by W. J. May
“Meeting?”
“Sorry, I forgot you missed the rest of the conversation last night. The Higher Coven is meeting tomorrow to decide what to do with the Grollic situation here. Caleb wants things cleared up ASAP. Seth’s considering bringing his understudy back here with him to help with the fight.” She swallowed, then stared at her fingernails. “Everyone’s thinking the situation is bigger than we think, especially since they killed Tatiana and nearly got Seth.”
A fleeting thought of my birthday came and went. Eighteen had seemed so monumental to me, all my freedom wrapped in two digits. It didn’t represent anything now.
As if reading my thoughts, Grace said, “They aren’t leaving till noon. Your cake’s still on.”
Mortified at the thought of Grace telling Michael, while Caleb stood in the room, about doing something for my birthday, I nearly bolted for the back door. “Please don’t do anything. It's just another day, and honestly, I'm not big on birthdays.”
“Nonsense! You deserve a little celebration.”
“Please don’t.”
She paused, a silly grin on her face. “I'll just tell Michael to make you breakfast in bed.”
“After the kind of cook you just told me he is? Great. The guy’s probably going to squeeze the crap out of a chicken in order to get a few eggs to scramble.”
Seth came into the kitchen. “Fantastic morning, ladies! It's even more lovely now that you two have entertained my thoughts and given me something to feast upon!”
I looked up at the ceiling, trying to stop my eyes from rolling. Definitely on the mend. Or in denial. Tight black shirt with matching dark pants, there was no trace of injury on him.
Michael joined us in the kitchen. “I smell fresh coffee.”
Grace poured hot, black liquid into four mugs she’d lined up. “How about you tell us what the two of you and Caleb have decided?” She blocked the coffee with her arm. “Then you can have your mug.”
“Not much to say, really.” Michael shrugged, reaching over Grace’s arm and picking up a mug. “We’re meeting with the Higher Coven tomorrow afternoon. Seth thinks he can get rid of the Grollics himself. He feels Tatiana deserves that. Caleb believes there is something bigger going on than a bunch of young Grollics trying to pick a fight.”
I sat on a bar stool close by him and grabbed a mug. “What do you think?”
He held the cup to his lips but didn’t drink. Finally he set it back down on the counter. “I think Caleb’s right. Except I still don’t believe they’re after him.”
“You still think they’re interested in us?” Grace asked.
“Why you two?” My heart beat thundered in my ears.
“I believe it has something to do with the night we lost our parents.”
“Why now? Wouldn’t they have chased us down sooner?” Grace tapped her thumb against the rim of her mug.
“I’m not sure. It might have something to do with the book.”
“Maybe they're after Rouge,” Seth said from behind his mug.
My chair scraped the ground as I shifted. “I’ve got nothing, and until a few months ago I didn’t even know they, or you, existed.”
“She’s right,” Michael said. “She got the Grollic book by chance. Found it at a second hand shop. Caleb thinks they don’t even know this book exists. On that count, I think he’s right.”
“But still…” Seth persisted.
“Caleb did a background check on Rouge and nothing on the computer popped up that raised a flag of any kinds.” He touched my shoulder and squeezed it. “I just found this out this morning, myself.”
I wondered if Caleb had the name of my birth mother. As much as I wanted to know, I didn’t ask. It wasn’t the right time.
Michael shrugged. “At this moment, I’m not sure what to think.”
“Grollics always want to fight,” Grace said. “They don’t need a reason.”
“True.” Seth strolled closer to her and reached around to grab a muffin. “But you’d be miserable, too, if you had all that testosterone and were ugly as dogs.”
“Seth!” Michael, Grace and I shouted at the same time.
Afternoon flew into evening and I found myself unable to stop yawning as the conversation floated around me in the living room. I sat at the end of the couch beside Michael, my toes squiggling into the new soft carpet Sarah had installed. Resting my elbow on the couch arm, I let my head drop into my hand. The conversation had quieted to a steady hum of male voices, becoming a lullaby to my ears.
I drifted and woke to someone gently shaking my shoulder.
“Rouge.” Michael’s warm breath caressed my ear. “Let’s get you to bed.” His arms slid under me and scooped me close against him.
I snuggled against his chest too tired to reply, until we were outside and cold crept up my back. Freakin’ freezing! “Wha’ the –” Twisting, I nearly fell out Michael’s grip and into the snow, but he caught my flailing arm and leg.
A chuckle rumbled deep within his chest. “Relax. I’ll put you in bed, safe and warm. Caleb still needs to talk. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
I nodded and once inside the pool house, easily drifted back to sleep. When I woke, the darkness had been replaced with early morning light. I knew right away I lay alone in bed. He’d probably ended up staying up to the wee hours with Caleb and Seth.
This sucks! Alone on my birthday.
As soon as the thought hit, guilt flooded though me. Michael needed to be with his family and he had a responsibility I knew so little about. Rolling onto my back, I sighed. What was Damon’s comment the other day? I needed to figure out who the bad guys were? There wasn’t an ounce of bad-stuff inside Michael or Grace. Now Caleb, he might be a different story.
Where could Michael be now? He had to see the Higher Coven in the afternoon so I’d hardly get to spend any time with him. Again the guilt washed over me. I wasn’t that kind of person – the person who demanded they be shown love.
Disgusted in myself, I threw the covers off and stomped to the bathroom to shower. The hot water did nothing to ease my mood. I had a stiff neck, my shoulders burned, particularly the left side. I flipped the temperature as cool as I could take it, lasting another two minutes.
Hopping out and grabbing a towel to try and smother the goose bumps, I shook my head at the image in the mirror. “Idiot,” I mouthed.
I began towel drying my hair and decided to blow dry and straighten the mop – something I hadn’t done in forever. Stretching to grab the dryer out of the drawer, I winced in pain. With my right hand, I reached behind to rub the soreness. However, the place couldn’t have been in a more awkward spot. I looked like an ostrich trying to fly as I attempted to reach over my shoulder or around my back. I finally found an awkward, and slightly uncomfortable way by putting my right arm directly behind my back and flipping my wrist so my palm rested against my back.
I straightened when my fingers touched the spot. It was hot, burning hot. Twisting, I tried to find it in the mirror but saw nothing, just a small glimpse of my birthmark which looked slightly brighter than normal. I reached around again, but the area felt cooler, like typical skin temperature and the pain was gone. “Weird,” I muttered.
After blow drying and straightening my hair, I added eye shadow and mascara. Leaning toward the mirror, I paused and sniffed. Bacon.
Grabbing the spare jeans and top I kept in the towel cupboard, I dressed and peered around the door.
Michael’s lean back and tight butt caught my attention. He stood scooping scrambled eggs onto a plate already heaped with bacon. He turned around, his shirt read: KISS THE COOK.
With a quirky smile, he looked up and sang, “Happy Birthday.”
I stepped out of the door and leaned against the wall.
Michael’s eyes widened. “You. Are. Gorgeous.”
Suddenly it seemed like today was going to be the best day of my entire life. Whatever doubts I had when I woke now seemed silly and trivial. “Do I get to Kiss
the Cook?”
“I hope so.” He walked over and kissed me with the softest lips in the world. He stopped before barely getting started. Taking my hand he set me on a bar stool.
“Did you make breakfast?” It smelled good, but Grace’s warning on his cooking had me doubting.
“Of course! And not just any breakfast – bacon, sausage, eggs and toast!”
“Awesome!” I picked up a fork, eying the more black than brown toast.
He brought the plate over and set salt and pepper on the counter. Leaning onto his elbows across from me, he waited.
I pushed the first bite into my mouth and nodded. It actually tasted alright. Maybe just a touch of pepper. I dug in. No one had made me breakfast before and I wasn’t about to ruin it. “What time did you finish last night?” I asked between mouthfuls.
“Just before dawn. I went to the corner shop to pick up this.” He pointed at the food. “Do you want to open your present now?”
“You didn’t!” Oh but you did!! I was dying to know what he bought.
“Of course I did. So did Grace, Sarah… and Caleb.”
My mouth dropped in surprise.
“Who’s do you want to open first?” Michael asked.
“I don’t know.” I glanced around the room, trying to find gift wrapping. “Shouldn’t we wait for the others?”
“Nah.” He grinned. “Grace insisted you open them on your own. She didn’t want you to feel overwhelmed by everyone staring.” He tapped his temple and playfully rolled his eyes. “Pick a name.”
“Ummm… I don’t know.” I ran my fingers through my straightened hair. “Wait. Save yours for last. Surprise me with the rest.”
He walked to the sink and opened the cupboard below. He pulled out a large rectangular box with a bag of black liquorice. “Grace’s.”
I started to carefully peel away the tape then gave up and ripped it open. A large bottle of perfume. Eternity. “I'm going to pour this over her head.” I tried to sound mad, but couldn’t hold back the laughter.
Michael handed me a small delicate looking box.
“This from Sarah?”
Michael shook his head. “Her gift is at the house.”
“You?”
“Caleb.”
“Oh.” Expecting a piece of jewelry, I lifted the lid and blinked. Inside laid a little radio, or some kind of iPod. Eyebrows raised, I turned to Michael.
He grinned. “Caleb thought you’d need a recording device to use while reading the Grollic book or if you had a thought or anything that might be of use. It records and you can hit the little orange button on the side and it’ll transcribe your voice into an email that goes straight to your emails address—”
“And Caleb’s?” I couldn’t believe I’d thought it was a radio or some kind of iPod.
“Yeah.” He laughed, shaking his head. “He tends to be the impractical one.”
I tossed it onto the bed. “I’ll be sure and record a thank-you on it for him.”
“Sarah also got you this.” He handed me another small box.
“I thought you said her gift was at the house.”
“It is…Open, and you’ll see.”
I unwrapped. A key. For a car. “I can’t accept this.”
He held his hands up. “Then you tell Sarah you don’t want it. I’m not.”
Curiosity got the better of me. “What kind of car is it?”
“A surprise.” He smirked. “Want to go find out?”
“It’s too much.” My mouth said the words but I was dying to find out what it looked like.
“Rouge, you plan on going to go to university next year. You’ll need something to get back and forth.” He must’ve misunderstood the look on my face because he snorted and crossed his arms over his chest. “It’s a bloody lease. You can buy it out if you want to after the three years are up.”
“Yeah, but…” I didn’t know what to argue or say.
“You wanted eighteen to be big. Well, it is.” He checked his watch. “Is it okay if I give you my gift later? When I get back from the meeting?” His face gave nothing away.
“Sure.” Is he… No…Maybe? “Will it be just the two of us, uh, here?”
“I plan on it,” he whispered huskily, leaning forward and kissed me on the lips. I closed my eyes to enjoy the moment. When no kiss came, I opened one eye to peek at what he was doing.
He stood his head shaking and looking annoyed. “Fine. Grace is wondering if we’re coming over to the house. She wants to know if you like her gift.”
“Is she a little persistent when you don’t answer right away?”
“It’s like she keeps knocking on the door. The door inside my head.”
“Let’s go. I don’t want you ending up with a headache. It’s nearly one o’clock.” Michael would need to leave with Caleb and Seth shortly.
I stood and held out my hand. His warm fingers slid into mine as he kissed me on the mouth. This kiss was different; more passionate and wild. Whatever he felt made me want to hold him tight and not let go. Tempted to suggest we head across the room instead of out the door, I pressed closer. However, as impulsive as the kiss had started, he quickly pulled back.
“Sorry… gone all night, and now having to leave you this afternoon, I feel like I am going through a bit of Rouge-withdrawal.” He lightly traced the tip of my nose with his finger.
“I don’t mind the needy kisses.” I giggled. One of those girlie laughs I’d made fun of all my life. I did one of those. “I'm happy to help take that feeling away.”
He groaned and pulled me into a tight hug. “You’re going to drive me crazy. You already do and it can only get worse! A wonderful, intoxicating worse.”
“Well, if I’m the worst thing that’s ever happened to you…”
“Come on.” He scooped me up. “Or I’ll never make this Higher Coven meeting I already don’t want to go to.”
Chapter 20
Michael held his hand out to let me step through the sliding doors first. A pyramid of birthday cupcakes sat on the counter. Flames danced on the number candles – a one and an eight. Chocolate and vanilla cupcakes piled three high, each covered in whip cream and sparkles. Even though it was nothing big, it made my throat constrict. No one had ever bought, let alone baked me a cake. Not even Sally in the three years I’d live with them. Uggh, after what she’d pulled why would I even think of her?
Sarah and Grace stood behind the counter, looking like a couple of kids who couldn’t wait to blow the candles out themselves. I smiled at their excitement. Maybe this is kinda overdue for all of us.
My heart melted. How had I gotten so lucky? I nearly stumbled as I realized how much I cared for all of them, not just Michael. Nothing in my life had led me to believe life should be like this. Yet, this all seemed… exactly right.
“Come blow out your candles!” Grace sounded like an excited six year old.
The kid inside of me ran over to the cupcakes, determined to blow them out before they did. I could forgive Grace’s bottle of perfume – for now. I pulled my hair back and blew lightly, paranoid I might let spittle escape at the same time.
“Happy birthday to you!” Grace and Sarah sang and clapped together.
My cheeks ached from all my smiling.
“Did you open up all your presents?” Grace asked, blinking and trying to look all doe-eyed.
“Almost.” Michael leaned over and grabbed a cupcake. “I’m going to make her wait till I get back from the meeting.”
Sarah walked around the counter and grabbed my hand. “Let’s go see what’s in the driveway.” She started pulling me toward the living room and front door.
I managed to grab an icing-loaded cupcake. “I…You…It’s too much.”
“Nonsense! If you're going to be staying with us, you'll need a vehicle to get to school, hit the mall or wherever.” She paused at the door, one hand on the knob. “Ready? You go first.” She swung the door open, her eyes darting outside, to me, then outside again a
nd back to me.
My jaw dropped. Beside Michael’s mustang was a black Jeep. I didn’t know what to say. How did one respond to the coolest, unbelievably expensive, awesome-ist thing in the entire world?
Sarah grabbed my hand again and pulled me towards the Jeep. “I thought about what you’d need. You're not like us. If you get stuck you’ll need four-wheel drive to get out. I wanted something for you to feel safe in…and fun at the same time.”
“It’s amazing…” Tears welled in my eyes, but I blinked them back. Girls who drive Jeeps don’t cry.
“You like it?”
“I love it!” I ran my hand over the cold side and shivered. I needed a coat and also some mittens. “I can’t wait to take it for a drive.”
“Let’s go now!” Michael walked around to the passenger side.
“Michael,” Sarah spoke quiet, but with firmness I hadn’t heard before. “You need to see Caleb. You’re already running late.”
“I didn’t forget.” He stared at Sarah with an unreadable face, and then turned to me, his brows popping up. “Let’s get you inside.” He was at my side and put his arm across my shoulder, pulling me tight. “It’s too cold for you.”
I hadn’t even realized my teeth were chattering, or I’d been shaking, till I felt the warmth he offered. Inside, I stood by the gas fireplace and held out my hands. Glancing around, I asked, “Where’s Seth?”
Grace dropped onto the couch, licking icing off her fingers. “He left early this morning to set up for the meeting and check in with his understudy. He did say to tell you Happy Birthday. He offered to let me give you a kiss from him, and asked me to videotape it. Pretty as you are, I still refuse.”
“Totally fine with me.” I laughed.
Michael stiffened, his eyes darting to Caleb’s office door.
A sinking feeling filled my stomach and I stared down at my half-eaten cupcake. “Time to head out?”
“Shortly,” Michael checked his watch. “Caleb needs to be there before everyone else. It’s expected.”