Lightning Struck (The Roaming Curse Book 1)

by Miranda Hardy

  “Colin and nice don’t go together.” His brows lift. “Alice, please be careful.” He opens his mouth as if he wants to go on, but he presses his lips together.

  “I will. See you later at the diner?”

  He nods. “See ya.”

  The guys exchange passing glares as Kyle walks to his Jeep, but neither of them says a word. Kyle’s Jeep’s tires throw up dirt as it takes off, bringing a cloud of dust toward Colin’s truck.

  Day two in Cassadaga and things are already becoming complicated.

  “Look at you…already making friends.” Colin smirks. “Should we have invited him out with us?”

  I lock the cabin up. “You’re not funny.”

  “And you’re gorgeous.” Colin stands close to me when I turn around. My breath catches in my throat. He brushes my hair behind my right ear. “How about seeing the Atlantic today?”

  Breathe Elysia. “The beach?” I exhale. “I don’t have a bathing suit.”

  “You move to Florida without owning a bathing suit?” He smiles. “We will have to rectify this situation.”

  He grabs my hand and leads me to his truck.

  Glancing down the street, I notice Aunt Simza watching us through a window. When she sees me, she quickly closes the curtain.

  Deena waves as we pass the campground storefront.

  “How do you know Kyle?” I ask.

  “Huh?”

  “It seems as if you two know each other.” The passing trees lining the street become a green blur. “You don’t seem to like each other either.”

  “I guess you can say we were schooled together, and you’re right, we don’t see eye-to-eye.”

  “Schooled together?”

  His eyes stay on the road.

  “Did you go to school together?” I recall the way his passenger kept watching their exchange yesterday.

  “We hung out in different circles.” Colin wets his lips. “He never liked my friends and I’m not particularly fond of his.”

  “I see.” A gut feeling itches at me…he’s not completely forthcoming with information. It’s not often these feelings come over me, but when they do it’s bothersome. They’ll drive me nuts until I squeeze every last drop from him.

  “There’s a little shop close to the beach that sells bikinis.” The corner of his mouth lifts. “It’ll be fun seeing you try them on.”

  “What makes you think I’m a bikini girl? Maybe I’m a one-piece, cover-up type.” I’m definitely a bikini girl. I have…had this adorable purple and blue stripped bikini. Will he notice I only have three outfits? This part of moving and starting over sucks. I should be out shopping and rebuilding my life, not jetting off to the beach with a mysterious guy.

  “I’m sure you’re a bikini girl.” He winks.

  A short twenty-minute ride and I see the blue ocean with not a cloud in sight. The small waves crash against the coppery shore. It’s different from the whiter sand at Panama Beach.

  The swimsuit store isn’t far from the shore. Colin parks his truck in two spots, backing in so its tail isn’t sticking out in traffic. While he pays at a meter station, I close my eyes and listen to the sounds of the waves hitting the sand mixed with the seagulls squawks and the occasional passing car.

  “Daydreaming?” Colin stirs my thoughts.

  “Making memories through the sounds.” We cross the street. “You should try it some time.”

  “Yeah, that’s real manly.” He rolls his shoulders, pressing his chest out. “Did you mistake me for a metrosexual?”

  “Heavens, no. I would never.”

  He whirls me to face him, bringing me close to him and his natural, musky scent. “Good, because my ego would be bruised if you had.”

  “Big truck, rugged look…not screaming metrosexual. But…” I haw.

  “But what?”

  “Your metrosexual side could be hiding in a closet, screaming to get out.” I run my hand down his chest, giving him a pat. “It’s been known to happen.”

  He leans closer to my ear, his breath tickling my neck, sending shivers through me. “I don’t think it’ll happen today,” he whispers. He pulls back. “Here we are.”

  Disappointment bubbles within me. Each time he gets close I think he’ll lean in and kiss me. Each time he doesn’t and I’m filled with disappointment. Seriously, what is wrong with me? I just met this guy and already I want to— I cut off the distracting thought as I walk into the bikini shop. It is glorious. There must be a million suits hanging on racks throughout and against the wall, they go all the way up to the ceiling, every color, pattern, and style.

  “Unbelievable. I thought you said it was a little shop?”

  He smiles. I browse, picking up a bathing suit here and there, as he follows me around. Once I gather enough, he sits in a cushiony seat while I try them on in the dressing room.

  “Aren’t you going to show me?” he hollers.

  “No.”

  “What’s the point of me bringing you bikini shopping if I can’t see the merchandise?” He laughs.

  “Fine.” I open the door to show him the first one. He nods with each subsequent suit I try on. “What’s the point of having your opinion when you approve of each one?”

  “Maybe you should buy them all and change every fifteen minutes for me.” He laughs. “I like the teal, polka-dotted one.”

  “Me, too.” I admire it in the mirror before taking it off. “And, I’m only buying one.”

  The price is as much as my groceries would cost for two weeks. My stomach growls realizing I haven’t eaten.

  “I’m going to the truck to get the blanket and towels. Meet you out front.”

  “Okay.”

  He’s out of the store by the time I change and leave the dressing room. After putting the others back and deciding on the teal one, I dig out my money at the register.

  “It’s already paid for.” The cashier unclips the security device and places the suit in their paper-handled bag.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Your boyfriend paid for it before he left.” She smiles. “Have a great day.”

  My boyfriend? “Thank you.” I take the bag, half relieved and half infuriated. “Can I change in here?”

  “Sure thing.”

  I hurry back to put my bikini on under my jeans, thinking about the expensive gift Colin bought me. Why did he do that?

  He sits on a bench next to a basket, a blanket, and a couple of towels.

  “You didn’t have to buy me the bikini. I could’ve bought it myself.”

  “I know.” He picks up everything. “All you have to do is say thank you.”

  “Thank you.” I follow him.

  “You’re welcome.”

  “What’s in the basket?”

  We walk next to each other, down a sand bank lined with wild looking plants I’ve never seen before. It’s impossible to keep the sand from getting in my sandals.

  “It’s a surprise.”

  I follow him further down the beach until we hit a cozy alcove surrounded by plants. The few people here are further north, giving us more privacy. I’m not sure if this is a good thing or not. “This is nice.”

  Colin spreads the blanket out and places the basket to the side. He takes off his shirt, revealing chiseled, slightly hairy chest. “See something you like?”

  I avert my eyes and look toward the sea. “Yes, the ocean is quite lovely.”

  “Are you going to wear your jeans all day?” He stretches on the blanket, making it harder and harder to concentrate on anything else but his body.

  His aqua blue swim shorts complement my bikini…the bikini hiding under my jeans and tank top. All of a sudden, a self-conscious feeling erupts inside me, making me feel unworthy of his companionship. He belongs on a GQ cover and I belong on the pages of a Tampax ad.

  “Come into the water with me?” I peel off my jeans and toss my tank top on the blanket. “I’ve never been in the Atlantic.”

  “Is that a fact?” He rises. “
Then let’s go.”

  Colin grabs my hand. We run down to the shore. The water feels icy. He lifts me out of the cold, pulling me to his bare chest and falls back into the incoming wave.

  Blinking away the soft salt sting, I splash him and swim further into the shallow depths of the ocean. His hands find my waste and stop me from swimming out farther.

  “Where are you going?” He pulls me to him. “Trying to escape my evil clutches?”

  We stare into each other’s eyes for what feels like an eternity, neither saying a word. Our bodies move up and down with the flow of waves as if we are one with the water. The sounds dissolve and there’s nothing and no one but us. It’s the most intimate moment I’ve ever shared with anyone…it’s the perfect time for that first kiss.

  Out of the corner of my eye I spy a white raindrop, falling fast. It lands on his head and drips down his face.

  “Colin, I think a bird pooped on your head.” His lips curl into a smile and he laughs. He splashes at the sky, missing the bird that’s flying too high.

  “He’s laughing at me.” Colin dives underwater to erase all evidence of the bombing. “That was probably the least romantic attempt ever.”

  “That seagull had it in for you, no doubt.”

  “Are you hungry?” he asks. “I’m feeling like chicken about now. You hear that, bird? I’m going to eat your friend.”

  “I’m starving.”

  The sand clings to my wet feet as we make our way back to the blanket.

  Colin opens the picnic basket to reveal chips, fried chicken, and a container of fruit. “I didn’t know what you would like.” He tilts it to offer me first choice.

  “I’ll take some…all of it please.”

  “A woman after my own heart.”

  “Look who’s here.” A strange, deep feminine voice booms.

  “Jesus.” Colin mutters.

  Blocking the sun with my hand, I see Colin’s friends standing over us with my cousin, Emilian.

  “What’s going on?” A gangly guy asks. He flops down between us, grabbing a piece of chicken out of Colin’s hand. “Well, hello to you. I’m Brayden. That’s Riley and Kayla.” He tears into the meat and winks at me.

  “Yeah, what’s going on Colin?” The girl, my age, stands with her hands on her hips, eyeing Colin and me.

  “Kayla, don’t start.” Colin rises.

  “Start what?” she asks. “I don’t start nothing, but I’ll sure as hell finish it.” She glares at me and growls.

  She actually growls at me.

  “Kayla, back off,” Colin commands.

  “Hey cuz.” Emilian helps me up.

  “Cuz?” Kayla’s jaw drops. “She’s a fucking Rom, Colin? Really?”

  Heat rises within me. “What did you call me?”

  “You heard me, you Roma bitch!” Kayla steps toward me.

  “Enough, Kayla.” Colin pushes her back, blocking her from me.

  “You don’t even know me, you cow!” I yell. Thunder booms in the approaching gray clouds.

  “Oh no,” Brayden says.

  Kayla shoves Colin out of the way and lunges for me.

  Adrenaline courses through my body. I move to the side, grabbing her ponytail and thrusting her into the sand.

  The gray clouds turn charcoal.

  Kayla grabs my ankle and yanks me down, sucker punching me in my side.

  The back of my hand connects with her face.

  Strong arms pull me away from Kayla.

  The clouds rage with darkness and lightning dances in the sky. Its path becomes clear. That bolt will strike the object of my anger. Kayla’s doomed.

  Chapter 11

  Brayden plows into Kayla, pushing her out of the lightning bolt’s path. The blinding light spreads outward for less than a second. Brayden and Kayla close their eyes and duck away, instinct driving them to take cover from its power. A booming crack follows moments after it strikes the sand, causing everyone to grab their ears…everyone but me.

  Arms encircle me, pulling me further from the glowing embers emanating from the spot in the sand the bolt hit. Colin holds me. A calmness overcomes me as his hand moves over the rear of my head and continues downward, caressing my back. That’s never happened to me before.

  Dad’s comfort in times of distress never calmed me in this way.

  The charcoal clouds lighten and disperse over the area, making way for the return of the blueness we saw when we first arrived.

  “Did you see that?” Emilian’s bulging eyes dash from the strike site to Riley, who’s helping Brayden with a shaking Kayla.

  “No, you birdbrain. We didn’t see the damn lightning bolt right in front of our fuckin’ eyes.” Brayden gazes at the gray sand where it struck.

  The wet sand pulls inward, making it look like a giant spider formation with many legs sticking out of the center. A shiny tinkle glistens at its core.

  “I’ve got to go.” I push away from Colin, grabbing my bag, jeans, and tank.

  “What? Are you okay?” Colin asks.

  Kayla stares at me. She says nothing. For a moment, her eyes tell me she knows.

  “I have to go.” I repeat and take off down the sand.

  “Wait!” Colin calls after me, but I’m already at the walkway leading toward the boardwalk. I don’t look back.

  I run north, toward the shops lining the streets. I enter the first one I come to, a bait and tackle store. “Hi.” My rapid breathing slows. “May I borrow your phone?”

  The clerk hands me his cell phone. I dig the number out of my bag and call the only person I know to call.

  “Fonso, it’s Alice. Can you come get me?”

  He agrees. I ask the clerk where I am and tell Fonso.

  After putting my clothes on, I sit on a bench under a tall palm tree outside the bait store. Crossing my legs, I clear my mind to meditate, but the events play over in my head and it’s hard to banish them.

  Breathe, Elysia. Dad’s advice plays over and over, like a broken record player. Think of a good thought…a good memory.

  A few months ago, Lalya, a girl I worked with, surprised me with a cake. She made all the other wait staff sing to me as we often sang to the customers. It wasn’t a cheap cake that one picks up at the store. It was a decorative cake like those found in expensive bakeries. She had them put two dolphins on top. It was almost too pretty to eat.

  That was a good day. She was an amazing friend…one of many I’ve left over the years and will never see again.

  Breathe Elysia.

  In the distance, the waves crash against the shore. An image of dolphins pops into my head. They are super intelligent animals…at least that’s what I read. They are beautiful and graceful. I’d watch them for hours on the beach when I was younger. They’d play in groups and jump out of the water. Those were good days, too.

  “A penny for your thoughts?” Fonso sits next to me. “I got here as soon as I could.”

  I hug him.

  “What was that for?” he asks.

  “Thank you for coming to get me.”

  “No problem. What happened?”

  “Another bad mistake on my part, I’m sure.”

  “Let me guess.” He grabs my hand, pulling me off the bench and weaves my arm through his. “Jealous ex-girlfriend ruins perfectly good picnic?”

  My mouth falls open.

  He laughs. “No, I’m not psychic. Emilian called me a few minutes after you did and told me all the juicy details.”

  “She’s an ex-girlfriend, huh?”

  “Apparently.” He opens his car door for me. “I don’t hang around with that crowd.”

  “Why does Emilian?”

  “Wait.” He holds up a finger. When he gets into the car he continues, “Emilian tends to entwine himself with the worst possible element we find in any town. Here, it’s the werewolves.”

  “Not you, too.” I roll my eyes. “What’s so bad about them? Colin was nice to me.”

  “We have an unbeliever in the family.”
He chuckles. “Watch them. Observe them around town, but keep your distance.”

  “You’re warning me, too?”

  “Too?” Fonso’s eyebrow rises.

  “Kyle, from the diner, told me to be careful.”

  “I’ve seen him around.” Fonso presses his lips together. “Watch Colin and his clan; see what you notice. Simply being observant can sometimes be a surprising gift.”

  “Yes, Yoda, all-seeing master.” I laugh. “Maybe being observant is your special talent.”

  “Ha. Ha. And being attracted to trouble is yours.”

  “Touché.”

  Fonso changes the subject. “Did you really not know about us…Ma and Aunt Simza?” His brows furrow.

  “Honestly, I didn’t know you existed until yesterday. Why do you still live at home? You’re twenty-four, right?”

  “It’s complicated.” Fonso pauses. “I thought about leaving…several times actually, but Ma has a way of manipulating us. To her, it’s important we stay together. The older we get, the harder it becomes for her. You heard Nadya yesterday talking about wanting to be like you and leaving. Ma says it’s too dangerous to be separated…like we need to remain together to stay safe.”

  “Have you lived in many places?”

  “For a long time…most of our lives, actually, we lived in a traveling carnival. We’d travel north in the summers and south in the winters. Aunt Simza was with us, too. Aunt Simza and Ma would read fortunes and talk to the dead. They were quite popular. There were other Roma with us. They ran several different booths and entertained in freak shows.” His mouth sets in a hard line. “It all changed a few months ago.

  “Aunt Simza said we had to leave. She was adamant. Ma freaked and they argued. We couldn’t figure out what it was all about and Ma won’t speak about it even now.” Fonso turns the blinker on to turn into the campground. “We left and came here. Aunt Simza insisted on living on her own, but Ma visits her often. She’s so stubborn. Whatever they fought about, or are fighting about, is bad. They’ve always been together and for this to break them apart—”

  “Must have been extremely bad.” I finish his sentence.

  “But, Aunt Simza was right.”

  “About what?”

  He pulls up to the cabin and looks at Aunt Simza’s trailer. “After we left the carnival, one of my best friends, the snake charmer, called to tell me someone was hunting them. All the Roma left the carnival, a lot of them in body bags.”