A Witch's Storm Page 3

  I searched his eyes, wondering how I’d managed to get such a good friend in him.

  “Do you like it here?” I blurted. “In Rouen?”

  He stared at me for a moment, then blinked, stepping away to move towards the window. He placed his hand on the windowsill, leaning against it and staring into the darkness. His voice was rough as he spoke. “I was only supposed to be here a few weeks, but it’s grown on me. The city needs a lot of help. It reminds me of how Coast City used to be before I killed Bastian.”

  My heart clenched within my chest. “Is that the only reason you stick around?”

  “It’s not the only reason.” He didn’t look at me, and I had a feeling he was purposefully avoiding looking over. “However, it’s where my focus must remain. I’ve been given a gift and must use it to help others.”

  My stomach burned at his words. “Does that mean you can’t also have a little fun in life? Maybe,” I paused, the words lingering on my tongue, “find love?”

  His expression turned hard. “Love is for those who deserve it.”

  My mouth pinched tight, and I regretted asking him. I returned to the mirror and smoothed a few stray hairs back into place. It wasn’t often I wore my hair like this. Combined with the heavy eyeliner around my eyes, I looked more like my mother than I wanted to.

  The doorbell rang.

  “That must be Shade and Loxley.” I brushed past Aris, hoping he’d feel the cool air in my wake. If he wanted to be alone, so be it.

  Just before I reached the front door, Loxley opened the door and stuck her head in. “Lynx?”

  “Come in.” I opened the door wide for them, smiling. I liked Loxley.

  She stepped in, wearing a long black gown that clung to her curvy figure. Her hair, long and blonde, had been combed over to one shoulder. She was one of the most beautiful shifters I knew, next to Briar. Sometimes I wondered if the beauty they exuded had to do with that little extra something about them. Briar was a Komira, an Alpha of alphas, and I’d recently learned Loxley was part fae.

  “You look amazing,” Loxley said to me, lightly touching my green gown. I’d found it in Lilith’s closet back at my mother’s mansion. I hoped she never realized it was missing.

  “Thanks. So do you.”

  A shiver wracked my body when Shade stepped into the room behind Loxley. If he didn’t have that distinct feel to him, of power gone bad, I would never recognize him. He looked different each time I saw him. As a ghoul, he could take on any form. This one was especially handsome, with short brown hair, lively brown eyes, strong cheekbones and jaw. He looked like a model straight out of a GQ magazine, tux and all.

  “Hello, Shade,” I said to him, trying to keep my voice friendly. It’s not that I didn’t like him, per se, but how did you have a conversation with darkness? It was the most unnatural thing in the world.

  Loxley turned to him, smiling big as if she couldn’t feel what I could. “Doesn’t he look hot? I told him to dress up, and he showed up looking like a movie star.”

  “I matched the photo of a man on Marge’s wall,” he said.

  “The man was clothed?” I asked, surprised.

  Shade didn’t get the chance to answer me because Loxley said, “When were you in Marge’s room?”

  “When she tried to get me to have sex with her.” There was no emotion on his face or in his voice.

  I laughed out loud. I freaking loved Marge. Aris chuckled behind me. He’d snuck up on me again.

  “What did you do?” Loxley asked Shade.

  “I told her I physically wasn’t able to anymore since being turned into a ghoul.”

  I stopped laughing.

  Loxley lowered her voice. “Is that true?”

  His eyes bore into hers. “Not in the least, but I didn’t want her to know that. Instead, I left her with very pleasant dreams, which would’ve been equally as pleasurable.”

  “I could use one of those,” I mumbled.

  Aris cleared his throat and stepped next to me. He held his hand out to Shade. “Good to see you again. How are you doing over at Fire Ridge?”

  Shade hesitated in answering. I didn’t blame him. I could never live at Fire Ridge with all those shifters and their numerous parties.

  “It’s nice to stay in one spot,” he finally said, shaking Aris’s hand.

  “He spends most of his time in the forest,” Loxley added.

  “It’s quiet there, and I don’t require normal comforts like a roof over my head or food.”

  I glanced at the clock hanging near the front door. “We should get going.”

  Even though he was in human form, Shade melted back into the darkness outside so quickly, I jumped.

  “You get used to it,” Loxley explained as we walked outside.

  “Remember what I said,” Aris called after me.

  I gave him a wave, brushing off his words and climbed into the front passenger seat of Loxley’s car. Shade was already in the backseat. I hadn’t heard him open the car door.

  “What was that all about?” Loxley asked me when she was behind the wheel and Aris was out of sight.

  “Nothing really. Aris just rented a room in the same hotel we’ll be at in case we run into trouble.”

  She pulled the car onto the road and glanced at me sideways. “Is there something going on between you?”

  “Nah. He just likes to be anywhere there might be trouble.”

  We continued to chat the rest of the way to downtown Rouen. Even though Loxley was a few years younger than me, she acted much older, the result of a tough life. Her aunt, the woman who had raised her, had been particularly hard on her growing up. She hadn’t liked that Loxley had fae blood in her.

  Maybe that’s why we had connected so well right off the bat. We both could relate to parents who were hard on us. Plus, it helped that she had good fashion sense. Sometimes I went crazy when I saw what Briar and Samira wore. They were so beautiful! If only they knew how well clothes could accentuate that beauty.

  Shade remained silent the entire way to the hotel. Only once did he make a sound and that was to grunt at Loxley’s joke. I couldn’t tell if that was his way of laughing or if the joke had been offensive to him.

  “Downtown is crowded,” Loxley remarked as we drove past the front of the hotel. Cars lined the sidewalk on both sides. “You don’t think it’s because of this party, do you? How well-known are the Anglades?”

  I touched the cool glass of the window when we drove by my mother’s car. “They used to be a big deal a long time ago, but I haven’t heard much of them since.”

  Loxley finally found a spot three blocks away. A cool breeze swept by us as we walked, bringing with it the scents of garbage mingled with the spices of local restaurants.

  “It’s cold tonight,” Loxley said, wrapping her arms around herself.

  “I can help with that,” Shade said from behind us. He’d been so quiet, I’d forgotten he was there.

  He stepped closer behind us. I expected him to hand Loxley his jacket but instead, a burst of energy left his body. In the next second, my skin darkened and warmed. It was as if a slivered shadow of heat had escaped from him and swallowed us. I would’ve expected his darkness to be cold, and not the warmth I felt now.

  “Much better,” Loxley said as if he’d done the most natural thing in the world. “Thank you.”

  I flickered my gaze in her direction. I don’t know how she did it—appear as if everything about him was normal.

  A doorman greeted us at the entrance to the hotel. His eyes lit up when he saw me. “Ms. Lynx Morgan! It’s been ages since I’ve seen you.”

  “Have we met?”

  “You were just a child, but I’d recognize that red hair anywhere.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him, trying to remember. I used to come here with my mother as a child to play with Robert while she had meetings with his father. Then it dawned on me, and my eyebrows shot up. “Larry?”

  His smile widened. “You remember!”

  “How could I forget?” I wrapped him in a warm embrace. Larry had been the bellman at the time, and he’d often played hide-and-seek with me and Robert. He’d aged a lot since I’d last seen him, his hair all gray, with a plethora of wrinkles crinkling his eyes and mouth.

  “You here for the party?” he asked.

  I nodded.

  “Your mother’s already inside.” He leaned toward me and whispered, “You be careful in there. Vipers and rats already at work.”

  “Don’t worry. I brought traps.” I winked at him and walked through the door, pretending like I wasn’t one of the rats.

  We moved through the huge lobby which had been updated with a white and cream color palette accented with light greens. A large crystal chandelier hung from the center of the room.

  “I’ve never been somewhere so fancy before,” Loxley breathed, taking it all in. “Is this how you grew up, Lynx?”

  I didn’t bother looking around. “It’s all an illusion.”

  In the elevator to the top floor, Lynx twisted her hands. “How should I act?”

  “With your guard up. Don’t believe a word anyone tells you. Parties like this? Everyone’s trying to find what they can take from others. Power, status, you name it.”

  “No one will want anything from me.”

  “Why not?” Shade asked Loxley, speaking for the first time since entering the hotel.

  She lifted a single shoulder. “I’m a nobody.”

  “That’s not what I hear. People are afraid of you.”

  “Shade!” I snapped. I quickly glanced at Loxley. “No one is afraid of you.”

  She stared at the elevator doors, not blinking. “It’s okay. I know I’m different.”

  “Unique is the better word,” Shade said, staring at Loxley as if he hadn’t just made her feel bad. It made me wonder if he’d existed for so long that he’d lost his ability to sense other’s feelings.

  She gave him a small smile. “At least you’re honest.”

  The elevator doors opened, revealing a long hallway. Two men stood at the other end in tuxedoes that barely fit their muscular frames.

  As I approached the door, one of them stepped forward to stop me, his hands folded across his chest and blocking the doorway.

  “Open up,” I said. He didn’t respond, just stared down at me with a serious look on his face. I raised my eyebrow at him, playing the role of a spoiled rich girl. “Clearly you’re too dumb to do your job. You place your hand on the knob and turn it. If you need help, I’d be happy to show you how.”

  He scowled. “This is a private party. Only invited attendees are allowed to enter.”

  “Exactly. So get out of my way.”

  His friend stepped next to him, forming a wall of muscle between us. I was tempted to use my magic, but there were more entertaining ways to get them out of the way. I turned to Loxley, a snide look on my face. “Clearly, they don’t know who I am.”

  The wall of muscle froze, their bodies alert.

  Loxley grinned, easily joining in. “Is it true that Cassandra fed those guys to the sharks out in the bay?”

  “Nah.” I sniffed. “It was the alligators.” I shrugged. “It was easier.”

  Loxley giggled, and I pulled out my phone. “I guess I’ll just let her know I won’t be coming. I didn’t really want to go, but mother dearest insisted.”

  “Hey, I heard they’re having a party at Sinsual. Want to go there?” Loxley asked.

  A big meaty hand landed on my phone, blocking me from touching it further. “Did you say mother? You’re Lynx Morgan?”

  “Oh look.” I didn’t look at him but grinned at Loxley. “He actually knows something. I guess getting held back for all those years in high school really did make a difference.”

  “I apologize, Ms. Morgan.” Both men stepped aside, the first one making an exaggerated show of opening the door for me. “Please enjoy your evening.”

  Loxley smirked as we passed, but my stomach burned. I hated being a bitch, especially to the ones who worked for rich jerks like my family. They were always treated like shit, and I hated adding to it, but sometimes that was the only way to get what you wanted. If I had politely told them who I was, they would’ve called my mom out there, and that was a hard pass for me.

  “That was badass.” Loxley gripped my arm.

  “That was something, all right.” I replied, taking in the room as we entered.

  The penthouse suite was richly decorated with a long glass wall that looked down over the brightly lit city. Spotless white furniture lined the space, with dozens of vases of white lilies perfuming the air. I found the decor choice ironic since the people here were as filthy and corrupt as they come.

  Dozens of them congregated in different circles, laughing and talking. All of them were dressed in the latest fashion. I recognized some of the pieces from my shop. Someone played a classical Mozart piece on a piano in the corner. A few guests gathered around the pianist, wine glasses in their hands.

  Another great room, as big as the one we were in, expanded beyond in darker hues and drawn curtains. I spotted my mother in the second ballroom, though she faced away. I’d recognize her auburn tresses and perfect posture anywhere. She wore a long dress that scooped low in the back. As if she sensed my presence, she slowly turned around and looked right at me. Her expression didn’t change, but the sudden hot anger flowing from her made me gasp. She headed toward me, gliding through the guests as if she were royalty. All of them parted for her.

  Her cool gaze briefly left mine to take in Loxley and Shade who stood close behind me. She stopped in front of me. “What are you doing here, Lynx?”

  “I came to see old friends.” I looked past her, pretending to search for Robert and the rest of his family.

  “Like hell you did,” she hissed. “Turn around and leave now before you get hurt.”

  Chapter 4

  Ignoring her threat, if that’s what it was, I finally spotted my childhood friend talking to someone. I raised my hand and waved my hand in deliberate big strokes in front of my mother’s face. “Robert! Hello!”

  He glanced at me and frowned as if trying to figure out who I was. When he did, his whole countenance lit up. “Lynx!”

  My gaze returned to my mother, my friendly expression dropping. “I have people to see, Mother.” Over my shoulder, I said to Loxley and Shade, “Come on. I have someone I want you to meet.”

  We breezed past her. I could feel her glare burning a hole in the back of my head.

  Robert met me halfway. Only a year older than me, he’d still managed to hold onto his boyish charm. His dimpled chin and rosy cheeks contrasted against his tall and muscular body. He’d grown into an extremely handsome man. I admit, my pulse raced the closer we came.

  His eyes looked me up and down, and he held out his hands. “You are stunning!”

  I let him gather me up into a tight hug. “It’s been a long time.”

  “Far too long. Let me look at you.” He pulled back but kept his hands wrapped around mine. He narrowed his eyes. “All grown up, but you still have that mischievous look in your eyes.”

  I laughed. “And yours are still full of innocence, but we both know the truth.”

  He leaned towards me. “Shhhh, that’s our secret.”

  I turned to Shade and Loxley. “Robert, I’d like you to meet my guests. This is Loxley and Sh—, er, Danny,” I said quickly. We probably should’ve given him a more normal sounding name much sooner.

  “Nice to meet you.” Robert shook both their hands. “So how do you know Lynx?”

  “Oh we’ve been friends for a while,” Loxley said. She held onto his hands a little longer than necessary. When she realized it, her cheeks tinged pink.

  “And I’m her date,” Shade said.

  I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Sure, he was tasked with it, but he had no idea how to convey this to others. He was all stiff and expressionless.

  Robert looked to me, frowning a little, but then smiled. I almost missed the motion. Did he sense something off with Shade?

  “Well, I’m glad you could come,” Robert said, “My father didn’t tell me you’d be here.”

  “It was a last-minute decision,” I said. “So where is your father?”

  “One guess.” He winked at me.

  It took me a minute to recall our youth, but then I remembered. “Gambling in some back room?”

  He nodded. “Always trying to swindle someone.”

  “Do you take after him?” Shade asked, cocking his head to the side. The motion was more animalistic than human.

  Robert straightened and set his jaw. “I don’t.”

  The piano player changed his tune to a more upbeat song. Couples around us began to pair off to dance. Robert looked at Loxley. “Care to dance?”

  She smiled shyly. “I’d love to.”

  He took her hand and guided her to the center of the room to join the others to dance along the marbled floor.

  “We should probably dance, too,” Shade said. “Right?”

  “I guess so.” I reluctantly followed him deeper into the room, my eyes on Robert.

  Shade wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled my close. A violent shiver erupted on my skin at his touch.

  “You feel me, don’t you?” Shave asked, his voice low.

  “What do you mean?”

  “My shadows. They affect everyone differently.” He paused. “I’m sorry. I know it can be unpleasant.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Because I feel them too. No matter what I do, I can’t rid myself of the darkness.”

  His voice bled sorrow, deep and painful and it made me feel bad for wanting to avoid him. “I heard Ivona did this to you?”

  He nodded.

  “Why?”

  “She wanted our newborn child. I wouldn’t give him to her, so she killed my wife and son. My punishment? Eternal torment.”

  I rolled my lips inward to keep the tears from forming. I’d never heard of something so horrible. Damn Ivona. All the lives she’d ruined!

  “Do not feel sorry for me,” he said as he expertly maneuvered me around the room. “I’ve learned a lot living more than a millennia.”