Witching Night (After Dark Book 3)

by Sarah Bailey

  ‘She’ll be back to get me, I think.’

  Neave frowned before she waved to someone. A girl with dark hair approached them.

  “Hey, can you tell him we’ve got trouble on our hands? I know he’s gone off to deal with some shit with Jack, but I’m pretty sure something is about to go down.”

  “You know just because I’m his wife, doesn’t mean I have to be the one to give him bad news,” the dark-haired girl said. “Who’s this anyway?”

  ‘My name is Grace.’

  She handed the napkin to Neave.

  “Grace. She was in here a few months ago asking for Lukas, but she left with a witch.”

  “Lukas? That’s weird. Why did you want him?”

  “No point asking her, she can’t talk.”

  Grace gave the dark-haired girl a wry smile.

  “Well, fine, I’ll text him, but don’t expect your lord and master to come running.”

  Neave rolled her eyes. The dark-haired girl grinned and took out her phone.

  “Look, I know you have no reason to trust us, but you don’t seem like the type of girl who wants to cause trouble. So, I’m going to help you.”

  Before she had a chance to nod at the vampire, Neave froze in place. When she looked around the room, she realised everyone was still as if time had stopped around her. She slipped off the stool and turned towards the door. Standing there was someone she never wanted to meet. The blood drained from her face.

  “Hello, Grace. It has been too long.”

  Her hands shook, the room beginning to spin. Why was she here? How? How had she found her? She took a deep breath, trying to calm the raging storm of emotions attempting to swallow her whole.

  “Don’t you have anything to say?”

  Grace pointed at her throat. Even if she wanted to say something to the woman in front of her, she couldn’t.

  “I told that girl not to lay a finger on you.”

  Green smoke shot from her fingertips, curling around her throat. She felt the spell release.

  “Gods,” she whispered. “What are you doing here?”

  “You’re so grown up.”

  “I am an adult, but you’d know that considering it’s been twenty-two years.”

  Ophelia looked exactly as she’d expected. A little older but still as beautiful as she had been in the only photo Grace had of her.

  “I didn’t want to leave you, sweetheart, but your father made it impossible.”

  Pain gripped her heart. She didn’t want to hear about how hard it was for her mother. She wanted her dad back.

  “Don’t you talk about him.”

  “You have to understand it was for the best. He wanted you to have a normal life.”

  “A normal life? Nothing about my life has been normal. Gods, you have no idea. None at all.”

  She didn’t want to be here, especially not when she didn’t have Alistair’s comforting presence at her side. Her heart ached again.

  “Do you think it was easy for me to leave you? My own flesh and blood?”

  “I don’t know, Ophelia. I don’t know anything about you.”

  Ophelia flinched at the sound of her name. Grace didn’t care. She wasn’t going to call her - Mum. The woman in front of her wasn’t her mother. She didn’t have one.

  “All I know is you left us. Dad struggled every single day and now, now he’s gone. You were never there. If you’re here to build some kind of relationship with me, you’ll be sorely disappointed. I don’t want anything to do with you.”

  “What do you mean he’s gone?”

  She didn’t know? A sharp pain dug through her chest. Ophelia had no idea.

  “He’s dead. He sold his soul to Hell to pay for his gambling habit. One which he had because it was the only way he could cope with me. My whole life I’ve had anxiety, panic attacks and a myriad of problems. He had to go through all of it with me without any support. Now you come waltzing back into my life like nothing happened. My dad is gone, Ophelia. He’s gone and there’s nothing you or I can do to change that.”

  She took a shuddering breath. She hadn’t meant to say all that but seeing Ophelia had brought back all the hurt and pain she’d felt her whole life. The woman in front of her had abandoned her no matter which way she looked at it.

  “Grace, I’m sorry.”

  “Sorry doesn’t mean anything coming from you. Sorry won’t bring him back.”

  Where was Alistair? She needed him. Her heart ached.

  “But you have someone else now, don’t you? You broke your curse.”

  “What?”

  “Lacey told me your magic had surfaced. That would only happen if you broke the curse.”

  What is she talking about? What curse?

  “I don’t understand.”

  “When you were a baby, your father didn’t want you growing up with the coven. He wanted you to have a normal life. I wanted to give that to him because I felt guilty for the lies. I cursed you. It pained me to do so, but it was the only way to hide your magic from him. The curse of true love’s kiss.”

  True love’s kiss?

  “Only true love could break the curse and unseal your magic. Tell me, who is the man who has your heart?”

  Alistair… Was that what all these feelings she had for him were? Did she love him? Her heart contracted.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “I understand if you don’t want to tell me because you don’t trust me, but I’ve only ever wanted you to be happy, sweetheart.”

  No, no, no! She couldn’t be in love with him. It was too soon, but her heart didn’t lie. Gods, it’s true.

  “Even if I did know, I wouldn’t tell you.”

  “Grace—”

  “No. You don’t deserve to know anything about me.”

  The door behind them slammed back on its hinges.

  “What the fuck is going on here?”

  She turned to find a man with light brown hair and green eyes staring at the scene of frozen people.

  “How did you get past my spell?” Ophelia asked.

  “This is your doing?”

  He strode over to where the dark-haired girl Grace had met earlier was standing, his eyes dark with anger.

  “Daisy, Daisy, snap out of it.”

  He put his hand on the girl’s shoulder, shaking her, but she didn’t move.

  “You will undo this, right now.”

  He pointed at Ophelia.

  “Why should I? They’re not in any danger. I was simply having a conversation with my long-lost daughter.”

  She edged closer to the man. She wanted to get away from Ophelia. Even though he was terrifying, she was sure he was the safer bet.

  “Do you not know who I am?”

  She made a run for it, dashing behind him, out of her mother’s reach.

  “Should I?”

  The green-eyed man looked at Grace with a frown.

  “I don’t want her here,” she said. “I didn’t ask for this.

  He turned back to Ophelia.

  “My name is Gavin. This is my territory and you are trespassing, witch. I suggest you remove your spell before I inform the Grand Coven.”

  Territory?

  “As if I give a shit about the Grand Coven,” Ophelia spat.

  “You’re stepping over the line. Do you know what vampires do to witches?”

  Ophelia looked at Gavin defiantly.

  “You don’t scare me.”

  “Remove your spell from my wife and my people.”

  Ophelia stared down the vampire for a moment before clicking her fingers. The bar came back to life. The dark-haired girl turned, looking up at Gavin with a startled expression.

  “What? What happened?” she asked.

  Grace watched the man cup the dark-haired girl’s face, concern in his expression.

  “My love,” he murmured.

  Neave zipped over to Grace, looking her over.

  “You’re all right?”

&n
bsp; She nodded.

  “I… I’m okay,” she whispered.

  Neave eyed her for a moment before nodding.

  “This isn’t over, Grace,” Ophelia said. “I will find out who broke your curse whether you want to continue lying to me or not.”

  She moved closer to Neave, wanting her mother gone. Ophelia turned on her heel and strode out. Gavin looked at the two of them, his eyes on Grace.

  “What was that about? Who are you?” he asked.

  “Grace… My name is Grace and that was my mother, Ophelia. I didn’t want to cause any trouble. A witch brought me here, so my mother could speak to me. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I just… I want my boyfriend. I want Alistair.”

  Her hands shook. She needed him like she needed air.

  “Alistair is your boyfriend?” Neave asked, her eyebrows shooting up.

  “Well, I didn’t think he’d ever get serious about anyone,” Gavin said.

  “Whose Alistair?” the dark-haired girl Gavin had called Daisy asked.

  “A witch.”

  “I thought you said witches hate vampires,” Daisy said.

  “They do, but he tolerates us because of the work we send his way.”

  “I… I’m a witch too,” Grace said. “But… I don’t hate anyone since I only learnt about all this a few months ago.”

  “Wait, you’re a witch?” Neave asked.

  “Yes. Look, I don’t want to be any trouble, but would it be possible to borrow a phone, so I can call him”

  “Of course, she’s a witch. Did you not feel the power rolling off her mother?” Gavin asked.

  “Well, excuse me if I was concerned about making sure she was okay,” Neave said, rolling her eyes.

  She looked between the two vampires and the human girl. It all felt very surreal.

  “Hey, are you really all right?” Daisy asked her, putting a hand on her shoulder.

  “No. I want Alistair. I… I need him,” she whispered.

  Daisy pulled her phone out of her pocket.

  “Here, do you know his number?”

  She realised in all this mess, she couldn’t remember it. The numbers were in her head, but the right order eluded her.

  “I… I can’t remember. Oh gods.”

  Her heart constricted. She backed away from the three of them. She couldn’t breathe. She needed air and to be away from all these people she didn’t know.

  The door to the bar flew open. Standing there, fury blazing in his piercing sapphire eyes was the man she loved. He had a little black cat on his shoulder.

  “Where is she?” Alistair said.

  She was hidden behind the vampires and the human girl. She moved, stepping out from behind them. His eyes fell on her, expression softening. Smudge jumped off him, landing on his paws and curling around Alistair’s legs.

  “Grace…”

  She broke into a run. He caught her up in his arms, holding her close as tears leaked out of her eyes.

  “Alistair,” she sobbed.

  “Shhh, I’ve got you. I’m here.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Grace reached up, pressing her lips to his. He felt like home. All her anxiety melted away.

  “What happened?” he asked when she released his mouth.

  “Ophelia happened,” she whispered.

  His expression darkened.

  “Ophelia? When we get home, you need to tell me everything.”

  She nodded, clutching him tighter.

  “Before you leave, I have some questions.”

  He looked up. She turned in his arms, noticing the rest of the people in the bar staring at the two of them.

  “Gavin… It has been awhile. Say, didn’t you take a wife recently?” Alistair said.

  “Yes.” He indicated the dark-haired girl. “Daisy, this is Alistair.”

  “I gathered by the little reunion with his terrified girlfriend here,” Daisy said, her eyebrow raised.

  “You had questions?” Alistair said.

  He tucked Grace under his arm as he walked towards the vampires. Smudge raised his hackles and hissed. She put her hand out to the cat. He came trotting along behind them before he jumped up into her arms, purring his little heart out, nuzzling her face.

  “You did good, kitty,” she whispered. “Thanks for bringing him.”

  “Yes. What was that woman doing here?”

  “Ophelia… Yes, well, it’s a little complicated. You see my coven is feuding with hers and she disappeared a while ago. I think she’s back because of Grace. I apologise she dragged you into this. It’s not really vampire business.”

  She didn’t know why he was apologising to this vampire. She’d have to ask Alistair who Gavin really was.

  “Does the Grand Coven know?”

  “They know enough. I’ll have to inform Bree and she’ll do as she sees fit. Ophelia is her problem.”

  “And yours due to your association with her daughter.”

  “Well, yes, but this isn’t Grace’s fault.”

  Gavin’s eyes fell on her. She felt distinctly uncomfortable.

  “No, I don’t suppose it is. Children aren’t responsible for their parent’s actions.”

  “Gavin, leave the poor girl alone. Can’t you see she’s been through enough?” Daisy said, slapping her husband on the arm. “Please excuse him. Grace, wasn’t it?”

  She gave Daisy a nod. She wasn’t up for making any more conversation. Alistair raised an eyebrow.

  “We’d be more than happy to forget this happened.”

  Gavin gave his wife a sharp look, but he nodded.

  “Well, if you don’t have any other questions, we’ll be off,” Alistair said.

  “Wait,” Neave said.

  She pulled another napkin towards her and wrote something down before handing it to Grace.

  “Just so you know, don’t be a stranger.”

  She didn’t look at it but gave Neave a smile.

  “I’ll be seeing you, I’m sure,” Alistair said before he led her out of the bar.

  She looked down at the napkin whilst he created a portal to take them back to his. Neave had written down her number and a little message.

  As a friend, I offer you the full protection of the vampiric state of London. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to call. xxx

  He put his hand on her arm. She tucked the napkin into her pocket. She’d talk to him about it later. They stepped through the portal together with Smudge still in one of her arms. The cat wriggled when she stepped out and she let him down. Alistair immediately wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her head.

  “I was so worried.”

  “I’m okay now you’re here.”

  “Is that really all it takes for you to feel better? Just me?”

  “Well, no, but you make it easier to cope with.”

  “And here I thought I annoyed you.”

  “You do that too, but I overlook it because I l… like you.”

  She’d been about to say love. It was only after Ophelia’s revelation about her curse she’d realised it. She loved Alistair. If he noticed the slip of her tongue, he didn’t say anything.

  “What happened?”

  She sighed, looking up at him.

  “Can we go to bed? I promise I’ll explain, I’m just tired.”

  He released her, taking her hand before the two of them made their way upstairs. He took off her coat and slipped her t-shirt over her head. She kicked her shoes off and tugged her jeans down before dispensing with her bra. Curling up under the covers, she watched him undress, admiring every inch of his bare skin.

  “I get a little star struck when I see you,” she said, her voice low.

  “Why’s that?”

  “Um, have you seen you?”

  “Well, I am quite handsome if I must say so myself.”

  “And now I regret saying anything.”

  He jumped on the bed and crawled over her.

  “Is that so?”

  “You don’t need
any more compliments from me, you’re narcissistic enough as it is.”

  He put a hand on his heart.

  “You cut me so deep, Grace. How will I ever recover from such a wound?”

  “Gods, stop being such a drama queen and get into bed.”

  Grinning, he got off her and tucked himself under the covers. He reached for her, hands roaming down her sides.

  “I want to know what happened, but you’re also almost naked. I should make you wear a t-shirt, so I’m not distracted.”

  She took his hand placing a kiss on his palm.

  “There’s always time for that later.”

  “You said you were tired.”

  “I better get on with the story then.”

  She settled into his arms, her hand running down his side.

  “Lacey showed up.”

  “Lacey? Wait… does that mean she went to Ophelia about us?”

  “No, I mean she did, but she didn’t tell Ophelia about us specifically, just me. I don’t know that Lacey wanted to mention you since she has it in her head you’re hers. Apparently, I stole you from her.”

  He shook his head.

  “Still delusional, I see.”

  “Lacey used a spell rendering me unable to speak. Before we left, I tried to communicate to Smudge that he should find you.”

  “Well, he did. Scared the living daylights out of my client by leaping into his house through a window and clawing the crap out of me. You know, I didn’t believe you when you told me he could communicate with you telepathically, but somehow he told me you were in danger.”

  “Is your client mad you left?”

  “No, we were done pretty much.”

  She continued the story, telling him about her one-sided conversation with Neave and Ophelia showing up. She told him about their conversation until she reached the part about her mother’s curse. She skipped over the details, going straight to when Gavin had shown up. He tucked his fingers under her chin, forcing her to look up at him.

  “She cursed you?”

  She wished he hadn’t picked up on that. She didn’t want to tell him the truth about her mother’s curse. True love’s kiss.

  “Yes, but clearly, it’s broken now as I have my magic back.”

  “Did she tell you what kind of curse it was?”

  She looked away, feeling the guilt of keeping it from him tearing at her heart. If she told him, she’d have to admit her feelings. She was terrified of them and of what he’d say.