by Eris Kelli
Chapter One
“So,” Katrine forced a smile as she readjusted her skirt and herself on the couch for the hundredth time. “You say you grew up just in the next town?” I watched as my mother’s eyes went back to his shoes.
“Yes, Ma’am,” Nicholas answered with an unwavering smile and those dark chocolate eyes that overflowed with self-assurance and a dash of arrogance. “I’ve been asking to meet you but Piper wanted to wait.” He took my hand in his which was warm and strong while mine was cold and clammy.
I could see in her eyes, filled with alarm at Nicholas’ holding my hand, she did not see in the least what I saw in him. It was too bad I couldn’t tell Mom that he was like royalty to the gypsies, though that probably wouldn’t impress her.
I couldn’t tell her that he was a werewolf either or that I knew he loved me enough to die for me, he almost had. Mom would freak out if she knew I’d spent this last summer getting to know my birthmother. She would go into cardiac arrest if she knew that I’d come from gypsy royalty and was the rope in a tug of war between my birthparents, one a gypsy queen and the other a Scottish Vampire or as we gypsies call them, a Baobhan Sith.
“You work as a ranch hand at the sanctuary. That can’t leave you with much spending money.” She tapped her red lips with her fingertips. “I can’t pretend to see what the two of you have in common.”
“Mom.”
“I think it’s cruel to lead someone on, Piper.” She leaned forward. “It’s one thing to have a summer romance but the summer is coming to an end.”
“Money is not a problem for me, Mrs. LeVine.” Nicholas leaned forward with the same smile still on his face. “When I marry your daughter it will never be a problem for her either.” The blood drained from Katrine's face and she looked at me wide eyed. “I can promise you that I will treat your daughter better than any other man ever could.”
“Cool it, Nicholas.” For heaven’s sake he was only supposed to meet my parents and make a good impression.
Nicholas ignored my directions and continued as Katrine’s mouth continued to drop further open in horror. “I’m sure we’ll give you lots of beautiful grandchildren as soon as Piper and I make it official.”
Well after that I’d had to make Nicholas let himself be thrown out and then I’d been given an earful from mom and then from Harold, my dad who’d missed the introduction but still felt he had the right to tell me how wrong Nicholas was for me.
A week passed leaving only one week until my senior year began. I found myself being led around the dance floor by a young man named Edmund who was supposed to be one of the social elite. It was another party for my father, the Senator, but mom was taking every opportunity she could to try and replace Nicholas.
“I’ve already dated most of the girls in our circle.” He was leering down at me and I wondered how Katrine could think this guy was even comparable to Nicholas. “I’ve been waiting to get a shot at you but you spend so much time at that zoo.”
“It’s an animal sanctuary.”
“Right.” He had this glazed look in his eyes that guys get when they think they’ve got chemistry with you but in actuality it’s all in their head. “Let’s go out onto the terrace.” I laughed knowing that was the last place we could possibly go as I was sure Nicholas was out there watching and ready to tear Edmund to shreds.
He was always watching because he was as afraid as I was that the Baobhan’s weren’t going to keep their distance for long. When the truce had been made between the Gypsies and Baobhan’s I had promised to consider being turned into a Baobhan and so it was only a matter of time before they would come around.
“May I cut in?”
“Senator, LeVine. Of course.” Edmund released me and my father Harold stepped into his place and continued to lead me around the ballroom. Other girls might have been excited or at least happy to dance with their father as it was supposed to be a sweet bonding experience. The only reason my father would want to dance with me would be because he needed to tell me how I was somehow failing him.
I was well trained to keep a pleasant look on my face as I waited for the negative words that were sure to come out of his mouth. “You look very beautiful tonight, Piper.”
“Thank you,” I said figuring the other dancers were too close for him to yet begin to verbally tear me down.
“I’ve been so lucky to have you in my life. We have accomplished so much when we’ve worked in concert. You are strong and I take great pride in that trait, as your father.”
I looked into his eyes and saw a warmth there I’d never seen. Who was this man? This wasn’t my father. I’d thought.
“You make me so proud.”
“Are you being sarcastic?” I asked trying to decipher what was going on.
“You have an amazing voice and so much charm. I’ve borrowed your talents in all my campaigning and I’ve never once thanked you.” My younger sister, Trina, was dancing near us and she tripped when she heard our father complimenting me. It just wasn’t him.
His eyes didn’t look dilated and his speech wasn’t slurred or too fast. He was actually being nice to me. That could only mean one thing. “What do you want?”
“It’s your senior year. Next year you’ll be out and on your own. You owe it to your mother to spend your last year in school at home.”
“You said I could stay with Grandma Sidney.”
“I’m not saying you can’t.” He looked around with a smile on his face. “I’m just saying that you should consider a few things. Like Trina for example, she’ll be grown up and gone soon too and you’ll have missed this time with her.”
I glanced over toward the terrace and I didn’t see Nicholas through any of the windows. Where was he? My temples throbbed with the headache Edmund had given me and I shook my head. “Mom knows I want to spend my senior year at Grandma’s and Trina could care less where I am. She’s usually staying the night at a friend’s house anyway.”
“Okay fine, I need you to stay here this year.”
Finally the truth.
“Why? What could my presence here do for you?” I tried to let go of his hand but he held mine firmly in his grip. “What makes you think I’d want to do any favors for you?”
“There is a very wealthy contributor who has assured me that he will contribute to my platform very generously if he can be allowed to come here and listen to you sing.” He looked over his shoulder toward the large fireplace. “He was captivated by your voice at one of the parties this past summer.”
“Some old man wants to spend time with your seventeen year old daughter and you’re okay with that?”
“Piper. It’s not like that, and keep your voice down.”
“May I cut in?” The melodic vibration in the voice just behind me was one that I recognized. Once heard a person could never forget. The hair on the back of my neck stood straight up as a painful jolt of fear punched into my stomach.
The Baobhans are here.
About the Author
Eris Kelli grew up in the Pacific Northwest as the youngest of eight children. Her writing is fueled by her love of adventure, learning and her drive to explore an idea. She now resides in Midwest America, with her husband, two beautiful children, and two growing puppies. Currently she is fast at work on the fourth book in the Piper LeVine Series, Piper LeVine, They Call me Assassin and the first book in her new series Witch Hunter!
Contact Eris on Facebook, or her website at https://eriskelliauthor.com
Check in with Eris for upcoming projects!
Website: https://www.eriskelliauthor.com
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eris.kelli
Acknowledgements:
Thank you, Heavenly Father for your Son and for the many blessings you have given me. I am nothing without you.
Thanks also to, my handsome husband. Also known as my champion, your strength and work ethic inspire me daily. Thank you for never doubting
me. I am crazy in love with you!
Wendy, thank you so much for helping me in so many stages of this book. I hope you know you inspired me throughout, and I’m so grateful for your hard work and persistence! Your belief in me helped me to believe in myself.
Ashleigh, without your support I would not have been able to finish this book. You are a superstar when it comes to honesty and strength and as I did when I was younger I still look up to you and now to Jay too!
Sam, I have to thank you for your encouragement and interest in my endeavors no matter where they lay. You are such a go-getter and I will always admire your passion, talent and artistry. You are a master.
Jason, we started writing a long time ago and you told me to keep going. You’re always ready to spread the word for me and boost me into motion. Thank you for being there.
My support system has grown so much with my awesome street team, The Eris Kelli Road Warriors! I love each and every one of you so much. You amaze me with your support. I love that I’ve gotten to know all of you so well. With you behind me and your personal stories in my heart I want you to know I’m rooting for you too! Thank for everything my Warriors!!!
Family and friends, thanks for putting up with me and sticking with me through the thick and thin. Each of you matter to me and make me stronger, thank you!
Credits:
My Beta Reading team you know who you are! Thank you for helping me to go the extra mile!! You don’t know how much I appreciate you for your hard work, diligence and honesty. Thank you so very much for all that you do.
