Romani Blood (Shifter Blood: Romani Curse Book 1)

by Frances Trilone

  “I needed some fresh air.” I searched Ethan’s face for answers, not quite believing he’d punched Victor. “Why are you guys fighting?”

  “It’s nothing.” Victor brushed the dirt off his pants. “You shouldn’t be out here.”

  “Why don’t you go inside?” Ethan slapped Victor’s back and gave him a wink. “I’ll take care of Sienna.”

  “That’s not a good idea,” Victor replied.

  “I’m sure Henry would disagree,” Ethan said. “Don’t worry, I’ll behave.”

  Victor grunted several Romani words and entered the house, slamming the back door. Hopefully, Drina wouldn’t notice his disheveled clothes.

  I frowned. I wasn’t happy that Ethan had hit Victor, especially if it was about me. “What was that fight about?”

  “Guy stuff.” As Ethan pulled me toward the deck, I caught a whiff of whiskey on his breath.

  An uneasy feeling crept down my spine as we sat on the deck steps. “Maybe we should talk inside.”

  “There’s no reason to be scared.” He lifted his shirt to show me a gun tucked into a belt holster.

  I glanced at the woods, expecting to see movement, but could only see trees swaying in the wind. They were out there, the Kingsley wolves. How could Ethan do this? Even the Town Council didn’t want them in town. “Something’s out there.”

  “You’re safe with me.” He placed his hand on my knee. “I’m announcing our engagement at your birthday party.”

  My jaw dropped. He couldn’t be serious. He spent his free time groping Nadya, and now he planned to propose to me. I pushed his hand away. “What are you talking about?”

  “Don’t look so surprised.” He pulled a flask out of his shirt pocket and took a drink. “You have to get engaged, or your mom’s banishment won’t be lifted.”

  “So you’ll call off the engagement after my birthday party?” I couldn’t believe Victor had convinced Ethan to propose and break things off. But why had they been fighting?

  “Why would I call off the engagement? My parents asked me to marry you, and I agreed. It’s the only way you and your mom can stay in Woodlake. You’re pretty and smart. My mom will teach you how to be a proper wife.”

  “Are you crazy?” This couldn’t be happening. He wanted to marry me? “What about Nadya?”

  “She’ll find someone else.” He took another drink and put his flask away. “There’s no turning back. Dad wired the daro last night.”

  I stared at the ground. That’s why Victor had been upset. He’d found out that Ethan’s dad had paid the daro, and he wasn’t happy about Ethan’s hands all over Nadya either. What was the part about being blacklisted though? Something didn’t feel right. “Have you told Nadya?”

  “She’ll agree to anything I tell her to.”

  I shook my head. Victor was right. This wasn’t fair. “You don’t have to do this. I can find another—”

  “Why are you upset? You should be happy. Every girl wants to be my wife.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I’m not in love with you.”

  “Not yet.” He ran his hand up my thigh and tried to kiss me.

  I pushed him away and jumped up. No way was I marrying Ethan, or letting him kiss me again. Not without a fight. “Victor’s right. You can’t marry me.”

  “Victor? What does. . .” He grabbed my arm. “Did he tell you about—”

  “I thought gypsies kept their women in line,” an unfamiliar voice said.

  I turned and surveyed the backyard. The Kingsley wolves had arrived. Five guys dressed in dark blue shorts and red t-shirts stood alongside each other. They had jet-black hair and the one in the middle had a buzz cut. His face looked familiar. It wasn’t until he nodded at Ethan that I realized why I recognized him.

  The jawbone, the grin, the stance… he closely resembled Kaleb, except for the prominent scar on his cheek. He was Carter, Kaleb’s cousin. I’d only seen him from a distance at the bonfire party. I knew he looked like Kaleb, but I couldn’t believe the similarities.

  Carter crossed his arms and watched the other Kingsley wolves as they took up positions along the tree line.

  “I wasn’t expecting you this early.” Ethan glanced at the back door as several men stepped onto the deck. He cleared his throat and looked at me. “Sienna, go inside.”

  I glanced at the men who stood on the deck behind us. No sign of Victor. No one here could order me inside, including Ethan. “I’m staying.”

  Ethan gritted his teeth. “Listen to me and—”

  “Let her stay. I’ve never seen such defiance.” Carter bared his teeth, looking me over from head to toe. “You must be the gypsy who works at the café.”

  I nodded and crossed my arms, not daring to look away. How did Carter know I worked at the café? I’d never seen him there. Why hadn’t he said anything about seeing me in the woods the night of the bonfire party? “You’re an olden, like Kaleb.”

  “I’m nothing like him.” Carter’s eyebrows arched. “He’s weak.”

  “That’s why you’re going to kill Kaleb. Asher will pass the pack on to you, and you’ll sign the new agreement, guaranteeing our safety,” Ethan said.

  My chest tightened. Ethan wanted Kaleb dead because he wouldn’t sign the agreement?

  Carter nodded. “You have my word.”

  “Are you crazy?” My gaze flashed to Ethan and the other men. “You can’t trust this wolf. Killing Kaleb isn’t the answer.”

  “Shut up, Sienna,” Ethan snapped and turned back to Carter. “Once he’s dead, I’ll wire the money to your account.”

  I gasped. Carter wasn’t killing Kaleb over some family rivalry issue. This was about money. I didn’t know which was worse. Ethan thinking Kaleb’s death could solve our problems, or Carter killing his own blood for money.

  “You thought I was doing this for free?” Carter smiled as our gazes met.

  “You’re a monster.” I glared at him. “I can’t believe you’d be dumb enough—”

  “Sienna,” Ethan interrupted.

  “You can’t do this,” I pleaded with Ethan. “If the Norwood wolves find out, they’ll come after us. Kaleb will kill you.”

  “This isn’t your business.” Ethan reached for my arm, but I backed away and found myself a few feet from Carter. Ethan’s eyes widened as the men on the deck stepped back. “Get over here.”

  I shook my head. How could these men think siding with Carter was better than trying to reason with Kaleb? None of them trusted Carter. They were afraid of him. “Don’t tell me it’s not my business. I’m a Romani like you.”

  “This is men’s business.” Ethan sounded pissed. “You need to—”

  “I like her. She’s feisty.” Carter laughed as the back door opened and a few more men, including Victor, came outside.

  I turned to Carter, fear rising in my throat as his eyes darkened.

  Then the fear subsided. Carter was right. He was nothing like Kaleb. He didn’t emit the same overwhelming fierceness or the power that Kaleb did when his eyes darkened. In fact, Carter wasn’t at all scary up close.

  “You won’t be able to kill Kaleb,” I said. “I’ve seen him. He’s far stronger than you.”

  Carter growled. “Everyone has weaknesses, including Kaleb. The witches will find—”

  “Witches?” I glanced at Ethan, who took a drink from his flask. “You’re involving the witches? If the Elders find out—”

  “They won’t,” Ethan replied. “If you keep your big mouth shut.”

  “Sienna, get inside.” Victor stepped off the deck, holding a shotgun. “Drina needs you.”

  I shook my head. “You don’t understand. They plan on—”

  “Get inside,” Victor ordered.

  I reluctantly climbed the deck steps and entered the house, letting the back door close behind me. I needed to warn Kaleb and stop this plan from happening.

  Chapter 30

  The Norwood ferry churned through the murky water and slowed to a standstill at the dock on
Sunday morning. As one of the crewmen lowered the ramp, I got up from the bench and shoved my hands into my pockets.

  No one descended or climbed the ramp. The food vendors, who usually sold hot coffee and donuts, were nowhere in sight. No one stood on the dock, except for me, with this crazy idea to warn Kaleb about the Kingsley wolves.

  This had to be the worst idea ever. A Romani going to Norwood Isle faced death. Isn’t that what Kaleb had said? But I couldn’t send Wendy to Norwood Isle. She wouldn’t understand why a pack of wolves might go after Kaleb.

  I looked down at my cell phone. Still no phone call from Mom. I only had a few hours before Uncle Henry and Aunt Norma came home. This was my only chance. Markus had said Kaleb had orders to report back to Norwood Isle on Sunday.

  All I needed to do was get on the ferry and once we got to the island, insist that one of the crewmen find Kaleb. My feet wouldn’t touch Norwood soil. The wolves couldn’t hurt me. At least, that’s what I hoped.

  “Good morning, miss.” The Captain tipped his hat as he walked down the ramp and pointed to the Closed sign on the ticket booth. “Sorry, but Norwood Isle’s closed until further notice. I can’t allow any tourists on board. Only the Norwood staff.”

  “I’m not a tourist.” I crossed my fingers behind my back. “I’m a waitress at the café. Bill asked me to get a message to Kaleb. He said you’d take me.”

  I hoped that the Captain wouldn’t insist on confirming what I’d told him. If he talked to Bill later, I’d explain everything. Bill knew I cared about Kaleb. He’d understand that I didn’t have a choice.

  “Can’t you write the message down and I’ll give it to Kaleb?”

  Crap. I shook my head. “He insisted I tell him in person.”

  “Well . . . if it’s coming from Bill, it must be important.” He glanced at his watch. “We leave in fifteen minutes.”

  The Captain pulled a cigarette from his shirt pocket and hurried toward the Woodlake Hotel.

  I kept an eye on him, waiting to see if he walked across the street to the café, but he didn’t. Of course, it didn’t matter. Wendy and the cook were the only ones at the café, as Bill and his wife attended church every Sunday morning. He wouldn’t arrive at the café until lunchtime.

  I released a deep breath and stepped onto the ramp with wobbly legs as an image of my ancestors rolling in their graves flashed through my mind. If Uncle Henry saw me now, he’d kick me out of the house.

  Before I could take another step, someone wrapped their arm around my waist, lifted me, and carried me to the dock’s parking lot. I didn’t scream or protest because I recognized Kaleb’s familiar scent.

  “You can’t be here,” Kaleb whispered in my ear. He released his hold on me and shook his head, looking upset.

  “We need to talk.” I touched his arm, happy to see him.

  “Not now.” He pushed my arm away. “Run to the café.”

  “You don’t understand.” I shook my head, trying to understand why he was upset. “You’re in danger. I saw—”

  His spine straightened and his pupils darkened as he shoved me to the ground and whispered, “I’m sorry.”

  Dirt kicked up around us as several Norwood wolves, including Markus and Lexi, walked out of the woods in human form.

  I rolled over, spat dirt out of my mouth, and stood. I should’ve known Kaleb wasn’t alone.

  For a brief second, Kaleb’s eyes softened. Then they darkened again as his pack surrounded him on both sides. Kaleb and Markus crossed their arms. The other wolves stood with clenched fists, except for Lexi. She glided her fingers along Kaleb’s biceps, whispered in his ear, and kissed his cheek.

  I chewed my bottom lip as my chest tightened.

  “Well, what do we have here?” Lexi flashed her canine teeth. “A gypsy going to Norwood Isle?”

  Being surrounded by wolves wasn’t how I’d pictured my Sunday morning. At least I hadn’t got on the ferry, and Kaleb was here. Lexi’s eyes lit up when she saw me. She wanted my blood. But what could she do? My boots touched Woodlake dirt, not Norwood Isle.

  I cleared my throat and counted seven Norwood wolves, including Kaleb. His face showed no emotion. “It’s not what you think.”

  “You shouldn’t be in town,” Markus said as he drew closer.

  My gaze drifted to Kaleb. His eyes remained dark and emotionless. “I came to warn you.”

  “Like we’d listen to you.” Lexi laughed and tossed her hair back. “Why don’t we play fetch the gypsy?”

  Please tell me she’s joking.

  “Markus, take her home,” Kaleb said.

  “You’re letting her go?” Lexi jumped in front of him. “You don’t mean that. You can’t—”

  “We don’t have time to play games.” Kaleb pulled her away from the parking lot, holding one of her hands.

  My heart tugged seeing his hand clasped around hers. I knew he didn’t care about her. He just needed her away from me, but I couldn’t let him leave. “Wait.”

  Lexi lunged at me, missing me by inches as Kaleb stepped between us.

  I stumbled and bumped into Markus as the Captain returned, sipping coffee from a disposable cup. He waved and boarded the ferry.

  “Let’s go.” Markus pulled me away from Kaleb and Lexi.

  I tried to get away, but he held me tighter, pulling me farther away. “You can’t do this. I need to—”

  “What’s all this noise?” Asher yelled as he walked out of the woods. His eyes locked onto me. “What’s she doing here?”

  Markus froze, but kept his hold on me.

  This had to be my unluckiest day ever. First, Lexi wanted to play some kind of fetch game, and now Kaleb’s father turned up with four more wolves in human form. Asher had warned me to stay away from his son. Here I was, doing the exact opposite.

  Ten Norwood wolves stared at me, except for Markus and Kaleb. Even Asher kept his gaze on me as he walked toward us.

  “She was boarding the ferry.” Lexi pulled away from Kaleb. “That’s a death sentence.”

  That can’t be right.

  Asher’s eyes narrowed. “Is this true?”

  “She didn’t know,” Kaleb replied.

  “Of course she knew.” Lexi looked at Kaleb. “Are you defending her? She’s a gypsy.”

  “I came to warn the pack.” I pushed Markus’ hands off my shoulders and stood straight.

  “Everyone on board,” Asher said. “Now!”

  All the Norwood wolves walked up the ramp, except for Kaleb and Markus.

  “Let’s go.” Markus grabbed my arm again.

  “I gave you an order.” Asher glared at Markus as the other Norwood wolves leaned against the ferry’s railing, watching.

  Markus didn’t respond. He kept his hand on my arm and glanced at Kaleb with a raised eyebrow.

  “I ordered Markus to take her home,” Kaleb said. “The Elders will be upset if anything happens to her.”

  “I’ll escort her home,” Asher replied.

  Kaleb’s eyes narrowed. Neither said anything, but they appeared to be holding a conversation using transference. Kaleb finally looked away and gazed toward Lake Sweeney, in the direction of Norwood Isle. He folded his arms. “Markus, go home.”

  Markus boarded the ferry and helped the crewmen pull the ramp on board. He joined the others by the railing as the ferry pushed onward to Norwood Isle.

  Asher turned to me. “What’s the warning?”

  “The Kingsley wolves are coming.” I glanced at Kaleb, but he didn’t look at me. His gaze still focused on Lake Sweeney.

  “That’s it?” Asher said. “They’re not a threat to us.”

  A lump grew in my throat at the words forming in my head. The words I had to force myself to say. “Carter’s not alone. He’s working with witches.”

  “Witches?” Asher shook his head and looked at Kaleb. “Can she be trusted?”

  Kaleb looked at his father. “Yes.”

  “What’s their plan?” Asher asked.

  “E
than’s paying them to kill Kaleb so you’ll pass the Norwood pack to Carter and he’ll sign the agreement,” I replied.

  “That’s ridiculous.” Asher laughed. “I’d never pass the pack to Carter. He knows that. Wait . . . Ethan Istrati is the one paying Carter?”

  I nodded.

  “Isn’t he the guy you’re supposed to marry?” Asher asked.

  I glanced at Kaleb, surprised to hear his father knew about the arranged marriage. “Yes.”

  “Do you have any idea what Ethan and the Kingsley wolves will do to you if they find out you told us their plan?” Asher folded his arms. “If they come after you, we can’t protect you without starting a war. The Norwood pack has no loyalty to you. Do you understand?”

  I nodded. I could handle Ethan, but the Kingsley wolves were a different story. “I’m not asking for your protection.”

  Kaleb took a deep breath.

  “This includes my son. If Kaleb tries to—” Asher’s gaze flew to Kaleb. They stared at each other and said nothing.

  “No.” Kaleb shook his head and then looked at me briefly.

  A minute passed.

  “This isn’t fair.” I folded my arms. “I know you’re talking about me and I’m standing right here.”

  Finally, Asher turned to me and smiled. “Thank you for warning us about Carter and the witches. Kaleb will escort you home.”

  Asher walked toward the Woodlake Hotel and then headed toward the café.

  “Your father thanked me.” I glanced at Kaleb, hoping for an explanation. “What just happened?”

  “Everything’s gonna be fine. Where’s your Jeep?”

  “It’s over there.” I pointed to my Jeep across the street. “I want to know what your father said.”

  “Not here. Why don’t I follow you home, and we’ll talk at Willow’s Point?”

  “Okay.” I smiled and held his hand as we crossed the street. As soon as I got inside the Jeep and started the engine, Kaleb kissed my cheek and headed to the woods.

  I drove home, wondering if I’d made things worse. Asher had said the Norwood pack couldn’t protect me from the Kingsley wolves. That might be true, but Kaleb wouldn’t let anything happen to me. No matter what his father said.