by Ruby Raine
She unfolded her arms but wasn’t ready to forgive him.
“Sorry, Lucas,” Riley added, leaning forward to see his brother. Lucas waved him off with a shake of his head.
Riley grabbed Melinda’s chin, gently turning it so he could look her in the eye. “I didn’t mean it. I’m really sorry. It was a funny thought. I don’t know why I reacted like I did.”
She wanted to say because you’re being a childish, jealous guy. But instead, she caved. “Are you absolutely sure you’re okay? We could stop by the hospital and have a doctor take a quick look at your head.”
“You know, maybe we should. Is that okay, Lucas? I’ve got the wickedest headache all of a sudden.”
“Of course,” replied Lucas, speeding up. “Better safe than sorry.”
“I’ll try my brothers again, see if they answer,” Melinda added in frustration. She purposely left out calling William, hoping not to upset Riley again.
Did she really talk about William that much? She’d promised to keep it to a minimum, but maybe around Riley she needed to keep it to herself. Nevertheless, William was a part of her life. She didn’t know how to leave him out of her conversations completely.
Melinda peered at Riley. His mood swings were becoming a little more of a rollercoaster than she could handle. She liked him. A lot. A super lot. But her life was already a rollercoaster ride and she wanted Riley to be her solid ground.
She pleaded silently with anyone in the cosmos in charge of such things, to let it be so.
WILLIAM STRODE TOWARDS Emily Morgan’s store, Harboring the Book. Lizzy wasn’t far behind, but she strolled along, forcing him to slow his pace.
The streets of The Demon Isle were buzzing with tourists; the weather was sunny and warm. It was also buzzing with discussion of the strange sightings, another of which had been reported on the new D.E.S.I. Blog just minutes ago. It was hard to tell whether people were afraid they might see this strange man, or whether they were excited and hopeful they would see him.
The sun beamed down, but did not warm William’s skin. Thanks to the potion the Howards made him, his skin did not burst into flames. The sun, to a vampire, was basically like having an allergy. The reaction to it being to burst into flames. But only after blistering and getting very crispy first. It wasn’t an instant death. It took a long and painful few minutes to finally burst into flames. And then burn to death, just like any other body burning to death. It was not like the movies where flames erupted and then boom. Ash pile.
The potion blocked this reaction though, just like taking allergy meds for hay fever. As long as he was on time drinking the potion, the sun did not hurt him.
William wondered how long Lisbeth Deane’s vampire fiancé stood on the cliff before finally burning enough to plummet to his death and turn to ash before hitting the water. It had to have been excruciating. He sighed. He did feel bad for her. He just didn’t want to deal with her. They’d had their moment. His moment of weakness, and it was enough.
He glanced up at the sun. The potion provided protection from it, but the sun did not give him any warmth. It did not soothe his muscles or seep into his bones. It did however, seem to clear his head, his thoughts suddenly apparent and obvious. He spun around, effectively stopping Lizzy in her tracks.
“So that we are both perfectly clear, it will not happen again.”
“Oh, so you have been thinking about me,” she replied with a naughty grin.
His face was stone.
“Look,” she started with a whatever tone. “It was a one-time thing. I guess technically it was more than once.”
William stared fiercely, unwilling to give in.
“Oh, get over yourself, William! It was something I needed. Something I wanted. I had it. You obviously needed me that night, you can’t deny that fact. It was what it was.” She shrugged. “I’m not some crazy psycho chick that’s going to call you every fifteen minutes begging you to take me again.”
“Very well,” replied William, clearing his throat. “I am the only vampire on the Isle. I just thought perhaps you had a thing for vampires and...”
“Thought I’d be chasing you around like a lovesick teenager?”
He lifted an eyebrow in a perhaps response.
“Please. Give me some credit, William. Sure, I kinda have a thing for vamps. But I’m not a one-track-mind kind of girl. And to be honest, now that I’ve had a few weeks to get used to being in my body again, I’m happy. And ready to move forward. And you helped me get there. So... thank you.”
He sighed. “You’re welcome. And I’m sorry. I did not mean to be rude.” He saw then that he’d been a fool. A fool who’d let his imagination get away from him. That his thoughts had fallen into a very human minded way of thinking. The more he thought about this the angrier at himself he became.
“Don’t worry about it. But since we’re being honest, I should probably tell you I sort of lied. Just a little.”
“About?” he growled.
“About, I have no idea how we’re going to find anything about the Soul Hunter at Emily’s store or on that web thingy. I just wanted to get you alone and clear the air. I don’t like tense air. The taste is bitter. And it was obvious you were avoiding me, and for no valid reason other than making yourself miserable with crazy delusions.”
William exhaled, his temper flaring again. “Fine then, Lisbeth. If you want clean air, you should know that I do not date humans. So don’t get any ideas.”
“I thought we already cleared this up. Besides, I wouldn’t call what we did, dating,” she replied with an impish grin. “Oh look, I’d almost swear you were blushing.”
“I do not blush.”
“Look, I may have been a ghast for far longer than I’d care to remember, but I wasn’t born yesterday. You’re a vampire.” She said it too loudly, getting the attention of a young girl not far away. Lizzy shot her a wink and giggled as if to say, joking.
William was growing more agitated by the minute, regretting his choice to accompany Lizzy, and leave Melinda in the hands of the Deane brothers.
“Can we continue to the bookstore?” he asked. “Although I don’t see the point now.”
“Oh, you never know, it might turn up something. Besides, the walk will do you good. Maybe if you stand in the sun long enough a few of those rays will sink into that exquisite pale skin of yours and get you in a better mood.”
William closed his eyes, grimacing.
“You’re such a brooder,” Lizzy stated dramatically.
His eyes opened wide, swimming in a look of perplexed irritation. “I do not brood.”
“Oh. My. God.” Lizzy stated. “I’ve seen some brooders in my day and you are the worst!”
“Am not,” he retorted hotly.
Lizzy got to her tiptoes and smacked one straight on his lips. “Are too,” she whispered devilishly.
William pulled away, his nostrils flaring.
Lizzy laughed.
“People let you off the hook far too easily,” she said decidedly. “You mope around all like, I’m the only vampire on the Isle. I’m all alone. But I won’t date human girls, and then you wallow and brood about how miserable you are.”
William’s fangs dropped and he flashed them with a snarl.
Lizzy didn’t bat an eye, unimpressed by his display.
William, horrified that he’d just flashed his fangs in public and in broad daylight, spun around, staring at the wall of a building until they’d retracted. Why did Lizzy get on his nerves so? It was as if she enjoyed pushing every button and somehow knew what would agitate him the most.
He turned back around, his human self again, only to see Lizzy grinning in a manner meant to say, I totally won that round. He resigned to dealing with her until their task was completed. Which shouldn’t be much longer seeing as visiting Emily would most likely prove a waste of time.
Lizzy wrinkled her nose, biting her lip. “I want to tell you something but I think it’s going to make you angry.”
“Too late,” he retorted.
“I used to follow you,” she revealed anyway. “When I was a ghast. I realized what you were, knew you’d be interesting to watch.”
“You spied on me?”
“No. Never spied. Just followed now and then, during many of your late night strolls around the Isle. You often talk to yourself, out loud. I enjoyed listening. You have the most interesting conversations with yourself.”
“Private conversations,” he stated emphatically. “Why did you never speak to me? You had the ability.”
“I’m a Deane. You’re sided with the Howards. I thought it might be awkward. Honestly, I felt a little outnumbered until Lucas and Riley showed up. I had been betrayed before and I couldn’t chance it again.”
“I suppose I understand that, but why admit this now?”
“Because I know you, William Wakefield. Better than you think. Better than you’d probably like me to. I know what you love. I should say, whom you love. And I know it’s never going to be me and I have no long term interest. But I also know you can’t have her. Or won’t because you’re too damn stubborn. And it’s her choice too.” His face spoke otherwise about Melinda having any say. She was human and she’d stay that way.
She stepped closer, looking closely into his emerald green eyes, which were half lidded in inquisitive contemplation. He should be furious with her, and yet, he wasn’t.
“What I’m trying to say, William, is, let’s be friends. It must be so exhausting for you, day after day, doing what you do, having no one to really talk to. To connect with. No one here understands where you come from. The many years and lives you’ve lived. What you sacrifice. Frankly, I think they all take advantage of you.”
Logic told William to stay away. To distance himself. The reasons that had led him into Lizzy’s arms a few weeks prior, kept him from doing so. She was not only annoying and pushed every button, but she was right. Not so much the taking advantage part, it was his job to protect the Howards. But sometimes, more often nowadays, he did worry that he’d failed in training them properly. Had been too soft on them after their parent’s deaths. That he ran to their aid more quickly than he should.
Still, a friend. With Lizzy? Someone that wasn’t a Howard. That wasn’t in his charge. Could he? Dare he?
“I need time to think about this,” he told her in a hushed tone.
“I figured that’s what you’d say.”
“How so?”
“Because you want to say yes, but don’t want to admit it.”
He surprised her by saying, “You are correct. But I’m still going to think about it.”
“You’ll eventually say yes.”
“So sure of yourself.” William replied, at the same time knowing she was right again. A thin smile etched across his face. He had to give her credit. She drove him crazy, but she matched him in wit.
Lizzy wisely said nothing. Only grinned victoriously.
They started toward Emily’s again, when Lizzy grabbed his arm, stopping him. “William, your pocket is vibrating.”
“What?”
She reached into his pocket, taking out his phone and handed it to him.
“I forgot to turn it on. I don’t know why they insist on making me use this. Oh, it says I have messages.”
“Neat, from who?” asked Lizzy.
“I have no idea.”
“Well how do you find out?” she asked, grabbing the phone out of his cool hands, aimlessly pressing buttons.
“Give me that!” he barked, grabbing it back. “It is my phone.”
He made another useless attempt at retrieving his messages.
“Nope, no, that’s not correct.”
William had managed to get the volume turned on and suddenly a flat voice was speaking out of the phone. “What can I help you with today?”
Lizzy gasped, backing away. William held the phone away from him as if it had suddenly caught fire. He spoke loudly, hoping the voice could understand him.
“I would like my messages, please.”
“Great! You would like to schedule a massage. There’s three locations near you. Two with appointments open today.”
“No, no,” said William, as the voice kept speaking and asking questions, none of which got him any closer to hearing his messages.
“I can’t figure those things out. The very idea that you use such a little box to talk to people, who aren’t here...” The thought seemed to overwhelm her. “I mean, how does that work? How does someone’s voice travel between two boxes? Are they using magic? I don’t get it.”
William found this humorous and laughed. The sound startled him and he shook his head and stopped.
“You can laugh.”
“It’s not unheard of,” he lied, evenly. Although it was the second time that day. But the first day in many a moon.
“Well, don’t even start on me about not being able to use that thing,” she retorted. “You can’t use the damn thing either!”
“Touché.”
“Perhaps we do need Emily’s expertise after all?” Lizzy suggested. William agreed and they continued to her store. A little bell dinged as they entered and Emily looked up, grinning when she saw them come inside. They greeted each other and Emily listened to them explain their quandary, biting her tongue to keep from laughing.
“What I’m really trying to ask is can you help me listen to the messages?” William finally got out, his tone defeated.
“Of course I will,” said Emily kindly. “Hand me the phone. You know, maybe you two should take a class.”
“A class?” questioned Lizzy.
“Yeah. They teach people how to use all the new tech. Like the internet and phones, and apps and that sort of stuff.”
“Hm, neat. I might just have to do that. Probably not a bad idea for you either Mr. Vampire.”
William did not relish the idea of taking a class, but graciously handed Emily the phone. She turned the speaker on and pushed play, letting the messages play aloud.
“More sightings,” Emily sighed as they listened. “And a confrontation. That’s never good. At least Melinda and your brothers are okay though.”
“Feyks,” William spoke to no one in particular.
“I take it Feyks are not like the faeries you read about in fantasy novels?” said Emily.
“Depends on the novel,” answered William.
“Feyks are nasty beings,” added Lizzy.
William tossed her a glance, surprised she knew about them.
“I did live as a witch before I was cursed to be a ghast. Feyks were much more common on the Isle back then.”
“Then you’re probably aware they were also partnered with the Deanes, during the great battle,” reminded William.
“Oh, so this is somehow our fault now is it?”
“That is not what I meant.” William’s phone rang again. It took him a moment but he successfully turned it on and answered the call.
“WILLIAM, IT’S MICHAEL,” he stated testily. “Where are you right now?”
“At your girlfriend’s store.”
“Oh. Good,” he said, less testily. “Wait, why are you there? Is everything okay?”
“Yes. Fine. Needed her assistance.”
“Oh. Okay. Well, I’m assuming you heard what happened to Melinda?”
“Yes.”
“And it was your idea to send her out there with the Deane brothers?”
“Not exactly, but I agreed to it.”
He heard Michael exhale gruffly.
“I am confident about the decision, Michael.”
“Really? Because we were sort of thinking it’s one thing to allow them to date, not like we can stop it. But it’s another thing entirely to let them into our lives, and work with us, and,” William stopped him.
“Save it, Michael. We have much more pressing issues at hand.” He’d had enough of getting harped on today. And perhaps Lizzy was right. He let them get away with too much.
&nbs
p; “Fine,” caved Michael begrudgingly.
“Do you have any other news?” asked William, less harshly.
“Yes. We just caught Courtney Jessup driving like a mad woman, headed out of town and we followed her. There was another sighting and she’s interviewing someone for a live, special report.”
“These sightings don’t make any logical sense,” said William, his brain running in overdrive trying to find some connection. “Numerous sightings, in various locations across the Isle, some at the same exact time. If not a hoax, then what purpose do these sightings serve?”
“Your guess is as good as ours,” said Michael. “Charlie just stepped out to listen in on what’s being said, so far, we haven’t seen any proof that reporter gal has any intimate knowledge of Feyks, or the supernatural being real. But she’s precariously close to this. Charlie wants to make sure she doesn’t get herself into trouble. Especially since it’s Firebrands we’re dealing with.”
“Agreed,” William said. “If she’s not aware, and the people who hired her are not aware, the timing might be coincidence.”
“Someone hired them, William. If not the newscast, or the Deanes since you don’t seem to think it’s them, then who?”
“I don’t know. But we cannot rule out the reporter or her employer just yet. Are you and Charlie planning on heading home when you’re done there?”
“Yes. We shouldn’t be too long. And William, make sure Melinda gets home safely? Please. And I need to talk to Emily for a minute if she’s free.”
“Melinda will get home,” William replied flatly. He handed the phone to Emily and let out a huff.
“Busy day?” Emily asked Michael.
“Feels like we’re on a wild goose chase, except there’s no wild goose and we’re just chasing our tails.”
“Can I help?”
“If you have time, keep an eye on that D.E.S.I. Blog, see if that reporter posts anything we might want to know. Other than that, just be careful, okay? Things are getting a little crazy.”
“Aren’t they always?”
“Lately, I cannot disagree. But I can’t be there with you and it freaks me out you being there all alone. Need I remind you of your penchant for getting into trouble?”