by G. K. DeRosa
“Cooking is a wonderfully cathartic experience,” he explained. “The simple act of chopping vegetables can be very calming.”
Celeste didn’t buy it, but she did as she was told anyway. She was pretty sure Stellan had gotten used to Dani making dinner and this was all an elaborate excuse so that he could get out of cooking duty.
After the three of them had enjoyed a lovely dinner of roast beef and winter squash, Celeste felt at ease as the quiet conversation continued over the dinner table. As she watched Marco and Stellan discussing new Council issues, it occurred to her that she hadn’t thought about Brazen, the werewolves or anything evil and supernatural all day. Perhaps this really was going to work, she thought. After finishing his glass of wine, Stellan excused himself from the table.
“I have a bit of reading I need to finish this evening in preparation for training tomorrow,” he explained. “I’ll see you both bright and early.” With that, he left the two of them in the kitchen and headed to his study.
“You’re looking good,” said Marco as he watched Celeste from across the table.
“Thanks,” she said. “You thought I would have turned full-on evil since last you saw me a few days ago?”
“No, I just mean you look more relaxed,” he explained.
“Well, Stellan really worked me to the bone today. I guess part of rehab is total exhaustion so you don’t even have time to think about anything else.”
“That could be a part of it,” he said with a smirk.
“So Marco, did you know that your dad totally covered for me with the Council?” she asked finally. “He made up some crazy excuse about me running off to see you.” She had been waiting to be alone with him and the question had been plaguing her since her discussion with Dante.
“Yeah, he told me he spoke to Dante.”
“Why would he do that for me?” she asked.
“I don’t know,” he said shrugging. “I guess you made a really good impression on him.”
“So you didn’t have anything to do with it?” she asked.
“I may have mentioned something,” he answered vaguely. He wasn’t ready to share the whole truth behind his father’s motives just yet.
“That’s still a pretty big deal,” she said. “He seems to hold a lot of influence over Dante. I wonder why…”
“They go way back. Don’t worry about it though, it was no big deal.”
“Well, thank you. It was a big deal to me, and I really do appreciate it. He saved me from getting into a lot of trouble with the Council by not informing them about our encounter with Alek and Lilliana,” she said.
“That’s what I’m here for,” he replied with his signature irrepressible smile.
“We’ve waited long enough,” said Astrid as she ran her finger over Brazen’s tattooed forearm. “I can’t hide you here in the Fae forest forever. I know the Queen suspects something.”
Brazen glanced around at the bleak, damp cave that had served as their hideout for the past few weeks. He had lived in much worse. “I told you we need time to recover. We suffered major losses in the attack on the Albsurori compound, the basketball game and at that fancy ball. Losing Vinny was a major setback,” he growled.
“Well, my hands are tied until you get me that ring,” she retorted. She scanned the cavernous space and the remaining rag-tag members of the pack who definitely looked like they had seen better days. Many were still nursing cuts, wounds and broken bones, and the smell of rotting flesh and defeat filled the oppressive quarters. “If you wait much longer, there will be nothing left of your precious Black Devils.”
Brazen shot her a vicious glare, but he knew she was right. It was time to make a move if he had any hope in creating his immortal army of werewolves. After a long silence, Brazen finally said, “I have a plan.”
***
The bitter cold of winter had finally begun to pass and in a few short weeks the first signs of spring would arrive. As Celeste sat on the back porch, rocking on the swing she was filled with a renewed sense of hope. The past few weeks had flown by in a blur of training and meditation and left her feeling with a deeper control over her powers. As a reward for her good behavior and excellent progress, Roman and Nico were allowed a visit today. She couldn’t have been happier. Although Stellan had kept her busy with her rehabilitation routine, she had missed Roman like crazy. She always knew he was nearby, though, and she often caught glimpses of a black falcon soaring overhead or nestled in an adjacent tree. Still, he never approached her, proving that they both were trying to be on their best behavior.
Over the weeks as the snow melted, so did the frosty tension between her and Stellan. She was pleased that things finally appeared to be back to normal between the two of them. Things with Marco, on the other hand, had escalated to a point that was at times uncomfortable for Celeste. Though Marco knew well that she was again with Roman, he never passed up the chance to overtly flirt. This made things difficult for Celeste because she really enjoyed Marco’s company and had come to regard him as a close friend, but the constant attempts at touching and kissing her were wearing on her.
“What are you doing out here?” asked Marco, peeking from behind the door.
“Just getting some fresh air,” she answered. She knew Marco disliked the cold, being used to the more temperate winters of the Mediterranean, and she frequently sought the outdoors when she needed some time alone.
“I’ll sit with you,” he offered, as he grabbed a coat from the rack.
Celeste tried to suppress her eye roll as he sat down beside her and put his arm around her shoulder, leaving no room for the Holy Spirit, as they used to say at St. Alice’s.
“Marco,” she said as she leaned forward and scooted away a few inches, “I really appreciate you coming out here and helping with my rehab. I couldn’t have done it without you, but especially with Roman coming today, I want to make sure I’m perfectly clear about my feelings for you.”
“I know, I know,” he said with a huff, “you are with Roman.”
“I’m not just with Roman, I love him and he loves me. I care about you a lot, Marco, and I’m so glad that you came into my life, but Roman is my destiny,” she explained.
Marco furrowed his dark brows. “You’re absolutely sure about that?” he asked. “You’re only eighteen. What if it’s someone else you are destined to be with?”
“I’m not. I know it.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” he mumbled under his breath.
“Huh?” she asked.
“Nothing,” he said. “Don’t mind me. I guess I’m just not used to rejection.” He chuckled good-naturedly at her.
“I’m really sorry, Marco. You’re the last person I wanted to hurt. You’ve been an amazing friend and your friendship means the world to me. I just wanted to be honest with you.”
“Don’t worry about it. I bounce back quickly, and I’m not one that takes no for an answer,” he said with a wink.
Celeste shook her head with a dramatic sigh. Somehow she knew Marco wouldn’t give up so easily. She stood up and said, “I’m going to get ready. The guys should be here soon.”
“Make sure you wear that cute skirt that I – I mean Roman – likes so much,” he said with a smirk as she disappeared back into the house, slamming the door behind her for good measure.
The doorbell rang and Celeste raced down the stairs wanting to be the first one to see Roman. She couldn’t wait to fall into the comfort of his arms. As she turned the corner to the front door, she saw Marco had beaten her to it. He opened the door and the first thing Celeste saw was Roman’s fist connecting with Marco’s stunned face.
“Roman!” she cried as she ran toward them. Marco had stumbled back from the force of the punch and was struggling to stay on his feet. The expression on Roman’s face was murderous. She didn’t know which one to go to first.
“That’s for the constant flirting with my girlfriend,” Roman growled at Marco, as he straightened up.
“Roman, nothing happened,” she said stepping toward him.
“I know that, but it hasn’t been because he wasn’t trying.”
Celeste couldn’t really argue with him there, and apparently neither could Marco because he remained silent.
“Now that we’ve made our grand entrance, can we please turn things down a notch?” asked Nico coming in behind Roman.
Seeing Nico’s cheerful face brought the buried memories of Natalie racing back. Before she could dwell for long on the sad thoughts, Nico stepped up to give her a big hug.
“We’ve missed you,” he whispered into her ear. “Roman’s been an absolute bear without you around.”
Celeste giggled and gave him a tight squeeze. “I’ve missed you guys too,” she said. “How are you doing?”
“I’m good,” he said.
Celeste wondered what became of Natalie’s body and how her parents were holding up. They must have thought she was the worst friend ever for missing the funeral and not coming by to offer condolences.
Celeste was distracted from her dismal thoughts when she saw Marco’s bloody nose dripping down his mouth and chin. “Let me get you a tissue,” she said as Stellan rounded the corner and tried to make sense of the scene.
“What happened here?” Stellan asked glaring at Roman.
“I’m tired of sitting around watching this guy make passes at my girlfriend day and night,” he explained.
Stellan knew very well that Roman had been hanging around nearby, but he didn’t have any idea of how close he had really been. “Perhaps you should have simply tried talking to him,” Stellan reprimanded.
Celeste returned with the tissues and held one out to Marco. She watched like a concerned mother as he used it to stop up his nose. “Come on, you better go sit on the couch and lay your head back or else it’ll never stop bleeding,” she said as she led him to the living room.
Roman shoved his hands in his pockets and followed them into the spacious room. He went straight to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a drink as he watched Celeste fuss over Marco. “He’s fine. He’s just trying to get attention,” said Roman in between sips.
“Roman, you could have broken his nose,” reprimanded Celeste.
“I should have done much more,” he countered. “I’ve had to stand around watching him everyday for weeks as he flirted with you incessantly, and there was nothing I could do! After almost a month of that, he’s lucky he still has his head.”
Celeste couldn’t help but chuckle. Marco really did ask for this, and even Marco knew it. Stellan and Nico joined them in the living room, each pouring a drink. “Here’s to Celeste,” said Stellan. “She’s made great strides in the past few weeks and I am very proud of her.”
“Don’t I get one?” asked Celeste.
“And me?” asked Marco, picking up his head.
“I don’t condone underage drinking,” said Stellan with a grin.
“I’m almost twenty-one,” said Marco, “and I can legally drink in Italy.”
“We are not in Italy,” said Stellan sternly, “and besides, it will just thin out your blood and increase the bleeding.”
Celeste stood up and snuck a sip from Roman’s whiskey. “Bleh,” she said, holding her nose. “Here’s to me,” she toasted, raising the glass high in the air.
After a relatively uneventful dinner, Stellan retired to his study and Celeste and the boys huddled around the fireplace in the great room. Marco hadn’t spoken much during the meal, but at least he and Roman had behaved civilly toward one another. Now that more celebratory drinks were being poured, Celeste wondered how long the cordialities would last.
“So what have you and Nico been up to?” asked Celeste, breaking the calm silence. She had been speaking to Roman practically everyday since she last saw him, but she figured it was a nice safe topic from which to start conversation.
“Nothing really,” answered Nico. “Roman just sits around the house pining after you most of the day and night.” Celeste giggled and Roman chucked a pillow at his brother’s head. “Okay, okay, you’re right, I forgot. He also flies around Stellan’s house sporadically throughout the day stalking you.”
“Thanks, brother, you’ve painted such a delightfully vivid picture of my life without Celeste,” said Roman.
“I think it’s sweet,” said Celeste, snuggling up closer to Roman and giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Great, now look what you’ve started,” complained Marco.
“You better get used to it,” said Roman. “It’s always going to be like this from this day forward.” He bent his head down and kissed Celeste on the top of the head.
“Okay, now I think I’m going to have to leave,” teased Nico, getting up from his seat.
“No, don’t,” said Celeste. “We’ll be good, I promise. I want to hear more about what you’ve been up to. How’s patrolling been?” During her recovery, Roman and Nico had volunteered to take up her nightly patrol to ease her mind from shirking her duties. As much as she had enjoyed her time off, she was itching for some action.
“It’s been pretty quiet,” said Nico, “with just a few random demons here and there. Nothing of consequence.”
“And the werewolves?” she asked. All Celeste really wanted to know was what the situation was with Brazen and the Black Devils, but she knew everyone would freak out as soon as she mentioned them. And she was right. Nico looked to Roman with questioning eyes, and he responded with a deep sigh.
“I don’t want you to worry about them,” Roman replied. “I told you I’d keep an eye out for them, and I have been.”
“Have you come across any of them?” asked Marco, suddenly joining in the conversation.
Roman paused for a moment as Celeste stared at him anxiously. “Well?” she asked.
“Not Brazen, but we have seen some of his pack,” he finally admitted. “Nico and I went back to that old house and had a talk with our dear friend, Red, and his young friends.”
“What did you find out?” she asked.
“Not too much, unfortunately. Apparently they decided being a part of Brazen’s pack wasn’t worth the hassle. They swore up and down that they had no idea where he was and didn’t want anything to do with him.”
“Were those young guys from St. Alice’s there?”
Roman nodded. “They told us Brazen had gotten pretty pissed at them when they refused to help with the attack at the basketball game.”
“So it was more like Brazen kicked them out of the pack than they left it,” said Celeste with her brows furrowed. She had hoped the boys had learned their lesson when last she saw them.
“At least they did the right thing and stood up to Brazen by refusing to be a part of it,” said Nico.
“That’s true,” said Celeste. “I’d like to go visit them when I get out of solitary confinement here.”
“It’s not solitary. You’ve got me!” chimed in Marco.
“When are you leaving by the way?” asked Roman, not even trying to mask the disdain in his voice.
“I haven’t decided yet,” he said as he took a sip of his drink.
“Don’t you have a territory you need to protect?” continued Roman.
“I have three brothers, in case you’ve forgotten. And actually Maddie and Maks are filling in for me. She was more than happy to help out,” explained Marco.
“That was really nice of them,” said Celeste. She stopped for a second, trying to figure out how to best phrase her next question. Ever since leaving Rome, she had been curious about Maddie’s odd response to her question about her problem with Mr. Caccia. “Marco, do you know anything about some old family history between Aunt Maddie and your dad?”
Marco almost choked on his drink as he stammered for a reply. “No,” he got out finally. “What do you mean?”
“You didn’t notice a certain chill in the air between the two of them?” she asked.
“No, I didn’t notice anything at all,” Marco answered withou
t looking up.
After all the time she had spent with Marco, Celeste knew him well enough to know when he was lying. She also knew he’d be more willing to divulge his secrets when it was just the two of them. So she decided to drop it for now, but vowed to herself that she would get to the bottom of it sooner or later.
Nico grabbed the remote off the coffee table and began flipping through the channels. He finally settled on a marathon of The Walking Dead and his eyes lit up with excitement. “You guys want to play a drinking game?”
“Sure,” said Celeste and the guys nodded along with her.
“Okay, here’s how it works – every time a zombie shows up we all have to drink,” said Nico.
“That doesn’t seem like much of a game,” said Celeste. “Zombies are running around all over the show. We’ll all be wasted within the hour!”
“Exactly!” exclaimed Nico with a mischievous grin.
Not seconds later, a hoard of gruesome and decaying zombies attacked the main characters in a heavily wooded field. “Drink!” cried Nico. “At least one sip for each one they kill.”
Celeste raised her glass and took a big gulp of the sweet and mostly coke-filled rum and coke. As she lowered her arm to put the drink down, a searing pain ripped through her skull. She instantly lost control of her muscles, causing her drink to fall and shards of glass and ice to crash to the floor. She clutched her palms to her head as a multitude of scenes flashed through her mind. She tried to concentrate on the images and not the throbbing pain in her temples, but she was quickly losing the battle. Then a clear image emerged of a familiar face, covered in blood and smudged tears, and Celeste’s heart nearly stopped. And just like that the visions faded and her eyes snapped open.
Roman’s pained face was the first one she saw, followed by Marco and Nico who were hovering right behind him. Celeste struggled to catch her breath. The premonition had left her feeling like she had been punched in the stomach.
“Are you okay?” asked Roman worriedly.
Celeste gasped trying to suck in enough oxygen to be able to speak. Finally, her lungs started to expand and took in the much-needed air, the color returning to her cheeks once again. “My mom!” she cried. “We have to help her!”