by Nikki Landis
Gabriel laughed and picked up the groceries. “Lead the way.”
I noticed he didn’t call her any endearments and it warmed my heart just a touch. Maybe I was wrong, and she didn’t sleep with him. Why that mattered to me, I wasn’t sure.
Trudging along behind them, I closed the door and wandered into the kitchen. There was fresh apple juice in a large pot that we would turn into homemade hard cider soon and all of the baking supplies were out for us to start the Soul Cakes. We still had to make the potpourri and incense to burn during our rituals, so I began to gather ingredients, measuring spoons, and cups together, as my aunt talked with Gabriel.
I was in the middle of crushing dried rose petals, ivy, and yellow button flowers when I felt a slight shift in the air. The window above the sink was open and the curtains were spread wide, held back by black wrought iron hooks. The presence outside was strong and I fought to keep my gaze lowered as long as I could. I knew who the compulsion belonged to since I had the same muddy loss of control as I did earlier in Kimball’s.
The vampire. Damian Rockcastle.
Chapter 2
Damian stood by the front gate as his eyes raked over me like hot burning coals. A sneer dominated his face, but I quickly realized it wasn’t intended for me. Hot breath landed on the back of my neck as Gabriel’s arm encircled my waist and pulled me close.
“Damian looks lonely out there,” he whispered, his head dipping as his lips lowered close to my right ear. “A shame he can’t enter without an invitation.”
I wasn’t stupid. I knew a vampire couldn’t enter private property without someone who resided at the location giving their consent. “I know that already,” I snapped, shoving his hand aside. “What game are you playing?” How did Gabriel know Damian?
“Game? I’m not playing one, but I’ve got a few I can think of if we go upstairs.”
His mood gave me whiplash. Moments ago, he was talking quietly with my aunt and subdued. Now he was openly flirting like we’d known each other for months. “What?” I screeched.
Gabriel grinned wider but his hand dropped from my waist. “I heard your heart rate pick up when I touched you. Careful, sweetness. I know you’re attracted to me.”
I pointed to the door. “Get out.”
Gabriel leaned against the counter and ticked his head toward the living room. I could hear my aunt as she talked to Gypsy. “You must have missed the part where I was invited to stay as long as I like.”
Goddammit. I seriously needed to have a talk with Aunt Gwen.
“Listen Gabriel, I don’t know who you are, what you want, or why you’re so welcome in my house but you’re making me uncomfortable. Back off or I’ll use other means to force you away,” I threatened, glaring into his amused ocean blues.
Outside, a faint chuckle drew our attention. Damian began to whistle as he turned and walked away. Sudden annoyance danced along every nerve in my body. It was only the first day of Samhain and I was already irritated.
When I turned back, I was face to face with Gabriel. His hands landed on either side of my waist, gripping the granite countertop and effectively caging me in. His towering height meant he had to lower his head to talk to me. It was both disconcerting and intriguing the way his eyes smoldered with just one look.
“Listen, sweetness, there’s a lot you don’t know about me –”
It was rude, but I cut him off. No speeches, thank you. I wasn’t that interested even if he did make my thighs quiver. “What kind of supernatural are you?” I needed more information if I intended to keep this hunk of muscle at a distance.
A low growl erupted in his throat. “Wolf,” he ground out as he leaned in and sniffed along my temple, slowly tracing the skin all the way down to my neck.
Exhaling a shaky breath, I managed to squeak out, “A Lycan?”
His answering nod was accompanied by another low growl. My hormones leaped into action as my eyes skimmed his handsome face.
The pull to this man was undeniable, but I wouldn’t be coerced by magic or attraction into something so dangerous and mysterious. I’d dated my fair share of bad boys. Gabriel was a man that could easily dominate me – much as that vampire Damian – and I needed to keep a level head, especially with Samhain. The thinning of the veil was bringing out the freaks and immortals faster than I could blink an eye.
He must have sensed my internal debate and uncertainty because he backed off and leaned against the opposite counter. “You should take your questions to your aunt. Gwen can explain much better than I ever could.”
With a crisp nod, I agreed. “I’ll do just that, but since you’re staying you may as well make yourself useful. I need these apples, gourds, and mini pumpkins cleaned and hollowed out to fit the tea light candles. This stack of oranges needs zested, too. Be careful not to dig too deeply into the white portion beneath the rind. I’ll be back to check your progress soon.” I was being bossy, but he didn’t seem to mind.
With a wolfish grin that widened more with each passing second, Gabriel agreed and picked up an apple. I thought he was going to cut into it but instead he took a huge bite, the juice trickling down his chin. The look in his eyes was hungry, but not for food.
Fuck.
I was never going to make it through to the end of this festival. My morality was as filled with holes as a slice of Swiss cheese. Damn both of these handsome men for showing up in my life right now. I didn’t need complications. In fact, I hated feeling out of control. One thing about being a witch – we liked everything done our way. I blamed my mother and aunt since I was raised as a free-thinking independent woman. I could admit I was spoiled.
Sighing loudly, I spun on my heel and left the hunky werewolf on his own.
“Cas!” Gypsy greeted me with her usual enthusiasm.
She quickly enveloped me in one of her signature stranglehold hugs and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Gyps, you’re going to suffocate me one of these days.”
She was quick to release me as her blonde ponytail swung back and forth in youthful exuberance. “I said I missed you.”
“We just hung out last night,” I reminded her, but smiled with affection. I truly loved her like a sister.
Aunt Gwen hugged us both close. “We’re having a few guests in the house for Samhain. Gabriel is already here but I expect Kayde anytime within the next few hours. Willow is helping me with a new spell, so you’ll see her often.”
We both knew Willow Parker. She was a fellow witch and one of my aunt’s best friends. Her daughter Autumn was Gypsy’s best friend as well. A fellow senior at Mystic High.
“Who’s Gabriel and Kayde?” Gypsy asked before I had a chance.
The three of us sat on the couch as my aunt launched into a long and drawn out explanation that really never explained why any of these people were staying in the manor. The house was big enough – nearly twenty-one rooms – but my curiosity wasn’t even close to being appeased. Aunt Gwen met my gaze and then I understood.
Gypsy didn’t need to know the truth. I wasn’t the only one who was protective.
My nod of acknowledgment was small enough that Gyps didn’t notice, but I frowned at my aunt.
“Gypsy, luv, why don’t you check in on Gabriel and make sure he’s not hurting himself in there.”
“Sure!” She jumped up and sashayed into the kitchen like a beauty queen. That girl was a handful, but she was a fun one. Just wait until her full powers developed.
She’d be a force to reckon with.
Gabriel’s deep voice greeted Gypsy and I was sure she’d be head over heels in love within the next thirty minutes. I cleared my throat and turned to Gwen. “Out with it. How do you know Gabriel and why is he here? And why are we expecting more immortals?”
Aunt Gwen sighed, “I’m sorry, honey. Things are a bit more complicated than I realized.” I arched a brow but waited for her to continue. “Gabriel is an old friend of the family. He actually helped our ancestors escape Salem.”
H
uh, I didn’t know that. Gabriel mentioned he remembered we left Salem, but he didn’t act like he was actually there.
“He’s always welcome in this house. The ancestors adore him.” What? How the hell was this a kept secret for so long? “Your mother was especially close to Gabriel.”
My jaw dropped as my stomach flipped. So, it wasn’t my aunt Gabriel was interested in, but my mother? “What? Like how close?” If he slept with my mom I was seriously going to be creeped out. No lie.
My aunt shifted uncomfortably in her seat for a few seconds. “Listen, he thought your mom was the one, but he was wrong. They dated briefly. That’s it. Afterward, he was a close and loyal friend to both of your parents but his relationship with Liz was special.”
The one? And what did she mean? Special like fuck buddies or what? “I don’t understand. Did they sleep together? Because I need to know that, especially after he just came onto me in the kitchen.” What was up with this wolf? Was he using my family in some way?
The blush on her cheeks gave me the answer before her voice. “Yes, but . . . they didn’t know the truth at that time. It was a long time ago. You should –”
I held up a hand, unwilling to hear anymore. “I get the basic gist. He should know better than to hit on me after dating my mom. That’s just gross, Aunt Gwen.”
She sighed lightly. “You don’t understand. Gabriel is meant to be here.”
“I really don’t care,” I admitted, annoyed and frustrated. Gabriel was nothing but an ass. It was obvious he was some kind of playboy. No thanks.
“Gwen, can we have a moment?”
I was surprised when I heard Gabriel’s deep voice behind me. Jumping up, I turned on him in sudden anger. “When were you going to tell me the truth? Before or after you flirted and tried to get in my pants?”
“Cassie, please,” Aunt Gwen pleaded in exasperation. “I don’t think that’s what he meant.”
How did she know? Gabriel was obviously gone for years. Why suddenly show up now? “Not now.”
My aunt left the room with a shake of her head and a sympathetic look in Gabriel’s direction.
He was in front of me in three easy strides, his long legs swallowing the distance so fast all I could do was blink. “I’m sorry, Cassie. I handled this poorly. You should have known the whole truth before I flirted with you. You’re right. I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
I was thrown off guard by his admission and sincere apology. So he flirted intentionally? Fine. Why? “Okay,” I managed to get out through clenched teeth.
“I dated your mother –”
“And then you decided to try the same with me?”
“Are you going to interrupt every time I talk to you?” His voice lowered to a growl and I scowled in return. “It wasn’t like that between us. Your mother and I had a special . . . friendship.”
“Like what? Fuck buddies?” I demanded. “You break her heart or something?”
A look of pure rage flashed across his face as he clenched his hands into tight fists. “No, I would never have done that. Our friendship meant much more to me than I can possibly explain.”
“Did you love her?”
“Well, yes, but –”
That was what I thought. He was disgusting . . . or he was up to something. I didn’t trust him. “That’s fine because I don’t care to hear your explanation anyway, Gabriel.” Maybe I was overreacting, but I sensed a guilty and insincere vibe from him. I shoved past the wolf and quickly ran up the stairs to my room, slamming the door before I flopped down on the bed.
Why was he such an ass? And why was I so attracted to a man who could barely be bothered with any explanation of his actions and preferred to justify his indiscretions? After the fact, instead of before? He was close to my mother and it bothered me. I didn’t know why I was so overly sensitive, but I would keep watch on this Lycan until I knew his real motivation for returning to Mystic Hallows.
The late morning sun was climbing higher in the trees as I stood and walked to my second story window. Tears filled my eyes as I sank onto the bench seat and watched the changing leaves blowing around lazily in the wind. As quickly as they appeared, I blinked them back. I wasn’t much of an emotional girl but this situation with Gabriel really aggravated me. And I was stuck sharing a house with him because the ancestors loved the werewolf.
What connection did he share with my mother? Why was it so important?
My mother was a special lady. The death of my parents left a gaping hole in my heart that I mostly filled with Aunt Gwen, Uncle Tom, and Gypsy, but they weren’t my immediate family. I loved them like they were, but the truth was I was mostly alone. A reality that hurt more than I let on. I tended to keep up walls and close people off when they got close.
Maybe I was a little too broken.
Sighing, I leaned my forehead against the cool glass. A moment later I felt a familiar tug seconds before Damian appeared below. He was back at the gate entrance, his voice a soft whisper on the wind. With a seductive lure, he beseeched me to allow him passage. I knew what he was doing, and I couldn’t allow anymore distraction. With a shake of my head I turned away from the window, but not before I caught the sad smile that lingered on his sensual lips.
* * *
“Cas, you ready?”
I was finishing the last touches of my skull makeup when I heard Gyps enter the room. Applying light powder to set the black and white face paint and prevent it from fading away before the end of the night, I turned to her with a smile. “All done. You look gorgeous!” I gasped, taking in the vibrant red and dark blue that swirled into the black and white makeup on her face and neck. Like mine, she blended the swirls, dots, and skull accents down her neck, but Gypsy’s also extended down onto her bare shoulders. She was wearing a black tank top with a skull print and matching leggings with black ankle boots.
We styled our hair similar – swept back in a twisted knot at the base of our necks with black and red roses pinned to frame our faces. Our outfits were a close match except I wore my knee-high leather boots and a black corset, matching black and white skull armbands, and a wicked light-up skull necklace. As the month progressed, our outfits would become more elaborate and outlandish, but for the first night we kept it simple.
“You look amazing, Cas. Just simple black and white but its kickass.”
I smirked at her word choice and linked our arms together as I stopped and scooped up my cross-body bag. The first night of Samhain was always a large party. The main street would be decorated with festival paraphernalia like skulls, black and red roses, top hats, black and white netting, flowers, and crosses. Most of the businesses would have decorated the storefronts while the cemeteries and many of the homes would be lit by only candlelight. No artificial lighting throughout the city. It was haunting and eerie, but definitely added to the nostalgic and festive vibe.
There was a reason only candles are used. Spirits were confused by artificial light. During Samhain, the veil between the living and the dead was the thinnest. This was the most opportune time for ghosts and the ancestors to make contact. In order to help them navigate the human realm, only candles were lit. Those who wished to commune with the dead lit flames and waited for their loved ones to appear. Some were desperate or curious enough and sought the spirits in the cemetery.
It was never a dull moment; I could assure you of that.
We headed to University Row as Gypsy and I left the manor and crossed the street, excited chatter filling the air as others joined in the fun. Many painted faces swirled around us, but some chose masks instead and those were the most fun – depictions of the dead, demons, and monsters weaving in and out of the growing crowd.
Gypsy and I were ushered inside the frat house hosting the main party tonight. Loud music and strobe lights added to the chaos as bodies danced and moved to the beat. Traditional Samhain décor filled every corner of the house from cornstalks to cobwebs, spiders to scarecrows, sunflowers to ghosts, to the more traditional netting
and mini painted skulls. There was a wide metal tub filled with apples bobbing in cool water as well as several kegs of beer on one side of the room. Another corner had two large tables laden with snacks and party type foods next to bowls of candy and treats.
I loathed the idea of separating from my cousin tonight. Gyps was young and impulsive, much as I was when I was her age a few years ago, but she wasn’t as self-aware, and I worried she’d be taken advantage of. When I immediately lost her after the first five minutes, my eyes scanned the room in a panic, covering every inch of the area but I didn’t see her slim blonde figure anywhere.
“Quit worrying, Cas,” she chided as a red plastic cup full of beer pressed into my hand. “I made a new friend and look; Gabriel is here, too.”
Inwardly, I groaned. My eyes met the cool blue stare of the werewolf for a few seconds before I dismissed him and turned to Gypsy. The guy she was with was almost as tall as Gabriel, but he wasn’t quite as muscular. His blond hair was long and touched the top of his shoulders. Big hazel eyes with an odd gleam settled over me as she introduced us.
“This is Ryder. He’s new to the frat and wants to meet you,” she pointed out before she walked straight toward Gabriel.
“Wait, Gypsy!” I yelled, but my cousin was already out of earshot with the loud music. Gabriel winked and took Gyps by the elbow as I relaxed with relief. He’d watch over her.
I hoped.
“You here alone, angel?”
I turned to Ryder, nearly forgetting he was standing on my right. “Yes, sorry. I think I need to go find my cousin,” I blurted. Before I could leave his side, his hand snatched my arm and he leaned in close.
“Gypsy seems fine with that big guy over there. How about we take a walk and get to know one another?”
Ugh, not another one. Why is the only time you find cute interested guys also happen to be the exact time you’re not interested? I swear I was cursed.
