The Vampire's Cursed Kiss (Shadowvale Book 2)

by Kristen Painter

  “It’s kind of pretty.” Cassi’s statement sounded more like an attempt to convince herself.

  “It is. In a creepy, Venus flytrap kind of way.”

  “Andi.” Cassi frowned. “I’m pretty sure this forest isn’t trying to lure us in to eat us. This is a paved road. They wouldn’t pave a road through a place like that.”

  “Con said there are magic meridian lines that run underneath the town, and they leak magic all the time. How do you know the forest didn’t create this road on its own? Or that this road is really here? It might be an illusion.”

  Cassi’s frown disappeared in favor of a much more freaked-out expression. “Stop the car.”

  “What? Why?”

  “So I can feel the road.”

  “Don’t be—”

  “I’m serious. Stop the car.”

  Andi pulled over.

  Cassi hopped out and ran around the front of the car to bend down and touch the road. Andi put the window down and leaned out. “Well?”

  “Feels real. Could that be an illusion, too?”

  “I guess, but this is a little beyond my scope.”

  “Mine, too.” Cassi stood.

  “You want to go back or—”

  Something rustled the bushes across the road. Cassi arrowed in on the sound, her eyes widening. “Do you see that?”

  Andi looked. “See what?”

  “I just saw a…I don’t know what it was. Looked like a purple fox with wings.” Cassi put her hand on her head. “I might be losing it.”

  Andi got out of the car. “I don’t know. This is an enchanted forest. Who knows what kind of things live here?”

  “Do you think maybe that creature was some kind of sign? Or a messenger? Maybe it can lead us to the book.”

  Andi smirked at her sister. “Yeah, now you’re losing it.”

  “Um, again, magical enchanted forest.”

  Andi sighed. She just didn’t get why her sister was so fired up about this book and this forest. “Right, but—”

  “Okay, whatever, I’m going.” Cassi started across the road toward the creature she’d seen.

  “Hey, hang on,” Andi called after her sister. “What is going on with you? Why do you care so much about this book? I mean, whose name would you even write in it? You’re not cursed, and I’m not cursed anymore, so…what gives?”

  When Cassi turned, her face was twisted with frustration. “No, we’re not cursed. If anything, you’ve lived a pretty charmed life.”

  “I don’t know if I’d say it was ‘charmed,’ exactly.”

  “Oh, please. You’ve never had any responsibility. You’ve flitted around the world, having wild adventures with handsome, wealthy men, and I know, I know, you’ve changed. And that’s great. But going after this book is exactly the kind of thing you would do. So I want to do it. I’m tired of being the responsible one. The safe one.” She sniffed. “The boring one.”

  “Come on, you’re not boring.”

  Cassi put her hands on her hips and cocked her head. “Really? You’ve never thought that about me? Don’t lie.”

  “I…okay, maybe. But not boring in a bad way.”

  Cassi rolled her eyes. “Nice try. Listen, I’m happy for you that you’ve found love and want to settle down and start a life here. But I’ve done the settling down and having a life thing. It’s pretty much all I’ve done. Just give me this one adventure, and then I’ll give you your wings back, and we’ll both get on with our lives.” She lifted one shoulder, smiling coyly. “Who knows? Maybe I’ll even move here now that you’re going to be an adult.”

  “Really? You’d think about leaving Paris?”

  Cassi nodded. “I was only there because Gran wanted to see the city before she passed.”

  Andi nodded. Their gran had died three years ago. “You were a much better granddaughter to her than I was.”

  “It’s not about that, Andi. And you know Gran never felt that way. She loved us both equally. Although she did ask me to hold back a part of your inheritance until I thought you were capable of not blowing it on champagne and shoes.”

  Andi blinked a few times, trying to process what her sister had just said. “Are you saying… What are you saying?”

  “There’s a trust fund waiting on you. It’s not going to make you a millionaire, but it’ll be more than enough to get you started here.”

  “Wow. That’s amazing.” Maybe Andi should have been mad at Cassi for holding that info back for so many years, but then, she’d just been doing what Gran had asked her to do. And for that, Andi couldn’t fault her. Cassi really was the good one. The responsible one. The one who could be counted on to do the right thing.

  “Hang on.” Andi grabbed the box from Black Horse, tucked it under her arm, then locked up the car and walked toward her sister. “Come on, let’s go look for this book.”

  Cassi glanced at the box of pastries. “You really think we’re going to be gone that long?”

  “No. But you’re the one who wants to live like me. And this is what I’d do. Traipse through a potentially dangerous enchanted forest with supplies.”

  Cassi nodded, grinning. “You know, at times, there’s a lot to be said for your decision-making.”

  “I’m glad you approve.” Andi just hoped this wasn’t a decision she’d come to regret.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Amelia splayed her hands on the gleaming surface of her worktable, the ingredients for the soon-to-be-cast spell sitting out before her. The cool of the basement sanctum, her dedicated space for all things witchcraft, made it possible to have a fire going, something she dearly loved.

  Taking advantage of that crackling fire at the far end of the room, Thoreau lounged near the enormous hearth. He didn’t spend much time in the house, seeing as how he frightened the staff, except for Beckett, who had no fear of the creature, but then, why would he?

  Today, however, the giant cat seemed to crave her company, sitting near her at breakfast while she ate on the patio, then following her inside when she’d finished. She was glad of his nearness. His presence was a comfort.

  Maybe he sensed that her thoughts were on Andromeda and all the woman was willing to risk for love. And how such a sacrifice could only remind Amelia of the one she’d made so many years ago.

  A sacrifice also made for a vampire.

  Amelia sent up a prayer that Andromeda’s results would be very different.

  But Constantin was Pasqual’s kin, and blood was blood. There was every chance her outcome would be much the same as Amelia’s had been. Constantin wouldn’t leave Shadowvale, but he might very well reject Andromeda.

  Rejection was something Amelia knew all about.

  A sob caught in her throat. Time had not erased that wound. Eased it, yes. Given her distance and perspective, too. But some days, it all came rushing back. Today was one of those days, mostly due to the task at hand.

  She took a breath, tipped her head back, and let the fresh sorrow flow out of her. She couldn’t give in to it any more than she already had. There was too much work to be done, and Pasqual was gone. Grieving for him and their failed love wouldn’t change that.

  After all, if creating a town for him where he could live in safety from the sun’s deadly rays hadn’t kept him at her side, nothing would have.

  A few more moments passed, a few more deep breaths were taken, and she righted herself. “Thoreau, we have work to do. But that work will be for naught if Constantin isn’t here.”

  The big cat lifted his striped head, slow-blinking at her. He whuffed out a sigh, then stretched out again, soaking up the fire’s radiating warmth.

  She smiled. He was a dear creature. Someday she would figure out his secrets.

  But today was not that day. She picked up the house phone and rang for Beckett.

  He answered a moment later. “Yes?”

  “Get Valentino Thibodeaux for me.”

  “Right away.”

  She hung up, waiting for the single ri
ng that would alert her to a waiting call. It took only a few minutes, a good sign that Valentino was taking his responsibilities seriously.

  She picked up the phone.

  The vampire spoke first. “Good afternoon, Amelia.”

  “Good afternoon, Valentino. I trust all is well on your end?”

  “I wouldn’t say Con is well. He’s sleeping off the vat of brandy he drank last night, but he was briefly awake this morning, and I made him aware that you require his presence this evening. His head should be clear enough by then.”

  “Good. You’ll make sure he gets here? And stays?”

  “I will. I’ll even make him shower and get presentable, which he’s probably not going to like.” Valentino paused. “Do you really think this will work?”

  “Which? Our plan or my spell?”

  “Either, I suppose.”

  She took a breath. “I don’t know. I’m hoping our plan will do the trick so I don’t have to go through with the spell. I’m preparing it nonetheless.”

  “I hope you don’t have to go through with it either. But if you have to, are you sure the potion you gave me will protect me?”

  “Yes. You and I will be the only ones who remember everything. And Andromeda, of course.”

  “Right. I trust you. I hope you know that.”

  “I do. I’ll see you this evening.”

  “Until then.”

  She hung up, giving Thoreau a look. There was no putting it off anymore. She had to prepare the spell in case she actually had to cast it. But the beast was sleeping. She sighed. Waking him up was still easier than hunting him down in the garden. “Thoreau, my darling, wake up. I need a whisker. It’s for a good cause, I promise.”

  * * *

  Twenty minutes into the forest and no book in sight.

  Looking was apparently appetite-inducing work, as Andi and Cassi had each partaken in a day-and-night cookie, which seemed to be the bakery’s take on a classic black-and-white. It was delicious, but did nothing to quell Andi’s concerns that this adventure wasn’t a good idea.

  Had she really grown up that much in the last week? Apparently. She stopped, leaves crunching softly under her feet. She adjusted the bakery box under her arm. “We have no idea where we’re going.”

  Cassi turned, pushing hair out of her eyes. “Not at the moment, but the next sign could be around the next tree.”

  “There can’t be a next sign when there wasn’t a first sign. Look, I know you wanted to do this, and we’ve done it. Can’t we just head back to the car and call this adventure over?” She held out the box of goodies. “We could go back to Val’s and eat the rest of these.”

  Cassi stared at her sister. “You just want your wings back.”

  “I do, of course, but this forest is giving me that prickly feeling on the back of my neck, like we’re being watched. Or stalked. And I’m basically human right now, so your supernatural senses must be lighting up like the Fourth of July.”

  Cassi frowned. “They are, but not in a creeped-out way. Just in that kind of way when there’s a heavy presence of magic.”

  “Do you think you could use that feeling to guide us to the book?”

  “Maybe. But we’d probably have a better shot at it if you had your wings and your senses back.”

  Andi hesitated. “Does that mean…”

  Cassi nodded and lifted a slim, silver chain from around her neck. It had been tucked under her shirt, but as she pulled it free, a small glass vial dangled at the end of it. Inside the vial, iridescent colors danced and sparkled.

  Andi sucked in a breath. “My wings. In my vial.”

  Every sprite had a vial in which to store their wings. Some never used their vial, but it was a handy thing to have when it was absolutely necessary to pass as human. A sprite could hide their wings by tucking them against their body, but that wasn’t foolproof. Andi often stored hers when she traveled. Nothing worse than falling asleep on a plane and waking up to an entire flight of people staring you down because you’d suddenly sprouted wings.

  She’d never do that again. Nor would she ever let her vial fall into anyone else’s hands again. But then…that wasn’t going to matter after tonight.

  Cassi unhooked the vial and handed it over. “Here. They’re all yours again. I’m sorry I’ve been holding them hostage.”

  “How did you get them into my vial? And how did you get the vial away from me? I don’t remember any of it.”

  “The first part of the witch’s spell put you into a hypnotic state. You were very biddable.”

  Andi shook her head and sighed. “Wow. I have no memory of that.”

  “Kind of the point.” Cassi grimaced. “I’m so sorry about all of that. Do you forgive me for everything I’ve done to you?”

  Andi tucked the bakery box under her arm and took the vial. Sparks of energy lit the container’s interior as it touched her hand and the wings recognized her. “Do you forgive me for everything I’ve done to you?”

  “Absolutely. No matter what happens tonight, let’s consider this day our new beginning, okay?”

  “Even if I end up permanently human?”

  “If I can deal with the wild child you used to be, I can certainly deal with you as a human. Honestly, it doesn’t matter. You’re my sister. Always.”

  Andi couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you. If I end up being human and alone, I’m going to need you. At least until I get through the heartache of it all.”

  Cassi’s mouth quirked up on one side.

  “What?” Andi asked.

  “I think that’s the first time you’ve ever said you’d need me. For something other than money or a place to stay or to get you out of a jam.”

  “Was I really that bad?”

  “Sometimes.” Cassi shrugged the question away. “But that’s all in the past, right? Put your wings back on already, and let’s see if two sprites are better than one.”

  “Thanks, and yes, it’s all in the past.” Andi opened the vial and spoke the words that would make her complete again. “Wings return.”

  With the magic imbued in the wings, the gossamer appendages whispered out of the vial in a twist of light and shimmer, coming to rest on Andi’s back.

  The moment they touched her, she felt whole again. Her senses sharpened, and the forest surrounding her suddenly had a polishing filter applied to it, bringing to life new colors, sounds, and smells. She was fully sprite again.

  A small lump formed in her throat. She’d miss this when she gave up her wings. She’d be lying to herself if she thought otherwise. But Con was worth it.

  Putting on a happy face, she turned, taking it all in. “Wow. This forest is amazing.”

  “Does it look that different?” Cassi asked.

  “Yes. It looks a lot more magical. I guess I’ve been without my wings for so long, I forgot how things should look.” She stared into the depths of the forest. Fireflies danced through the trees, and clumps of glowing vegetation illuminated the thickets. “I can see now why you want to keep exploring. I wonder if I would have even been able to see that purple fox creature? Or maybe it only reveals itself to the fully supernatural?”

  “Hard to say.” Cassi twisted back and forth with anticipation. “So you want to keep looking, then?”

  Andi nodded. “A little bit more, yes.” She glanced back toward the car. Or the direction she thought the car was in. “Are we going to be able to find our way back?”

  “Absolutely.” Cassi pointed the same way Andi had just been looking. “Right back that way, past that really thick tree with the funny knot on the side.”

  “Okay.” Cassi seemed very sure, and Cassi was almost always right.

  “Do you sense anything more now that you’ve got your wings back?” Cassi asked. “Any idea what direction we should go?”

  Andi closed her eyes and listened with her whole self on alert, taking in every sound and smell and strand of enchanted energy. The forest was indeed soaked in magic. She tried to feel wher
e that magic was coming from, where it was the strongest. She opened her eyes and turned a few degrees south. “That way.”

  Cassi grinned. “Excellent. That matches what I was thinking, too.” With a flutter of her wings, she lifted off the ground. “Want to fly? At least until the trees get too thick and we have to walk?”

  “Do I ever.” She’d never wanted to fly so much in her life, especially with the very real prospect that she might not get to do it again for a very long time. If ever. She stretched her wings, then flicked them into hover mode. Her feet left the ground as she joined her sister in the air. “Let’s go.”

  Sadly, they had been in the air less than five minutes when the forest became too much to maneuver. Branches, hanging moss, thick trunks, sprawling vines…the air space was diminished to the point that they finally settled back on the ground.

  “At least we got to fly a little bit,” Andi said.

  “Right.” Cassi grabbed her sister’s hand. “I know you’re worried about tonight, but it’s going to work out, you’ll see.”

  A twig snapped not too far off, and both sisters twisted to look in that direction. Cassi moved in close to Andi. “What was that?”

  “I don’t know. Do you smell…sulfur?”

  Cassi’s nose wrinkled. “I smell something. Brimstone, maybe. But why on earth would there be brimstone here?”

  “Con said there are some dangerous creatures that live in the darkest depths of this forest.”

  A long moment of tense silence passed between them, broken only by the caw of a raven.

  Cassi’s throat moved as she swallowed. “Does it seem a lot darker here than where we took off from?”

  Andi nodded. “A lot darker. But the trees are closer, and the canopy overhead is really thick.”

  A red firefly zipped past.

  Cassi’s grip on Andi’s hand tightened. “What was that?”

  “A firefly?” But Andi wasn’t sure.

  “Fireflies aren’t red.” Cassi sucked in a breath and pointed to a vine on a tree ahead. “And that’s fever nettle. That’s poisonous to our kind.”

  The prickly sensation of being watched hit Andi hard again. “Cassi, I’m sorry, but it’s really time to call this adventure over.”