Breaking the Storm

by Sedona Venez

  I didn't care. All I knew was that Grandma Solista was notoriously known throughout family history for being a shrewd businesswoman. She set the Credence women on the path of wealth and success. A fact that was overshadowed by the truth that she was so consumed with some insane theory about the Credence Curse being a lie that she ended up dying alone. “She wasn't crazy, Light. She was eccentric. How in the hell can a woman as smart as she was be crazy?” That was a contradiction at best.

  I started reading the beginning of the book where she wrote about her happy youth. Her love for her family. Her love for her childhood friend named Tiber Alfero, the only son of the Alpha from the strongest wolf-shifter pack in North America. Then there was a gap in dates, which resumed months later with her listing every Credence born and their subsequent mates with X marks next to each name that the Credence Curse touched in addition to noting the date they died.

  I read her next entry aloud. “Mother is the most foolish Credence alive. After only months of warlock Morpheus Brasson courting her, she's suddenly agreed to marry that most vile man. A man consumed by the women of the family. As was his father and his grandfather and his great-grandfather. The family's pleas to call off the wedding have fallen on deaf ears.”

  Her next entry noted, “I hate that man. Morpheus is evil and conniving. He's tried everything in the book to break the Credence family. No topic makes me angrier than the fact he married Mother to elevate his standing within the coven, then killed her with a death spell when he got what he wanted—Credence money and power.”

  I skimmed through, stopping at a curious page. “I have my suspicions about the Brasson family. Morpheus's nephew, Tomas, has taken a liking to me, but I have refused his disgusting attempts to court me. Even though Tiber has broken my heart, I'm happy for once in my life. Victor, the village doctor, has shown quite an interest in me. He's human and far removed from the prejudice and inner workings of the Others.”

  I looked over at Light with wide eyes. “Brasson… That's Luke's last name.”

  She snorted. “Are you serious? Luke is not a warlock. An idiot, yes, but most definitely not a warlock.”

  “How can you be sure? For centuries the Others have been blending into human society for survival. They’re like chameleons. Besides, you and I wouldn't know an Other unless they chose to reveal themselves to us.” It was embarrassing but true. Typically, witches couldn't detect Others’s signature scents like Shifters or Vampires could. So to compensate for this weakness, powerful witches like Mom and Aunt Lia had honed their magical powers to such precision that their senses were just as keen as Shifters and Vampires. A skillset I didn't give a shit about—until now.

  Light rolled her eyes. “I'll give you two reasons why he's not a warlock. One, he's so cocky that he would have outed himself day one of meeting you in college. And two, warlocks are notoriously powerful. And as desperate as he was to keep you back then, he would’ve thought nothing of using magic to bind you to him forever.”

  “Damn, that's true. There goes that theory.” I went back to the book, stopping at one lonely statement on the next page underlined multiple times.

  “So it begins again. Tomas has threatened me and my human.”

  I flipped to the next entry. “Only the truth shall set me free. A statement that struck fear in Morpheus’s heart—just like I expected. A statement that was more of a warning to him and his secret cohorts… Drop the false charges or face the wrath of a vengeful Credence. He knew I wouldn’t hesitate to expose his plan to bring down the Others. It didn’t matter that all of my information was more speculation than hard evidence. I knew enough to make the always-suspicious Others dig for the truth. And just like I expected, Morpheus mysteriously disappeared, leaving the Council gnashing their teeth with frustration and bitterness… No Morpheus meant no trial. That also meant that the trial by the foolish Other Council was finally over. Chance wept openly with relief, foolishly believing this was the end of the witch hunt… but I know that Morpheus is not done with the Others or the Credence family—this much is written in stone. But this also meant the pieces of the game of the Shadows have been reset. I am one step closer to discovering the root of the curse and eradicating it forever. This is the truth that will set the Credence family free.”

  The date of the next entry skipped a couple of months and it read, “I am inconsolable. They have finally succeeded in destroying my world. My Chance has been brutally killed and the Other Council refuses to find the culprit. Sadly, my pleas to Tiber have fallen on deaf ears. No one will listen… They have labeled me a raving lunatic. But I will make them all listen. I have summoned the Fae within me to curse them and their descendants. Soon, they will understand how it feels to lose everything.”

  The next page listed all the names of the Brasson family like some sort of family tree. It was bizarre to say the least. At the bottom of the list was one lone line. “The truth will set the Credence family free. Vengeance will be mine.”

  Light rolled her eyes. “I told you she was crazy.”

  I pointed to the writing on the bottom edge of the page with a strange symbol drawn over it. “It's Latin, but it doesn't make a bit of sense.”

  “Uh-huh. Just like I told you. She was insane.”

  “Wait.” Flipping the Book of Mirrors upside down, I translated the words “Beware, the Shadows are watching.”

  “Okay, enough of this shit. Let me know when you find something remotely credible.” Light walked out, mumbling to herself about needing a shot of tequila.

  “Come on, Grandma Solista,” I mumbled. “Give me something here. Prove you're not some crazy woman.” I paged through the book, perplexed at not finding any other entries from Solista, when my cell buzzed.

  “Yes?” I answered.

  “Come to my concert tonight,” Knox demanded.

  My heart almost stopped. “No.” My tone was cool, but my body reacted to his voice immediately. It craved him, but I refused to cave in to him so easily. He had to work if he wanted me. Plus, I wanted… no, needed his apology for his hurtful behavior last night.

  He cleared his throat loudly. “That thing I said last night was rude and uncalled for. Can we just get past it?” he growled.

  I rolled my eyes. I was learning to pick my battles with him and this was the most I was going to get from him as an apology. “You're a prick, you know that, right?”

  “I've been called worse.” His voice held amusement.

  “I bet you have,” I said. “And since I've recognized that you are mentally incapable of apologies… give me one reason to overlook your behavior.”

  “I miss you. I want you. And I need you by my side.”

  “Okay, that's three.” I got up, placing the book back before walking out of the library, slamming the door shut. “What time should I be there?”

  “Eight o'clock. I have a backstage interview with some reporter named Gigi Bordeaux, but I want to see you before I go onstage. I miss your sexy ass.”

  Just like that, my core clenched at the allure of his voice. “I wouldn't mind seeing you either, Mr. Gunner.” I stepped into the elevator, taking a quick ride to my apartment. I paused before sighing heavily. “I really feel sorry that your name was mentioned in that trash article this morning.”

  “No one believes it, Storm. The likelihood of me needing an escort service is slim to none. The media laughed that shit off. Besides, Jeff Hunter was well known in media circles as weird and disreputable at best.”

  “Well, the irony of this mess is that, this time, everything he reported was actually true.” I walked into my spacious closet, looking through all of my clothes, only confirming that nothing I had was remotely appropriate to wear to a concert. I plopped down on the cushioned chair as I looked at my rows of shoes. “I'm worried, Knox. Something’s not right. I can feel it.” It was a relief to confide in someone besides Light.

  “And I'm worried about you. Let me provide some security for you until this whole thing blows off,” he stated
flatly.

  My back stiffened. “I don't want some strange men following me around. Really, I appreciate the gesture, but this whole thing will die down soon. I'm sure of it.” I don't know if it was wishful thinking or my slow slide into a delusional state, but the words felt hollow. This crap wasn't going to die down; it was just the beginning of craziness. He knew it and so did I.

  “It's not a good sign when you start lying to yourself.”

  “Don't I know it.”

  “After the concert, you're coming to my place.”

  “Yes,” I responded without pause. I needed to be with him tonight and I needed to forget the churning chaos of my life.

  “Finally, submission,” he responded.

  I shrugged. “It was inevitable. But my submission extends only to the bedroom. I don't have time to play coy games. That's not who I am.”

  “And that's why you're the woman for me.” He paused. “I've got to go. Harper will be waiting to escort you backstage. See you later.” He clicked off and I looked around my closet one more time. It was shopping time.

  * * *

  Light smiled at me, checking out my outfit, a biker jacket with a pair of super-tight leather pants I finished with lace-up, black ankle boots. “Now, this is the girl I used to know. You look smoking hot.” She hip-checked me. “That Knox must be putting it down royally in bed for you to shed your boring clothes for something finally fitting the real you.”

  I shrugged, not letting the curious stares of the backstage crowd distract me. “I'm all for any opportunity to shop,” I said with a tone deliberately emotionless.

  Light stopped with hands on her hips. “Holy shit! Wait a minute.” Her eyes narrowed as if she were finally noticing something. Her mouth dropped open then closed then open again. “Really?”

  She didn't have to say it aloud. We both understood each other without all the unnecessary words. I was falling for Knox… again. And this time there would be no running away. No denial because Knox wouldn't allow it. And neither would I. I closed my eyes, calming my racing anxiety, and then snapped them back open looking like a deer in headlights. Damn, this was too new and I was scared shitless.

  “Yes,” I responded flatly.

  She hugged me tightly. “You do what’s necessary to snare your man. And I’ll stand by your side regardless of what our mothers have to say about it.” She looped her arm through mine as we walked through the backstage chaos. We both skidded to a stop at the sight of petite Harper squaring off with another blast from the past—Kaydee.

  Harper pointed in Kaydee's face. “Your artist is the opening act, not the headliner. There will be no perks.” She did air quotes. “Other than what's stated in the band's rider. Lastly, Knox is not interested in seeing you. Something that you should’ve gotten a clue about by now given your countless unanswered attempts to contact him.”

  Kaydee's face twisted. “You little bitch. Without me, there wouldn't be a Knox Gunner.”

  Nothing changed about her. She was still vile and evil.

  Harper looked her up and down. “Uh-huh… look, ice queen, you've milked that cow for all it's worth. That's why Knox granted your artist this opportunity. Well, that and they happen to have a number one single that's hot right now. All good for making Knox and me…”—she smiled spitefully—“more money. Now, hobble your plastic ass back to your band's dressing room and I won't have to tell security to throw your skanky ass out.”

  “You little…” Kaydee sputtered,

  Harper rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, whatever.” She turned her head, spotting us. “Hey, my girls are here. Sorry I couldn't greet you… but…” She looked over at Kaydee with disgust. “I had some trash to deal with.”

  I placed my hands on my curvy hips. “I understand. Believe me.”

  Kaydee looked me up and down with a cruel smile. “What are you doing here?”

  “Unlike you, she was invited,” Harper responded quickly.

  Light snickered. “Damn, I love you Harper.”

  Kaydee's face went pale. “You're back together?”

  I batted my eyes prettily. “Uh-huh. He can't seem to get enough of the Storm.” I smiled widely. “I just can't get enough of him either. You see, that little stunt you pulled years ago can't stop the inevitable. Us.”

  Kaydee's fists clenched and unclenched. “It won't last. I'll make sure of that.”

  For the first time, I really looked at her and she had crazy written all over her. “Oh my goodness, how desperate are you? You'll never have him. A fact proven by you standing here foaming at the mouth, and I'm looking at you and loving it,” I stated calmly.

  Harper nodded toward security. “So, Kaydee, what's it going to be? Play nice and go to your corner of shame? Or get thrown out on your boney ass? Either option is all good with me, but I'm just saving security some effort.” The guards edged closer, waiting to carry out Harper's orders.

  Kaydee gave both Harper and me a simply evil stare. “This is not over,” she spat before walking away.

  Harper shuttered. “That woman is simply vile.”

  I looked at her curiously. “What is she doing here?”

  “Liam. He practically begged Knox to give the band she manages the opening act tonight. She's desperate and probably doled out a blow job to Liam for the favor. And the band is young, talented, and clueless to the toxic waste they've hitched their wagon to,” Harper said before looking down at her watch. “Shit. The interview with the piranha reporter is over. Light, security will escort you to the VIP section. Stormy, Knox wants to see you before he goes on.”

  Light fluffed out her hair. “Yes.” She did a fist pump. “VIP city. That's what's up. Got to love it.” She practically bounced away, talking animatedly to the guards.

  Harper dragged me along as she barked out orders and asked questions to the employees moving things in the sea of crazy. She knocked on the door, pushing it open, revealing Knox strumming his guitar and looking like sex on a platter.

  His gaze went straight to me. “Come here.” He moved the guitar aside and stood in one lithe move. I strode over, stepping before him. Without a word, his hands cupped my jaw, pulling me to him before slamming his mouth onto mine. I gasped, making soft mewing sounds at the back of my throat, burying my hands in the soft strands of his jet-black hair.

  “Damn, you two are so fucking hot together,” Harper mumbled under her breath before the door clicked closed.

  He plundered my mouth. His tongue darting in and out, taking what was undeniably his. Our tongues dueled as he grabbed the back of my neck, controlling me and then easing me off the kiss. A warning that he was in control of this kiss and of me. I pressed into him, loving the fact that I didn't have to think, just feel.

  He tore his mouth from mine and stared into my eyes. “Now are we clear that you belong to me, Storm?” He nipped my bottom lip. “Do you understand now what I need from you?”

  I closed my eyes, fighting the tears of emotions, before nodding.

  “Open those beautiful eyes, baby. I need to see them concede to me.” He grabbed the back of my neck softly. “This is not a fling. You and me… we will make it work. You will not run when it starts getting hard or when I demand more than you've ever given any man. Or when I make you angry or when you get scared.” He kissed my lips hard. “You will trust me to do the right thing by you. As I will trust you to do the same.”

  I swallowed hard. “There are things you don't know about me, Knox. Things you may not understand.” He arched a brow. “Fuck it—okay, yes, to everything. I can't keep going on living half a life.” I grabbed his T-shirt desperately. “But you better understand that everything I've done in the past I did because of my feelings for you. Because I was scared of the repercussions of what and who I am.”

  He tilted his head to the side. “I'm not afraid of who or what you are, Storm. I'll take you as you are. Trust me on this.”

  For the first time in my life, I just let go of the baggage and trusted. In him and in me.
/>
  * * *

  Light was busy dancing and singing embarrassingly out of tune to the loud music of the opening band. She leaned in, singing in my face, pointing the invisible microphone at my mouth as she bobbed her head to the beat.

  “I'm happy that you're enjoying yourself,” I said loudly.

  Light whistled and clapped loudly when their set ended. “Did you see those guys? Smoking hot. Pretty please, can I have one of those?” She sipped her drink, looking at me with a wide grin. “I love seeing you so happy, babe.”

  “I was happy before, Light. Just having Knox in my life for however long it lasts is the icing on the cake.”

  The light dimmed and the crowd roared. The music ripped and lights flickered. Suddenly, the spotlight was on Knox in the middle of the stage. Girls screamed as they jumped up and down. There was a tumultuous crash of screaming as arms stretched out, cameras flashed, and a deafening cacophony of, “Knox! Knox! Knox! Over here! Over here!” erupted.

  Light winked at me. “Your man is hot.”

  I rolled my eyes, all the while my lips curling up into a smile. I was really proud of him.

  “Thank you, New York. It's been a long time,” Knox said with a gravelly growl. The crowd roared again. “This next song is really special to me. It’s a song I wrote for the one woman that believed in me when I first started out years ago. And I promised myself I’d never sing the song again until I had her back in my life. So, Storm, baby… welcome back to my arms—forever.”

  My mouth dropped open as the melody rolled and he began to sing in that toe-curling way. “There was no me before you. You brought me something I didn't think I ever wanted. The roar of the Storm. The thunder. The lightning. And when the clouds rolled in, all I could think about was the Break in the Storm. My Storm. Breaking the Storm.”

  Light wrapped her arm around my waist as we swayed back and forth. It was then that it hit me. No matter how much I tried to stop my emotions, I couldn’t stop the love I felt for him. I needed him in my life. And if he accepted what I was, there was no one or nothing that was going to keep me out of his life for as long as he wanted me. Because just like the song said… there was a Break in the Storm and I wouldn't have it any other way.