by Celeste Raye
Once Broch got to the address that he had been given, all of the worries of what would happen seemed to fall away. Again, he was feeling the draw towards the woman, and he hadn't even seen her yet. It was like he was bewitched or something.
Broch chuckled to himself. That wasn't the case but sometimes it felt like it. The last week had left him feeling rather strange. The woman just showed up one day and now he was seeing her daily. She had quickly filled a place in his life where Broch thought there wasn’t one available. She was too agreeable, too pretty.
As much as he wanted to keep going and overthink everything, he just knocked on the door and found out what fate was bringing him.
Marl opened the door and smiled at him. “You're early.”
“Rather be early than late, I say.”
“I agree completely. I hate to be late for anything. Tardiness is one of the worst traits. Being on time is the easiest way to show someone you care.”
Broch thought that was a little dramatic, but he didn't say anything about it. Marl seemed so sure of her convictions, and he was complacent either way.
“Well, if that's the case, I am glad that I was on time.”
“Me too.”
“It looks like I got lucky.”
“Luck has nothing to do with it.”
Broch did not understand what she was talking about. If he was truthful, conversations that he had with Jewel were rather diverse. She talked about time like she had lived far more of it than she had. Broch didn’t understand half of it, but he liked the sing-song sound of her voice, so it didn’t matter too much what she said.
They got in the car, and she asked him where they were going.
“It's just a restaurant down the way. McCanles? You ever heard of it?”
She shrugged and told him that she didn't know where the place was or what it was about.
“Did you just arrive in town?”
“Yeah, something like that.”
“I see; well, whatever it is that brought you here, I'm glad you're here.”
She patted the hand that touched her thigh for a moment, and Broch waited for something more to happen. He waited for her fingers to linger on the outside of his hand, but they didn’t. She pulled back after a moment and looked out the windshield. For whatever reason, it felt like she had suddenly shut down and he wanted to revive the conversation.
“So, what have you been doing in Eau Claire since you got here?”
“I have been looking for someone.”
“Is that so? Is it family or something?”
Broch couldn't understand why she was there looking for someone. Eau Claire was a small town of under two thousand people. It wasn't like it was a big place where people would, or even could, get lost.
“It's just somebody that I know can help me.”
“Well, if you tell me their name, I might know who they are and take you right to them. I know most of the people here, at least in passing.”
As much as he wanted to help her, he also didn’t want to hasten her departure. The pull that he felt towards her was still not making any sense to him, but Broch had been in many situations that made no sense whatsoever.
“I don't know his name. Not yet. I just found out who he is and I'll have it soon. Maybe then you can help me.”
It sounded reasonable, if not a little suspicious. It made him think that there was something going on there, but once again, he didn't want to pry too much. Jewel was obviously a private person, and since he was one himself, it was hard to condemn her for it.
“I hope you get the help that you are looking for, Jewel. I know that we haven't known each other that long, but I can tell that you deserve all of the good things that are going to come your way.”
She smiled at him, and he wasn't able to get over the warm feeling that it gave him. Just a smile from the woman and he felt lighter almost immediately.
“Thank you. You don't know how good it is to hear you say that.”
Broch wasn't sure why his words meant anything one way or another to her. He wanted to ask more questions about why she was in Eau Claire and how long she was going to be there, but he didn’t know how to frame it. If she were going to leave in a few days or weeks, maybe getting to know her better would be a waste of time. He wasn't interested in just a short-term plaything.
Even though there were a million reasons to call it all off, he just couldn't. He wanted to go out with her and talk to her and get to know her. There was an invisible thread holding them together, and even if he didn't understand it, Broch reasoned that he didn't have to. Why did it matter why he felt this way?
They got to the restaurant, and it was pretty busy for a Saturday night. Broch wasn’t usually in such suffocating places, packed with people and little room to breathe. He preferred the outdoors.
But he wanted to go out with Jewel more than his immediate discomfort. It wasn't very often that Broch found the time to have a meal outside of the clan. Their housing situation made it so easy to fall into a routine that was self-contained.
“You got quiet all of a sudden.”
“I guess I just have a lot on my mind.”
“What are you thinking about?”
“I guess I was trying to see Eau Claire through your eyes. I have lived here for many years, and everything looks the same to me. Everything is just how it is.”
“And you think that there is some greater insight from my perspective, looking in from the outside?”
“Yeah, I guess it's something like that.”
“Well, it is a nice town, but rather small. I bet there is a lot of gossip here. Since I’ve gotten dirty looks ever since we got here, I would say that you are an eligible bachelor and they know it. I would imagine that you are set-up with daughters a lot and I’m the enemy.”
He chuckled. “Is that what you think?”
Marl tilted her head to the side, her hair falling into her face slightly.
“Yes, that’s what I think. Guy like you, small town, all these reactions. Everyone is watching you, Broch, and there has to be a reason.”
Broch sat back a little more and grinned at the woman. “You’re quite clever, aren’t you?”
“Is that a good thing?”
He agreed. “That’s definitely a good thing. Very good. I was worried that you wouldn’t have much to say. You know, with the way you look and all.”
“What does what I look like have anything to do with what I say?”
“Girls as beautiful as you are not usually graced with much intelligence. I see that you were favored, being granted both.”
Jewel smiled in the sweetest way, and Broch knew that he was going to have to say more things like that. But Jewel wouldn’t meet his eyes afterward.
“You look like you’ve never had a compliment before. I can’t believe that, not by looking at you. You’re gorgeous, so you have to have been told a million times already.”
“No, not a million. But I don’t think it’s something that you can ever hear too much.”
Broch liked that answer. He kept telling himself that this was going to work; why he was convinced, he did not know. All he was focused on at the moment was Jewel. She was the perfect woman for him; he was just so sure of it. There were no real reasons that he could name, just this feeling that wouldn’t go away.
Chapter Four
After they had dinner, Marl was ready to move to the next idea. Her plan was only going to work if she could get Broch to fall in love with her. It didn't have to be real love though; it could be manufactured by a spell or a potion. She had slipped a potion in his drink, but that had not seemed to affect him.
The more she tried to stall the dinner, the more it seemed like he was ready to be on his way.
“Do you want to go back to my place and have a drink?”
“No, I still have a couple of things to do tonight. It was nice to have dinner though. We should do it again very soon.”
Marl did not know what to say. She was n
ot used to being told no, especially when she was trying so hard. In truth, she almost never tried, and it was a little disappointing.
“So, you don't want to come back to my place?”
“No. Is that a problem?”
“No, of course not. It’s just, I don't know. I was thinking that we could spend some time together.”
Marl did not understand why he couldn't see what was right in front of him. Obviously, she wanted to be alone with him, but for some reason, he did not seem to understand what she was meaning. Either that or he wasn't interested.
With the look in his eyes, the no-interest idea did not seem to be what the problem was.
“Are you sure?”
“Of course, I'm sure. I have a feeling that you do not agree with my answer though.”
“No, I just wanted to get to know you a little bit better. Thought it might be nice to have some time to ourselves. You know, to be alone.”
He apologized again and said that he really did have some things that he had to take care of.
“It is nothing against you.”
She waved him off like it was no big deal, but it was definitely was a big deal. She could not believe how she was being shut down by him. He wanted her, so why wasn't he eager to get her alone? If spells and potions weren't going to work, there was still the one surefire way or getting things done. That was where her mind was at the moment.
But then he was gone, and she was left standing there like an idiot, trying to figure out what in the world had just happened. He had really just walked out, walked away, and Marl didn't know what to do with herself.
She cursed under her breath after a moment, still not sure what she was supposed to say. It seemed rather ridiculous to her. How could he say no to her?
Marl decided that she wasn't ready to call it a day just yet. She was constantly looking for the next thing. As much as she told herself that it was perfect to have Broch as her defender and protector, she also realized that it might not work out like she wanted. Just because she wanted him and he met all of her criteria did not mean that he was the only one that could handle the job. Even if she had to kill everyone with the Stein blood in them to gain back her powers, she would. Marl was going to have her way.
She found herself in a bar, checking out the local people. One guy caught her eye, and she waved at him from across the room. He started walking towards her with the same look that Broch had given her. Hopefully, this one was going to be a little different.
It did not take long to convince him to go home with her. Or rather, the house that she had killed the inhabitants of so she had a place for Broch to pick her up at. Now, Marl was going to be able to use it again for another reason. The man that called himself Dylan was quite handsome, and she already had a few things that she would like to do with him before she sucked him dry. Broch left her needy, and now she needed to take care of those needs before she lost her composure.
Broch was thinking about the woman that he had the date with. She was unlike anyone he had ever met before. The draw that he had to her just seemed to intensify throughout the meal, and now he was almost wishing that he had not made certain decisions.
One decision he was regretting, was not going home with her. It wouldn't be something that he would usually do, but the temptation was certainly there. It was stronger than he had ever felt before.
When he got back to clan, there was a lot on his mind. He did not see his cousin Fred coming up to him, not until he almost bumped right into him.
“Hey, Broch. You’re just the guy I was looking for.”
“Why does that not make me feel all that much excitement?”
“Probably because you realize that it's most likely not good news.”
“It's never good news, is it?”
“Not recently.”
“So, what's up?”
“Cira was here a little while ago, and she wanted to talk about the new woman that she saw you with. I didn't know that you had a new woman, but she was convinced that you did.”
“Why is Cira coming here telling you about my love life?”
“You know that she is still interested in the pack, even if she lives with her mother and the other witches now.”
“I just don't understand why you are coming to me with this. It should not matter what I am doing or what Cira says about it.”
“The only reason it matters is because she wanted to know why we had another witch in our midst, especially one that was gunning for our demise.”
“A witch? Cira doesn't know what she's talking about. I went to dinner with a woman that I met at the coffee shop in Eau Claire. We went out a couple of times, but she's human. She's not a witch.”
Fred got big eyes and asked him if he was sure.
“Of course, I'm sure. I think I would know if I was dating a witch or not.”
“Of course.”
It was just the way that Fred said it. It upset him because he was the alpha and nobody was supposed to question him.
“Look, Fred. Thank you for telling me about this. I'm sure that you had a good reason to come to me with this. But the end of the day, I know what I am doing, and the rest of the clan doesn't have much say in it. I am just dating her, nothing more. You know how Cira is.”
As much as he didn't want to get defensive, that was exactly what was happening. Broch did not even want to hear about Cira and what she thought of the situation. Cira caused him more trouble than he wanted to admit. She was a witch that saw too much. Way too much. There had been several times when he had realized that the woman was attracted to him. He had just waved it off, of course, because she was quite young. She was getting older now; the crush had not lifted, but he wasn't anymore attracted to her than he was before. He was convinced that that was the reason she was acting the way she was, was just because she wanted something to happen between them.
“You know that this is all probably because she is jealous that I am dating someone. This will not be the first time that Cira has come up with false accusations to make herself known to me. I am sure this is just another one of her games. The girl hasn’t grown up.”
“Do you really think that she's lying about this?”
“Yes, I do. This wouldn’t be the first time, Fred.”
“I don't know; it doesn’t feel like that is what is going on. She genuinely was concerned for you.”
“Well, thank you, Fred, for letting me know. I would appreciate it if you did not tell anyone about this. I don't want it getting out and people becoming concerned for no reason. That witch sees everything and nothing. It’s nothing to worry about, I’m sure of it.”
“Of course. I wasn't going to say anything to anyone else, Broch, just you. I thought you might want to know whether it was right or not.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
“No problem, Broch. Let me know if you need anything, or you have any trouble with your lady friend growing a second head.”
Broch laughed and then shook his head. “She’s just a silly girl.”
“She’s not such a girl anymore.”
“Yeah? I hadn’t noticed.”
Chapter Five
Cira did not need to be magical to overhear what the two men were saying. Broch was saying it loud enough that basically everybody heard what he had to say. There was obviously nothing that she could say to him to make him believe her. She wanted to make things right and to explain the situation, but it didn't seem to be worth the effort. What he just said about her had fresh tears brimming her eyes and she had to ignore the pain that she felt because of it.
When Fred came back to her, she tried to get the tears out of her eyes. She did not want him to see her that way, all puffy-eyed.
“You heard all that, huh?”
“Yeah. I did. I made one mistake a long time ago and it wasn't to get attention. I just thought something would happen to you and the clan and I didn't want anything to go wrong. I was just getting my powers back then, and they weren'
t as reliable as they are now. I am sure that she is a witch and she means to cause you all harm. I wouldn’t have come here to get humiliated if I didn’t think it was a good cause.”
Fred just kind of shrugged. “Well, as far as Broch is concerned, she's human, and I guess he's going to leave it at that.”
“So, he really doesn't believe me?”
He looked at her and then shook his head sadly. “No, I'm sorry, he really doesn't. You heard him.”
“Indeed.”
She straightened her shoulders and tried to get back some of the dignity that she had just lost.
“Well, I have done everything that I set out to do. You guys just be careful then. If she is a witch pretending to be something else, there is a reason for it, and no matter how mean your leader is, I still don’t want anything to happen to you.”
Cira left before she could get any more emotional than she already was. It was rather complicated in her eyes. She did not know why the man's girlfriend was pretending to be something that she wasn't, but Cira told herself just to drop it. If he didn't want to know, then she shouldn't care about it either.
She went home and said hello and goodbye to her mother before she went into the basement. Cira tried to keep her mind off of Broch and the words that he had said so carelessly. The man had taken five minutes to rant about her, maybe less than that, but she knew that the words were never going to leave her mind.
Cira had made a big mistake when she was younger. She had been convinced that there was a curse on the clan. She had heard a story about a certain clan that was going to be attacked by one of the world’s strongest witches. She was going to decimate their numbers and burn it all to the ground. The attack would be similar to other shifters at the time.
