“Faye, stop. Something is clearly bothering you. Talk to me?”
“I...”
He waited patiently, knowing that she needed that from him.
“I saw someone else that made me feel like you do,” she said, the words so soft that he almost thought that they were a mistake. Or certainly not what she’d intended to say. It took him a few moments to actually process what she was saying, and he mulled the words over in his head a few times. Surprisingly, they didn’t seem to be causing quite the reaction he thought they should. Instead of hating the words, he found them oddly comforting. Weird, but he’d deal with that revelation later.
“Okay, want to tell me about him?” he asked instead. Faye looked up, her eyes startled. Probably for the same reason he was surprised.
“Her,” she said eventually. Reese arched an eyebrow. That just raised a whole new set of questions. “How should I know?” She flung her hands in the air before she collapsed onto their sofa, burying her head in her hands. He moved over to her instantly, and before he thought about it, he slipped an arm around her and pulled her close, taking in the scent of her shampoo as her head rested on his shoulder. The pain was almost instant, but he did his best to push it away. He hadn’t told Faye, but he’d actually been practicing withstanding pain just so he could touch her. It was stupid really, mostly because it wouldn’t help combat what she felt too, but he’d do anything so they could have a normal relationship.
Faye moved closer, clutching his shirt with her hand and taking in a long breath. Reese did the same, loving her closeness even if it hurt. But he said nothing. He didn’t want to break the spell they were seemingly under. She sniffed, and he could tell tears were about to fall. Hesitantly, he stroked his hand through her hair, enjoying the silkiness of the strands through the pain.
It was worth it, no matter how much it hurt. Every stab of pain was worth it, just to touch her.
Eventually, it became a little too much, and he pulled his hand away.
“No, don’t stop.”
“Faye, I have to.” His voice cracked as he spoke, the prolonged pain that was still assailing him where they touched, almost too much.
“Oh.” She looked up briefly, before looking away again, probably to try not let him see the hurt that was in her eyes. “Oh,” she said louder, pulling back. This time he could see her eyes a lot clearer, and couldn’t miss the widened stare.
“Missing something?”
“It didn’t hurt,” she said, reverently.
“No.” He couldn’t stop the smile that spread across his face. She’d clearly been too wrapped up in their closeness to actually notice straight away.
“But it hurt you?” She frowned, and his heart swelled. There was something about the look she was giving him that just filled him with a happy content feeling.
“Yes, it still hurt me,” he replied. It was confusing, but anything was progress in his mind, especially if it meant he and Faye could finally progress in their relationship. Maybe he could even ask her to marry him. Then again, after the disaster that’d been Bex’s wedding, maybe not.
“Why?” Her eyes widened, and he longed to remove the hurt from them, maybe soon.
“I don’t know,” he answered, half-truthful. He had a good idea what the change was, but he didn’t want to voice it until he was sure. Only problem was that he had no idea how to find out if he was right or not. In theory, all he’d have to do is find the woman Faye was talking about. Except, he had no idea where they’d met, what her name was, or anything else. He daren’t ask Faye either, he didn’t want to get her hopes up.
“Oh.” She pushed herself up from the sofa, and he already felt bereft at the loss of closeness. Even if they couldn’t touch, he always felt more complete when she was near him. “Dinner?” she asked, breaking through his thoughts. He nodded once, and got up to help.
Chapter Four
“Faye, are you listening?”
“Huh?” she asked her older sister. Well, her middle sister. Mia was between her and Bex in age.
“Obviously not. I’d ask if you were in love, but...”
“We all know Reese is it for me,” she replied without thinking. Except now, she wasn’t so sure. Images of the toned redhead from the day before assailed Faye’s mind. Yes, she definitely wasn’t so sure anymore. She shouldn’t be feeling like that about anyone other than Reese, should she? She’d known they were meant to be mates since they were children, and her magic had sparked when they’d touched for the first time. Oh the blissful innocence of youth, when they could touch without the pain. It’d all stopped when they’d turned eighteen, though the arrival of Faye’s familiar, in the shape of a raven, had stopped her from doubting that they were meant to be together. It all just added up towards one thing, he was hers.
“We do, yes. Now, I was trying to suggest you used this potion...”
“It won’t work,” Faye interrupted. She was grateful to Mia for trying, but there were some things she knew deep down were true. And one of them was that no amount of potions or spells was going to sort the problem she had. Magic would, but it wasn’t the kind of magic that could be cast or brewed. It was a more fundamental magic that would be the answer. One that was entwined with the very nature of the universe itself.
The redhead crossed through Faye’s mind again, and she shook her head to get rid of the image. How could she be thinking of another woman like that? She had Reese, and he was all she needed. Even if he couldn’t give her some things.
“Will you at least try?” Mia asked, her eyes begging Faye, who sighed.
“Fine,” she gave in, knowing it would likely be easier to do so than to listen to her sister berate her for the rest of the afternoon. She wasn’t even sure why Mia had the afternoon off work. She really shouldn’t. She wasn’t like Faye, whose job as a makeup artist had weird hours. Instead, Mia worked in a lab, mixing things. That was where her sister’s talents lay, in potions and other mixes. Faye’s powers were far more subtle. More in line with the finer arts. She could use her magic to create stunning makeup, even some cake decorations. But what she wouldn’t admit to anyone, was that she failed every time she tried to do any bigger magic.
When she’d been little, her eldest sister, Bex, had often done the spells underhandedly, then passed them off as Faye’s work. She’d gotten lucky in the sister department. She glanced at Mia, who was scooping up potion from her cauldron and putting it into a small vial. The potion shined a light pink, and sparkled in the light. Yes, Faye was very lucky in the sister department, she didn’t know how she could ever repay all the other two did for her.
“Here you go,” Mia said, handing her the vial.
“Thanks,” she muttered, slipping it into her pocket. “I still don’t think it’ll work.”
“I know,” Mia replied instantly, “but it’s at least worth a try, Faye. Anything is better than seeing you in as much pain as you’re in now.”
“I’m not in pain,” she insisted, the returning look on Mia’s face showing how little her sister believed her.
“Not physical pain maybe.” Mia sighed. “Have you tried the necklace recently?” she changed tack.
“No. You know I...”
“Here.”
Before Faye could protest further, a long jewellery box was thrust into her hand. She should’ve known Mia had this planned. She put a lot of stock in the necklaces their Grandmother had left them. In fact, Mia was wearing hers already, the stone nestled against her chest. She’d never admit it, but seeing the stone always made Faye a little jealous. She’d known her mate the longest, much longer than Mia had known Felix, and yet her own box was lying stubbornly unopened.
“Just try,” Mia said.
“Fine, but only because it’s you.” And because it was easier to give into her, than it was to fight it. Slowly, and knowing what the outcome would be, Faye pressed the catch. She drew in a sharp breath and almost dropped it when the box opened for her, revealing a necklace just like Mia�
�s, but with a slightly pinkish glow to the stone. “But...”
“Has something changed recently?” Mia asked, perceptive as always. Well, apart from the time she managed to accidentally get herself love potioned without realising it. If Faye wasn’t so distracted right now, then she’d definitely be ribbing her sister over that.
“No, I...well yes.”
“Which is it?” Mia smirked. Damn sisters. Always thinking they knew better.
“Yes. Something changed. Reese touched me last night, and it didn’t hurt.”
“That’s great news!” Mia was practically bouncing up and down, making Faye smile. Her sister’s happiness was a little infectious.
“Yes, and no.”
“Now you’re just being confusing. Do I need to set Bex on you?”
Faye let out an involuntary laugh. They both knew Bex wouldn’t do anything. She couldn’t deny her youngest sister’s wishes. It seemed to go against her as a person. But also, she knew Mia wouldn’t disturb her, not now they knew about Fiona. Mother and daughter were having some much needed, and deserved, time alone together.
“It still hurt Reese.”
“But not you?” Mia frowned. Faye didn’t blame her, it was confusing for her too, and it was the life she was actually living.
“Yes. Him but not me. It doesn’t make any sense.” She glanced away, hoping the other woman wouldn’t see what she was hiding in her eyes.
“It’s like Josh and Eira, isn’t it?” Mia asked, referring to their friends. The two of them hadn’t been able to touch until Eira had met her other two mates. But it was different. Or at least, Faye thought it was. It hadn’t hurt either of them to actually touch, it had just been something Josh hadn’t really wanted. He’d tried to explain it, but really, it was just a little confusing as far as Faye was concerned.
“Yes, no, I’m not sure. Is anyone like them?”
“Probably not,” Mia admitted.
“So what’s changed?”
Indecision warred within her as she considered whether to actually tell her or not. On the one hand, Mia might be able to help her work it out. There was no doubt her middle sister was smart after all. On the other, she didn’t really want to admit the possibility of there being someone else.
“Spill, Faye. Now.”
“I think I met someone else.”
“Oh.”
“Yes, oh.” Faye looked away, before beginning to pace, particularly on edge by the situation. She really didn’t know what was going on.
“How do you feel about that?”
“I don’t know,” Faye admitted. “It was odd.”
“Did it feel right, though?”
“I suppose so.”
“The necklace says so,” Mia pointed out.
“I know, but...”
“But, what? Are you seriously trying to avoid what feels right? You should know better than that, especially after my situation with Skyler.”
“Mmm.” Faye wasn’t quite sure what to say to that one. “Have you heard anything more about him?” she asked instead, thinking about the man who’d managed to dupe her sister. And by dupe, she meant kidnap.
“No.” Mia sighed. “Absolutely nothing. Robert’s a mess, but that’s to be expected. Weirdly, I think he actually cares for Bex, just not in the way we thought.”
“He’d better do,” Faye almost growled. Thinking about the human man who was technically married to their eldest sister always did that to her. It didn’t even matter that Robert and Bex’s marriage was in name only, and always had been. He set Faye all kinds of on edge.
“He does, I think. He wants to protect her and Fiona.”
“Not enough to stop Fi getting...”
“I know, Faye, I know.” A shadow crossed the dark haired woman’s face as she thought back over all that had occurred. Faye knew Mia hadn’t been imprisoned for long. Maybe an hour or so, but the things she’d seen had scarred her. Not that she’d talked about it. A part of Faye was dying to know, and wanted to ask about it. The other part of her knew that Mia would talk in her own time, and only when she was ready.
“But, no. Nothing about Skyler. Or whatever weird association he belonged to.” She shivered.
“You don’t think the witch hunters are back do you?” Faye asked, thinking back to Reagan’s weird prophecy. Or vision, or whatever it was called. None of Faye’s family were blessed with the sight. In fact, there was only Reagan she knew who had it at all. But their friend seemed to know things. Things that didn’t bode well for the witches they knew.
“I don’t think they ever really went away,” Mia replied, busying herself with some papers that’d been left on one of the sides.
“What makes you say that?” She was curious. But also grateful for the change in subject. She hated talking about what was going on with her and Reese, and even more so now she had the redhead on her mind. Talking about something else, even if that was serious and potentially deadly.
“No one is that set up without centuries of funding and infrastructure.” Another haunted look crossed Mia’s eyes, and it was on the tip of Faye’s tongue to ask more.
“I’m back,” Felix’s voice rang out through the hall. Mia let out an excited scream.
“That’s my cue to go,” Faye muttered.
“Why don’t you like him?” Mia demanded, already getting defensive over her mate. Though she’d hate knowing that was how Faye referred to him. Mate was definitely a shifter word. Well, and a vampire one. Mia and Felix were neither. But Faye’s mate was a shifter, so the term had kind of stuck in her mind.
“I don’t have a problem with him,” she insisted. Mostly because it was the truth. Felix was fine. In fact, Felix was lovely. He’d never been anything but kind to Faye, and the lengths he’d gone to just days after meeting Mia, had solidified her opinion of him. But watching the two of them together was painful. The lingering touches and soft looks were so at odds with her own relationship of avoiding touches and pained glances.
“Oh,” Mia responded, understanding dawning over her face. “I get it. Go, now.” She leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to Faye’s cheek.
“I’ll see you on Saturday?” she asked, receiving a nod in return.
“Every single week.”
Faye joined in Mia’s light laughter. She had a point. Their parents were nothing if not creatures of habit. They had a lunch every Saturday, and expected their daughters, and their pluses, to always attend. Faye had enjoyed the lunches when it had just been the six of them, and she still did a little now. But Mia and Felix, and Bex and Fiona, made it a little more difficult for her to relax. Particularly when Reese sat beside her so stiffly as he resisted the urge to brush his hand against hers.
“See you then!” Mia called as Faye left the room, completely preoccupied by the idea of her redhead, and what that meant for her and Reese.
Chapter Five
Penny stared at the phone. She wasn’t sure whether she should be doing this, but curiosity was, without a doubt, going to get the better of her. She wanted to know more about the blonde. And wanted to know more about the person she seemed to be with.
She sucked in a deep breath, and pushed her long red hair behind her ear. Without thinking anymore about it, she pressed the call button. She chewed on her lip as she listened to the dial tone, half wanting the other person, who’d been listed in the phone as Reese, not to pick up. It would certainly avoid some of the awkward conversation they might have to have.
“Faye? Is everything okay?” The man’s voice sent a thrill through Penny, one she hadn’t experienced in years. One that she’d never really experienced with men.
“Hi, is this Reese?” she asked, surprised by how easily his name slipped from her lips.
“Yes? Who is this? Why do you have Faye’s phone?” His voice hardened.
“She left it with me yesterday,” Penny answered, her voice shaking a little with nerves. Oh damn, that wasn’t good. She never really got nervous, but talking to this man h
ad her almost shaking.
“And you are...”
“Penny. Well, Penelope, but everyone calls me Penny,” she blurted out, before cursing to herself. What the hell was wrong with her? She wasn’t normally a mess like this. Then again, she normally wasn’t interested enough in people for this. They were all great to look at and all, particularly if they were topless with hot streams of water flowing down their chests, but the rest of them? They didn’t really get Penny’s motor running. Yet this man, Reese, was. Just by talking to her as well. And he wasn’t even saying anything that should be eliciting any kind of response in her, never mind the slight tightening in her chest as he spoke.
“Penny,” he repeated, as if just trying out how her name sounded.
“Yes, Penny.” She gulped loudly, then hoped he hadn’t heard. That would be embarrassing and a half.
“And you met Faye yesterday?” He seemed hesitant this time, as if something in his question mattered a great deal to him. And maybe even to Faye. Maybe the blonde woman had talked about Penny when she’d seen him later. The thought filled her with an odd sense of satisfaction, until she realised she was still on the phone, and couldn’t be thinking about things like that. She shouldn’t be thinking about them anyway. Neither Faye, nor Reese, were hers to fantasise about. And even if they were, she couldn’t. That would mean them finding out what she was, and the scorn that would, without a doubt, follow.
“Yes,” she answered, hoping none of her insecurities showed.
“Hmm.”
Penny waited for him to continue. There was little else she could do. She didn’t know him well enough to respond to just a sound. Maybe in a little while...no. She couldn’t think like that. He already belonged to Faye, not to her.
“Would you like to come for dinner tonight?” Reese asked after a pause.
“What?” She responded far more sharply than she intended, but his question had taken her well and truly off guard. Dinner? That was almost date sounding.
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