Second Blood: A Reverse Harem Tale (Lovin' the Coven Book 2)

by Jacquelyn Faye

  "Come on. Let's go."

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  "Hi, Mr. Farrell."

  "Hi, Dot. What can I do you for?"

  "I'd like a room with two beds, not sure how long for."

  "You came to the right place," he said with a chuckle and pulled the registry out from under the counter. I signed my name and put Jason and Dwight down as the occupants of the room. He closed the book without even looking at it, writing up the rental agreement on the standard form. Mr. Farrell was a firm believer in not using computers and printers. The motel didn't even have Wi-Fi. I wasn't even sure if he knew what it was.

  I handed him my bank card for the deposit. He ran it through the clacking machine that imprinted it on carbon paper. "Just bill me when they check out."

  "They?"

  "Yes. My friend here and another guy are having their house renovated. I'm paying."

  "Gotcha," he said with a wink.

  I didn't even bother to explain further. Let him think what he wanted. "Thanks."

  He took two room keys off the same hook and set them on the counter in front of me. "Let me know if you need anything else."

  "I will. Thanks, Mr. Farrell."

  He nodded and sat back down on his stool behind the counter, picking up his book and burying his nose.

  I motioned to the door and Jason headed out. "Room two," I said and handed him the keys. He hopped into his rusted-out shit box and moved it over in front of his room. He grabbed his duffel bag out of the seat as I walked over.

  "You all set?"

  "Yep. Thanks, Dot. For everything."

  "No. Thank you," I said, giving him a hug. He returned it awkwardly with one arm. "Oh. By the way, thanksgiving dinner at my house next week. Four o'clock. Tell Dwight."

  "Are you sure?"

  I nodded, giving him a little smile.

  "Do you want to come in and have a beer? Or are you in a rush to get home? Sign says free HBO."

  I almost said no. If I went home, I'd probably be under my comforter thinking about Chief, anyway. "Sure, but just one."

  He tossed the bag into the room and opened Bessie's trunk, pulling out a worn blue cooler and carrying it inside.

  "You come prepared."

  "Wasn't sure if there was a mini-fridge."

  "No. There's not. I'm surprised the units have electricity…"

  Jason chuckled and nudged the door closed with his foot. He opened the cooler and pulled out a couple of beers, popping the top and handing me one.

  "No chairs, either. Guess we're sharing a bed again," I teased, smiling at his blush.

  I sat on the far side, laying on my side and tilting my head toward the TV.

  He did the same and grabbed the remote.

  He flipped it on but turned the volume down as low as it would go. Even so, you could hear muffled sounds buzzing through the speakers.

  I took a sip of beer and let myself look at Jason. His forehead looked even better than earlier after I healed it. He barely had any swelling left and the redness had gone, too. "How's your head feeling?"

  He reached up and absentmindedly rubbed the spot. "Pretty good. Can hardly feel it anymore."

  I leaned in closer and got a better look. "You can hardly see it either." I let my lips close the last of the distance between them and gave him a gentle kiss over his vanishing wound.

  He blinked in surprise. "What was that for?"

  "Well, aren't you supposed to kiss booboos? That's what I always heard. I can take it back if you want."

  "No. It's mine now. I'm keeping it." He gave me a little grin.

  "Thanks for everything today. It meant a lot. Especially with Chief."

  He nodded and turned the volume up on the TV a little. There was a movie playing and I had no idea what it was. At least it didn't have aliens. We finished our beers in relative silence, just enjoying each other's company. I set my empty on the nightstand but didn't feel like leaving quite yet.

  "Want another?"

  I shook my head. Between the wine earlier and the beer, I figured I shouldn't have another and then drive home. Chief would probably love to give me a DUI. I just watched the movie, feeling my lids getting heavier. I must have dozed off for longer than I had expected. The TV was off, and Jason had fallen asleep, too. I woke up with him laid out behind me, snoring softly in my ear and his arm wrapped around me. I blinked a couple of times and fought down the panic. We weren't doing anything, but it was very intimate. I could think of worse places to wake up. Namely Chief's bed.

  I lightly ran my fingers over Jason's arm, trying to wake him. He snorted and reached up, cupping my breast gently. "If you're awake, I'm going to hurt you," I whispered softly.

  There was no response.

  "Jason," I said a little louder, softly elbowing him in the chest behind me.

  "Huh?"

  "Wake up. I need to go home."

  He rolled over and started yawning. "What time is it?" He looked over at me, and I saw the hint of color on his cheeks as he stared at me wide-eyed, realizing we had fallen asleep together.

  I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone. "Almost one." I ignored the thirteen missed calls and texts. I could check them later.

  "Dwight should be here soon."

  "And I should get home. Call me tomorrow so I can check on you."

  "Yes, Lady. I'll walk you out."

  He got up and so did I, slipping my shoes back on and grabbing my jacket. He opened the door for me and I stopped before walking outside, giving him a small kiss on the cheek. "Thanks for everything."

  "Thanks for the nicest night I've had in a very long time."

  "Well, let me know when your next night off is. You can come hang out at my place."

  "Is that a date?"

  "Of course."

  "Sounds perfect." He blushed again and I fought very hard not to give him another kiss. He really was too cute for his own damn good.

  CHAPTER 12

  Waking up in my own bed was much nicer, but a lot more crowded. Josie had been waiting for me when I got home. Half the missed calls and texts last night had been from her, the other half Chief. I didn't bother responding to him. Josie had been worried about me, reading me the riot act when I got home. We went to bed after I said goodnight to Amir and Yvette.

  Sometime during the night, Candace had slipped into the bed with us and took her usual spot, arms wrapped around my waist. I was a little surprised that Josie didn't get jealous, but kept it to myself. She'd let me know if she was. Holding back was not one of her strong suits.

  I tried vainly to slip out off the end of the bed without waking either of them up. Candace gave me a smile and a whispered, "Good morning," before scooting closer to Josie and snuggling up against her.

  "Hi, sweetie. Go back to sleep."

  I pulled on my robe and went out to the kitchen to fire up the coffee.

  I breathed in the silence of the morning house. It had been a while since I was able to enjoy it. I didn't even growl at the maker as it brewed its magically caffeinated potion. I did snarl at the doorbell when it rang…

  "Fuck me." I practically stomped to the door and flung it open.

  "Got a minute?" Chief was standing there nervously, his left thumb hooked in his belt.

  I debated slamming the door in his face. I also debated turning my front stoop into liquid cement, settling on stepping aside and letting him enter.

  Probably best to get this over with.

  "What can I do for you?" I kept my voice even and neutral.

  He headed into the kitchen and grabbed two mugs out of the cupboard. My traitor of a coffee maker chose that exact moment to finish brewing and he grabbed the carafe, filling both mugs and handing me one.

  "Thanks. Feel free to make yourself at home." So much for even and neutral.

  He winced. "Sit?"

  "I'm not a fucking dog. What do you want?"

  He winced. "I deserved that."

  "And so much more. Why are you here?" I walked over
to the dining room table and pulled out a chair, sitting down and staring into my coffee.

  "May I join you?" He at least said it politely.

  I motioned to the seat across from me. "Just giving you a heads up, Chief. You don't get to do this."

  "Do what?"

  "Humiliate me, degrade me, and then come over the next day begging forgiveness. It… I don't work that way. I have never been more livid in my life as I was yesterday and I'm going to let you in on a little secret. I don't like to be angry. It makes me physically ill. So next time you want to tell me some bullshit story of how I'm putting strangers above our Coven, I will fry your sack and serve it for brunch with toast. Do you understand me?" I said my peace, evenly and without anger. Sometimes, I impressed myself

  "Yes, Lady," he whispered.

  "Good. Now get out."

  Without a word, he got up and set his mug on the counter, heading for the front door. I almost stopped him. Only when the front door closed softly did I get up, dump my coffee in the sink and walk to Josie's room. I crawled into her bed and buried myself in her fluffy comforter, my tears staining her pillowcase. I was angry, and unsure if I could, or would, get over it. But I wasn't ready to let him go. Yet.

  I lay there sobbing for a few minutes when I felt the comforter lift off me and Josie slide in behind me. Without a word, she slid one arm under me and one over me, pulling me into her embrace. I flipped over and buried my face into her chest, soaking her nightshirt instead of her pillowcase.

  When I finally stopped, she spoke. "You did good."

  "Yeah. He needed it, but that broke my heart. I doubt things will ever be normal between us again."

  "They weren't so normal to begin with. He might be chief of police, but you are the high priestess of our coven. He needs to realize that, even if he doesn't agree with you."

  I nodded, just wishing things hadn't come to a head at all. I was comfortable with our relationship and then he had to go be a dick. "Jason told me something interesting about Chief last night and why he is that way."

  "What?"

  I reiterated what he told me about his relationship with his wife and her effectiveness as high priestess.

  "Makes you wonder why the Lady anointed her."

  "Maybe because there wasn't anybody else."

  "I guess."

  "Let me out."

  "Not if you're going to run after him."

  "No. I need to pee, chug some coffee, and head to the bank and diner. I have a house to buy."

  "Need me to do anything?"

  "It's pretty clean, but we're expecting more guests tonight. Could you straighten up a bit?"

  "Sure thing, boss."

  "Don't start."

  She slid out of the bed, letting me up. "Call me if there's anything else you want me to do."

  "Help with warding later."

  "The new house?"

  I nodded. "Yeah. I want them shielded. I also need to get all the utilities turned on and install a phone at the house. I should have bought property in the center of town. I got it on the outskirts, thinking they'd enjoy the privacy, now I wonder if they're going to be safe. We could get to them in five minutes, but when you're under attack, that might as well be a lifetime."

  "The wards should hold them off for that long. Jason did just fine."

  "Jason is also a witch and was feeding power into them."

  "So, they need a witch to move in with them is what you're saying."

  "I wasn't, but I am now. You volunteering?"

  "Oh, hell no. Not Candace either. Ask for volunteers? It's not like this is permanent. Just until the rogues give up, right?"

  She'd followed me into the kitchen. I finally had another cup of coffee in my hand and nobody was going to ruin it. I took a sip and looked around the room, waiting for the doorbell to ring or my phone to go off. I sighed when I was met with blissful silence.

  "I'm going to go get dressed and get out of here, before someone else tries to ruin my day."

  "Good luck."

  I took my mug into the bedroom, setting it on my dresser and pulling off my pajamas. I felt someone staring and turned to see Candace watching me, a curious look on her face. "What's wrong?"

  "I wish I was built like you."

  "Why?"

  "You're tall, curvy, and beautiful."

  I slipped on a pair of jeans, buttoning them up and pulling them down a little. They were a newer pair and still a little stiff. I almost put some leggings on, but I was going for warmth. I grabbed my bra out of the hamper and slipped it on, turning to Candace.

  "You are beautiful enough. Any more and Josie might melt. She thinks you're perfect the way you are, and I do, too."

  She blushed a little. At least the tiny bit of her face sticking out of the blanket did. "Thank you."

  "You're welcome. By the way, are you working on Thanksgiving?"

  She nodded.

  "Damnit. I'll bring you a plate of food then. We're having dinner here."

  "That's okay. I'm not that fond of turkey."

  I gasped in horror and gave her a wink to let her know I was kidding. "I'll save you some stuffing, potatoes, and green bean casserole then."

  "Thank you, Lady."

  I walked into my closet and stuffed my feet in a pair of comfortable, fuzzy boots and grabbed a pullover hoodie to finish my outfit. The hoodie was warm enough I might be able to get away with not wearing a jacket. I doubted it, but one could hope.

  "Alright. I'm off. Get some sleep, you. Don't want you passing out at work. Sorry I keep waking you up."

  "I don't mind. I like talking to you."

  I flashed her a smile, chugged my coffee, and headed off to face the world.

  I called the diner and got the total for the cashier check I needed to bring and swung by the bank. They were getting less surprised seeing me there doing large transactions. The fun was wearing off. And after checking my available balance, I made a mental note to wire more money from my primary bank. I didn't want my bank card getting declined.

  Check in hand, I walked into the Cedar Falls Diner feeling a little better about myself. Keeping busy helped. I waved at Marge taking a young family's order and waved the check at Herb. He nodded and didn't motion me back. I shrugged and sat in my booth. The reason he didn't wave me back became apparent when he walked out of the kitchen with a file folder, a pen, and a cup of coffee. He set all three of them down in front of me with a little smile. "Figured you'd be more comfortable out here."

  "Thanks, Herb. You're the best."

  "Hear that Marge? Ha! In your face."

  I returned his small smile.

  "You okay, Dot?"

  "Better now," I said and sipped my coffee, determined not to think about Chief.

  "Kay. If you need to talk…"

  I nodded. "Thanks. This is for you." I handed over the check. He didn't even look at it.

  "Everything is in there. Title, too. I'll grab the keys out of the safe."

  "Thanks."

  "Know what you want to eat?"

  "Know what? Surprise me, Herb. I'll have the special."

  "We don't have a special."

  "That's why I said surprise me."

  He chuckled and waddled back to the kitchen. Marge swung by and dropped off my usual coke, too. I sat there sipping my coffee while I signed the paperwork and looked through the file. I was almost disappointed Herb didn't let me use his office. I would have been free to use my magic to speed the process along. I'd been reduced to using my hand like some sort of barbarian. I took my time, lazily making the loops in my name as I signed.

  The chime over the door went off and I didn't look over. I knew who it was. I could almost feel him slither through the open door. That, and I smelled his aftershave. I knew I was still pissed at him when it didn't induce happy feelings. Instead, the smell kind of made me nauseous.

  "Lady," he said softly as he walked past and headed toward the counter, sitting on one of the stools. Marge shot him an unusual look an
d then turned her gaze to me. I pretended not to notice.

  "What you do now?" She asked him loudly enough that the entire restaurant heard her, putting her fist on her hip.

  I watched for his reaction. He shook his head at her and picked up a menu.

  "Now I know you screwed up. You haven't looked at a menu in ten years." She grabbed a rag and moved away to clean a vacated table.

  I went back to signing but saw him cast a nervous glance over his shoulder in my direction. It was almost fun watching him squirm.

  Marge moved on to another table and another, finally cleaning the booth next to mine. "Food should be right out, darlin'. Need a refill on the coffee?"

  "No, maybe after lunch."

  "What did he do?" She whispered the question, but I'm pretty sure everybody could still hear her. A couple of tables' giggles told me I was right.

  "I don't know who you're talking about." I never looked up from the inspection sheet I was signing off on.

  "Oooh. Musta been bad." She shuffled off and I couldn't help but laugh when she slapped him in the back of the head with the dirty rag.

  He rubbed the back of his head and wiped it on his pants, finally turning around on his stool and giving me a pleading look. I reached down, picked up my coffee and took a sip, staring into his eyes the whole time. I set the mug back down and turned my attention back on the paperwork.

  I finally finished, almost sad I didn't have the distraction anymore. It would make ignoring people that much more difficult. Luckily, Marge delivered my food. I gave myself a mental fist bump.

  "That looks delicious. What is it?" She turned the plate as she stared at it.

  I'm guessing if Marge didn't know, it wasn't on the menu. "I don't know. I told your husband to surprise me."

  "Oh, goodness. I'll go get you the Pepto from the back. Keep some in my locker."

  I laughed as she wandered off. Hopefully not returning with a pink bottle. Whatever Herb had made me, it was deep fried. I broke it in half and gasped a little. "No way."

  I carefully bit into the corner. It exploded on my tongue and I could taste each individual flavor as I chewed, but they blended together perfectly. It was like lunch and dessert in one meal. Herb, that culinary diner genius, put peanut butter on one slice of bread, hazelnut spread on another, and then squished banana between them, dipped the whole fucking thing in batter, fried it, and covered it in powdered sugar…