Darlings of Paranormal Romance (Anthology)

by Chrissy Peebles

  “Hey, any chance Dominos delivers around here?” Frank asked.

  “Right. In thirty decades or less,” Beth said, rolling her eyes yet again. “Besides, between yours and Steven’s stupid jokes, I think we’ve already got plenty of extra cheese.”

  * * *

  The fire crackled as hot embers floated into the night air as they camped in the cave Jules had clued them in on. Frank, Adam, and Steven had already fallen asleep.

  Sarah smiled at Beth. “Looks like it’s just us gals.”

  “Great,” she said. “Maybe you can fill me in on how you managed to tie the knot with that gorgeous king…or even better, what’s up with you and Frank?”

  Sarah hesitated. “I guess I can say it’s complicated on both counts.”

  Beth grinned and sat down next to her. “I like complicated…and I’ve got all night. We don’t need our beauty sleep as much as those three do,” she said, glancing back at the snoring men.

  Sarah laughed. “You have a point.” She glanced down at the ring. “I married the guy because I had no other choice,” she began, then went on to explain the entire story. It sounded insane, even to her, and she was the one who’d lived through it.

  Beth squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry. We’ll find your sister. I’m so glad you found out she’s here in this place because the ‘not knowing part’ was killing you inside.”

  Sarah nodded as tears welled up in her eyes.

  “I know she’s a beautiful person. I can’t wait to meet her.”

  “That means so much to me, Beth.”

  “Let’s talk about the king. So he’s hot and a great kisser?” Beth asked.

  Sarah’s heart fluttered. “Yes, the best kisser I’ve ever had.”

  “Hmm. In that case, why would you feel so guilty about being drawn to him? I’d die to have a powerful king chasing after me.”

  “For one, I’m pretty sure the only part of me he wants is my head on a silver platter. In my vision, it seemed like that wasn’t the case, but I don’t trust him. He could be trying to trick me so he can drag me back to his castle for a public execution—to make an example of me since I made a fool of him.”

  Beth shook her head. “After the kiss you shared? Girlfriend, I don’t think so. I think that’s what you’re telling yourself, but you’re just running from what you feel. You’ve been hurt by men your entire life, so you put this shield up to protect yourself from any more pain. But somehow, I think Victor has gotten past it. Something tells me you’ve fallen for him…hard.”

  But I haven’t…have I? Sarah set her jaw, her eyes shifting to the flickering fire bathing half of the cave in a soft glow. “Whatever. Nobody can fall in love that quick, especially with a complete stranger who starts off by kidnapping you and throwing you in a dungeon.”

  “You started off on the wrong foot. But he was in the middle of a war and thought you were the enemy king’s daughter. He knows the truth now and things are different.” She grinned widely. “You got it bad for him. Your eyes are a dead giveaway. You light up every time you say his name.”

  “You should have heard the pride in his voice when he introduced me as his wife to everyone as he paraded me through the crowd of people. I had on this fancy wedding gown and this gorgeous crown, and he looked so handsome. I felt like Cinderella, like I was in the middle of some fairytale, some dream.”

  “See?”

  “But that’s just it. None of it was real.”

  “How so? You were there. He was there. It was as real as this cave is—as real as that ring on your finger, Sarah.”

  “What I mean is that everything was based on a lie. He’d never marry a peasant like me. He’s next in line to rule the Cardashian Court. And it won’t be long now, because their Immortal king is dying. Anyway, once he takes the title, it’ll make him the most powerful person in this world. What would somebody like that want with somebody like me?”

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself. He knows the truth—that you’re not really the princess—yet he still wants you.”

  “The thing is, I can’t stop thinking about him.” Sarah smirked. “Especially that kiss.”

  “How does Frank fit into this equation?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know. Frank and I were kind of getting back together, but—”

  “But your tall, dark, handsome King Kiss-a-lot is coming between the two of you?”

  “Nobody has ever made me feel the way Victor did, and I hardly know him. I know it sounds absolutely crazy. I don’t even understand it myself. We have this spark, this connection, this passion, and this chemistry that blows me away. It’s amazing…yet it scares me. Frank was the last straw, and it was because of him that I’d sworn off men. I just can’t win in the game of love. I guess it’s fine for everyone else, but romance is not for me, fairytale or not.”

  “It’s not just your eyes.”

  “What?” Sarah asked.

  “When you talk about your new husband, it’s not just your eyes that light up, but your entire face and even your voice.”

  Sarah giggled and gazed down at the ring, touching it, remembering how he’d slid it on and declared his undying devotion. “Really? Even if he was telling the truth and doesn’t want to kill me, I can’t spend my life here in this world. It’s not where I belong.”

  “Follow your heart, Sarah. That’s the only way to know where you really belong.”

  “You do realize they only say stuff like that in movies.”

  Beth smirked. “Meh. It can happen in real life too.”

  “I hope he’s not mad at me for knocking him out, but I can feel that he’s all right now.” Sarah lowered her gaze to her ring again. The soft light bounced from the red gemstone, shimmering unnaturally bright. “I just need to find a way to get this ring off, find my sister, and go home. But enough about me. How’re you feeling?”

  Beth rubbed her stomach. “I’m four months along. They tell me I’m having a bouncing baby boy. I guess he did a lot of bouncing when we jumped off that cliff today. I’m pretty sure that would have been against doctor’s orders.”

  “I didn’t realize you were even dating anyone. Who’s the lucky guy?”

  “Um, I am not really dating—nothing serious anyway. I met this hot guy in a bar, and we downed a couple of pitchers together, drowning our loneliness away I guess. One thing led to another, and…well, bingo, I’m knocked up.”

  “Does he know?”

  Beth shook her head. “Nope, and I prefer to keep it that way. I don’t need his help or his money. Besides, he’s too hung up on some other chick now. Plus, he’d never understand my research.”

  “Kind of like Frank?”

  “Definitely…and unfortunately.” Beth laughed, brushing a stray strand of hair out of her face.

  Sarah hesitated, considering her words. She didn’t want to make promises she couldn’t keep, but she wanted to help Beth feel better. The baby’s wellbeing depended on it. “Well, you know I’m always here for you, and I never got a chance to officially congratulate you.” Sarah reached over and hugged her.

  “Thank you,” Beth said between sniffles.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I can’t…Sarah, I just can’t have this baby here.” Beth hugged her more tightly. “What if we don’t get back home in time?”

  “You’re only four months along, Beth. That gives you five months! We’ll be back home way before that baby’s born, and I’m going to spoil him rotten.”

  “I’m not usually such a wimp or a crybaby. I’m sure it’s just the hormones,” Beth said. “I’m sorry.”

  “You’ve got nothing to apologize for.”

  Tears streamed down Beth’s face. “If we do get stuck here, what about my epidural?”

  “Honey, women have been having babies naturally for generations. You will deliver your son one way or another, and you’ll both be fine.”

  Beth smirked. “Yeah, I get that, but I’m not like other women. I’m not a fan of pain. They
have to knock me out just to pull a tooth, and that’s a lot different than yanking an eight-pound baby out of me!”

  “We’re going to get you back home, and you’re going to be a fantastic mom.”

  Beth hugged her Sarah tightly, burying her face in her hair. “You’re such a wonderful friend. I really don’t deserve you.”

  Sarah smiled and rubbed a hand over Beth’s back, soothing her. She wasn’t sure about the wonderful friend part. If they didn’t get back home, Beth’s child might just be born in the Middle Ages, and Beth would be in danger of losing her life in childbirth like so many mothers of that era did. Sarah had already suffered the loss of her sister; losing a friend was not an option.

  Chapter 15

  The iron gate, faded and rusted in patches from years of rain and snow, creaked as Sarah opened it and walked through. The moon hung high above the horizon, casting a silver hue over the trees on either side of the road. At that time of day, the village seemed deserted, devoid of life, reminding Sarah of a ghost town minus the eerie wind and hundreds of eyes peering from behind closed curtains. Her feet thudded across the bare ground as she led the way to the first tiny house with whitewashed walls and flowerpots on the windowsills. Stopping, she spun in a slow circle. How are we going to find anything out if the entire town is asleep? “Are you sure this is Ripteenia?”

  Frank nodded. “Yep, the one and only. Maybe we should split up—you know, start asking some questions.”

  “Sure.” Sarah shot him an amused look. “I’m sure they’ll be happy to accommodate us, particularly if we show up knocking so early in the morning, in a world where robbing and burning down villages is as common as baking bread.”

  “Do you have a better idea?”

  She shrugged. “Let’s look around and see what we can find out on our own before we wake up the entire town. Some people can be real nasty if they don’t get their beauty sleep.”

  “Sounds reasonable.” Beth pulled Frank’s hand. “C’mon.”

  Frank’s gaze lingered on Sarah and she motioned with a laugh. “Go on. You guys go that way, and me and the guys will go the other.”

  “I can protect her just as well as you can,” Adam said to Frank’s arched eyebrow.

  Men—always trying to out-macho each other, Sarah thought with a sigh. “Actually, guys, I think I’m well capable of protecting myself. Technically, you can’t even take a bullet for me.”

  Frank glanced over his shoulder and winked. “Hmm. I wonder if I could get the jump on inventing bulletproof vests—or bullets, for that matter. Any idea where Ye Olde Patent Office is around here?”

  Beth sighed and took charge, leading Frank away. “C’mon, Frank.”

  Adam smiled. “I told her to do it. Come to think of it, I actually begged.”

  “What for?”

  Adam shrugged. “Just needed a break from your lover boy, I guess.”

  She could only hope Beth wasn’t embarrassing her. Frank was not necessarily her idea of Prince Charming, but he wasn’t such a bad choice. He was surely better than an Immortal sociopath who was trying to marry her one minute and telepathically kidnap her in the next. She slapped Adam’s arm, returning her focus back to the conversation at hand. “You’re so bad. And for the record, he’s not my lover boy. I have no idea why everyone in this place seems to think that.”

  “Hmm. I wonder what gave them that impression.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Let’s go.”

  Frank and Beth had disappeared to her right, where the wide street seemed deserted now. The houses to the left looked barely bigger than cottages that wouldn’t withstand a strong autumn wind. She sighed and took that direction, the others following right behind.

  Steven resumed the conversation first. “Where are we going?”

  Sarah pointed to what looked like a large open space, peering through the houses. “The middle of the town. It’s too early in the morning to do much other than wait.”

  “I thought people got up with the sun to milk cows,” Steven said.

  “This world’s amazing—dangerous, but amazing nonetheless.” Adam quickened his pace, passing her.

  She grabbed his arm and pulled him back. “Wait up! It isn’t safe to just venture off on your own.”

  He seemed to barely hear her. “We gotta take proof back with us. Somebody can always say the film is fake, but if we have something concrete, some tangible proof, I could be the first scientist to prove other dimensions exist. We could prove this is where Bigfoot comes from.”

  Steven patted his bag. “But I’ve got the footage, man! I even got the Immortal dude on tape.”

  “That’s admirable, man, but you know someone will say it’s like all that fake footage on YouTube.” Adam motioned around him. “Boy, I never thought a Bigfoot expedition would turn into all of this, that’s for sure. We just need proof—tangible proof.”

  “Interesting conversation, guys, but in order to be actually able to tell the world about it, you’ll have to get out of here first,” Sarah said. From the corner of her eye, she noticed something flickering in one of the windows. Who would be awake at this ungodly hour? Regardless of who it was, she was glad someone was up, because she was tired and hungry, and the cold night wind had sent shivers through her. In all the excitement, the others didn’t seem to care about such trivial things as keeping warm and eating, but she knew they’d thank her for it later. She took a tentative step toward the house.

  Suddenly, the door opened, and a woman clad in an off-white dress peered out. A wimple like that of a nun hid her features, and a fur shawl was draped across her shoulders, going halfway down her legs. “Elizabeth?” The woman’s voice came low and hoarse, as if she was still half-asleep. “Is that you, dear?”

  Sarah stopped, frozen to the spot.

  The woman inched closer and gripped Sarah’s arm. “It can’t be! Elizabeth?”

  With her heart pounding hard, Sarah shook her head. “No. Elizabeth is my sister.”

  “Your sister?”

  “Yes. Do you know her?”

  The woman’s eyes glinted as she turned Sarah to inspect her from all sides. “She came from so far away. How’s it even possible that you’re here?”

  “I found a way into this world just like she did—sort of by accident.” She took a step back, hiding her hand from view so the woman wouldn’t notice the incriminating ring. Everyone seemed to fear her or hate her for it, and there was no need to push her luck. “I heard that Elizabeth met a man named Charles, a man from this town.”

  “Charles?” The woman looked away into the early dawn.

  “Yes, that’s what we heard,” said Adam.

  “Charles wasn’t born here. He spent a year helping us rebuild after the flood. He met Elizabeth a few towns over.” She looked around and lowered her voice to a whisper, as if she was about to share some juicy gossip. “But they had to keep their relationship a secret, you know.”

  Steven inched closer, his camera and aspirations of fame forgotten. “Why? Was he a rich noble or something?”

  “An Immortal, and as I’m sure you know, it’s forbidden for an Immortal to court a mere human.”

  Sarah gasped. “What? Did you say he’s an Immortal?”

  “Yes. Elizabeth grew quite fond of King William’s son.”

  Sarah’s jaw dropped. Liz fell for the son of evil King William, the guy who’s trying to have me killed? And furthermore, how can Charles be such a saint, helping these peasants after a disaster nearly destroyed their city, if his father is such a monster? Her sister was so close, she could feel it. Her eyes widened, her heart pounding even harder. “My sister’s in the castle then?”

  The woman looked away, tears welling up in her eyes. “Dear, your sister married him and slipped on the Ring of Immortality. The other Immortals found out and…” She looked down for a moment before she could finish. “Oh, I hate to have to tell you this, but—”

  “What?” Sarah demanded.

  “They executed her…and
Charles too. The funeral was last year.”

  Wait…Liz is gone? Murdered? For the same mistake I made? Horror washed over her as she fell to her knees. All her pent-up emotions came flowing out like a tidal wave.

  The woman dropped to her knees and patted her back. “I’m so, so sorry. It was a shock for all of us. I can take you to her gravestone in the cemetery if you would like. Perhaps it will give you some comfort and allow you to put it behind you, as we have all had to do. Oh, how awful it was.”

  Sarah spoke between sobs. “Please. I need to see it for myself.”

  “We put the headstone up to remember her. She was actually buried with Charles at the castle.” The woman looped her arm around Sarah’s, and they walked in silence to the other side of town with Adam and Steven in tow, shock written all over their faces. After they passed rows and rows of crude headstones, she pointed at a marble one.

  “I need a few minutes alone, if you don’t mind,” said Sarah, her voice quivering.

  “I understand, dear,” said the woman, and she turned and left.

  Adam touched Sarah’s shoulder. “We’ll be waiting outside the gate. Take your time.”

  Sarah knelt, and her trembling fingers slowly traced the letters: E-L-I-Z-A-B-E-T-H L-A-R-K-E-R. “Oh, Liz. I’ve spent the last ten years looking for answers, looking for you…and I guess now I have them.” Tears rolled down her face as she spoke softly, “I know life here is tough, but you adjusted because you were always strong, just like Mom. You even…you even met someone to fall in love with. I am so glad to know you were happy in this place, if only for a little while. Charles must be a wonderful man who truly loved you.” She wiped her eyes and then continued. “It looks like I’ve gotten into the same terrible situation, only I don’t know the one who slipped the ring on my finger. He’s my husband, yet he’s a stranger. I’ve known him less than a few days.

  Oh, Liz, the Immortals are hot on my trail now, and if they didn’t spare you, surely I stand no chance against them. Déjà vu, I guess. Isn’t it funny how fate works?” She wiped a tear rolling down her cheek as she peered around at rows after rows of dry earth and bare crosses. Every few spaces, a gravestone jutted out of the ground, providing a change in the dismal display of poverty. “You weren’t just my sister, Liz.” She stopped and pulled her nose, her voice failing her. “You were my best friend. I’ll never forget the beautiful memories we shared. They might have taken your life, but you’re alive in my heart, and that’s one thing they can never take away, no matter what they do to me.”