“What do you mean?” she questions slowly, almost sounding cautious.
“I mean, your package is tucked under your bed, and I will take care of retrieving the ring from Kayla. We’re done here, Elizabeth.”
“Don’t call me that,” she mutters, and I hear rustling in the background, no doubt verifying my claim. She’ll find her parcel exactly where I said I’d left it.
“Fine, we’re done, Lizzy. Don't call me again. Forget my face, forget my name, or I’ll make sure you do. You’ve got what you want, and I’ve got what I wanted.”
“You mean, you’ll get what you want,” she corrects, and I laugh. I’d already gotten exactly what I desired.
“I don’t care about having the stupid ring in my possession. All that matters to me is that Aven’s family doesn’t have it,” I pause, just for a second, letting that sink in before adding, “Goodbye, Elizabeth.” I hang up before she can reply, shoving my phone into my pocket as a grin spreads across my face.
As I reach the treeline just across from his cabin, I notice Kayla in the doorway and pause, my eyes running over her form in appreciation. Memories flicker in my head of her pressed against me, her lips on mine.
It’s been two and a half weeks since the party. Two and a half weeks since the night I met the intriguing witch. Darren steps out after her, grabbing her hand and pulling her back in for a kiss. Not a chaste one at that. I feel a pain in the palm of my hands and look down, holding them out in front of me. Crescent-shaped indents cut into my flesh, blood blossoming from some of the deeper ones. I didn’t even realise I’d clenched my hands. I brush my hands off, trying to ignore the slight sting.
I shouldn’t be annoyed. It doesn’t make any sense for me to be. Especially not when they’re doomed romantically. I could just wait for them to implode on their own, or I could speed things along. Have my fun, get the ring, and then forget all about her.
They finally tear themselves apart, and I watch her leave his cabin, still grinning with flushed cheeks. She waves him off as she walks away, and I hear the sound of his door closing shut. Knowing she’s now alone, I throw a glamour over myself, masking my appearance as one of the mongrels from his pack as I step out into the path. It’s illegal magic, but it’s not as if the law applies to me.
“Hey,” I call, waving my hand casually at Kayla. She turns, blinking at me in surprise as she faces me.
“Hi,” she greets hesitantly, looking around as if she’s wondering if I’m talking to someone else. I force an easy-gong smile onto my face.
“You’re Kayla, right? Darren’s mate?” I ask, keeping my tone as casual as possible. The flush deepens in her cheeks.
“I am Kayla, but I wouldn’t exactly say that. We’re just dating, it’s not a big deal,” she answers.
“Really?” I push surprise into my voice. “Shifters don’t really just date.”
“What do you mean?” Her expression furrows in confusion. It’s kind of cute, in a weird way. “I mean, everyone knows shifters get around,” she adds, as if trying to reassure herself. I smother a grin. I knew I was right. She’s as fleeting with commitment as I am.
“You’re not wrong about that. But that’s all they do. Shifters will sleep with anyone and everyone until they meet the one, and then boom, commitment for life. Romantic, huh?” I reply, watching the horror etching across her face.
“But what about casual dating? I mean, everyone knows shifters eventually mate for life, but surely they date around first. Go through a few relationships and test the waters?” she questions, the horror and confusion on her face already turning to worry. It’s a look I decide I dislike on her, but I continue, knowing this is bound to happen sooner or later anyway. I’m just pushing things along before anyone gets really hurt.
“A week or two maybe. Anything over that and you’re verging into forever territory.” I feel my phone buzzing in my pocket, but I ignore it. It can wait.
“Shit,” she breaths, slapping a hand over her mouth. “Sorry,” she says, cringing. “It’s just a little alien to me, I guess. Witches aren’t anything like that.”
“Oh, I bet.”
She casts a nervous glance between the cabins and the road, and I can practically see the gears turning in her head as she realises what she must do.
“I need to go now,” she says quietly. I’m not sure if she’s talking to me anymore or herself.
“Nice to meet you, Kayla,” I call, as she begins turning, seeming to have forgotten I even exist in her hurry to get away.
“Nice to meet you, too,” she replies over her shoulder, forcing as a fake, slightly embarrassed smile as she speed walks away.
I lean against a tree, watching her figure fade into the distance as she heads for the road. I’ll give it a few weeks, and then I’ll make my move. I will have my fun, get my ring, then, when I’m done, I’ll let her go, and Darren will be none the wiser.
A small pang of guilt shocks me as I think of what his reaction would be if he found out, but I quickly shake it off. It’s not as if it would work out between them. Not yet anyway. That witch isn’t ready for a forever type of commitment, even if Darren suddenly thinks he is.
Shifters are fucking wired wrong. Forever is a long time, and who could ever truly be happy with just one person forever? No matter how enticing they are, the lack of variation would surely drive them insane? Fae marry too, although few marriages remain exclusive in our world.
My phone buzzes again, tugging me from my thoughts, and I roll my eyes as I pull it from my pocket. I grimace at the caller, hating that I must take this damn call. Unfortunately, I can’t ignore this number no matter how much I’d like to. I put the phone to my ear as I swipe to answer the call.
“Rhydian, finally. I’ve been trying to get hold of you.”
“What do you want?” I snap, not giving a shit for the chitchat. They only call if they need to, and that’s how I like it. Although, I’d like it better if they never called at all.
“It’s your sister,” the voice on the end of the line begins, a tremor in their voice.
“What the hell did Cia do now?” I demand, wondering why they’d be wasting my time with this.
“She’s missing.”
“I’m on my way.” I cut off the call and shove my phone back into my pocket. I spare only a fleeting glance in the direction Kayla left in, before phasing myself away.
The witch will have to wait.
Author’s Note
Thank you for reading! Kayla’s story continues in Black Spells and Twisted Souls, book one in The Grey Witch Series. Set two years after the events of this prequel short, it follows Kayla as her luck seems to go to hell after she summons a demon to get her terrible boss fired.
Dedication
For Meagan, Christina, Kayla, Cassie, Taylor, and Jamie. Happy Halloween you basic witches.
ABOUT CECE ROSE
Cece Rose is the proud owner of one dog, four turtles, and one annoying boyfriend.
She hails from Devon in the South-West of England, but dreams of sunny skies and sand between her toes. Although, whenever abroad, she will moan about the heat and the sand that gets everywhere.
She has largely convinced all who know her that she’s a vampire, mainly due to her nocturnal habits and tendency to bite. In reality, it’s because her creativity only ever strikes when the sky is dark and the stars are shining. (Plus, it’s actually quiet enough to concentrate on writing.)
You can follow Cece on Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon. She’d also love it if you’d join her Facebook reader group, The Demon Den. It’s the best place to keep up with all her new releases, giveaways, and teasers.
OTHER BOOKS BY
CECE ROSE
The Grey Witch Series
Grey Witch and Halloween Magic (Prequel Novella - featured in the Wicked Tales Anthology)
Black Spells and Twisted Souls (Book One)
White Charms and Dark Secrets (Book Two)
Grey Magic and Forbidden Love (Book Thre
e)
Black Curses and White Hexes (Book Four)
Grey Gods and Ancient Magic (Book Five)
The Killing Dance (Halloween Novella featuring Caim and Annabelle!)
The Marked Series (With G. Bailey)
Marked by Power
Marked by Pain
Marked by Destruction
The Desdemona Chronicles
A Demon’s Blade
A Demon’s Debt
An Angel’s Defiance (Release Date TBA)
Souls of Creatures
Vengeance (Set in the same world as The Grey Witch Series - Christina’s story.)
The Last Siren’s Song Trilogy
Blood Sea
Blood Song
Blood Moon (TBA)
Snowflake (Steamy RH Winter Romance Novella.)
Wicked Tales Anthology Page 41