Snowy With A Chance 0f Mating (Move Over Fate Book 3)

by Michelle Ziegler

  "Shut up Jeff," they yelled in unison.

  "Marci, I know you're mine. We're meant to be."

  Her face did something odd. She blinked a few too many times, her mouth opened and then closed and then opened.

  Well, this didn't look promising.

  "Marci. You're destined to be my mate. I didn't intend to tell you like this, but I feel that if I don't -"

  Well shit. He couldn't finish that statement. He feared what? He knew what. He feared he'd lose her just like he'd lost his best friend. She filled the holes in his swiss cheese soul. She'd pumped life back into a heart that barely remembered to beat.

  "I just can't." Her eyes were glassy as she turned away.

  Memories of metal shards ripping through him surfaced, and even that hadn't hurt this bad. He couldn't breathe. The rage he hid behind, beat through his veins, storming the walls of his resolve.

  "If you choose him, if you walk away, then I will not stop you."

  He refused to hold back as the ripple of his bear shook him, tearing what he wore. He took off towards the woods. He needed the numb of his instinct to fight, to hunt, and be driven by anything but emotion.

  15

  Marci helped Jeff into the hall. As her feet hit the wood floor, she let him go. His body hitting the floor with a thunk. She kept walking, stuck in her thoughts. What had she just done?

  "Ouch."

  Waving her hand behind her, she kept walking. Caleb had just admitted he loved her, maybe not in the exact words, but that's what he meant. From everything she knew, he proposed. Well, maybe in his way he had just proposed.

  He didn't waste time. Or maybe, Marci had just backed him into a corner. Her lungs burned for air, but she couldn't breathe. She was drowning in panic.

  "Oh, God."

  She'd just walked away from marriage. Walked away from the chance to be a wife, no, a slave. She'd be a slave to her husband. Shooting a glance over her shoulder, no, it would be a slave to Jeff. He wasn't all men though. Thank God.

  What the hell did she want? Caleb. But he needed to trust her, and not throw out proposals to keep her. If he didn't believe her, what was the point of any of this?

  Blindly she felt for the wall.

  "Marci?"

  His voice struck a cord deep within her. She wouldn't allow him power over her anymore.

  "What, Jeff? Do you need to ruin my thoughts just like you ruin my life? You already ruined any chance that I'd make my mother happy, and you now ruin making myself happy? Please, let me stop everything for you."

  The vision of him bursting into flames the only thing keeping her from losing it.

  "I don't know what your problem is, Marci. I screwed up, but look. You did too. So we're even, right? Now we can go home and have that big wedding you wanted."

  Her jaw dropped. "I didn't want the big wedding. Our families did. I wanted to elope. Remember?"

  He scratched his head. "I guess I remember you asking, but my father wouldn't allow that."

  She bit her lip, dragging her teeth over the skin, the air entering her nose and getting lost somewhere in her chest as she tried to figure out how not to kill Jeff.

  Pressure grew until she was forced to let her breath escape and with it, her anger. Jeff was nothing but a product of a society that couldn't get with the times. It wasn't his fault; he didn't love her.

  "I don't love you. In hindsight, you've done me a huge favor. I'll show you to your room. You'll stay there, alone," Marci said.

  Mumbling she said, "Unless the ghost decides to torment you."

  "What was that? You know I hate it when people mumble."

  She rolled her eyes as they headed upstairs.

  "There's a ghost. I have no idea if it will bug you or not. Just be aware."

  He snorted. "That's ridiculous. I don't do the whole ghost thing; I can't believe you'd believe that. A ghost. I'm just surprised you know so little of me."

  She shrugged and kept walking, anything to ignore the numbing pain slowly moving through her. The look on Caleb's face burned into her brain. Every blink, it flashed again and again.

  Reflection had her realizing that she would never admit to loving someone this fast, or would she?

  Something new didn't always mean it was terrible. Marci took control of her change, although it seemed to be running full circle on her right now.

  "Marci, I don't see why you even like this place. It's run down. It smells odd too."

  As she reached the landing, her shoulders slumped. Exhaustion hit like a truck. "It's called dust, new paint, and chicken." Jeff would never get her.

  "Oh good. I'm hungry. I was afraid I'd have to order pizza."

  Sliding her hand along the railing she walked down the hall to the furthest room.

  "Not cooked chicken you idiot. Hazel. The chicken you hated. And there is no delivery here. I probably have some bread and lunch meat though."

  "You can stay in here, but tomorrow you leave."

  Leaning past her, she noticed a wrinkle in his nose.

  "You mean we right? You can't stay here. I'll even let you keep the chicken."

  She stomped her foot. "Her name is Hazel, and I can stay here, and I plan to. This place needs me." What she left out was that Caleb needed her.

  He finally walked into the room. "This is a bit bare. Not five-star if you ask me."

  "I think you have me mistaken for someone else."

  He turned back towards her. "Marci. You make no sense."

  "No. I do. You seem to think I'm someone who cares what you think. I'll reiterate the important facts." She took a deep breath and counted to five. "I will not be leaving with you. I don't care what you think. This room is newly painted and you should be happy it even has sheets. I'll work on upping the five-star situation later."

  Backing out the doorway, she went to turn as his words caught her.

  "It's that animal, isn't it? He's not even human, Marci. God, you know what. I don't even want to think about what he's done to you. Disgusting. Forget it. My father wouldn't let us marry after you've fallen so far."

  Her fingers fisted as the air spun around her -- autopilot taking hold.

  "What did you just say?"

  He squared his lean shoulders. "I said, that my dad wouldn't want some shifter lover in the family no matter how useful she might be. The idea of him and you makes me sick."

  At that moment, when words failed her, her fist did not.

  "Son of a bitch, Marci. I'm suing you. You know that right? No, I'm suing that shifter who obviously corrupted you."

  "Oh, get over it, you baby. At least you can go home and tell your daddy that you fought for the honor of your family. God. You are such a dweeb." And just like that, she didn't care what he said anymore.

  "Sleep well, Jeff. I'll make you a sandwich and leave it wrapped in the fridge for later."

  He mumbled expletives and probably called her a few names, and she didn't care for once. She wasn't going back.

  Pulling her phone from her pocket, her thumb hovered over the screen. Marci tried to decide if texting or calling would be better. Or should she leave him alone? Make him think about his actions - let her think about her feelings.

  What would she say? Magic shivered over her. Tingles traveled along her spine as the trail sparkled before her. It wanted her to go to him. What she wouldn't give for an off switch right now.

  She scratched at her arms. She rubbed her palms against her thighs. Tears pricked her eyes. Why couldn't she turn the world off, dim it? For once in her life, she was making her own choices and yet, even fate argued with her. When could she make her own decisions? When?

  Ignoring her instincts would drive her insane. She itched everywhere. Remembering she had a sandwich to make she headed to the kitchen.

  Leaving the lights off, she stayed alert knowing the ghost seemed to enjoy tormenting her, but right now even that would be a welcome distraction.

  Her nerves danced on pins and needles as she fumbled with the sandwich
. She'd never ignored her magic, not like this. Bracing herself at the counter, she swallowed against the pain radiating from her chest, running through her body. Taking breaths in through her nose and blowing out her mouth, it all started to make sense. Nothing would ever hurt more than ignoring fate.

  Caleb's face flashed in front of her eyes. His smile broke the chip she'd carried on her shoulder. His eyes. He might have been all man, but behind those eyes was so much more: pain, vulnerability, safety, and protection.

  She loved him.

  Taking control of her destiny had been the whole point of coming here. Turning around, Marci headed to the front door. Maybe it was now or never.

  The voice of Jeff echoed through the mostly empty inn, and she paused

  "Marci is being stubborn. I already tried that. We can do better, Father."

  Like hell.

  Charging up the stairs, she paused before barging in. Maybe her mom could deal with this. Perhaps she'd call her back - tomorrow.

  "Father, I don't think-"

  Jeff would have to deal with enough. She hated him, but he was a product of his own family. Maybe she needed to stop tonight.

  She could talk with Caleb tomorrow when her head was clear, her heart was free from the stress, and he'd gotten some time to make sure he'd meant the words he'd said.

  She hesitated at Jeff's door a second longer before letting it go and walking away.

  She closed her door, mostly. She still feared be locked in again.

  Leaning against the door it hit her; things were too quiet. Hazel was still at Annie's. Odd that Marci realized without Hazel's cooing in her sleep and Caleb's soft snore, her life was empty. Maybe she should go over to his place.

  The light outside her windows had faded, the eerie blue of the forest the only light of the backyard. She decided to get ready for bed, stop herself from being able to make any more mistakes for tonight.

  Marci shouldn't have let Jeff get to her. Not again. Who cares if he thought she wasn't good enough. Caleb thought she was. But no, she'd let the anger get to her.

  She jumped at a loud thud in the hall and grabbed a nightshirt off of a nearby box. Slowly she walked to the door and pressed her ear against the wood. She listened and reached out with her magic. Marci tried to find a burglar or something that didn't belong. Nothing. She relaxed again, in time to see her magic shimmer towards the window. Cocking her head, she followed it with hesitant steps.

  A dark figure walked towards the enchanted forest, the glimmer of blue sparkling like a million stars trapped on earth.

  Odd. Why would anyone go in?

  This wasn't right. Releasing her magic, it flowed through the house. She needed a different approach. Maybe nothing new was here, but what was missing?

  A million threads flowed through halls and rooms until one stopped at Jeff's room.

  She sucked in a breath and took off running, stopping dead at his dark room, the door ajar.

  "Jeff?"

  Nothing.

  Reaching her hand through the crack, she blindly felt along the wall. Flicking the switch she expected light, instead nothing.

  Her eyes widened, and a ball of fear dropped in her stomach. Logically she tried to think; she'd have Caleb fix that later. It was just a light. Jeff was probably in the bathroom.

  "Jeff? she said louder. "Why didn't you tell me the lights weren't working?"

  Still nothing. Hesitation kept Marci from going farther in. Her heart thumped, drumming in her chest.

  She reached out to push the door wide and snatched her hand back. That's how horror stories started.

  Using her magic, she searched for him. Nothing. More nothing. Her eyes widened as she spun around and ran down the stairs.

  The figure she'd seen heading to the forest. He was so stupid!

  She tried to reach for him with the magic, how close was he? Had he gone in? The closer to the forest it got the threads curled back into themselves. Others climbed up into the air as if a wall of magic became impenetrable.

  Her feet stung against the snow, pain radiated up her legs. Stupid slippers, what the heck had she been thinking?

  "Jeff?"

  Her breath puffed out into the air in front of her. She wrapped her arms around her torso and shivered.

  She hated him, but she didn't want him hurt. Everything felt wrong. Her heart began to thunder in her ears. Finally, she stopped in front of the forest. She started slowly, ignoring a burning pain in her feet. The sweater around her shoulders did nothing to stop the wind blowing up her nightgown.

  "Jeff? This isn't funny."

  Nothing. Marci took a step closer to the thick tree line. The glow no longer beautiful when you got this close, it felt wrong even to exist.

  "Jeff? I will let you die in there. I'm going back for shoes. You better be out here when I get back."

  No answer. Casting her eyes to the sky, she sucked in the angry tears threatening to spill out.

  Pushing aside a branch, she stepped forward. Pain radiated out from the tips of her fingers down her arm as she reached into the invisible barrier. As she entered the pain shifted, stopping once her arm was inside.

  The spell was strong, that was clear.

  Closing her eyes, she pushed past it until her whole body stood within the forest. The ground was dry, not even a speck of snow. She glanced back over her shoulder and saw where she'd just come. The house still standing just as she'd left it. Her footprints remained and stopped where she'd entered what appeared to be another world.

  What the hell? Caleb had said it was a pixie forest and it hid a portal to Faerie, but what the hell?

  A giggle echoed around her. She couldn't tell where it came from. She tried to use her magic to find Jeff or sense life. Each wave came back to her disjointed, confused.

  Caleb would know what to do, and she turned around only to smack into a tree.

  "Ouch."

  Rubbing her forehead and nose, she blinked. Once her sight cleared she flicked her gaze from one side to the next. Where was her house? Where was the clearing?

  Taking a step back, then another and seeing nothing familiar, dread filled her.

  "Jeff? This isn't funny anymore. Come out."

  Marci swatted at a glowing bug flying around her head.

  She turned around, trying her magic again. Marci could figure out the Jeff issue later, right now she needed to figure out how to get out of here.

  The world tilted around her as if she were spinning, but her feet remained planted. She closed her eyes as her stomach tilted. She swelled back the acidic burn.

  "Marci."

  "Who are you?" she asked, attempting to keep her balance and her eyes closed.

  More laughter answered her.

  "Marci. Come closer."

  That wasn't going to happen; instead, she moved away from the voice backing up until she hit something hard and solid. A tree?

  "Marci. Come for him."

  "Come for who?"

  The voice wasn't like anything she'd ever heard before. It was higher than most humans. The sound tiny and yet threatening.

  "You know who. The one your heart yearns for. Find him, and we will set you free."

  Slowly she opened her eyes. "I don't want Jeff."

  A small, winged creature floated in front of her face. The bug, no, human, no, pixie was about the size of her thumb.

  It laughed a horrible chortle sending shivers up her spine.

  "No, not him. We want to play a game with you. Find your bear. Find him in our forest, and we will set you free. Choose wisely. Things are not as they seem here."

  The tiny pixie ran a clawed hand down Marci's cheek as it fluttered around her head.

  "Choose wisely, and we will let your Jeff go too, maybe."

  It started to flutter away.

  "Wait. How did Caleb get here?"

  The creature stopped. "Who do you ask about?"

  She shook her head. "Uh. Both? Wait. Is Caleb really here?"

  The pixie came
back. "The little ghost of yours does not like Jeff. As for the bear. He will be here soon. Choose wisely."

  Before she could ask anything else, the pixie disappeared in a trail of blue light.

  "Shit. Jeff?"

  Nothing. What the hell was she supposed to do? Caleb. The pixie implied he would come for her. So, did she stay in one place? Where was she anyway? The forest seemed to change on it's own.

  Looking up, a thick canopy blocked the sky above. She shivered, but not from the cold. The magic here was abundant. Her limbs moved, weighed down like she was swimming.

  Marci tried to shake her head; everything seemed slower. A shadow passed a few feet in front of her.

  "Hey, wait."

  She pushed away from the tree, reaching out in the direction she saw the figure.

  The forest floor gave with every step like a pillow.

  "Wait!"

  Trees bent in strange ways the more she ran. As her lungs burned and her legs nearly gave, she stopped. A large creature stood a few feet away in the dark of the trees. Her legs shook as she walked closer.

  "Caleb?"

  The world stretched around her as she got closer, and then it rebounded back, and she nearly fell.

  Now the creature, no longer a bear, but a man stood before her.

  "Caleb!"

  He smiled, but the teeth were wrong. She backpedaled along the floor. "You're; you're not him."

  The creature distorted and disappeared into itself.

  Looking around her, hearing foreign noises, seeing no escape, her head swimming in foreign magic, she started to shake. Her mind playing tricks on her, she fell to the forest floor where she greeted the mossy bed.

  A moment or a breath, time had no meaning here, a hand reached out from under the brush covering her. The foliage now eating up the place she'd collapsed. Peering up she saw Caleb again, but this time the eyes were an unnatural red.

  She winced and pulled her hand away.

  The next one to show up felt real, but his smell was wrong. The next tried to kiss her, but his lips were cold. They kept coming, one after another and none were him. She tried to crawl away, but her body grew heavy, and the forest seemed to hold her in place.

  She couldn't manage time, had she been lying here for hours or days? Where was here? Had she just seen Caleb? No. It wasn't him. Why was she in the forest? Had they found Evelyn? Yes, that was days ago.