long hair into a bun and fastened it with bobby pins.
I reached for my boots and caught sight of The Grey Guardian. I went over to the portrait and studied it tender thoughts. I felt that with Haven I was residing in another world and with Anne, Amber and Reece, I was rooted in the real one. Both had an appeal for me but I could only live in one.
Chapter 25
“Looks like Tavia has the lucky hand,” Amber said as Tavia’s score kept climbing.
“It’s only because we’re being watched,” Tavia laughed as she pointed to a couple of guys a few rows over.
Amber scolded her when they looked over. “Don’t be so obvious Tavia.”
“You mean like this,” she retorted flippantly as she waved at them. “Want to play a game?” She called out.
Amber looked embarrassed so I decided to change the direction of the conversation.
“Are you still seeing Adam?”
Tavia flashed a flirty grin towards the two guys who were now sauntering towards us. “Maybe; I can still have fun you know.”
I shook my head and raised my hand to my forehead as I giggled.
“You’re naughty,” I censored, still looking down.
“Who’s naughty?” A male voice asked.
I looked up to lock eyes with a not so familiar face. What struck me were his burning blue eyes…they were memorable to me. His blonde hair was wavy and disheveled but he looked tidy. His frame was lean, almost boyish.
“I know you, don’t I?” I stammered with a frown.
“Tristan,” he introduced with a grin. “We’ve talked before.”
He reached out to shake my hand. “You know who I am.”
I did. He was the blonde at the bonfire. He was the boy who had been seen outside Anne’s house, and his eyes were identical to the ones I had stared into while reading from my journal in a field. I looked from Tristan to Amber and Tavia who were casually chatting with Tristan’s dark-haired companion. Shaking, I shot a quick glance at Tristan and hurried away.
Air, I needed fresh air.
I hurried out of the building and I was thankful the rain had stopped, even though the clouds were as dark and foreboding as before. I walked around the building and felt an iron grasp on my arm. I spun around to see Tristan hovering over me. He was taller than he looked.
“Don’t fear me,” he urged.
“I’m not afraid,” I lied. “I don’t like creeps.”
Tightening his jaw he let go of my arm and put his hands on his hips as I backed away from him.
“What is wrong with everyone around here? Can’t anyone just give me a straight answer?” I exclaimed as I threw my hands up in the air.
“You want answers. I’ll give you answers,” he offered as he beckoned me with his hand. “Let’s go.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you. I don’t know you.”
“But I know you – you told me things you have never told anyone else.”
I stood there staring at him while a chill traveled up my spine.
“I can smell him on you,” he sneered. “That’s one scent you can’t wash off.”
“He’s not what you think,” I shot back.
“He’s not what you think either.”
My mouth quivered as I weighed the impossibilities of what he was saying to me. Tristan no longer looked angry, he looked concerned.
“My father knew your mother. The white and tan wolf you spoke of…She was your mother.” Tristan paused as he took in my stunned expression. “Yes Willow, it’s true. You can stop denying it.”
An uneasy, quiet laughter escaped my lips, “You’re lying.”
He kept staring and I grew angry.
“Are you telling me my mother was a dog?” Laughing with more vigor I turned and faced away from him. “I have enough problems without this.”
“There are worse things to be, you know,” Tristan assured me. “We’re not cursed, like the others. What flows through my veins also flows through yours. We were born this way.”
Turning, I accosted him. “Tell me a fable why don’t you. I’m not one of you.”
He shifted his stance and crossed his arms across his chest. “You are just like me lady. I’m not going to do you a favor and lie to you. You wanted to know the truth and you’re getting it. You’re a half-breed, a dormant, one of only a few that has ever existed. We didn’t even know about you, not for years. And just like us, you have to be held accountable. We can’t let anything endanger our species.”
“What are you saying? That I’m some kind of threat?” Shaking my head I rubbed my temples. “I don’t want to hear anymore, I’m leaving.”
Tristan blocked me as I tried to pass him. “Wake up Willow! There is a blood feud and like it or not, your presence here has ignited a frenzy.”
“My life is none of your business,” I hissed. “Now leave me be.”
“This isn’t a democracy. There are rules. Your mother broke two of them and where is she now?”
“Are you threatening me?” I spat.
“It’s not a threat but it is a warning. Laws exist in the human world, so too do laws exist in ours. You are treading on a thin line.”
“How did you find me?” I asked in a tone of defeat.
“Your father was looked in on from time to time, without his knowing of course. You were discovered in the process.”
“I see, but how did you come to find me here?”
A smirk playe
d at the corner of Tristan’s lips. “We’re good trackers,” he boasted. “Our females are easily identified by scent.”
“Don’t be crude,” I interrupted.
“Like I was saying,” he continued. “A female of our kind secretes a potent pheromone. It wasn’t that hard to find you. What made it effortless was that your dad had a sister. Naturally you would go to her.”
I looked past him, seeing nothing. “Sounds possessive.”
“Everyone is possessive,” he claimed. “About something or someone.”
“What do you want with me?” I asked.
“It’s not what I want, it’s what they want. I’m not as traditional as my parents. If it were up to my mother and some of the elders you would be dispatched quickly. Like your mother before you, they see you as a danger. If you propagated with another species who knows what would happen. The unknown causes them great unease.”
I tried to keep the tremor out of my voice as I was having a difficult time digesting everything I was hearing.
“You said your father knew my mother…did he kill her?”
Tristan paused as if he were choosing his words carefully. “Your mother was meant for my father, Vadim. She rejected him and that caused a boiling gestation of bitterness that he has yet to get over but no, he did not kill her. Someone else ordered the hit, like someone ordered the hit on you. My father hated your father because he was no one special, someone who was, if you’ll excuse the expression, ‘lower’ in station than my father. The fact that Tanith chose him was a great offense to my father and my mother suffered the consequences as well since she always knew she was not my father’s first choice. When they found out about you it caused all those feelings to boil over. It’s not you they hate, but what you remind them of.”
I tried to keep my voice steady and my face composed. “What are you going to do now that you’ve found me?”
His blue eyes flared but his face remained void. “I found you months ago. I haven’t done anything to harm you have I? I’ve lurked in the shadows and learned as much as I could about you. When I felt you weren’t a risk I showed myself to you in my finest form and then I marked you so that you would be tied to our clan and I could reach out to you telepathically…when the time is right.”
Remembering him that way seemed more natural than having him stand before me telling me things I couldn’t wrap my mind around.
“Marked me? I am not property.”
“It’s different in our world. We’re meant to be connected to a pack and to a clan. Packs are families. Clans are comprised of several families. Right now you have no link. This identifies you as having one and you are safer because of it. Anyone who harms you has to answer to me.
“Will they come after me?”
“Haven’t they already?”
I looked at him and suddenly felt impassive as the memory of that awful night came flooding back. “What do you know about it?”
“I know that whoever ordered the hit on your mother also ordered the hit on you but I don’t know who is behind it. I’m leaving for a while to find out.”
Death...its black cloud followed me everywhere.
It follows everyone, Tristan thought back. I flinched and willed him out of my thoughts. He seemed to laugh in return; laughing without moving at all.
“They went after me in front of other people,” I said. “Why?”
“Because they could.”
“Will they come after me again?”
“Only one survived. The others were destroyed and having my mark will ward off most danger.”
“If my mom was what you claim,” I said. “Being marked didn’t help her any, now did it?”
“Your mom was a pure blood. She didn’t need to be marked. She left the clan of her own free will and was no longer under its protection. She was murdered.”
I didn’t know what to feel. How could I? I kept my eyes downcast as I walked away from him but I stopped and turned to face him. “There is one more thing…” I raised my hand and touched the side of my face. “Is thought-sharing possible with everyone?”
Tristan smirked and mimicked me. “Other than being able to transform it’s the only secret weapon we have. It’s a group mindset and it is our link. Truth isn’t offered freely and this shared gift is one way we bond to others of our kind.”
“I see…” I muttered. “If it weren’t for some of the things I’ve seen and felt, I would have never believed any of this.”
“Now you know,” he cautioned. “And Willow,” his voice suddenly became deep with urgency. “Don’t be a stranger.”
“I don’t have that luxury do I?” Without waiting for him to reply I rounded the corner and saw Tavia and Amber near the building’s entrance. Amber was on her phone and Tavia looked upset.
“Where were you?” Tavia scolded as soon as she saw me.
Amber looked up from her feet and said into the phone, “She’s here. Everything’s fine.” She hung up and summoned a concerned smile.
Guardedly, I smiled back. “I’m sorry. I needed fresh air. I should have told you where I was going...So, did you make a new friend?”
Tavia blew a raspberry. “With him?”
She swept a dark curl out of her face and rolled her eyes.
“Good-looking guys come on so strong. Really, Philip was quite full of himself.”
Amber nudged her playfully. “What she means to say is that if it weren’t for Adam, she would have given him her phone number.”
“Oh?” I laughed. “What about you Amber?”
The words weren’t even out of my mouth before I regretted asking.
“Nah, I’m saving myself for someone special.”
Special meant Reece.
Chapter 26
Amber and I spent the better part of an hour getting ready. Amber had packed a flattering dark blue dress that set off her slim frame beautifully. While she sat before the vanity I brushed her silky chestnut hair and separated it into sections to curl. She applied a coral lip gloss and while talking, looked at my belongings on the vanity. She caressed a jeweled barrette, opened a compact and smelled some of the miniature lotions and perfumes. She looked into the mirror and spotted the garnet ring on my finger.
“Wow, how pretty. Can I see it up close?”
I set the curling iron down and extended my hand her way. Knowing her feelings for Reece I had attempted to hide the ring, but what good does hiding do? People always manage to find out anyway. As she touched my fingers I said, “It’s my birthstone.”
Then she posed the question I was dreading.
“Who gave it to you?”
I paused as I searched for the right words, the kind that wouldn’t hurt her.
“Oh…well-“
“Amber looked at me in the mirror and gave me a tight lipped smile. “I see. Reece did. Well, it’s just beautiful. Of course he would pick out something so perfect. How come you don’t wear it more often?”
I searched for something to say while her cool gaze returned to her image in the mirror. She didn’t say anything more. Her lovely eyes rested on the reflection before her and her expression was one of control and concern. She was torn, a feeling I knew all too well.
I excused myself to go into the bathroom. I took the clip out of my hair and brushed the waves that fell down my back. I smoothed my hands down the red dress and feeling satisfied that Amber had enough alone time, I went back into my room. Amber was slipping into some black heels and just as we were ready to go, Anne called to us from downstairs. As we descended I smiled at the sight of her. Anne was wearing a simple black dress but the jeweled t-strap heels she had on were anything but simple. Her ginger locks were curled and I saw that she was adjusting an earring.
“Some lucky men await us!” she exclaimed cheerfully.
Amber and I chatted aimlessly on the way to the restaurant but beneath the chatter I was feeling guilty for my friendship with Reece and I also felt responsible for the feelings he had for me. It wasn’
t fair. Amber was one of the sweetest, most devoted friends, not just to me, but to Reece as well. She was kind-of-heart and knew what she wanted. I felt like a disloyal friend with too many secrets and I wondered if I deserved a friend like Amber at all.
I looked over at her as she gaily looked out the window. She seemed more content than before. Sitting next to her I suddenly felt as if I were the dark contrast to her superior luminosity. It wasn’t even about appearance - it was about how I felt as a person and as a friend.
Amber wasn’t beautiful in the conventional sense but what she possessed as a person made her surpass others in attractiveness. I truly didn’t know what Reece saw in me or what Haven did either but I also knew it was fruitless to compare myself to anyone else. What I wanted was to be a better person and that started with being a better friend. I didn’t know how to go about doing that except for forfeiting my relationship with Reece so the two that deserved each other were able to have each other.
I felt an ache in my heart but decided that I would probably cause Reece pain so it was better to be frosty with him now rather than hurt him later.
Jericho and Reece were standing in front of the restaurant when we parked. Reece had some long-stemmed white roses and I tensed as I could imagine what Amber was thinking. I looked at her to gauge her feelings but she was unreadable
We were exiting the car when Jericho gave Anne his arm and he kissed her on the cheek. He escorted her into the restaurant as Amber and I lingered behind. Amber reached Reece first and gave him a playful jab in the arm.
“You clean up real nice,” she teased.
He reacted by putting an arm around her and giving her an affable hug. “You look amazing.”
Amber beamed, seeing nothing but him. I dropped my eyes and smiled inwardly.
“Willow,” Reece said in a low voice. “These are for you.”
I looked up and swept some loose tendrils behind my ear. “They’re beautiful. Thank you.”
Willow Page 15
