by Kensie King
“I do. I need to find her Book of Shadows. And I think it’s in the cave behind the hotel.”
“That’s what you were trying to get when she pushed you in the well?”
“Yes. I think she was trying to keep me away from the cave so I couldn’t find her book.”
He leaned next to me and flashed a smile. “Maybe she was just being an ass.”
I laughed and it felt so good, I let it keep going. I was tired of trying to figure it all out. But that was what I got myself into when I came here. It surprised me when the laughter faded, and my breath hitched. I put my hands over my face as the reality of what we were going through hit me.
Dylan’s arms came around me. “You need a break,” he whispered. “I don’t think it’s smart to go to the cave today.”
“Maybe it’s the perfect day to go to the cave. When her energy is low and she’s not as strong. Then maybe she can’t stop us.”
He rubbed my back. “She pushed you in a well and tried to make you kill Gage in the same day. I think if she wants to stop us, she’ll probably find a way.”
He made a good point. I grumbled out a response that caused him lean back some.
“What was that?”
“I said you’re probably right.”
He smiled. “Never thought I’d hear you say that.”
I smacked his arm. “Don’t get used to it.”
We heard a screech over the street, and my eyes shot to the sky. There was a giant blackbird circling the buildings. It swooped low over the road and then headed straight for us.
Dylan curled his body around mine and tossed out his arm to swat the bird away. It clawed at his shirt, squawked again, and took off.
“Dylan,” I breathed, reaching for his arm.
He narrowed his eyes at the rip in his shirt. “It’s just a scratch.” He scanned the street again. “What the hell was that?”
“That bird’s been following me around all week.”
Dylan returned his gaze to mine. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Because it’s a bird. It’s—why are you looking at me like that?”
“Might not be a bird,” he said. “We should get back in.”
“Wait, what are you saying? It might be a…shapeshifter?”
He nodded. “Maybe.”
“But wouldn’t we have felt it if another paranormal came into Knob Creek?”
“Not if he was here before the full moon. Come on, let’s go in.”
I followed him but glanced over my shoulder one more time to search for the bird. No wonder I felt uneasy about it since the beginning. It might not be a bird at all.
Chapter 21
“I can’t believe we’re doing this,” Grace said, clipping earrings in her ears as I walked into my bedroom to see if they were ready. Gage and Dylan refused to wait together so Dylan was standing out back.
“Celebrating?” Audrey stepped in front of the mirror in my room to adjust her dress. “I’m not. I’m going to drink a lot and find some cute guy to kiss.”
“Good luck with that in this town,” Grace said. “What’s up with your mirror, Link?”
I rolled my eyes. “Savannah.”
“Stalker,” Audrey muttered, which made me smile.
Grace gestured to the living room. “Are they playing nice out there?”
I grimaced. “They’re waiting in separate rooms.”
“They’ll get over it eventually.” Audrey nodded. “They have to. We still have to deal with Savannah and the spell. We have to work together.”
She was right. We had to. But Dylan didn’t relish the fact I’d invited two vampires into the house—especially since one of them was Gage. And he didn’t look too encouraged about celebrating with them tonight either.
When we returned to the living room, Dylan was in the kitchen getting a glass of water. He saw all of us and stopped. His eyes skimmed my face, but he quickly turned his attention to Audrey.
“You look…different,” he said.
Audrey lifted her eyebrows.
Dylan cleared his throat. “I mean, you look healthy. Whatever you did, Link, I think it worked.”
Audrey flashed a smile. “See?”
Gage was on the other side of the living room, hands in the pockets of his dress slacks. His eyes locked on mine, and my throat dried. There was so much heat in his gaze, I felt his need all the way across the room.
The doorbell rang, and I yanked away from his stare. I walked to answer it while Audrey kept talking and frowned when I didn’t see a figure on the other side. I pulled the door open and scanned the sidewalk. Still no one there.
But there were flowers lying on the welcome mat.
My heart jumped in instant alarm. The only people I knew who would leave flowers at the door were already inside the house.
“Link?”
I bent to pick up the flowers and turned to Gage. “Please tell one of you ordered these or…”
I didn’t finish when I saw a sea of blank faces.
Gage examined the roses. “Who are they from?”
“They were lying on the ground out here. I didn’t see anyone.”
I started outside to look around, but Gage was faster. He shot down the stairs, turning each direction to search the lawn and the neighbor’s yards.
“What’s up?” Dylan asked, appearing at the door. Grace and Audrey followed.
“Nice flowers,” Grace said.
Audrey folded her arms, jaw set. “Who are they from?”
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Who are they from?” she repeated.
“I don’t know, they were left on the porch.”
Dylan joined Gage on the lawn, and it was the first time I’d seen them willing work together on anything—anything besides rescuing me from the well.
Grace pointed. “There’s a card.”
I pulled the card from the side of the flowers and read it out loud. “‘Looking forward to meeting you.’”
“That asshole,” Audrey said.
She started for the lawn as well, and I set the flowers aside to follow her. “What’s going on?”
“Go inside, Link,” she said.
Dylan turned to her. “What’s going on?”
“Kane sent those flowers.” When he just stared at her, she added, “My brother.”
Gage moved to stand close to me as he kept watch. “Are you sure?”
Audrey nodded. “He sent me yellow roses when I was in the hospital. Look at the note.”
I passed it to Gage. His jaw clenched when he read it, and he passed it to Dylan.
“Maybe we shouldn’t go out tonight,” Dylan said.
“Maybe we should,” I countered. “We’re celebrating Audrey feeling better. We’re already ready. And we need to keep living our lives here, not staying cooped up inside.”
“I agree,” Audrey said.
Gage glanced at her. “Of course you do.”
“She deserves it,” I told him. “We all do. I want dinner.” When he lifted his eyebrows, I said, “I’ll go without you if I have to.”
Dylan sighed and clapped Gage on the shoulder. “I’ll let you deal with this one.”
He was laughing when he strolled off, making me clench my teeth.
“You’re an ass,” I called after him.
“And you’re stubborn.”
Grace nodded her head. “I agree. But I still love you.”
She grabbed Audrey’s arm and they followed Dylan inside.
“Let’s get up on the porch,” Gage suggested.
I walked quietly next to him. But when he didn’t say anything else, I turned and pointed my finger. “We’re going out.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, and we’re going to figure out what to do about Savannah.”
“Maybe we can talk about this inside—”
“Actually, we’re going to make a plan because I already know what to do about Savannah.”
He stepped forward a
nd gripped my chin gently in his hand. He kissed me on the lips. “Link.”
“Yes?”
“Please, sweetheart. Let’s go inside.”
“Oh.” I stepped back, my heart fluttering at the endearment. “Sure. But we’re still talking about this.”
“I don’t have the energy to deter you right now. Let’s check with the others, though.”
Inside, Audrey was telling Dylan about cooking in Paris, and to my surprise, he actually looked interested.
“So…” Grace propped her hand on her hip. “Should I order pizza?”
“No. We’re going out.”
Gage sighed. “I thought we were going to compromise.”
“I’m not hiding in the house. We’re supposed to be celebrating. Besides, there are a lot of us. We can take on anyone.”
Dylan winced. “No offense, but I don’t think you should try to take anyone on.”
“I’ll be there.” Audrey slung her arm over my shoulder. “I’ll be your bodyguard.”
“Me too,” Grace said.
Gage shook his head and glanced at Dylan. “I guess there’s no sense in arguing.”
#
“I’m not sure whether it’s cool or ridiculous I have an entourage.”
“It’s cool,” Audrey said as we walked into the restaurant at the Knob Creek Hotel.
Inside the restaurant, there was a piano player in the corner and waiters in tuxedos serving nicely dressed customers. We were seated near the bank of windows, and I spotted the hedge maze in the waning light of the late summer evening.
As I sat, for just a brief moment, there was a flash of someone at the corner of the entry to the maze. Savannah. Ice shot straight through my heart. She was still around, and I didn’t know how much longer she’d leave me alone.
Something touched my arm. “Link.”
I whipped around, breath catching.
“What’s wrong?” Gage asked.
He was sitting next to me at the round table, his chair scooted closer to mine than the rest. Everyone was looking at me.
“I thought I saw Savannah,” I said quietly.
Gage’s jaw shifted. He reached out under the table to curl his fingers around mine. “We’ll deal with her.”
“Tomorrow.”
“Can we order something to drink before you start arguing?” Grace asked with a smile.
“I’m not arguing, just stating a fact. We have to deal with her as soon as possible.”
The waiter stopped by and we ordered wine. Dylan skimmed his menu for a moment before meeting my eyes over the top of it.
I narrowed mine at him playfully. “What?”
“You should talk to your mom.”
“Excuse me?”
“If you want to stop Savannah,” he said with a nod. “Talk to her. See if she’ll help you.”
“I was hoping I’d find the book in the cave and that would help.”
“If you decide to go there, it would be smart to have someone else with you. Someone that can go in the cave.”
“I agree,” Audrey said.
Gage cast her a sharp glance. “I don’t need you weighing in on this—”
“Gage.” I pulled my hand free from his. “Don’t be rude. She’s allowed to have an opinion on this. We’re all involved now.”
“Yeah,” Audrey said, accepting her wine. She waited for the waiter to leave before continuing. “I’d rather not see my brother stabbed if there’s something I can do about it.”
“Exactly how I feel.” I sipped my wine. “I don’t want to hurt you. I want this to stop.”
Gage tipped his head back with a deep sigh. “This doesn’t sound like celebrating. And if I have to explain one more time that it wasn’t you who tried to stab me, I’m going to be pissed—”
“Then be pissed,” Grace said, frowning. “I get where Link’s coming from. If I tried to hurt someone—even someone as annoying as you—I’d be hung up about it, too.”
Audrey lifted her glass and mumbled behind it, “Me, too.”
Gage’s jaw flexed. He reached purposefully for his wine and downed half the glass. When Audrey explained how she once tried cooking something on the menu, I turned to Gage.
“Don’t be pissed, though,” I said under my breath. “We can deal with this.”
His eyes were dark and conflicted. “I don’t think you’re looking at this from my point of view.”
I took a slow breath, trying to find the right words. I needed Gage to understand. And more, I needed him to back me up. “No, you’re right. I’m not. I can’t see this from any other point of view but mine. I tried to stab you.” He started to speak, but I shook my head. “Think about it from my end. What if you tried to do the same to me? Wouldn’t you feel guilty? No matter how or why you were influenced to do it?”
His chest rose and fell with a few breaths as he watched the others talk. I took it a step further.
“What if I was the one sleeping,” I said quietly. “And you came into the room with a knife. What if—”
“Stop,” Gage said. He met my eyes. “I don’t want to think about this. I want you safe, and that’s the bottom line. But I also don’t want you feeling guilty about something you had no control over.”
I reached under the table and took his hand. “Then help me stop this.”
“How?”
“We need to get Savannah’s Book of Shadows.”
Dylan looked over when he heard what I said. “I hope you’re not considering doing this tonight.”
“It would be convenient since we’re already here.” When Gage’s hand tightened on mine, I cast him a smile. “But no, not tonight. I need to be prepared.”
“You shouldn’t go in there alone,” Grace said. “Figure out some way to get one of us in, too.”
Audrey nodded. “Or your mom. She could help.”
This time Gage inclined his head. “That’s a good idea. Not only that, Savannah would probably be less likely to stop her over one of us. Since she’s family.”
“Of course Link’s family also and Savannah tossed her in a well.”
Gage ran a hand over his face and then pushed back his chair. “I need some air.”
I sighed as he walked out of the dining room. “I have to do this,” I said to the rest of the table.
It surprised me when Dylan nodded. “You do. But I get where he’s coming from. It’s where I’m coming from, too. It’s dangerous. And there’s not much we can do but stand there and watch you walk right into that danger. It’s not a good feeling.”
I took another sip of my wine. “Okay, I get it.”
“Go reassure him,” Audrey said.
I held Dylan’s gaze. I knew he felt like he was supposed to protect me, for more reasons than one. I also knew this must be hard for him. Hard to see that not only did Gage have feelings for me, I had them back.
But he was supporting me. When he jerked his chin to the door as if to tell me, Go ahead, I felt a rush of appreciation for him before standing. I stood and followed Gage out of the dining room.
I found him outside on the front porch, standing at the rail and looking out into the trees. Off to the side of the hotel, there was a trail I’d been on more than once. The one that led to the cemetery and the hedge maze.
Gage didn’t move when I stepped next to him. I nudged his shoulder with mine. “You’re kind of sexy when you’re moody.”
He glanced at me, lifting his brows before returning his attention to the trees.
“Do you think I’m sexy when I’m moody?” I asked, trying to lighten the tone of our conversation before I told him the truth of it all.
“I always think you’re sexy.”
I took his hand and urged him to look at me. He turned, eyes meeting mine.
“I can’t be around you if I don’t deal with Savannah,” I said. “So if you still want to be around me, sexy all the time, you’ve got to let me deal with this.”
He dropped his chin so he was staring at our conn
ected hands. “That’s kind of a low blow. Saying you won’t be around me.”
“It’s not that I won’t. It’s that I can’t. I can’t let myself be in a situation where I could potentially hurt you again. I couldn’t stand it if I did something.” I squeezed his hand. “Does that make sense?”
“On an intellectual level, of course.” He brought my hand to his lips and kissed it. “But on an emotional level, it’s crazy. I’m invested in you, Link.”
My lips curved. “Invested.”
He frowned. “That didn’t come out right.”
“It’s okay, I know what you mean.”
I tried to wrap my arms around his neck, but he pulled away. “No, I don’t think you do.”
“Gage.”
He met my eyes. “I love you, Link.”
My throat dried. All I could do was stare at him, my heart jolting with sweetness at the same time my mind said, Too fast, he doesn’t mean it.
“You don’t have to say anything,” Gage whispered.
I couldn’t anyway. My tongue was glued to the roof of my mouth. I turned to the rail, placing my hands there to steady myself.
Gage shifted next to me and said, “Okay, actually, it would be really good if you said something right about now.”
He’s trying to trick you. He’ll use you and leave you.
“Link.”
He’ll break your heart.
“Stop,” I said under my breath.
Gage took my arms, turning me to him. “What is it?”
“Savannah.” My heart hurt. I was conflicted. And all I wanted to do was tell Gage the same thing he just told me. But I couldn’t. “I’m sorry, I…I don’t know what to say.”
He smiled, not looking bothered by that at all. “You don’t have to say anything. Just that you heard me. Just that you’re not going to back off.”
“No.” I put my arms around his neck, and this time he let me. His breath was warm on my cheek. “I heard what you said, and I…are you sure?”
His arms tightened around me. “I’m sure.”
“But—”
“I’m sure.”
He kissed me hard, so much emotion in it, I could hardly stand. His fingertips traced the length of my spine and I shivered, my dick growing hard in my pants.
But I couldn’t get my mind off our previous conversation.
“Gage, I have to do this,” I whispered.