Romani Blood (Shifter Blood: Romani Curse Book 1)

by Frances Trilone

  Carter didn’t play by the rules. Isn’t that what Cole said?

  I knocked on Mom's bedroom door but got no response. I needed to say goodbye before she left, and I wanted to know more about this Romani curse.

  Voices drifted from the dining room as the doorbell rang. More Elders arriving for their meeting with Uncle Henry. No doubt to talk about Kaleb showing up in the tent.

  I pressed my ear against the bedroom door, knocking again. “Mom, it's me.”

  “What are you doing?” Uncle Henry asked, closing his office door.

  “I wanted to see Mom before she left.”

  “There's no time for that.” He led me to the living room. I glimpsed three Elders sitting at the dining room table, lost in a pile of documents. They were much too busy to notice Uncle Henry pushing me outside. “Get to Drina’s house and stay there. I’ll tell your mom to stop by before she leaves.”

  After Uncle Henry pulled the curtains closed, I leaned my forehead against the glass door and groaned. Five hours ago, I’d learned the guy I cared about was a wolf.

  I lifted my forehead off the glass door. I didn’t want to accept Kaleb wasn’t human. What chance did I have with him if the Romanies and wolves didn’t get along? He’s next in line to lead the pack on Norwood Isle. Leading the pack probably meant having another olden by his side. Someone like Lexi, or her friend with the straight black hair and green eyes.

  “You must be Henry's niece?”

  I spun around at the unfamiliar voice and found a man standing near the gazebo. He looked vaguely familiar. It wasn't until he walked toward the porch and into the light that I recognized him.

  It was the stranger from Drina's reception. The one dressed in black, who’d talked to Uncle Henry and the Elders on the banquet hall’s patio.

  “You must be here for the meeting.” I pointed to the glass door. “They're inside.”

  He smiled, exposing super-white teeth. “How do you like working at the café?”

  “It's fine.” I left the porch, tucking my hands into my jean pockets, and walked past the stranger as he tapped on the glass door.

  “I hope the wolves are behaving,” he said.

  I glanced over my shoulder at the stranger. He smiled and quickly turned away as the door opened. Uncle Henry invited him inside and closed the door.

  The night air sent a shiver down my spine as I reluctantly walked to Drina’s house. My thoughts drifted to Kaleb and how huge he was as a wolf. His fur looked dark. Maybe black or dark brown? He was hard to see in the shadows.

  I finally looked up. I saw Nadya’s house in the distance, which meant Drina’s house was on the next street over. After crossing the street, I stopped in front of Marie’s half-charred house, feeling sad for her. What spell was so powerful to cause a fire and kill her, along with whoever else was in the house? And why wouldn’t anyone talk about her?

  “What are you doing?” Nadya, dressed in a tight red dress and black high heels, joined me in front of Marie’s house.

  “I’m walking to Drina’s house.” I glanced at Nadya out of the corner of my eye and decided to play nice even if she wouldn’t. “I like your shoes.”

  Nadya looked down at her high heels. “Thanks.”

  I turned my attention back to Marie’s house, hoping to see that glowing green light. Only dead trees and darkness greeted us. “Do you know what happened to Marie?”

  “We’re not supposed to talk about it, but weeks before she died, she ranted about a prophecy, and how the wolves were talking in her head. Everyone knew she was crazy. It’s why she set the fire and killed herself.”

  She looked at my jeans and t-shirt. “Is that what you’re wearing to the party?”

  “What party?”

  “At Drina’s house. We’d better get going so we’re not late.” Nadya hurried as fast as her black high heels allowed.

  I groaned. Uncle Henry hadn’t said anything about a party. Definitely, the last thing I wanted, since I’d planned to ask Drina what she knew about the Romani curse and the wolves.

  As soon as we arrived at Drina’s house, Nadya rushed inside. I sat in one of the rocking chairs on the front porch. I was in no hurry to go inside—preferring to watch the night sky slowly blanket the earth. I needed to figure out how to get a hold of Kaleb. The Norwood staff rarely came by the café when I worked, and he didn’t have a cell phone. Maybe Wendy could get a message to him.

  A girl with brown hair poked her head out the front door. “Everyone’s waiting for you.”

  I glanced toward the sidewalk, thinking she couldn’t be talking to me. Mumbling something about a lot of no-shows, she pulled me into the house and led me down the hallway.

  Music played somewhere in the back of the house. Several guys yelling, and what sounded like gunfire and zombie groans, drifted into the hallway from the living room. The option of watching a bunch of guys playing a video game sounded more fun than the cheering noises from the kitchen, but the girl with brown hair held my arm tightly, determined to choose where I needed to be.

  As we entered the kitchen, a ping-pong ball flew toward us and more cheering erupted. A girl scooped up the ping-pong ball and tossed it toward the kitchen table. A group of guys stood at each end of the table, holding red plastic cups. One of them raised his cup and winked at me.

  “Oh my God, Sienna!” screamed Drina. She pulled me toward the kitchen island where a bunch of teenagers stood around eating chips. “I heard what happened yesterday.”

  “You're Sienna?” a girl asked, moving closer.

  I nodded a little dazed. They were being way too nice. “What about yesterday?”

  “You were near one of them,” a guy said.

  Everyone knew Kaleb had come to the fortune-telling tent. The fact that I wasn’t dead impressed them because no one except the Elders went near the Norwood wolves.

  “I heard Kaleb grabbed your arm.” Drina looked me over. “Did he hurt you?”

  “It was no big deal,” I said.

  “Are you kidding me?” a boy exclaimed, and everyone turned to look at me.

  “Hey, leave her alone. The wolves are new to Sienna,” Ethan said as he and Victor entered the kitchen.

  Victor nodded his hello to me. It was his usual silent greeting when we saw each other.

  I froze when Ethan kissed my cheek, and all eyes fell upon us. So now, not only was I popular, but Ethan liked me?

  “I’m glad he didn’t hurt you,” Drina said.

  “I’m surprised Henry let you out last night.” Ethan grabbed a beer from the refrigerator. “I heard you went to a party with the sheriff’s daughter.”

  How did Ethan know about the party last night? Uncle Henry swore me to secrecy on anything Wendy and I did together. He said only the Elders knew what I was up to and that I shouldn’t tell anyone. “I stayed on sacred ground, so there wasn’t anything to worry about.”

  “You know she doesn’t have a choice. The Elders are making her work at the café and be nice to the gaje, including the sheriff’s daughter.” Drina grabbed my hand and pulled me to the back door. “Let’s get some fresh air.”

  After the back door slammed shut, I sat on the deck steps. “How does Ethan know I went to a party last night?”

  “I don’t know,” Drina replied, sitting next to me. “I didn’t even know you went to a party last night. Ethan’s been acting weird lately. Can I ask you a question?”

  “Of course.” I glanced into the woods at the far end of Drina’s backyard and wondered where Kaleb was tonight.

  “Do you like Ethan?”

  I laughed. “Are you kidding me? He’s dating Nadya, and I don’t steal other girl’s boyfriends.”

  “It’s weird he kissed your cheek tonight. He asked Victor about you earlier. He wanted to know what you’ve been up to and if you’ve been seeing anyone. Of course, you’ve been busy working, and that’s what Victor told him,” she said. “It’s just that Nadya wants to marry Ethan. She’s been planning it for years and—”<
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  “Trust me. I’m not interested in Ethan.”

  “His mom used to be friends with Auntie Nells. Maybe she asked him to keep an eye on you.” Drina touched my arm. “So, tell me the truth. Are you okay? You’re awfully calm about Kaleb showing up like that and grabbing you. You do know who he is?”

  “Yeah, he’s an olden. He shapeshifts into a wolf and will be the next alpha to lead the Norwood wolves.” I sighed and let my heart sink even more. “Have you seen them shapeshift?”

  “No, and I hope I never do.” Drina stood. “Do you want anything to drink?”

  “Sure.” I thought about last night’s punch and felt queasy. “Just plain water, please.”

  Drina went back inside the house, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Maybe she was right. I needed to act upset, or people might get suspicious. But what did it matter if I’d invited Kaleb to the tent? It’s not as if I’d known he was a shapeshifter. None of the Romanies would ever think we knew each other.

  I looked up at the night sky as the back door opened. It was too cloudy to see any stars, and there was no sign of the moon. “I meant to ask you about the curse. Do you know—”

  A foot kicked me in the back and sent me flying into the yard. I landed hard on the grass and rolled over onto my back, dazed. Before I could get up or utter a word, someone jumped on top of me and punched me in the eye.

  “You can’t take what doesn’t belong to you,” Nadya sneered.

  I pushed her off me, got to my feet, and punched her in the mouth. She fell backward, landing on her butt. I pulled my fist back to hit her again, but the tears streaming down her cheeks made me stop.

  “What’s your problem?” I asked.

  “I’m not a fool. I know why you’re here.” She glared at me as she wiped blood from her lip. “You can’t—”

  The back door slammed as Ethan came outside and rushed to Nadya’s side. He wiped the blood from her lip.

  “Are you okay?” He glared at me. “Sienna, what did you do?”

  “I didn’t do anything,” I insisted. “Nadya started this.”

  The back door swung open again. This time Victor and Drina walked outside. They looked at Nadya, who now sobbed on Ethan’s shoulders.

  “What happened?” Victor snapped at me.

  I shook my head; pissed everyone thought this was my fault. “She punched me first.”

  “There’s no way Sienna started this,” Drina said. “Look at her swollen eye. She’s just as hurt as Nadya.”

  Victor glanced at Ethan. “Get Nadya cleaned up and take her home.”

  “Henry won’t be happy about this.” Ethan helped Nadya into the house. I could just imagine what they’d tell everyone once they got inside. Whatever popularity I’d gained overnight was gone.

  “Drina, go get some ice for Sienna.” Victor leaned against the deck railing and folded his arms.

  I glanced at Drina as she went into the house. I wished she hadn’t left me alone with her husband. Victor looked like he wanted to scold me or, even worse, give me a lecture. “Victor, I swear she punched me first. She doesn’t like me.”

  “I saw what you did.” His eyes narrowed. “You were going to punch her again, but you stopped. Why?”

  “She was crying,” I replied, sitting on the deck steps.

  Drina came outside with a frozen pack of peas and handed it to me. She sat down and smiled. “You’re the talk of the party. First Kaleb, and now a fight with Nadya. No one’s going to mess with you.”

  “Is your dad gonna be pissed?” I covered my eye with the peas.

  “I’ll talk to Henry. Just stay away from Nadya.” Victor went inside the house.

  “Don’t worry about my dad.” Drina patted my knee. “Everyone knows Nadya fights anyone who goes near Ethan.”

  “I’m not even interested in him.”

  “Well, she doesn’t believe you.” She grabbed the pack of peas out of my hand and looked at my eye. “I hate to say this, but you’re going to have a black eye.”

  I groaned. My first black eye. Dad must be rolling in his grave.

  Chapter 15

  “I don’t understand why you don’t want us to go.” Wendy turned the dishwasher on and stacked the empty bus bins on the counter.

  The Wednesday lunch crowd had left. After we finished clearing the tables, I tried to convince Wendy to cancel her trip to Norwood Isle. I didn’t want her going until Kaleb guaranteed her safety, but reaching him had proved impossible. I couldn’t go to Norwood Isle and talk to him. I was even crazy enough to drive to the dock this morning, but no boat, and no Kaleb.

  “It’s not that I don’t want you to go.” I followed her out of the kitchen. “I’m saying there must be something better to do. What about a girls’ trip to Dover?”

  Wendy sat at the front counter, stretched her arms forward, and yawned. “No way am I canceling. Cole’s our guide.”

  “Are your parents okay with you going?”

  “They think I’m going to Dover. There’s nothing to worry about. Cole will be with us.”

  I sighed as I realized I wouldn’t be able to change her mind. “Have you talked to him lately?”

  “I saw him Monday night. He’s excited too.” She hopped off the barstool. “Enough about my trip. I want to know what happened.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “That?” She pointed to my eye. “No amount of makeup is hiding that black eye.”

  Unfortunately, Drina hadn’t been able to come by this morning to cover up my black eye as she had the past few days. I did my best, but I knew nothing about makeup. “Does it look that bad?”

  “I knew it.” She crossed her arms. “What happened? You looked fine on Sunday. Don’t tell me you walked into a door. I’m not stupid.”

  “It’s not a big deal. Nadya sucker punched me.”

  “I didn’t think your uncle tolerated things like that.”

  “Oh, he wasn’t happy.” Actually, Uncle Henry had been furious when Ethan stopped by Monday morning, but whatever Victor had said changed everything. I didn’t get into any trouble.

  Wendy and I talked until several tourists sat at a table in the outdoor garden. We took their orders and gave them advice on what to do until the next ferry arrived. The rest of the day was uneventful.

  No one from Norwood Isle came by the café.

  As I drove home, I could only think of one place to find Kaleb. Willow’s Point—the place he’d told Markus about when they talked in the woods. He said he went there to think, and there was a path behind Henry’s house. Maybe Kaleb was there right now.

  “Why’d you leave the house so early this morning?” Aunt Norma asked the minute I entered the house.

  “I wanted to see Ethan before he left,” I replied.

  My answer was partly true. I’d stopped by Drina’s house this morning to thank Victor for talking to Uncle Henry, and Ethan happened to be around. When Nadya showed up, I left.

  “You and Ethan are getting along? No more problems with Nadya, I hope.”

  I nodded. I waited for her to bombard me with more questions, but she turned her attention to the television.

  “Is it okay if I go for a walk?” I asked.

  Aunt Norma flipped through the TV channels. “Stay on the sidewalks.”

  I rushed to my bedroom, washed my face, and changed into comfortable clothes. I ended up changing my shirt twice, not feeling satisfied with my choices. It was silly; I’d never cared what I looked like before when I saw Kaleb.

  This time was different though. I was scared and nervous.

  I found the dirt path behind Uncle Henry’s house and practically ran to the lake, certain he was already there. As soon as I reached Willow’s Point, I could see there was no Kaleb and no boat. I sat on a log someone had placed on the shore, trying to decide what my next step should be. At the very least, I could watch the sunset before going home.

  Rustling in the bushes caused me to jump. I held my breath, ready to confront Kaleb.r />
  “What are you doing?” Markus emerged from the woods, a scowl on his face.

  “Me?” I stumbled back, startled. “What are you doing here?”

  “I saw you at the dock this morning. Now you show up here?”

  I took several steps back, stopping when waves hit the back of my boots. “Are you following me?”

  “He’s not coming.” He folded his arms. “You need to go home.”

  “Is Kaleb okay? Uncle Henry said they’d punish him. I’ve been worried—”

  “You’re worried about him?” He shook his head. “Go home. It’s not safe here.”

  “I know, but I needed to . . .” My words trailed into a whisper as my throat went dry, and I stepped into the water. Markus was right. It wasn’t safe. While searching for Kaleb, it had never occurred to me another wolf might appear. “You’re like Kaleb, aren’t you? You’re a shapeshifter.”

  He nodded. “You don’t have to be afraid of me.”

  “I’m not.” I stood still, trying to decide if I should be afraid of Markus. He’d admitted he was a shapeshifter. We were alone, far away from anyone that could hear me scream. No one knew where I was, but Markus wasn’t a stranger and I’d saved his life. That must count for something.

  “I smell your fear.” He leaned against a tree. “There’s one thing you should know. I’m not loyal to the pack. I’m loyal to Kaleb, which means I’m not here to hurt you. I’m here to protect you.”

  “Protect me from what?”

  “From anything that tries to hurt you.” His eyes flashed with anger when I looked directly at him. “What the hell happened to your eye? It didn’t look like that on Sunday.”

  My head jerked back. “How long have you been following me?”

  “A few days,” he replied. “What happened?”

  “Someone sucker punched me.” I thought about what Markus had said. He’s been following me around, protecting me because Kaleb told him to. Why protect a half-Romani girl?

  “Who punched you?”

  “Just some girl.” I sat on the log; confident Markus wasn’t a threat. “Did you and Kaleb bring me home on Saturday night?”