Sins of Long Ago

by Naomi Bellina

  “What the hell are you doing here?” he said as she walked inside.

  If looks could kill, he’d keel over onto the kitchen floor. He hadn’t meant to bark at her, but the frustration of the day came flying out.

  “I came to visit you on your hunting trip. What is going on? Is that guy dead?”

  “He’s fine. Knocked out. I’m not on a hunting trip. I’m working.”

  “No shit. If Roland had told me that instead of lying to me, I wouldn’t have come.”

  “Why would you drive all this way to see me anyhow?”

  Gen walked further into the kitchen, finally meeting his gaze. “I didn’t want to leave things the way they were between us. I figured maybe we could have quiet time together, to talk. Not going to happen, clearly. Tell me what’s going on here.”

  “Later. We’ve got to go.”

  “Was that a werewolf who attacked me?”

  “I said we’ll talk later.” Vincent took a final look around, making sure he hadn’t missed anything.

  “The hell we will. I came all this way to see you…”

  “No one asked you to.”

  He tried to keep calm, but damn it, Gen could have been hurt badly or killed. Because of him. Every fiber in his body screamed to grab her and run.

  She stood with her hands on her hips, and…shit…another one of those looks.

  “Supposedly, we’re attempting to start a relationship. I keep trying to get involved in your life. How am I going to, if you continually push me away?”

  “You don’t need to know about this part. It’s too dangerous. I don’t want you involved.”

  “I assume some risk comes with being around you. I’m not such a delicate flower. How about letting me make my own decisions about what’s too dangerous? Tell me, who or what was that person who attacked me?”

  Vincent sighed. “It’s a man who volunteered for an experiment. He’s tied up in the basement.”

  “Well, let’s untie him.”

  “He’s here voluntarily and doesn’t want to leave.”

  “I want to see him.”

  “Gen, we’ve got to go.”

  “I want to see him.”

  It would be quicker to show her than argue. “You see him, we leave. No more questions till we’re on the road.”

  They approached the sleeping man. A quick check revealed Mark was still unconscious but waking slowly. The other weapon Vincent used on him was experimental, designed to knock out a human for twenty minutes or so. Must be working longer on Mark. Red scrapes covered his ankle where he’d pulled the shackle, but he did not appear to have any serious injuries and he breathed normally. The cable tie would hold him if he woke and tried to get loose.

  This sucked. Mark had made it clear he didn’t want to leave, but to see him tied up like this…Kern’s experiment appeared to still be in progress, so the test subject would be kept alive. For a while. Gen approached the bed, closer, and caught her breath. Mark was in almost the same stage he’d been earlier when Vincent first saw him. Mostly man, part animal.

  “Who is he?” she asked.

  “His name is Mark. He’s a willing participant in an experiment involving werewolves.”

  “Why did he come after me?”

  “It might have been your scent; maybe protecting his territory, I don’t know.”

  “He’s letting someone do this to him?”

  “That’s what he told me. He’s being paid well and needs the money.”

  “We can’t just leave this poor guy here.”

  Vincent put his hand on her arm. “We have to. Ethan Kern will be back soon, or he could be sending someone else here now. I don’t know what they’re giving Mark and don’t know how he’ll react if he’s suddenly cut off.”

  Gen shivered as the wind blew through the broken window. “Can you board that up? Poor guy is going to freeze down here.”

  A quick look around the basement turned up a piece of drywall. Vincent wedged it into the window well with two cement blocks. It wouldn’t keep Mark in, but it would keep the cold air out. Kern would to have to come up with something stronger than bars if his captive determined to escape again.

  For a moment, Vincent debated taking Mark with them, willing or not. Bad idea. He’d told Gen the truth—he had no idea what Kern was using on him. Cutting him off from the drugs could have dire effects. The best thing for him to do, to take a look at the files he’d copied and figure out what these fuckers were up to.

  After making one more sweep through the house to make sure he’d covered his tracks and checking on the sleeping guard again, Vincent locked up the house. Gen promised to follow him to the car rental place, and they took off.

  * * * *

  Inside Vincent’s Jeep, Gen finally let out a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding. Vincent started the vehicle and didn’t say a word for a full five minutes. Okay, pissed not furious. His mouth was set in a thin line, and he stared straight ahead at the road. She should apologize. Coming here had been kind of a stupid move, to be totally honest. But damn it, he owed her an apology too, for his asinine behavior. First.

  “Why did you feel the need to come after me?” he finally asked, not looking in her direction.

  Gen bit back the smart-aleck comment that sprang to mind and decided to try an honest answer instead. Not going to tell him about her job offer just yet, but he needed to know how she felt.

  “I was worried about you. I assumed I scared you with all my relationship talk. I didn’t want to leave things all weird between us, especially not on a holiday. And I thought maybe we could spend a night together somewhere, uninterrupted.”

  Also not going to mention the part about sensing danger. No need to really freak him out, make him think she could pick up what was happening with him long distance. Psychic skill wasn’t an ability she’d ever had and hopefully never would.

  “If I’d known you were working I wouldn’t have come. I’m sorry.”

  Well, hell. That slipped out. She was sorry, though, and actually embarrassed and feeling pretty stupid when she thought about what she’d done.

  Vincent said nothing. Fine. If he wanted to be all pissy, his problem. She crossed her arms over her chest and prepared for a long, silent ride.

  “Why do you look so different?” he finally asked.

  “Magic.”

  He turned his head to her slightly, and she smiled. “Do you like it?”

  “It’s different. I like how you look normally better.”

  Hmmm. Gen slipped out of her coat. A trace of heat infused his words, and she breathed easier. Vincent interested in her appearance was a good thing. He wouldn’t scold her. She did not do well with scolding.

  “Aren’t you terribly busy at work tomorrow? I thought Black Friday was a big day in retail.”

  “Not for my little store. I don’t have those huge, spectacular sales. I don’t even open until later in the afternoon the day after Thanksgiving. Are you going to drive this fast all the way home?”

  “I want to put some miles between us and Kern, and I want to get a look at the files I downloaded. What the hell is that?”

  They slowed as a burst of flares and blue-and-red lights flashing came into view on the road ahead. As they got closer, Gen saw police cars, fire trucks, and an ambulance blocking off the highway, and they came to a standstill. Vincent pulled out his phone, tapped the screen, and then swore again.

  “Big accident. The highway’s going to be closed for a while. I’m turning around before they shut it down in the other way too.” He whipped the Jeep over the grassy median, and they headed off in the opposite direction.

  Gen scrunched down in the seat. Great. Could this day get any more bizarre?

  “I’ve got to stop and find a map for this area, see if I can come up with some back roads.”

  “Could we find a place to eat?”

  Vincent turned to her, one eyebrow raised. “You’re hungry?”

  “Yeah, stress doesn’t kill
my appetite. It increases it sometimes.”

  “Not going to be much open. It’s Thanksgiving, you know.”

  Right. Shit.

  “Hey, there’s a Denny’s at this next exit. They’re probably open.”

  Vincent turned onto the ramp and they followed the signs to the restaurant then pulled into the nearly empty parking lot. At least they wouldn’t have to wait for a table. Vincent came to her side of the Jeep and opened her door, but still kept silent as they headed into the restaurant. The minute they stepped inside, Gen’s mouth watered. These diners had the same odor every hour of the day. Bacon, eggs, toast, and coffee. Not her usual choice of food, but right now, it smelled heavenly.

  “This going to work for you?” Vincent asked.

  “Sure, it’s fine.”

  “Just sit anywhere, I’ll be right with you,” a voice called.

  “Coffee, please,” Vincent called back.

  “Two of them,” Gen yelled.

  They slid into a booth, the vinyl worn and cracked in spots. Two customers filled another booth, a man and a woman. As Gen watched, the woman laughed, then they leaned in close and kissed. Gathering their coats, the couple exited the booth and walked arm in arm to the cash register, leaving her and Vincent the only patrons in the place.

  The depression that threatened to envelop her this time of year squeezed at her soul, nudging out the fear from the past hour. Couples in love, sharing a moment together. One more reminder of what her life was not. Stupid holidays, always made the ache worse. Denny’s for Thanksgiving dinner, with a guy who apparently wasn’t happy to see her smiling face. Lord, she’d reached the pits of hell.

  “Tell me what’s going on back there,” she said, forcing her thoughts to the present. Wallowing in pity did no good.

  “First, you tell me about this magic that changes your face, and tell me why you did it.” He ran his thumb over her cheek. “You look almost like you again.”

  Gen pushed down the shudder of pleasure flaring up at his touch. “It’s something a friend of mine does. I wanted to approach you incognito. In case, well, in case you didn’t want to talk to me.”

  “With a pizza?”

  “Yeah, with a pizza. I figured you’d think I was the delivery girl and at least let me come into the house.”

  “And then?”

  She dipped her head and dug in her purse, trying to hide the blush creeping across her face. Saying her silly plan out loud, it sounded pretty lame. “Then, I would wing it.”

  She glanced up and relaxed a notch at the look on Vincent’s face. His eyes had softened and his mouth turned up slightly.

  “Not like I’m happy you put yourself in danger, but it is good to see you. And I’ll want more details about your appearance-altering magic. To answer your question, you know about as much as I do. I found out where Ethan Kern is staying, and it looks like he’s conducting research on that man you saw. Mark told me he volunteered for the assignment because they’re paying him a lot of money.”

  “He didn’t look so good. Why was he chained up?”

  “He says it’s because they don’t know how he’ll react to the drugs they give him. I couldn’t take him with us because for one thing, technically, it would be kidnapping. He’s there voluntarily. And I don’t know what they’re giving him and couldn’t risk cutting him off suddenly. I found files on Kern’s computer and downloaded them. I’ll have more information in a day or two.”

  “And then?”

  “I don’t know yet. I’ll have to read through the files.”

  “Are we relatively safe now? You said that guy checked our license plates.”

  “He probably won’t be able to get any info today. Yours being a rental, I doubt he can track you. If he finds me, well, I want to chat with him anyway.” He reached across the table and grabbed one of her hands. “Now, you want to tell me why you’re really here?”

  Was she so transparent he could read her? What if he also experienced effects from their blood sharing? Oh, hell no. She did not want Vincent in her mind.

  “My name is Anna. What can I get you two tonight?” a smiling woman asked, bustling up to their table. She set down two cups of steaming coffee and a bowl of creamer and sugar.

  Saved by the waitress.

  “We’ve got a special going on, turkey dinner with all the trimmings. If you’re not in the mood for turkey, there’s plenty of other choices on the menu. You two newlyweds? You sure look sweet together.”

  “Uh, no, we’re not.” Vincent took his hand away. “I’ll have the turkey special.”

  “Me too.”

  “Coming right up.”

  “I’m sorry I ran off from your house like I did.” She’d already opened her big mouth and let the first apology slip out. Might as well keep going. “I guess I overreacted when David got on my case.”

  “Yeah, well, I could have been more supportive.” Taking her hand again, Vincent looked into her eyes. “I know I care about you, Gen, I just don’t know how we’re going to make this work. There are so many obstacles in our way.”

  “I know that. I’m not asking you for long-term promises, and I know there’s the chance things could turn out badly. I just, I really want to try to lift my family curse, and I want you to go along with me. I have the most to lose if it doesn’t work, but I know in my heart, it will work.”

  “And if it doesn’t? How do you think I’ll feel? Knowing I was the cause of you losing your mind? Do you think I could live with myself afterward?”

  Gen bit her lip. Well, yeah, there was that. It would be incredibly awful to contribute to another person’s slide into insanity. She squeezed his hand.

  “You don’t live in a world guaranteed to be safe all the time. You’re used to taking chances. Can’t you see, this is something I have to do? A chance I have to take?”

  “Then how about the fact that you’re a Birch witch? David was right. Some of my pack members might not be very welcoming to you. Are you willing to deal with those issues?”

  “I am. Are you?” Gen asked. “You told me weres living together tend to fight with each other. So, what happens when they team up with regular humans?”

  “Sometimes it works, most times it doesn’t. There are too many complications. The human’s family and friends are constantly at risk of being killed if anyone finds out about them. I don’t want to put you in that position.”

  “I know how to keep my mouth shut. I’m not about to start trouble. Witches are used to keeping a low profile. Not a good enough reason. Next.”

  There, that half-smile again. The one making her heart skip a beat.

  “Genevieve Birch, you continue to surprise me. I’ve never met a woman as persistent as you. You are bound and determined to continue on this course, aren’t you?”

  She nodded then took a deep breath. Now. Tell him about her job offer. See what he says. If he was really looking for a way out, this would be the perfect opportunity.

  “There’s one thing…” she began.

  “Hold that thought. I’ll be right back.”

  She watched him walk away. Pizza-girl was right. He did have a great ass. Great everything else too. Here was a man she could live with. He had so many fine qualities, and they got along so well. Loyal to those he cared about, strong, sexy as all hell. All that bossy and overbearing stuff—well, it went along with being confident and secure, two traits she absolutely had to have in a man. He enjoyed her, the way she was and would never try to stifle her and turn her into someone else.

  He was right, they did have problems to overcome, but so did every couple. Of course, most relationships wouldn’t get you killed if you argued in public. And few of them involved hairy men, mad scientists, and insanity.

  She fiddled with a container of fake cream. She’d find Hallmar, jog his memory, get him to give her the missing piece of the puzzle, break the curse. In the meantime, she’d keep up her guard and just not fall totally in love with Vincent yet.

  Easy.

>   Anna plunked two mugs of a steaming beverage on the table. Gen bent over her cup and inhaled. Yum! “What’s this? We didn’t order any drinks except coffee.”

  “My mom’s secret holiday cider recipe. It’s got lemon, orange, cloves, maple syrup, even a real cinnamon stick. You kids enjoy. I’ll get your food to you in a minute. I hear there’s a big accident on the highway. It’s fixin’ to get busy in here.”

  Gen watched as several more cars pulled into the parking lot. Vincent stopped on his way back to their booth and talked to a woman who’d walked in and judging by his frown, was not happy with what he heard.

  “They shut down the highway, both directions. A fuel truck crashed and spilled all over.” He tapped his phone as he talked. “Going to be closed for hours. What’s this?”

  “A treat from our server. Her mom’s special recipe.”

  He took a sip. “My mom used to make something like this too.”

  A shadow of sadness crossed his face then disappeared.

  “What were you going to say, before I left?” Vincent asked, sipping his drink. “Damn, that’s good.”

  “Did you usually have Thanksgivings at home, with your family?”

  She couldn’t do it. Couldn’t tell him about her job offer. Not just yet. They’d been through enough today, and anyway, this was so nice, sharing a warm drink with a man whose company she greatly enjoyed. They could be two ordinary people, traveling on Thanksgiving, heading to a special destination. She deserved a little while longer in this fantasyland.

  “Are you changing the subject?”

  “Yes, I am. I want to hear about your family. Tell me what you do on Thanksgiving.”

  “What I used to do, before I moved here, was celebrate with a big meal. Everybody got together, all the usual stuff. Up until I was changed. I was eighteen, and after that, I left home.”

  “Why?”

  “The man who bit me was my uncle. I didn’t want to see anyone in my family ever again.”

  Though he delivered the words in an indifferent tone, a muscle twitched in his jaw as he spoke. Gen knew she should stop but had to hear more.