Romani Blood (Shifter Blood: Romani Curse Book 1)

by Frances Trilone

  “I thought the wolves were dangerous.”

  “That’s what everyone says, but I haven’t heard of a wolf attacking anyone. They keep to themselves. Paige being missing is nothing more than media hype for Norwood Isle’s big opening in two weeks. The cops are confident she’ll turn up soon.” Wendy placed several cups of water on a tray. “A few things to know about the Norwood staff. They drink water with no ice and only come after the lunch crowd leaves. It won’t always be the same faces, but Markus comes a lot. He’s nice. Helped me with my car last summer when it broke down.”

  I squinted, trying to get a better look. Most of the people in Woodlake were pale. The Norwood staff looked as though they’d been on a cruise and tanned for an entire week. “Which one’s Markus?”

  One of the Norwood staff, with short brown hair and a big smile, glanced our way. He waved as Wendy placed the tray of cups on the table in front of me.

  “That’s him, the one waving. They like to have fun according to Jenny. I think she had a few dates with Markus,” Wendy said. “But I’ve also seen them at the local bar, picking fights.”

  “Are they from Woodlake?”

  “They’re from Canada.” She glanced out the bay window again. “That’s weird. I don’t see Kaleb. He’s their boss. They do whatever he says. I asked about him last summer and my stepfather was pissed. He made Kaleb swear to leave me alone. I was so embarrassed because Kaleb said he wasn’t even interested in me.”

  A group of tourists across the street caught one of the Norwood staff’s attention, a girl with short red hair. She got up and greeted the tourists, kissing one of them on the cheek.

  “Hey, there’s a bunch of us going to Norwood Isle next month. You should come with us.” Wendy tossed me my jacket and pulled a sweater over her head. “It’ll be fun.”

  “I’ll have to ask.” I followed her through the side door, carrying the tray of cups and steadying my breath with each step. As we got closer, an uneasy cloud slipped over me. None of the Norwood staff, including the girls, had an ounce of fat on their bodies. Just toned arms, glossy hair, and chiseled faces.

  “Bill didn’t say anything about a new waitress.” Markus grabbed a cup of water from the tray and flashed me a nice-to-meet-you smile. No one else greeted me.

  Only Markus and his lovely brown eyes.

  I smiled, realizing what Wendy had meant when she said Markus was nice. “I’m Sienna.”

  “Hi, Sienna. I’m Markus, but Wendy already told you that.” He took a big gulp of water and looked at Wendy. “Is Bill coming back later?”

  I kept my gaze on Markus, wondering how he knew Wendy told me his name. And how did he know Bill wasn’t inside the café? Unless Bill always left after lunch, and Markus knew that.

  “He’s coming back to lock up.” Wendy took the empty tray from me.

  The girl with red hair joined the rest of the Norwood staff and grabbed a cup off the table. “Is there any news on Paige?”

  “Nothing yet,” Wendy replied. “They’re saying she hitched a ride to Dover or ran away from her problems.”

  “The tourists are saying a wolf ate her,” I said. It seemed like no one knew anything about Paige, except that she entered the woods and disappeared.

  The girl with red hair laughed.

  “I’m sure she’s fine,” Markus said.

  “You guys want some apple pie? The cook made it this morning.” Wendy hugged the tray.

  “Something came up. We can’t stay.” A hot guy, with wavy black hair, emerged from the woods. He looked a few years older than the others did, and he stood over six feet tall. A Norwood Isle shirt hugged his muscular chest, and his jeans clung to his body like plastic wrap.

  I bit my lower lip when his forest-green eyes met mine. Butterflies immediately replaced that uneasy feeling in my stomach. I wanted to introduce myself, but the words stuck in my throat.

  “The ferry’s waiting for us.” The hot guy kept his gaze on me. “You’re the new waitress?”

  I nodded, not daring to move or look away. He worked on Norwood Isle and appeared to be in charge. Wait … hadn’t Wendy mentioned a boss named Kaleb? Kaleb, the one who knew everything about the wolves?

  “Sienna’s a little shy.” Wendy nudged my arm. “She’s new to town and wants to know about the wolves. I told her you’re the person to ask, Kaleb.”

  “What do you want to know?” Kaleb’s eyes softened.

  I inhaled slowly. I understood why Wendy’s stepfather had said Kaleb was off-limits. He looked a little rough around the edges, as if nothing scared him. “It’s not important. I don’t want you to miss the ferry.”

  “They won’t leave without me.” He sounded confident, as though the world revolved around him. “Ask me your question.”

  “Do they come by the café?” I asked. “I was hoping to get a photo.”

  “It’s hard to get a photo of them,” Kaleb said. “Norwood Isle is opening in a few weeks. Why don’t I give you a private tour? You can snuggle with one of the wolves.”

  A chance to get close to a Norwood wolf? Uncle Henry would not be pleased, but how many girls had Kaleb invited on a private tour? Those sexy muscles, that charming smile, and those pretty green eyes. A guy like him must give private tours all the time.

  I crossed my arms, determined not to let his charm affect me. “So, you’re a wolf whisperer or something?”

  “You could say that.” Kaleb laughed and winked at me. “Say yes. I promise you won’t regret it.”

  “We should go.” The girl with red hair pulled on Kaleb’s arm.

  Kaleb tore his gaze from mine and glanced at Markus. “Get everyone to the ferry and wait for me. Sienna still needs to say yes.”

  Wendy giggled softly and walked back to the café, carrying the tray with empty cups.

  “You heard Kaleb,” Markus said. He entered the woods, along with everyone else except the girl with red hair. She looked me over, lingered next to Kaleb, and finally entered the woods.

  “Wait.” I stood on tiptoe and peeked over Kaleb’s shoulders. “We’re not supposed to enter the woods. There’s a—”

  “Don’t worry, they’re fine,” Kaleb said. “There’s a shortcut to the ferry.”

  “But that girl’s missing, and there’s a wolf around here.” I tried to steady the nerves in my stomach. Why did he make me feel so fidgety inside? It’s not as if I’d never seen a hot guy before.

  “Is everyone saying a Norwood wolf killed Paige?”

  “It’s just rumors.” I cleared my throat, catching a whiff of his cologne—a distinctive blend of freshly cut sugar maple trees and juniper. He smelled like nature’s heaven. “I don’t think a wolf killed her.”

  “You don’t?”

  “Well, you’re the wolf whisperer. Don’t wolves only attack when someone threatens their pack?” I replied. “I doubt she was a threat.”

  “You’re right about her not being a threat.” Kaleb glanced over his shoulder as a low whistle came from the woods. “Don’t forget about that private tour.”

  He disappeared into the woods, without giving me a chance to respond.

  I hurried back to the café, where Wendy watched me from the bay window with a huge smile on her face.

  “I can’t believe Kaleb offered you a private tour.” She squealed as her eyes sparkled. “He must really like you.”

  “He doesn’t know me.” I hung up my jacket and poured coffee into a mug. “I’m sure he’s invited every girl in town on his private tours.”

  “That’s not true.” Wendy shook her head. “Kaleb only dates the tourists.”

  “Sounds like he has commitment issues,” I mumbled. I sipped the coffee and felt warm as I thought about Kaleb’s invitation. Why did he ask me? He knew I wasn’t a tourist, and even though I was new to Woodlake, I might as well be one of the local girls.

  “Who cares? It’s not like you’re going to marry him. You’d just be hanging out with the guy. Tell me you said yes.”

  “Not
exactly,” I replied. I wished I could say yes to Kaleb’s invitation, even if he had commitment issues. “He didn’t give me a chance to say no.”

  “If I were you, I’d go. You could take photos of the wolves.” Wendy wiped the counter with a rag and looked at me when I didn’t respond to her comment. “What’s wrong? You look confused.”

  I set the mug on the counter and lowered my voice. “I don’t get it. Everyone keeps telling me to stay out of the woods. The Norwood staff act like it’s no big deal.”

  “You said it yourself.” Wendy shrugged. “They’re different. They don’t have cell phones or listen to anyone, not even the cops. It’s like nothing scares them.”

  “It’s strange,” I muttered under my breath, as I glanced outside and saw a cup sitting on one of the tables.

  Wendy grabbed menus as several customers entered the café and sat near the front window. While she took their order, I walked outside.

  Something big moved through the woods, causing the pine trees to sway and drop snow onto the wet ground.

  I quickly grabbed the cup and hurried back into the café as Uncle Henry’s warning ran through my mind—Stay out of the woods.

  Chapter 4

  “Sienna, is that you?” Uncle Henry shouted as soon as I closed the front door.

  “Yes, it’s me,” I replied. It was almost six o’clock on Saturday night, and I was tired. This morning, Mom went to see a private doctor in Dover while Aunt Norma dragged me to her fortune-telling sessions. All day, I watched her read palm after palm. Luckily, her last session was a private client, so she dropped me off.

  “Come to my office. We need to talk.”

  I reluctantly walked down the hallway, wondering what I’d done wrong. Had Bill changed his mind? He’d seemed pleased with my first day at work. Even Wendy said I did a fantastic job, and she couldn’t wait until we worked together again.

  Uncle Henry’s office was at the back of the house, next to the master bedroom. The room looked like most offices—a desk with a computer, a file cabinet with two drawers, and a five-shelf bookcase overflowing with business books.

  He glanced up from a stack of paperwork and pointed to a tray at the front of his desk. “Where’s your cell phone?”

  “Sorry, I forgot.” I pulled the cell phone out of my pocket and dropped it into the tray. Usually, I’d be upset at giving up my cell phone, but not anymore. None of my old high school friends had responded when I’d texted them my new phone number. My only excitement today was when Wendy texted to invite me to a party tonight, but I knew better than to get my hopes up. “Am I allowed to hang out in town tonight? One of the waitresses invited me to a party.”

  “No hanging out with the gaje.” Uncle Henry leaned back in his chair. “How was work yesterday?”

  “The dishwasher broke down last night and Bill asked me to stay to wash dishes. I hope that was okay. He wants me to work tomorrow too.”

  “The Elders will be happy, but next time, call when you’ll be late.”

  I nodded. “Is my mom home?”

  “She’s still in Dover.” He glanced down at his paperwork. “Why don’t you join Drina in the gazebo?”

  “Okay.” I grabbed my jacket and went outside.

  Victor and Drina sat in the backyard’s gazebo across from a teenage girl with long platinum-blonde hair, and olive skin. She looked out of place, wearing a black skirt, red blouse, and black boots. A guy with black hair and hazel eyes looked up from his cell phone, as I stepped through the gazebo’s archway.

  “You must be Sienna. I’m Ethan Istrati, Victor’s cousin.” Ethan shook my hand.

  “It’s nice to meet you,” I replied, looking him over. Everything Ethan wore screamed money—designer shirt, designer jeans, a gold bracelet, and a thick, gold chain around his neck. If he and Victor were cousins, I couldn’t see any similarities.

  “This is Nadya Stinga, my maid of honor.” Drina nodded her head toward the girl. “Aren’t you working tonight? I thought Bill needed your help with dishes.”

  I zipped up my jacket and shook my head. “They fixed the dishwasher this morning, so Bill doesn’t need me until tomorrow.”

  “I told you they’d stick her in the back.” Nadya laughed as she tossed her hair. “No one cares she can read and write.”

  I leaned against the gazebo’s frame and met Drina’s gaze. I was in no mood to deal with her maid of honor, but upsetting Drina was the last thing I wanted.

  “We’re going to Nadya’s to hang out.” Drina stood, giving me an apologetic look. “Why don’t you come with us?”

  I rubbed the back of my neck, debating what to do. Dover was two hours away, which meant Mom wouldn’t be home for a while. “What about the curfew?”

  “The Elders lifted the curfew this morning,” Ethan said.

  “They found Paige?” I asked.

  “Not yet, but there’s always a hiker lost in the woods. She’s probably in a cave, waiting to be rescued.” Drina put an arm around my shoulder and pulled me close. “Please come with us. It’ll be fun.”

  “Okay,” I replied, noticing the kitchen light come on. Anything was better than hanging with Uncle Henry.

  Victor and Drina led the way through several backyards. Nadya and I followed, with Ethan close behind.

  We eventually ended up in a backyard, where a small fire lit up the early evening sky. At least thirty teenagers mingled there. Some stood near the fire pit holding beer bottles while others sat in lawn chairs.

  Victor, Ethan, and Nadya headed toward the large cooler on the back porch. Drina zipped up her jacket and led me to the fire pit. She made small talk with the other teenagers as I stared into the orange and red flames flickering in the cold air.

  “Only drink water,” Drina said. “My dad’s very strict about drinking.”

  “That’s fine. I don’t even like beer.” I half-believed my words. I didn’t know what beer tasted like, since my parents were strict on drinking too.

  Victor wrapped an arm around Drina and pulled her close. “Sienna, did you have any trouble at work?”

  “Her father’s a gajo,” Nadya said loudly, and several curious faces looked at me. “Why would she have any trouble? Everyone knows she’s not a real Romani.”

  I glanced toward Nadya, who had a satisfied grin on her face. What was her problem? She didn’t even know me, but she’d already decided she didn’t like me, and she wanted everyone to know.

  “You should be happy Sienna’s working at the café.” Ethan appeared with two beers and handed one to Victor. “If she didn’t take the job, the Elders agreed to toss names into a hat and pick one. Who here wants to work with the gaje?”

  No one responded. Not even Nadya, who stormed off toward the house.

  “I better go check on her.” Drina lowered her voice. “She and Ethan must be having problems.”

  As soon as Victor left to grab another beer, I sat in a chair near the fire pit. I leaned back and stared at the sky. Such a beautiful, clear night filled with twinkling stars.

  Ethan sat next to me. “What are you looking at?”

  “See those stars? That’s the Big Dipper.” I pointed to the sky.

  “Cool.” He took a sip of his beer without looking up. “What do you think of Woodlake?”

  “It’s okay.” I lowered my gaze and saw a green light flickering inside a house down the street. “What’s that green light?”

  “What light?”

  “In that house over there.” I pointed toward the house. The green light disappeared. “I thought I saw something.”

  “That’s the witch’s house. Nobody ever goes over there.” Ethan lowered his voice. “They say the house is cursed. It’s why the Elders won’t tear it down.”

  I glanced at the witch’s house again. The same half-charred house Mom stopped at when we first drove into town several days ago. “I heard she died in the fire. Something about her spell going wrong.”

  “What are you guys talking about?” Drina asked as
she and Victor joined us.

  “She’s asking about the witch.” Ethan drank the rest of his beer.

  “What about her?” Drina tilted her head, looking at me.

  “Sienna saw Marie’s ghost.” Ethan stood, laughing. “Probably the same—”

  “That’s not what I said. There was a green light and . . .” I didn’t finish defending myself because Ethan and Victor had walked to the back porch.

  “Never mind Ethan. His mom didn’t like Marie.” Drina sat next to me. “He doesn’t believe the house is haunted.”

  “And you do?”

  Drina nodded. “I saw Marie’s ghost when I was nine. A bunch of us didn’t believe the stories, so we went to the house. Walked straight in, searching for anything that didn’t burn in the fire. There she was, standing in the kitchen. We ran and told our parents what we’d done. After that, the Elders made a new rule. No one’s allowed to set foot in Marie’s yard.”

  Goosebumps ran up my arms, so I tucked my hands into my jacket pockets. “Do you know anything about the spell that caused the fire?”

  “No, but I heard she didn’t die alone. Someone else was there.” Drina leaned her head against mine and whispered, “No one will go near that house. Not even the wolves.”

  Chapter 5

  A nudge to my foot woke me the next morning. At least, I hoped it was morning, considering I was half asleep and had no intention of getting up early. Bill didn’t need me at the café until one o’clock, so I planned on staying in bed until getting up was absolutely necessary.

  “Is it true?” Mom’s voice sounded as loud as a fire alarm.

  “What time is it?” I rubbed my eyes and glanced at the clock, then pulled the blanket over my head. Seven o’clock on a Sunday morning. What was she doing here?

  “Sienna, did you hear me?” She yanked the blanket off my head.

  I opened my eyes to find her leaning over me. Something about her was different. No makeup. No jewelry. No braid. “What happened to your hair?”

  “It was time for a change.” She rubbed the back of her neck, barely touching the ends of her super-short haircut. “Do you like it?”