Dearest Prim. I must see her.
My phone buzzed on the night table. The screen flashed the time. 7:55 PM.
I grabbed the phone and discovered a dozen unread messages.
Mer: Kiera, your house is on the six o’clock news! Are you all right?
Mer: I stopped by your place. Where are you?
Mer: You’ve missed all my calls. Please call me back as soon as you can. I’m worried!
Still groggy from Ransom’s medication, I speed-dialed Meredith. She answered on the first ring.
“Dammit, woman! Are you okay?” was the first thing she said.
“Mer,” I mumbled, rubbing my eyes. “I’m well. I’m safe. Don’t worry.”
“Where are you?” she said.
I harrumphed.
“Kiera?” Meredith insisted. I had no choice but to speak.
“I’m at Ransom’s…”
“Ransom? Why on earth are you staying there?” she said with a high-pitched voice. “I’m coming to get you, love. You can’t stay with that pig!”
“No,” I said. “It’s all right. He’s… changed.”
“Are you being serious?” Mer asked. “Who am I speaking with? Is this really you?”
“Meredith,” I hesitated. “He’s been wonderful.”
“Are you listening to yourself?”
“Please...” I scowled. “I’m not fully awake.”
“Obviously!” She scoffed. Mer then took a moment to hold off her chastising demeanor. “I’m sorry, Kiera. I’m just glad you’re okay… Do you have any idea who did this?”
A slit of amber light penetrated the room as the door opened.
“Mer, I gotta go…” I said. “I’ll talk to you later.” I ended the call, turning to the doorway where Ransom’s silhouette appeared.
“You’re up.” Ransom spoke in a soothing voice. He was carrying something in his hands as he entered the room. A porcelain cup glistened in the dim light when he set it on the night table. It was redolent with lavender vapors that instantly permeated the air.
Ransom ambled to the window and pulled the drapes open, immediately flooding the bedroom with dim lighting. He turned on a Tiffany lamp that stood by the dresser. Its soft amber gleam slowly spread across the walls.
Now he started towards the bedside. He sat at the foot of the bed, a hand landing on my knee. Memories of our time together leapt inside my mind; a familiar intimacy sparked between us without remedy.
“How are you feeling, love?” he asked in the same velvety voice, his green eyes holding me in the sweetest stare.
“A bit groggy, to tell you the truth.” I frowned. “Where’s Mr. William?”
“Do you mean that filthy cat?” he snubbed. “He’s at your place, of course. I would not bring some street animal inside my home.” A hint of a sneer quirked his upper lip.
I wanted to argue, to stand up for poor Mr. William, but my mind was too drowsy to even think of a rebuttal. And what about Prim? She’d been badly hurt... “Ransom, I need to see Prim.”
Ransom picked up the teacup and offered it to me. I held the warm drink between my hands and inhaled its fragrant vapors.
“Darling, I’m sorry. Visiting hours are long gone,” he said, puffing my pillow with a tap of his hand. “I promise we’ll go see her tomorrow.”
“Can we at least call the hospital?” I insisted, anxiety sinking fast in my heart. “I need to know how she’s doing.”
“Um, well…” raising his brow. “I wasn’t planning on telling you this, for fear it might upset you even further.” He paused. “Darling, I went to see Prim early today.”
“You did!” I whimpered, strangely relieved. At least one of us had visited my poor auntie. “How is she?” I dreaded asking, but I had to know.
Ransom inhaled deep. He pursed his lips and looked away for a second. “She took a hard blow to the head, my sweet.” He glided his hand down my leg, over the comforter. “I’m afraid Prim’s in a coma. The doctors aren’t sure if she’ll be strong enough to come back from it.”
“Fucking hell,” I whispered, tears warming my eyes’ surface. Whatever medication Ransom had given me last night was slowly wearing off. Regardless, I felt like a broken doll, unable to stand or think, or find the strength to react like I should as I faced this terrible news.
I had to beat this lethargy and help Prim. I was a Stone witch, whatever magic flowed through my veins had to be worth something!
“You should know, Kiera...” Ransom’s expression hardened. “Prim’s neck wounds, the circumstances of the attack, the blood loss… It all points to a specific culprit.”
Vampires. That only made matters worse.
It made perfect sense. This was Alisa’s payback for me having messed with her Son in Darkness. Alisa had taken her grievances against my auntie, and now her life pended from a frail thread, and it was all my fault.
“Darling, I don’t want to say this, but you’re in danger.” Ransom held my hand. “You mustn’t worry. I’ll work a protection spell and you will be safe from those blood demons. I promise you…” His voice broke off, distress clutching his throat. “Gods! I should never have walked out on you… I was selfish and immature, and not the man you deserved…” He shook his head. “But that’s all very different now. As of this morning, I’ve ended things with Layla—”
“Do you mean, Audrey?” I asked, transfixed.
He gave me half a smile. “Things are going to be different this time, Kiera.” He pressed my hand. “You’ll see how much I’ve changed, my love. This entire ordeal has opened my eyes… I cannot possibly risk losing you ever again.”
“Ransom,” I said, stupefied by his words. “When you slipped into my dream…”
“What’s that?” He flinched. “Dearest, I haven’t the faintest idea of what you’re talking about. I would never do such a thing. Now please drink your tea.”
I drew the warm cup close to my lips. “Ransom,” I said.
“Yes, my love?”
“I need to go back to the house.”
“Whatever for?” Ransom frowned. “If it’s clothes you need or personal items, you’ll find no lack of attention to those matters on my regard. I can provide you with anything you need, dearest. You know that.”
“It’s not that,” I added. “I must fetch my things… my sorcery things.”
“Oh, I see.” Ransom immediately nodded. “Of course, you’ll need those. I should have brought them with me… I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“That’s all right,” I said dryly, folding my hand over his.
“We’ll pop by the house tomorrow.”
“I’d rather we go now,” I said, heaving a sigh. “I’d like to work a spell to help dear Prim.”
“Right.” Ransom paused. “Do you need help getting dressed?”
“I think I can manage,” I whispered, still amazed at Ransom’s transformation. Perhaps the possibility of losing me had truly shaken him into a better version of himself.
“All right, then.” He rose from the bed. “I’ll wait for you downstairs.”
The minute he walked out the door, I took a sip of the lavender tea and set it aside, ready to get dressed and start acting instead of reacting to this wretched tragedy.
Chapter Twelve
Curses have a funny way of acting. They are dreadful means to achieve one’s desires, but invariably, they take a toll on the one who casts them.
It relieved me to find that yellow tape no longer surrounded my home’s entrance. The rain had washed off the bloodstain from the front steps.
I opened the door with heightened awareness, careful to identify any foreign presence inside. My auntie’s magic safeguarded our home, but with her wounded, Prim’s protection was withering. We were as vulnerable as any ordinary human, walking through that threshold.
Ransom ambled inside with a confident strut, too familiarized with my home’s distribution. It was perfectly understandable. We’d spent our fair share of hours within these
walls back when we used to date.
Without saying a word, he stood at the center of the hall. He rolled up his black sweater’s sleeves, revealing the magic tattoos that inked his forearms. Ransom then clenched his fists and closed his eyes, proclaiming a powerful spell. As he spoke the words, a gust of cold wind rushed through the hall, lifting a bank of fog that scurried through the house at a quickened pace.
“This should be enough to protect us while we’re here,” he said, dusting off his hands as he swept the hall with a quick glance.
“Thanks,” I mumbled, hugging my arms. Witnessing Ransom’s display of power had been one intimidating sight. I had no doubt that his magic would spare us from suffering any vampire attack... The sole thought of Alisa coming near me again made me shudder.
Mr. William’s jingle bell chimed. He was sitting at the top of the stairs, looking down at us with his usual mocking stare.
“Hello, Mr. William,” I said. “I’m glad to see you’re well.”
Mr. William got up and wiggled his tail, suspicious as he cocked his head and glared at Ransom.
“That stupid animal,” Ransom mumbled, entering the parlor.
He’s a nice man, I wanted to say, but then I’d have to explain the full story, so I followed Ransom instead.
“I’ll wait for you in here,” Ransom said, plummeting on the couch. He picked up the remote control and turned on the television. “You take your time, my sweet. Let me know when you’re ready to leave.”
“I will.” I nodded, stepping out of the room.
It was comforting not going through this painful time alone. Ransom was a familiar face, one of my own, a warlock. I’d refused his offer to continue our friendship after the breakup, and perhaps that’s where his resentment had started; but I could not deny that in the last few hours, he’d shown me nothing but kindness. He’d proven himself as the most dependable man, a shoulder to lean on when I needed it the most.
This was the man I’d once fallen in love with.
I stopped at the kitchen’s doorway. My heart shriveled as I stared at the piles of broken plates, shards of glass, and torn pages from Prim’s old cook books... Why would anyone create such a mess? Had Alisa faked a robbery simply to cover her tracks? It made no sense. She was a mighty immortal. Why go through all that trouble?
“Kiera!” a voice said. My stomach churned at the sound.
My gaze slowly sailed to the kitchen’s window. And there, I saw him. Dark brooding eyes glaring at me with unfathomable hope. He was handsome in blue jeans, a light heather grey t-shirt and a brown leather biker jacket.
I parted my lips, hesitating to say his name. “Drayce,” I whispered. A rapid cascade of emotions rushed inside me. My hands trembled, my heartbeat raced beyond control. Drawn to him without remedy, I went to the window.
Vampires, I reminded myself. They hurt Prim.
It had been a dream, believing our kin’s differences would never interfere between us. This had been a terrible mistake. Allowing Drayce into my life had opened the door to Prim’s tragedy and could lead to Meredith’s harm. This was no longer about me. I had to protect the people I loved.
“Go away,” I said with a soft voice, stepping away from the window. Flustered, I pulled open the drawer, searching for my pocketbook of spells. I took that and a fistful of sage and slipped them in my handbag.
“Kiera, I’m sorry about what happened to Prim.” Drayce pressed a hand against the window pane, lowering his chin as he tried to lock stares with me.
I couldn’t take that chance, risk falling for the vampire’s glamour, so I opened the backdoor and stepped into the garden. I felt confident surrounded by tall brick walls.
“What’s wrong?” Drayce asked.
How the hell is he here? I looked up. He was standing on the wall, walking along the narrow edge as if it were the easiest thing.
I chose to ignore him, no matter how difficult. I knelt on the grass and grabbed a bunch of Prim’s potion herbs. Rosemary, peppermint... a handful would do.
“Will you talk to me, Kiera?” This time, he sounded desperate.
I hated everything about this situation. “Leave now, Drayce!” I said, looking up again. The full moon’s pale light filtered between dark clouds and outlined his silhouette.
“Do you mind telling me why you’re treating me like this?” he had the nerve to ask.
Furious, I got on my feet. “I should kill you for what you’ve done, but I cannot!” I stammered. “You’re damned immortal! I don’t ever want to see you again!” Saying those last words broke my heart. Tears blurred my vision.
Drayce shook his head. He dashed around the top of the wall and stopped above the garden’s gate. He then leapt off and landed behind the gate as gracefully as Mr. William would.
He grabbed the iron bars and shook the gate in an effort to bring it down. But Ransom’s spell prevented him from doing that as well as blocking him from every possible point of entry. “Kiera,” he said, restless. “Please, listen to me.”
His sole presence lured me closer, like the flute’s melody that charms the snake. A voice spoke inside me, instigating me to run to his arms, and I wanted to do it, but my body would not move. An unseen force pinned me to the ground.
“Whatever you think I did, I didn’t,” he assured me with a soothing tone. “I swear I had no part in this! I made you a promise, remember?”
“What about your maker?” I whispered, spilling hurt in every word.
Something rattled inside Drayce right then. His eyes widened with dread. And then I knew...
“Filthy vampire, I can sense your rancid presence a mile away! Is he bothering you?” Ransom came out of the kitchen’s backdoor. “Low-level blood demon, leave now before I curse you!”
Disbelief rose in Drayce’s face. “Him?” he said with a frown, pointing at Ransom. “You’re with him?!” Furious now. “Goddammit, Kiera... Let me in!” He pounded on the door hard.
Those last three words pierced my soul like the sharpest fangs.
“I’m warning you,” Ransom said, taking his hands to his hips. “Leave the premises now, or things will get ugly.”
Any signs of anger slowly vanished from Drayce’s expression. “Kiera?” he stepped back, wounded.
“Drayce...” I mumbled, gathering my bag.
Ransom scoffed, rolling his eyes back. “Oh, what the hell... I’ll do it, anyway.” He raised his open hand and flashed his palm at Drayce, and as he did it, his eyes lit up with spectral green flames.
“Ransom, don’t do this!” I cried, fearing for Drayce’s safety.
But he moved forward, speaking the words that would seal Drayce’s fate:
“Ashes to ashes,
dust to dust
The vampire inside you
dies after dusk.”
“A curse!” I mumbled, appalled. Why would Ransom resort to such heinous magic on a whim?
Drayce’s stare shifted from Ransom to me, unaware of the harm that had just befallen him. There had been no flashing lights, no furious flames bursting out of Ransom’s hand. There had been no need. Most curses do not call for such theatrical displays. The vilest magic often worked through simple words, provided they were the right ones.
I seized Ransom’s arm, lowering his hand fast. And he laughed it off as it was useless. The words had been spoken, and nothing could take them back.
“I can’t believe this,” I said, stepping away from Ransom. “Why did you do it?” Tears loomed in my eyes.
“I will do whatever it takes to protect you, my love,” Ransom said with an air of indolence.
Fury burned through me and sizzled on my skin. “I am not your love!” I muttered, stepping away. “You’ve gone too far!”
“You won’t love me, fine.” Ransom dusted off his hands. “I tried being nice. I’ve wasted enough time in this petty nonsense.” He seized my hand and dragged me inside the house.
“Kiera!” Drayce growled.
“Let me go!” I cried, figh
ting to become free from Ransom’s hold. “Let me go, dammit!”
He pushed me into the kitchen. I stumbled and landed on the tiled floor.
“Where’s the key?” he demanded, looking down at me.
Outside, unable to break through Ransom’s spell, Drayce called my name in a rampant rage.
“The key?” I frowned. The words summoned back the memory of that dream, the one where Ransom had appeared. He’d asked the same question then.
“What key?” I asked, shaking my head.
“You know perfectly well,” Ransom said, furious as he rummaged through the kitchen’s drawers. “The key to the vault of the teahouse!”
“A vault?”
“Do not pretend you don’t know Prim keeps all manner of magical oddities in that vault!” he spat. “Why else would she run a teahouse? It’s a front meant to deceive mortals!”
Gradually, I got on my feet, trying to stay outside Ransom’s visual field. “What’s in that vault?” I said, backing up against the counter. My elbow bumped on something hard. I looked back.
Prim’s antique cauldron.
“Play the fool all you want!” Ransom said, getting on his knees. He opened a cabinet and started searching inside. “My mother has been fussing about that wretched book for years! She even made me date you, hoping that would bring me closer to it… But one can only pretend so long.”
“A book?” My lips parted, shocked by Ransom’s revelation. “That’s why Lara has been trying to buy the store…” I mumbled.
“Uh, yeah. You’d think you’d get a hint!” he muttered, dipping an arm into the cabinet. “Gods, I even tortured Prim to get it, and still she wouldn’t talk!”
“That was you?” I flinched, aghast. “You attacked Prim!?” My fingernail scratched the cauldron as Prim’s words echoed in my mind. Cast iron, only the best for us Stone Witches!
Mr. William fell on the counter next to the cauldron. His yellow eyes fixed on me, his upright tail waving conspicuously. In silence, Mr. William cocked his head and laid a paw on the cauldron.
Was he suggesting what I was thinking?
I had to act fast.
“I can’t wait to find that stupid book so this can all go away,” Ransom went on. “And the first thing I’ll do when I find it is get rid of you!”
A Cursed All Hallows' Eve Page 101