by Nova Nelson
She grunted, paused for a moment, then let go of Donovan’s arm and dissolved.
He blinked at me, wide-eyed. “Who was that?”
“Not sure. Don’t worry, I got her to scram.” I finished off the rest of my glass. “But I think there’s somewhere we need to go after this.”
“I’m guessing you’re not referring to either of our homes.”
Poor guy still looked a little freaked out, so I kept a straight face. “Nope. Not yet, at least. But if we’re going to be spending more time together, it’s probably wise for you to use protection.”
Quickly realizing what I’d said, I clarified, more for my own sake than his. “Spiritual protection.”
Chapter Four
The snowfall was thicker as we left the Hightower Gardens neighborhood and made for the center of town. Only once Ezra’s Magical Outfitters came into view did it occur to me that we might be showing up after it was closed. But the lights were still on inside, so that was a good sign. As long as Ezra was still there, I had a feeling he would be willing to take our money. Well, my money. Only seemed fair since Donovan had picked up the tab for dinner, and it was my fault a ghost had crashed our date… and they would continue to crash them.
Tanner had never seemed that concerned by the presences that dropped in (with the exception of his parents). Was that a West Wind thing? Maybe East Winds like Donovan were always more sensitive to spirits.
Only when we were feet from the shop’s front door could I get clear view through the windows of the place. Ezra stood in front of the counter, but it didn’t look like he was selling something to the couple he spoke to. They had their backs to us, but each was tall and thin. Elves maybe? There were plenty of elves out in Erin Park who almost never came into town, let alone the Outskirts, and for that reason I didn’t know them. Except one wore his dark hair short, and I couldn’t recall seeing an elf without long hair.
When Ezra was in selling mode, he always wore a furtive little grin that made you believe you might be about to purchase something truly life-changing. But his expression in that moment was different. There was a deep crease between the brows of his un-aging face, and every few seconds, he shook his head adamantly. Almost like he was the one being sold to.
Although the hours on the door said that the shop had closed ten minutes earlier, the door was unlocked, so we let ourselves in.
Our entrance caught the South Wind’s attention, and he leaned to look past his two guests.
“Ms. Ashcroft!” he said, clearly grateful for the opportunity to end the conversation with the others. “And the other Mr. Stringfellow!
The other…?
When the two guests turned around, I nearly yelped. While the woman was beautiful and, once I saw her high cheekbones and soft skin, most definitely an elf, I still didn’t recognize her.
The man, on the other hand…
I only barely kept myself from shouting “Doppelgänger!” and sprinting from the store. I’m not a coward, but I’ll have none of that doppelgänger nonsense since I was drugged and kidnapped by two of them. Fool me once…
Thankfully, my brain caught up before my legs took on a mind of their own. It wasn’t Donovan who I was staring at, though the resemblance was uncanny. No, this man was slightly taller with softer eyes and… well, that was about it on the differences. However, I’d seen this man before. There were portraits of him all over the walls of Donovan’s parents’ home.
Donovan spoke like he was casting a curse. “Leonardo? What in the hellhound are you doing in Eastwind?”
Donovan’s older brother was already closing the space between them, his arms outstretched, and once it was clear what he was planning on, Donovan held up his hands defensively and stumbled back a step.
“Come here, Donny.” Leonardo grabbed his baby brother and, against poor Donovan’s will, pulled him into a big bear hug.
The woman looked on like it was the most darling display of affection she’d ever seen.
When he finally relented and let go, Donovan brushed off his front like it’d been soiled.
A decisive meow drew my attention, and the biggest house cat I’d ever seen sauntered from behind a broom display and wound himself between Leonardo’s ankles. The familiar wasn’t fat (like Monster), but was tall and sleek, with fur the color of a storm cloud and alert emerald eyes.
It was always unusual to see a witch’s familiar out in public. Grim was the exception, but that was mostly owing to how big and deadly he was. Not easy pickings for a hungry werewolf like, say, Donovan’s fluffy familiar Gustav would be. I wasn’t sure if the confidence of Leonardo’s familiar was due more to the fact that she could handle her own or that she’d lived a far too comfortable life in Avalon.
The elder Stringfellow shifted his attention my way, giving me a thorough once-over. “I don’t remember you from my days here. And I think I would remember someone with a presence like yours.” He smiled charmingly.
“Nora Ashcroft,” I said, holding out a hand.
He took it, but rather than shaking, brought it up to his lips and placed a light kiss on my knuckles. “Pleasure.”
I had to suck on my own tongue to keep from laughing.
“Are you from Eastwind?” Leonardo asked.
“Not originally.”
“She’s a Fifth Wind,” Donovan said, apparently regaining his ability to speak.
As soon as he said “Fifth Wind,” a strange look passed over Leonardo’s face. There was a question there, but it was gone before he asked it. “And you two are… just friends?”
With conviction, Donovan said, “No.”
My stomach clenched, but I wasn’t exactly upset. More startled.
Leonardo arched a brow. “Really?” he said. “You two are together?”
I saved Donovan the anguish and said, “Yep. We’re together.” I wrapped myself around his arm and smiled up at him.
We could iron out the details later. For now, ol’ Donny needed nothing more than to stick it to his brother however he could, and if that meant having a freak of a girlfriend, I was more than happy to oblige.
Leonardo’s eyes darted between Donovan and me as if looking for a crack in the facade. Finally, he said, “Isn’t that something? Ah! But let me not forget the whole reason I’m paying a quick visit home!” Leonardo stepped to the side and the beautiful elf stepped forward. He put an arm around her waist. “This is my fiancée, Serena.” The cat nuzzled Serena’s ankles and purred.
Donovan gave a single dry laugh. “Your fiancée? You’re engaged to an elf?”
I elbowed him as subtly as I could for the seemingly bigoted remark, and he jerked his head around to look at me. “What? You know I have no problem with it, but if you’d heard the way he used to talk about inter-marrying—”
Leonardo cleared his throat. “That was years ago, Donny. It’s hard not to develop those close-minded beliefs in a restrictive town like Eastwind. But years in Avalon with its diverse populations and neighborhoods have opened my mind. I really wish you’d have visited me at some point. Then you’d understand.”
“An owl must have dropped your invitation mid-flight,” Donovan snapped. “Didn’t hear a word from you once you split.”
Leonardo was unfazed. “Well, hey! Since we’re all in one place for a little while, we ought to have a family meal, right?”
I felt Donovan’s muscles clench into rocks. If I weren’t holding his dominant arm, I was pretty sure he would have taken a swipe at his brother for the mere suggestion of a family gathering. “I’m busy.”
“We haven’t even picked a time or day.”
“I’m busy a lot.”
Leonardo turned to me. “What about you, Nora? Are you ‘busy a lot’? As Donovan’s girlfriend, you’re practically part of the family! Come help Serena and me celebrate, even if he can’t be there.”
‘Donovan’s girlfriend.’ This was spiraling out of hand quickly. And as much as I wanted to say I was busy a lot—it wouldn’t have been a
lie—something about Leonardo’s eagerness made that impossible to do.
And maybe there was something appealing about the idea of a family dinner. As an orphan and an only child, I’d missed out on that completely. Growing up, it always held a certain fascination for me anytime I saw it on TV or in the movies or heard the kids at school complaining about it.
“I’ll make it work,” I said.
I could have sworn Donovan grunted.
“Fantastic!” Leonardo replied. “We’d better get going. Might still be able to catch the tail end of dinner over at the Ram’s Head Inn.”
“You’re staying at the Ram’s Head Inn?” Donovan said. “Why not just crash at Mom and Dad’s?”
Leonardo hesitated for just a moment, then said, “We don’t want to impose on them.”
“I promise you they wouldn’t see it as that. More likely they’d see it as a great honor.”
Leonardo laughed. “You’ve always been hilarious, Donny.” He slipped his hand into Serena’s and nodded at me. “Great to meet you, Nora. See you soon.” We stepped aside so they could pass between us, the cat right at his heels, and with his hand already on the door Leonardo called over his shoulder, “Talk more soon, Ezra.”
“Looking forward to it,” Ezra replied, sounding much the opposite.
There was a momentary silence once the couple had left the store—Ezra glared after them, and Donovan blinked like he’d just woken up from a nightmare. Finally, he said, “I don’t think they planned on seeing Mom and Dad while they were here.”
I’d gotten that sense too, which was strange since Hans and Jasmine Stringfellow were enjoyable enough to be around, as long as you weren’t Donovan.
There was also the matter of the Ram’s Head Inn… I’d just seen that thing, whatever it was or wasn’t, behind the Ram’s Head. Was it just a coincidence?
“What can I help you two with today?” Ezra asked, and now he did sound his normal cheery self.
“Staurolite,” I said, motioning at Donovan.
Ezra’s salesman grin slipped into an even less wholesome expression. “Ahh, I see.” He winked at me. “This way.”
He led us to the same glass case where my staurolite pendant, which I was currently wearing, had once sat on display.
Staurolite isn’t much to look at. The crystals naturally form in the shape of an X, but surrounding them is rock that looks a little like cement. Of the many possible gems that could have gone with my energy best, this ugly hunk was it. Figured. Hopefully it would work for Donovan, too, at least in the way of not letting him get possessed. Low bar, I know, but a very important one.
“This is just like the one you have,” Ezra said, holding it up.
Donovan looked at me and I pulled out the amulet to show him.
“The only thing to keep in mind,” the South Wind continued, “is that it’s only effective while it’s touching the body. So, say, yanking it off and tossing it carelessly onto the bedside table in a fit of passion will render it useless.”
I glared at him, and he smiled back at me unabashed.
When Donovan cleared his throat, I thought he was going to ask about price, but instead he said, “What was my brother talking to you about?”
“Hmm?” Ezra’s eyebrows rose high on his forehead as he feigned innocence. “Oh. He was, um, looking for a good wedding ring.”
While Ezra did have a large assortment of rings in a display by the check out counter, his answer was clearly a heap of unicorn swirls. “Why didn’t he just go to the jewelers? Why did he come to a magic shop?” I asked.
Ezra shrugged. “Haven’t the faintest. You’ll have to ask him.”
I shared a quick glance with Donovan and we seemed to be in agreement that the answer was tremendously insubstantial. But he said, “Cool. I’ll take that,” and gestured at the amulet.
“Perfect,” said Ezra. “Matching his and hers staurolite amulets. You really are a cute couple.”
Chapter Five
“It’s a little scratchy,” Donovan said, looking down his chest as we left Ezra’s Magical Outfitters.
“The hazards of having soft skin, I guess,” I said, glancing sideways at him as we strolled slowly through the moonlight. “You’ll get used to it.”
He sighed, and I could practically feel the tension from our interaction in the store escaping on the exhale. “Look, Nora. Let’s just get it out there. You know I want as much as you’ll give me, but I don’t want you to feel pressured—”
I pulled up short and put a finger to his lips. “Don’t worry. I’m a big girl. I don’t give that much importance to labels anyway. You and I know what’s going on between us, and that’s good enough for me.”
He nodded then swallowed hard and said, “So, what is going on between us?”
“You took me out to an incredible dinner and now we have matching staurolite pendants to ward off possession.”
“Ah. That clarifies things. One more question.”
I waited.
“Are you my girlfriend?”
I moved closer to him, wrapping my arms around his neck and enjoying the warmth of his body in the cool February air. I kissed him, and not sweetly like before. We kept on, and when I pulled back, I said, “No. I’m not.”
“You’re right. Girlfriends don’t kiss like that. Mistresses kiss like that.”
I smacked him on the stomach. “Oh shut up.”
He held up his hands. “I’m just saying. If you need me to get into an unfulfilling marriage with someone else so you can be my mistress and keep doing that, you just say the word.”
I groaned. “You’re terrible.” Then I slipped my hand into his, and we walked back to Ruby’s.
When we reached the porch, I felt my stomach clench again. Was now the time? It wouldn’t be difficult. All I had to say were the magic words: “Want to come in?”
But no. I knew it immediately. At some point in the night, this thing with Donovan had changed shape. Before, bringing him upstairs would have been number one on my priority list, but now there were other things crowding it out. Things like getting to know him better and—goddess save me—waiting.
Noooo! screamed the part of my brain that had been purely Team Donovan since our first steamy kiss on the cliff’s edge.
“Since you’re not my girlfriend,” he said, leaning a shoulder against the door frame, “you’re under no obligation to come to the undoubtedly torturous family dinner.”
“What if I want to go?” I asked. “I never got to have family dinners. Not really. It could be fun.”
He scoffed. “One meal with the Stringfellows will break you of that notion.”
“You know,” I said, “your brother’s kind of hot.”
“Nora Ashcroft,” he warned, “I know we’re not together, but I will dump you in a heartbeat if I hear you talk that way about my brother again.”
I shrugged a single shoulder. “Don’t get bent out of shape. I think it’s just because he looks like you.”
He bit back a smile, shaking his head slowly and firmly. “Nuh-uh. Not even that could make it okay.”
I laughed. “Fine. But I’m up for dinner. And they don’t even need to know I’m not your girlfriend.”
He stepped closer to me. “Fake it till you make it, they say.”
It was a good line, and I wanted it to work on me, but I couldn’t get over one thing…
I inched back. “That’s something they used to say in my old world. I don’t think I’ve ever said it, though. Not here.”
“So?” He took a half step closer.
And I took a half step back. “So, did you hear it from Eva?”
He shrugged. “Maybe. Why does it matter? Language from all the connected worlds seeps together.”
“Right.” I’d heard someone reference odd things from my world before, things they shouldn’t know. “But my world isn’t connected. Or at least it shouldn’t be.”
Finally, he gave in, apparently admitting defeat until the matter w
as settled. “I don’t know what you want me to say. I probably heard it from Eva.”
I paused. Why was I stuck on this? Was there some fool’s hope in me that things could still pass between the realms, that I could still find my way back to Texas?
Back to Tanner?
You have to stop. This isn’t fair to anyone.
I looked up at him. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I didn’t mean to bring her up.”
“It’s fine,” he said, but there was no way it could be, and his sadness was poorly hidden in the softness of his voice.
“I really enjoyed tonight,” I said, partially because it was true but mostly to steer things back on track.
He reached up and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. “Yeah, me too.” The kiss started slow and ended just as gently. “I’ll let you know about dinner, since, you know, it’s your fault for agreeing to it.”
“You don’t have to go.”
He shook his head decisively. “No way I would leave you to deal with them alone. And there’s also no way my parents won’t hound me to be there the second they find out Leonardo’s back in town. Oh joy!” He sighed, and we said goodnight.
I leaned against the door and he slowly shuffled backward toward the stairs, keeping his eyes on me. If his eyes could speak, they would have been saying some pretty X-rated things.
“Watch your step!”
He looked behind him just in time to avoid falling backward down the steps. “Here’s to hoping my inability to take my eyes off you doesn’t get me killed.”
“Here’s to hoping.”
Chapter Six
Upon reflection, I must have been tipsy off the expensive wine when I’d thought dinner with the Stringfellows was anything even vaguely resembling a good idea.
I’d received the owl at Medium Rare late the following morning. It was from Donovan and just said, Dinner at 7 at my parents’. Maybe this will teach you to be careful what you wish for.
So romantic.
But it wasn’t until the breakfast rush had begun to subside and I had a moment to stop and think that I remembered the way Jasmine Stringfellow had looked at me the first time I’d met her.
