by L. Danvers
She cracked her knuckles, thinking. “Would a tree be too hard?”
“Of course not.”
Her mouth tugged into a smile in blissful reverie. “I lived with my parents in a cabin on the outskirts of the mountains. The tree line was filled with spruce and pine trees... but right behind our home was a lone pink dogwood. We didn’t have much, and the winters were hard. But each spring, without fail, the tree would blossom.” A dreamy sparkle gleamed in her eye. “My father, bless his soul, knew how much I loved that tree. He even fashioned a swing that hung from one of the thicker branches. I can’t tell you how many hours I must have spent sitting on that swing braiding wildflowers.”
I studied her as she told us more about those early years. It was easy to forget Victoria had a life before Aiden and Crescent Cape. But the more she spoke, the clearer it became why she was so resilient. Why her love never wavered. From what she shared, her life had been far from easy. Some may brush her off as an optimist. Blissfully ignorant, even. But that wasn’t the case at all. In her case, happiness was a choice. A choice she stood by proudly.
I set up the tabletop easel on the kitchen table and fanned out the brush options beside it. After I’d dotted the palette with paint of varying colors and readied the blank canvas, I motioned for Victoria to take a seat.
She wiped her palms down along her skirt. “I’m nervous.”
I placed my hand on her shoulder. “There’s nothing to be nervous about. Art is all about expressing yourself. About having fun.”
She released a deep breath and nodded. She picked up one of the thicker brushes and, before dipping it in the paint, looked at me over her shoulder. “Danielle?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you.”
Aiden
I woke up with a pounding headache, and my right shoulder was incredibly sore. We’d stayed out much later than I’d intended. After enjoying our drinks, my brothers, Uncle Ben and I went ax throwing. Holding an ax was nothing new to me, but without my supernatural strength, throwing it and hitting a target proved to be much more challenging than I anticipated. I only hit the bullseye twice. Uncle Ben was weirdly skilled with an ax for someone who had never even picked one up before. And Julian and Xander made it look as easy as throwing darts.
While it wasn’t the typical bachelor party, it was just what I’d needed—time with those who meant the most to me. As thrilled as I was to marry Victoria, the day was going to be bittersweet. Because it would also be our last day in Quarter Square. The last day with my family.
Thanks to Xander’s powers of compulsion, Victoria and I were all set up with driver’s licenses, social security numbers and other necessary documents. And our marriage license had been approved immediately. But now... I’d have to figure out the rest on my own. I couldn’t rely on supernatural powers or my siblings’ help.
To be fair, I still had access to our family’s bank accounts. There was more than we could ever possibly hope to spend. So, providing for my soon-to-be wife wouldn’t be an issue. But I didn’t want to sit around a house all day. I’d have to find some way to pass the time. Get a job. Something.
Maybe I could get work as a history teacher. That wasn’t a half-bad idea. After all, I’d lived through quite a good chunk of it...
The phone on the nightstand buzzed again, and I finally rose and turned off the alarm. I rubbed the palm of my hand against my temple, grimacing. I needed ibuprofen. Fast. I’d check downstairs in a bit. There had to be a convenience store on the first floor of the hotel.
Today was not the day to have a headache. After so, so long, Victoria and I were getting married.
It was impossible not to reflect on what might have been had we been married a century ago. Her family would have been there. Her friends. Natalie, my other sister, would have been there, too. I swallowed down the lump in my throat. Natalie had adored Victoria. She would be so happy to see us together now.
And the wedding would have been an extravagant affair—no expense spared. After all, it wasn’t every day a prince got married.
Was I even a prince anymore? I wasn’t sure. I had no castle. No kingdom. No power.
And yet... Victoria loved me all the same. What did I ever do to deserve a woman like her?
All I knew was this: I would build a good life for her. I’d lost her once. I knew what it was like to regret the wasted moments. I wouldn’t let time slip through our fingers again. I’d make every moment with her count.
There were two knocks at the door. “You up?” Xander shouted from the hallway.
“Yes. Just a minute.” I marched over and unlocked the door, letting him inside. He was already wearing his tux and looked like he’d walked straight out of a spy movie. I, on the other hand, was still in my boxers.
One glance at me, and he planted his hands on his hips. “You look like hell, Aiden.”
I flipped on the bathroom light switch and took a look. He wasn’t wrong. I had dark bags under my eyes, and my hair was a complete mess. The hair was easy enough to fix. Maybe I’d look better after I got some coffee in me.
Stepping past my brother, I went straight for the Keurig sitting on the table beside the TV.
“There’s not enough coffee in the world to get rid of those bags, brother.”
I furrowed my brows. “Then what do you suggest I do?”
Without missing a beat, Xander opened his mouth wide and let his fangs emerge through his gums. He pricked his wrist and offered his blood to me.
I frowned. “Can... can I drink this?”
“Why wouldn’t you be able to? You’re a human now. You don’t need a lot. Just a little pick-me-up.” I eyed him with suspicion. “Don’t make it weird, man. Do you want a drink or not?”
I shrugged. What did I have to lose?
I drank from my brother’s wrist. After I took a sip, I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, my mouth twisting into a look of disgust. I knew vampire blood was thicker than humans’, but I didn’t realize how strange it would feel going down. Blegh.
Xander scowled. “Come on. Man up, Aiden. It’s not like you haven’t had blood before.”
“Not your blood. And anyway, it’s different now.”
“Whatever. You’re welcome.”
“Thanks, Xander. Really.”
“Hey,” he shrugged, “what are brothers for?”
I CHECKED MY WATCH. There was plenty of time. Why was I so nervous? I knew Victoria better than to think she’d stand me up.
“She’ll be here any minute,” Xander said, surprisingly without a hint of annoyance in his voice.
“This was a nice idea, Aiden,” Uncle Ben assured me, camera in hand. “It’ll make the moment you see each other all the more special.”
Because we were getting married in a courthouse, there would be no waiting for my bride at the end of the aisle. While I appreciated that Victoria was so open to getting married quickly, I didn’t want to make her feel for a second that I didn’t take the vows we were about to make to one another seriously. We may not have had time to put together the extravagant affair that we’d always envisioned, but that didn’t mean we couldn’t make it ours. Which was exactly why we had decided to spend the night apart and meet this morning in the park.
It was a block away from the courthouse. The massive fountain in the center of the park was surrounded by towering maple trees. Their fiery orange and blood-red leaves made for a stunning backdrop.
Sure, we could have shared a car and driven straight to the courthouse together. But having a few moments together first to savor the moment and take this all in seemed like a much better idea.
I wished I could take credit for it, but the girls had actually come up with it. It was Grace’s suggestion, believe it or not. Apparently, first-look wedding photos were all the rage on whatever reality show Grace had been watching late at night. Regardless of where she got the idea from, it seemed like a nice one. And Uncle Ben was a brilliant photographer, so he offered to capture the moment f
or us.
As I stood there with my hands folded behind my back, my gaze focused on the intricate swirls etched in the stone fountain.
A warm rush blossomed in my chest. It didn’t take vampire-level hearing to know that my bride was approaching. I could hear the crunching of the grass as the train of her dress flowed behind her. I swore my heart skipped. A moment later, I felt a tap on my shoulder. “Aiden,” she whispered, her voice familiar and comforting, instantly setting me at ease.
I turned around and got the first glimpse of my soon-to-be wife. The morning sun glinted off of her blonde hair, some of which was braided into a crown atop her head. The rest of her wavy locks flowed effortlessly down the back of her long-sleeved gown. The white lace of the bodice reminded me of a similar dress she’d worn so very many years ago, while the skirt of the gown—chiffon, perhaps—made it look like she’d stepped straight out of a fairytale. I was staring. I knew it, but I couldn’t find the words to do justice to how stunning she looked.
She tucked a stray wisp of hair behind her ear, batting her lashes sheepishly. “What do you think?”
I took her hand in mine and kissed it. “I think I’m the luckiest man in the world.”
Julian
“To Mr. and Mrs. Aiden Dumont,” I said, raising a glass of whiskey to the newlyweds. My throat tightened as the memory of what I’d done to Victoria, what I’d done to Aiden, slipped its way into my mind. What’s done is done, I told myself. You’ve apologized. You’ve made it right. Still, I wasn’t sure I’d ever be rid of the guilt.
But seeing my younger brother finally marry the love of his life did bring me some joy. The ceremony was simple, but lovely all the same. Victoria’s eyes had flooded with tears when she vowed to love my brother all the days of her life. I supposed she knew now how precious that time was.
I hadn’t expected to see Danielle get emotional. Even though she was trying to be discreet, I spotted her wipe away a tear or two during the ceremony. I wondered what it was that was making her cry. Was she happy for them that they were finally together? Was she worrying that I could never give her the same thing? Or maybe she was realizing that all the days of your life would be an incredibly long time for her, and she was wondering if she could ever love me for that long?
Being in love was an incredible, terrifying thing.
Part of me felt totally secure and knew without a doubt that we could get through anything together. And the other part of me was terrified that it could all be ripped away from me in an instant.
My focus slid to my side and fell on Danielle, who raised her glass to me and gave me a wink. The tension in my shoulders eased, and I raised my glass back before taking a swig.
The grand chandeliers overhead dimmed as night fell on Quarter Square. The yellow glaze of street lamps speckled the street like fireflies on a summer night as residents strolled the quaint streets.
Now that we had all toasted the happy couple, it was time for another round of drinks. Not feeling like sitting around until the waiter came back, I excused myself and headed for the bar. I lifted my finger to get the bartender’s attention. He acknowledged me with a nod, so I sat on one of the brown leather stools while I waited for him to wrap up with another patron.
I flipped through the tabletop menu to pass the time, even though I was stuffed. Turning around, I scanned the room, getting a read on the people inside Olive and Gin tonight. My ears perked while I listened in to their conversations.
It has to be a government cover-up. They’re hiding something. How could no one have known these places were there?
Why are these places popping up out of nowhere all of a sudden? It doesn’t make any sense!
I have a cousin, a solider, overseas. Between you and me, he says they found people there. But the people... they’re... they’re not normal. They can turn into animals. I know that sounds crazy, but I swear, I’m telling the truth. Marty wouldn’t lie about that. It’s going to be all over the news soon enough. Mark my words.
“Sir... Sir... Sir?” Snapping back into the moment, I whirled around and found the bartender eying me with concern. “You okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
I scratched the back of my neck. “Yeah. Something like that.”
“What can I get you?”
“The nicest bottle of whiskey you’ve got,” I said, wiping my forehead in exasperation.
“You... want the whole bottle?”
I nodded.
“Rough night, huh?”
“You have no idea.”
He nodded, wanting to know more but deciding not to press the issue. “I’ll have someone send it to the table in a minute. Put it on your tab?”
“That’d be great.”
Releasing a heavy breath, I got up from the bar and headed back to my family. My legs were as heavy as lead as I trudged forward in a haze. How much time did we have before the word was out about supernaturals? If some random guy in Quarter Square knew, then surely others did, too. Word was going to get out. Soon.
I spotted my family sitting together, celebrating, laughing. I wondered whether I should tell them what I overheard. They deserved to know what was coming.
And yet...
When was the last time I’d seen them like this? Happy. I honestly couldn’t remember.
Today was the most joyful day of my brother’s life. It would be selfish to mar it so I didn’t have to carry the burden of this knowledge alone.
The two choices battled within me: tell them, and forever put a stain on Aiden’s wedding day, or say nothing and risk supernaturals being outed before tomorrow. Before we could prepare.
My gaze fell on Aiden and Victoria, who were sitting together, fingers intertwined, laughing hysterically about who knew what...
I couldn’t take that happiness, that bliss, away from them.
Whatever was coming could wait. I owed them that much.
It was strange to think that earlier this year, I was plotting against my brother. But somehow, thanks to Reed Carlisle and his thirst for—who knew, exactly? Chaos? Whatever his motivations, thanks to him, everything had changed.
And now, all I wanted was for my family and friends to be safe. Aiden, Victoria, Xander, Charlotte, Uncle Ben, Danielle, and yes, even Grace. Safe. Safe and happy. Was that too much to ask?
And then there was Keo. He was across the world, and I hadn’t heard from him in days. I texted and called, but I hadn’t heard a word. I hoped he was busy getting the hell out of the Kingdom of the Silver Seas.
And then the thought crept in...
What if one of us was discovered?
Worse still, what if my greatest fears came true?
What if one of us was taken? What if one of us was killed?
Horrors flooded my mind. What if it was Danielle?
Nightmares of my own imagination seeped into my thoughts—images that would keep me up all night.
No. We wouldn’t let it get that far. We’d band together. Protect one another.
And yet—there’d be so much risk involved. Because if they—the government, scientists, whoever—were able to get ahold of one of us, that would mean that, potentially, they could get ahold of all of us.
I slumped into my chair, plastering a smile on my face but tortured inside. We were the supernaturals, I reminded myself. We may not be invincible, but we were strong. Forces to be reckoned with. And believe me, if anyone laid one finger on someone I loved, there would be a reckoning.
The part of me that I’d been shutting out in recent months was starting to make its presence known again. A raging fire coursed through my veins.
“Julian?” Danielle asked under her breath, her brows furrowed in concern. I realized then that I was clenching my fist. “Are you okay?”
My throat tightened. “Yeah. I’m fine.”
She eyed me with suspicion, not buying that answer.
“It’s nothing,” I said, knowing she could see right through the lie, but lying anyway. “Let’s enjoy the
night.” I raised my glass and clinked it against hers before leaning in and giving her a kiss.
Keo
Screw them. How could those snakes abandon their kingdom? Their people? Yes, they hated us werewolves. But there were vampires here, too. And the Royal family and their guards had boarded the last vessels and were heading for the mainland.
And they’d taken Phoebe with them. She was probably casting some sort of cloaking spell for them.
I stood, no longer feeling the need to hide behind the prickly bush. My knees ached from crouching for so long. But there was no reason to conceal myself anymore. There was no one left to hunt me.
Drones had been flying overhead for the past week, but I’d clung to the shadows provided by the forest canopy, as had most of the other inhabitants of the kingdom. Even so, the humans were on to us. On to the fact that there was something mystical and dangerous about these lands. The silver waters that separated us from the human realm were filled with boats—and bodies. Bodies of humans who had come to explore our home.
But unbeknownst to them, the waters surrounding this kingdom were spelled. Anyone who risked a glance down below would lose all sense of time, all sense of reality.
Somehow, one helicopter unit had made it here unscathed.
The soldiers were attacked the second they landed. It was a massacre. A bloody, brutal massacre.
Rumor had it that one of the soldiers was calling in to report what they had found: men and women shifting into beastly forms, sprouting fur and fangs and ripping into the flesh of his comrades. That was right before the pack leader ripped his heart out.
I dug my fingers into my scalp. How was I going to get out of here now? The boats were gone. And swimming was out of the question.
I’d put a call in to my friend Miguel—he was a fellow werewolf who had fled this kingdom years ago. He owned a tour company and would provide transport in and out of the kingdom from time to time. I’d hoped he’d be willing to do me a solid, but he said it was too dangerous. That there was no way he could get to me without getting caught.