Romani Blood (Shifter Blood: Romani Curse Book 1)

by Frances Trilone

  No. I couldn’t break my promise to Drina.

  I needed to talk to Kaleb. He’d put an end to this arranged marriage nonsense.

  Chapter 24

  Ethan wasn’t kidding about keeping an eye on me. He drove me to work the next morning and insisted on escorting me inside. As soon as he saw Bill standing by the cash register, Ethan ordered a cup of coffee and sat in the barstool closest to the register.

  “What’s today’s special?” Ethan studied the menu again. We’d arrived at the café an hour ago and he’d already drunk three cups of coffee.

  “We only have lunch specials. Today’s Sunday, so it’s fish pie.” I refilled his coffee mug again, hoping he didn’t plan to stay all day. We didn’t serve lunch for another hour. “If you’re hungry, I can have the cook make an egg sandwich with cheese. You can take it to go.”

  “Are you trying to get rid of me?”

  “Of course not,” I said. “I just thought you and Nadya had plans today.”

  “That’s not until later.” His gaze lowered to my name tag. “You look cute in your apron.”

  I folded my arms. “We’re friends, Ethan. That’s it. Don’t tell me how cute I look and don’t you dare kiss me again. Do you hear me?”

  “Yes.” He grinned and pointed to the bottom of the menu. “How’s the meatloaf and mashed potatoes?”

  “It’s okay.” I returned the coffeepot to the warmer and tried to find something else to do. We only had four customers. Sundays were usually slow until church ended.

  Bill walked out of the kitchen and set a pie box on the counter. “Ethan, can you take this to Henry for me? It’s a cherry pie. I know how much he loves them.”

  “Sure.” Ethan scooted the pie box next to his coffee mug. “Will it be okay in the box for another hour? I need to stick around and keep an eye on things. You know, make sure Sienna’s doing okay here.”

  My heart sank. Ethan wanted to stay another hour. What if he decided to order lunch? I grabbed a wet rag and wiped the tables. They were already clean, but I didn’t care.

  “You can stay as long as you want,” Bill replied. “Tell Henry to warm the pie in the oven.”

  Ethan nodded. “Are the Town Council members coming to the café today?”

  “I’m not sure,” Bill said. “Did you need to talk to us? I can set up a meeting.”

  “No, I was just curious. I’d heard you guys meet here sometimes,” Ethan replied.

  I groaned. How could Ethan know that? Not unless Uncle Henry had told him what I’d said.

  “Sienna, I just remembered something,” Bill said.

  I tossed the rag into the bucket, wondering what Bill must be thinking right now. He probably didn’t trust me and wished he hadn’t hired me. “Yes?”

  “The sheriff ordered a tray of sandwiches and cookies for lunch. Can you help the cook get that ready?” Bill asked. “I’ll take care of the customers and keep Ethan company.”

  I went to the kitchen, relieved the sheriff had placed an order. For a Sunday that was unusual, but I wasn’t going to complain.

  The cook stood in front of the refrigerator, pulling out milk and eggs. He looked at me and pointed to the back of the café. “In the pantry.”

  “Is it just the bread I’m supposed to grab?” I called over my shoulder as I entered the large pantry.

  Kaleb stood near a sack of potatoes and pulled me into his arms. He gave me a quick kiss and greeted me with a warm smile.

  “What if Bill or the cook sees you?” I whispered.

  “They know I’m here. Bill made up that stuff about the sheriff placing an order.” He leaned back slightly, with his arms still around me. “Why is Ethan hanging around?”

  I sighed. “His father and Uncle Henry ordered him to watch over me.”

  “Do I need to beat him up? Because if he touches you again, I swear I’ll—”

  “No. I set him straight. He knows I don’t like him.”

  “Yeah, I heard,” he said. “Maybe Ethan watching you is a good thing. We’re still looking for Jenny. That’s why I needed to talk to you. I came by your house yesterday, but you weren’t home.”

  “Drina took me to a Spring Bash in Dover.” I chewed my bottom lip. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Drina overheard Uncle Henry on the phone.” I took a deep breath. “He’s arranging my marriage to Ethan.”

  Kaleb’s gaze drifted toward the pantry’s open doorway behind me, but he said nothing.

  “Did you hear what I said?” I sobbed. “They expect me to marry Ethan.”

  “Does Ethan know?”

  I shook my head. How could Kaleb be so calm? “No. He’s still dating Nadya.”

  “Have they paid the daro?”

  “No, I don’t think so.” A glimmer of hope swirled in my chest. Kaleb knew about the daro, which meant he knew about Romani marriages. “Is there a way to break the marriage agreement?”

  “Yes. But it won’t be that easy. Did Drina say anything about a contract date?”

  “No. What if I told Ethan? She said he could break it.”

  “Let me check on a few things first.” He kissed my forehead. “Don’t worry. I’ll get you out of this.”

  “Thanks,” I replied. “You said you needed to talk?”

  “The sheriff wants me to lead another search party. We’re following up on a list of leads. It’ll be a few days, but I’m leaving Markus behind to keep you safe.” He chuckled. “I guess he’ll be watching Ethan too.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Don’t remind me.”

  “You want him gone? He’ll leave if he sees me outside the café. I can make up an excuse to talk to Bill.”

  “No.” I shook my head. “I’ll deal with him. That’s fine.”

  “Well, there’s one thing Ethan and I agree on.” He kissed the corner of my mouth and grinned. “You do look cute in your apron.”

  “That’s not funny.” I playfully pushed his chest and then kissed him. I held onto him as long as I could, not wanting to let him go.

  * * *

  For the next three days, Ethan drove me to and from work and even hung out at the café at night, charming Wendy. No sign of Kaleb, but Markus came into the café every day to ask how I was doing.

  “Have you talked to your mom?” Wendy sprayed glass cleaner on the front window and wiped it with a paper towel.

  “She hasn’t called yet.” I tossed a rag into the bucket. Uncle Henry still wouldn’t give me Mom’s phone number, but said he’d tell her to call. Except for one brief conversation, I had avoided Uncle Henry because seeing him made me furious. He had no right arranging my marriage to Ethan.

  “That sucks,” Wendy mumbled. “I can’t believe they’re forcing you to marry him.”

  “I’m not marrying the jerk.” Earlier, I’d told her about the arranged marriage and how Ethan had kissed me.

  “I’m sure lover boy isn’t a jerk all the time.”

  “Please don’t call him that.” I groaned, remembering Kaleb called Ethan lover boy.

  “Sorry, but that butt of his …” She giggled. “I’m sorry. This arranged marriage thing is a nightmare, but you have to admit Ethan’s cute—and I think he likes you.”

  “He doesn’t like me.” I closed the cash register. Only eleven customers today. “He promised Uncle Henry he’d keep an eye on me.”

  She threw the dirty paper towels into the trash can, grabbed the tip jar, and dumped money onto a table as she sat. A few dollars and coins fell into a pile. “You should tell him what Drina said.”

  “I can’t.” I sat and pushed the tip money toward her. There had to be less than ten dollars in the pile, proving how slow the day had been. “You keep the money for college.”

  “No, we’re splitting it.” She pushed aside the dollar bills and separated the coins. “I’m sure Drina would understand if you told Ethan. He could confront his parents and make sure they don’t pay the daro. It’s a better plan than wai
ting to see what Kaleb comes up with.”

  “Maybe you’re right.” I leaned back in the chair and clasped my hands on the table. Wendy did have a point, but I wanted to wait on Kaleb. He’d said not to worry.

  “Are you sure Ethan doesn’t already know?”

  “He’s still dating Nadya.”

  “Then tell him tonight when he picks you up.”

  I sighed, not wanting to talk about Ethan, or the arranged marriage. “Have you heard anything about the search parties?”

  “They’re looking at the tip line calls. Hopefully, someone gave credible info.” She handed me half the money and pocketed the rest. “Cole said something a few days ago that’s been bothering me. I wasn’t sure if I should tell you.”

  “What did he say?” I looked at her when she didn’t respond. With Jenny missing, Wendy’s trip to Norwood Isle had been canceled, but that hadn’t stopped her and Cole from hanging out. “Tell me.”

  “I’m sure it’s nothing.” She waved her hand in the air. “Did Kaleb say anything about Jenny? Cole said they had a date.”

  My throat went dry. “No.”

  “I’m sure Cole got it wrong. He must’ve confused Kaleb with someone else. Just because Jenny and Kaleb talked at the party on Sunday doesn’t mean anything.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—”

  “What do you mean they talked on Sunday?”

  “I didn’t tell you? Cole and I were at the party. I saw her and Kaleb talking.”

  I stared out the bay window, not sure what to think. Kaleb said he hadn’t paid attention to Jenny at the party. Why did he lie? No way had Cole got Kaleb confused with someone else.

  “I’m sure it means nothing.” She lowered her gaze. Her eyes widened as she yanked my arm toward her. “Where did you get that?”

  “What?” I glanced at my wrist and saw the silver bracelet Kaleb had found on the boat. I’d worn it to the Spring Bash and had forgotten to take it off.

  “Sienna, where did you get that?”

  “I found it outside the café. Is it yours?” I hated lying to her, but I couldn’t tell her Kaleb gave it to me. Maybe she’d lost the bracelet on the boat and was surprised to see me wearing it.

  “It’s not mine.” She released my arm. “That bracelet belongs to Paige.”

  My heart dropped. She had to be mistaken. “Are you sure?”

  “I’m positive. Go look at the flyer.”

  I rushed to the bulletin board by the front door and gasped. The photo on the flyer of Paige showed her wearing a silver bracelet with tiny heart charms. That had to be a coincidence. She could’ve dropped her bracelet, but how did it end up on a Norwood Isle boat?

  I took off the bracelet and lay it by the cash register. “I can’t believe I’ve been wearing her bracelet.”

  “I’ll give it to my stepfather.” She placed the tip jar on the counter as the café’s front door swung open. “Hi, Ethan.”

  I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was still another hour before we closed, and Ethan hadn’t said anything about hanging at the café tonight. “You’re early.”

  “I’m taking you home.” He looked out one of the front windows as Wendy and I looked at each other. “Get your stuff, Sienna.”

  “What are you talking about? I’m still working.” I shook my head. What made Ethan think he could show up and demand I go home?

  “Sienna can’t leave until eight,” Wendy said.

  “Don’t argue with me.” He glared at her. “She’s coming home with me.”

  The café’s front door banged against the wall, as two men carrying shotguns walked in, followed by Bill. He turned off the neon Open sign while one of the men entered the kitchen. The other one headed toward the store.

  “What’s going on?” I looked from Ethan to Bill.

  “Henry and the Elders know?” Bill’s gaze rested on Ethan, and he ignored my question.

  “Yes,” Ethan replied. “I’m taking Sienna home.”

  “Good.” Bill dug a cell phone out of his pants pocket. “You girls need to get home. I’m closing the café for a few days.”

  Wendy grabbed her purse. “What’s happened?”

  “They found Jenny and Paige.” Bill tapped on his cell phone screen and held it to his ear. “Wendy, there’s a cop outside. He’ll escort you home.”

  “Are they hurt?” I asked. At least they’d finally found them, but why the shotguns, and why close the café for a few days?

  “They found their bodies.” Ethan grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the door.

  I didn’t resist. I didn’t pull away. Not when Ethan’s words echoed in my mind.

  They hadn’t found Jenny and Paige. They’d found their bodies.

  “Jenny’s dead?” Wendy choked back tears.

  “Please go home,” Bill urged. “I told your parents I’d send you straight there.”

  Wendy followed us outside and didn’t say a word as she climbed into her car. She drove off with a police car close behind as Ethan revved up the engine and pulled onto Main Street.

  “Are they sure it was them?” I asked.

  Ethan said nothing as he ran a red traffic light. He continued speeding until we reached the Romani community.

  A few seconds later, he pulled up in front of Drina’s house. Every single light was on, including the front and back floodlights.

  “I thought you were taking me to Uncle Henry’s house.” I folded my arms.

  “You’re staying at Drina’s tonight. I’ll come back after I check on Nadya.” He pulled a gun out of the car’s console.

  My eyes widened. “What are you doing with a gun?”

  “I bought it for protection.”

  “Protection from what? You said we’re safe here.”

  “Those girls didn’t fall and hit their heads.” He lay the gun on his lap as he scratched the stubble on his chin.

  I pulled on his sleeve, fearing what his words meant. “What are you saying?”

  “Their bodies were ripped apart by a wolf.”

  “How do they know it wasn’t another wild animal, like a bear?”

  “There’s no way a bear did this.” He shook his head. “They found their bodies together, propped up against a tree, and facing Lake Sweeney. Someone had clasped their hands together and combed their hair.”

  I squeezed my eyes shut, feeling sick.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll keep you safe.” Ethan patted my hand. “Kaleb won’t get away with this.”

  “Kaleb?” I pulled my hand away, not wanting Ethan, or that gun, near me. “You think Kaleb did this? Do they have a witness?”

  “No,” he said. “I know Kaleb did this. He’ll have to tell the truth at the meeting.”

  “What meeting?”

  “The Town Council has called a meeting with the Norwood wolves,” he said. “They must be desperate. They’ve invited witches to bind the wolves’ shapeshifting powers.”

  “Witches?”

  “There hasn’t been a witch in Woodlake for almost twenty years.” Ethan rested a hand on the steering wheel. “I’ve heard they need olden blood for the spell.”

  I shook my head. Witches coming to Woodlake, needing olden blood? That didn’t sound good. “If the wolves can’t shapeshift, what’s to stop someone from killing them?”

  “I know what you’re thinking, but we can’t kill them. Other packs will show up, and most of them have no interest in playing nice.”

  Drina’s front door opened, and Victor stepped onto the front porch. He waved to us as I got out of the car.

  “When’s this meeting?” I asked.

  “Weren’t you listening? The Norwood wolves are going to be there. There’s no way you’re going. It’s invite only.”

  I folded my arms and watched Ethan drive off. Somehow, my name needed to be on that invite list.

  Chapter 25

  The next morning, I convinced Victor to drive me to Uncle Henry’s house. He and Drina thought I was crazy for wan
ting to attend the meeting with the Norwood wolves. And when Ethan had returned last night, he’d insisted Uncle Henry would never say yes.

  “Sienna, what are you doing home?” Aunt Norma asked as I closed the front door. She stood in the hallway, carrying a basket full of dirty clothes.

  “I need to talk to Uncle Henry. Is he here?” I crossed my fingers, hoping he hadn’t already left the house. Ethan said the meeting wasn’t until one o’clock, which meant I had five hours to convince Uncle Henry.

  “He’s in his office,” she replied as she walked to the laundry room.

  I walked down the hallway and took several deep breaths. My plan was to ask nicely and insist I should be at the meeting since I’d known Jenny. Would that be a strong enough reason?

  I peeked into Uncle Henry’s office, surprised to see him talking on the phone.

  He glanced at me and pointed to the chair in front of his desk. “Yes, Bill. I’ll talk to Sienna.”

  I sat, a knot forming in my stomach. Uncle Henry and Bill were talking about me. That couldn’t be good.

  “No. There’s no update . . . We can talk after the meeting . . . Bye.” Uncle Henry put down his cell phone and clasped his hands together on the desk. “That was Bill. He said you found the tourist’s bracelet. He needs to know where.”

  I breathed a sigh of relief. “It was by the dumpster.”

  “I’m surprised no one saw it sooner.” He grabbed his phone and sent a text message. “Did you know Jenny well?”

  “We talked a few times. She was nice.”

  “I’m sorry things turned out this way.” He scribbled on a notepad and then stopped to look at me. “Do you need something?”

  I nodded. “Can I go to the meeting today?”

  He dropped his pen and leaned back in his chair. He didn’t look angry or surprised. “Ethan told me you wanted to go. He thinks you’re crazy. It’s not a place for Romani women.”

  Damn. When did he speak to Ethan?

  “I’m not like other Romani women. I work at the café, and I’m friends with the locals.” I locked my gaze on his, not daring to look away. He needed to say yes. “The Town Council members like me too.”