Paranormal After Dark: 20 Paranormal Tales of Demons, Shifters, Werewolves, Vampires, Fae, Witches, Magics, Ghosts and More

by Rebecca Hamilton

  Tears rolled down his face. Clara stopped tickling him, and he gasped for air. He sat up once he managed to catch his breath. "How did you get so strong?"

  She shrugged. "My father didn't want us to be easily taken advantage of. He taught us how to hunt from a young age."

  "Sounds like my kind of dad. You miss him, don't you?"

  "Yeah, but I don't want to talk about it."

  "Have you talked with your sister about your parents?"

  "We've never been close. That's why you've never met her."

  "I thought I never met her because she's in jail."

  "There's that too."

  "What's she in for? You never told me."

  "Do we have to talk about my family?"

  "I want to know more about them. I know it's not your favorite subject, but it's a part of you that I know almost nothing about. Last year, you came back here while I was studying for exams and then you came back saying you'd never see your parents again. Then nothing was ever said about it. I get that whatever happened is hard on you, and that's why I've given you space. But wouldn't you say I've earned the right to know more?"

  Clara sat up. "Is that why you gave me the ring?"

  "What? No. How could you even think that?"

  "Then what was that speech about?"

  "It wasn't a speech. Why can't you just tell me about your family? I stood up to mine for you."

  She scooted back. "My family is a mess."

  "I'm not going to hold it against you. I know your sister is locked up for attempted murder, and I don't hold that against you. I'm not worried that you're going to try to kill me. But your family business is part of you, and I want you to let me in on that. Good, bad, and ugly."

  "You don't have any idea what you're asking."

  "That's because you won't tell me. I think you would feel a lot better if you talked about it with me rather than holding it all inside."

  "Do we really need to discuss this now? I thought we came out here to enjoy ourselves. I'm not having fun at the moment."

  "Sometimes, talking about things that hurt can bring people together. You know I'm here for you."

  "I'm not ready to talk about them yet."

  He narrowed his eyes. "Why not? Why did you even say yes to marrying me if you don't trust me?"

  "It's not about trust! I know I can trust you more than anyone else. Trust has nothing to do with this. I'm not ready."

  "Then give me back the ring."

  She looked at him, eyes wide. "What?"

  "If you won't talk to me about your family, then you're not ready to marry me. Hand it over."

  "You're serious?"

  "Obviously I haven't proven to you that I'm trustworthy. I don't even know why you're with me."

  "What's gotten into you, William? This isn't like you."

  "You're asking me what's gotten into me? What's gotten into you?"

  "Nothing. You know I don't want to talk about my family. It's just not something I want to discuss."

  "I've given you plenty of space. If you want to keep it to yourself, then fine. But we can't be engaged and have secrets."

  "Can't you just give me a little time to prepare myself for this talk?" She looked hurt, not angry.

  William softened his tone. "What is so bad about your family, Clara? You can tell me anything. I won't hold it against you."

  "Why now? Can't you give me a little time? We just got engaged. Can't we enjoy this time together before we start having serious discussions?"

  He sighed. "Do you promise to tell me?"

  She took a deep breath. "I do. I've known for a long time that I have to tell you everything. I'm just not ready." Tears filled her eyes.

  William felt his heart shatter. "I'm so sorry, Clara. I shouldn't have demanded the ring back. You're right. I don't know what got into me. Can you forgive me?"

  She nodded, not saying anything.

  He wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry, Clara. I wish I could take back everything I said. I don't want to be like that."

  "I know. You're right that I need to sit down and tell you everything. Can you promise me that you'll have an open mind?"

  "For you, anything. But for what it's worth, remember I didn't even blink when you told me about your sister. I know that family can be crazy, and what one person does isn't an indication of what another one will do."

  Clara relaxed in his arms. "Thank you, William. I really don't want to keep secrets from you."

  He squeezed her. "Whenever you're ready. Let's just enjoy our time together. Again, I'm sorry I told you to give the ring back. I can't believe I said that. I'm not going to ever say that again, okay? I don't want you to worry that I'm going to threaten you. That's just not me."

  "I know. I'm sorry I made you feel like saying that was your only option."

  Chapter 15

  WILLIAM SAT IN his dad's office, trying to focus on what was being said, but it was a lost cause. His mind kept wandering to what Clara had said, or more specifically, what she hadn't said. She had promised to tell him when she was ready, but when would that be? He didn't want to push her away by forcing her to tell him, but at the same time, whatever it was, was obviously pretty big.

  "Are you listening to me?"

  He looked up. "I'm trying, Dad."

  Will sighed. "I know you're thinking about your engagement. I wish you would have let me in on it, son. I would have let you given her the family ring. And I could have helped you plan something a little more special than a camping proposal."

  "She likes camping, and it was quite romantic."

  "You didn't even tell me she was going camping with you guys. What's gotten into you?"

  "Before I left, you were so proud that I was acting like a man. Now you're back to wanting me to be your perfect son. What is it? What do you really want from me?"

  "In our family, we do things a certain way. It's been like that for—"

  "Generations. I know."

  Will shook his head. "Are you still planning on practicing law?"

  "Of course. Once I get my Cambridge degree, I'll be back here to study law. It's all planned out, and I haven't swerved from the path."

  "Just checking. The more time you spend here interning, the more prepared you'll be for law school. Just keep that in mind. You'll be ahead of everyone who hasn't been living and breathing law their entire lives."

  "How's your vacation, Dad?" William looked around the law office.

  "Are you insinuating that I'm not really on vacation? I'm not dealing with a single client—they've all been directed to others in the firm for the week. I wanted to make sure you could learn without distraction. You know that if I'm not talking with them, I don't get paid. It's a vacation."

  William looked his dad in the eyes. "That's not true, and you know it. You look into a case file or make a call about a case, you bill that time."

  "So you have been listening to me all these years. If you get outside today, will you be able to come back fresh tomorrow?"

  "Possibly."

  "Why don't you get out of here? You can do what you need to, and then we'll plan on meeting back here in the morning."

  William nodded, and left without a word. He nodded and waved to those he passed as he left. He knew most everyone in the firm, due to his dad working there his entire life. There were some new secretaries, but he knew all the attorneys, minus the actual interns. He wasn't one, not until he was either getting school credit or paid.

  Once he was out in the sun, walking toward his car, he realized he didn't know what he wanted to do with himself. Part of him wanted to get together with Clara, but another part of him wanted to try to figure out what she could be hiding since she wouldn't tell him.

  "Hey, William, is that you?"

  William turned around. It was Timothy, one of his childhood friends, the one his dad thought he had gone camping with. "Timothy. How are you?"

  "Probably about the same as you. Trying to get out of spending this sunny
day inside the firm."

  "Sounds about right."

  "What have you been up to, man? How's Cambridge?"

  "Couldn't be better."

  "You still seeing that girl? What was her name?"

  "Clara. Yeah. I even talked her into marrying me."

  Timothy raised an eyebrow. "You gave her a ring?"

  "The best one I could find."

  "That's awesome." Timothy held out a fist, and William gave it a bump. "When's the big day?"

  "We haven't discussed any details yet. I just gave her the ring."

  "So you haven't thought about a best man yet?"

  William smiled. "Oh, come on. Who else?"

  "Oh, yeah! I got a party to plan." He hit William in the shoulder. "I can't believe we're all starting to get married. Soon, our whole group will be married. Then we'll have kids." Timothy shuddered.

  "Really? You have a girlfriend?"

  "No way. I'm not even close to ready to settle down. You know me. But eventually, I'll have to. Some of the other guys who have girlfriends are starting to think about the future too. You're the first to actually propose, but Harvey and Max are getting close. Once they catch wind of your engagement, it'll push them into action, I'm sure. Either that, or their girlfriends will." Timothy laughed.

  "Then you'll be forced to settle down too."

  "Nah. Joe and Drew are like me. We'll stick together, living the wild life. It'll be even better when we have our own money to blow. The chicks will be all over us once we're actually attorneys."

  "When will you have time for that? You know the newbies all work sixty to eighty hours a week."

  "Oh, I'll find time. Always do."

  "Are you still at Harvard?"

  "Yeah. There aren't as many parties as I had hoped. I've had to put together more than my fair share. It's good to be back here where there's usually something going on."

  "Anything going on this week? It would be great to see everyone again."

  "Well, it's not exactly going to be a rocking party, but the country club is having their annual beginning of summer dance tonight. Everyone will be there."

  "That's tonight?"

  "Yeah. Didn't your dad tell you?"

  "Seriously? Have you met him?"

  Timothy chuckled. "Right. He's probably hoping your mom won't find out and make him go. Kathryn didn't say anything to you?"

  "With as busy as my dad's been keeping me? She's only teased me a couple times since I've arrived."

  "She probably didn't want your parents to know about the dance, now that I think about it. She's seeing that biker now."

  William's eyes widened. "Biker?"

  "Don't get all big brother on her. He's not a real biker. He's some punk from one of the public high schools who just got a motorcycle, so now he thinks he's all that. So does your sister."

  "What is she thinking?"

  Timothy shook his head. "Your parents are going to be so disappointed. Neither of you are going to end up with a club member."

  "So, are you going to the dance tonight?"

  "I'll see if Clara wants to go."

  "Oh, don't be like that. Go with or without her. It'll be good to have all of us back together. We can even throw together an after party. What do you say?"

  "How could I say no to that? Good thing I ran into you. How else would I catch up on the local gossip? You know more than the girls."

  "Hey, watch it." Timothy shoved him. "You know you'd be lost without me."

  "True."

  "Well, I better get in there before my dad throws a fit."

  "Yeah, you don't want to deal with that. Are our families still getting together for the Fourth?"

  "As always."

  "Cool. Well, I'll see you tonight. Maybe even with Clara."

  "See you then."

  They waved, and then William turned back toward his car. Now he not only had to figure out what was going on with Clara, but he needed to find out what his sister was doing with a biker wanna-be. What had happened to the days when things were so simple?

  He opened his car, and it was so hot that the heat shot out at him. Holding his breath, he put the key in and rolled down all the windows and started the air conditioning. By the time it got cold, most of the hot, stale air would be out.

  Leaning against the car, he called Clara. It went straight to voice mail. She wasn't avoiding him, was she? He ended the call and then called Kathryn.

  "What up, bro?"

  William rolled his eyes. "That's what I want to know, sis. What up with the biker?"

  "Oh, don't talk like that. It sounds so wrong. So, I guess you ran into Timothy, huh?"

  "Yeah, tell me—"

  "You didn't say anything to Dad, did you?"

  "Really? You would even think that?"

  She sighed. "Well, don't. Okay? It's not like he's dangerous. He's still in high school."

  "What are you doing with him?"

  "He's exciting."

  "Yeah. I'll bet. You bringing him to the dance tonight?"

  "You definitely ran into Tim. We might show up. I'm not sure. If anyone there knows him, word will spread to our parents before I even get home for the night."

  "Well, I want to meet him."

  "I don't need your approval."

  "Yeah, but I might want to talk with him."

  "You know, I've been nothing but nice to Clara. Remember the respect."

  "Why didn't you tell me about him?"

  "I've barely seen you since you got back. You've either been sleeping or out. My door's always open."

  "Good. Sounds like we need to play catch up."

  "Ya think? I can't believe you proposed to her and didn't even tell me!"

  William could feel cold air coming from his car. "We'll find each other. I gotta go."

  "Ciao."

  He ended the call and climbed into the car, rolling up the windows. He sat for a moment, trying to figure out where to go. If he was going to ask Clara to the dance, he should pick up some flowers. He pulled out of the spot, thinking about what kind of arrangement to get. William's mom was obsessed with flowers, so as a result, he knew far more than the average guy about how to arrange them.

  When he got to the strip mall, he found a shady spot to park, and then walked toward the flower shop. Before he got there, he passed Delphic Cove's little jewelry store. He stopped. Was that Clara in there? She was handing something to one of the workers. That wouldn't be his ring, would it?

  Heart pounding, he threw open the door. As the door chimed, everyone looked at him. Clara's eyes were wide.

  "What are you doing here?" he demanded. His voice cracked, adding embarrassment to the fear he was already feeling.

  The sales lady smiled, holding up the ring. "We're going to clean this beautiful ring."

  William stared at her. "We'll stay here while you do, thank you." He walked to Clara. "What's going on?"

  She looked embarrassed. "I probably should have taken it off, but it was so beautiful, I couldn't bring myself to. I was at the manicurist and I don't know what happened. Maybe she was jealous or something, but somehow she spilled nail polish all over the ring. I washed it as best as I could, but I couldn't get it out of the tiny crevices. I'm sorry, William. I was hoping to get it back to new before you saw it." Tears filled her eyes. "I'm sorry."

  Everything he was feeling melted away, and he put his arm around her. He lowered his voice. "Don't bring it to the strip mall next time, please. If you don't know the jeweler personally, you never know when they'll switch out a high-quality diamond like yours with a cheap one."

  "Okay. I'm sorry. I'm having a bad day, and I can't make any good decisions." She frowned.

  William kissed her forehead, not taking his eyes off the lady cleaning the ring.

  "I'm really sorry, William."

  "Why were you at the nail place anyway? Didn't you just get them done the other day?"

  Clara nodded. "Yeah. But I broke some nails when we were camping. You look nice. Whe
re were you? How did you know I was here?"

  "I was with my dad, and this is how I have to dress when I go to the firm with him."

  "How did you know I was here, though? You weren't tracking me, were you?"

  "Tracking you? No. Of course not. I was here on an errand, and just happened to see you as I walked by."

  The woman with the ring was acting nervous. "I can't get all of this off. If you want to leave it here, we can send it—"

  "You're not sending it anywhere. Thank you for trying. I know someone who can fix it."

  Clara looked at him. "You do?"

  "We have a family friend who is a real jeweler. She doesn't just sit in a store with a bunch of precut diamonds. She travels around the world, looking at various jewels. Cleaning and cutting them is her specialty." He walked to the counter and held his hand out.

  The lady put the ring in his palm.

  "Thank you." William tucked it in his shirt pocket, and then took Clara's hand. "Let's go."

  "I'm so sorry about the ring. I feel horrible."

  William nodded. "I can tell. I've never seen you like this." He led her out the door into the hot sun. "Come with me."

  They went to the ice cream place a few doors down.

  He opened the door for her, and then stuck a twenty in her hand. "Order an ice cream for both of us. I need to take care of that errand I mentioned, and then I'll be right back."

  She nodded. "I don't need your money, though. You know that."

  "I want to buy. I'll be right back." He kissed her hand, and turned around to go to the florist.

  "What do you want?"

  "Surprise me," he called. He waited to hear the door close behind her, and then he went into the flower shop, trying to remember the arrangement he had planned before seeing Clara. At least now she would get it fresh. He hadn't been sure when he would see her.

  When he walked in, the girl behind the counter looked up and smiled. "William. You're back in town. How was the UK?"

  "Wonderful, as always. How are you?"

  "Not bad. Are you here for some flowers?"

  He nodded, making his way to the counter.

  "For your mom or someone else special?"

  "My fiancée."

  "Your…? Oh, my. Congratulations. Is it the blonde girl you were seeing last summer?"