My mother folded her arms. “Not until you agree to clean up and come to dinner.”
“I also invited someone,” Aunt Thora said quietly. “Ted O’Neill. Would you be willing to come for him?”
I couldn’t move my body, but my eyes darted in Aunt Thora’s direction. Ted O’Neill is Chief O’Neill’s brother and works at the lighthouse. He and Aunt Thora had been involved when they were much younger, but the family had warned my great-aunt against a relationship with a human. I’d visited Ted recently to break the news of his brother’s death and had seen how lonely he was. Of course I would come for him. I wasn’t a monster.
“Yes,” I said, barely able to move my lips.
My mother flicked a finger and released me from her hold.
I bent my neck from side to side. “Don’t do that again.”
“It’s my house, my rules,” my mother said.
“You can’t inflict magic on someone just because they don’t do what you want,” I said.
“Why not?” she replied. “I’ve been doing it your whole life.”
No kidding. I didn’t even need a curfew in high school. When the clock struck eleven, my mother’s spell would drag me home no matter where I was. Clara understood when it happened, but I’d had to make up a variety of strange excuses when it happened with Tanner. One minute we’d be making out in his car and the next minute I’d be gone. Luckily, he wasn’t the sharpest pine needle in the forest.
“You’d better be nice to Ted,” I warned.
My mother and grandmother wore their best blank expressions.
“I don’t know why you think I wouldn’t.” My mother wandered over to the sink and began loading dirty dishes into the dishwasher.
“It’s not you I’m most worried about.” I pinned Grandma with a hard stare. “Ted is vulnerable right now. He needs kindness.”
“And I’m sure my sister will give him all the kindness he needs…after dinner.” Grandma turned back to her pot and continued to stir.
“You can go change your clothes now, Eden,” my mother said. “You can’t wear that outfit to dinner when you’ve had it on all day.”
“That’s what happens with clothes,” I said. “You wear them until you get your shower and then pajamas.”
“Not when someone special is coming to dinner,” she insisted. “Great Nyx, it’s no wonder you’re still single.”
“Hugh is a werewolf,” I said. “Since when do you encourage relationships with shifters?”
“Since your cousin Rafael married Julie, that’s when.”
I couldn’t argue with that. Julie had become a welcome addition to the family and we all fussed over Meg from the moment she was born.
“If you think Hugh is such a catch, why don’t you put yourself in the running?” I asked. “You don’t shy away from younger men.”
My mother lifted her chin a fraction. “I just might, Eden, dear, but you’re the one who needs to get a move on. My biological clock has self-destructed.”
“Go on and change, Eden,” my great-aunt encouraged. “Ted will feel the negative energy in the room if we keep this up. I need to calm the vibes.” She shuffled over to the pantry and removed fresh sage from a jar. “Let’s all be on our best behavior for his sake.”
“Fine,” I huffed. I hurried to the attic to change my outfit, but I deliberately chose the most boring clothes imaginable. Black jeans and a dull gray T-shirt. Drab didn’t begin to describe the way I looked. I ran a brush through my hair, but only because I wasn’t completely without vanity.
By the time I returned to the kitchen, our first guest had arrived. Hugh stood between the kitchen and family room with a beer in his hand. He was chatting amiably with Verity and Anton. His face lit up when he saw me.
“Fancy seeing you here,” he said.
“I live here,” I replied.
My mother shot me a dark look.
“I live in the attic,” I added, just to annoy her more.
Hugh smiled. “Cool. I love attics. Maybe you can show it to me later.”
Princess Buttercup rushed into the room and nudged me for attention. Hugh’s eyes popped at the sight of her.
“A hellhound? Here?” The werewolf seemed taken aback. I half expected Princess Buttercup to growl at him, but she didn’t seem bothered by his presence. That spoke volumes, to be honest. She was quick to tell me when she disliked someone and I trusted her judgment.
“She’s a rescue,” I explained. “But we’re expecting a human guest, so no more talk of hellhounds.”
Hugh grimaced. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize.”
On cue, the doorbell rang and Princess Buttercup raced to the door. She narrowly avoided tripping over Charlemagne, who slithered to the door as well. Candy stayed on the windowsill in the kitchen, not remotely concerned with the latest guest. My grandmother’s black cat marched to the beat of her own drum.
A moment later, Aunt Thora appeared with Ted. His face was ashen as he observed the Great Dane and the python that entered the room ahead of him.
“Such interesting pets,” Ted said.
“Scram, you two. You’re making our guest uncomfortable.” My mother shooed Princess Buttercup and Charlemagne down the hall and then turned to greet Ted with a blinding smile. “Welcome, Ted. It’s been far too long. Can I offer you a cold drink?”
“We have fresh lemonade,” Aunt Thora offered.
“Of course you do.” Ted smiled at my great-aunt. “I’d be a fool to turn down your homemade lemons. It’s a marvel you can grow lemon trees in this climate at all. Must be your magical touch, Thora.”
“Must be.” Aunt Thora smiled demurely before going to pour him a glass of lemonade.
My mother steered Ted into the open-plan room where the rest of us had congregated.
“Ted, do you know Hugh Phelps?” I asked.
“You’re the lighthouse man,” Hugh said, and shook the older man’s hand.
“That I am,” Ted said, puffing out his skeletal chest. “Best view in town.”
“I’ll bet,” Hugh said. “I’d love to come up and see it sometime.”
Ted beamed. “I wouldn’t mind the company. Come whenever you like.”
If one good thing came out of this dinner, it would be Ted reconnecting with people. I felt like he needed it more than ever, now that his brother was dead. I hadn’t seen Chief O’Neill’s ghost since the fear demon was apprehended, so I could only assume that he crossed over and was finally at peace. That was my hope anyway.
We chatted amiably for another twenty minutes with Hugh complimenting everything from my mother’s choice in fragrances to the window treatments. He was liberal with his flattery, which only made me wary of him. I didn’t trust anyone with that many compliments to dole out. On the other hand, Princess Buttercup had come into the room and settled at his feet. Maybe she just liked the smell of wolf, but I doubted it.
The rest of the family emerged from their rooms just before dinner was served. It was definitely a full house. My mother made sure to squeeze me between Hugh and Anton at the table.
“Well, this is cozy,” Hugh said, grinning at me.
“Anton, would you mind scooting your chair over?” I asked. “Hugh needs more room.”
“I wasn’t complaining,” Hugh said.
Olivia fixed her solemn gaze on me. “Is it true that you killed someone in California? Is that why you had to come back here?”
“Where did you hear that, sweetheart?” Verity asked.
I stiffened. “I didn’t kill anyone.” Fergus had needed a blood transfusion, but he was otherwise fine.
“Katie’s mom told Andrea’s mom that they made you change jobs because you killed someone,” Olivia said.
“Well, it isn’t true,” I said. My face was warm so I knew my cheeks had to be blazing red. One of the disadvantages of pale skin was displaying my embarrassment for all to see.
“That’s disappointing,” Grandma mumbled.
I tried to reach her foot
under the table with my own, but she was too far away. It was probably for the best. If I kicked her in the shin, she’d probably hex me right in front of Ted. As I moved my foot back to its place, I noticed Charlemagne slithering in and out of the chair legs.
“Charlemagne, no begging at the table,” Verity said in a firm voice.
Candy jumped down from the windowsill and landed in front of the python, blocking his path. The snake opened his mouth and hissed and Candy responded in kind.
“Will you look at those two?” Grandma said. “I haven’t seen two animals that infatuated since Hugh’s parents started dating.”
I cleared my throat loudly and jerked my head toward Ted.
“We’re all animals, Eden,” Ted said. “It isn’t an insult.”
Hugh nodded. “They still have a wonderful relationship.”
“One you aspire to emulate, I imagine,” my mother said.
Inwardly, I groaned. She was as subtle as a minotaur in a china shop.
“Most definitely,” Hugh said. “Just waiting to find the right woman to share my life with.”
The black cat swished her tail across Charlemagne’s head and trotted back to her place on the windowsill.
“Eden doesn’t have the same high bar, so there’s less pressure,” Grandma said. “Her parents can’t stand each other.”
My mother pressed her lips together and I stifled a laugh. It was petty, but I kind of loved when they turned on each other because it meant I was free and clear—at least for the moment.
“I wouldn’t trade married life for anything,” Anton chimed in. Someone was eager to score points with his wife. I wondered what he was trying to atone for.
“Eden, why don’t you tell Hugh about your job in San Francisco?” my mother said. “Eden was an FBI agent, you know.”
“Yes, same as here,” I said pointedly.
My mother’s gaze shifted to Ted and she flashed a dazzling smile. “Yes, of course, but in a different division.”
“That sounds fascinating,” Hugh said. “I like a woman who relishes action and adventure.”
“Well, you won’t find much of that here in Chipping Cheddar, I’m afraid,” Ted said. “It’s relatively quiet. Mick used to say that the worst crime we have here is petty theft, until he was murdered that is.”
The table fell silent.
“I throw up when I drink orange juice,” Olivia said, breaking the tension. “I hate pulp.”
“Olivia, you shouldn’t talk about such things at the table,” Verity said. “It isn’t polite.”
“Why not?” Olivia asked. “Everybody throws up, just like everybody poops.” She giggled at her own statement. “That’s the best book.”
“It is one of her favorites,” Anton said.
Verity shot an annoyed look at her husband. “Please don’t encourage her.”
“Poop,” Ryan said. He smashed his fist into his applesauce and laughed.
“That’s not poop,” Olivia said. “That’s diarrhea.”
I closed my eyes and tried to mentally teleport to my happy place, which was basically anywhere but here.
“Your children are charming,” Hugh said.
“Charming?” Grandma repeated. “If you think that’s charming, I have a few friends in the nursing home I can introduce you to.”
Hugh chuckled. “I’d be delighted to meet them.”
The rest of the meal continued in the same vein, with Hugh managing to catch every throw. I could tell it was grating on Grandma. She wanted to see his imperfections and he was refusing to bend under pressure.
After the apple pies were obliterated, Ted and Aunt Thora took a turn in the garden out back while Hugh thanked my family for a lovely evening.
“Early to bed, early to rise,” he said. “I like to keep to my schedule.”
“Eden will walk you out,” my mother said. “Thank you so much for coming. It’s been delightful.”
“It certainly has,” Hugh replied. Hugh offered his arm to me. “Shall we?”
I looped my arm through his.
“Don’t rush back,” my mother said. “We’ll clean up.”
“And by ‘we,’ you must mean you and the garden gnomes,” Grandma said. “Because my arthritis prevents me from any type of cleanup activity.”
“I’m sure there’s a potion for that,” I said.
Hugh and I made it as far as the front porch before he turned to me. “You’re not actually interested in me, are you?”
I released his arm. “Uh, not really. Why?”
He dropped onto the porch swing. “The truth is I’m waiting for someone.”
“Oh?” I moved to sit beside him. “Anyone I know?”
“I don’t even know who she is yet,” he said. “I ordered her.”
I choked. “You ordered her? Like off a menu?”
He grinned. “Not quite. I used a matchmaking service that specializes in werewolf packs. She’s basically a mail order bride.”
Wow. I was not expecting that revelation.
“I thought you dated other species,” I said.
“I do, but I have no intention of marrying any of them,” Hugh said. “My family has been pressuring me to settle down and start producing pups, so I finally bit the bullet.” He paused. “Not the silver one, of course.”
“I guess it doesn’t surprise me,” I said. “Your family has always been old school when it comes to werewolf life.”
He looked at me. “You mean the fact that we choose to turn?”
“Yes, and the fact you’re only willing to marry another werewolf.”
Hugh stretched his muscular arms over his head. “I would’ve been willing to entertain the idea of another species if I’d met a woman who made my fur curl, but I haven’t.”
“So you may as well toe the line?”
“Friction in the family is the worst,” he said.
I laughed. “Trust me, I know.” Then again, I wasn’t willing to cave. I guess I was more stubborn than Hugh.
“Anyway, I just wanted to clear the air and make sure there were no hard feelings,” Hugh said. “If we’re going to serve on the council together, it would be nice to get along.”
“We’re totally good. No worries on my end.” I couldn’t speak for my mother, though. “Basically, if Princess Buttercup likes you, you’ve passed the Litmus test.”
He rose to his feet and extended a hand. “To the start of a beautiful friendship, Miss Fury.” He cleared his throat. “Excuse me, I mean Agent Fury.”
“Just Eden is fine. See you at the next council meeting.” I accepted his hand and shook it.
Chapter Six
The next morning I sat with Sally in my father’s house and reviewed the list of vampires in town. I figured that Sally knew most of them and could help me prioritize the order of interviews.
“I appreciate your help with this,” I said. “I’m out of touch with the vampire community here.”
“So am I, for the most part,” Sally said. “They’re not fans of your father.”
“Because he’s a vengeance demon and not a vampire?”
“No, because he’s annoying.” She offered a tight smile. “You know how loud your father can be. He doesn’t know how to read a room.”
I was familiar with my father’s social graces, or lack thereof.
“So which vampire should we start with?” I asked.
Sally leaned over to consult the list. “We should see Bianca Mortimer first.”
“We?”
“Bianca will be more forthcoming if I’m with you,” Sally said. “You know how insular the vampire community can be.”
“You think she’s the most likely to know something about Will? Doesn’t she work in a salon?” I vaguely remembered her from visits to Scissors.
“Now she owns a salon that caters to supernaturals,” Sally replied. “Everybody talks there. Sometimes, if I don’t feel like reading or watching a film, I’ll make an appointment at the salon and soak up the drama ther
e.”
“I hope they’re mindful of their human customers,” I said.
“Oh, Bianca has it glamoured to make it less appealing to humans,” Sally said. “Looks like it belongs at the far end of Asiago Street. Humans don’t set foot in there unless they’re lost or desperate.”
The salon sounded like a promising source of intel. “I don’t have to get my hair done, do I?”
“I’ll book us for pedicures with Bianca.” Sally cast me a sidelong glance. “Though it wouldn’t kill you to get a trim.”
I rolled my eyes. “Now you sound like Mom.”
Sally’s jaw tensed. “I’ll pretend you didn’t just say that.”
I handed her my phone. “Would you call from mine so I have the number?”
“Of course.” Sally called and made the appointment. “We have thirty minutes. Plenty of time.”
“We’re lucky Bianca could fit us in.”
Sally’s lips curved into a smile. “Luck has nothing to do with it, darling. One of the perks of being married to a vengeance demon.” She stood. “I’ll go grab my sandals. I hate when I mess the polish the second I put my shoes on.”
Twenty-five minutes later, we were on a side street downtown.
“Turn right here,” Sally said.
I turned and noticed the sign for Sparkle up ahead. Part of me wanted to view it through human eyes, just to see how unappealing it looked to them.
I nabbed the first available spot, showing off my parallel parking skills.
“You’re so good at that now,” Sally said. “I remember when you would end up a foot from the curb.”
“I had a lot of practice in San Francisco,” I said.
Sally opened her door. “I’ve been meaning to tell you…I’m sorry things didn’t work out the way you hoped. I know you would’ve been perfectly happy to stay out west.”
“Thanks, Sally. I appreciate that.”
“Your father is over the moon, though,” she said. “He’s missed you.”
“You mean he’s missed trying to mold me into something I’m not.”
“Now don’t be so hard on him,” Sally said. “His intentions aren’t all bad.”
“Maybe not toward me,” I said. “I can’t speak for the thousands he’s pursued in the name of revenge.”
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