by Blythe Baker
I knew I couldn’t leave the shop. Not now, with Abe leaving soon for the doctor’s office. Someone would need to watch the place. Not that I was worried that Ruth would come back and take anything else…not unless she knew about the necklace.
I lifted the necklace off the counter and examined it more closely. It was a stunning piece, like something that belonged in a museum somewhere. The opal looked as if it had been placed in its settings yesterday. There wasn’t a scratch on it, and the many colors inside the stone flickered and changed as I slowly panned it left and right.
I turned the pendant over in my hand and saw something written into the back of the setting, something in an elegant script.
Rebecca Blackburn.
My mouth went dry.
Blackburn.
Was it possible that this necklace belonged to one of Cain’s relatives?
I couldn’t imagine there were many Blackburn families around. And with one living so close, it would have been too much of a coincidence if it weren’t them.
I ran my finger over the name. Rebecca. I was sure I hadn’t heard Cain mention the name, but then, I hadn’t heard him mention any names of the people in his family.
The word family was a bit of a stretch, I knew, when many of Cain’s “kin” were really just fellow vampires, but even still…
I set the necklace down and chewed on the inside of my lip. Was it possible that Rebecca was Cain’s sister, the one who was locked up at their estate so as to protect the people in Faerywood Falls from her bloodlust? I hadn’t heard much about her, only that the town believed the shrieking that could be heard from their house was actually a restless phantom, and many in town believed the Blackburn’s castle was actually haunted. I knew Cain’s sister was uncontrollable, and they kept her inside for her own safety as well as that of the non-Gifted in town.
If the necklace was in that music box…then it was likely both belonged to the Blackburn family at one point in time. Would Cain know what the music box was? Would he even want it back?
I couldn’t imagine they’d so carelessly throw away something magical like that, especially in a place where ordinary people could stumble on it by accident.
I’d have to ask him. At the very least to understand what that box really was, and see if Ruth had stolen something valuable. Well, of course, having the ability to completely knock the listener out with nothing more than the music it played, the box had to be valuable. But to what extent? There was no telling.
I was going to need to get the box back from Ruth, and ask Cain what it was, and see if he wanted this necklace back.
I would have to be careful, though. These matters were delicate, and I sometimes had a tendency to overstep my bounds and push people too far with my questioning.
If I explained myself sufficiently to Cain, I had no doubt that he’d understand why I was looking for information on the box. I just hoped he’d have the answers I was searching for.
I sighed, letting out a hollow snort of sarcastic amusement. This seemed to be my lot in life lately, wasn’t it? Too many questions and not enough answers to be found…
I glanced up at the clock. It was just after ten in the morning. It was going to be a long afternoon, waiting for closing time. My mind was so busy, even as exhausted as I was, and I knew that I would be checking the clock every few minutes, hoping somehow, maybe magically, that it would be time to have my curiosity sated.
I picked up a magazine and took a seat behind the counter, resigning myself to a long, long day of waiting.
4
After thinking about nothing else all day, I resolved that going right over to Ruth’s house wasn’t going to be wise. I needed a reason to convince her to give the music box back to me. I didn’t want a repeat of what had happened with Silvia, a confrontation that had ended with a fight to the death. No, I wanted the chance to be able to change Ruth’s mind. I reasoned with myself that if I were to go visit with Cain Blackburn first, and see if he wanted the box back or not, then I might have leverage for it.
You see, Ruth, that box was in the Blackburn family for a long time, and after it went missing, they were devastated. If you just give me the box back, we can forget that you stole it from the store and we can put this all behind us.
Or something like that. All I could think was that I had to somehow change her mind. I didn’t want to fight. I didn’t want another standoff with a spell weaver. I wanted things to end peacefully, without anyone getting hurt.
Going prepared was going to be my best option.
I closed the antique store just after five. It had been a slow day, but the few customers who had come in had purchased larger items, including the velvet couch I’d passed out on earlier. Dr. Valerio was one of those customers, coming in to check on the status of one of his orders. He did this once a week, at least, and my fox Athena was starting to get suspicious that he was only doing it because he wanted to see me.
I wasn’t entirely sure I could prove her wrong about that. He did seem interested in me. I still didn’t know anything about the mother of his young son, Niccolo, but it had become obvious by now that Lucan Valerio was either a widower or divorced.
Dr. Valerio wasn’t the only one on my mind, though. As the day wound down, I found myself thinking about Cain Blackburn. His strong jawline, his green eyes, his charming half smile…
It made my cheeks flush when I thought about seeing him, and hearing his voice.
Something within me tried to remind me that he wasn’t human anymore, and that he was probably infinitely older than I was. All things considered, that didn’t really bother me all that much.
I tried not to think about him in any sort of romantic way, but my thoughts had a tendency to drift there on their own, especially as I drove through Faerywood Falls toward the funeral home where I hoped I’d find him.
I found myself wondering what it might be like to have a boyfriend who lived forever. It wouldn’t be like we could grow old together…he’d stay his handsome self forever while I turned grey and wrinkly.
I frowned as I glanced at myself in the rearview mirror. Why was I thinking these thoughts, anyway? Sure, he’d flirted with me a few times, and I’d liked it, but that didn’t mean anything, did it? It was harmless.
Then why did I find myself thinking about him more and more?
Faerywood Falls itself was bustling. The fall festival that was taking place this weekend was getting into full swing. White tents were being set up inside the park in the center of town, with tables and chairs being prepared for the vendors and shoppers alike. Aunt Candace was looking forward to it. It was one of the busiest weekends of the year, and the Lodge was always full to capacity. She’d been stressing about it for some time, but was excited just as much.
I’d asked Abe if he wanted to set up a booth in town for the festival, but he’d said no, that people always knew where to find him if they needed to.
My cousin Bliss had expressed interest in coming. She said she had her eye on a young man who worked in the café. She suspected him of having magical talents and just not being aware of them yet.
“You should see the way he pours that steamed milk. Mmm. It’s a thing of beauty, really. Perfection every time. And you can’t have perfection unless you have some help, right? Magic.” She’d grinned at me when she said that.
I grinned as I turned the corner on Main Street and headed toward the funeral home.
It came into view a short distance away, after following the low, rolling hills of the valley. As I stared at its slightly dated structure made of grey bricks, I realized that I’d spent more time here than I’d ever spent at a funeral home before – and that included a brief period back in Missouri where I’d once dated a funeral director. I’d seen a lot of dead bodies since arriving here in Colorado, more than anyone should, and somehow it always led me to this building.
I wondered if Cain would be happy to see me, or annoyed. I didn’t exactly want to upset him by my sudden appearance,
but I also knew that I needed to speak with him.
But before I made a fool of myself, I pulled my car into the office building next door and put it in park. I got my cell phone out and found Cain’s number.
Hey, I’m not sure if you’re busy today, but could I swing by the funeral home for a few minutes? There are some things I want to talk to you about.
I stared at my screen, reading the words of the text message over and over to make sure I hadn’t misspelled anything, before hitting send.
I really should have done that before leaving the antique store.
I waited for a few long, agonizing minutes, wondering if I should just turn around and head for home, before my phone buzzed in my hand.
Sure, I’d love the chance to see you.
I swallowed hard, realizing I was literally sitting next door to the funeral home.
Okay, I’ll be there in about ten minutes, I texted him back.
Can’t wait. was the response I got.
I sat there in my car for those ten anxious minutes, not wanting to drive over there and look like an overeager lovesick teenager hoping to run into her crush.
This was a business call, nothing more, I kept telling myself. There were important things we needed to discuss, and that was why I was going to see him, not just to see him.
Why was I fighting so much with myself?
I finally pulled out of the parking lot of the office building and deliberately drove back down the street, away from the funeral home. I didn’t want anyone to see me out the windows and wonder what in the world I was doing. I knew that I was being ridiculous, pulling the car around a U-turn up at the light, but I wanted to make sure everything looked normal.
I felt silly as I pulled into the funeral home. There were only two cars in the parking lot there. At least there wasn’t a funeral happening at the moment.
I parked and got out, the air cooler on my face than it had been even just a little while before when I left the antique shop. Fall really was coming, and it was stealing more and more of the warmth of the sunshine during the day.
I hurried to the front door as the wind picked up, sending my hair swirling around my face. I brushed it out of my eyes as I stepped inside, the warmth of the interior washing over me.
I exhaled, straightening my shirt and pulling my purse up my sleeve when a voice caught my attention.
“Ah, right on time.”
I looked over and saw Cain standing just outside an open door on the opposite side of the room. It was connected to the receptionist’s window, and a warm light poured out of the room.
He was wearing his white lab coat like he was the last time I was here. His tie was a deep burgundy today, and it made his green eyes pop as he stared at me. His dark hair, perfectly styled like a magazine model’s, was slicked back and windswept, as if he’d spent all day out at sea.
He grinned, and my knees grew weak.
“Hi,” I said, walking toward him.
A clipboard was clutched in his hands, and he’d been searching through the pages on it when I’d walked in. His gaze left me for a brief moment to read something written there. “One second,” he said to me, and leaned his head back into the room beside him. “Yeah, and make sure that we get those files over to Jasper. He’s not going to be happy if they’re late.”
“He’s not happy about most things, is he?” I heard the receptionist say from inside the room.
Cain smirked at me. “No, he’s certainly not. Alright, well I have a client, so if you need anything, just buzz me on the intercom,” he said.
He gestured for me to follow him toward the swinging doors that led to the basement of the funeral home. With a jolt of my heart, I fell into step beside him and walked with him down the dimly lit staircase into the more sterile parts of the building.
“How are you doing this fine day?” Cain asked as we reached the bottom floor. “Enjoying some of autumn’s spotty sunshine?”
I wasn’t sure if he was joking or not, being what he was, so I just opened my mouth and gaped at him like a fish before he started to laugh.
“A little undead humor for you,” he said, his grin widening. “You know, since I can’t step out into the sun?”
“That’s not just vampire myth, then?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Direct sunlight would kill me rather quickly, unfortunately. As long as I’m covered fully, I can, say, walk to my car at the end of the day, or glance out a window at the rising sun at dawn. But not for longer than a second or two. The new light of day is especially deadly.”
“Oh…” I said as we walked by some open doors down the long hall. I did my best to keep my eyes focused on Cain instead of letting them wander into those rooms…I didn’t really like the idea of seeing any more dead bodies. And Cain was so easy on the eyes…
He grinned. “Don’t worry, though. I’ve grown quite used to it over the years. No need to pity me. But that is partially why I chose a profession that allows me to be below ground. No risk of sunlight down here, you know.”
“So you don’t sleep during the day like they do in the stories?” I asked.
“Hardly,” Cain said. “We may be night owls by choice, but our bodies still function in similar ways to humans. At least, in some ways…”
A chill ran down my spine. He was referring to the way vampires got their nutrition, wasn’t he?
“You know, I was somewhat surprised to hear from you,” Cain said as he pushed open the door to his office and stepped aside to let me pass.
I walked inside and glanced over my shoulder at him. “Really? Why?” I asked, my heart starting to race even faster.
“Because you never returned my call,” Cain said, closing the door behind himself, a look of confusion etched onto his handsome face. He pulled out a chair in front of his desk for me. “I thought that much would be obvious.”
I blinked at him, my brain forgetting how to work for a few seconds. “Your…call?” I asked.
His brow furrowed slightly. “Yes, my call. Oh, it couldn’t have been more than a week ago? After we had that run in with the bear, I was concerned, so I wanted to follow up…you never received my message?” he asked, taking a seat at his desk.
I slowly sank down into the chair in front of his desk, my own forehead wrinkling. “No, I never did.”
“Hmm,” Cain said, scratching his perfectly smooth, chiseled chin. “How very strange. Well, then I suppose that explains why you never responded to me.”
“Exactly,” I said quickly, my eyes widening. “If I’d gotten a call, I would’ve called you back as soon as I had the chance. But I guess it just never came through…” I looked up at him. “You were just checking in on me? That was…very thoughtful,” I said, my cheeks growing warm.
Cain nodded. “Yes, and well…I also asked if you would’ve been interested in having dinner with me one night, but as I never received a response, I assumed that was my answer.”
It was like I’d been doused in icy water. Dinner? Me?
“It’s quite alright,” Cain said. “I certainly don’t want to put you on the spot here and now. I just thought…well, I’ve enjoyed spending time with you, and I’d really rather have a chance to get to know you when there isn’t something endangering you or a problem to be had.”
I wasn’t hearing him right. He was telling me, me, that he wanted to spend more time with me. He wanted to have dinner with me. Dinner meant a date.
Right?
“I – ” I said, my mind seizing up and my tongue twisting into knots. “If I’d known, I would’ve – ”
“It’s quite alright, Marianne,” Cain said, and the small smile told me that he was genuine in his words. “You don’t have to oblige me just because you feel guilty about it.”
“I’m not – I don’t,” I said. “That was…a really nice offer.”
His eyebrow arched, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Well…we can discuss possible dinner plans later. So…what was it that you
wanted to speak with me about that had to be discussed in person?” he asked, leaning forward toward me.
My mind was buzzing with images of the two of us out to dinner somewhere fancy, with him staring at me with heavy-lidded eyes over a tiny candle, the lighting making his high cheekbones prominent in his strong face. I imagined what it might be like if his fingers were to brush against the back of my hand at the table as soft music played somewhere in the background.
I blinked a few times, shoving the images away. “Right…”
What was it I needed to talk to him about?
“I imagine it was something important?” he asked, catching my gaze with his own.
I cleared my throat and sat up straight. “Yes. I, uh…I’m having a problem, and…I think you’re the only one who can help me with it.”
“Oh, well, I like the sound of this,” he said, his grin widening. “Do tell.”
He was likely going to change his tune in a minute. I was almost positive about that.
“This morning, I was getting things ready for the antique shop to open,” I said. “I had invited someone to stop by, so that I could discuss something with her. Ruth Cunningham, do you know her?”
Cain’s face became unreadable for a moment, but his smile faltered. “Yes, I am well acquainted with Ruth,” he said, his tone a bit cooler than it had been before.
My throat tightened. Bad blood between them? Or, had they been an item once?
“Well, to be frank, I’m more familiar with her fiancée than I am with her,” Cain said, shrugging his shoulders. “Ruth is…well, she’s a remarkable magic user. Has been for a long, long time. According to the council of eleven, she’s one of the most gifted spell weavers they’ve seen in years. Top of her class when she was an apprentice, which was where they discovered that she was quite adept at singing spells. Have you heard of them?” he asked.
“I’ve heard them being sung, yes,” I said.
Cain’s face hardened. “You…heard a spell song?”
“More than one, now, yeah,” I said with a nod.