Lightning Struck (The Roaming Curse Book 1)

by Miranda Hardy

  It feels as if a hundred sparklers light inside me all at once. My body quivers as the kiss deepens. He peels slowly away. My eyes remain closed as he places his forehead against mine.

  “I’ll take that…for now.” He backs away and runs toward the trees.

  My knees weaken. I sit back on the porch, pulling my shirt over me. A howl erupts in the woods.

  “Elysia?” Fonso peeks out of the cabin.

  “Huh?” My fuddled, foggy mind clears. “I’m coming.”

  “What happened?” He holds the door open for me. “Your jeans are all ripped.”

  “I was attacked by a werewolf. That jealous bitch from the beach. She’s a fucking werewolf.” My lower lip trembles. “Colin’s a fucking werewolf.”

  “And you thought we were lying?” Fonso closes the door. “They’ve been tormenting our kind for millennia, and you thought they were make-believe monsters?”

  “But, Emilian…”

  “Emilian thinks these wolves are different. He says they aren’t like the others. They can be trusted, but he’s wrong.”

  “Werewolves exist,” I say in a daze and plop on the couch.

  “We’ve covered this, I thought.”

  “He kissed me.” I touch my lips.

  “Colin? The naked werewolf kissed you?” Fonso sits next to me. “You let him?”

  “I…um…he caught me by surprise.”

  “I can’t believe it. You’re here two fucking days and already you have two gorgeous men pinning over you and I’ve been here months and nothing.” He chuckles. “Maybe you are trouble.”

  I playfully shove him. “What am I going to do?”

  “You’re going to call Kyle and accept his date. Right now.” Fonso gets his phone from the counter and presses it into my hand. “Those flowers weren’t cheap, girl.”

  “But, Colin…”

  “But Colin nothing. Did Colin send you expensive-ass flowers? No!” He pushes my hand with the phone in it. “Kyle’s number is punched in. Hit send.”

  “You’re like a drug dealer.” I poke him.

  “You’re the floozy.”

  “That’s not funny.” I pout. After hitting the button, I take the phone into my room.

  “Hello?” Kyle answers.

  “Hi Kyle. It’s Alice.” I pause. My stomach feels like the mimosas are swishing around inside.

  “Hey.” He sounds eager. “How’s it going?”

  “I received your invitation. Thank you for the flowers. They are beautiful.”

  “You’re welcome. So, are we on for tomorrow?”

  “Yes.”

  “Great. Pick you up at 6?” He asks.

  “See you then.”

  “Have a good night.”

  “You, too.” I hang up and fall back onto the bed.

  I stare at the fan circling, imagining it’s the top of a helicopter. Maybe it’ll take me far away to a deserted island free of problems. Colin pops into my mind. I touch my lips and wonder if I’ll ever feel a kiss like that again.

  The morning dew blankets the pine needles, making them look like mini icicles. I pull my hair up into a ponytail and begin to jog in the forest. Keeping in line with the rising sun, I keep an even pace. Once I hit the road, I follow it north, away from town. Coming close to Cassadaga, I see a morning yoga class, and turn back toward the campground.

  It feels peaceful listening to the sounds of the forest. Most runners prefer music, but it’s nature that soothes me. I ran longer than I expected, so the last mile I walk back. When I enter the campground, I see Deena head toward the office.

  “Hey.” I catch my breath. “Can I talk to you?”

  “Hi Alice. You’ve been busy this morning already, I see. I’m exhausted looking at you.” She holds her hand over her eyes, blocking the sun’s rays.

  “It feels good to jog every once in a while.” I hold the door open for her. “My cousin popped in last night, needing a place to crash for a while, and—”

  “He needs one of the cabins soon.” Deena nods. “I figured as much when I saw his car parked by your cabin. He usually visits Madame Aishe.”

  “Yes. I swear sometimes you can read my mind.”

  She touches some keys hanging behind the counter and plucks one down. “Here’s an extra key to your cabin, but same rules apply.”

  “Got it.” I hug her. “You’re the best.”

  “Oh, I know.” She grins. “Get out of here.”

  I race to my cabin and open the door to a delicious scent of fried buttery bread.

  “Deena said you can stay with me, but if the owner ever comes to town we’ll have to leave.” I watch Fonso fix grilled cheeses on the stove. “I’m sure she’ll give you the same deal on your own cabin, too, when you need it.”

  “That’s great.” He turns them over. “I’ll have to find a full-time job now and we can save up money to have a stash when needed.”

  The way he says ‘we’ makes me feel a part of a family again. It’s so easy with him. He’s the big brother I never knew I wanted. “She’s cool.”

  “I talked to Aunt Simza this morning. Well, she talked through the window. She won’t even open the door for me now.” He scoops the sandwiches onto two plates, placing one in front of me.

  “Thanks.”

  “I told her I was staying with you.”

  “What’d she say?”

  “She said I was a damn fool and I should go back to my mother.” He chomps into his sandwich.

  “She doesn’t like me. What does she think I’ll do? Corrupt you?”

  “She says you attract trouble and more trouble is bound to come to me if I stay. Then I told her that trouble has always followed us everywhere, so why is now so different?”

  “And?”

  “She didn’t say one more word. She closed her curtain and walked away from me.”

  “This is good.” I hold my grilled cheese up. “Extremely buttery.”

  “I like to eat.” He pats on his bulging stomach. “What are you wearing on your date tonight?”

  “I figure I’d go completely nude and stir things up.” His eyes bulge and I roll my eyes. “Jeans and a top. What I always wear.”

  “That’s classy.” He bangs his glass down too hard, causing milk to slosh out the side. “What if he takes you to a fancy restaurant and you feel underdressed?”

  “Now you’re making me anxious.”

  “I’m sure Colin wouldn’t mind you showing up naked. Werewolves are very free with their bodies.”

  “You don’t like him much, do you?”

  “No. I don’t like what I’ve seen of him. He’s not a good person.”

  “You warned me about him before. When you picked me up at the beach. Is there something you’re not telling me?”

  “I think they bully some of the townspeople.”

  “What do you mean, bully?”

  “He’s a damn werewolf. They are known for bullying. Do you ever see any of them work? No. When we traveled with the carnival, we ran into quite a lot of them. They weren’t nice. They’ve been chasing our kind for a long time. I don’t care what Emilian says. I don’t trust them.”

  “What do you mean chasing?”

  “We’ll talk later. Get ready for your date. I don’t want to give another history lesson now.” He blows a kiss at me. “I have to go find another job.”

  “Here.” I dig in my pocket. “Deena gave me an extra key for you.”

  “Love Deena.” He walks out the door, locking it behind him.

  Viewing my wardrobe, I fear Fonso’s right. I don’t have anything fancy. If Kyle shows up in a nice suit, I’m screwed.

  Dusk descends. I hear Kyle’s Jeep and peek through the curtain. Kyle parks in front of my cabin and gets out. He’s wearing a long-sleeved flannel and jeans…thank goodness.

  I open the door before he climbs the stairs. “Hi.”

  “Hi.” He leans in and kisses me. It’s a quick, sweet kiss, but reminds me of the longer one we had under the stars
two nights ago. “You look nice.”

  “Thank you. So do you.” I grab my bag and lock the door. “Where are we going?”

  “Do you like Italian?”

  “Yum.”

  “Then I know the perfect place.”

  He holds my hand for the duration of the 20-minute ride south. The restaurant sits on a lakeside, with candlelit tables outside. “This is pretty.”

  The hostess seats us at a secluded table near the water.

  “What’s your favorite Italian food?” Kyle asks as he reads the menu.

  “Chicken Parmigiana.” I lick my lips. “Yours?”

  “Veal Parmigiana.”

  “Baby cows? That’s awful.”

  “Don’t judge me.” He smiles.

  We place our orders. A soft breeze blows in. Frogs croak near the lake edge. “It’s beautiful out tonight.”

  The waitress returns with our drinks. “It is. It’s even nicer that you’re here with me.” He passes the sweeteners over. I refuse. “No sugar in your tea? How could you make such a mistake?”

  “I thought this was a judgment-free zone?” I smirk.

  “Ok. Ok. Judge-free zone. Can we now get all the bad first date questions out of the way?”

  “Bad first date questions? I can’t wait to hear them.”

  “You know…the questions you’re not supposed to ask people that tend to scare them away. I’m apparently great at that.”

  “There’s your flaw. I knew it was bound to pop up soon. What’s the first question?”

  “Where were you born?” He leans on the table, putting on a serious face.

  “Yes, that’s an awful first date question. I’m ready to walk out.”

  We laugh.

  “I was born in California. You?”

  “Florida. Both coast state babies. That’s why we’re drawn to each other.” His shoulders relax. “Here’s a tough one. It’s a fill-in-the-blank. Last relationship failed because…?”

  “He asked too many stupid questions.”

  “This is why I’m single, ladies and gentlemen.” He waves his hands in the air to an empty audience.

  Our food arrives and we start eating. It’s delicious…probably one of the top three dinners I’ve ever eaten of all time.

  “Is it my turn?” I ask when the server takes the plates away. “To ask questions, that is.”

  “Shoot.”

  “Do you live alone?”

  “Yes. Staying in an apartment a few blocks from the diner.”

  “And you don’t walk to work?”

  “If I walked to work, how could I drive you home?” His mouth twists into a lopsided smile.

  “Ah, it’s your power tool of seduction.”

  “I’ve never heard that analogy before, but I like it.”

  “Do you have family near here? Are they also in Florida? Any siblings?”

  His smile disappears. “My mother died seven years ago. My dad lives on the coast, but we don’t talk much. I’m an only child. What about you?”

  An ache builds within me. We have more in common than he realizes. I’m not sure I can muster a response.

  A steady rain starts, blowing the wetness in with the breeze.

  Kyle moves to cover me from getting wet. “Here are my keys to the Jeep. I’ll go inside to pay the bill and meet you.” He looks up to the sky with a baffled expression. “I thought it wasn’t supposed to rain tonight.”

  I nod and rush to his Jeep. Once I’m inside, I look for a towel or something to dry my face, but his back seat is bare. I open the glove box and a gun tumbles out into my hand.

  Chapter 15

  The gun feels heavy in my hand. A shiver runs through me when I shakily place it back into the glove compartment. Why does a diner cook/stargazer feel the need to carry a gun?

  I’ve never liked guns.

  Kyle runs to the Jeep. “Phew, it’s coming down now.”

  “Yeah, do you have a towel, napkin, or tissue? My face is wet.” I slowly reach for the glove box.

  He grabs my hand. “Not in there. I have a blanket in the back.”

  He doesn’t want me to see the gun. “That’s okay. Don’t worry about it. Wouldn’t want you to get any wetter.”

  “Did you want to see a movie or something? No stargazing tonight, unfortunately.” He starts the engine. “It’s early enough to catch the last showing in town.”

  “Kyle, I’m actually not feeling too well. My head’s pounding. I’m afraid I’ll have to take a raincheck, if that’s okay.”

  He squeezes my hand. “Do you need me to pick you up anything on the way home? Aspirin?”

  “No, that’s not necessary. I have something at home.” I close my eyes, leaning against the headrest. “Thank you, though. Thanks for dinner and for the flowers, too. They are gorgeous.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Kyle remains quiet during the ride home. He turns on the radio, playing soft classical music with the volume low. All I can think about is the gun one foot in front of me. The gun he didn’t want me to see.

  Why did I need to test him? I honestly thought he’d justify its existence, easing my mind from coming up with wild and crazy accusations. Maybe he’s a hitman and the diner is his cover. Maybe he’s been threatened. Maybe he’s a loon. Why didn’t he let me open the damned glove box?

  “We’re here.” Kyle pats my shoulder.

  I rub my eyes open. “Oh.”

  “Is someone staying with you?” He points to Fonso’s car.

  “That’s my cousin’s. He’s crashing here for a while. Feeling kind of crowded at home.” I pick up my bag. “Thank you for dinner. It was a great choice.”

  “You’re welcome.” He leans in, pecking me on the lips.

  “See you tomorrow at the diner?”

  He nods.

  I hop out of the Jeep, dashing in the drizzle to the cabin.

  He drives away before I’m through the door and I’m relieved.

  “How’d the date with Mr. Dreamy go?” Fonso lowers his paperback. “Where’d he take you?”

  “We went to an Italian restaurant by a lake. It was good.” I fling my bag onto the coffee table.

  “Good? Just good? Not fabulous or amazing or even a wonderful?” He places his book on the floor. “Why are you home so early?”

  “It started raining and I told him I had a headache.”

  “A headache? Why? What happened?”

  I face him. “It started raining and I went to his Jeep while he was paying. I looked in his glove box for a napkin or something and an effing gun falls in my hand.”

  “A lot of people have guns these days.” Fonso shrugs.

  “That’s not the weird part. I put the gun back and when he came out I reached for the glove compartment, pretending to look for a tissue and he grabbed my hand away. He didn’t want me to see it. Why be so secretive?”

  “You tested him.” He ticks his tongue against the roof of his mouth. “Why do women analyze everything all of the time?”

  “Come on. Tell me that’s not suspicious. All he had to do was tell me it was in there and why. How hard is that?”

  “Instead of asking him, you faked a headache to end the date?”

  “It felt off…like it wasn’t right.”

  “Could this be because of a certain naked werewolf from last night?” He purses his lips. “He gave you flowers. He took you to see the stars. He drives a Jeep.”

  “What does a Jeep have to do with anything?”

  “Jeeps are sexy.” He scrunches his eyebrows together.

  I laugh.

  “What? They are.” He picks his book back up. “You’re in my bed, by the way.”

  “That’s the first time a guy’s ever said that to me in such a negative way.” I get up, smiling.

  “Well, with your manners, it probably won’t be the last.” He flips a page.

  “Good night, Fonso.” I bend and peck him on the cheek.

  “Good night, Floozy.” He winks.

&nb
sp; “Wake up! Wake up!” Fonso bounces on my bed.

  “What are you doing?” I throw a pillow at him.

  “We need to go to the mall.”

  “Why? With what money?” I sit up. “I hate shopping unless absolutely necessary.”

  “I have an interview and I don’t want to go alone. They called last night and with the whole gun thing, I forgot to tell you.”

  “Oh, well then I’ll go. Give me a few minutes.”

  “That’s all you have.” He leaves, shutting my door behind me.

  I had slept later than I planned. Forgoing the shower, I throw my hair up in a ponytail and hurry out to see Fonso chomping on cereal. He shoves the last bite into his mouth and sets the bowl into the sink. “Good, let’s go.”

  “Are you late?”

  “Maybe a little.”

  “For an interview? You’re insane.” I laugh, grabbing my bag. “Where’s the mall?”

  “Twenty to thirty minutes away, close to the coast.”

  We pile into the car. “What are you interviewing for?”

  “Some small gimmicky store. You know, the ones that sell all the gag gifts.”

  “I don’t go to many malls. I try to avoid them at all costs.”

  “You have no sense of style, do you?” His smile fades. “Who will I shop with if I can’t convince you to go with me?”

  “First of all, you should be saving your money. Second, who did you shop with before?”

  “Nadya was my partner in that department. I bet she’s upset I left. She has no ride now, other than Emilian and he’s too selfish most of the time to take her any where.”

  “Does she know?”

  “Know what? That I’m gay?” He nods. “She’s the only one who understood. Emilian didn’t even know. He’s too wrapped up in his make-believe world to pay attention to anything or anyone else.”

  “Make believe?”

  “Isn’t that what you thought about the werewolves? They are fantasy, right?”