Romani Blood (Shifter Blood: Romani Curse Book 1)

by Frances Trilone

  “Yes.”

  “And you made Roger and his friends leave town?”

  “Kaleb didn’t give him a choice.” Markus glanced over his shoulder. “You need to get home. Don’t go anywhere alone. Do you hear me?”

  “On one condition,” I replied. “Tell Kaleb I want to see him.”

  “No. You two shouldn’t be hanging out. It’s one thing for him to have fun with the tourists and blow off steam … but not this. Not with you,” he said. “I don’t care if you like him. This won’t work.”

  I bit my lower lip as his words sank in. “I never said I liked him.”

  “Then why did you kiss him?”

  “I didn’t.” I suddenly felt hot all over. How could I not remember kissing Kaleb? That couldn’t be possible. “Are you sure I kissed him?”

  “You don’t remember?”

  I shook my head. “Was he mad?”

  “No. But you can’t do it again.” He folded his arms. “If you care about him, you’ll stay away.”

  I stood. “I’ll stay away, but I need to talk to him. Tell him to call the café.”

  “Why?”

  “Wendy and her friends are going to Norwood Isle. I want him to guarantee their safety.”

  “I’ll tell him.” He sighed. “I can’t make any promises. Kaleb does what he wants.”

  “Thanks,” I mumbled. I followed the path home, trying to remember kissing Kaleb. Maybe Markus had lied, but why would he?

  I made it home as the sun disappeared over the horizon. I slid the back door shut and searched for Markus. It wasn’t until I locked the door that I saw him. He sat near the path in wolf form. His two beady eyes glowed in the darkness.

  I waved and thought about what Markus had said. He was wrong.

  It didn’t matter if Kaleb was a Norwood wolf. He and I could still be together.

  Chapter 16

  “Remember to lock the doors tonight,” Bill said as he and the other Town Council members left the café on Friday night.

  For the past hour, the Town Council had shared a pot of coffee as they discussed local issues. The only real issue in Woodlake was Paige was still missing, which no one talked about anymore. There were no leads, but the Council reassured Wendy and me we had nothing to worry about.

  “When do you leave for college?” I asked, grabbing a rag.

  Wendy sprayed multi-purpose cleaner on a menu and wiped it clean. “This summer, but I’ll be home for Christmas.”

  “I can’t believe you’re moving away.” I wiped the front counter and tossed the rag into a bucket.

  “We’ll keep in touch, and you can visit anytime.” Wendy cleaned another menu. “Are you sure you can’t come to Norwood Isle?”

  “A night with boys and no chaperones. It’s against the rules.” I shook my head and wished I could tell Wendy the truth about the Norwood wolves.

  Still no phone call from Kaleb, even though I’d talked to Markus three days ago. What if he hadn’t given Kaleb my message? Wendy’s camping trip to Norwood Isle was in three weeks, and there was no changing her mind. My last option involved telling her parents the truth, but she’d never forgive me.

  “He’s here.” Wendy ran out the side door, like a child excited about recess at school.

  Cole and two other people from Norwood Isle sat outside, but no Kaleb, and no Markus. A few minutes later, Wendy reentered the café and did a happy dance.

  “You better take it slow with him.” I smiled.

  “I will.” She filled several cups with water and gave the cook their order for hamburgers.

  I glanced out the bay window again. “Are others from Norwood Isle coming?”

  “No. Cole said it’s just the three of them tonight.” Wendy hurried through the side door, carrying a tray with cups. She sat and joined their conversation. When Cole slid an arm around her and kissed her cheek, she smiled.

  As soon as their hamburgers were ready, I grabbed the tray and headed outside. Wendy gave me an apologetic look and mouthed thanks.

  I tried not to stare at Cole or the other two wolves when I handed them their plates. I assumed they were shapeshifters, since they wore the standard Norwood Isle shirts.

  I couldn’t understand how they shapeshifted into wolves. It wasn’t as if they were hairy or drooled on their food. They looked normal. They looked human. They looked like everybody else.

  Wendy looked more like a customer than a waitress as she handed me the other empty tray. I didn’t let it bother me; the café was empty and I could keep an eye on her from the bay window. Cole seemed like a nice guy, and it wasn’t as if he would shapeshift into a wolf right now. And if he wanted to hurt her, he’d get the chance when she went to Norwood Isle.

  “Is there anything else I can get you?” I asked.

  “No,” Cole said. “Is it true you’re a Romani?”

  “My mom’s a Romani,” I replied. “And you run with the Norwood wolves?”

  Wendy lowered her gaze, looking worried about a confrontation. But if Markus lurked nearby, she had nothing to worry about. I wasn’t stupid enough to start something with a bunch of wolves.

  “Yeah.” Cole grinned, exposing his sharp pearly-white teeth. He tossed a fry into his mouth and turned to Wendy.

  I walked back to the café and kept myself busy by sweeping the floor and wiping all the tables. No matter how much I cleaned, I couldn’t get my mind off Kaleb. Why didn’t he call me? Maybe Markus was wrong and Kaleb was mad I’d kissed him.

  “I’m taking out the trash,” I said to the cook as I opened the back door. Holding two trash bags in my hand, I walked toward the large dumpster.

  Loud laughter, including Wendy’s recognizable laugh, erupted from the outdoor seating area. I couldn’t make out what she was saying, but she sounded happy.

  “You needed to talk?”

  “What?” I stumbled backward, surprised to see Kaleb. I hadn’t expected him to show up. Not when Markus had insisted I stay away.

  Kaleb’s smile faded. “You’re scared of me?”

  “No.” I tossed the trash bags into the dumpster and wiped my hands on my apron. “I thought you were calling the café.”

  “Calling the café wasn’t a good idea.” His tone changed from warm to cold. “You don’t have to worry about Wendy and her friends. I give my word nothing will happen to them.”

  “Thanks.” I took a deep breath to calm my frazzled nerves, convincing myself I wasn’t in any danger. This was Kaleb. Not a monster, like everyone believed.

  He crossed his arms and glanced toward the outdoor seating area as more laughter filled the night. Whatever they were talking about turned his hard expression into a brief smile. It was back to a frown as his green eyes turned to me. “How’s your eye? Markus said a girl hit you.”

  I ran a finger across my eyebrow, remembering I hadn’t bothered with any foundation this morning. The bruise had already yellowed and didn’t look too bad. “It’s no big deal.”

  “Sienna, we have a customer,” the cook yelled from the back door.

  “I’m coming.” I looked at Kaleb. I wondered if he planned on disappearing as soon as I entered the café. “Can you stay? I could have the cook make you a burger.”

  His eyes drifted toward the woods, confirming what I already knew. We weren’t alone. He was never alone. “I can’t.”

  “Wait, you can’t leave. I have so many questions.” I grabbed his arm and leaned in, lowering my voice. “Meet me at Willow’s Point tonight. I’ll be there after work.”

  His jaw tightened when he looked at my hand on his arm, but he didn’t pull away. “That’s a bad idea.”

  “Then don’t show up.” I rushed back inside the café without giving him a chance to reply or tell me how crazy I was.

  I must be crazy. I’d invited a wolf to meet me alone in an isolated place at night.

  * * *

  Several hours later, I sat on my bed, convincing myself it was safe to see Kaleb. He wasn’t going to hurt me. Just because he
was a wolf didn’t change things. It wasn’t as if he was a vampire and wanted to suck my blood. He’d already had plenty of chances to attack me if he wanted to.

  Aunt Norma and Uncle Henry went to Drina’s house for dinner. Mom still hadn’t returned from Dover. All I needed to do was follow the path to Willow’s Point, where Kaleb waited. I could ask him about the Romani curse. Ask him if everything Uncle Henry had said was true. It sounded simple and yet … I paced back and forth in the living room, trying to make up my mind. Finally, I grabbed a flashlight and slipped out the back door.

  Although the flashlight illuminated the path, I stumbled a few times. When I reached the shoreline, I tripped over a branch and fell flat on my face near a log. I glanced at the lake several feet away, shaking my head, and spitting out dirt.

  “Are you kidding me?” I muttered under my breath. I reached for the flashlight and looked up.

  A large brown wolf sat on the log, staring down at me. He tilted his head as our eyes met. This was it. Kaleb was going to shapeshift into human form. He’d wanted to show me his wolf.

  I rubbed my eyes, making sure I could see him clearly. “Kaleb?”

  “That’s not me.”

  I froze, realizing Kaleb’s voice came from behind me. Slowly, I got to my feet and set the flashlight against the log as the brown wolf ran into the woods. “Is that Markus?”

  “Yes. He’s the only one I trust.”

  I squinted, trying to find Markus in the woods as I brushed dirt off my clothes. “Is he watching us?”

  “He’s not far. If you’re wondering if we’re alone, we are.” He leaned against a tree and folded his arms. “Did you really get into a fight? Because I know how some of the Romani men treat their—”

  “A girl sucker punched me.” I sighed, not sure if I should sit or stand while we talked. “She thinks I like Ethan.”

  “I told you he was the golden boy.” He chuckled. “Having girls fight over him.”

  “We weren’t fighting over him. It was a misunderstanding. You know I don’t like Ethan.”

  “Because you like me?” He stared at me, his eyes demanding an answer.

  I swallowed hard, surprised at his bold question. Kaleb already knew I liked him. Isn’t that what Markus had said? “I don’t go around kissing guys unless I like them.”

  “You didn’t kiss me.”

  “What?” I gasped. “Markus said—”

  “You kissed my cheek.” He shifted his gaze to the lake. “You were thanking me for getting you home.”

  A memory of Kaleb tucking me into my bed flashed in my mind. He’d carried me into my bedroom, being extra careful not to wake anyone in the house. He’d convinced me to change into my pajamas while he looked away. “That’s right. I remember now. You told me I was safe, and you’d take care of Roger for spiking my drink. I kissed your cheek and called you my hero.”

  “I’m no hero,” he replied. “Why did you want to meet?”

  “I told you, I have questions.” I looked over my shoulder as a branch snapped from somewhere in the woods. Must be Markus patrolling the area, making sure no one saw us.

  “I saw you pacing Henry’s living room. You should’ve stayed there.”

  “You were watching me?” I turned around, startled to see him only inches from me. Instinctively, I took a step backward and bumped into a pine tree.

  “I didn’t think you’d be stupid enough to come.” He glared as he moved toward me. “What if I didn’t show up?”

  “But I’m safe in the community.”

  “Don’t you get it? You shouldn’t be here. Not with me.” He leaned toward me, resting his forearm on the tree trunk, and stared me down. “You’re supposed to be afraid of the ‘Big Bad Wolf’. Didn’t they tell you?”

  I breathed deeply, inhaling his familiar scent. Why did he have to smell so good? “They told me to stay away from you and run in the opposite direction.”

  “They’re right. You should run from me.”

  “No.”

  “What?” He pulled his head away. Moonlight shone on his face, revealing a kind face. A tired face. Not a monster.

  “I won’t run from you.” Maybe I’d had doubts earlier. Maybe I’d thought meeting him might be a mistake, but seeing Kaleb confirmed what I already knew. I didn’t want to run from him. “You’re not a big bad wolf.”

  “You have no idea what I’m capable of.”

  “I know you won’t hurt me.” I tilted my chin up, meeting his gaze as my lips trembled.

  His eyes softened, staring into my soul and seeing the truth in my eyes. I liked him, and I wasn’t afraid. Slowly, his lips parted, and he lowered his gaze, uttering a low growl. Tingles crept over my body. I wanted his lips, his hands, his everything touching me.

  I wrapped my arms around his neck, loving the way his hands slid down my arms and came to rest on my hips. A kiss to my neck made me suck in air, gasping when Kaleb kissed my neck again and again. Each kiss was more urgent and demanding than the kiss before. I held him tight and uttered a low moan, not wanting him to stop.

  When he lifted his head and looked at me, I pressed my lips against his. A slow, gentle kiss quickly turned rough when Kaleb pressed against me hard. I kissed him harder, wanting more.

  A howl interrupted the quiet night, causing Kaleb to break our kiss and pull his head away.

  I didn’t dare move as I whispered, “Is that Markus?”

  “Yeah.” He cleared his throat, looking me straight in the eyes. “I can’t change what I am. There’s no witch magic or spell.”

  “I never said I wanted you to change, Kaleb.” I leaned my head against his chest. His heartbeat pounded in my ear and stopped again. I lifted my head and placed my hand over his heart, waiting for it to beat again. Was this normal for shapeshifters? “Is your heart okay?”

  “My heart’s fine.” Kaleb released his arms from around my waist. “We should talk.”

  Chapter 17

  I pulled my arms away from Kaleb’s neck and looked around Willow’s Point. There was no sign of a boat nearby, and the closest road was behind us in the community. “How’d you get here?”

  “Markus and I ran along the shoreline from town.” Kaleb ran his hand down my back, and then abruptly turned around, scanning the woods.

  I glanced in the same direction. Tall pine trees swayed in the wind, but nothing else moved. At least, nothing I could see. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah. Just a group of deer about fifty feet away.” He led me to the log. I sat, while he remained standing. “They won’t bother us.”

  “You can hear them?”

  He crossed his arms, nodding. “That’s why you need to watch what you say. Like when you’re talking to Wendy in the gazebo.”

  “You were listening to us?”

  “No conversation in Woodlake is private.”

  “That’s how you knew so much.” I thought of my conversations with Wendy when the Norwood staff had been at the café. But what did it matter if the wolves had super-hearing powers, when they could read minds? I closed my eyes and thought of the first time I saw Kaleb at the café. “Tell me what I’m thinking.”

  “How am I supposed to know what you’re thinking? You’re the one with a crystal ball.”

  I opened my eyes and looked at Kaleb. “Uncle Henry said the wolves are telepathic. That you can read minds.”

  “Is that what the Romanies think?” He chuckled. “What else did Henry say?”

  “It’s the Romanies’ fault you’re like this. Something about a curse.”

  “Ah, the famous Romani curse story. About a boy who fell in love with a Romani witch. She cursed him and his friends. My grandfather told me the story.” He glanced at me, grinning. “I can’t read your mind. Henry probably heard about our transference ability. It’s a form of telepathy, but only works for those in the same bloodline.”

  “Like your cousin, Carter?” I looked at Kaleb, imagining how cool it must be to speak to someone without actually using you
r mouth. “Does he live on Norwood Isle?”

  “No. Carter’s a Kingsley wolf. They live on the northwest side of Lake Sweeney. You don’t need to worry about him. He likes to break rules, but he stays out of trouble.”

  I breathed a sigh of relief on hearing Carter lived two hundred miles away. “What about Markus? Are you in the same bloodline?”

  “No, but pack leaders can use transference with anyone in their pack, regardless of their bloodline. It’s part of the process when joining the pack.”

  “So when you’re the pack leader, you can use transference with Markus and everyone in the Norwood pack?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer. Deep down, I hoped Kaleb might say he wasn’t next in line to lead the Norwood wolves. Maybe he had an older brother the Romanies didn’t know about.

  “Yes, but . . .” He paused, looking at me as if trying to decide whether to tell me something. “Transference can work with others. Not only the wolves in our pack.”

  “Others? You said you couldn’t use it with Markus and—”

  “It works with anyone who shares the same bloodline as me.” He sat next to me. The log creaked and shifted beneath us. Casually, he stretched his legs out in front of him and rested his palms of his hands on the log. “What did Henry say about the Town Council?”

  “That the elections are rigged every year, and only descendants of the original settlers serve on the Town Council.” I looked at him, confused. “What does that have to do with transference?”

  “The settlers got caught up in the Romani curse, and their bloodlines became mixed with the shapeshifters’. No one knows what happened, but the Town Council members are somehow related to the shapeshifters. Bill’s ancestors share my bloodline.”

  “Bill’s a shapeshifter?”

  “No, he’s human.”

  “But you can use transference with him?”

  “Not exactly. Since he’s not a shapeshifter, it only works one way. I can push my thoughts onto Bill, but he can’t respond. Not without speaking.” He cleared his throat. “This ability isn’t a secret, but you should keep this to yourself. The Elders know, but they haven’t told everyone in the community.”