Liz followed the cobble walkway that stretched around the large white Victorian into a sprawling backyard. Endellion and Cian’s mother, Fianna, were setting up a large banquet table for their buffet styled luncheon. Fresh cut flowers in whimsical vases of all shapes and colors adorned the pastel linen covered surface. Lemongrass scented oil burned in amber effusion lamps, while ivory pillars made of beeswax dotted the table.
All we need now is for David Tutera to pop out for an episode of “My Fair Wedding.”
Endellion was splendid in her long, moss green gown next to the taller and polished Fianna. Cian’s mother had eye-catching espresso hair that complimented her ivory skin. She rocked a tailored, raspberry cocktail dress with strappy sandals. Liz smiled. If she could look that slamming in her golden years, she would be partying until the day she died.
As soon as Endellion spotted Liz, her gentle face lit up. “Hello,” she said, giving her a tender hug. “What have you brought us, darling?”
Liz looked down at her large bowl covered with aluminum foil. “It’s just a potato salad. It’s one of my specialties. I make it for my dad when he comes to visit.”
Thank God they don’t read minds.
Fianna cleared a place for it among the platters of fresh fruits and vegetables. “I haven’t had a potato salad in months, it sounds lovely.” Her Irish brogue was ethereal.
“Was everything okay at Ruby’s place?” Endellion asked concerned. “If I had known you were heading there, I would have asked Donovan or Torin to accompany you, and make sure the place was clear.”
“It was nice and quiet.” Liz appreciated the motherly concern, but could hold her own if she caught anyone lurking about. She was the one who insisted Lexie join her for some self-defense classes at YMCA. Being man handled by anyone was not an option. “Is Lexie and Torin here yet?”
Endellion shook her head, “She’s checking on her mother, but will come along soon.”
As the backdoor of the house opened, a plump woman sauntered out carrying a serving platter full of heaping finger sandwiches. With a head full of shocking brassy curls, she had the biggest green eyes Liz had ever seen. She recognized Aileen’s resemblance to her son, Teagan.
“You must be Liz.” Swiftly, the robust woman added the tray to the table. Lissome as ribbon, her body moved five different directions at once, practically dancing. “I’ve been nailed to the floor with all of this work, or I would’ve invited you over yesterday.” After wiping her palms on her cotton apron, Aileen gave Liz a warm embrace. “Are you keeping well?”
Liz couldn’t help but smile, she had imagined Endellion as the face of Ireland, but Aileen was the spirit. “I’m fine thanks.”
Aileen stepped back and gave Liz a head to toe survey. “Teagan is still off with his mates, but he should be here soon. I hope the little gobshite has been minding his manners.”
“Of course,” Liz answered. She wasn’t sure if Aileen’s concern was because her son was an insatiable flirt or for some other reason, but she liked Teagan. He was easy to talk to. It was when she tried talking to Braden that she got tongue tied. He was too cute to stand next to and still form sensible language patterns.
“Glad to hear it or I would beat the little gimp,” the Irish woman hooted, causing her bosom to wiggle. Her laughter had force, just like her tone. “You’re a bonny girl, give him time.”
Glancing past where the three women worked assembling their feast, Liz spotted Ella sitting alone by a large in-ground pool. Realizing she must have walked over with Endellion, Liz ventured across the yard to her best friend’s sister.
As Liz sat down on the chaise lounge beside her, Ella barely looked up. The blonde’s long hair had grown past her shoulders, accenting her pretty golden skin. Liz had always wanted skin like Ella and Lexie’s, but instead got the Captain’s pearly white hue. Burning was easy, but tanning was impossible.
At one time, Ella was a complete brat and drove Liz nuts. If she wasn’t on their heels, she was going out of her way to add caustic commentary for the sole purpose of being spiteful. Seeing her now, Liz realized the thirteen-year-old was no longer a child. With the same petite figure as her sister, she had become a young woman.
Liz looked down at her own shapely build. In jeans and a black and white striped tank, she was dressed for a skate park rather than a garden party. Her wrists were adorned with bangles and the layers of her ebony hair had been flat ironed. From the expression on Ella’s face, Liz was certain she wasn’t the only one feeling out of place.
“How long until everyone gets here?” Ella asked, her voice just a whisper.
Liz shook her head, “I thought they would all be here by now.” The sun was bright. Liz scraped the deck chair across the cement, edging it towards the shade. “I’m usually late for these kinds of things.”
“I feel weird sitting here. I don’t know why they won’t let me just stay home.” Ella picked at the frayed hem of her jeans. “I’m old enough to be there alone.”
Liz wondered how much she should say. She didn’t think Ella’s age was the reason they didn’t want her to stay alone in the big house. “Do you like everyone here, okay?”
“I guess,” Ella smirked. “The guys are cute, but their parents are creepy. I can’t believe they’re all old.” She looked over at the women. “They take good care of my mom though.”
“I’m sorry about Ruby,” Liz offered. She knew it must be tough seeing her mom that sick. “And that Lexie got hurt, too.”
Ella’s face hardened. “She should have known better.”
Liz was unsure if Ella was referring to her mother or Lexie, but neither could have anticipated what was going on. “Well, at least your sister is healing. Her bruising is already gone and she won’t need the crutches much longer….Must be nice.”
Ella’s head snapped up. “Nice? She gets all of this attention and the ability to heal from her hot new boyfriend, while the rest of us have to suffer for her mistakes. Because of Lexie, my dad is dead and now Nicolai doesn’t have a family or a place to stay.”
“And that’s Lexie’s fault?”
Her dark brown eyes glowered at Liz. “She never once tried to fit in and now everything’s ruined. If Mom dies, I’ll be stuck with these people forever.”
Liz bit back the words she wanted to say and thought about Ella’s position. The girl was angry and scared and talking out of her hat. Normally, she would have read her the riot act on not being selfish, but decided to let it go. “Your mom won’t die. I’ll make sure of that.”
Surprised that Liz didn’t argue back, Ella’s defensive posture lowered. “Good.” She sat back in the lounge chair and covered her eyes with the back of her hand. “It doesn’t change Nick’s situation though. I hate that he’s all alone.”
Liz wondered why Ella wasn’t afraid of the fact that Nicolai was a werewolf. It was as if she had more than two days to come to terms with what the fifteen-year-old was. Maybe Nicolai had been a little more candid with Ella than anyone realized.
Was it more than just a crush or hero worship? Suddenly, Liz understood.
Ella’s in love. Well that complicates things.
Liz didn’t know Nicolai, but she knew how dangerous his brother, Alik was. If Nick plotted and schemed the way his cunning brother did, he could have manipulated his way into Ella’s young heart, maybe already infecting her. The idea made her sick.
“You haven’t fooled around with Nicolai, have you?”
Ella bolted forward in her seat. “You are a total freak.”
Liz could see the hurt in Ella’s expression. “I’m sorry I asked you that way. I should have worded it differently.”
“No, you shouldn’t have asked me at all.” Ella’s arms crossed over her chest. She tapped the tips of her nails as she glared at Liz. “I’m thirteen. I may not be a baby, but I am not a slut either,” her pitch wavered. “And if I did, it would have been my business. Our parents were only married one month, so it wasn’t like we were related or an
ything.”
Liz scooted to the edge of her seat. “My concern wasn’t that you were being incestuous. My concern was that you could become a werewolf.”
“Do me a favor and don’t talk to me,” Ella’s voice trembled, “ever.” With a shake of her blond hair, she shifted herself in the seat until only her back faced Liz.
With a sigh, Liz stood and headed back across the yard. She wasn’t going to win that argument. At least Ella hadn’t made a huge mistake. Having one member of the family infected was bad enough.
Lexie better keep a close eye on her sister.
4
BRADEN
Before joining the others, Braden crossed the two neighboring front lawns to Torin’s home. The four families lived along the same secluded street. As children, they would run from house to house, exploring their own little universe.
He could see why the elders wanted to live in close proximity. They needed to protect one another, but they also needed the sense of fellowship only other damphyrs could provide. Even in Ireland, the old-ones still huddled together in little covens across different counties.
His grandparents were fond of the northwest shores of Mayo. He had planned on visiting them, but worried too much about Brigid to leave her for long. Knowing she didn’t have an eternity on earth made her vulnerable.
If he could stomach it, he would try to write them a letter explaining why he had to go. Unlike his father and brother, at least they could have answers for his death. For years, the elders tried to understand what happened, speculating different possibilities. But Braden knew and none of their notions were remotely close. His mouth set in a hard line; he hoped it would end with him.
Rounding the patch of large cedars at the edge of the barn, Braden noticed Torin standing barefoot outside his carriage house door. His chestnut hair was slightly tussled and his black tee-shirt rumpled. Braden smiled. His once broody cousin was visibly relaxed. Lexie worked wonders on him.
Torin smiled as he approached. “Why aren’t you next door?”
Braden shrugged his shoulders. He needed time to talk to Torin alone without the others listening in. “Thought I would stop over and make sure someone was going to sit with Ruby.”
“Yeah, my father just went in. Lexie’s changing now and then we’ll head over.” An amused expression flickered across his face. “Are you sure that’s why you’re hiding over here? Liz must be there by now. I’ve seen you watching her.”
Braden stared at Torin, puzzled. “I haven’t been watching her.”
“Yeah, right.”
“Seriously,” he countered. “She isn’t even my type.”
Torin grinned incredulously. “Whatever you say.”
Braden looked up at the house. Lexie’s mother was being kept as comfortable as possible on the second floor. “How’s Ruby today?”
Torin’s expression grew serious. “Not well. The rash has spread and her skin is breaking down.”
Braden swallowed. He couldn’t put off going any longer. “I wanted you to know that I’ll be leaving soon. An old friend of my father’s has access to an antidote for the virus.” Although he hated lying to Torin of all people, he worked at keeping his tone as lighthearted as possible.
“Already?” Relief flooded across Torin’s dark features. “Are you heading to Eire?”
Braden offered a slight nod. “First thing tomorrow.”
Torin’s brows knitted, deciding what to do. “Lexie will want to stay here with Ruby and Ella. I’ll ask Teagan and Cian to take turns watching the place at night. I don’t know if Nicolai will come around, but I want my father to have backup just in case….”
“Actually,” Braden interrupted, “I think you need to stay. You’re the only one with experience fighting a werewolf and if Cian and Teagan were to go through the change while we were away, the elders would need one of us here.”
Braden knew his explanation made sense, but there was more to it. He needed his cousin to take his place as protector of the coven, especially now that his closest friend had a fate-partner. But he also knew he couldn’t risk Torin trying to stop him.
The left corner of Torin’s lip turned up, “Are you putting me second in command around here?”
Braden tried not to smile. “Yeah, do you think you can handle it?”
“I don’t know,” he grinned. “Your cockiness won’t be easy to duplicate.”
“I somehow doubt that,” Braden countered, chuckling at his friend. “By the way, I wanted to apologize for the other night. I should have trusted you. I just didn’t want you to get hurt. I couldn’t stand losing you, too.”
Torin cocked his head, “You don’t need to apologize. You’ve always had my back,” he replied with understanding.
Braden ran his hand through his spiky yellow hair as his stomach twisted with unease. Looking back up at Ruby’s window, he avoided his cousin’s gaze. “Yeah well, I know you would do the same for me.”
5
LIZ
Liz wasn’t sure how long she sat at the table with Teagan and Cian’s fathers when she spotted Torin helping Lexie up the walkway.
Seeing her best friend up and mobile was a far cry from the state she was in only days before. The power of her bond with Torin allowed her body to heal quickly. Her crutches had been replaced with a walking cast and her contusions had the faded tinge of light butterscotch.
If the NFL only knew what they were missing....
Braden strode in behind them. The sun glistened off his fair hair, accenting his perfect features. Admiring the seamless way his muscular physique moved with purpose, she offered a light wave, hoping they could talk. Braden smiled quickly before heading over to his cousins across the yard.
Teagan and Cian were amusing Ella by the pool. Somehow the two attractive damphyrs were able to make the young blond smile. Liz would have preferred hanging with them if it wasn’t for the fact that Ella’s eyes gleamed like razors whenever she glanced in Liz’s direction.
She’ll get over it.
Lexie plopped down beside her. Torin’s blue eyes studied his girlfriend, looking for any signs of physical discomfort. She smiled up at him and his tense shoulders visibly relaxed. Kissing her softly, he turned to join his cousins by the water.
Liz’s eyebrow went up. “Are you two communicating without words now?”
Lexie stared at Torin’s backside as he walked away. “Kind of – I guess. He can feel what I feel,” she flushed. “It’s a part of our bond.”
“Does that mean if you discover the toilet seat up, he’ll feel that too?” Liz teased.
“Let’s hope he doesn’t find out,” she beamed. As Lexie looked down at her hands folded neatly in her lap, her tawny lashes grazed her cheeks. “He makes me happy though.”
Liz could tell. She had never seen Lexie truly in love before.
Unless her Jared Leto obsession technically counted, the girl was borderline stalkerish. Not that I blame her.
Still, Liz couldn’t be happier for her friend.
Lexie had suffered a terrible year, beginning with the death of her father. Getting attacked by a werewolf was only part of her problem. At least she would have Torin by her side while she dealt with her mother’s illness and Ella’s infatuation with Nicolai.
Liz’s smile faded. “I think you should keep a close eye on your sister. She really misses Nick. The two of them were close.”
Lexie nodded, “She is so angry with me right now. I don’t know what I can say to make things better.”
“Only time will make things better,” Liz spoke softly. “She needs your mother.”
Lexie rubbed her temples with her fingertips. “I know she does. Until the elders find a cure, there’s nothing we can do.”
“Last night while you and Torin were in bed, Braden told Teagan that he believes he located an antidote for the lycanthropy. I want to go with him.”
“A cure? I wasn’t sure there was one.” Lexie’s tone reflected her relief. “When is he going?”
“I’m not sure,” Liz answered. “But it must be soon.”
Lexie gave her friend a side long look, a knowing smile crept across her face. “Why do you want to go with him? Are you interested in Braden?”
Liz blinked. “Tell me you’re kidding.”
“He’s adorable and a good guy.” Lexie pointed across the lawn, but Liz didn’t need to see her friend was motioning at the tall, blond damphyr. “Admit it.”
“Yes, he’s fine, but I’m not into him like that.” Liz poked at the kiwi on her plate.
He could be the poster boy for American Eagle Outfitters…I’m more Hot Topic-ish.
Lexie leaned forward with a smug expression. “I never would have guessed I’d be with Torin,” she plucked a grape from Liz’s plate and popped it in her mouth, “but he’s exactly what I needed.”
Liz allowed her eyes to venture over to where Braden stood by the pool. His smile was charming, but that was beside the point. Attractive or not, Braden was the only one with a plan.
“I just want to make sure he doesn’t come home without Ruby’s cure.”
6
BRADEN
The midday sun was radiant as it spilled warmth upon Braden’s skin. He had always cherished sunlight and the pleasurable sensation of it bathing his skin. Now, he wished he could bask in it forever.
With his family gathered around him, Braden’s damphyr senses were alive. His vision drank in the beauty of the foliage, fabrics, and flowers that created the backyard’s palette. The rhythm of voices mingled with the life of the forest behind them, producing a song only his kind could hear. He breathed in the rich aromas around him, absorbing the fragrances of the gardens, bountiful food platters, and Liz’s sweet fragrance.
With the magic of her bond to Torin, Lexie no longer had the same aroma as her sister and friend. Instead, the petite brunette smelled like family. Liz, however, had a savory scent and it wasn’t just her vanilla infused perfume. Her scent was alluring and when it carried on the breeze, he relished in it as it passed.
Blood Twist (The Erris Coven Series) Page 2