“No,” said William hastily. “It may sound harsh but she needs to learn to deal with pain. If we run to her aid each time...”
Michael nodded, but looked tortured by the choice.
William wanted to ignore his own advice and run to her side at once. He closed his eyes and listened for her. She was locked in her room, sobbing. It wasn’t easy to remain seated, but he knew it was the right thing to do.
Many things seemed clear that day. More so than any recent day in memory. He sheltered Melinda too much. They all did. He sheltered them all too much. A habit he needed to break.
He needed to be sure the siblings were ready for whatever was coming. If it happened at this very moment, they were sure to fail. When had he lost his way? It was hard to pinpoint the exact moment in time. Because it wasn’t just one specific moment. It had developed over time after the loss of their parents.
No, it wasn’t just this. He’d let things become too routine. Let the siblings take advantage of his presence. They didn’t do so consciously and he had allowed it to happen. Encouraged it almost.
His love for his human family was changing him. And hurting the siblings in the process. They were not the witches they should be.
Never before had William realized his presence was actually hurting their future. Not helping it. He had thought about leaving the Isle numerous times over the previous weeks. Pondered it with hard thought. And even determined attempt.
But the siblings needed him and he was obligated to keep the promise he’d made so many years before. But by staying, was he now hurting them? Keeping them from living up to their full potential?
He would need to give this matter serious thought.
Regardless, he would not leave them mid-crisis. Especially one he was responsible for creating.
##
Eva Jordan hadn’t been fast enough for the Howards not to catch her, but she’d managed to escape. It had set off an instant panic though, the moment she looked across the street and saw them standing there.
For the briefest of moments she saw everything unraveling. Everything she and her father had worked for, falling to pieces.
“Those stupid Feyks should have kept them a little busier,” she said bitterly. Her father had promised.
When finally at the outskirts of the busy streets, she found a private place behind a tree to morph back into herself. She popped back out and looked around to be sure there were no Howards out and about. It looked clear so she headed toward home.
She blew out her nervousness, letting the air consume it.
It had not been her favorite plan, but they were getting desperate. Everything they had tried so far, had failed. Mostly. They’d managed to wreak plenty of havoc. Gotten some useful information. Given the Howard’s a run for their money, Charlie especially. But they had yet to take any real steps forward. Until now.
Eva grinned. And then laughed.
She’d barely gotten away, having only a moment to duck into the crowd and morph into an elderly woman before William came striding across the street. He’d passed right by giving her no mind.
Her disguise had been perfect though. No one would question Melinda Howard walking right through the front door of the Howard Mansion. And as she’d thought, the Howards were too trusting of their Demon Isle neighbors. The door wasn’t even locked.
“Could be they’re just too arrogant... or just plain stupid,” Eva jeered. “Supposed to be these mega witches that have ruled the Isle for hundreds of years and yet I just walked right in and took what I wanted.”
It hadn’t been that easy. It had taken hours to scour the place, until she’d found it, stuffed in a drawer of the vampire’s desk. And now, they had what they needed: the likely location of the Isle’s power source.
But the diary looked like it was filled with tons of useful information, practically a life story of the Howard family, so she’d decided to grab the entire thing. It would come in handy, no doubt.
Eva made her way homeward, keeping to the sidewalks, buzzing through the crowds filing off the beaches as the sun was setting and their bellies grumbled with hunger. An empty bench called out to her tired feet and she plunked down. The tide was coming in, the waves crashing harder and harder against the shore with each pulse of the incoming sea.
Charlie Howard pushed his way into her thoughts.
Eva shuddered, trying to push him back out.
Thinking about him formed an instant pit in her stomach. Along with butterflies. He’d been so concerned about her earlier that morning. If she hadn’t felt so out of it, she’d have almost thought it was sweet.
It was sweet.
And then she had to go and jump him on the side of the damn road. Yeah, the guy was hot. And her wolf found him appealing. But to lose control like that. She could not afford for it to happen again. This step she’d taken today, breaking into their home… stealing the diary.
There was no return now. No question of her loyalties regardless of what her wolf thought of Charlie fucking Howard. Pretty soon, the Howard Witches would find their lives turned upside down and have no idea what hit them.
They were close now. Closer than ever at locating the power source.
Still, if she could somehow own Charlie Howard, he’d be a hot ornament to tag along when she left. But even if she managed to become his alpha, he’d never forgive her. He would do her bidding only because he had to. Never because he wanted to. Never because he wanted her. And why did she even think about him like that anyway?
She’d come here to help her father. To make the Howard Witches pay for what they’d done to them so many years ago.
Falling for the enemy was not part of the plan. And Charlie was the enemy. He’d become the enemy long before the day she’d bitten him. It was supposed to have been Jack Howard, the father. But Charlie had gotten in the way and she’d bitten him instead.
She felt no remorse. Damage had been done. Pain caused.
It was what she wanted and what she got, if not in the original manner planned. It had actually turned out better than she could have imagined. The way his family had doted on Charlie in those first months and years after the attack. Their first-born, ruined by her bite. His life changed forever. Cursed.
She chuckled.
This is who I am. In charge. In control. And I submit to no one…
“You’d be best off to remember it, wolf,” she warned her defiant traveler. Eva Jordan didn’t submit to anyone whether her wolf agreed or not.
“Comfortable are we?” a voice startled her from somewhere nearby. She jumped up and spun around, her white hair flying with her, but saw no one. The beach was empty, minus a tourist or two watching the sunset far away.
A wide grin materialized in mid-air, lined with pointed teeth that chomped out and slithered its words.
“You,” gushed Eva sorely. “I almost got caught today! I think my father should ask for a refund.”
The pointy-toothed grin was soon after surrounded by a gaunt face, followed downward by a wiry body. Once materialized fully, the Feyk lifted his hat and bowed in greeting. “You did succeed however? Yes?” He spoke with a drawl that sounded slithery. And creepy. Like his words climbed up her spine in cold little bites.
“Yes,” she answered hotly. “Hardly thanks to you guys.”
The Feyk stepped closer, grinning wider as he did. Eva grimaced but didn’t step back, holding her ground. “So I guess you guys are free to go then,” she told him. “Job’s done.”
“Mmmmm,” the Feyk rattled. “Actually, not quite finished yet.”
Before Eva could react, the Feyk had manifested his body into smoke, which crept up behind her body. She suddenly couldn’t move.
Its smoky arms snaked around her belly, rubbing it delicately.
“What are you doing?” she spat out. “Stop that. Stop touching me.”
The Feyk’s touch was disgusting. Violating. And nothing she could stop or control.
“Wolf girl doesn’t want to
play?” oozed the Feyk in a tone that would give anyone the chills.
“Let go of me,” she ordered.
“Don’t fret, little wolf. You’re not my type. It’s done now anyway.” His smoke-like arms let go, freeing her.
“What’s done?”
The Feyk didn’t answer.
“What did you do to me?”
The Feyk waved and winked, its smoky frame dematerializing. “You’ll thank me before it’s over. But I’d talk with dear old daddy if I were you.” It was the last thing she heard before it vanished completely.
Eva, alone again, let out an irritated grunt and grabbed her pack storming off the beach, back onto the sidewalk. “What creepy ass little demons,” she snorted, walking fast. “Never working with them again.”
She approached her home and saw her father waiting near the front door. Anthony Jordan didn’t speak, just waited with bated breath. Eva took the pack off her shoulder and drew out the diary.
“I believe this is what you’re looking for.” She handed it over.
Anthony Jordan opened it, rubbing his hands greedily across the pages. “Well done, Eva. Well done indeed.”
“Yeah, whatever, Dad. I’m getting a little sick of this fucking place, and these witches have no idea what’s coming. So what do you say we get this done while that’s still true and get off this hell hole of an island?”
Anthony Jordan gazed down at his daughter, his eyes ravenous with excitement. “We’re not leaving,” he told her.
“What do you mean? Of course we are. After we’ve done the job. That’s always been the plan. Right?”
He shook his head. “We’re not leaving the Isle, Eva. We’re taking over.”
Eva’s eyes widened. This was the first she’d heard her father say this.
Staying? Taking over?
It was supposed to be a one-off ruin the Howard’s lives and move the fuck on. What the hell was her father talking about?
“My darling daughter. We are going to destroy the Howard Witches just like they destroyed us. When we are through, the name Howard will be like poison, and The Demon Isle will belong to us.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Melinda dried her eyes, having had a good cry after arguing with Michael. She’d expected it to happen, but it still hurt. She trusted Riley. She needed everyone else to. Still, little doubt seeds couldn’t help but sprout into her thoughts. He’d been acting strange all day. Perhaps he was already growing tired of keeping up his charade. Maybe he was just using her to get to the power source. To get to them…
“No,” she sniffled. “I don’t believe it for a minute.” She washed her face and despised herself instantly upon looking into the mirror. “Wouldn’t be the first time someone’s tried it. To hurt the Howards by befriending them. Am I really that gullible?”
The Deanes could have thought it a perfect plan. Befriend. And betray. Just as their ancestors did. It would almost be too easy. A replay of history. Who would really expect it? Other than all of us…
Still, she fought for him. And Lucas and Lizzy. They were not evil.
However, it would be too easy to come here and act innocent. Like they knew nothing about magic. To pretend they were just here to live in peace and harmony. To help. To make up for past wrongs…
“To make me fall in love so I’d think there was no way in hell it could be true.” Melinda sighed. “I am that gullible.”
She plunked down on her bed, no tears left.
“Look at my track record. I’m a terrible judge of character. No matter what anyone else says.” No one knew about Jerkwad. She’d never told anyone about the ass-hat. And it wasn’t like she hadn’t consented to having sex with him. She had, she just wished to hell she hadn’t. The way he treated her when they were done. Like he’d done her some favor by sticking his dick in her.
“Fuck.” She closed her eyes, forcing down the bile rising in her throat. “I am the perfect target.” Gullible. Naïve. Stupid. Always fall for the wrong guy. Or vampire…
She was the Demon Isle’s weird girl. The freak that had wacky visions of people about to die. That spent four years locked in her house. That only had bad dates, and worse dates. Never good dates. Never even a repeat date.
And she was supposed to believe that a hot guy on a motorcycle had met her and instantly fell head over heels in love with her? And that guy happened to be a Deane on top of that?
Melinda lifted her head and swung her feet off the side of the bed. She grabbed her phone, determined to confront him, but chickened out.
Until today, Riley really had been perfect.
Attentive to her every need.
Patient, considering the circumstances they were in.
Understanding and in agreement to the fact that they should slow everything down and get to know each other. Allow their families to adjust to them dating.
That Riley had to be real.
Was real.
She could not be so wrong about this.
And if she was… she deserved any punishment she got. Her brothers and William could say they told her so for the rest of her damn life.
She was a Howard. She should know better.
The Riley she was with today... there was something wrong. Something different.
She just couldn’t be this bad a judge of character. Could she?
She let out a groan.
Was nothing easy? Or certain?
“For the sake of argument, let’s say Riley is a good guy. Then what? He’s just a moody jealous asshole?”
Perhaps something more had happened during the Feyk attack? They’d checked out Riley’s head for injuries, but what if the Feyk did something else? Something a doctor wouldn’t notice in an x-ray, or exam.
“Like what?” she mumbled, shaking her head. “And that’s just another excuse. He was acting weird and jealous before the attack,” she argued with herself.
“You need to face that he might be…” she couldn’t say evil. She just couldn’t. Melinda pounded her fists onto the edge of her bed.
“I. AM. SO. PATHETIC!” She sat up straight and ran her hands through her hair, pushing out a ragged breath.
“This is stupid. I’m just gonna call him. Confront him.”
She picked up and dialed, startled when someone answered that was not Riley.
“Lucas?”
“Melinda. Oh, weird. I was just about to call you.”
“Me, why?”
“I was hoping you might know where my brother is.”
“Um, no. I was actually calling to see how he was… doing. To see if he was feeling better.” She lost all nerve the moment Lucas had started talking. Confront Riley? Why did she need to do that? Coward…
“Oh. Well in that case, Melinda, sorry, my brother is not here.”
“You sound worried.”
Lucas groaned. “We got in a fight. He lost it. Just went off, spouting a bunch of bullshit that made no sense and stormed out of the house. Lizzy and I tried to talk some sense into him, and looked for him, but we haven’t found him yet. His motorcycle’s gone and he left his phone at the manor. I’m sure he’s just out cooling off, but...”
“But what?” Melinda coaxed.
“He just seemed... off. Like earlier when he sort of exploded over nothing.”
“So he’s not normally like that?” she asked instead, needing confirmation of this again.
“No. I’ve never seen my brother like he was today. I’ve never seen him be the jealous type. But today…” he let out a ragged breath. “He just went off the deep end. Like he was possessed or something.”
Melinda gulped hard, her confidence in her and Riley returning, but with a huge side of unease taking its place. She was driving herself mad with all the doubting. It needed to stop.
She trusted Riley and Lucas. And Lizzy.
End of story. No more wavering.
“Do you have any idea where he might go, Melinda?” Lucas asked her, desperation heavy.
“I don’t h
ave any idea, Lucas. I wish I did. But the Isle is only so big, he can’t go far. And it’s getting late, I’m sure he’ll come home soon.” She said these things to comfort Lucas, but she didn’t think it eased him anymore than it did her.
“To be honest Melinda, I’m starting to doubt my choice to move to the Isle. Looks like it was a bad idea. I had to talk him into coming, he didn’t want to.”
“Yeah, he kind of told me that,” Melinda admitted. “But I think he’s okay with it now. At least before today I thought so.”
Melinda was surprised at how easily she was talking to Lucas. Maybe both brothers had serious mood issues. Maybe it ran in the family. Maybe Lucas was right and being on the Isle was bad for them. She kept that thought to herself. First smart choice she’d made all day that involved words and her mouth.
“One thing I know for sure,” Lucas said, “is that my brother is crazy about you, Melinda. I’ve never seen him fall for someone like he has for you. Whatever this is… it’s not natural. Not like him at all.”
She choked up. Again, berating herself for doubting. “Well, um, tell him to call me when he does get home, okay?”
“Yeah. And listen, don’t worry about him. Like I said, he’s probably just cooling off. Probably hear his motorcycle drive up any minute.”
“Okay. Well, night, Lucas. And thanks for your help today. I really did appreciate it. Craziness and all.”
“I hope your brothers didn’t give you too hard a time about it.”
“All good,” she lied.
“Okay. If you need help again, just holler. We’d be glad to help.”
“Thanks, Lucas. Night.” She hung up.
Melinda fell onto her bed, exhausted. She hoped Riley would be okay. It gave her some relief to know that he didn’t normally behave like he had today. Of course, this was coming from Lucas... his brother.
“No,” she snapped angrily. “I’m not doubting him again. I’m not gullible enough, no matter what anyone thinks.”
She grabbed a glass of water and climbed into bed, forcing her eyes to close. Sleep evaded her though. She tossed and turned, her brain fighting her need for rest. Finally, hours later, she dozed off.
A Nightmare to Remember (Wicked Good Witches Book 5) Page 11