Fangs and Fennel (The Venom Trilogy #2)

by Shannon Mayer

  “For making out with your vamp boy toy. I got it, I’m all about the love, you know.” He flew out of the kitchen, laughing the whole way.

  I put the rolling pin down and went to the door, wiping my hands on my apron before I grabbed the knob. I paused, though, and tried to gather myself.

  “I can hear your heartbeat pounding as well as if I had my ear to your lovely breast, Alena. You might as well open the door,” Remo said.

  Cocky jerk. My mouth twitched, and then I remembered everything I’d been through in the last twenty-four hours. That he’d said he’d help me, but when I’d asked him to come via Hermes, he’d not shown up. And I’d had to deal with Santos on my own.

  I jerked the door open. “What do you want?”

  His dark eyes, so like his brother’s, now that I knew the truth, widened. “I said I came to apologize. Hermes brought me your message, but I wasn’t ready to see you yet.”

  I gripped the door hard in preparation to slam it. “And now you are? Fine. Apology accepted. I’m busy. Please go away.”

  He strode forward and planted his lips on mine.

  I couldn’t help myself, I wrapped my arms around him. We stumbled backward into the counter, the clatter of pots and pans tumbling behind us, as he lifted me up to sit on the edge so I was taller than him. The taste of his mouth, the feel of his body, every part of him called to me, to my senses. He said something in Italian, a soft murmur of apology against my lips. “I should not have left you alone. I don’t know how else to keep you safe.”

  “I can take care of myself,” I whispered back, even while I struggled to break free of the spell his kisses wove around me. My hands were all over his shoulders and the back of his head, holding him tight.

  It took all my strength to pull away, and even so, my hands lingered on his shoulders, as his lingered on my back and waist. I slid off the counter, though my legs were a bit wobbly.

  “Still married,” I said.

  His smile was tired, and he stepped back, giving me room. “Did Santos hurt you?”

  I ran a hand through my hair and quickly told him about the fennel. How it had been meant for Theseus to use against me, how Dahlia and I had retrieved it, and how it was missing yet again.

  “Beth has truly turned on you?”

  “It’s like she’s still under a spell,” I said. “No matter what I say, I can’t seem to convince her that he is not Tim, but Theseus. And poor Sandy is just going along with her out of loyalty, I’m sure. I’m afraid he’s going to hurt them and there is nothing I can do.”

  Ernie flew back in. “Couldn’t help overhearing that bit. Beth actually is mesmerized by Theseus. Not quite the same as a spell, but close. That’s the kind of arrow he had, the obsession one I told you about. He’s using her own desires against her to keep her under his thumb. He’s good at that.”

  “How long will the arrow last?” I asked.

  Ernie shrugged. “Until she doesn’t want it to. Kinda like your influence as a siren. It only works on those who already are in line with what you want.”

  “Wonderful.” I tipped my head back to stare at the ceiling. Remo made a soft noise that brought my eyes back to him. His dark eyes with the violet edge were completely dilated. “What?”

  “You threw your head back. It’s all but an invitation to a vampire.” His voice was carefully neutral and he looked away.

  “Oh, sorry.”

  “Awkward much,” Ernie muttered. “Look, let’s get these cupcakes and go. You wanted to see Merlin before you go to your parents, right?”

  I shook my head. “I’ll take it to him after.” I grabbed the bowl of frosting, doing my best to block out the smell of cinnamon and honey that was Remo. I spooned the thick frosting into a fresh, clean piping bag and got to work finishing the cupcakes, still tasting his mouth on mine. Still trying to get my hormones and thoughts back under control.

  Remo stood to one side, watching me. “Did you really use wooden spoons on the twins?”

  I jerked in the middle of piping and blinked up at him. “Yes.”

  He didn’t smile, didn’t laugh. “Good. Don’t hesitate when it comes to Santos and his crew, Alena. Never hesitate. He will hurt you.”

  “Even though he’s your brother?” The words slipped out of me, and I forced myself to hold his gaze.

  His jaw twitched. “Most especially for that reason.”

  I swallowed hard and went back to the cupcakes. In a matter of minutes I’d finished and dusted them with the caramelized pecans.

  “Can I have one now?” Ernie begged.

  “No.” I slapped his hand away. “These are for after dinner.” I glanced at Remo. “Dahlia will be there . . . would you like to come with me?”

  “For dinner?”

  “At my parents’, to be clear.”

  His eyebrows shot up. “You want me to meet your parents?”

  A thought hit me. “Actually, I’d like you to smell them.” I didn’t think his eyebrows could rise higher. I was wrong.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Come on, I’ll explain on the way.”

  CHAPTER 14

  “You don’t know what kind of supernatural your dad is?” Remo asked again as he took the off-ramp nearest my parents’ house. I’d let him drive so I could make sure my cupcakes didn’t get bumped around; okay, to make sure Ernie didn’t eat any. “How is that possible? You have a sense of smell at least as keen as a vampire’s.”

  I shrugged. “He just smells like my dad to me.”

  “Does it matter, I mean, really? He is what he is, and that is what made you susceptible to the virus. None of that can be changed,” Remo pointed out.

  I didn’t know how to explain that it did matter, at least to me. That there was something our parents weren’t telling us, and I had a feeling that once we knew what kind of Super Duper Dad was, we’d understand why things were the way they were. That we’d be able to make sense of our family.

  We pulled into my parents’ driveway, and my stomach clenched. I clung to the edges of the container that held nearly two dozen cupcakes. I glanced into the back, where Ernie sat, two cupcakes in a container beside him. “Ernie, are you coming in?”

  “Nope.” He yawned. “I’m going to stay right here and guard the magic cupcakes. You have fun facing down your Firstamentalist mom with your vampire boyfriend, while you are still technically married. I’d rather stay out of the family feud.” He winked and my mouth dropped.

  “Ernie!”

  Remo stepped out of the car and held a hand out to me. “He’s just teasing you.”

  “No, he’s right.” I let Remo help me out, telling myself it was because of my short skirt. Really I just wanted to hold his hand for a moment. “This could get ugly fast. My mom . . . she’s not very open minded.”

  Remo smiled. “I’m known for my charm.”

  “It’s not your charm I’m worried about; it’s your fangs.”

  He winked at me as he took the cupcake platter from the seat. “Ladies first, and I promise not to bite anyone.”

  I took a breath and strode toward the front door as if I were headed into battle. I hadn’t been home since shortly after I’d been turned, and that had been a scene and a half. Achilles had attacked me, and we’d blasted Mom’s favorite coffee table into tiny pieces, but that wasn’t the worst of things. No, the worst was confirming my mom wouldn’t acknowledge me, even though I stood right in front of her.

  I rapped my knuckles on the door and took a half step back. Who knocked on her parents’ door? This was ridiculous. I took the knob and twisted it to the left. “Dad?” I called out as I stepped in. I glanced back at Remo and nodded. Maybe he didn’t need an invite, but better to be on the safe side.

  I forced my feet to move, walking over the threshold of the door with more than a little trepidation. I could hear two hearts beating in the direction of the kitchen, one at the back of the house, and . . . five in the direction of the family room. Eight people. There shouldn’t be tha
t many. Even if Dahlia had a heartbeat to pick up on, there wouldn’t be eight. I drew in a breath at the same time Remo did.

  He put his mouth next to my ear. “They aren’t all human.”

  I put the cupcakes down on a side table next to the door. “What if Theseus has my family?”

  “Then we will stop him.” Remo stepped in front of me and pointed toward the kitchen. “Fewer people.”

  I nodded, and we moved quietly toward the sounds of two heartbeats and . . . an electric mixer burst into the silence along with a voice that made my head drop.

  “Beatrice, what is wrong with you?”

  I put a hand on Remo’s arm and shook my head. “It’s family. Aunt Janice is married to my dad’s brother.” Half brother, to be correct, but I wasn’t going to get that detailed. I counted heartbeats again and slumped. “Which means the other heartbeats are her husband and two kids.”

  “They aren’t all human,” he repeated with a nod.

  I licked my lips. “You sure you aren’t just picking up on Tad?” Even as I said my brother’s name, I knew exactly what Remo meant. There was a strange smell floating out of the kitchen.

  I frowned, and my tongue shot out and flicked once in front of my face, tasting the air. Blushing, I turned my face away from Remo, even as the smell registered in my brain.

  “Goblin?”

  Remo nodded. “And they are usually as mean as their name.”

  “Am I . . . ?”

  Remo touched my hand. “No, you aren’t like them. It would still linger in you even now. I smell nothing of the sort in you, and remember, I have tasted your blood. There is no goblin in you.”

  I didn’t realize how tense I was until he spoke, dispelling my sudden fear that I was even more of a monster than I already believed.

  Suddenly my childhood summers with my cousins made more sense. Samantha and Everett were the same age as Tad and I which meant we’d had to suffer through school with our cousins, as well as through family functions. They’d always been bigger and taken great pleasure in torturing us when the adults weren’t looking.

  There was a high-pitched screech from the kitchen, and I ran down the hallway without a thought, skidding to a stop at the white tile. Aunt Janice stood next to the sink as the sprayer from the hose shot her in the face. She spluttered and held her hands up as the water doused her good. Mom got the water turned off. “Those boys, they’re at their tricks again.”

  Aunt Janice spat out a mouthful of water and grabbed a tea towel to wipe her face. “My Everett would never do such a thing. You’d think Tad would grow up by now.”

  Mom’s jaw tightened, and then she saw me. “What are you doing here?’

  Not hello, not even bothering to call me by name. “It’s a family dinner, isn’t it? And Dad invited me.”

  Aunt Janice turned and squinted at me. “You look different than the last time I saw you, Alena. Did you dye your hair?”

  “Yes.” I wasn’t going to explain I’d been turned unless I had to.

  I backed up, bumping into Remo. He put his hands on my arms, steadying me. “Are you going to introduce me?”

  Oh dear. I nodded, manners taking over. “Of course. Aunt Janice, this is my”—I swallowed and forced the word out—“boyfriend, Remo.” Oh my God, I felt like I was in high school again. That is, if I’d ever brought a boyfriend home from school. Which I most certainly had not. The only saving grace was that Aunt Janice was not a Firstamentalist.

  Aunt Janice stared at Remo, and her throat bobbed as she squeaked out, “Hello.”

  He took her hand and gave it a quick shake before turning to my mother. He smiled at her, and I knew there was no way she could miss the tips of his fangs.

  Mom raised a single eyebrow at him and then glanced at me. “Really? When you aren’t even divorced yet? I raised you better, Alena.”

  Sucker punch to the gut. I should have expected her to say something like that, yet it still hurt.

  Remo laughed and held a hand out to her anyway. “Well, you can’t blame her, can you? The court system says she’s dead, so technically she’s widowed. Which makes her free and clear to do”—he glanced back and winked at me—“what she likes.”

  I flushed, heat racing all the way up my face to my hairline. Much hotter, and I’d be able to finish cooking dinner on my cheeks.

  Mom crossed her arms and raised herself up as if she could somehow look down her nose at Remo, who stood at least a foot taller than she did. Probably more. Yet she still didn’t seem intimidated by him.

  “If she is a widow, then she should at least give herself time to mourn. I think that would be far more acceptable than prancing around in inappropriate clothes and dating men with piercings in their face like they are some sort of gang member.”

  Oh, God. That was the thing that bothered her the most about Remo? Maybe she hadn’t seen his fangs after all.

  I touched Remo on the hand. “Let’s go find Tad and Dahlia.”

  “Alena, there isn’t enough food for extra guests,” Mom called after me. “You and Tad were not asked to bring a guest each.”

  Remo laughed, but there was a tired edge to it. “Do not worry, both Dahlia and I ate before we came. We were unsure of the hospitality.”

  Mom gasped, and my jaw dropped as I struggled not to splutter. Aunt Janice smirked and her shoulders shook. I managed to point a finger at her. “Not a word.”

  “Or what?” She put her hands on her ponderous hips.

  “I’m not the only one with secretsss,” I said, my tongue hovering a little too long over the last s.

  Aunt Janice paled. “You wouldn’t.”

  I snapped my fingers at her, turned, and walked away. I glanced at Remo as we walked down the hall. “I am so sorry.”

  “No need. You’ve met my brother. If you recall, he tried to kill you not once but twice. At least your mom isn’t swinging a knife at my head.”

  I laughed before I thought better of it and then looked at Remo. He smiled, his eyes soft. “See? Your family isn’t that bad after all.”

  That’s what he thought. I wasn’t so sure.

  We were in the main living area, and anxiety cut through me as sharp as any kitchen knife. Something was wrong; I felt it in my belly like I’d eaten too many sweets.

  “I think we should go,” I said softly.

  Remo tipped his head. “Are you sure?” Not “Why,” not “We just got here,” but was I sure.

  I nodded. “Yeah, this was a bad idea.”

  I had no idea just how bad it was until the door swung open as we approached it. Like a weird twist in an even weirder, cold medicine–induced dream.

  Roger stepped inside, Barbie right behind him. His eyes were on something in his hands, so he didn’t see me right away. “Beatrice, I brought the papers for you and Clark to sign . . .” He trailed off as he raised his eyes and saw Remo and me. Roger was all but shoved into the house from behind, Barbie barreling in behind him.

  “Oh, you were right, this is nice. You should have asked for more money for the house if they’re living out this way.” Barbie all but cooed the words as she stared around my parents’ home.

  Remo’s hands were on my shoulders, and I didn’t understand why at first. I leaned toward Roger as my breath hissed out of me.

  “You . . . what are you doing here?” I snarled.

  Roger held up a stack of papers as his face turned as white as a crème brûlée prior to being lit on fire. I kinda wanted to light him on fire and finish the job.

  Everything happened at once. Dad, Tad, and Dahlia stepped into the room from the far side of the house. Yaya and Uncle Robert burst in from the back porch, Samantha and Everett trailing them. Remo and I stood in the center of the room, him holding me back from physically going after Roger. To say the room thickened with tension as everyone took me and Roger in would be like saying dry ice is a tad bit cold.

  “I think you were right; it’s time to go,” Remo said, tugging me back to his side and slipping a
n arm around my shoulders.

  “No, don’t go, Alena,” Yaya pleaded.

  My mother glared. “This is a family dinner, and we are all going to sit down and act like a family. Roger, you’re here, so why don’t you stay?” Why the sudden change of heart? Auntie Janice, no doubt, if her smirk was any indication. Looking to cause trouble. I could just imagine her implying that Mom was less than hospitable. So now Mom would go over and above to prove her wrong.

  Why was my family full of a bunch of crazies? How did I get so lucky?

  “Are you out of your mind?” I couldn’t help it. “You want me to sit down to dinner with my soon-to-be ex, his gold-digging girlfriend”—Barbie shrieked, but I ignored her—“and Dad’s side of the family, who isn’t exactly human? You have lost your mind, haven’t you?”

  Mom’s face paled. “What do you mean ‘isn’t exactly human’?”

  Tad groaned and then laughed. “Oh, here we go.”

  There was a soft knock on the door, and a masculine throat cleared. “Have we come at a bad time?”

  I spun back to the door and looked past Roger. I was seeing things. I had to be. Because there was no way in heaven or hell that Theseus had shown up for dinner.

  I didn’t realize I’d said the words out loud until my mom answered me.

  “Not Theseus, dear, this is Tim, a new neighbor. He has no family, so I thought it would be nice for him to join us for dinner, to make him feel welcome.”

  I closed my eyes and leaned into Remo. “We should have left.”

  “Maybe this will be fun,” he murmured.

  I blinked up at him. “Fun?”

  He gave me a quick wink. “Just watch.”

  Oh dear Lord, what had I gotten myself into this time?

  CHAPTER 15

  The dinner table groaned under all the food that Mom, Aunt Janice, and Yaya brought out. Who were they kidding when Mom said there wasn’t enough food for a couple of extra bodies? They could have fed three times the amount of people who were there.

  Theseus sat at the head of the table, as far away from me as I could get. Beth was with him, her eyes never leaving his face as he spoke of his job as a private investigator.