Asher nodded. “Kaleb will go.”
I finally looked at Kaleb, surprised to see his forest-green eyes were completely black. He still stood in the same spot with his arms crossed.
“We need to reopen the café tomorrow for the hunters and wolf trackers,” the Town Council member who’d asked Asher about the Kingsley wolves said. He looked in my direction. “Henry, we’d like Sienna to work during the day if that’s okay with you and the Elders.”
Uncle Henry glanced at the Elders and nodded.
“Sienna.” Ethan slid into the seat next to me.
“What?” I was trying to listen to what Bill was saying about Norwood Isle closing indefinitely, but Ethan kept talking to me.
“Did you hear me?” Ethan rested an arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. “The sheriff is outside. He wants to talk to you.”
My back stiffened.
I got up quietly and followed Ethan out of the room. As soon as we were in the hallway, I turned to Ethan. “What does the sheriff want?”
“Nothing.” Ethan smiled. “I lied.”
“What?” My lips twisted. I couldn’t believe Ethan had the nerve to lie to me.
“The meeting was getting boring. I thought Kaleb might bite that witch, but he backed off. Let’s go hang out at Victor’s house.”
I shook my head. Leaving was the last thing I wanted. “Maybe if you were listening instead of talking on your phone, you—”
“I talked to my dad for two minutes and sat in the back. Every meeting’s the same. Kaleb refuses to listen and everyone gets upset. Trust me, no one expects us to stay.”
“We can’t leave Uncle Henry,” I insisted.
“He’ll get a ride with the Elders.” Ethan walked toward the building’s front door, where two men stood holding guns. “Let’s go.”
I reluctantly followed Ethan out of the building. At least the café was reopening tomorrow, and I could ask Bill what I’d missed.
As we approached Ethan’s car, a large group of wolves along the gravel road caught my attention. They all watched a man holding a gun on the other side, except for a brown wolf. He had his eyes on me.
“Markus,” I muttered under my breath.
The brown wolf pushed its front legs forward and stretched. The other wolves sat, looking at Ethan and me.
Ethan unlocked the doors, and we got into the car. “I can’t believe you ordered Kaleb to put his cuff on.”
“I didn’t order him,” I said as the group of wolves stood. One of them growled. “I thought the witches bound the wolves from shapeshifting. Is that only inside the building?”
Ethan started the engine and pointed to the wolves. “You see how the wolves won’t cross the gravel road? That’s the spell’s boundary.”
“That’s a large area,” I mumbled.
Ethan pulled the car onto the gravel road, driving past the group of wolves. “You need to be careful. Kaleb doesn’t like anyone giving him orders. You’re lucky he’s leaving to see the Kingsley wolves. He’ll be gone for a few days.”
I sank back in the car seat and closed my eyes. I thought a trip to see the Kingsley wolves would be a few hours, not a few days. Getting answers from Kaleb would have to wait, but for how long?
Chapter 26
The next morning, local news networks reported the discovery of two dead bodies in Woodlake. Hunters and wolf trackers flocked to town, hoping to claim the reward money offered by Jenny’s parents. Dead or alive, they wanted the wolf that had killed their only child.
Norwood Isle closed until further notice, forcing the tourists off Norwood Isle and out of Woodlake. The Town Council set an eight o’clock curfew and decided to reopen the café.
“Maybe you shouldn’t go back to work,” Uncle Henry said as I opened the front door. “Your mom’s worried about you working in town.”
I tightened my grip on my purse. Last night Uncle Henry had finally given me Mom’s phone number. I’d left her two messages, but she’d never called back. “When did you talk to her?”
“This morning.” He ran a hand through his hair.
If Mom was worried, why didn’t she come back to Woodlake, or call me herself? “I’ll be fine. The wolf isn’t attacking any Romanies, and you can report to the Elders if I see anything important.”
“Good idea. Text me any updates.”
For the past few weeks, he and the Elders had met regularly. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what was happening. The Elders had an open spot, and Uncle Henry was doing everything possible to ensure he’d get that seat.
“Let’s go!” Victor yelled from his car.
Unfortunately, the Elders didn’t want me driving back and forth to the café anymore and insisted I needed an escort. Of course, the responsibility fell to a male family member, which meant Victor or Uncle Henry. I was relieved when Victor volunteered since I still avoided Uncle Henry whenever possible. I didn’t want to talk to him until I’d spoken to Mom about this arranged marriage nonsense. She needed to set her brother straight on what he could, and could not, decide for me.
“Thanks for driving me.” I climbed into Victor’s car and put on my seat belt. As we drove out of the Romani community, I stared out the window and thought of Kaleb. He hadn’t come by last night. I hoped he’d stop by the café today.
Main Street looked empty, except for a few trucks parked in front of the hotel. Hunters stood outside, smoking cigarettes and looking alert. In the distance, the Norwood ferry sat at the dock, but no one got on or off. The Closed sign hung across the ticket booth.
Victor parked the car in front of the café and turned off the radio. He sank back into his seat and glanced out the window. “If you want, I can talk to Henry and the Elders. Tell them you shouldn’t be at the café until they find this wolf. Trust me—they’d understand if you’re scared and don’t want to work.”
“Thanks, but I’ll be fine.” I glanced toward the café’s parking lot and saw Wendy getting out of her car. She waved to us and entered the café. “I’ll be inside the café until you pick me up.”
“If you change your mind, call me and I’ll come get you.”
“Okay.” I grabbed the door handle. “So I’ll see you at six o’clock?”
“Wait.” He pushed the door’s lock button. “There’s something else we need to talk about.”
I sighed, not liking the idea of talking to Victor. Making small talk about working at the café was fine, but whatever he wanted to talk about couldn’t be good. “Make it quick. I’m gonna be late.”
“Don’t give me attitude, Sienna. I’m on your side.”
“Sorry,” I mumbled. I didn’t have time to argue. What did he mean by being on my side?
“Are you and Ethan getting along?”
“Yes.” I kept my hand on the door handle, ready to get out as soon as he unlocked the doors. Talking about his cousin, and best friend, was the last thing I wanted. “Everything’s great between us.”
“Drina said you don’t want to marry him. Is that true?”
I swallowed hard, not sure if I should be honest. I couldn’t deny what Drina had said. She’d never lie to Victor. He knew that. “I know he’s your cousin, but he’s not my type. We wouldn’t be good together and—”
“I confronted Henry last night and asked him to call off your arranged marriage.”
I released my hold on the door handle. Confronting Uncle Henry took guts. I couldn’t believe Victor had done that for me. “Thank you. Whatever you want, name it. I owe you for doing this, and—”
“Henry refused.”
“He can’t do that.” I shook my head. “Did you tell him I don’t love Ethan? He’s into Nadya, not me.”
“Yes, but he didn’t care. Do you know anything about your mom’s banishment being lifted?”
“I know she begged the Elders to let her come back because she’s sick, and they agreed.”
“It wasn’t that easy.” He scratched his jaw. “Her banishment being lifted
had certain conditions.”
“Are you saying the arranged marriage to Ethan was a condition?” I inhaled deeply, trying to calm the gnawing pain in my chest. That’s why she hadn’t returned any of my phone calls. She knew about the arranged marriage. “You’re saying my mom knows?”
“I’m not sure if she knows, but she agreed to the conditions set by the Elders. They didn’t give her a choice.”
My throat went dry. “What conditions?”
“Well, living with Henry’s family was one. Her status in the community was knocked down a few notches. There are the rules of course. Rules you’re supposed to follow.” He fidgeted with his gold wedding band.
“What else?”
“You have to be engaged by your eighteenth birthday party.”
“My birthday’s in three weeks.” Tears rolled down my cheek as I stared at the café. I wanted to scream and yell how unfair this was. How could Mom have agreed to an engagement when my birthday was only three months from when we’d first arrived in Woodlake? She must know about the arranged marriage. That’s why she constantly asked about Ethan. Saying I’d have a better life, promising we wouldn’t stay in Woodlake too long. She knew Ethan lived in Ohio and marrying him meant we’d move.
“Don’t worry.” He handed me a tissue. “If Ethan insists on marrying Nadya, I have other cousins.”
“But . . .” I couldn’t finish my sentence as I wiped my tears. “Does Ethan know?”
“I’m talking to him tomorrow.”
I cleared my throat, determined to find a way out of this. Agreements always had loopholes. “What happens if I’m not engaged?”
“The banishment will be reinstated. You both have to leave the Romani community.”
“But we can stay in Woodlake?” I was hopeful even though I didn’t know how we’d manage. I could work more hours at the café to help pay for Mom’s hospital bills, but what about money for rent and food?
“No. You’d both be outcasts. We couldn’t talk to you, and the locals won’t let you stay. The Norwood wolves would. . .”
He glanced at me from the corner of his eye. “I know you don’t like it here, Sienna. You were raised differently, and you go around saying you’re half-Romani, but your mom’s a Romani. She’s sick, and she needs her family. I’m sorry, but you have no choice. You have to get engaged.”
“You’re telling me to marry someone I don’t love?” I shook my head, not wanting to admit Victor was right. Mom needed her family.
“I’m not telling you to get married. I’m saying get engaged.” He unlocked the car doors. “Don’t forget. Tell Bill you need to finish by four o’clock tomorrow. We have Drina’s birthday party.”
“I will.” I got out of the car and watched him drive away. Tears trickled down my face as I pulled my cell phone out and dialed Mom’s number. After three rings, her voicemail answered.
“Mom, it’s me again. I know. . .” I choked back a sob, trying to calm my voice as Victor’s words repeated in my head. I needed to get engaged, not get married. The Elders made Mom agree to an engagement. No one said anything about getting married. “Mom, please call me. It’s important.”
Chapter 27
Within an hour of reopening, twenty hunters were eating lunch inside the café. Only a handful of locals showed up, and most of them ordered their food to go. Wendy and I kept busy, refilling the hunters’ drinks and bringing them desserts.
Eventually, the wolf trackers came by and sat at the corner table near the front window. They seemed harmless with their maps and radios, unlike the hunters, who were placing bets on who’d kill the wolf.
No one sat at the tables outside, but that didn’t stop Wendy from checking every chance she got. I knew what she was thinking. The Norwood staff might appear, but with the hunters hanging around the café, it made more sense for them to stay away. Unfortunately, I couldn’t tell her that.
“Are you sure you haven’t seen him?” Wendy leaned against the front counter, propping her chin up with one hand. “What about Markus?”
“I’ve told you already. I haven’t seen them,” I replied. She’d asked about Kaleb twice in the last hour, hoping I knew something. But I hadn’t seen Kaleb or Markus since the town meeting, and I hadn’t told Wendy what Victor had said. I didn’t want to think about Mom agreeing to marry me off. Staying busy at the café was the best thing for me right now.
“I still don’t understand why the Town Council asked Norwood to close. It’s not like they have anything to do with the attacks.”
“They can’t risk anyone else getting hurt. I’m sure the trackers will find the wolf soon.” I nodded my head toward the table of wolf trackers and glanced at the hunters. “Or those hunters might get lucky and kill it.”
“That’s a bunch of bull.” Wendy rolled her eyes and jumped up, grabbing a menu. She strolled outside toward a man who sat alone at one of the tables.
One of the wolf trackers tapped his radio on the table. “Can I get some apple pie?”
“Of course.” I cut a piece of apple pie and grabbed the pitcher of iced tea.
“We must’ve missed something,” one of the wolf trackers said as I set the plate of apple pie in front of him. A map of Woodlake sat on their table, marked with two red X’s. “Maybe we should check the Romani community.”
I slowly refilled their cups with more iced tea as I listened to their discussion about areas where the wolf might rest during the day. The two red X’s were on the east side of town, near the water and far from the Romani community. Is that where they’d found the bodies?
“Hey, you’re from Woodlake,” the wolf tracker to my right said. “Do you know anything about the Romani community? The area’s off-limits to the hunters, but I bet—”
“Sienna, he’s asking for you,” Wendy called from the front counter.
I politely excused myself, grateful for the interruption. “Who’s asking for me?”
“That guy outside.” She lowered her voice as I handed her the iced tea pitcher. “I’ve never seen him before. I think he’s a Romani.”
A Romani at the café? Must be an Elder checking on me.
I walked out the side door, squinting at the man who sat with his back to the café. He wore khaki pants and a white shirt. When my gaze fell upon the man’s hardened face, my pulse quickened.
“Hello,” Asher said.
A chill crept down my body. Why was Kaleb’s father asking for me? He must be mad about the town meeting. “Is this about yesterday? Because I wasn’t giving Kaleb an order.”
“That’s not why I’m here.”
“Oh.” I took out my order pad and pencil from my apron. “Today’s special is fish pie.”
Asher’s smile faded. “I didn’t come to eat. You and I need to talk.”
“Uncle Henry hasn’t said anything about this.”
“Sit.” He pushed the chair in front of him away from the table. “I’m not here to hurt you. That’s not how I do things anymore.”
I sat, tucking the order pad and pencil into my apron. Leaning back in the chair, I rested one leg over the other and placed my hand on my right boot—the one with my hunting knife carefully tucked inside. “What do you want?”
“You’re not afraid of me?” His eyes narrowed. “You’re either brave, or foolish. Not too many Romanies would get this close to an olden. My pack says you’re a half-Romani girl who isn’t afraid of us. They say you’re different. You must be if Kaleb—”
“What do you want?” I repeated my question because it didn’t matter what the pack said. I was scared of Asher. He could rip out my throat in seconds and no one could stop him.
“We have a problem.” He leaned forward, lowering his voice. “You’re in love with my son.”
I bit my bottom lip. I tried not to show any emotion even though my insides burned. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“I don’t have time for your lies. Kaleb told me everything.”
I swallowed hard. No way had Kaleb told hi
s dad about us. “He must’ve been talking about someone else. I could never be in love with someone like him. He’s arrogant and—”
“I know about Willow’s Point.”
The color drained from my face. How did Asher know where Kaleb and I met? Markus always kept watch, ensuring no one saw us. I’d been very careful not to say anything to Wendy, fearful a shapeshifter might overhear our conversation. He couldn’t know about Willow’s Point, unless Kaleb had told him.
“Is that why you’re here?” I folded my arms. “You wanted to warn me before telling Henry?
“If I wanted Henry to know, he’d know. I certainly wouldn’t warn you. What do I care what the Romanies do?”
“Then why are you here?” I looked over his shoulder as the café’s side door opened and two hunters walked outside. They lit cigarettes and glanced our way.
“How many hunters are inside the café?” Asher asked.
“About twenty hunters and four wolf trackers.”
“The wolf trackers are already in town?”
I nodded, feeling slightly more at ease with the topic change. “They’ve checked out a few areas this morning and were asking about the Romani community. I heard a few wolves howling last night. Did the Norwood wolves find anything?”
“No.” His tone turned cold again. “My son knows his place. The pack comes first.”
“I never said—”
“Stay away from him.” He bared his sharp canines. “Or I can’t guarantee your safety.”
I jumped to my feet. “Are you threatening me?”
“Threatening you?” He laughed, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Kaleb knew both girls. Did you know that? That tourist came to Norwood Isle for a private tour, and your waitress friend … well, you already know about her and Kaleb.”
“You’re saying he killed them?” I shook my head. “He wouldn’t do that.”
“You’re defending him? You know what he is. He’s not—”
Romani Blood (Shifter Blood: Romani Curse Book 1) Page 18