“Thank you for inviting me. I truly loved it.”
“Alice?” I turn toward him, seeing his shadow silhouetted in the moonlight.
His hand finds the side of my neck. He leans in and my lips part. The kiss starts out slow and soft, but turns into long and passionate. I lean back, the side of his body pressing against me. He pulls back, smiling.
“I should get you home.”
“Yes, that’s probably a good idea.” I could literally stay here all night and kiss him. There is something that feels different with him than Colin. Kyle is alluring in a more seductive way. His voice implies things his words doesn’t and there are parts of me that tune into them and want them. Colin is thoughtful, yes, but our attraction to each other is raw, instinctual. He has a magnetic pull on part of my soul I can’t resist.
Kyle packs up and frees one of his hands to hold mine as we walk back to the Jeep.
“Thank you for coming with me tonight. I had a great time.”
The ride home is quiet, but nice. He doesn’t let go of my hand the entire time and it feels comforting. My thoughts travel to the way I ignored Colin, and a sour feeling settles in my gut.
He pulls up to my cabin. He leans across the console and kisses me lightly on my lips. “See you tomorrow?”
“Maybe.”
He nods. “No reason to rush things.” He waits for me to get inside before I hear his engine fade.
I lean against the inside of the door and bite my lower lip thinking about our kiss. When I step away, I notice a note on the floor.
It’s not a love note…it’s a warning.
Last Chance. Your dad’s alive, but he won’t be for long if you don’t leave this place.
Chapter 13
I bang on Aunt Simza’s door. “I know you’re in there. Your dingy old truck is still here and you never go anywhere.”
The trailer shakes as she walks through it. She opens the curtain, looking at me through the small window on the door. “Go away. I have nothing to say to you.”
I shove the note against the window. “What’s this then? Seems you have plenty to say, but not to my face.”
Her eyes narrows. “I didn’t write that, girl. Now go away.”
“You didn’t write this? So who did?” I lower the note. “Who knows about my dad? Why was your name given to me?”
Thunder rolls overhead; a downpour will start any minute.
Aunt Simza watches the dark sky. “You’re bringing nothing but trouble, just like I knew you would.” She shuts the curtain and retreats to the back of the trailer.
The rain starts on the way to my cabin.
Doubt surfaces. If she didn’t write that note, which she could be lying about, then someone here knows who I am and that I’m searching for dad.
Crashing into bed, I cry. Dad is in danger. He’s out there, probably hurt and worrying about me. A sense of helplessness asphyxiates me; it feels like a boulder pushing against me and I’m powerless to free myself.
The storm drizzles and slows through the night, but I don’t sleep. The sounds of the drops falling from the pine trees above soothes my mood. The tranquility of nature brings me solace in the darkness.
A knock at the door rouses me out of my waking slumber.
Fonso, red-eyed, stands with a large, black duffel bag. “Can I stay with you?”
“What’s the matter?”
He plops the bag next to the couch.
“My telekinesis wasn’t the only thing I was hiding.” He sits.
“What?” I rub the sleepiness from my crusted eyes. “What happened?”
“I blew up at Ma and couldn’t take it anymore. I let it slip. So much anger boiled inside of me that I popped.” He flings his fingers in the air.
“You told her about the telekinesis?”
He turns crimson. “No. I told her I was gay.”
I cover my mouth to hide the forming smile.
“You’re going to laugh at me?” His mouth curves downward.
I shake my head. “She didn’t know?”
“She refused to accept it, arguing about the importance of carrying on the line. She kept telling me ‘No, you’re not gay’ as if it were a choice.” He smacks his head. “I’ve never seen anyone more in denial in my life.”
“What started all of this?”
“I confronted her about Aunt Simza and demanded to know what they were fighting about. It escalated from there.”
“You didn’t tell her about your gift though?”
“No, and I’m very proud about that, by the way. I wanted to blow her entire China collection out of the cabinet. It took great restraint to not do that.” He leans back. “Did you know I was gay?”
“It’s not a big deal. I don’t dwell on stuff, but I figured you were.”
“Ma is so antiquated. She’s living in a different century, still wearing long skirts, short tops, headscarves, and massive jewelry.” He looks as me. “Doesn’t she realize her kids are born in modern times? Things change and she can’t seem to understand that. I told her I was leaving. I couldn’t live with her and her old ways anymore.”
“Did she freak?”
“She kept mumbling about her keeping us safe and we would die without her.”
“Why did she do that?”
“Because she’s delusional. All she can do is read past lives. Aunt Simza was the one keeping us safe, and now she’s leaving.”
“Speaking of Aunt Simza.” I show the note to Fonso.
Last Chance. Your dad’s alive, but he won’t be for long if you don’t leave this place.
“What’s this?”
“I came home last night and found that stuffed under my door.”
“Your dad?”
Time to reveal the truth. “I came down here to find him. I didn’t leave him. I think he’s been taken by the Hunters. That note with Aunt Simza’s name was my only clue to finding any information about him. I think Aunt Simza knows about Dad and she wants me to leave for fear the Hunters will find her.”
“I don’t think this is Aunt Simza’s writing. Plus, she said she’s leaving, so I don’t think she would try to warn you away.” His eyebrows furrow. “Did you ask her about it?”
“I banged on her door last night, but she said she didn’t write it. She said I’m bringing trouble, though, so she knows something.”
“Someone knows why your here, though.” He places the note on the coffee table. “Why didn’t you tell us all this before?”
“I didn’t, and still don’t know whom to trust. I don’t know who sent me the note about Aunt Simza, but it also said don’t…”
“Don’t what?”
“It also said to keep secrets and not tell anyone anything.” I lie. It’s becoming too easy to talk with Fonso.
“Is your real name Alice?”
I shake my head. Embarrassed to admit I’ve lied, but he’s been so open with me, and…I need to start telling the truth some time. “No. It’s Elysia.”
“That makes more sense. You look like an Elysia. Definitely not an Alice.” He laughs.
“I like Alice.” I shove him. “We are so used to using different names everywhere we go.”
“You’ve moved around a lot, too, huh?” He lifts his legs up onto the coffee table. “How did you get away?”
“Dad came to my apartment in the morning and told me it was time to leave. He had a bag packed for me and he didn’t give me time to grab anything else. He was adamant I leave, but he wasn’t coming with me.”
“He has a gift?”
“He knows when trouble is coming.” I slap the pillow on the couch in frustration. “Why he didn’t come with me, I’ll never understand. We always moved together. He protected me.” I feel myself getting hysterical and I need to calm my nerves before I bring on a tidal wave.
Fonso rests his hand over mine. The surging of anger in my veins slows. “Maybe he thought you’d be safer without him.”
“He told me he needed to take care of a fe
w things, but he never showed up at the place we were supposed to meet. Two Hunters did, though.”
His eyes widen, as if I told him I saw a ghost, and fear found its way across his soft features. “You saw them? What happened?”
“A woman and a man had tracked me down. I got a strange phone call warning me they were there. When I saw them, I started running. I didn’t see the man too well, but I was face to face with the woman. It won’t be any time too soon that I’ll forget her. She got a good look at my right hook though.”
“My cousin, the bad ass.” He smiles.
“So, I came here. A cryptic note leads me to Cassadaga and I run into a family I never knew about. Yeah, strange things seem to follow wherever I go.”
A knock at the door causes both of us to jump.
“I got it.” Fonso rises, answering the door. “Wow.”
A huge bouquet of flowers hides the delivery person’s face.
“Thanks.” Fonso takes them and closes the door. “Doesn’t seem like all bad things are happening to you.” He places them on the counter, grabbing the note attached to the top. “To Alice—”
I snatch it from him. “That’s the biggest arrangement I’ve ever seen.” White, pink and yellow lilies mix in with pink roses and white carnations.
“Who’s it from?” Fonso leans in to smell a rose. “These aren’t the cheap ones, either. You can smell a strong rose scent.”
Alice, I had a wonderful time with you last night. Please have dinner with me tomorrow night.
“It’s from Kyle.” I look at Fonso. “And, he left me his number.”
“The dreamy guy you work with?” He grabs the note from me. “What did you two do last night?” He nudges my arm.
“He took me stargazing.”
“Stargazing? Are you kidding me?” Fonso places the invitation on the counter. “He sends you flowers to ask you out on another date. Brilliant execution.”
I shove him.
“Look who’s blushing.” He points at my face.
“I’m not blushing.”
“Did you do anything other than gaze at the stars last night?” He wiggles his eyebrows.
“Maybe.” I bite my lip and smile.
“You floozy.”
“We kissed. That’s it.” I walk around to the kitchen and pour a glass of orange juice. “It’s probably a bad idea to date someone I work with, isn’t it? I shouldn’t be doing this.”
“Yes, you should.” He displays the flowers as if pretending to be Vanna White.
“Fine. I’ll go.” I roll my eyes.
“That took a lot of convincing.” He smiles. “I wonder where he’ll take you. Maybe he’ll take you out of town. There’re not many good choices nearby.”
“I’ll call him later.”
“You better.” He presses his hands together as if praying. “So, Elysia, dear cousin, can I crash with you?”
“There’s only one bed, but I’ll talk with Deena. Maybe she’ll make you a deal with one of the other cabins. Until then, you’re welcome to the couch.”
“Thanks.”
“First, you have to help me with something.”
“What’s that?” He places the juice back into the empty fridge. “Oh.”
“Yeah, can you take me grocery shopping?”
“Sure thing. Let’s do this.” He holds his glass up and clinks it with mine. “Too bad these aren’t mimosas.”
I take a sip. “We can rectify that situation.”
We laugh.
Heading into town, we stop at the diner to retrieve my bags I accidently left. We decide to travel further to hit a discount store to buy cheaper groceries and a few cleaning supplies. I also get a new pair of sandals to replace the ones I left at the beach when I was with Colin.
Fonso visits the liquor store and refuses to tell me what he bought.
“Why are you being so secretive?”
“Why are you being so nosy?” he quips.
When we return home, I feel like cleaning so I sweep the cabin.
Fonso puts the groceries away.
“Here you go.” He brings me a light orange drink in a clean glass, holding his own in his other hand. “Now, we have mimosas.”
I take a sip. “That’s good.”
“Another of my many talents: bartender extraordinaire.”
“Yes, you’re a master with orange juice and champagne.” I laugh. “It’s really good though.”
“It’s the type of champagne you use. Nothing but the best.”
“Cleaning with mimosas. That’s a first for me.” I start in on the bathroom, scrubbing the toilet and cleaning the shower.
Fonso makes the bed and puts my clothes away on the new hangers we bought.
It begins to feel like I have a roommate and friend again. I keep reminding myself he’s family and I don’t need to pretend around him. He knows I’m Elysia. There’s only one thing I didn’t tell him…one thing I promised Dad I’d never tell anyone.
“Did you call Kyle?” Fonso yells through the bedroom.
“Not yet.”
“It’s getting late.”
The sun sinks on the horizon. The day has gotten away from us as we drank and cleaned. “I didn’t realize it was so late.” I come into the living room and see the flowers on the counter. “I’ll call him after I take out the trash.”
Fonso grabs the trash bag out of the kitchen. “I can take it out.”
“No, let me, please. Maybe I’ll run into Deena and talk with her.”
He hands me the trash. “Okay, but call him as soon as you get back.” He places his smartphone on the counter.
“Deal.”
The one street light switches on over the campground office. Deena’s dark trailer, coupled with her missing car tells me she’s not here. I’ll have to make it a point to go over early to see her.
The sun exits as I near the putrid green trash bin. Surveying the grounds, I see no lights…no fires…no early partiers. It’s quiet and still. Aunt Simza’s trailer light remains on. Maybe she’ll speak with Fonso tomorrow. I know he’ll try again. At least she hasn’t left, yet.
A rustling in the woods grabs my attention. Expecting a raccoon to peek out, I’m surprised when a russet wolf appears. It steps in my path, blocking my way home. It bares its teeth and growls.
Chapter 14
My heart races when the wolf lowers its body, positioning itself to strike. This isn’t good.
“Whoa, you stay there, dog.”
It snaps, snarling at me.
I slowly walk back toward the trash bin…the closest cover.
It matches my steps, toying with me. If it were hungry, it would have struck by now. It lunges. I run behind the trash bin and circle around, leaving the wolf on the opposite side. There’s no way I can outrun it, but I have to try. I race toward the cabin. The wolf follows and a tug at my ankle takes me down. Its teeth have a good chunk of pants in its mouth, along with a bit of my skin. My instincts kick in and I stomp its head with my free leg, causing it to loosen its clenching jaws.
Hail falls fast, pummeling us with bigger than normal round ice balls.
The wolf shakes its head and gets back on its feet at the same time I do.
The cabin is less than 15 feet away, but by the look in the wolf’s eyes, it will attack before I can make it.
A hailstone the size of a baseball smacks onto its back and a squeal escapes its jaw. It recovers and jumps toward me. I raise my arms, knowing it’ll chomp into them within seconds.
Out of the corner of my eye, a shadow flashes by. I lower my arms to see another wolf in midair blocking my attacker. They tumble in the dirt snapping at each other.
The brown one convulses on the ground. It yelps and hollers, while changing into flesh and blood. It’s Kayla.
The other one rises, shakes, and turns into Colin.
“Get out of here, now!” he yells at Kayla.
She scowls at me and runs off into the woods, stark naked.
Col
in faces me, also naked and sweating. The hail falls in smaller pebbles, turning into heavy raindrops the closer he walks to me. He stops a few feet away.
Emilian was right. They are werewolves.
“Elysia!” Fonso steps onto the porch. He sees Colin and his gaze trails down his body. “Are you okay?”
“Elysia?” Colin asks.
“I’m fine.” I glance toward Fonso and mouth the words again. He looks at me and then at Colin before retreating inside.
“You’re name isn’t Alice. You lied.” Colin crosses his arms.
“And, you’re a fucking werewolf, so I’d say we’re even.” I take off my shirt, leaving me in my bra, and toss it to him. “Cover up.”
He holds it over his groin. “I never pretended to be otherwise. We don’t go around announcing our heritage.”
“Your girlfriend tried to kill me.” The shock of seeing him in wolf form hits me and I sit on the porch step. “You’re a werewolf and your girlfriend tried to eat me.”
“Kayla isn’t my girlfriend.” He steps closer and kneels in front of me with my shirt strategically placed. “Not anymore. It was over a long time ago, but she can’t let go.”
“So she goes around eating potential threats?” I rub my temples. “You’re a werewolf.”
He grabs my hands. The electric mini-shock pulses through me and releases a calming feeling.
“She’s jealous. She knows I’m into you and it upsets her. I’m sorry she came out here and tried to hurt you. I won’t allow it to happen again.” He smiles.
“What are you smiling about?”
“You called yourself a potential threat, so does that mean I have a chance?” He leans closer and brushes the hair from my face, sending a flurry of excitement through me.
“I…um…you’re a…” I stumble with my thoughts and the right words. Kyle pops into my head. His sweetness and patience with me when we were stargazing tug at my chest. The flowers…those beautiful eyes.
“I’m a werewolf. There are no more secrets between us, Elysia.” Colin’s dark chestnut eyes penetrate me. My name on his lips awakens a burning desire; a feeling so alien it’s spine-chilling, yet utterly arousing. “Are there any more secrets?” He doesn’t give me a chance to answer before he leans in. Our lips are only millimeters apart. My breath quickens. The air around us stirs and a breeze lifts strands of my hair. “The name Elysia is almost as beautiful as you.” He pulls me up, wraps his hand around my neck, and kisses me. My shirt falls to the ground and I feel him against me…his eagerness, unable to hide.
Lightning Struck (The Roaming Curse Book 1) Page 8
