The Scarlett Legacy: Woodland Creek
Author: K.N. Lee
Date: 2015-11-15 05:00:00+00:00
Keywords: Paranormal; Romance; Fantasy; Paranormal Romance; Urban Fantasy; Fiction; Supernatural
Description: Wizards. Shifters. Murderers. Welcome to Woodland Creek, where one family of wizards gives new meaning to organized crime. Evie Scarlett is a shy college student. She also happens to be a wizard. She wanted two things: marry Parker Drake and leave Woodland Creek and her crazy family of wizards behind. But when Hugh Prince, a dangerous crime boss, is mysteriously murdered while awaiting trial for her father's murder, all eyes turn to the Scarlett family. The arrival of Hugh's youngest son, Avalon brings a century-old feud to a dangerous climax. From the Old World of magic, this vengeful wizard
Publisher: Patchwork Press

Copyright © 2015 by K.N. Lee

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

www.knlee.com

Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

The Scarlett Legacy/ K.N. Lee. – 1st Ed.

Acknowledgements

I must first thank the lovely Scarlett Dawn for the opportunity to craft a story for the mysterious town of Woodland Creek. This was such a fun project that pushed me past my comfort zone. I’ve fallen in love with my characters and cannot wait to share them with you in this book.

Thank you to my friends, fans, family, and social media family.

Enjoy!

Dedication

Dedicated to my grandmother, Josephine.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter three

Chapter Four

Chapter five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter twenty-one

Chapter Twenty-two

Chapter twenty three

Chapter twenty-four

Chapter Twenty-five

Chapter twenty-six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter twenty-Eight

Chapter twenty-nine

Chapter Thirty

Epilogue

WHAT DO YOU do when your husband asks you to kill someone? If you’re the wife of a Scarlett, you do as you’re told.

If your husband happens to also be a wizard… you don’t even ask questions.

Hugh Prince, one of Woodland Creek’s most notorious crime bosses, had a hit on his head, one that took a certain kind of skills.

One woman had those kills.

Stealth was Olivia Scarlett’s number one asset. No one noticed her when she entered the stone building on the outskirts of Woodland Creek. Not the prison guards, inmates, warden, or custodians ever suspected anything.

Not a single soul.

From the glass of the single window, she peered down at her target, contemplating how she would administer her lethal dose of poison.

The silence of the room was only broken by the inmate’s soft snore.

No longer human, Olivia could run along the walls and ceiling unseen.

She was a Spider; black with a purple stripe down her body, eight wiry legs, and a resolve to execute her mission without error.

Olivia was an assassin.

With impeccable grace, Olivia launched herself from the ceiling of the prison cell. A single strand of silver silk carried her down to the lone cot.

She landed on her target’s chest, the vibrations of his body almost overwhelming her senses. The rise and fall of his breaths, the rumble in his empty stomach, and his snores were more felt than heard.

Visions of her father-in-law’s dead body in the black coffin fueled her. She had to do this to protect the family she had married into.

Scurrying up to his neck she recited silent prayers her mother used to say whenever her father would come home drunk and ready for a fight.

The same prayers were said, but she would never be as weak as her mother. Perhaps she inherited more of her father’s character…along with his abilities.

Sharp fangs dug into the soft flesh beneath Hugh’s chin. The venom ate away at his flesh. She shot a silken thread to the ceiling, and escaped the slap of his hand.

A cry of pain erupted from Hugh’s lips as he swatted at her. Olivia disappeared into the darkness of the cell. The pain and itching was enough to drive anyone mad. This bite would do more.

It would kill.

THE GRAY SKY had yet to cast the glow of the early dawn’s sun, but soon it would, and Olivia would have to resume her masquerade as a normal young woman.

Olivia shifted back into her human form inside her car; she rubbed her pale white arms to keep the chill of the crisp October morning at bay. Her heart still raced as she tried to regulate her body temperature.

The color began to return to her smooth tattoo-covered flesh, making the black tint of her shifted form vanish.

Emptiness filled her when she was no longer a Spider. She missed the power and the thrill.

Sometimes she wished she could live as a Spider and stay away from the demands of the human world. She was safe in her shifted form, but staying in it too long seemed to weigh on her mind, leaving her disoriented for days at a time.

This particular time she’d only needed to remain a Spider for a few minutes. She was in and out.

Efficient.

Deadly.

It was well before dawn and she needed to get her clothes back on before she was seen. What would people think if they saw Olivia Scarlett, one of the top genetic researchers in Woodland Creek, sitting in her car without any clothes on?

They’d add this incident to her long list of infractions. She was a freak according to some. If tattoos and piercings made her a freak, she’d wear the title proudly. But this time she had to be discreet.

No one could know what she had done. Her cover was essential to her survival. All she wanted the world to believe was that Olivia was a scientist, artist, and loving wife.

She slid gray yoga pants back over her long slender legs, as well as a sports bra, and matching yoga shirt.

As she drove away from the parking lot across the street from the prison she glanced at herself in her rearview mirror.

When did I become an assassin again? She shook her head, looking away from her dark brown eyes. She’d thought she left her life as a killer back in Europe.

She should have expected this to be the result of marrying Wesley Scarlett. You don’t marry the son of a crime boss without losing a bit of your innocence.

Olivia wasn’t innocent to begin with. At least she knew her husband’s secrets up front. She pulled her long black hair into a ponytail, thinking there were still a few of her own secrets she’d never tell him.

Now the deed was done, and she hoped that life could return to normal. Maybe Wes would finally give her the children she so desperately wanted to bring into this world. He knew it was all she’d ever wanted; a loving home and lots of children.

The thought of getting what she wanted brought a small smile to her face. Driving back to Old Town was quiet and serene. Woodland Creek had some of the best scenery she’d ever seen.

Growing up in Paris had exposed her to so much beauty and culture, but this little town had grown on her. Something in the soil, trees, and air called to her. She’d never leave this magical place.

The day she had met Wes had been one of the greatest days of her life. She was all too eager to move to America with him and live in his beautiful mansion in the countryside. The reality was a bit different than what she’d imagined, but Wes was still the love of her life.

She looked down at her cell phone when a call came in.

Wes’ face appeared on her screen. Like Clark Kent he wore dark glasses, had dark hair and blue eyes. He was her perfect match. He happened to have the power to hurt her if she disobeyed him. Ironic that she married a man even more dangerous than her father had been.

But Wesley wasn’t any normal man, and a wizard’s love was a dangerous love.

“Hi,” she said, keeping her voice light and cheerful.

“Is it done?”

“It’s done.”

There was a moment of silence. Olivia’s shoulders tensed.

“Good,” he said. “What are you up to now?”

“I thought I’d go to the gym for some yoga.”

“Good,” Wes said. “I don’t want you to miss your class. We will celebrate our success tonight.”

“That would be lovely.”

“We will go to the Italian place in New Town that you like.”

“Thank you. I’ll wear the black dress you like.”

“I love you, Olivia.”

A tear stung her eyes. Only he could make her feel such strong emotions at hearing those words. Perhaps it was because Wes was the only person to ever say them to her.

“I love you too.”

“Olivia,” Wes said.

She wiped her eyes. “Yes?”

“You did a good thing today.”

“I know,” she said, both keeping their statements vague in case their phone calls were being screened and recorded. It wouldn’t be the first time the Scarlett family had been put under surveillance.

“Drive safely.”

“I will.”

They hung up and Olivia continued down the country road. The sun began to rise. It cast a stunning orange and red glow on the trees whose leaves had been transformed by autumn and stretched high toward the sky.

She bit her bottom lip as it began to tremble. She couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. If she was going to cry she’d better do it now.

Wes didn’t respond well to tears. He never seemed to know what to do when people let their emotions show. She suspected he’d learned that from his father, Edward. It wasn’t Wes’ fault that his father had been into illegal activity. Cleaning up Edward’s mess seemed to rule both of their lives.

For him she’d poisoned the most powerful crime boss in Woodland Creek.

Now we wait, Olivia thought.

Would this end the war between the Prince family and the Scarlett’s?

BLOOD DRIPPED FROM his fingers.

Her blood.

At least Evie thought it was her blood. She couldn’t be sure, because this was a dream.

Evie clutched her wounded ribs and tried to scramble away. Her mind raced with spells and incantations that could save her life.

She couldn’t speak. It was as if her mouth had been sewn closed.

Parker was in bed with her. She screamed inside her head, praying he would wake her up. Evie knew her attempts to communicate were useless. It had never worked before. And so, her body remained paralyzed as she endured the agony of a premonition.

Evie gasped for breath as she crawled backward.

The man that stood before her was tall and beautiful. An eagle tattoo stretched up his neck to his chin.

Her dream man.

Literally.

She’d had this same dream every night since her father died. This was the first time the green-eyed stranger with the red hair had appeared in this dream.

She just couldn’t tell if he was there to help or harm her.

Her eyes pleaded when her voice would not come when called.

He just stood there, and stared at her. She wished she could make out the features of his face.

She tensed when he knelt down before her, smoke filling the dark basement around them.

You’re not supposed to feel pain in a dream but Evie could feel everything. To her it was more than a dream. Having the ability to tell the future through dreams was her curse. Not only did her premonitions scare the crap out of her, but when within them she could feel physical pain, and that stab wound stung like hell.

This was hell that she was living in. Forced to recount the horrible death her father had suffered, Evie now knew what it was like to be stabbed to death.

Daddy, she thought. The sadness overcame her, crippling her.

What she couldn’t understand was why her father wasn’t strong enough to defend himself. He was a wizard, a powerful one.

Hugh Prince shouldn’t have been able to defeat him. The stranger in her dream knew the answer.

Who are you?

Evie mouthed the question when her voice still wouldn’t come.

Instead of words, music notes floated from his mouth and into the air, and he transformed into a creature she’d never seen in real life before, a creature from myths and legends.

A Gryphon.

Evie breathed a sigh of relief when she woke up to the real world. Her dream world was too frightening to remain in any longer. Nonetheless, she needed to wake up and get ready for class.

Evie peeked an eye open and suppressed a grin when she saw Parker looking back at her from his side of the bed.

All was right with the world when he smiled at her like that. Blood, tears, and agony melted into the back of her mind when she was near him.

Evie covered her mouth and giggled. Who would have ever guessed that Evie Scarlett had one of the most desired men in town in her bed, madly in love with her?

Perhaps her luck was changing.

She could see it in his eyes. Parker Drake loved her…and she didn’t even have to use any magic.

He kissed her on the forehead. “I caught you,” he said, sitting up. He reached for his shirt on the floor and pulled it over his tousled blond hair.

Oh why’d you have to do that? Evie hated to watch him cover his abs. Like a Greek god he towered over her. There was so much to love about his body, but his ripped abdomen was one of her favorite parts.

She sat up on her elbow. “Caught me doing what?” She reached over to her antique nightstand and put her black-rimmed glasses on.

He smirked. “Watching me sleep.”

Laughing, Evie rested her head back on her pillow. “You’re crazy.”

He stood and pulled his pants on. “Am I? You’re the one watching me sleep like a loon.”

Evie rolled her eyes. “Whatever. You’re not that hot.” She lied. He reminded her of Thor. He was that hot.

“Liar,” he said and walked over to her floor-to-ceiling window to gaze out into the early morning sky.

“Perhaps,” Evie said with a smirk.

Parker came back. He climbed into the bed and held himself over her body in a push up position. His eyes glanced down at her exposed breasts and back to her face.

Evie kept to herself just how much she adored his blue eyes, hooded with thick dark lashes. His lips were perfectly smooth and full for kissing. As if he could read her mind Parker leaned down and kissed her on the lips.

She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck. She was glad that she was able to push the fact that they had been best friends since childhood away long enough to see Parker as a man—a smoking hot man that she couldn’t seem to get enough of.

He was her first and only lover, and she prayed that they would remain together forever.

Just the thought of losing him frightened her.

The town called the Scarlett family cursed. Evie didn’t disagree. She and her older brother, Wesley were the last of the Scarlett legacy, and they were both cursed in ways the townspeople couldn’t imagine.

One more year and Evie could have the inheritance she needed to escape.

She just hoped and prayed she could stay alive that long.

While Parker’s tongue caressed hers Evie ran her hands through his dark blond hair.

Parker slid his fingers into her panties and she stopped him.

Smiling, she shook her head. “As much as I’d like to go again, I need to get to class.”

“I know. Me too. I have one at nine.” Parker kissed her again. “Tonight then?”

“Mother will be back by then.”

“Oh yes. I almost forgot. Your mother still treats you like a fifteen year old.”

“She just doesn’t want anything to happen to me.”

Evie almost felt like a prisoner at times. After her father died her mother increased her overprotective nature. She didn’t blame her. Their family had seen their share of violence over the years.

At least she had her brother, Wes. He always watched over and protected her and as head of the family now, he gave her more freedom than their mother would.

“I wish you didn’t have to follow her rules. You’re not a little girl anymore.”

“She’s still my mother. I think I’ll always keep her wishes in mind no matter how old I get,” Evie said.

“I think you should move out. Your father left Scarlett Hall to Wes. Where does that leave you?”

Evie shrugged. She would miss the home she had grown up in. There were so many memories in those walls, both good and bad.

“I have an inheritance. It’s okay. I don’t want to live here forever. You know that.”

Parker climbed off of her and started picking up his shoes from the floor. “Well tomorrow then. Just come to my place. You should just move in with me.”

Evie sat up and stretched. Her arms were still sore from the workout Parker put her through the day before. Being trained by a boxer was brutal, but he was determined to make her capable of protecting herself.

If he only knew.

She winced at the pain in her biceps. “All the way in New Town?”

He raised a brow. “What’s wrong with New Town? It’s a lot more fun than out here in the country.”

Evie took off her panties and headed for her shower. “You grew up out here in the country.”

“Yeah, and now I live in the modern era.”

He was right. She did love his loft apartment. It made her almost feel as though they were in another city.

“Okay.” She turned on the water and grabbed her toothbrush while the shower heated up. “Let’s meet tomorrow at the bookstore when my shift is over. We can talk then.”

“Fine. Won’t you let me take you to dinner after? Show you off a little.”

“You want to show me off?” Evie stared at her reflection.

Gray eyes with flecks of hazel looked back at her from beneath her glasses. She shared much of her looks with her father.

Evie sighed at her reflection, missing her father at that moment. A lock of white hair stood out against her black hair. No matter what, she’d never been able to dye that lock to match the rest of her head. Instead it had stood out for as long as she could remember. There were pictures of her as a baby with that white lock.

The taunts of ignorant children had followed her from elementary school to college.

“Why wouldn’t I? You’re beautiful.”

Hearing those words washed away all of her bad memories about her self-image. Evie hid her grin and started brushing her teeth.

“You sure you aren’t embarrassed to be seen with me?”

“Now that’s possibly the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever said to me. Of course not. I love you.”

Evie’s heart soared at hearing those words. She’d never get tired of hearing them come from his lips.

“I love you more,” she said in a soft voice.

“Not possible.”

She giggled, loving how open he was about his feelings. “Good reply.”

He made her feel safe even though he was merely human. Sometimes that’s all she needed, a human companion to make her feel normal when she was far from it.

Parker came into the bathroom and stood behind her. He grabbed her by her waist and pressed her naked bottom to the front of his pants. He groaned.

“Come on, Evie. One more time.”

Evie rinsed her mouth of toothpaste and grinned at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. He kissed her throat and her eyes fluttered closed. Every touch sent hot tingles along her skin. She began to calculate how long it would take her to drive to Hastings-Albrecht University if she left just a little later.

She enjoyed the feel of his mouth on her neck. He sucked her earlobe, making her eyes flutter closed.

“Fine,” she breathed. “One more time.”

ADELAIDE HUMMED AN old French song as she walked down the winding staircase to the landing. It was almost eight o’clock in the morning, and Evie’s mother already wore a long black dress, and had her hair styled in long glossy blonde waves that hung down to her tiny waist.

Evie glanced up at her and frowned. Was it normal to envy your mother? Why didn’t she get those beautiful Nordic looks?

Evie crossed her arms as she stood before the door. She’d almost made it out of the house without her mother catching her and Parker.

Parker’s eyes went from Evie to Adelaide, and back.

Busted, his eyes said to her.

He cleared his throat.

“Good morning, Mrs. Scarlett,” he said.

Adelaide nodded at him, a tight smile on her lips as she looked him up and down.

“Good morning, Parker. You’re here early enough. Aren’t you?”

Evie cringed, but Parker gave her a charming smile. It was just like him to charm when they were caught breaking the rules.

“I hope that’s not a problem? Evie and I had some studying to do.”

Evie hid her grin.

Studying the art of anatomy.

“Well, you do know I am not fond of visitors without my permission.”

Evie sucked her teeth. "I am an adult, and I live here too. What is it that you need?"

The corners of Adelaide's mouth curled into a tight smile. "And hello to you too, sweet daughter of mine. Have a good day, Parker. I need to borrow Evie for a moment.”

Sighing, Evie turned to Parker. She shook her head as she looked at him. “Come get me from the library before lunch.” She stretched up to kiss him on the lips. “Be safe, baby.”

“You too,” he said and he waved at Adelaide before leaving. He walked around the corner of the house to the second garage to get into his car.

Evie stood in the doorway, watching him drive down the long driveway in his black Dodge Challenger.

“I haven't seen you in what feels like forever. Where have you been hiding?"

"You know where I’ve been."

Adelaide nodded. "You’re right. I do. You’ve been shacking up with that Drake boy at his house… and ours apparently."

"What do you need?"

"I sense some attitude. Are things going well with you and the Drake boy?"

Evie uncrossed her arms. "Stop that. You know Parker isn't a boy. And yes. He's fine."

Adelaide walked to stand before her. She opened her arms, expecting Evie to embrace her.

Evie caught the hint and hugged her briefly. She loved her mother but the woman could drive her crazy like no other. She’d always been overly protective and nosy, but stingy with any show of affection.

It drove her crazy. During family vacations she made Evie call her by her name and pretend that they were sisters.

"You two have been close since the day you met in kindergarten.” Adelaide looked off for a moment. “I should have put you in private school like Wesley.”

Evie pursed her lips, annoyed. “Woodland Pond Grammar School was just fine.”

“I suppose it was sufficient,” Adelaide said, pulling a strand of hair from Evie’s face. “He's a handsome boy. I’ll give him that. Do you think he is the one?”

There. She did it again. Evie almost shouted at her that Parker wasn't a boy once again.

Turning around, Evie shrugged, keeping her face unreadable. "I don't know."

Liar.

Parker had always been the one.

One day she would marry him, but there was no way she could tell her mother that. Not now.

"Tell me the truth, Evie.”

"Why do you care? Wes and Olivia will give you grandchildren soon."

"You’re my daughter. I love you. I want to make sure you don’t make a mistake."

"I'm an adult. Do I have to tell you everything going on in my life?"

Adelaide's smile faded. Her blue eyes held Evie's, making her suddenly wish she hadn’t just said that.

"Yes. You do," Adelaide said. "Shame on me for caring about your safety."

"What are you talking about?" Evie felt a warning in her gut. She'd never heard her mother talk like that.

My safety?

What did she know? Evie never told anyone about her nightmares. She almost shivered as they stood there in the darkness of the foyer.

Why did she always want it so dark in the house? And now she seemed to be waiting in the shadows to catch Evie disobeying her rules.

Moving in with Parker was sounding better each moment she stood there under her mother’s judging eyes.

“Well?”

Adelaide stepped past her, brushing Evie’s cheek with a warm thumb before stopping at the front door. She opened it and stepped outside into the cool morning.

"Come with me, Evie."

Evie was hesitant. She watched Adelaide's slim frame stand on the front porch that wrapped around both sides of Scarlett Hall. She looked like a model in a painting just then. The lush green landscape before her was beautiful, the pond standing between her and the forest that wrapped around the property. In the midst of the scenery, Adelaide she stood out in an odd way.

Evie followed behind her. Her entire body tensed when she stood beside Adelaide and glanced at her face. She quickly looked away the moment she saw tears trailing down her cheeks.

She wanted to ask her what was wrong, but she chose silence. Her mother had her way about things, and would tell her in her own time.

"Do you want to know a secret? One that I was too afraid to even tell your father?"

Evie glanced at her. Adelaide’s tears streamed now. Now she had to know.

Sighing, she wrapped her arms around her mother’s waist. Evie rested her head on her shoulder. They hadn’t embraced like that since her father’s funeral only a week ago.

“Yes. Tell me what’s wrong.”

Adelaide tilted Evie’s chin up so that she could peer into her eyes.

Evie swallowed. Her mother’s blue eyes looked especially bright and eerie in that moment.

"Then come with me and I will tell you everything."

THE TREES SEEMED to sway to Adelaide’s stride as they entered the forest that surrounded Scarlett Hall. Sometimes she reminded Evie of an ethereal creature from a fairy tale; tall, beautiful, and lithe.

The world couldn’t touch her.

When Adelaide took off her shoes, Evie peered at her, curiosity on her face.

“Take off your shoes.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes. Leave them by that tree, beside mine.”

Her mother sauntered through the grass barefoot, her hips swaying with each delicate footstep.

Evie stood there, staring with her mouth parted, the lines in her forehead creasing.

What is going on here?

Evie took her boots off, and now her feet squelched along wet leaves, mud, and tiny twigs.

Evie kept her hands in her cardigan’s pockets. The further they went into the forest, the more she knew she wouldn’t make it to her first class at all.

“Don’t you feel it, Evie?”

Evie looked at Adelaide’s back. She thought a moment, wondering if she felt anything different. Truth was, she did.

She sucked in a breath of the cool sweet air, trying to make sense of the sensations that washed over her as they went deeper and deeper into the forest. They went so deep that the canopy of leaves above started to block out most of the sun. It almost felt like the evening even though it was only eight o’clock in the morning.

“I guess so,” Evie said, frowning at whatever strange sensation she felt. A strong urge to stop overcame her. She wanted to rest her head on the tall green grass, close her eyes, and forget about the world.

She didn’t like it.

“Good. Come take my hand.”

Adelaide turned around and held out her hands for Evie. Evie pulled in a long breath, filling her lungs, and stepped closer so that she could hold Adelaide’s hands.

Her hands were cold, so cold that Evie pulled away in shock.

“What the hell, mom? Your hands feel like ice.”

Adelaide snatched her hands back to her. “Your hands aren’t any warmer, Evie. Stop being a baby and hold on for just a moment.”

Frowning, Evie did as she was told. Soon her face paled as their hands began to heat, making her entire body warm up.

“See?”

She looked up to see Adelaide smiling.

“Yeah,” she said. “You have too many tricks up your sleeve.”

“Perhaps,” Adelaide said. “But you do too.”

Evie tensed, looking around the clearing as if she’d see someone hiding in the bushes, watching them.

“Don’t you?”

“What are you talking about? You know I can read minds and identify those with magic.”

“That’s what I wanted to bring you out here for, sweetie. You might have more than that inside of you.”

Evie tried to take her hands free from her mother’s. Her glasses started to fog. Adelaide wouldn’t let her go.

“Stop trying to resist. You always shied away from your powers. I want you to embrace them.”

“I’m not trying to resist. I just want to clear my glasses.”

Adelaide sighed. She closed her eyes and blew on Evie’s lenses, freeing them of the fog with one breath.

“Better?”

Evie gave a single nod. “What did you bring me out here for? It’s creeping me out.”

“Like I said. I wanted to tell you a secret, one that I kept from you for far too long, but might soon come in handy.”

A whistling sound came from somewhere far off, like an owner calling for their dog. Evie’s face paled.

“I’m scared. Let’s go home.”

Adelaide held steady, but smoothed the tops of Evie’s hands with her fingers.

“It’s okay, sweetie. Mommy will always protect you.”

Evie stilled. She looked into her mother’s eyes and saw the truth in them. Adelaide might get on her nerves at time, but she loved her and would do anything to keep her safe.

“I know,” Evie said, ignoring the sounds she started to hear around them. She kept her eyes focused on her mother, which kept her calm. “I’m listening.”

“Good,” Adelaide said.

A brief moment of silence passed before Adelaide seemed to gain the courage needed to tell Evie why they were there.

“I am not a wizard. I never was.”

Evie shook her head. “What?”

She must have heard her wrong. She’d seen her mother do things that no one else could do unless they had magic.

Adelaide’s brows furrowed. “I only let your father believe that I was because I loved him…and because he hates shifters.”

Evie’s eyes widened. Memories of her mother’s powers flooded her mind. She always thought they were odd, but each wizard was unique in their own way. If she wasn’t a wizard, how could she move things with her mind?

“Don’t tell me you’re a shifter.”

“Yes. I am a shifter and have always been.”

“But,” Evie closed her eyes, thinking. “I’ve seen you move things with your mind before. You’ve used magic. What kind of shifter does that?”

Adelaide smiled. “All good questions,” she said. Then she looked down.

Evie’s eyes followed and she let out a loud yelp when she saw that the ground was far below them, and that they hovered in the air.

She opened her mouth in awe, seeing birds whiz by.

That explains the whistling sound. How did I miss floating in the air?

“I won’t let you fall,” Adelaide said and let Evie’s hands go.

Evie let out another yelp, expecting to fall to her death. Her heart pounded in her chest. Instead of falling, she hovered there in the air with her mother.

“What is happening?” Evie covered her mouth and looked around in awe.

Adelaide nodded, chuckling. “I was right. You may have your father’s looks, but you have an equal amount of my power inside of you.”

“Your power?”

“You’ve inherited both sides.”

Evie held her arms out as a breeze flew around her. Her hair whipped around her face.

“What do you mean?” Evie tried to keep her breathing calm. The air was so crisp and light. Soon she began enjoying being up there.

It felt like home.

Adelaide twirled in the air, the skirt of her black dress seemingly dancing in sync with her long blonde hair. She flashed a smile at Evie.

“I always knew you were more like me than you let on.”

“How?” Evie’s body floated along the breeze, and before she knew it she gave a hesitant twirl.

Glorious.

“Because you’re a Gryphon,” Adelaide replied. “Just like mommy.”

Evie’s face paled. She remembered her dream. Could that be why she saw the Gryphon last night?

Tilting her head, Evie peered at her mother through squinted eyes.

“Why are you telling me this now?”

Adelaide folded her arms across her chest. She looked down, shoulders slumping.

She looked vulnerable. Evie didn’t like it. She resisted repeating the question.

When her mother turned her back on her, Evie wrung her hands in worry.

“Evie,” she said. “Things are going to get worse here before they get better. I told you this because I want you to be able to defend yourself.”

“Against what? The Prince family is gone.”

“In case something happens to Wes or I.”

“What would happen to you?”

Adelaide turned back to her, her eyes hooded with guilt. “Your brother and I have done some things that could affect you.”

Evie frowned. “Like what?”

She wanted to go back to land. The conversation made her uncomfortable, and yet the sky seemed to hold her steady. It seemed as though a new secret came out each day.

“Let’s just say that we eliminated those that pose a threat to our family.”

Swallowing, Evie covered her mouth with a cold hand. Her words came out breathlessly. “What did you do?”

Adelaide shrugged. “We did what we did to protect you.”

Evie watched in awe as her mother flew down without another word.

Evie hovered in the air, welcoming the sun’s rays warming her neck. Still, chill in her blood remained.

What has my family done?

THE PICTURE WAS beautifully drawn. The Gryphon was a majestic creature, revered in mythology from cultures all over the world.

Learning that they were real thrilled Evie.

Now it made sense why this creature kept appearing in her dreams.

Her stomach was unsettled. What Adelaide had revealed to her wouldn’t leave the forefront of her mind. Even though her family was in the middle of so much drama, this new revelation took precedence. All she wanted to do was go outside and find a secluded area where she could fly free once again.

Never reveal your ability.

Never fly around humans.

Always stash clothes where you can find them.

Adelaide had told her as much as she could in the short amount of time they had. So much information about her shifter side, and nothing about what she and Wes had done to protect her.

I’ll find out…in my own way.

She was good at that.

Father hated shifters, and so it made sense why her mother lied.

But now Evie knew why she felt the way she did. That empty hole was now filled. She could fly, in her human form or as a Gryphon.

Adelaide had tried to get her to shift, but Evie wasn’t quite ready. She’d rather enjoy the benefits without having to be a creature of myths and legends.

Lazy was what Adelaide had called her when she refused to shift.

Practical was what Evie had called herself in defense.

Why transform when I can do everything as a human?

Apparently she was more powerful in her animal form, but she was afraid to feel what that was like.

Evie actually looked forward to going home to learn more about her shifter side.

“That’s Edward Scarlett’s daughter.”

“The one that lives in the huge manor in the countryside?”

“The haunted one?”

“Yeah.”

Really?

“Yeah. Her family is in the mob. I’d stay away from her unless you want to end up dead.”

Evie cringed at hearing herself being talked about. Even if they did whisper, she could hear the two girls at the table next to her quite clearly. Sure they were right about her family being organized crime…but why did people think her house was haunted?

Her father had hosted some of the most elaborate parties in Scarlett Hall. It was a beautiful Victorian house, kept up with no expense spared. No matter if he ran an underground gambling ring, he made sure Evie was kept far from those things, and never let his business life spill into their home.

She shook her head and continued reading.

“They say her father was into some pretty bad stuff. That’s why he was killed.”

Evie’s face heated. She shot a glare at the girl that kept whispering about her family. Evie considered turning around and knocking them out of their chairs. Then she thought of how much trouble she’d be in if her secret got out.

She tensed.

Only if I used magic.

No one would learn of her secret if she walked over there and slapped them both. That was a purely human thing to do, right?

Still, it was a terrible idea.

Evie decided to tune them out and calmed herself by closing her eyes for a moment.

I’ll be free in a few more months, she reminded herself.

She took a deep breath and ignored them. Her finger traced the outline of the creature that had an eagle’s head and a lion’s body.

“What are you up to?”

Evie slammed the book closed. She looked up to see Parker standing next to her in a navy button-up shirt and jeans.

“Jeez,” she said taking off her glasses and cleaning the lens on the hem of her purple pleated skirt. “You scared the crap out of me.”

His eyes read the title of the book. “Mythological creatures. Doesn’t sound like anything that’s going to help you with your trigonometry exam.”

“Lower your voice,” Evie said, standing from her seat at one of the tables in the back of the library.

She glanced at the girls that had been talking about her, seeing them stare at Parker. She tucked the book into her satchel and took his hand into hers. She pulled him along as they left the library.

Outside the sun tried to break free from the dark clouds that continued to gather. Evie already smelled the sweet aroma of rain.

They stood on the white stone steps looking out to the lush green quad that connected the buildings of Hastings-Albrecht University. The beauty of autumn was all around them. Trees were covered with orange leaves, the ground was littered with them, and Halloween decorations were set all over the campus.

There was no doubt that the town was excited about the annual Halloween party the town held. Evie began to wonder if she even wanted to attend with all of the media attention and rumors circulating Woodland Creek.

Evie clutched her notebook to her chest and held down her skirt as a gust of wind swept through the campus.

“Are you okay? You’re acting weird.”

Evie put her notebook in her bag and hugged Parker, burying her face in his chest. She breathed in the scent of his fresh-smelling deodorant.

“I’m fine. My nightmares are back.”

He rubbed her back and rested his chin on the top of her head. “I’m sorry, baby. Tell me everything.”

She shook her head and pulled away. “They don’t really make any sense. I just keep dreaming about my really disturbing stuff.”

Parker held her hand. “You sure you don’t want to talk about it?”

She bit her lip. There was so much she wanted to reveal about being a wizard, but making humans aware of their presence was forbidden.

Sighing, Evie started down the steps and to the stone walkway. “I just wish the whole trial with Hugh Prince will just finish up already.”

Parker followed her. “I know. At least he’s locked up for the time being. He can’t hurt anyone else.”

The whole Scarlett versus Prince family feud had gone on long enough. Her family had seen its share of loss, but the Prince family had lost even more. Both of Hugh’s sons had died in a car crash just a few days after her father’s death.

Now one patriarch was dead and the other was in jail for his murder. As if her family hadn’t suffered enough rumors of being cursed, now there was a murder and a scandal.

She was glad the public didn’t know how deep their family secrets went.

They walked together, in silence, along one of the paths. At least Parker held her hand, providing a small measure of comfort.

Evie kept her eyes down to avoid making contact with any of the students staring at her. They made a path for her, some silent, some whispering, as she walked by. She should have been used to the whispers, but they still bothered her. She wanted to run and be free of their judging eyes.

“Don’t you have another class to go to?”

Evie wanted to be alone. She needed to sort out her thoughts in silence before something bad happened—something she couldn’t control.

Things never seemed to go well when Evie couldn’t control her emotions, so she tried to keep her breathing even. Everything that had confused her while growing up all made sense.

She was both a wizard and a shifter.

Insanity, she thought, shaking her head. And I can’t tell a soul.

“I do. But it can wait,” Parker said. “I want to make sure you’re okay first.”

The sting of tears burned her eyes. She couldn’t let him see them. Who was she kidding? She couldn’t hide anything from Parker.

He pulled her around and held her face in his hands. “Baby, talk to me.”

Evie shook her head. “You wouldn’t understand, Parker. Your family is perfect. Mine is splattered all over the newspaper.”

Parker wiped her tears away.

“I do understand,” he said. “No one should have to deal with losing someone they love the way you did. I hate to say it, but with all that’s going on, you need a break from your family.”

Nodding, Evie wrapped her arms around his waist. “You’re right.”

“I’m glad you agree. Why don’t you bring enough clothes with you to my place? Stay with me for a while.” He grinned, anticipating her next question. “You don’t have to make a decision about moving in just yet.”

Evie couldn’t help the smile that came to her lips.

“Really?”

He kissed her. “Of course. I’m going to do my best to help you take your mind off all the madness going on.”

A buzzing sound caught Evie’s attention.

“That sounds like just what I need,” she said to Parker as she fished her cell phone out of her bag’s front pocket.

She checked her text messages.

Her face paled at what she read and turned away from Parker so that he wouldn’t see the message.

“Good,” he said. “I better get to my next class. You be strong for me baby. One more night in Scarlett Hall and I’ll be there to help you take your mind off things. Try not to obsess over the trial, okay?”

Evie slid her phone back in her bag, her eyes staring off into nothing. She swallowed and nodded slowly.

“Yes,” she said. “Sure.”

Parker left and Evie sped away from the quad. She needed to be alone.

Forget the trial, he says.

Take your mind off things, he says.

Evie’s fingers tingled as she swiftly left campus.

The words in her text message from her brother, Wes said it all.

Hugh Prince is dead.

If she didn’t get away before the news was out to the public, she’d be bombarded with questions, odd looks, or worse.

Evie could barely breathe when she reached her car.

Hugh Prince is dead.

She couldn’t stop repeating those four words in her head.

She squeezed her eyes shut.

Wes wasn’t kidding. They really did it.

The man that killed their father was dead.

Now we are even, she thought.

Right?

“ARE YOU SURE you’re okay?” Quinn watched Evie as she stepped out of her afternoon shift at Carter’s Books and Gifts.

Evie nodded, offering a half-hearted smile to her best friend. They met up every Friday after her shift for coffee.

“I’m fine. Thanks for asking.”

“Crazy that he just died in his holding cell. From a freaking spider bite! How does that even happen?”

Evie shrugged.

You’d be surprised what could happen when you’re on my family’s bad side.

Quinn adjusted her red-rimmed glasses as she gazed at the gray sky. “It’s about to storm.”

Evie smoothed her wavy black hair down. “Well, let’s hurry over to Geek Beans.”

“Sure. I can’t stay out late tonight. I have to study for my Physics test.”

“Okay. I can’t stay late either,” Evie said as they made their way down Albrecht Street.

Quinn shook her head with an annoyed grunt. “You’re so lucky you chose English instead of biology. My physics class is killing me.”

“You’re right. I’m a writer. I’ll stick to the words.”

“How about you write me an excuse from my exam,” Quinn said with a sigh.

“I wish I could.”

Another wind brushed her hair across her face. A cool droplet of rain splashed on her nose. “Let’s hurry. I just felt a drop!”

Evie was glad she wore her ankle boots as they ran the rest of the way. A man held the door to Geek Beans open for them, and they hurried inside.

“Thanks,” Quinn said as she pulled her blonde hair back into a ponytail. A loud crash of thunder made her jump. “Whew. Close one.”

Evie’s eyes scanned the coffee shop for a seat somewhere discreet.

Geek Beans was one of the coolest places in town. Inside it felt like they weren’t in Woodland Creek. Appropriately named, all of her fellow geeks could hang out in a judgment free zone. With colorful tables that didn’t quite match, hanging plants, colorful artwork, and everyone with their tablets and laptops, it felt as if they were in a quaint coffee shop in Soho or something.

One day Evie would see Soho. She’d see the world and would forget this small town.

“What are you wearing to the Halloween party?”

Evie shrugged. “I haven’t thought about it yet. What about you?”

She breathed in the room’s delightful scent of roasted coffee beans, cinnamon, and apples. The low hum of chatter mixed with the sound of a guitar playing.

“Naughty nurse. Get it? Since I’m going to be a registered nurse,” Quinn said, nudging her.

Evie nodding, only half listening. She turned to see who was playing. Her eyes locked with the musician the moment she found him. It was as if he’d been watching her.

“Whoa,” Evie said under her breath. She couldn’t look away.

Something about him left her frozen in place. He had a familiar face, but she couldn’t place where she’d seen him before.

This was Woodland Creek, Indiana, where everyone knew everyone.

He strummed the guitar strings with grace. His voice made the hairs on her skin rise as he sang along to the guitar. She couldn’t look away. It was as if he held her captive in a spell.

With striking green eyes, tanned skin, and hair cut low on both sides and long on the top he looked like a model from a magazine. Within seconds, she imagined herself running her hands through his rich red colored hair while they kissed in the rain.

Evie felt her cheeks flush and turned away.

Where did that come from?

She’d never even dream about cheating on Parker.

Warnings flashed in her mind. Her skin started to feel hot. Her palms started to sweat.

Her eyelids flickered closed for a quick second, long enough for her to get a read on the stranger.

Nothing.

She opened her eyes to see him looking at her.

That’s odd, she thought.

She could always read others, with minimal effort…or magic.

Something was definitely up with the stranger.

She grabbed Quinn by the forearms. “Get me a mocha latte. I need to run to the bathroom.”

Quinn nodded, a thinly arched blonde brow raised. “Sure. You all right?”

“I’m fine,” she said before retreating to the bathroom at the back of the coffee shop.

She made it a point to avoid looking at the handsome musician that she’d never seen before. He was definitely new, which meant soon every single girl in town would be batting her eyelashes at him.

Evie shook her head.

No. No. No.

Her mind recalled the stranger’s tattoos. An eagle stretched across his neck. She now knew where she’d seen him before.

Inside the bathroom, she went to the mirror. She checked her reflection. Her cheeks were still pink. She grabbed a paper towel and wet it under cold water. After patting her cheeks, she dug into her satchel for her lip balm. She dabbed it on her lips and looked at herself one more time.

Someone knocked on the door, breaking her from her thoughts.

“Okay,” she whispered to her reflection. “Just keep calm.”

She turned and opened the door to leave.

She audibly sucked in a breath.

There he was. He stood before her and smiled, leaving her unable to speak or move. He was taller than she’d remembered from her dream, and smelled as if he’d just eaten apple pie.

Silence passed between them as she stared into his eyes.

What do I do? What do I say?

“Hi,” she squeaked.

“Hello,” he replied. He looked over her shoulder. “Are you done?”

She nodded, wishing Geek Beans would create another bathroom so situations like this wouldn’t occur.

“Excuse me!”

She sidestepped around him and hurried to the table Quinn picked out by the bookcase in the corner. Once she sat down she buried her face in her hands and groaned.

The smell of the citrus bathroom soap wafted into her nose as she breathed in. “Dear God, I made a fool of myself. I just stood there!” Evie buried her face in her hands, smearing her glasses with oil from the palms of her hands.

Quinn paused the chewing of her croissant. She raised a brow. “What?”

Evie took her glasses off and wiped them with her shirt. Her shoulders slumped. She reached for her mocha latte and took a gingerly sip.

“Nothing,” she said.

Quinn chuckled. “Okay. Whatever.” She leaned in, her eyes bright. “Did you see the new guitar player? Tattoos, a great voice, and killer hair.”

Nodding, Evie took another sip, letting the warm liquid soothe her nerves. She closed her eyes.

Guitar player.

He was a musician. That explained the music notes from the dream.

“And what a face,” Quinn continued.

“Listen to you. You sound like you’re ready to give it up to a stranger.” Evie said, forcing a smile even though her heart was racing.

“Everyone can’t get a catch like Parker Drake,” Quinn said. She scrunched up her nose. “And don’t act so high and mighty. You just lost yours this year.”

Evie drank more of her coffee.

“Shush, Quinn,” Evie kept her voice barely above a whisper. She didn’t need everyone in the coffee shop to know she was once a twenty-one-year old virgin.

“So, he asked you to stay with him for a few days? Is that the beginning of moving in together? Spill the beans.”

“I don’t know. Maybe.” She didn’t want to reveal that he had asked her to move in yet. Quinn was a good friend, but a jealous one.

Quinn pursed her lips. “Oh. I see. That’s all you’re going to give me?”

“I can’t focus on that right now. There’s too much on my mind. But sure, it sounds nice. It will be a nice change.”

“Well good for you. I’m glad you guys are together. Even if you have less and less time for your best friend.”

Evie reached a hand across the table and placed it on Quinn’s. She smiled warmly. “You’re always going to be my best friend. No matter what. We will always be close.”

“Promise?”

Evie nodded.

“Good,” Quinn said. “Or else I’d have to move Wendy up to best friend…and she’s nowhere as cute as you are.”

Evie laughed. Her smile faded as she sat back in her chair.

She watched the musician leave the short hallway that led to the bathroom and enter the main room. He paused a moment and looked around the room. When he saw her his eyes brightened, and he started to head their way.

Evie sat up straight, praying that she could keep calm and act as though everything was still normal. Quinn saw her expression and glanced over her shoulder.

“He’s coming,” she said.

“I know,” Evie said, barely moving her lips.

She watched him come to their table and pull a chair out for himself.

Evie’s face flushed as she watched him sit next to her.

Both girls were silent as he sat back and draped an arm around the back of his seat.

There was an awkward silence for a moment.

He looked at both of them and sat up quickly as if he hadn’t noticed them sitting there until now.

“Excuse my manners,” he said. He reached a hand out to Quinn. “I’m Avalon. Nice to meet you.”

He had an accent, a sexy one that made Quinn perk up. Even Evie sat up a little straighter.

Quinn shook his hand. “Quinn. Nice to meet you too.”

When Avalon reached out to Evie she shook his hand as well, feeling the warmth of his palm against hers. Along with the warmth, she felt a slight electric pulse run up her wrist and arm.

She gasped.

He was a wizard.

A quite powerful one.

She could tell the instant they touched.

Wes called it a gift. He couldn’t do it. He could do other things, but always said that she was lucky to know what kind of beings existed around her. As a child, Evie looked up to Wes. They’d play games that strengthened Evie’s powers. Mental games mostly.

She missed those days.

Evie examined Avalon from the shiny red hair on his head, to his expensive black shoes.

Being a wizard explained why she couldn’t read Avalon earlier. His form of power must have prevented it.

And by the shoes on his feet he wasn’t just a guitar player.

She swallowed when he caught her checking him out.

“I’m Evie…short for Evelyse.”

“Lovely name for a beautiful lass,” he said, and settled back in his chair once again. “Do you mind if I sit with you ladies for a bit? I find myself all alone on a Friday night, and you two seem like nice normal girls.”

Normal? I wish.

Evie faked a smile.

“You’re new to town,” Quinn said. “Where are you from?”

“Woodland Creek,” Avalon replied.

They both stared at him, neither believing his story.

“Oh,” Quinn said. “I’ve never seen you before. What’s with the accent?”

Avalon tilted his head and nodded, a lock of his hair falling into his eyes. He racked his hair back. “Aye. I was shipped off to boarding school in Scotland when I was a lad.”

Quinn peered at him, clearly still suspicious of his story. “What brings you back?”

He rubbed his chin. “Good question. A little business. A little pleasure.”

Quinn grinned. “Come to charm innocent Midwestern girls with your Scottish accent and guitar?”

He chuckled at that. “Not really.” He gave Evie a sidelong glance, making her subconscious of her white lock of hair. “I’ve come to bury my father, and see an old mate.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Evie said.

“Who?”

Evie folded her hands in her lap, eager to hear his answer to Quinn’s question.

One of the girls from Evie’s Asian history class stepped over. “Hi,” she said.

Avalon looked up at her from his seat.

“What can I do for you, gorgeous?”

The girl blushed. “We were hoping you’d play some more. You’re really good.”

Evie raised her brows. The nerve on that girl.

Avalon nodded, glancing at the cat-shaped clock on the wall above Evie’s head. His eyes lingered on hers, making her hold her breath before he turned away.

“Aye. I can play a few more songs.” He looked to Quinn and Evie. “You’ll excuse me, ladies?”

“Of course,” Evie said, nodding. She let out a long breath as she picked up her coffee and looked away.

She couldn’t stand it when he looked at her. It was as if he could see into her soul.

“Sure,” Quinn said. “You didn’t tell us who your friend was, though, and who you’re here to bury. We might know them.”

“I’m burying my father, Hugh Prince.” He stood. “And my old friend is Wesley Scarlett.”

Evie’s head snapped in his direction. She could barely breathe when their eyes locked.

There was no denying who he was. Her suspicions were correct.

Avalon was the man from her dream.

It’s not possible, she thought.

“How do you know Wes?” Quinn looked surprised. “That’s Evie’s older brother.”

He grinned, giving Evie a knowing look. “I know.”

Evie swallowed.

Quinn sipped from her coffee, her eyes going from Evie to Avalon. “Well, what a coincidence that we ran into you then.”

Grinning, Avalon pulled his guitar strap over his head. “Indeed. Especially since I’ll be heading to Scarlett Hall tonight.”

EVIE AND QUINN stood outside Geek Beans, waiting for Avalon to finish chatting with the girl from her class and her two friends.

“You sure this guy is who he says he is?” Quinn looked worried. “It’s getting late and you don’t know him. Why don’t you wait and call Wes to see if his story checks out?”

She believed him. She couldn’t tell Quinn how she knew, but Avalon was destined to be an important part of her life.

To think that the Prince family had one more male heir worried her. She had hoped that the tension between the two families would finally be at an end.

“Well, Wes did go to boarding school in Scotland as well.”

“But you’re going to offer to drive him all the way to your house? I think it’s dangerous. He’s hot and all, but so was Ted Bundy.”

“When you say it that way you make me worry,” Evie said, biting her thumbnail.

She glanced into the storefront to see him packing up his guitar in its leather case and speaking to the owner of the shop. He waved and headed for the door.

“Just be careful.”

Evie gave Quinn a look, adjusting her glasses. “I will.”

She’d make sure Avalon wasn’t a threat.

Avalon stepped outside. “Ladies. You didn’t have to wait on me. I was going to call a cab.”

He rubbed his hands together. “It gets bloody cold here at night.”

“It does,” Quinn said. “At least the rain stopped. You’d better call a cab quickly. We don’t have many, and the winos at the bar will be using them all.”

“Aye,” he checked his watch. “I flew in from San Diego. This is quite a change.”

Evie cleared her throat. “I was thinking I could drive you. We are going to the same place after all. Unless you had other plans.”

The corners of his lips lifted as their eyes locked. Whenever his eyes met hers she heard her heart thumping in her ears.

“I don’t want to be any trouble,” he said. “I’m not usually such a burden. Back home I have a motorcycle and a truck. Can’t exactly fly those over to the states though.”

“Well that’s a relief,” Quinn said, her eyes brightening. “You’re not a bum.” She laughed.

Evie nudged her. “Bye, Quinn. I’ll see you in the student union building in the morning.”

Quinn continued to laugh. She waved as she headed toward her apartment down the road. “Be careful you two. Take care of my best friend.”

Evie watched Quinn walk away, and then looked back at Avalon.

“Ready?”

He nodded for her to lead the way. “After you.”

Evie avoided puddles as she started down the sidewalk to her car. She went through her dream in her head. Maybe it wasn’t as bad as her mind led her to be. Not all dreams could be interpreted the same way.

She sighed. Who was she kidding?

Her blood was on his hands in that dream. There wasn’t much room for misinterpretation.

“Where are you parked?”

“By the Pond and Duck restaurant. How long have you been in town?”

Keep your enemies close, she thought. She needed to make sense of it all.

“I arrived a couple of days ago.”

He checked his watch.

Evie lifted a brow at seeing such unexpected bling. The diamonds on his watch were enough to light their way through the woods in the dead of night. There really was more to him that she wanted to explore.

He put his hands in his pockets. “I came for my father’s trial and ended up arriving just in time for his funeral. I’m sure you heard that both of my brothers died a few weeks ago. Looks like I’m all alone now.”

Sadness filled her eyes. She didn’t know what she would do if she lost her family. “I’m sorry.”

“Why?” He stopped walking. “You didn’t kill him. Did you?”

Evie didn’t expect such a question. She tried to free her face of any suspicion. Wes always said that she was a bad liar, so she shouldn’t even try.

“Of course not.”

At least it was the truth.

“Good,” he said, starting down the sidewalk again. “Then you don’t have to apologize.”

Evie cleared her throat. “I just wanted to offer my condolences.”

“You don’t have to do that either. We both know our fathers hated each other after Scarlett Research gave my mother that experimental drug that ended up killing her.”

Evie spoke softly, her face paling at the mention of his mother’s death. She was surprised that he was still keeping it together so well.

“They did hate each other, but what happened to Mrs. Prince was not my family’s fault. Besides all of that, does that mean we have to hate each other too? What did we have to do with any of it?”

Always a peacemaker.

“Not at all,” he said, giving her a sidelong glance. His face was serious as he looked at her. “You’re innocent. I can see that. Besides, I already like you, Evelyse Scarlett.”

She blushed and looked away from his intense green eyes. She pointed ahead. “Not much farther.”

“Good,” he said with a knowing grin. He rubbed the red stubble on his chin. “You really don’t remember me at all, do you?”

Evie shook her head. “Should I?”

“Aye,” he said. “But I suppose you were quite young when I left. We went to primary school together.”

Well, that’s interesting. She tried to search her memories for him.

“We did?”

He nodded. “Aye.”

“Wow. I wish could remember that. I wasn’t exactly outgoing as a child. I’ve always kept to myself.”

“Yes. So did I.”

She licked her lips. “So, what do you do?” She’d learned a lot already from him. Why not dig a little more?

“I own a chain of shops.”

“Really? What kind?”

“Nothing too major. I have a few clothing stops in the UK and along the west coast of the states. I’m looking to branch out a bit to the east. Maybe I’ll open up one in New Town. It would be nice to re-discover Woodland Creek again.”

“Good choice. We could use some more choices out here. What kind of clothes do you make?”

He walked backwards in front of her. “See this ensemble here? A mix of alternative and geek chic.”

Evie could stare at him all day. She smiled, nodding. “I like it.”

It was a perfect night, with a cool breeze, the smell of fresh rain, and a half moon.

She tried to be discreet as she looked Avalon up and down as he returned to walking beside her.

He was the son to her father’s killer, and he had appeared in her dreams…two warning signs that she should worry about him.

Evie clenched her jaw. She actually liked him despite their family’s history.

Please let him be good, she thought.

He was too attractive to die.

SOFT SINATRA SONGS played in the background as Olivia drank from her wine glass.

She glanced at Wes, trying to gauge what kind of mood he was in. He’d been quiet during most of dinner.

Adelaide joined them on their celebratory dinner, and Olivia welcomed the conversation.

“How is your pasta?”

“It’s fine. Not as good as the time Wesley’s father and I went to Rome,” Adelaide said. She smiled curtly at Olivia. “We can’t exactly expect them to be as good as the real thing, can we?”

Olivia faked a smile. Did the woman have to always complain? Nothing was good enough for her.

“You’re right,” Olivia said. She’d finished her pasta in fifteen minutes. Now she was left with her wine, an empty space in front of her, and a feeling that everyone in the restaurant knew what she’d done.

“Wesley,” Adelaide called.

He looked up from his smartphone, raising a brow. “Yes?”

Adelaide used her cloth napkin to pat the corners of her mouth. “Why isn’t Evie here for dinner? Didn’t you tell her we were going out?”

“I did,” Wes said. “She had plans with her boyfriend.”

The look of distaste on Adelaide’s face was apparent. “So, she’s still seeing that Drake boy?”

“Why are you surprised? They’ve only been best friends since they were seven. You have to admit that he turned out to be a responsible young man. He runs Drake’s Diner with his father and is studying a double major at the university.”

Olivia looked to Wes. “He does all of that on top of boxing?”

“He does,” Wes said. “But I think it’s more of a workout. He’s not trying to go pro or anything. Parker is smart. He has a good head on his shoulder.”

Adelaide tapped her long nails on the white tablecloth. “Still, he comes from a family of farmers and mechanics. I always saw Evie with someone from a more reputable family. Aren’t they Polish?”

“Does it matter?” Wes went back to checking his phone.

Olivia sighed and set her empty wine glass down.

“I suppose not,” Adelaide said. She looked at Olivia. “How is your family, dear?”

Olivia smiled. She didn’t really like making eye contact with her, so she glanced at her and looked down at the table.

“They are fine. My mother and sister are on holiday.”

Adelaide nodded. “Well isn’t that lovely. We should go on holiday, Wesley. Don’t you agree?”

“Not now, Mother. Evie won’t be free until winter break.”

Her husband had just been murdered and she was ready to go on a vacation. Some might find that odd, but Olivia understood. She’d need to get away if that had happened to Wes. She wouldn’t be able to stay in the same house they’d shared. It was rare for her to understand Adelaide, but she did in that moment.

“Winter break isn’t that far off. We should plan something. What do you think, Olivia?”

“It’s a good idea. My project list is dying down.”

“I say we all go to Italy. It’s lovely in the winter.”

Wes nodded, clearly not paying attention.

Olivia put a hand on his. “Can’t it wait, sweetheart?”

He looked her in her eyes. She offered a smile, stroking his hand.

“How rude of me. I apologize,” he said, surprising her with his softened tone. He put his phone in his pocket and resumed eating his dinner. “We are supposed to be celebrating and I’m letting things at the lab distract me. I was just speaking with Malka about the ley-lines. They seem to be what draws shifters to Woodland Creek.”

“It’s fine,” Adelaide said. “What you and Olivia are working on is important work. Your father would have wanted you to not lose sight of what you’re trying to accomplish.”

Olivia lowered her eyes. They were getting closer to discovering the hidden links between shifters and wizards, and why they were so drawn to Woodland Creek.

“We are making great progress,” Wes said.

“And then there is another matter you two should be making progress on,” Adelaide said with a mischievous grin.

Olivia glanced at her, seeing her dimples deepening as Adelaide grinned expectantly at her.

“Don’t be coy. When will you two give me a grandchild?”

Olivia’s cheeks reddened. She cleared her throat and risked a quick look at Wes, who put a hand on her thigh. He gave it a squeeze and smiled at her.

“Soon,” he said.

Her heart soared at hearing that one word. She couldn’t keep her smile at bay.

“I don’t believe this day could get any better,” Adelaide said.

Olivia tensed when Adelaide slid her fork to her hand with a subtle flick of her index finger. Her gaze flickered around the crowded restaurant to see if anyone noticed what had just happened.

Of course they hadn’t. None of the other patrons dared to even look their way. Olivia was surprised. Even with Edward dead, the townspeople were still afraid of them.

They didn’t even know how dangerous each person at that table was.

“Mother,” Wes called in a low voice. He clenched his teeth. “This is not the time to let down our guard.”

Adelaide shrugged her shoulder. “Perhaps,” she said and ate a long string of pasta.

Olivia looked to Wes. Her eyes said it all, and as he smoothed her thigh under the table she beamed. He smiled back and her and nodded.

“Ready?”

Nodding, Olivia held his hand up and kissed his knuckles. “Are you sure?”

“Of course.”

Finally, it was time to expand their family.

All she had to do was kill a crime boss. If she’d have known that she would have done it sooner.

TRAPPED IN HIS thoughts, Wes was silent the entire ride after dinner.

So much blood. He couldn’t get it out of his head. He rubbed his temple and closed his eyes. What he had done to the remaining Prince family members went above and beyond cleaning up the filth.

It was an extermination.

But they weren’t done yet.

The dark forest stretched on both sides as they drove down the empty road. He just wanted the final piece to the puzzle to be eliminated.

Wes was grateful for the rain, it kept him calm. Something about storms strengthened him. The amount of death and carnage he had seen kept replaying in his mind. He’d never been more afraid of what he could do.

But wizards were supposed to use their power wisely.

That’s what his father always said.

Too bad his death left Wes with no choice but to use his power to protect the family.

Wes squeezed his eyes shut. He couldn’t blame his father. For years the Scarlett’s and the Princes fought over territory and arms clients, but it wasn’t until Scarlett Research failed in saving Emma Prince from cancer.

That was the last straw for Hugh Prince. He blamed Wes’ father, and all restraint was forgotten.

When the car pulled into the circle driveway in front of their home, he made sure to get out and open the door for Adelaide.

Fat droplets of rain poured down in gushes. He opened his black umbrella and helped Adelaide from her seat in the back of his black Escalade.

“Thank you,” she said. She glanced at the sky, her gaze lingering on the moon partially hidden by black clouds. “It is such a lovely night. I almost wish I had the energy to go dancing. You know your father loved to dance.”

Wes nodded and she stepped onto the stone walkway, her black stilettos making her almost as tall as Wes. Shielding her long blonde hair from the spray of water, she walked along to the awning with Wes following her.

“Thank you for a lovely dinner, you two. I’m absolutely exhausted.”

“You’re welcome,” Wes said.

“Sleep well,” Olivia said.

“Thank you, dear,” Adelaide said. Safely under the cover from the rain she turned to both of them. “Sleep well the both of you. We will have a family meeting at Sunday dinner. We have much to discuss.”

“Good night,” Wes said.

He could see it in her face that everything was wearing on her. She was forty-nine, but usually looked to be in her late thirties. Tonight the dark circles under her blue eyes made her look her true age.

He hoped she was all right. She’d kept a smile on her face during dinner. They had been victorious in getting rid of Hugh Prince and his entire family, but it still wasn’t enough to bring his father back.

Adelaide had married his father when she was only nineteen and they had been in such a deep love that Wes sought to find the same for himself.

He had found that love in Olivia…and more. She had the power to do things that a wizard couldn’t, which made her invaluable.

Still, even love couldn’t keep his darkness at bay. The things he had done would haunt him forever.

Wes sighed, images of the Prince twins strewn across the pavement, only feet away from the car they’d crashed.

The car he crashed with his power.

He was a monster, but one the rest of his family needed. Perhaps soon everything would return to normal and he would never be forced to step out of character again.

No amount of magic could erase the images of his father’s dead body. The responsible parties had met their judgment. Wes and his mother had executed their revenge in ways that shook Woodland Creek.

“Goodnight,” Olivia said. They watched her walk up the stone steps to the front entrance of Scarlett Hall. “Is she okay?”

He looked down at Olivia, her black hair blowing in the wind as thunder crackled across the black sky.

“She is just taxed by everything that has happened. She’ll be okay once the media turns its attention to something other than our family.”

Olivia’s face looked worried. Her brows furrowed as she looked up at him.

“We did all that we could. The town is rid of any competition. Now what?”

Wes kept his face blank as he looked at her. Competition didn’t concern him. He would continue to run the lab as well as take up his father’s underground business of arms dealing and the assigning of assassins around the world. All of the other areas of the business would be put to an end.

That wasn’t the problem.

He kissed her forehead. She still didn’t know that their meeting hadn’t been by chance. She’d practically been recruited. He’d never bring it up that he knew of each and every dignitary and spy she’d assassinated.

“We wait,” he said, his eyes darkening as he looked off to the forest. “There’s still one more Prince to deal with.”

MAYBE THEY HAD all gone mad. It didn’t matter. A century old feud would end.

Olivia followed him to the white double doors straight through the front porch.

Inside Scarlett Hall darkness welcomed them. The main staircase wrapped upward around a single pillar to the two other floors of the house. On either side below the stairs were two corridors that led to different parts of the house; the library and den, and the kitchen, parlor, and dining hall.

Sandy, their house manager—a woman in her late forties with short blonde hair and thin blue eyes, waited in the shadows. She knew better than to turn on the lights. Adelaide enjoyed darkness, and so most rooms were kept dark or dim when she was around.

“How was dinner?”

Wes handed her his coat. “Fine,” he said and headed to the winding staircase that began in the front entryway.

“Sir,” Sandy called.

He paused.

“Yes?”

“You have a guest.”

Olivia and he shared a look, then looked back at Sandy.

“Who?”

“A gentleman, Miss Evelyse drove him here from town.”

William’s jaw tightened.

“Did you think to ask who he was?”

Sandy wrung her hands. She shook her head.

“He just said you’d be expecting him.”

Wes stared at her, realization flooding his body. He swallowed. Perhaps it all would end tonight. He nodded to Olivia.

“Go to bed, honey. I’ll be up soon.”

Olivia looked hesitant. She put a hand on his. “Are you sure? Should I go with you?”

“It’s fine. Go on.”

She went up the stairs and Wes closed his eyes for a moment.

He should have known that Avalon Prince would surprise him. He always seemed to be a step ahead of him.

Still, having Evie bring him here was a direct taunt. His sister was to stay out of it all. Then again, Wes hadn’t spared any of Avalon’s siblings after his father’s death.

He knew Avalon, and how girls were attracted to him. He admittedly didn’t mind how much female attention they received when they hung out together in boarding school. Alone Wes wasn’t much of a lady’s man. He was told that he looked too serious, and didn’t have much of a sense of humor.

Geek.

Nerd.

Those were the labels he’d lived with since childhood. He didn’t mind. It was a testament to his superior intellect, and Olivia loved him for it. She was a good wife. Pretty and obedient.

Evie’s giggle was faintly heard from the library.

Wes and Evie shared and embraced those labels. He wanted great things for her. Her future was much brighter than Woodland Creek could provide.

He sighed. He really didn’t need Evie getting in the way. She was young and pure—too pure to be involved with their plot.

“Where are they?”

“She’s entertaining him in the library.”

Wes rubbed his brow. “I expected as much. Thank you, Sandy. Will you bring me some of the Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon to the library, along with some cheese and olives?”

“Certainly, sir.”

He stretched his neck muscles and changed direction to head to the library at the back of the manor. He could hear Evie’s voice before he even made it down the hall. Her laughter was a welcome sound in this dark and taxing time.

His little sister was one of the few things that could make him smile these days.

“Well, what do we have here?” Wes opened his arms when he entered the library and Avalon stood from his seat on the sofa.

“Wesley Scarlett,” Avalon said as Evie hugged Wes. “What’s it been? Almost ten years?”

Wes nodded. “Just about.”

“Welcome home,” Evie said, wrapping her arms around his waist to hug him warmly. She went up on her toes to kiss his cheek. “How was your day?”

Wes smiled at her and kissed the top of her head. “Good. Thank you. Everything okay here?”

“Yeah,” she said. “Everything’s great. I ran into Avalon at Geek Beans.”

Sure you did, Wes thought. Knowing Avalon, he’d planned to meet her by chance. He’d probably been watching them to find out their routine.

“Well what a coincidence,” he said and looked to Avalon. “How long have you been in town?”

“A couple of days,” Avalon said. “Come to show support for good ole’ dad. Look how that turned out.”

Sandy entered with a tray full of the items Wes asked for. She set it on the coffee table. “Do you need anything else?”

“Just tell Eloise that we will have breakfast an hour later tomorrow.”

“Very good, sir. Sleep well.”

“You too, Sandy.”

Evie took Wes’s hand. “Come sit. Avalon has been telling me some very interesting stories about you guys at boarding school.”

“Did he now?” Wes followed her to the red Victorian sofa and sat on the edge. He poured three glasses and handed Evie one.

She accepted it with a smile. “Thanks,” she said. “In a few months I’ll start my own wine collection.”

“But you’ll still drink from our stash…”

She laughed. “Well of course. It’s vintage and free.”

Wes shrugged. “At least you have good taste.”

“I learn from the best,” she said and took a sip.

Avalon picked up a glass and sat near the fireplace in an antique sitting chair. “Your lovely sister here was just telling me how much Woodland Creek has changed.”

Pursing his lips, Wes looked to his sister. He didn’t like the idea of her getting involved...especially with Avalon. Not until he assessed the situation.

“It hasn’t changed that much,” Wes said.

“But it has,” Evie said. “There are so many new things in New Town.”

“Exactly,” Avalon agreed.

Wes and Avalon’s eyes met. He almost thought he saw something unusual in Avalon’s eyes.

Wes drank from his glass and rested against the sofa’s plush back.

“How long are you staying?” Wes looked to Avalon.

Evie looked to him as well.

“That remains to be seen. I mean, the women are all so beautiful here. Why would I leave?” Avalon winked at Evie, making her blush.

“Right,” Wes said.

Evie’s phone buzzed on the end table and she glanced at it. Her smile faded. She stood.

“Goodnight, guys. I need to get some sleep. I need to go to work a little early tomorrow,” she said. She looked to Avalon. “Maybe I can show you around sometime.”

Avalon nodded. “That would be lovely. I’ll pick you up.”

She lifted a brow, smirking. “How?”

“Well,” Avalon said. “I hired a car online. Looks like I’ll be hanging around for a while.”

Great, Wes thought with a wince.

She laughed. “Okay great. Goodnight.”

“Night,” Wes and Avalon said in unison.

They waited for her to leave and walk out of earshot.

Once they were sure she was far from hearing range, Avalon set his wine glass down and leaned forward. His face went serious as he looked to Wes.

“So,” Avalon said, cracking his knuckles. “Tell me exactly how you killed my family.”

WESLEY’S FACE HEATED at Avalon’s words. He hadn’t expected that.

So much for being discreet.

That red-headed bastard, Wes thought.

Wes drank his wine until the glass was empty, and then wiped his mouth. That was his fourth glass of the night. The effects started to make his sight a little blurry.

He supposed he would tell Avalon the truth.

Some of it.

“We both know he killed my father,” he said.

Avalon lifted a brow. “That can’t exactly be proven now. Can it?”

Rolling his eyes, Wes leaned forward. “Listen, we can end this blood feud now. We are the last two male heirs of our families.”

Avalon looked doubtful. His green eyes were too bright to be human. They were wide as he looked at Wes, his brow rising, skeptically.

“Can we?”

“Yes. I believe we can. I want to restore you to the life you lived before your family sent you off.”

“You mean before your father snitched on my father’s legitimate business? Why couldn’t you settle matters like real men? No, you always want to get the law involved. Like cowards,” he snarled. “Or even better yet…what about the experimental drug you gave my mother? The one that killed her?”

He should have known that Avalon would be bitter. He would have felt the same way if he’d lost his family.

Torn between guilt and a sense of duty, Wes wondered if what he had done was the right thing.

They had killed his father.

All to settle a score.

Wes’ jaw hardened. He gazed into the flames, his father’s portrait hung above the fireplace. It was almost as if Edward watched him.

Judged him.

“I apologize for what my father did to yours. They were friends. What happened wasn’t his fault.”

“Sure it was. What’s the town going to do without a proper crime boss now that our fathers are gone?”

“Live in peace.”

Avalon pursed his lips. He looked into his glass.

“Peace,” he repeated. “Is such a thing even possible?” He spoke so softly that Wes barely heard him.

Avalon drank the rest of his wine. He looked at Wes in earnest. “What are you proposing?”

Wes folded his hands in his lap. “I bought Prince Manor. I want to restore Prince Manor to its former glory. It’s yours.”

Wes had actually purchased it so that he could have it converted into a hotel that he and Olivia could run together. Now, he simply wanted to show some good faith and hopefully appease Avalon. It was a small price to pay for peace.

Avalon’s eyes widened. He looked genuinely surprised. “You didn’t.”

Wes nodded. “I did.”

Watching Avalon’s expression almost made him feel sorry for what he had done to his brothers.

Could Avalon really be innocent?

Maybe he should just let it all go. The sins of their fathers could be laid to rest with them.

Woodland Creek might finally be free of corruption and organized crime.

“Thank you, Wes,” Avalon said. “I don’t know what else I can say. That is kind of you.”

Wes shook his head. “It’s nothing, really. It’s all yours, free and clear. You can move back in whenever you want.”

“Are you serious?”

“I am.”

Avalon was silent a moment as he seemed to think over what Wes had proposed.

When he looked up at Wes, Wes once again felt an unusual sense of dread. Something about Avalon made him unwary.

He was hiding something.

“You swear that you don’t plan to kill me?”

Wes gave a single nod. “As long as you keep to your side of Woodland Creek and swear to leave my family alone.”

Avalon nodded. “Aye. I can do that. But you have to do something for me.”

“What is that?”

Avalon stood. His face seemed to darken as the light from the flames cast his shadow behind him on the stone walls.

“I’ll leave your family alone, gladly. Just hang yourself from that weeping willow tree in the front of Scarlett Hall.”

Wes’ face paled as he watched Avalon’s expression turn to one of humble gratitude to that of unadulterated hate.

“What?”

Avalon narrowed his eyes into thin slits. “You really think I need anything from you? You’re a petty criminal, a murderer, and I will make you pay for it with blood.”

Wes stood, ready to strike.

“And then I will make that sneaky wife of yours pay as well.”

Wes’ mouth twitched at the mention of Olivia. He was seconds away from tearing Avalon apart.

“Was I supposed to let it go that your father killed mine?”

Avalon shrugged. “Was I supposed to let it go that you felt the need to do the same to my brothers?”

Wes balled up his fist. This was not how he imagined this meeting going at all.

He contemplated killing Avalon right there where he stood. All he needed was to lift a finger and blast him out the back window.

It would be loud.

Messy.

But it would end this for good.

Avalon saw Wes’ index finger, ready to strike. He ran his hand through his blood-red hair.

“Go ahead and try it, Wes,” Avalon said. “I know all about you and your measly power. But you have no idea what I can do.”

Wes blinked. “What?”

Avalon nodded. “You heard me. I’m not afraid of one wizard.”

Wes’ shoulders tensed.

“I’ll keep Prince Manor for myself then.”

Avalon chuckled. “That’s rich.” He clapped his hands in jest.

The sound infuriated Wes.

“How dare you laugh at my offer? I was being generous.”

Barely a second passed before Avalon flew into Wes, sending such a powerful blow to his chest that his body slid across the floor and crashed into the far stone wall.

It took a moment for Wes to register what had just happened.

Avalon could fly.

Everything stung as Wes pushed himself up to his knees. He coughed.

“You think I need you for anything? You’re weak. Pathetic.”

Avalon seemed to tower over Wes as he struggled to come to his feet. Lights flashed behind his eyes from his head hitting the wall.

“You can keep Prince Manor, Wes Scarlett. I’ve already bought the old Albrecht Mansion. I don’t want to relive those memories from Prince Manor anyway.”

Avalon took a step forward. His eyes narrowed.

Wes resisted the urge to flinch. He lifted his hands and Avalon beat him to it. Avalon sent a gust of wind into Wes’s body, pinning him to the polished marble floor so that he was unable to move his arms or legs.

Wes bucked, trying to sit up. It was useless. His eyes widened in terror.

“What kind of wizard are you?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Avalon knelt down beside Wes’s body. “You weren’t actually going to try to put a spell on me?”

Wes tried to stand. Avalon put a thumb on his forehead.

“No. I didn’t say you could get up.”

A jolt shocked Wes’ body at the touch of Avalon’s thumb to his flesh.

“What are you doing? What do you want?” Despite what Avalon had said, Wes tried with all of his strength to get up. He needed to do anything to protect himself.

“I already told you. I want you to kill yourself. What part didn’t you understand?”

The hate in Avalon’s eyes mimicked his own.

“You’re a murderer. Why not die by your own hands?”

“I will not do that.”

“I figured you’d say that.” He stood and shook his head as he looked down at Wes’ body. He walked toward the doors that led to the main hall of Scarlett Hall. He paused in the entryway.

Still unable to move, Wes watched from his spot on the floor.

“Evie. I want Evie,” Avalon said.

Wes felt his cheeks heat.

“What about her? Evie has nothing to do with any of this. She is innocent.”

Avalon grinned. “I don’t care. I’ll take her in exchange for your life. You have one week to make your decision or I burn your entire life to the ground. You have no idea what I am capable of.”

“No. I won’t allow it. What could you possibly want with my sister? She doesn’t know what we’ve done.”

“I already told you that I don’t care. But what I do know is that you love her more than anything. And so I want her. I want to take her away from you.”

Shaking his head, Wes fought to free himself. He had to stop Avalon.

“No!”

“That curse won’t be lifted until I get what I want. So…you can enjoy watching your body deteriorate for the time being.”

Wes froze.

Curse?

Eyes wide, he watched Avalon leave. His mind raced with worry, fear, anger, and a slew of emotions he couldn’t control.

He had to protect Evie. He had to warn her to stay away from the man that in one evening proved to be their greatest enemy.

It felt like an eternity before he regained use of his body, and when he did, he knew he was cursed.

Avalon Prince was definitely going to be a problem.

“IT’S SATURDAY,” QUINN said as Evie checked out at the cash register.

Evie nodded with a smile as she rung her up. “I know. But I promised Parker I’d go to New Town with him today.”

Quinn twisted her mouth into a scowl. “But we never miss movie night. Not in the last two years!”

“Come on, Quinn. Is it so wrong that I want to hang out with my boyfriend for once?”

“It is if you abandon your best friend on movie night.”

Quinn folded her arms across her chest and pouted.

“You’re ridiculous,” Evie laughed. She handed Quinn her bag of books. “I promise I won’t miss movie night next weekend.”

Snatching her bag, Quinn rolled her eyes. “Have fun, Evie. Maybe I’ll call Wendy and see if she wants to go with me instead.”

“You do that.”

Evie shook her head as she watched Quinn walk to the exit.

Quinn glanced back and looked her up and down, her face still disappointed. “You look cute, by the way,” she said. “I want to borrow those leggings sometime.”

Evie smirked. “Of course. Thanks, Quinn. Love you.”

“Love you,” she said and left the bookstore.

The scene outside Carter’s Books and Gifts looked dry.

Thank goodness.

High Street was bustling already, and it wasn’t even noon. A slew of students looking for entertainment walked the sidewalk in dense packs. Everyone already started wearing their costumes even though there was still another week until Halloween. Evie couldn’t wait for Parker to arrive so they could go out to Nightmoon Creek.

The store was quiet, with only one older woman browsing the recipe book aisle. Evie pulled her phone out of her skirt’s pocket and checked the time. She smoothed the purple skirt’s layers over her black and purple leggings. She wore a white collared blouse with a black tie and a purple headband in her hair with a large bow.

She looked cute and knew it. She just hoped Parker thought so as well. She couldn’t help feeling an incessant fear that he’d realize she was too much trouble and leave her one day.

The door opened.

Evie’s body straightened when she saw Avalon step inside.

Avalon was silent as he walked in wearing a buttoned up shirt under an evergreen sweater, slim black jeans, and loafers.

She adjusted her glasses as she watched him. “Avalon,” she said. “Can I help you with something?”

He nodded, his eyes scanning the shop. “You can. When are you off?”

Why did he care?

“A few minutes.”

“Great. I’ll just chat you up until you’re a free woman. If that’s okay”

Evie pursed her lips. She looked past him, knowing that Parker would soon arrive. She didn’t need him questioning her about the new guy in town.

“Of course. My boyfriend will be here to pick me up soon, though.”

“Boyfriend?”

Evie nodded.

Avalon clasped his hands before him as he stepped closer to the front register where Evie stood.

He leaned against the front counter, staring her down with those enchanting green eyes of his. “I was hoping to take you up on your offer for a tour of New Town.”

She couldn’t move when he looked at her like that. The intensity was thinly veiled behind a look of admiration as he held her gaze.

“We can go another time. I have plans for today.”

“That’s too bad,” he said, fingering through the stack of clearance books on the counter.

She swallowed, still unable to move. “Why is that?”

He shrugged and stood directly in front of her. The only thing that separated her from him was the counter.

Evie gripped the counter. Her heart rate seemed to rise, and her entire body felt warm.

She tried to keep her face clear of emotion, but she knew what he was doing. He was trying to work magic on her.

The idea frightened her beyond anything she’d feared. He was good. It would have worked if she hadn’t sensed it in time and countered the act by shielding her thoughts.

Evie tried to replace her true thoughts with those that were boring, plain, and wouldn’t reveal anything of importance.

“Because I have something for you. A gift.”

“What kind of gift?”

“It’s a surprise. You’ll have to come with me to find out.”

“I see.” She looked around the store. She wasn’t sure if she liked surprises, especially those that came from a strange man from her dreams.

Nina, the owner of the store came in from the back and dusted a few crumbs off the front of her floral dress. She glanced from Evie to Avalon, her eyes brightening.

“Can I help you with something, sir?”

He put his hands in his pockets. “I’m just waiting for the young lady to get off so I can take her out.”

Evie felt her cheeks flush. Now Nina would think she was cheating on Parker.

“He’s a friend of my brother’s,” Evie quickly added. She looked to Avalon. “He just needed directions. Parker will be here to get me in a minute.”

“Oh,” Nina said, nodding. “Are you new in town?”

“Not quite,” Avalon said. He reached a hand out. “Avalon Prince.”

Nina’s eyes widened. “Hugh’s son?”

He nodded. “Aye.”

Both he and Nina looked at Evie.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Nina said.

“Thank you. What’s done is done, right? He lived a long life.”

“Right,” Nina said. She cleared her throat and looked to Evie before glanced around the store to see that it was practically empty. “You can leave, Evie. There’re only about five minutes left in your shift.”

“Thanks,” Evie said, wishing Parker would hurry and get her out of that awkward encounter.

“Have fun.”

She didn’t have to tell Evie twice. She clocked out on the cash register, grabbed her purse and headed out the front door while Avalon stood there watching her.

“Good to see you, Avalon. Enjoy your day.” She quickly held the door open, hoping to escape before he could offer to take her out again.

“You haven’t spoken to your brother yet, have you?”

Evie paused. Something about that statement made her uneasy. She looked over her shoulder.

“About what?”

Avalon walked from the register and out the door she held open. Standing before her, he cracked a grin.

He reached out and brushed her cheek with his thumb. “God, you’re beautiful.”

She cleared her throat, trying to keep her cheeks from flushing.

“I’ll let him tell you,” he said, his minty breath warm on her ear as he leaned over to whisper. “It’ll be much more fun that way.”

Evie didn’t know what to say. Having him near made her feel lightheaded. The attraction she felt was dangerous. It could ruin everything.

As if he had read her mind, his grin widened. That’s when she realized that he did read her mind.

So much for hiding my thoughts.

He chuckled, rubbing his chin as his green eyes took her in once more.

She watched him turn to walk away, her cheeks turning pink with embarrassment for having her thoughts read.

“I’ll be waiting,” he said without turning to look back at her.

She watched as he crossed paths with Parker.

“How odd,” she whispered to herself as Avalon strolled down the street, his hands in his pocket as he seemed to window-shop.

He glanced back at her, giving her a wink.

Parker broke her gaze as he stopped in front of her. He smiled and waved his hands before her eyes.

“Ready, babe?”

Evie nodded, but inside she shook with fear.

What she saw in Avalon’s eyes made her blood turn cold with dread. There was a pain, lust, and cruelty in his eyes.  Only someone with her power would even notice.

She quickly sent a text to Wes, questioning what Avalon had told her.

His return text came back almost as if he’d been waiting for her to ask him.

As she read the words on her phone’s screen, her face paled.

Stay away from Avalon. He is dangerous. I’ll tell you more when you come home.

Evie put her phone in her purse as she looked up at Parker. Normally he could calm her in any situation, but Wes’ text left her rattled. She wrapped her arms around his waist and held onto him tightly.

She was afraid.

What Wes had said confirmed her fears. She was sure of it now.

Avalon was going to seriously complicate things.

“HONEY,” OLIVIA CALLED.

Wes opened his eyes to her beautiful face. Sunlight spilled into his bedroom from the balcony doors behind Olivia.

Her brows were furrowed in a look of concern, and that’s when he realized that what had happened the night before wasn’t a dream.

Avalon had beat him before he could even defend himself. The toll on his pride was bruised almost as much as his body.

“What happened to you?” She ran her fingers along his back and he rolled over so that she couldn’t see them. It stung like hell to put pressure on the bruises, but he’d rather hide them than have her see him so defeated.

“We have a problem,” he said, covering his eyes with his hands. Even his arms hurt. Just lifting them made him wince with pain.

“Tell me,” she said.

He removed his hands from his eyes to see arms crossed over her chest.

“Don’t keep this from me, Wes. What happened when I went to sleep last night? Did you get into a fight?”

Wes frowned. “I wish.”

He tried to sit up but the pain kept him down. His head hit his plush down pillow and he wanted nothing more than to go back to sleep. The look on his wife’s face prevented him from drifting back to sleep. She deserved answers.

“Tell me what happened!”

Wes avoided her eyes. He stared at the ceiling. “I wouldn’t even call what happened last night fair.”

“Wes, stop stalling.”

Wes took a deep breath and propped himself up so that his back rested against his headboard. He put a hand over Olivia’s.

“Hugh’s youngest son has returned.”

“What?” Olivia sat next to him on the bed.

“Yes. Avalon Prince is back, he knows I killed his father.”

Olivia stared off for a moment, her mouth open with shock. “I can’t believe it.” She shook her head before glancing at him. “What does he want?”

“My sister.” It hurt Wes’ heart to think of bringing Evie into this, but the fact was that she was a part of this the moment Avalon laid eyes on her. Maybe he should have encouraged her to go to school abroad. Anything would have been better than having her in this mess.

“What does he want with Evie?”

“He wants her, Olivia. What do you think?”

“No,” she said.

“Either I kill myself or let him have her.”

“What a disaster,” Olivia said. “We should have left Hugh alone.”

Wes hung his head. She sat on his lap, straddling his legs, and wrapped her arms around his neck.

The worry in her eyes hurt him. Then there was the pain in his back. Not only did it burn like hell, but it itched. He scratched it, wincing as he did so. With a sigh he leaned back against the head board.

“I hate having you see me like this.” His entire body was sore from what Avalon’s mysterious power had done to him. He knew the Princes were wizards. It was one of the reasons their fathers were always in constant competition. Still, he never imagined Avalon could fly.

But how?

It was not a typical wizard power.

“It's okay,” Olivia whispered in between soft kisses on his lips. “We can get through this.”

“I can’t imagine how. He will hurt Evie to get to me.”

“We won't let that happen,” Adelaide said from his bedroom’s doorway.

Wes and Olivia turned to her voice. She stood there leaned against the doorframe in the purple robe she wore around the house. Her hair fell long over her shoulders in perfect waves.

“How are we going to stop him?”

Adelaide looked as if she hadn’t slept in days. It broke Wes’ heart to see her in such disarray.

Her eyes fixed on Olivia, and then Wes. “We give him what he wants,” she said and Wes felt a sickening feeling in the pit of is stomach.

“It’s about time Evie did her part for the family. At least he doesn’t want to hurt her.”

Olivia shook her head.

“No. He just wants to keep her, like a pet or something,” she said, her brows furrowed. “Let me try to handle it first.”

Adelaide stared at Olivia for a moment.

Wes had hoped that he wouldn’t have to use his wife’s skills again, but this was to protect Evie, and he knew Olivia was serious. She wouldn’t be talked out of it. Perhaps she could be successful.

She’d done it before...many times.

It was worth a shot.

Olivia did have her own talents. It was time to exploit them one more time. But this would be the last one.

“Fine,” Adelaide said, turning to walk back down the corridor. “We will tell Evie what’s been going on at Sunday dinner. We can’t keep it from her forever. She’s an adult now.”

Olivia nodded.

“Then,” Adelaide said. “You can go after him that night. But you’ll need to be discreet.”

“I always am,” Olivia said, flickering a glance at Wes that made the hairs on his arm stand on end.

Evil could be so beautiful.

DRAKE’S DINER WAS packed that night. Evie and Parker stepped inside the retro style diner with classic checkered floor tiles, red chairs, and white table and counter tops. The jukebox played popular hits from the fifties as cute high school girls and young women in matching pink dresses and checkered caps served customers.

The vibe was one of fun and friendliness until Evie showed up.

Evie breathed a sigh when all eyes seemed to turn to them despite the boisterous chatter that filled the air. It was as if the life had been sucked from the room when they recognized her. That was the bad part about knowing everyone. They knew all of your business. College kids, older adults, and even children stared at her as if she’d walked in there with horns on her head.

The whispers filled her ears, making her wish she would have stayed in the car.

There she is.

Look.

Why is she here?

Evie rolled her eyes.

Elliot, Parker’s dad, stood behind the counter with a checkered apron over his black slacks and white collared shirt. She loved that place. Everything fit with the theme of a cool diner from the movies her father used to love.

Elliot motioned for them to come forward to two seats he’d saved for them at the bar area.

Evie avoided the looks from everyone and sat down on her barstool. She put her elbows up and shielded her face by resting her chin in between the palms of her hands.

“Evie,” Elliot said with a bright smile. He came from behind the counter and gave her a warm hug.

For a man in his fifties, he was unbelievably handsome. He had such a friendly face that Evie couldn’t help but smile back. With salt and pepper hair and blue eyes, he looked like Pierce Brosnan to her. She used to always call him James Bond when she was younger. Evie figured Parker had good genes and would be as attractive as he was now as they grew old together.

“Good to see you, sweetheart,” he said with a charming Southern accent. He nodded to Parker as he went back behind the counter. “Glad you could bring your girl in to see your old pa.”

“What are you talking about, dad? You saw Evie almost every day when you were the groundskeeper at Scarlett Hall,” Parker said rubbing Evie’s back.

Pulling two glasses from the shelf, Elliot set them under the soda tap.

“That was a long time ago. I started to forget what her beautiful face looked like.” Elliot gave Evie a wink.

Evie grinned. “Thanks, Mr. Drake. I’ve missed you too. Is Sue around?”

“Naw. She went home early. She can’t seem to get rid of this awful cough she’s been having. And her poor nose keeps running.”

“She okay?” Parker looked concerned. He sat beside Evie and reached for two menus from the menu holder. He handed Evie one. “I spoke to her yesterday, and she didn’t mention not feeling well.”

“She’s all right. Just those damn allergies.”

“Oh good,” Evie said. “We will visit her tomorrow. I’ll make her some soup.”

“She’d love that.” Elliot handed her a root beer float, her favorite.

“Thank you,” she said. “You remembered.”

Leaning on the counter top, Elliot put a straw in each glass. “How could I forget? You and Parker used to come in here in your school uniforms every day after school and order the same thing.”

Evie’s smile widened. Those memories were her favorite. She didn’t know how she would have survived growing up in Scarlett Hall without Parker’s friendship and the kindness of her family.

“Good memory,” Evie said, taking a sip of the cold drink before her.

Elliot looked from Parker to Evie, his face becoming serious. “How are you holding up? I keep hearing so much about the whole Prince trial and his death today that I could barely focus on putting out orders for worrying about you. Tell me you’re ignoring all of that gossip going around.”

“I’m fine,” Evie said. She sat up straight. “It is just gossip after all. I just ignore it.”

“Good girl,” Elliot said.

Parker rubbed her back again, relaxing her. “She’s been pretty strong through it all.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Elliot nodded. “So, what are you two having for dinner tonight?”

“We’re actually getting take out. We want to go to Nightmoon Creek for a bit to watch the sunset.”

“Now doesn’t that sound nice?” Elliot looked from Parker to Evie. “You know he gets his romantic side from me, right?”

Evie laughed. “I believe it. Sue’s a lucky woman, and I’m a lucky girl.”

He winked at her again. “Let me guess, a double cheeseburger with bacon and mushrooms and fries for Parker, and my famous fried chicken sandwich with tomato and avocado for the pretty lady.”

“Sounds about right,” Evie said. “I’ll take an order of sweet potato fries too.”

Her stomach grumbled. She couldn’t wait to get their food and leave. To eat her dinner in peace with the man she loved would be the perfect ending to her night.

Elliot tapped the counter twice. “Coming right up.”

Evie watched him head to the window into the kitchen and dictate their order to Parker’s Aunt Sally, the diner’s cook.

“It’s packed in here tonight,” Parker said as he looked around.

“I noticed.” Evie focused her eyes on her root beer float. “That’s why I can’t wait to get out of here.”

“Who cares what anyone here thinks? Let them look at you. Let them talk. They’re just jealous and have boring lives.”

“I know. I’m trying to ignore it all.”

“Let’s think about something else,” he said, turning her bar stool toward him. He took her hands in his. “What is Evie Scarlett going to be at the Halloween party this year?”

Evie scrunched her nose. “Do I have to go?”

“We go every year, don’t we?”

She shrugged, thinking about how she really wished she didn’t have to be in town for Halloween this year. Parker had no idea what it was like for the wizards and shifters of Woodland Creek.

The entire month was a nonstop excuse to play tricks on each other. She was grateful that her family had been spared so far. Of course, one could say her father’s murder could have been the ultimate prank since it happened the first day of October.

How crazy would that be? Evie didn’t put it past the Prince family. They were bold enough to pull something like that. Avalon’s face flashed in her mind. She wondered if what tricks he had up his sleeve.

“I don’t know,” she said. “I haven’t put too much thought into it.”

“Well, I’m going as King Leonidas from 300. Airbrushed abs and all.”

Evie burst out laughing. She covered her mouth, realizing that she laughed a little too loudly. “You’re hilarious. You don’t even need to airbrush your abs, goofball.”

She poked him in the stomach, feeling the hard muscles beneath his long-sleeved black shirt.

“Oh yeah,” he said, grinning. “You’re right.”

Evie gazed into his eyes, unable to stop smiling. Parker could do the impossible. He could make her forget her troubles whenever she was with him.

“You should go as my queen,” he said.

Evie didn’t reply. She just smiled at him and returned to finishing her drink. She envied Parker for being human. Humans could live such carefree lives.

She had other plans.

Plans to escape the dangers of Woodland Creek.

THE SUNSET SENT an eerie orange and red haze across Woodland Creek’s sky. Someone played their guitar around a campfire at the other end of the campgrounds.

Evie and Parker sat on a blanket on the soft grass before a fire pit. They ate burgers and fries from Drake’s Diner. They watched as the sun set over Nightmoon Creek’s still waters.

A young girl’s laughter made Evie smile as she glanced over her shoulder toward the family sitting around their campfire not too far away. Evie and Parker were comfortable with each other. The silence didn’t bother either of them. As children, their families would come out here on some summer weekends, and Evie and Parker would run and play in the woods that they looked upon at that moment.

Memories of her first time seeped into her mind, making her blush as she chewed her fries. It had happened in one of Nightmoon Creek’s cabins over the summer.

She would never forget it. She’d waited so long, and couldn’t be happier with her choice. Every time she thought of that magical night she smiled.

Evie was happy despite what was going on in her world.

A soft breeze flew through, bringing the smell of pine along with it. She gave him a sidelong glance and he noticed. He reached over and gave her hand a squeeze.

She couldn’t lose him. Whatever Avalon had in his mind worried her.

Her attraction to him worried her even more.

She sighed and closed her Styrofoam takeout box. “Thank you for this, Parker. I know you wanted to take me out and show me off, but there’s no way I could’ve faced the townspeople so soon after what happened to Hugh.”

“I know. People can be so obnoxious sometimes. It’ll all blow over in a few weeks, and I will show you off then,” he said with a smile.

His smile was contagious. She looked off to the forest. Sometimes she was drawn to it. She just wanted to run free like a child, with no worries or cares. It was as if something pulled her to it, and yet she resisted.

“You ever think about leaving Woodland Creek?”

Parker took a sip of his root beer and shrugged. “Sure. Sometimes. What about you?”

Evie nodded. “I love Woodland Creek and all, but I wonder what it would be like to live somewhere else.”

“Like where?”

“Maybe New York, Paris...I don’t know. There are a million places I’d like to see.”

“So, you’re saying you want to leave now?”

Evie rubbed her. “Maybe.”

Parker set his drink down and reached for her hand.

She didn’t resist when he pulled her onto his lap. She straddled him and looked deep into his eyes. “Would you come with me if I left?”

“In a heartbeat,” he said.

A smile stretched across her lips as she searched the hazel depths of his eyes. She could see herself having kids with him. She could see a life with him—one where she could be her own person, and do what she wanted.

Maybe Wes and Adelaide would be all right without her. Wes and Olivia could have children and there would be happiness, hope, and laughter in the halls.

All she knew was that something deep down inside urged her to get away. She’d never felt the warning so strongly before.

Too many secrets were buried in that town—and her father’s secret haunted them all.

Parker brushed her hair from her face to get a good look at her. “I knew you wanted to see the world, but you’re making it sound as if you want to leave tonight.”

Evie wanted to tell him everything. Tears stung the back of her eyes. She fought to keep them at bay. She’d never been so afraid in her life.

“If I did, would you come?”

He searched her eyes, worry filling his own. “What’s wrong? Are you about to cry?”

She closed her eyes and leaned over to bury her face in his neck. “So much is wrong, Parker. You can’t even imagine. Why can’t I live a simple life with a normal family?”

“Your family is a little weird, but they aren’t that bad.”

Evie snorted. “You have no idea.”

“But why the urgency? What aren’t you telling me?”

“I just want to go. I want to be free. I just can’t go without you.”

“What about classes? We only have a few months left.”

Evie pulled back. She cradled his face in his hands and looked pointedly at him.

“I don’t have a few months left.”

Alarm flashed in his eyes at her words. He gripped her by her shoulders.

“What’s going on, Evie? Did someone threaten you? Tell me who and I will kick their ass.”

She shook her head. The look in his eyes frightened her. He was serious. She knew better than to tell him the truth. Boxer or not, she knew he would be defenseless against a wizard.

“Then what is it? Are you sick or something?”

Biting her lip, Evie tossed her head back and looked up at the moon.

“I can’t tell you too much. Not unless you go with me.” She looked back down at him. “I’ll tell you everything if you come with me.”

“Everything?”

“Yes,” she said, nodding. “Everything.”

Parker pulled her into his chest and hugged her tight. She felt safe in his arms even though she knew he couldn’t protect her.

“Fine,” he said. “We can leave tomorrow.”

Evie shook her head. “Tomorrow might be too late.”

“It won’t. You’re staying with me tonight. One last night in Woodland Creek. I’ll protect you. I won’t let you out of my sight.”

She sighed. He would never understand until she told him the truth. She had to try once more. “Why not tonight?”

He kissed her. “You’ll let me at least say goodbye to my parents, won’t you?”

Evie closed her eyes and kissed him back. His hands went up her dress and smoothed her back.

“Okay,” she said. “We say goodbye to your family, and then we are gone?”

“That’s right. We can go wherever you want.”

“You promise?”

“Promise.”

Evie prayed that he was right.

EVIE SAT UP in the passenger’s seat of Parker’s Challenger when they approached the Albrecht Mansion. She stared out her window as she saw Avalon get out of a black sedan with tinted windows.

There were two other cars parked inside the gates. Four men stood there as Avalon headed up the stairs to the front door. The men followed behind him, each looking serious.

“What in the world is going on there?”

Parker glanced as they passed by.

“Oh yeah. My father mentioned that earlier. Hugh Prince’s son came back from Scotland and bought the Albrecht Mansion.”

“It’s a historic landmark. You can’t buy a museum.”

“Apparently you can. He’s living there now.”

Evie strained to get a better look as Parker drove down the road that connected the university to Old Town. They hit the fork in the road and headed to New Town.

“I can’t believe it.”

Parker reached over and gave her hand a squeeze. “It’s okay, babe. I know how your family feels about the Princes. We’ll be out of here tomorrow.”

Evie settled in her seat, those words comforting her. “Yes. You’re right.” She looked ahead as her mind tried to make sense of Avalon’s actions.

Does he mean to stay?

Evie remembered how scary things were during her childhood. Wes didn’t realize just how much she remembered about their father’s business. He thought he could shield her from the truth, but she knew much more than she let on.

Who were those men?

Avalon’s taking over Hugh’s business?

Evie pursed her lips. Her mind raced with every possibility. She’d only seen four dangerous looking men and she’d concluded that he was organizing crime in Woodland Creek again.

She tried to drown out her thoughts by the music on the radio as Parker drove them to his condo building.

She got out and stretched.

“I’m not even tired,” Evie said as she followed Parker up to the front entrance of his building.

He pushed in his code and the glass double doors opened for them. Inside a doorman waited and nodded for them as he kept watch.

They got on the elevator and went up to the fourteenth floor to his condo. Inside she walked directly to his kitchen and pulled a bottle of wine from the rack.

Parker took off his shoes at the door and grinned as he walked over to her.

“Thirsty?”

She shook her head, cracking a sheepish grin.

“Stressed,” she said. “I need a shot really.”

He took the wine bottle from her hand and put it back on the rack. She stood there and watched as he went to his freezer and pulled out a bottle of tequila.

A grin stretched across Evie’s lips as she eyed the frosty bottle. “Yes. You read my mind.”

He chuckled and took two shot glasses from the cabinet beside his fridge. “I knew you’d appreciate a little Patron.”

She took her hair from its ponytail and pulled off her tie. She sat on the granite counter and watched him pour the shots.

Parker handed her a shot and stood between her legs as she sat on his countertop.

“We might as well celebrate, right?”

Evie nodded. “Absolutely. Who knows where we will end up on Monday?”

“Cheers to the unknown,” Parker said and they both clinked shot glasses and downed the contents.

“No limes,” Evie said. She wiped her mouth, grimacing. She held her shot glass out. “One more.”

Parker poured two more shots and they drank them both.

“So,” Parker said. “Tell me where we are skipping out on college to go.”

“I’m not exactly sure,” she said. She wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. “Carry me,” she said with a grin.

He shook his head. “You really are spoiled,” he said and he picked her up.

“Is something wrong with that?”

“Not at all,” he said and carried her up the metal stairs. His bedroom was in the loft that overlooked his living room and kitchen.

He sat her on his king-size sleigh bed, turned on his mounted flat screen, and handed her the controller to his video game system.

Evie grinned, pressing the buttons on the controller while he scrolled through the options of games that they could play.

“Stop that,” he said with a laugh. “You know you’re not doing anything yet.”

She giggled. “We are such nerds,” she said. “Sitting at home on a Saturday night, playing video games.”

“I’m okay with it,” he said with a smirk.

When he selected a fighting game she got excited. Evie sat cross-legged while he laid down beside her.

“I can’t access my inheritance until I graduate. All I have is my credit card which Wes pays for me.”

“You’re sure you want to give that up right now?”

“No. I don’t. We can finish school somewhere else. Only a few more credits and we are done. We don’t have to finish them at HAU.”

“I don’t think you thought this through. We have to apply to another college, transfer credits, and all kinds of stuff.”

Evie shrugged. “That’s what we will do.”

Parker stared at her, his brows furrowed. She wondered what he was thinking. For a moment she was worried.

“You’re lucky I love you.”

She snickered and dropped her controller. She jumped onto him, gripping his shoulders as she pressed into them. He let his controller fall, not caring that it fell off the bed.

She leaned down to kiss him on the lips, almost getting lost in the intensity once his tongue licked her lips, and went deeper to tangle with her own. Her hair fell over her face, seemingly shielding them both, and tickling her cheeks.

One kiss had him ready to rip her clothes off, but she sat back up, pulling her hair into a bun on top of her head.

“Good,” she said, a little breathless. “We can take off the rest of this semester.”

Parker sighed, trying to pull her back down for more.

She had an idea. “Wait. We can finish online! I don’t even really need to be present for my classes. They can be accessed online if need be.”

Parker gave her butt a squeeze, sending shivers along her entire body. Every touch excited her. This new chapter of her life; the one where she was a sexual being was new to her, and she couldn’t get enough.

At that moment however, she couldn’t help but turn her focus to their future away from her family and their drama.

“I guess I can do that too.”

She bit her nails. “Good. We can really do this.”

Parker took her hand from her mouth. “Stop biting your nails.”

Evie rolled her eyes. “I’m thinking.”

He sat up on his elbows, his blond hair falling just above his eyebrows.

“Promise me that when we leave you’ll tell me what you’ve been hiding. You already said that you would. Did you mean it?”

The tequila made its way into her bloodstream making her feel warm all over. She bit her lip as she looked away from his gaze.

“I promise,” she whispered.

“Good.” Parker took off his shirt and tossed it aside.

She ran her hands along his abs.

“But where will we go with no money?”

“There isn’t a problem,” he said. “I can cover what we need.”

Evie smiled up at him. “And I thought I was the wealthy one in the relationship. I thought I was going to take care of us.”

He stepped onto the floor and took off his pants. She got under the covers and he joined her.

“Well, I kinda earned my wealth over the years.”

Evie raised a brow. “And I didn’t? You try to grow up in a family like mine. I earned mine as well. They’re just holding my money hostage for now.”

“I didn’t mean it like that,” he said, pulling her into his embrace. He smoother her hair and kissed the back of her neck. “You definitely deserve the very best. And I’m supposed to be the one taking care of us anyway. Not you.”

“God, you’re so good to me,” Evie said, her heart aching at the thought of ever losing him. She shoved the idea out of her mind. They would be together forever.

She’d fight for Parker. She’d kill for him if she had to.

So twisted.

Only a girl who had grown up in a crime family would think that she’d actually have to kill for the man she loved.

MORNING BROUGHT SUCH hope that when Evie got out of bed and made breakfast, she had a smile on her face.

It’s going to be all right, she thought as she flipped pancakes. She caught herself humming like her mother and shook her head, laughing. Soon Parker would wake up to breakfast in bed and they would head out to his parents house.

Evie’s smile faded when she got a text from Quinn.

Meet up for coffee later?

She looked at the question, her stomach sinking. She put the phone away and let out a long breath. Leaving Quinn behind was going to be more difficult than she thought. She didn’t even think saying goodbye to her family would be so hard.

She poured two cups of coffee and sipped hers while the bacon finished crisping in the oven. She’d learned that technique from Parker’s dad. Apparently it was how the restaurants did it. The smell was incredible, and yet she no longer had an appetite.

She sucked her teeth when Parker came down the hallway in nothing but a pair of black basketball shorts. He yawned, waving at her.

Evie quickly took out two plates from the cabinet.

“You weren’t supposed to wake up yet!”

He grinned at her, his eyes scanning the chopped fruit, pancakes, and coffee. “You made bacon too?”

She smirked, grabbing his oven mitt so she could take the pan of bacon out of the oven. “I did. But I wanted to make you breakfast in bed.”

He stepped up to her, gathering her in his arms. Placing a soft kiss on her forehead, he rubbed her back. “I think my body sensed that you were gone, and I had to find you.”

“I’m never leaving you again,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around his waist as she looked up at him.

Parker looked even more attractive when his blond hair was messy in the morning. Evie ran her hands through his hair, letting the strands slip through her fingers.

“Good. Because I’d find you,” he said, tickling her.

With a laugh, she pulled away. She smacked his hands. “You know I hate being tickled,” she said.

She put bacon on their plates and they sat together at his breakfast bar.

“How did you sleep? Any nightmares?”

Evie shrugged. “I’ve had crazy dreams and nightmares since childhood.”

“Don’t you write them down?”

She took a bite of bacon and nodded. “I have since middle school.”

“That’s right. I remember stealing that journal once.”

“I remember that too,” she said with a grin. “You were such a pest back then.”

“You were so easy to annoy.” He laughed. He drank a gulp of his coffee and closed his eyes in bliss. “God, this is all so good. Thanks, baby,” he said and leaned over to kiss her on the cheek.

“I was pretty spoiled back then.”

He raised a brow. “And you aren’t now?”

She laughed.

“Wait. I remember reading some of your nightmares. It was some pretty sick stuff for a little girl to be dreaming about.”

Evie chewed a chunk of pineapple, her smile fading.

“Did any of that stuff really happen?”

Her stomach churned. She stared at her plate. “Which stuff?”

“Not the stuff about wizards, obviously,” he said, chuckling. “But what about the dead bodies you saw in the basement.”

Evie swallowed. How could she tell him that both parts were completely true?

She faked a grin. “It must have come from a movie I shouldn’t have been watching.”

“Yeah,” he said. He checked his watch. “We better get going soon. I want to catch my parents together before dad heads off to the diner.”

Evie nodded. “Good idea. It’ll make it easier that way.”

Parker cleared his throat. He reached into the pocket of his basketball shorts and placed a box on the counter.

“Might as well tell give them the good news early.”

Evie’s face drained of color when her eyes landed on the square, cream-colored box.

Tear-filled eyes flickered up to Parkers.

Her heart beat so fast that she could barely catch her breath. No words came out of her mouth when her lips parted.

Was this really happening?

The smile on Parker’s face was so big that she couldn’t help but do the same.

He took her hand and stood from the bar stool. Gently, he pulled her to her feet.

Evie covered her mouth with her other hand as Parker went to one knee.

She balled as he opened the little box, revealing a perfect princess-cut diamond on a white gold band.

“Evie,” Parker said, stroking her knuckles with his thumb. “I think you know that I’ve loved you since we were kids running around in the woods pretending to be knights of the roundtable.”

Evie laughed. She missed those times. They always made up the best games to play together.

“I was one hell of a knight.”

He kissed her hand. “Yes, you were.” He let go of her hand to take the ring from the box. “But I think you’d make an even better wife.”

She beamed.

“Will you be mine?”

She nodded. “Yes!”

He put the ring on her finger and she let out an elated squeal, tackling him to the ground with hugs and kisses.

Laughing, he held her up by her waist while she straddled him on the floor. “Whoa,” he said. “Easy now, baby.”

She laughed. “I love you more than anything. Oh my goodness. You’re going to be my husband!”

He nodded and kissed her full on the lips. “I was going to propose at the Halloween party, but thought I’d do it early since we are leaving.”

“I’m glad you didn’t wait.”

“Good. Now, how does celebrating our engagement in Paris sound?”

Evie’s jaw dropped. “Sounds like a dream.”

He kissed her again. “Good, because I want to replace your nightmares with only dreams of happiness and our lives together.”

Her heart melted at those words.

How can I be so lucky?

Life couldn’t get any better at that moment. Still, something in her stomach made her feel a bit queasy. Perhaps it was her constant fear that when things were going right that something always seemed to go wrong. She shoved that feeling and notion aside and just prayed that nothing would rip her happiness away.

WES HEARD HER stiletto heels on the tile floor before she even passed the front of his office. He shut down his computers and closed his laptop when Olivia knocked on his office’s door.

“Come in.”

Olivia opened the door and stuck her face in. Her hair was pulled back in a single ponytail and she still wore her lab coat.

Beautiful, he thought. No matter what she did to her hair or how many tattoos she insisted on having, she was beautiful to him.

Her dark eyes glanced around the large office. “You’re not busy, are you?”

“No. I just finished writing up the grant for the St. Delpna’s Foundation.” He tucked his laptop in its bag and stood from his desk.

“We should get going.”

Wes nodded. It was getting late, and if they wanted to prepare for Olivia’s mission they’d need to scout the place out first.

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

Stepping aside, Olivia waited for him to leave the office.

Wes locked his office door behind him and looked to his assistant, Chris and their intern, Scott.

“How much longer will you two be here?”

“Another two hours at least,” Chris said.

“Lock up when you leave. I’m heading home early today.”

“Okay,” Chris said. “Please tell Adelaide we said thank you for the brownies.”

“I will. She’ll appreciate that.”

Wes left them to their work, thinking of just how many pans of baked goods his mother had made in the past week. Adelaide only baked when under stress.

Leaving the lab early rarely happened for Wes and Olivia. They were up to a breakthrough that would change the fate of shifters around the world.

Tonight he had a different agenda. They couldn’t let Avalon have his way.

Evie was sacred. She was as precious to him as the family’s fortune.

Olivia took off her lab coat when they were in the lobby. She revealed a black skirt and a red buttoned up shirt that hugged her full bosom. When she took her hair out of its ponytail it fell over her shoulders and to her mid-back.

It was rare to see a person with such stunning eyes. Olivia looked over her shoulder at him. She’d forgotten to put her colored contacts in and revealed that she had one bright purple eye.

“Did anyone say anything to you about Hugh?” Wes led the way from the lab and to the parking deck.

“No. You know the techs are too busy focused on their work to pay attention to what’s going on in the news.”

“That’s true. It works in our favor.”

He clicked his key fob, unlocking the door to his Escalade.

Once they were both inside he locked the doors. His eyes scanned the inside of the tinted black windows and the windshield that faced the stone wall. No one could see them.

Perfect.

He pushed his seat back. “Come here,” he said to Olivia.

“What?”

“Come here,” he said again motioning to his lap.

Olivia cracked a grin as she climbed over the center console. She sat on his lap, straddling him.

Wes held her face in his hands, stroking her cheeks. He knew the danger ahead for Olivia. He also knew that she was a master at what she did.

No one would see her. She was a spider shifter and could do what he could not. For this, he found her incredibly sexy.

Olivia smiled at him. Her eyes said so much. He knew exactly what she wanted.

That woman loved him more than any other woman he’d known outside of his family.

The stakes were high, but he had faith in her.

Wes pulled Olivia close to him, kissing her full on the lips and watched her eyes close in bliss.

“I love you so much, Olivia.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love you.”

“Promise me you’ll be careful tonight.”

Her eyes welled up when she pulled back to look him in the eyes. “I can do this. I will protect our family so we can move on with our lives.”

He nodded. “I know you will.”

“Tell me everything is going to be okay,” Olivia whispered, leaning over to kiss him.

Wrapping his arms around her waist, he held her close. The warmth of her body pressed against his was one of the best things he’d ever felt.

She was afraid. He could feel the fear radiating throughout her body. That was rare for Olivia. She may be quiet at times, but he knew how dangerous she was.

“Of course it will be all right,” he said. He cupped her face in his hands and looked into her eyes. “Unless you don’t want to do this. Do I need to take care of it myself?”

Olivia shook her head. She sighed, her shoulders slumping. “No. My stealth is what’s going to save this family.”

“You can do this. I believe in you,” he said.

A grunt of pain escaped Wes’ lips, making Olivia jump.

“Wes,” she called, her eyes widening with worry. She held his face in her hands as he tried to catch his breath. “What’s wrong?”

The pain in his back seeped into his abdominal muscles, making them burn worse and tighten so tightly that they began to twist.

He reached over to open the door. Olivia quickly climbed off as Wes stumbled out onto the concrete floor of the parking garage.

“Wes!”

He fell to his knees and coughed raggedly. The skin on the palms of his hands sloughed off when lifted them to clutch his abs.

Olivia rushed from her side of the car.

She skidded to a stop, covering her mouth with both hands.

Wes looked up.

The horror in her eyes when she looked at him sent an ice cold shiver into his soul.

“Call Malka,” he rasped between waves of pain. “We have to break this curse.”

WES SHUDDERED. HIS eyes were bloodshot. Everything was sore. His head thumped like a drum, so loud that Olivia could hear it. Gooseflesh covered his arms and neck. She rubbed his skin, trying to warm him.

Sweat beaded on his forehead.

Olivia was in tears as she sat beside him in Malka’s small cottage in the woods behind the abandoned St. Dymphna’s Convent.

“Is he going to be okay?”

Malka peered at him from her bifocal glasses. She tapped her teeth together as she thought.

“This curse is one of the worst I’ve seen,” she said in a soft voice, sitting in a chair next to the bed Wes rested on.

“What can we do about it?”

Malka shook her head. Her long red hair was a stark contrast to her dark brown skin. She looked more like a fantasy creature than a human.

From what Wes told her, Malka wasn’t exactly human. At six-foot-five, Olivia believed it.

“This curse is from the old world. Ancient power fuels it. Who did you say cursed him?”

Olivia shook her head. “I didn’t.”

She didn’t know if she could trust her the way Wes did. She wasn’t sure who she could trust.

Malka stared at her. Her skin was littered with dark moles and freckles on her high cheekbones.  Almond-shaped brown eyes examined her.

“I can’t help you if you’re not going to trust me.”

“Avalon Prince,” Wes said before crying out.

Olivia took his hand into her own and stood to lean over his body. “Baby? Are you okay?”

“I see now. The Prince family. That explains it. They’re from the old world, Scotland, right?”

Olivia nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Yes.”

Malka tapped her teeth together again. Olivia cringed at the sound. She stood and went to the back of her cottage to a room that’s door was bolted shut.

The hairs on Olivia’s arm stood on end when Malka took out a long key from a jar in the cupboard. Something about that room frightened her.

When the lock clicked open, Malka pushed on the door, releasing a gust of black wind that filled the room. Olivia shot to her feet. She pointed at the wind that formed a black cloud that clung to the ceiling.

The color drained from Olivia’s face, leaving her cold. “What is that?”

The house vibrated. She could feel it in the floorboards. Gripping Wes’ hand, she fought to keep herself from running out the front door.

“It’s fine, Mrs. Scarlett. Willow here is going to help you, not harm you.”

“Willow?”

“Yes. Willow does what I tell it to. You have nothing to fear.”

“Okay,” Olivia whispered. She clutched Wes’ hand. Her eyes locked on the black mass as it flew over and hovered above his body.

Malka closed her eyes, and the mass shot into Wes’ body, making him shake and then freeze.

The chill of Wes’ hand made Olivia’s entire arm turn cold. Still, she refused to let go. She watched his face, and yet it was expressionless as if he wasn’t there.

When she opened her eyes, the mass flew out, and back into the dark room. Malka closed the door and locked it again.

Olivia waited. Her heart raced with each passing moment of silence.

“What’s wrong?”

She watched Malka stand there with her back turned to them. Wes’ eyes were closed, and yet he breathed steadily.

Malka looked at Olivia over her shoulder. She shook her head.

“This magic is too dark. I cannot help him. He will die within the next two days.”

THE MOON CAST an eerie glow on the empty street. No rain. No wind. Just silence.

It was a beautiful night, one that Olivia could enjoy in a way most would never experience. Tonight, however, was not about joy or peace. She wanted to watch Avalon die a slow, painful death.

She took off her clothes, leaving each article neatly folded on the passenger’s seat of her car. She parked in the parking lot of the university. Across the street stood the old Albrecht Mansion, where her target lived.

Once she was naked, she began to shift. It was instant. Her body morphed into that of a tiny black spider, one packed with enough venom to take down the man that stood between her and her family’s happiness.

One purple stripe set her apart from other spiders, along with sparkling legs that glimmered in the light.

All sounds were magnified once Olivia was in her second form. She climbed out of the window and hopped to the ground by a shimmering strand of spider web.

The road was silent as she scurried across the street and to Avalon’s mansion.

The ground was covered with dew as she made her way over the front garden.

Olivia loved the invisibility that her shifter form brought her. She could go anywhere virtually unseen.

She crept along, passing by the men that Avalon had hired to watch his home. Finding entry wasn’t difficult. She crawled into a window with a hole in the screen.

Inside all was quiet.

Too quiet.

Up the walls and stairs she went. She’d been in the Albrecht Mansion a few times in her life. The schools all used to have field trips there to learn about the town’s history. Remembering the layout of the mansion gave her an idea of where Avalon’s bedroom might be.

Olivia went up the stairs, guided by her memory, and sensing his presence, she found the master bedroom.

She paused as she watched Avalon sleep in his large antique bed.

Early sleeper.

Even as a spider she was frightened by the old Albrecht Mansion. She was a creature of the shadows, but the cold and dark of this ancient house left her on edge. All she wanted was to get in, bite him with her venom, and get out.

She hopped from the ceiling; a single strand of the sparkling web carrying her to the chandelier above his bed.

What she thought would be an easy task shifted in an instant. She screamed inwardly as he sat straight up and captured her in a mason jar.

Olivia panicked. She had two choices; stay in her spider form which would make it easier to kill her, or transform and fight. She chose to fight. She shifted into her human form, shattering the glass all over Avalon’s comforter.

He grabbed her by her naked waist, slamming her into his lap the instant she was human again. “What a surprise. Wes sent out his whore wife to do his dirty work.”

He shook her. “Did you know your husband was a coward? You must have realized it when he sent you to kill my father.”

Olivia cried out as his large fingers pressed into her flesh. An intense heat shot through her flesh and into her muscles, paralyzing her with pain.

As hard as she tried, she could not shift back into a spider again. She was trapped, and too weak to free herself.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Stop!” She pleaded in between gasping cries of pain. She was defenseless against his wizardry, but that wouldn’t stop her from fighting for her freedom.

“Let me go!” Olivia jabbed him in the throat with her elbow and he pulled her arm back, pinning it to her side as he flipped her over his head and onto the bed.

Her eyes widened with shock at his speed and strength. He was more than a wizard.

The maniacal look in his bright green eyes frightened her more than any fear she’d ever known. She’d never stared death in the face before.

Avalon wrapped his hands around Olivia’s throat, a snarl morphing his face into one of wicked pleasure. As his grip tightened she knew that his face, so full of that sadistic look, would be the last thing that she’d see.

She just needed enough leeway to bite him, but his grip on her throat was too strong. She gasped for air.

Tears filled Olivia’s eyes.

Her mother had warned her about marrying a Scarlett, and she had done it anyway. Still, she would love him to the end.

She held her final breath for as long as she could, scratching, clawing, and struggling in every way she knew possible.

Someone banged on his bedroom door. “Everything okay in there, Avalon?”

Avalon didn’t lessen his grip on her throat as he shouted over his shoulder.

“Everything is fine. Get back to your post, and tell the men to keep watch.”

Olivia felt his hold on her abilities falter and shifted back into a spider in half a second. He growled with anger as she shot out another silk strand to his headboard and soared across the bed to the wall.

Freedom was once again hers and she frantically tried to put as much distance between her and Avalon as possible.

He scrambled across his bed to catch her, muttering curses as he did.

That last chance for escape ended abruptly. Heat shot through her body as Avalon illuminated the entire room with wizard’s fire. Her body seemed to glow against the backdrop of such a blast.

Olivia’s scream was muffled by the roar of the fire and was cut off when the darkness claimed her.

“EVIE,” ADELAIDE SAID over the phone. “I need you to listen to me very carefully.”

Alarmed, Evie stopped at her car door. Her hands shook. Her mother’s voice sounded strained, rushed.

Terrified.

“What’s wrong?” The panic in Adelaide’s voice put Evie on edge.

Evie’s cheeks reddened as she imagined everything that could possibly go wrong.

“Dinner tonight is canceled. I’ll tell you everything soon. Just stay away from Scarlett Hall…and stay away from Avalon. ”

“What the hell is going on? Tell me now.”

“I can’t right now,” Adelaide said. “We are taking care of it.”

Dial tone.

Evie’s hands shook when she pulled her phone from her ear.

“Everything okay?” Parker stood by her car door, a bag of Tupperware filled with leftover jambalaya from lunch with his parents in his hand.

The sky seemed a little darker that night as the clouds moved to cover all traces of the stars and moon.

Something was not right, and even nature seemed to send her warnings.

“I have no idea.” She stared at her phone, wishing it would ring again and that she’d get some answers.

She glanced over at his parent’s house. His mother and father still stood in the doorway, watching them leave. They’d been thrilled to hear the news of their engagement.

That elation quickly dissipated as fear gripped her.

Evie put her phone in her cross-body purse. “Something isn’t right.”

“Can I do anything?”

“I really don’t know,” Evie said. “She just told me to stay away from Scarlett Hall.”

She left out the part about Avalon. Parker still had no idea what was going on with the newcomer. She really didn’t know either.

“That’s weird. Is everyone okay?”

Sighing, Evie leaned her back against her door. They were just getting ready to leave and tell her family the good news. Now she didn’t know what to do.

“I hope so. I don’t know what to do now,” she said. She held her hand up to look at her ring. Despite the worry simmering in her gut, she smiled. Only a few more hours and they would head to the airport, pick a place, and leave.

“I know what you can do,” Parker said.

“What?”

He tilted her chin. “Go and tell Quinn the good news.”

Evie’s smile faded. She wanted Quinn to know that she and Parker were engaged, but she couldn’t stand to tell her the news of her departure.

“Oh boy,” Evie said. She pursed her lips and nodded. “You’re right.”

She stood on her tip-toes to kiss him. “Okay. I’ll go and tell her.” She waved at his parents again. “I’ll come back after I see her and we can figure things out then.”

His ice-blue gaze was hooded with worry. “I wonder what’s going on.”

“Me too. We might not get to tell them in person.”

“Wow,” he said, his eyes widening. “That would be crazy. We can’t leave without telling your folks.”

Evie shrugged.

I’m over it.

“We’re leaving no matter what,” she said and got in the car.

“Damn, Evie. You’re really manic about this. Do we really have to leave Woodland Creek in such a hurry?”

Evie closed the door once she was in the driver’s seat. She quickly sent Quinn a text to meet her at Geek Beans in an hour.

She looked up at Parker as he stood outside, reaching a hand out the window to him.

He took her hand, stroking her knuckles before he kissed the engagement ring.

“Yes,” she said. “We do.”

Her eyes darkened as if shrouded by shadows. “And you’ll understand why soon enough.”

EXTENDING HER ARMS above her head Evie began to transform. Every fiber of her body trembled, her skin stung, and lights flashed before her eyes as feathers took over and bones bent to a new pattern.

A Gryphon.

A creature of myth.

Evie’s second form.

Now her arms were wings and she stretched them outward for optimal grace during her takeoff. She soared to the top of the mountain, thrilled by the freedom she felt.

The look on Quinn’s face when she told her the news ate at her. She hated to hurt her best friend, but she had to go. There was no choice. Somehow she knew that once she left Woodland Creek that life would be better. The stigma of her family’s past would be lifted. The danger she felt around every corner would dissipate.

Still, she needed this time alone to collect her thoughts. Quinn had been hurt, but she’d also been surprisingly understanding.

The mark of a true friend.

The news of her engagement had overshadowed the fact that Evie and Parker were leaving town.

Now that that part of her life was tied up nicely, Evie wished her mother hadn’t been so cryptic in her phone call. Evie could only pray that her mother and brother were okay.

A loud screeching sound caught her attention as she stood on a boulder facing the town side of the mountain. Her senses were sharpened by her shifted form. It was unlike anything she’d ever experienced.

She was strong, powerful, and free.

Evie flew back down to the clearing where she’d left her clothes. When she returned to her human form, her phone had thirteen missed calls and eight text messages.

Her heart lurched as she scrambled to check the missed calls. They were all from Adelaide.

Good. I could use some news. Any news.

Sighing, she stepped into her boots and made her way through the forest to her car.

She called her mother back, dreading what news she would hear.

“Evie,” Adelaide said.

“What is it? Is everything okay? Where is Wes?”

“It’s not good, Evie. Have you heard from Olivia?”

“No,” she said.

“Come home now,” Adelaide said.

“Why? You told me to stay away.”

“It doesn’t matter what I said earlier. I just received a message, and we need to talk in person.”

Evie was afraid to ask. “About what?”

The pause made Evie’s pulse quicken. She had to know.

“Olivia is missing.”

EVERYTHING WAS WRONG. Evie could tell the instant she entered her mother’s office. The smell of a eucalyptus candle wafted into her nostrils.

The lights were dim, just how Adelaide liked it. It helped her wind down when she was stressed. Evie noted the bottle of wine in the waste basket and an empty glass on the bay window seat.

“What’s going on?”

Adelaide turned around, her arms folded across the front of her black dress. Her face was pale, her eyes glistening with tears.

Evie’s face twisted in worry. Every nerve was on edge. She shook as she stood there, not ready to hear the worst. Yet, she had to know.

“What happened? How do you know Olivia is missing?” She stepped forward and Adelaide lifted a hand, stopping her.

“She hasn’t been home, and I have an idea of where she is. We can make this right. Together.”

Evie tilted her head, lifting a brow. The tension in the air was thick, making her palms sweat with anticipation.

“What do you mean?”

“Have a seat.”

“No,” Evie said, shaking. “Just tell me what’s going on for Christ’s sake.”

Adelaide’s shoulders slumped, her bottom lip trembling as she looked at Evie with glossy eyes.

“It’s Wesley.”

Evie’s stomach fell to the floor.

“No,” she gasped. “Please tell me he isn’t dead.”

“He’s alive,” Adelaide said. “But barely.”

Evie nodded, a small shred of hope filling her heart.

“He was cursed, Evie.”

“Cursed?”

“Yes,” Adelaide wrung her hands. “We tried to protect you. We did everything we could to keep you out of this, but it is now clear that you are the only one that can save this family.”

“What do you mean? Tell me everything.”

“Olivia went after Avalon to save Wesley’s life.”

Alarm filled Evie’s eyes. Olivia was the closest thing she had to a sister, and now she and her brother were in danger.

“Listen,” Adelaide said, moving a step closer. She lowered her voice as if someone else was listening in. “We sent Olivia out to kill Hugh Prince.”

Evie’s face turned ashen. That was the last thing she expected to hear.

“She was successful…”

“But, Hugh died from a spider bite.”

“Yes. He did.”

Evie’s brows furrowed. “I don’t understand.”

“Olivia is a shifter. A Spider shifter.”

It seemed that everyone had a secret. What was next?

“Go on,” Evie said, her legs feeling weak. “Please.”

“We thought that killing Hugh would end the war between our families.”

“How could you do such a thing?”

“We do what we have to. We are Scarletts, and no one threatens us,” she said, slamming her wine glass into her desk, shattering the glass into a hundred pieces.

Adelaide’s face reddened. Her chin tensed. Evie was stunned by the hardness of her mother’s voice. She watched her mother raise her hand, blood dripping onto the mahogany wood. Within seconds, the gash in her palm closed seamlessly, until her skin was smooth once again.

“You’re not a child anymore,” Adelaide proclaimed. “I’ve done all I can, but it’s time you step up and do your part. For Wesley…before it’s too late. He has less than two days left in his curse.”

She came from behind her writing desk and knelt before Evie. Her eyes filled with tears as she laid her head in Evie’s lap.

Evie hadn’t seen such tenderness from her mother in ages. Seeing her so vulnerable saddened her. She held back tears of her own and caressed her mother’s head, running her hand over her soft blond locks.

Such sadness tugged at her heart.

Evie was afraid to ask the question, but she had no choice. Her chances of leaving Woodland Creek were slipping from her fingers with each moment that she lingered in that office.

“What do you need me to do?”

Coming to her feet, Adelaide tucked her hair behind her ears. Her hands clutched into fists. “Go to Avalon Prince.”

“What does Avalon have to do with this? How can going after Avalon save Wesley.”

And so it’s revealed. What was Avalon’s deal?

Adelaide turned to the window and spoke to the storm. “He cursed your brother and gave him an ultimatum.”

“What ultimatum?”

“Avalon will let Wesley’s body deteriorate from the curse…unless Wesley kills himself or gives you over to him. What he really wants is you.”

Evie shot to her feet. “You want me to freaking give myself to him? What the hell does that even mean?” Evie was livid. Her heart rate kicked up speed, just thinking of Avalon’s nerve.

“Yes. That’s exactly what you must do.”

Evie’s jaw dropped. She shook her head, appalled. Evie hadn’t cursed since she was a child and her father told her that ladies did not let filth come out of their mouths.

“Fucking unbelievable,” she said, grinding her teeth. Through tears she glared at her mother. “I’m engaged. Did you know that? Do you know what this whole mess will ruin everything?”

Adelaide didn’t skip a beat.

“I’m sorry, Evie. But none of that matters right now. Olivia risked her life for you, and now she’s missing.”

She sniffled, her heart breaking every time her mother opened her mouth. She loved her family, but all she could see was Parker’s sweet face smiling at her when he proposed.

Broken, she pushed that image aside. Adelaide was right.

This was life or death.

“How do you know that?”

“She volunteered to do to him what she did to his father,” Adelaide said. “And she failed.”

“But,” Evie stuttered. “How do you know?”

Adelaide closed her eyes. She reached into her pocket, and pulled out a folded up piece of cream-colored stationary.

Evie stared at it when Adelaide held it out to her. “I’m sorry, Evie. If you don’t go to him, Wesley will not survive this curse.”

She snatched the paper from her mother. She opened it, glaring at the words written in some of the best cursive handwriting she’d ever seen.

The words however, made her blood turn cold.

Time’s up.

Evie swallowed. “What does it mean?”

“It means we no longer have any options. You have to go to him by morning.”

“What are you sending me to? What’s to say he won’t kill me?”

“He won’t. He’s smitten, Evie. Just go to him and win his trust. Then do what a good Scarlett does.”

“What’s that?”

A wicked grin came to Adelaide’s pale face. “Make him pay.”

Evie crushed the paper in her hand.

“Now, will you be a good girl and do this for me?”

Evie wiped tears away. She nodded.

“Good girl.”

Evie closed her eyes, her entire world crashing down around her.

Parker will never forgive me for this.

WES SAT UP in bed. The world was a bleak place.

Everything hurt. The skin on his face started to peel off. His legs were paralyzed.

His power had failed him.

Olivia was missing.

What else was is there to live for?

Footsteps broke him from his thoughts.

“What did she say?”

Adelaide stepped into his room and walked over to his bed. She sat on the edge and gave his leg a pat.

“She’s going to do it, sweetheart.  She may be selfish at times, but I never doubted she’d do anything for you.”

Tears burned Wes’ eyes.

“I can’t believe that even Malka couldn’t reverse this curse.”

“I know,” Adelaide said. “I can’t believe it either. Avalon is the most powerful wizard I’ve even heard of in the last thirty years.”

“And we sent Olivia out to kill him…knowing he was too dangerous for her.”

“You didn’t know what would happen, Wesley.”

Wes shot a glare at her. “He was waiting for her. How is it that he’s so far ahead of us?”

Adelaide shook her head, pursing her lips. “I don’t know.”

“And now we are sending Evie to him like a gift. What’s wrong with us?”

Adelaide sighed. “Stop thinking so negatively. In about a day or so you will be free of this curse.”

Loud banging on the door made them both jump. Adelaide stood. She looked toward Wes’ window at the night outside. The banging resumed.

She pulled her shawl closer to her skin.

“Who could it be?” Wes wished he could get up and check it out for her. He feared what waited for them outside.

“I’ll check it out.”

“Be careful,” Wes said.

Adelaide glanced at him. “I can take care of myself, Wesley. You should know that.”

ADELAIDE LEFT WES’ side to answer the door. Weary from over a week of restless nights, each step seemed to take more energy out of her. She needed this war to end, or it she’d soon be another casualty of it.

As she arrived, Sandy was just closing it behind whoever had paid them a visit.

“Who was it?”

Sandy shook her head. “He didn’t give a name. He just said he had a message from Mr. Avalon Prince.”

Adelaide peered at the cream envelope in Sandy’s hand.

“He said it’s imperative that you read this and share it with Wesley.”

With a nod, Adelaide walked down the stairs and took the envelope.

She sniffed the envelope, smelling the faint scent of blood. Her sense of smell developed more like a lion than a human.

Adelaide knew who’s blood she smelled.

Clutching the envelope to her bosom, her face paled.

Olivia’s blood.

SHE KNEW SHE wouldn’t be able to do this without losing her composure. She stood in the living room of Parker’s condo, her engagement ring in her hand.

In between sniffles she tried to speak.

“I can’t,” she said.

Wes needed her.

Visions of Wes shielding her from their father’s illegal actions; the dead bodies, prostitutes, gambling rings, and whatever else he did in secret resurfaced from her repressed memories. Those deeds had come back to haunt them in the form of a wizard with a grudge.

Wes was her blood, and she couldn’t turn her back on him.

Parker stared at the ring in her hand, his eyes confused.

His face turned ashen. “What’s going on?”

Evie shook her head. She had to do this quickly.

“I can’t accept this, Parker. I was wrong to lead you on, but it’s really not going to work.”

Parker ran his hand through his hair.

Pain shot into her gut when she saw his hands shaking.

I can’t do this. It’s too hard.

“What? Where is this coming from?”

She shook her head and sat the ring on his counter when he wouldn’t accept it.

She couldn’t be engaged for this plan. Her family depended on her.

Parker didn’t back down. Instead, he caught her in his arms when she turned to walk out, wrapping them around her thin body.

“Come now. Explain yourself. Did your mother make you do this?”

Yes. She did, she thought. But it was more than that. He deserved better than she could give him. He deserved a normal girl without baggage.

The tenderness of his voice broke her heart even more. She buried her face in his chest. How did she let herself do this? Her heart would never forgive. She doubted that she would ever forgive herself.

He held her tight as if savoring her scent and presence. “I love you, Evie. Don’t leave me.”

She drew in a breath. She pulled back and grabbed his face in her hands. She had one chance to do this and she needed to do it quickly before she lost the strength and resolve.

The look in his eyes, full of sorrow and love, made her pause.

She sniffled and closed her eyes. She couldn’t look at him like that. It killed her. She’d never felt physical pain from a broken heart. She didn’t think it was possible.

She took in a deep breath, opened her eyes, and faced him full on.

She lowered her voice. “I can’t love you, Parker. Not right now.”

Parker reached for her hand on his face and pulled it away. He stepped backward.

“Just forget me,” she said and ran out the door, too afraid to look back.

She cried the entire way to Albrecht Mansion. The hours to save her brother’s life were ticking away, and all she wanted was to hold Parker, kiss his soft lips, and love him forever.

EVIE LOWERED HER eyes the moment Avalon Prince walked down the main black stairway of Albrecht Mansion.

Her bags were packed and stacked at the door as she waited to find out exactly what Avalon had in store for her.

He was one of the most attractive men she’d ever seen, but she hated him. Wearing a black suit and expensive black shoes, he was the man that could ruin her chance at happiness.

Why was he so dressed up?

She wore a green cardigan over a pink sweater and skinny jeans tucked into slate gray boots that came to her knees.

Should I have worn a cocktail dress for my new servitude?

Evie wanted nothing more than to rip his head from his shoulders, for hurting her brother and possibly killing her sister-in-law.

His bright green eyes brightened when he saw her face.

“Evie,” he called. His voice echoed off the walls.

She looked up, her hands shaking. She gripped her purse strap to steady them. “Mr. Prince. I’ve come to end your attack on my family.”

Amusement came to his face as he reached the bottom of the staircase. The butler didn’t betray any emotion on his face as he stood at her side, just inside the foyer.

“Lovely.” His reached an arm out for her.

Evie stared at his arm, wishing she had an ax to chop it right off.

His charming grin at the reluctant expression on her face only angered her more.

“Come now. Let’s have a little chat. Walk with me to the sun room.”

“Fine,” she said. She stepped to him and laced her arm through his. He stood a foot taller than her, and beneath his suit she could feel his hard muscles.

“But I want to know what your expectations are for me.”

He placed his hand over hers, surprising her by its warmth. She’d half expected his hand to be frigid.

“Of course. It’s only natural that you’d want an explanation.”

Evie had expected a bit of resistance, not the calm kindness he displayed at that moment.

Hesitant, she nodded. “Good.”

They walked through the first floor toward the back of the mansion. Her insides were in a bunch, but the beauty of Albrecht Mansion still overwhelmed her.

For a home so large, it was bright and airy. The scent of fresh cut flowers and berries tantalized her senses the further they went into Avalon’s home.

The heels of her boots made soft tapping on the exquisitely painted wood floors as they crossed hundreds of square feet to get from one end of the mansion to the other.

They went through two dining rooms, an elaborate sitting area, a long hallway, and a ballroom before reaching the French doors that led to the sunroom at the back of the house.

“You came at the perfect time, Evie.”

“Why is that?”

“Because I’m hosting this year’s Halloween party, and I want you by my side.”

“A party?”

“Yes. It’s a big tradition here. Isn’t it?”

Evie nodded.

“Well, the mayor wants it held here. It will be part tradition and also a way to welcome me back to town. Of course there will be all of the pomp and circumstance fit for a king.”

Avalon put his hand on the small of Evie’s back. “And his queen.”

Evie tensed at feeling his hand on her body as he led her into the room.

She stepped away from him, his hand slipped down her bottom. A glance caught him smirking before folding his hands before him.

Inside the sunroom were some of the most beautiful flowers Evie had ever seen in one place. Lush greenery and vibrant colors mixed to create a sight worthy of being immortalized in a painting. Caged birds chirped and sang from their perches, making the room feel like a glamorous exhibit at a zoo.

“Fit for a king, huh? You really think highly of yourself,” Evie said.

“Why shouldn’t I? Do you not feel the same about yourself?”

Evie stopped and faced him. “No. I really don’t think I’m better than anyone else. But, I know that I’m not an evil person. You are. And I don’t really think you’re someone that should be celebrated and honored.”

Avalon didn’t drop his smile. He nodded, dropping his hands to his sides as he took a step toward her.

Evie didn’t back down. She tightened her jaw as she glared up at him, her chest pressed against his abdomen. She didn’t flinch; she wanted him to know exactly how she felt about the entire arrangement. She would not forget what he did to her brother.

The green in his eyes was especially ethereal in the bright sunlight. She didn’t like how enchanting they were, and yet she couldn’t bring herself to look away.

“Maybe I am evil.”

He lowered his voice as he spoke to her, the smell of mint escaping with each elegantly spoken word. The thickness of his accent was incredibly sexy, but she refused to let her expression betray her.

“Yes, I cursed your brother, but why? He killed my brothers and had his wife kill my father. I suppose that makes me evil to an extent, but I could have ended his life that night in the study.”

“Why didn’t you?”

He shrugged. “I’m not as impulsive as Wesley. I know how to show restraint…and how to make my revenge much more creative.”

Evie swallowed. She didn’t mention that she didn’t know that Wes killed his brothers. To her understanding, they died in a car accident.

She wasn’t surprised. In fact, this new knowledge broke her defiance down a bit.

Things really weren’t what they seemed.

She was judging him off of his retaliation for what her family had done. How could she justify their actions?

“I want you to understand something, Evie. I am not all about curses and using my power for evil. Quite the contrary. The mayor is honoring me because not only did I donate enough money to build a second elementary school, but I funded the cancer research center at the hospital.”

Evie’s face softened. “You did?”

“Yes,” he said. He looked past her, his smile fading. “You know my mother died of cancer. I don’t blame your father for her death like my father did. I know that her chances were faint…but I want to do what I can to help others survive her fate.”

Evie swallowed, her resolve faltering further. Her shoulders lost their hardness, her face relaxing from her frown.

So what? He has a soft side. Still, it’s no excuse for what he did to Wesley.

Evie wanted to hate him, but he was making it hard. She kept her face unreadable.

“I still don’t know what you want from me.”

They walked over to a small table next to the floor to ceiling windows.

“Sit.”

Evie sat in the brass chair that he held out for her. She folded her hands in her lap and watched as two servers walked over with trays of food and a bottle of red wine.

Her stomach grumbled as she looked at the tray of roasted potatoes, vegetables, and steak.

“I hope you’re hungry,” he said, as the servers put white cloths over their laps.

“Answer my question.”

He raised a brow and smirked.

“Fine.” He sipped his wine.

She watched him, folding her legs.

“It’s simple, Evie. I don’t want to keep this feud going any more than you do.” He leaned across the table, reaching for her hand.

Evie didn’t know what to do. She felt awkward holding her hand to him, but she needed to know his motives. The last thing she wanted was to upset him.

“I like you,” he said, stroking her knuckles.

The sincerity in his eyes startled her. She hadn’t expected that. She found herself unable to look away from his beautiful green eyes. Seeing him up that close revealed hazel around the center. The longer she looked, the more she could actually see the magic inside of him.

She saw more in Avalon than she’d even seen in her father.

“What I want from you is simple.”

Evie held her breath when he kissed the back of her hand.

“I just want you to give me a chance at winning your heart.”

Evie searched his eyes. If he hadn’t cursed her brother, kidnapped her sister-in-law, and came at a time when she was single…she might have fallen for his charm.

Not this time, though. She nodded her acquiescence, but inside her rage simmered. He may not be the villain she’d dreamt up in her head, but he still stood between her and true happiness with the man she loved.

“Okay,” she said, her voice soft, barely audible. The pain in Parker’s eyes came back to haunt her.

She had to shake it from her mind. The food in front of her was an easy distraction, considering her stomach ached with hunger.

Evie picked up her fork and stabbed a piece of roasted yellow squash on her plate. She took a bite and glanced to her left.

Her face paled as she saw Olivia walk by the white archway. She shot to her feet.

“Olivia!”

Avalon caught her hand, forcefully.

She shot him a glare. The look in his eyes made her second guess saying anything.

“Sit down.”

She sat down, her eyes going back to Olivia.

Olivia looked back at her, her hair was disheveled, her face covered in purple bruises.

Bile filled her throat at the sight of her beautiful sister-in-law.

She couldn’t bite her tongue. She spoke through clenched teeth. “What did you do to her?”

“The girl has seen her and confirmed that she is alive. Now, get her out of here and safely back to Scarlett Hall,” Avalon said to the two men that accompanied Olivia. “Make sure you deliver my final letter to the Scarlett’s.”

Olivia’s eyes met Evie’s. Evie gasped. Olivia was like a ghost of her former self. All of her luster seemed to be sucked away. What was left of her was a frail woman, with limp hair that clung to her scalp and face as if she’d been sweating. Her clothes had blood stains, and there were bruises on her wrists and ankles.

Fury filled Evie. At first her voice didn’t come. It cracked, making her swallow before trying to speak again.

“What did you do?” She shouted that time and slammed her fist on the table.

“Calm yourself,” Avalon said.

Evie leaned over to him, her eyes narrowed. “Answer me!”

Avalon didn’t look upset by her outburst. His eyes looked from her to Olivia and back before he shrugged. He sipped his wine, set it down, and cut into his steak.

Infuriated, Evie watched him, waiting for an answer.

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“Is what obvious? To think, I was starting to feel sorry for you.”

“I kept my word. That’s more than your brother ever did. I’m setting her free.”

“Good for you,” she snipped. “Aren’t you a saint?”

“No,” he said, his eyes darkening. “Good for you, Evelyse Scarlett.”

His smug grin sickened her.

“You’re a hero.”

THUNDER CRACKED AND echoed throughout the halls of Albrecht Mansion. Evie woke and sat up in her new wooden canopy bed. Another loud boom resounded across the sky and lightning followed, crashing into the forest outside her window.

She grabbed her pink kimono robe and crossed her room to look out the bay window.

It was the third day that rain fell in torrents like this. It was as if her moving into Albrecht Mansion angered the gods. Such a storm was sure to flood the town as if it didn’t let up soon.

She glanced at her clock as it ticked on her wall next to her wardrobe. It was three a.m. and she knew she would not be able to fall back asleep.

Might as well study, she thought.

She grabbed her satchel for school and slid her feet into her slippers to head for the study. Outside her room the halls were dark and silent. She held her breath as she looked from side to side, and listened for any sounds of life.

Nothing.

The silence was unnerving, but at least she was assured that she wouldn’t run into Avalon in the halls at that hour.

There was a time when she was a young girl that she was afraid to venture into those halls alone, but she and Parker would make it a game to sneak away from their class and explore the many rooms.

Albrecht Mansion was one of the first homes built when the town was founded. Tales of hauntings had always frightened her when Woodland Creek Elementary would take field trips there. As an adult, she still hoped those tales to be untrue rumors the village people liked to spread.

Evie used her phone’s flashlight to navigate the darkness and descended the staircase to the main floor. Crossing the foyer she opened the door that led to the study and walked down another staircase.

A dim light made her pause. “Who is there?” Only he would be up this late doing research.

“Come on in, Evie,” she heard Avalon reply.

She wished she’d stayed in the safety of her room.

But, was anywhere in that mansion safe?

She took a deep breath and walked to the landing. Once she turned the corner she saw Avalon sitting in one of the chairs with a book in hand. A fire crackled in the fireplace, making the room nice and toasty.

“Couldn’t sleep, my dear?” Avalon closed his book on his hand and turned his gaze to her.

She wished he wouldn’t call her that.

Evie closed her kimono over her lavender bra and boy-short set. If she’d have known that Avalon would be down here she would have at least put on some clothes and brushed her hair. But it was his house. She should have known better.

Perhaps it was time that she tried a new approach. Maybe Avalon would drop his guard if she feigned an attraction to him. Three days had passed since she moved in, and being petulant wasn’t helping her at all. Her ‘privileges’ were scarce, and all she wanted was to communicate with her family.

Evie stood before Avalon with tangled waves and her white lock fully exposed.

He noticed. “Look at you,” he said, his eyes looking her up and down. “I like what you did to your hair.”

She pulled it back and found a seat near the fireplace on a few cushions that one of the Albrecht ancestors had brought back from India.

“I’ve always had this ridiculous white chunk of hair. I can’t seem to get rid of it.”

“Why should you? It’s beautiful.”

She forced a smiled. “Thank you.” She noted a coffee mug next to him on a side table. “Coffee at this hour?”

He picked up the mug and took a drink. “Yeah. It’s quite good. Would you like some?”

“I would actually.”

He set it back down and stood. “I’ll go get you a mug. Do you take milk and sugar?”

“I do. Thank you.”

Avalon gave her a nod and retreated upstairs to the kitchen.

She stood and glanced at what he was reading. Her face paled at the title on the book.

Dark Spirits and Demons.

She shivered and pulled her kimono even closer to her skin. Where did he even get that book? It looked old with its withered yellow pages and wear on the spine. She took a step backward as a chill entered the room.

She rubbed her arms and looked around. Every sense was on edge as she imagined a ghost or spirit watching her.

She swallowed and sat back down. Why was Avalon reading such a dark subject?

When Avalon returned he handed her a coffee cup on a saucer with a small silver spoon.

“Thank you.” She accepted it, enjoying the warmth of the cup.

Avalon stood there as if waiting for her to try it. He smiled that kind smile he sometimes gave her, the one that made her wonder if he really was just a guy desperate to win her affection. He nodded for her to give it a try.

Evie took a gingerly sip. Surprise filled her eyes. The flavor was incredible.

“Wow.” She took another sip. “You made this?”

He nodded and picked up his cup. Instead of sitting back in his seat he sat next to her. “I have a secret stash from back home. It’s good, right?”

“It’s great actually.” She drank some more and watched the flames in the fireplace. There was no way she could focus on studying with him sitting next to her.

Another loud thunder crack seemed to shake the house with its intensity. She didn’t know how anyone could sleep through that storm. She imagined Parker sitting up in bed, looking out his window, thinking about her.

Perhaps he slept peacefully, having already forgotten her. That image stung. Was it wrong for her to wish that he was still so broken that he couldn’t sleep at all…just like her? That scenario gave her hope that she could win him back.

Evie could only wish that he still even thought about her.

“Does it storm like this often in Woodland Creek?”

“At least once a year.”

“I love storms.”

She looked at him. “Me too.”

“Woodland Creek is nice. I can’t quite say I remember it being this nice, not with a father like mine anyway,” he said, his voice trailing. He shrugged. “I can see the appeal, but Scotland is beautiful.”

“It sounds lovely.”

“You should see it.”

Evie didn’t reply. She wanted to see the world, but with Parker.

As if he’d read her mind, Avalon scooted close to her. He put a hand on hers, making her switch her thoughts to something different.

His hand was gentle and warm.

Strong.

Electric.

She fought the heat that filled her whenever he was so close. Every touch, despite how she abhorred him, made her feel weak. She shouldn’t feel that way. It was a betrayal to Parker.

Evie had to hate him.

He brought her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles.

Avalon made it so hard sometimes.

“Listen, Evie,” he said, looking down at her hand in his. “I know this arrangement isn’t what you had in mind for your life, but in time you will find happiness with me. We can have a good life together; one where you don’t have to worry about anything. I will love and protect you always.”

Love?

The word frightened her when it fell from Avalon’s lips.

Her heart could never be anyone’s but Parker’s.

Evie turned to the flames, taking her hand back and tucking it under her leg. She watched them flicker and rise against the logs of the fireplace.

“Was that some sort of lazy proposal?”

She bit her lip, fighting tears. She never imagined she’d end up in an arranged marriage like the women from the classic novels she read.

“It was,” he said.

Oh God.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring. There wasn’t a box. The ring didn’t need it. It was huge. The diamonds captured the light from the fire, shining bright as she gawked at it.

It was stunning.

The ring Parker gave to her was smaller…much smaller.

But better.

Evie tensed. What was she supposed to say?

“Listen, love, you can accept this ring when you are ready.”

“Thank you,” she said, relieved to be let off the hook.

“I want to make you happy. I don’t want to disrupt your world however, so you’ll continue with school. I believe an education is important. But, I really don’t want you working at the book store anymore. It doesn’t look good for my girl to work in such a shabby little place. You don’t have to work.”

“I can’t work?”

He’d already assumed that she’d accepted his proposal. Avalon was insane. She was certain of it. All of his loss had affected him on a level deeper than she could imagine for herself.

This was how he handled his grief.

She understood it, but it didn’t change her mind about her plan.

Avalon gave her hand a squeeze, his eyes hard. “No. You will not work. You will go to school, and come home.”

“I don’t understand why it matters.”

The look on his face made her regret speaking at all. His grip on her hand tightened slightly.

“Any more questions?”

The tone is his voice made her shiver. She shook her head. “No,” she said, her voice wavering. “I was just curious.”

“Good.” Avalon smiled. “Curiosity is okay.” He patted her hand. “But in moderation.”

Evie nodded. “Yes. Okay.”

“Good,” he said. “Now where were we? Oh, right. I will take you to Scotland over winter break. How does that sound?”

Evie raised her brows. He really did mean to make a life with her.

“You’ll take me to Scotland?”

“That’s right.”

If I’m good? God, help me.

She forced another smile. “That would be great.”

Avalon’s eyes narrowed. “Something’s holding you back. What is it?”

She looked up at the ceiling, forcing Parker’s name from her mind. She didn’t want Avalon going after him.

“Mother would never let me go.”

His grin faded a little. “I don’t think you understand, Evie. What your mother wants is no longer a concern. What Wesley wants is of no concern. You should only worry about what I want.”

Evie clenched her jaw.

She was more of a hostage than a guest. She focused on keeping her mind free of any thoughts of escape or retaliation lest he read her thoughts. Doing so was one of the hardest things she’d ever done. Such concentration took discipline that she’d never had to master.

He grinned. “Why are you trying to keep me out, Evie? Don’t you know I can read you like a book? But still, something is missing.”

Her cheeks reddened. He knew exactly what she was doing.

“What are you hiding?”

She ripped her hand from his and stood. Flustered, she looked down at him, hoping her sudden action didn’t anger him.

Avalon’s face was unreadable.

That frightened her.

“Nothing,” Evie blurted. “I’m not hiding anything. I’m going back to bed.”

Before he could reply she hurried away. First, she walked quickly. Her walk turned into a run for her room, as she imagined that he was chased her.

She didn’t even look back until she was in her room and had the door shut.

Shaking, Evie stood at the door. She listened for any noises outside the door in the hallway. She covered her mouth with both hands when she heard footsteps stop just outside.

Stepping backward, she didn’t stop until her legs touched the edge of her new bed. She sat down with nowhere else to go.

“Go away,” she whispered, knowing he couldn’t hear her.

Evie sat there praying until the footsteps walked away.

Evie covered her heart and tried to calm herself. Her pulse was too fast. Her breaths were quickened as well.

She couldn’t live like this.

OLIVIA WOULD NEVER let Wes go again. Being home was like a dream. After all that she had suffered at the hands of Avalon, she wanted to stay home in bed, her arms wrapped around Wes as he held her.

She ran her hands through his hair, watching as the black strands fell perfectly back into place.

His face had cleared of all traces of the curse. Her handsome man was back to normal. Her wounds would heal.

Life would return to the way it once was before the war with the Prince family.

Who am I kidding?

Evie had taken her place as Avalon’s prisoner.

How long before he hurts her?

“We should get ready for dinner with your mother,” Olivia said.

“I know. We have so much to discuss now that you’re home and feeling well.”

He got out of bed and headed to their wardrobe. Olivia sat up. Her neck was sore. She touched the soft flesh, tracing where the rope had been wrapped around her throat.

Her eyes squeezed shut as she tried making the memories fade.

“I wish we could just stay in bed together and let the pressures of the world fade away.”

“Do you want to rest awhile longer? My mother will understand if you do.”

“I’ll be fine,” she said, leaving the warmth of their large king bed.

She stretched her sore arms and pulled her T-shirt over her head. She snatched a blue shift dress from the wardrobe and stepped into it.

“I don’t feel like doing anything to my hair,” she said as she looked at her pale reflection in the mirror hanging on the inside of the wardrobe door. She reached for a pearl necklace that hung from her jewelry rack attached to the other wardrobe door and clasped it around her neck.

“I promise we won’t judge you for going to dinner casual tonight, baby.”

Olivia snorted. “I can hear Adelaide complaining already. I’d rather not hear her mouth tonight.”

“Come now. She understands that you risked your life for Evie and me.”

“Look at the good that did. I didn’t help the situation in any way. All I did was send Evie right into our enemy’s arms. I’m sure she hates me now,” Olivia said bitterly.

The way Evie had looked at her when she was allowed to leave was heartbreaking.

The girl really did love her like a sister. There had been true worry in Evie’s eyes when she saw Olivia leave. She wished that she could have stayed behind and made sure Evie was well taken care of.

“Tomorrow I’m going to see if Evie is okay.”

Olivia shook her head, fear flashing in her eyes. Memories of being left hanging upside down in a glass cage shattered her composure.

She screamed. “No!”

Wes caught her in his arms.

“Baby,” he breathed, holding her tight. “It’s okay.”

“It’s not okay! You have to stay away from him. If you go over there…he won’t let you leave alive. He told us what would happen if we didn’t stay away.”

Wes smoothed her hair. “I know,” he said, sighing. “How is he so strong? I need to learn his weakness.”

“I don’t know. I don’t want to test him again.”

“I can’t leave my sister with him.”

Olivia wiped her eyes. “I saw how he looks at her. There is genuine feeling there. He doesn’t want her just to upset you. He really cares for her.”

Wes frowned. “I still don’t like it.”

Olivia held onto him. “I don’t either. Men care for the women they abuse all of the time. It doesn’t make them any less dangerous.”

The six o’clock bell rang and they knew it was time to head down to the secondary dining room for dinner.

Olivia stepped into her black heels. Wes watched as she smoothed her dress, and silently went to the bathroom. She picked up her brass-handled brush and ran it through her hair until the snags were gone.

“I’m ready.”

“I HAVE A plan,” Adelaide said after the first course of split pea soup.

Wes looked up from his bowl, having only taken a few sips of the green broth. He didn’t have an appetite.

How could he eat when his sister was forced to live with that monster?

Memories of what he had done to Avalon’s older brothers haunted him.

But I’m the real monster. I am the reason Avalon took her away.

A sharp pain shot into his stomach. He winced. It wasn’t the curse.

It was guilt.

Olivia sat up in her seat, her eyes full of determined hope. It was clear that she was broken by what Avalon had done to her, but not so much so that she had given up on Evie.

Wes watched as she clasped her napkin, squeezing it in her fist. “What do you have in mind?”

“We all leave Woodland Creek behind. Sell Scarlett Hall. Sell everything.”

“What?” Wes raised a brow, wondering if his mother had lost her mind. There was no way they could give up their ancestral home.

Adelaide nodded; her red lips a stark contrast to her white skin.

He dropped his spoon into the bowl, and pushed it away, spilling soup onto the gold-encrusted place setting.

“You leave if you want,” he said, biting back his urge to shout. “I’m not going anywhere without my sister. It’s out of the question.”

Olivia nodded. “I’m not leaving her here either.”

Adelaide sat back in her chair, her eyes seemingly fixed on something in the distance. Her voice took an off tone as if she was no longer speaking to them.

“That’s not the entire plan, loves,” she said softly. She pushed her chair out from under the table and stood.

“You think I’d leave my only daughter behind?”

Wes noted the malice in his mother’s voice. He’d never heard her sound so sinister. Watching her lips curl into a snarl sent shivers up his arms and neck.

Even Olivia kept silent, her scowl fading to a look of bewilderment.

Adelaide took off her shawl, letting it fall onto the chair behind her. Then, she stepped out of her shoes.

Wes wanted to ask her what she was doing, but he knew better to speak at that moment.

Adelaide looked up at the ceiling letting her head fall back.

Had his mother lost it?

When she looked back at them, her eyes had gone from blue to completely black.

Wes’ eyes widened at his mother’s hair floating around her head by some unseen force.

What wizardry was this?

She snarled then, looking from Olivia to Wes.

“I’m done with Scarlett Hall and all of its secrets and lies. We deserve a fresh start, but not before freeing Evie, and sending that red-headed bastard to hell.”

Wes opened his mouth to ask how, but shut it when he saw something unexpected…something truly bewildering.

He watched as his mother threw up her arms.

And shifted.

EVIE’S WHITE GOWN seemed to glow in the sunlight. A smile was plastered to her face, and yet her soul was screaming, begging to be heard. Every step took all of her strength. Beneath her bouquet of purple flowers her hands shook.

Everyone stared at her. Could they see the pain in her eyes or how broken her heart was? She doubted it. All they saw was a beautiful girl about to marry a handsome man with a lot of money, property, and a charming smile. They knew nothing about the truth.

At the altar was not Parker…not the love of her life.

Avalon stood there, that charming smile on his lips, and evil in his eyes.

This is a dream.

Evie woke up in tears. She couldn’t let that dream turn into a reality.

“Parker,” she called into the darkness, her eyes adjusting the pitch black the instant her eyes opened.

“I’m sorry.”

Depression had set in so quickly. A week had gone by, and all she wanted to do was sleep. All it did was make her live out her worst fears.

She sat up in her bed and looked at her clock on the wall on the far end by the antique writing desk.

Time to get ready for the party

It was time to end this.

EVIE WAS SURPRISED when Avalon allowed her to visit Quinn. While what looked like hundreds of people worked to ready the mansion for the Halloween party, Avalon watched her leave in her own car, a trusting smile on his face.

Apparently, he approved of her best friend.

Quinn wasn’t a threat.

Lucky me, Evie thought bitterly as she tried on her costume for the party.

White feathers covered her dresses glittering lace and satin. It was fitting. It reminded her of her shifter form, but no one else would ever know.

Perfect.

“You look amazing.”

“Thank you,” Evie said.

Quinn sat at her desk in her Hello Kitty pajamas, and watching her while finishing the pizza they had shared.

“I wish I knew what you were thinking,” Quinn said.

“What do you mean?”

Quinn stood, fixing her hair. Her brows were scrunched up as she looked at Evie in the full length mirror hung on the back of her closet door. She reached for her glasses on Quinn’s table and put them back on.

“I get that Avalon is hot and all, but what about Parker? I thought you loved him.”

Evie tensed. “I did. Avalon is the better pick for my future.”

Quinn twisted her mouth. “You’re lying. Why are you lying to me?”

Evie sighed. “Stop asking me questions, Quinn. Aren’t you glad that I’m going to be stuck in Woodland Creek? Aren’t you happy? I’m staying.”

Quinn’s face softened. She took Evie’s hand, surprising her by her gentleness.

“Talk to me. Be real.”

Evie sighed, her eyes leaving her reflection to stare at her sparkling silver heels.

Quinn had helped her paint her toe nails. One night with her best friend worked wonders, even if she knew that soon she would be in more danger than she’d ever experienced.

It was as if Evie was getting ready for prom, and Quinn was all too excited to make her shine like a princess. She loved her like a sister.

Evie couldn’t lie to her. She was tired of lying.

She turned to Quinn, holding her hands within hers.

Face to face, and eye to eye, Evie told the truth.

“I miss Parker more than anything in the world,” she said, her voice cracking.

Quinn pulled her into a tight embrace. “Then why the hell did you leave him, Evie? What’s going on?”

“I had to do it, Quinn. Avalon hates my family. He was going to harm them unless I became his…girlfriend, plaything…I don’t know what I am anymore. He actually asked me to marry him. I’ve known the guy for a week and he’s already ruined my life.”

Evie sniffled against Quinn’s shoulder. She sucked in a breath, composing herself. She couldn’t ruin her makeup.

“My goodness,” Quinn sighed, smoothing her back. “I can’t recall ever seeing you cry. You didn’t even cry at your father’s funeral. Why would you let that stranger do this?”

Evie pulled back and took a deep breath. “It won’t matter soon enough,” she said.

“Why?”

Evie shook her head. “Because I’m not going to let him ruin my life for good. I have to do something before it’s too late.”

“Can I help?” Quinn’s lips curled at the corners.

THE ALBRECT MANSION was swarmed with people, cars, and decorations when Evie returned.

Evie lifted her dress’ skirt and quickened her speed. She would not be late.

She could not.

The stairs waited before her. Her heels tapped along the concrete as she ran up to the front entrance. She paused before the doormen, hoping they’d simply glance at her invitation.

“Identification,” the tall slick-haired doorman said.

Evie raised a brow, looking down at his hand. She looked up to him.

“Really?”

He nodded.

She huffed and searched her gold clutch for her driver’s license.

“I live here. How could you not know that?” She handed her license to him, annoyed.

“Everyone gets carded, ma’am.” He read her ID, looking up at her and back at her photo.

“She’s clear,” he said and the other man opened the door.

“Enjoy your night, Miss Scarlett.”

“Yeah,” Evie grumbled, smoothing her dress. She entered the lobby.

A pretty blonde in a black cocktail dress took her coat and handed her a ticket before retreating to the coat check closet made from the front study.

Everything looked different from just a few hours ago.  The foyer was decorated to look like a haunted house with men and women dressed in horrifying costumes depicting vampires, devils, and witches.

The real monster didn’t even need a costume.

Evie straightened her dress and took a breath. “Here goes.”

As she stepped from the foyer to the main ballroom, the number of people present made her nervous.

“Whoa,” she whispered as her eyes took in the grandeur before her.

Spider webs covered the walls and ceiling. Purple and red lights flickered, making the room feel like an expensive nightclub.

The beauty, pomp, and theatrics left her spellbound.

There was a time when her parents would host parties like this in Scarlett Hall. Evie and Parker would play outside instead, chasing fireflies, or hanging out in the attic.

“You’ve made it right on time,” a deep male voice called from her right. She turned to see Avalon Prince approaching her with two champagne flutes. He gave her his bright smile, revealing perfect white teeth and a dimple in his right cheek.

He looked genuinely pleased to see her, and she noted how handsome he was in his costume. She instantly knew who he was supposed to be.

“Prince Charming…from Cinderella, right?”

He had the costume down to the exact buttons from the movie. She raised a brow as she looked him up and down.

He nodded. “Good eye. I figured you’d figure it out. It was your favorite movie when we were in school together.”

Evie’s smile almost faltered. She blinked. “You remembered that?” She now wished she could remember him from that time that wasn’t that long ago.

Avalon definitely had layers. If the circumstances had been different she might have explored them.

But not today.

“And you look amazing. What are you supposed to be?”

Evie cracked her best smile and accepted the champagne he handed to her.

“A swan,” she lied. Her gaze swept over the room, focusing on the aerial dancers that hung and spun from the ceiling.

“Wow.” She took a sip. “It’s quite a party…and the service here is spot on. And easy on the eyes,” she said with a wink at Avalon.

Avalon chuckled. “Why thank you. I saw you enter and swiped two flutes off the nearest server tray. Did you have fun with Quinn?”

She nodded and scanned the room. Clusters of immaculately dressed guests filled almost every inch of the room. The room was lit with crystal chandeliers that looked as though they were passed down from royalty. Even the servers were remarkable. All dressed in black with white masks that covered their eyes, the servers looked as though they’d each had a cover in Vogue Magazine.

Avalon did appreciate beauty.

“I did. Thank you for letting me see her.”

“You can see anyone you want. Except your family, of course.”

Tensing, Evie avoided letting him see the scowl on her face. She couldn’t even visit her brother to make the curse had been completely broken.

She changed the subject. “What a great turnout. Woodland Creek folk love their costume parties.”

He held out his arm and she accepted. “I’ll take you around to meet a few important people.”

“I thought I was supposed to be the one to show you around?”

“I took it upon myself to get to know the important people in my town. I am a businessman after all.”

Evie flashed a smile. She was going to need more alcohol to keep up such a fake act.

“Well, I hope you know some important people that can help me out.”

“Why? What happened?”

She shrugged. “My car broke down and I really need a tow truck.”

He looked concerned. He covered her hand with his. “How did you get here?”

“I walked.” She drank her champagne and handed the empty flute to a passing server. Picking up another glass she flashed a smile to Avalon. “It’s no big deal really. It’s just annoying.”

“Tell me where your car is and I’ll have it towed to my mechanic. He’ll take good care of it.”

“Thank you. You have your own mechanic already?”

“I do,” he said. “Come, meet Mayor Stone.”

Evie followed along, her mind racing despite her cool expression. Her eyes flickered up to the aerial dancers again. She envied them. Her urge to run outside and fly away nearly overcame her.

She hoped her plan would work.

“Sure. I’d love to meet the mayor,” she said.

“Evie?”

Her smile was wiped from her face when she turned to look at who called her name.

Paling, Evie’s face turned to horror. She let go of Avalon’s arm.

“Parker!”

EVIE’S VOICE CAME out in a startled shriek when she called out to Parker.

Avalon’s eyes darkened as he looked at her former fiancé.

Evie didn’t care. She dropped her clutch of Avalon’s arm.

No one else mattered at that moment.

Parker was like a beacon of light and hope. Seeing him stand before her in a black tux surprised her. His blonde hair looked to be professionally styled. Smooth cheeks and chin meant that he’d also shaved; something he normally neglected.

What was up?

Parker’s smile gave her butterflies. That smile was for her. He reached a hand out, beckoning her.

Am I dreaming?

She dared to believe that she was forgiven.

Evie’s lips parted as she stepped to him, her eyes full of so much love that she hoped he could see it.

“Hi, baby,” Parker said, both of them ignoring Avalon.

As if floating on air, Evie took Parker’s hands and allowed herself to be pulled so close to him that their chests pressed together.

Looking into his eyes, Evie felt tears sting hers.

“Parker,” she said in a soft voice. “What are you doing here?”

He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her deeply.

“What is going on here?” Avalon took a step to Evie but was stopped by a perfectly manicured hand.

Evie glanced back, shock filling her eyes as she watched her mother lock arms with Avalon.

“Mother?”

“Evening, dear.” Adelaide gave her a wink and returned her attention to Avalon, who looked furious.

“Listen now, Avalon,” Adelaide whispered. “Let’s not make a scene in front of the entire town of Woodland Creek.”

Avalon’s scowl faded as he looked around to see that everyone in attendance quieted and stared at them.

Evie couldn’t help but smile when Wesley and Olivia entered the room, hand in hand, and dressed in regency era attire.

They smiled at her, giving her a nod.

Avalon noticed them as well.

“Someone better answer me,” he said through clenched teeth. When his eyes flickered from Evie to Parker, his face reddened almost as bright as his hair.

Evie watched him clench his jaw and turned back to Parker to see what everyone stared at.

Seeing Parker on one knee before her sent her tears streaming down her cheeks. She didn’t care that she was ruining her makeup. She wanted this more than anything in the world.

“Evie,” Parker said. He looked to her mother. “Adelaide told me everything.”

She grinned, a weight lifting from her shoulders. Her secret was out. The man she loved knew everything now. Liberating didn’t begin to describe how she felt.

Sniffling, she went to her knees with him. She clutched his hands in hers, never wanting to let go again.

“Do you still love me?”

His blue eyes glistened with fresh tears of his own. He smiled through them. “I could never stop loving you. I knew something was wrong when you left that day, and now I know why.” His eyes hardened when he glanced at Avalon.

Adelaide held Avalon back. “This scene is for Evie. Don’t interfere by trying to make one of your own, or I will ruin you. Understand?”

Evie didn’t bother to look back at Avalon. All she wanted was to taste Parker’s mouth.

She kissed him, not caring that everyone watched. When they broke away from their kiss, he held out her engagement ring.

“This,” he said, taking her hand to put the ring on her finger. “Belongs to you.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I will say yes to you every day for the rest of our lives.”

“I was hoping you’d say that,” Parker said. He stood and pulled her to her feet.

Everyone cheered.

Everyone but Avalon.

When Evie dared to look at him, she was surprised to see hurt in his eyes. Not anger. Not rage. Genuine hurt.

She almost wished she’d seen the anger at that moment. Hurting anyone, even someone like Avalon didn’t make her feel good.

She offered him a smile. The roar of the crowd filled her ears as she mouthed ‘sorry’ to him.

“Be a good sport, Avalon,” Adelaide said.

“Please,” Evie said, letting go of Parker’s hand for a moment. She didn’t need to rub it in his face. She could have, but she wanted to be sensitive to his feelings.

Avalon pulled his arm away from Adelaide. Wes took a step closer.

“All will be forgiven,” Wes said.

“Yes,” Evie said, nodding. “I beg you. Please…just let me go.”

The crowd cheered for the new couple. Her family waited for Avalon’s reply. Everything seemed to hinge on Avalon’s next move.

And then the ballroom went black.

“RUN, EVIE,” ADELAIDE shouted over the screams of the crowd.

“No,” Evie said. “I know what to do.”

Evie stood there in the pitch black, her eyes adjusting. She scanned the crowd, searching for Avalon.

So much for being a nice girl.

She grabbed Parker’s hand and pulled him to her. “Listen,” she said to him, her eyes still looking for Avalon.

“We need to get out of here,” Parker said, wrapping an arm behind her back and pushing her toward the exit.

“Baby, you know all of my secrets now, and I will never keep anything from you ever again. But I need you to trust me right now.”

“What? No. We need to get out of here.” He held tighter.

A glow came from the floor, lightening the room slightly. Evie gave Wes a nod, thanking him for helping light the exits for the partygoers.

Wes nodded in return. “You should come with us, Parker. Evie has to do this on her own.”

Parker faced her, his eyes worried. “I can’t lose you again.”

She kissed him. “You won’t.”

Wizard’s fire blew toward them, lighting the entire room a bright blue color. Gasping, Evie shielded Parker from the flames.

Evie’s eyes glowed gold as she picked him up and flew him straight through the house and out the door. Parker’s eyes widened as they shot through the hallway, Evie’s body deflecting the flames, sending them back to the source.

They both heard a loud cry of pain, and she clenched her jaw, knowing the voice.

Once outside, Evie and Parker rolled onto the ground.

“Oops,” she said. “I’ve never flown with someone before.”

“It’s okay,” Parker said, breathless. “You really are incredible. You know that?”

She kissed him. “Please, go with my family and stay safe until I return.”

Parker nodded.

“I love you,” she said.

“I love you more.”

Evie flashed a quick smile and ran back inside.

Her eyes widened with surprise when she bumped into Quinn in the foyer, just as hordes of guests ran past her the other way.

“Good lord,” Quinn said as she stepped over broken glass and rubble. “You just couldn’t wait for me to get here, could you?”

“You’re always late.”

Quinn adjusted her glasses as she surveyed the damage. “Well,” she said. “What do you need me to do?”

Evie nodded to Avalon’s thugs as they came running in from their posts.

“Take care of them for me.”

“Absolutely,” Quinn said, building small balls of red wizard’s fire between her hands. She shot the flame at Avalon’s biggest man, sending him flying into a nearby wall. The loud crash that resulted made Evie wince.

Quinn glanced back at Evie, who stood by, pleased by her best friend’s talents.

“Run along. Get him.”

Evie took careful steps as she entered the ballroom.

“Avalon!”

She called out his name, hoping he would show his face.

The ballroom was empty of all guests now. Only random heels, trays of food, broken champagne bottles, and debris remained.

“Run, Evie!” Quinn’s voice shouted from the front of the mansion.

Evie almost paused to watch her in action, seeing bodies flying left and right. Then, more wizard’s fire as Avalon launched himself at her from the balcony of the second floor of the ballroom.

Heart racing, sweat dripping, Evie ran as fast as her legs would take her. She burst through the back doors to the garden and down the whitewashed stone steps.

Her heels stabbed the soil as she raced from the garden and toward the forest.

Avalon chased her, his speed astonishing.

All she needed was to get far enough away from the public and the tables would quickly turn. She clenched her fist and gritted her teeth.

Evie screeched, hoping he would gain his confidence that she was afraid of him once again.

Come now, Avalon. Follow me.

Her eyes were fixed on the forest. Any other girl would seek aid in town, but Evie knew better. They had no idea who or what she was.

“Stop running,” Avalon shouted. “You can’t run forever!”

Evie ripped open the corset of her dress the instant she was in the concealment of the trees.

“I just want to talk to you. I won’t hold what you did against you. We can still work this all out.”

Evie could hear it in his voice. He was not going to let her get away with what she’d done. Seeing her with Parker clearly destroyed his last shred of sanity. No wizard had revealed their powers in public for as long as she’d been alive.

She was sure that the next day everything would be explained away as some natural or scientific occurrence. None of that mattered if she didn’t survive the night.

Avalon meant her serious harm. She knew what he could do with his power, and that was her fate unless she took matters into her own hands.

Still running, she pulled her dress over her head into the brush.

“What are you doing?”

Always keep clothes nearby.

She almost shouted turn around and leave me alone or you’ll be sorry, but she wanted to hurt him.

He deserved it.

No one messes with her family.

Shrouded by the security of the forest, Evie stopped. She heard his footsteps and turned around.

Face set with hate, she took off her glasses.

She wanted him to see her eyes.

To feel the rage festering in her soul like flames in a pyre.

He skidded to a stop and stood there in silence as Evie tossed her glasses into the woods.

Her eyes changed. They began to glow.

“What are you doing, Evie? I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I told you to let me go,” Evie said. She closed her eyes, threw her arms into the air, and sucked in a deep breath as her body began to shift.

Painless.

Effortless.

Almost euphoric.

Evie’s bones bent. Her skin tingled as black feathers and fur took the place of her creamy white flesh. Silver talons replaced her nails, and her mouth became a white beak with a tip that curved downward.

Those eyes, silver and glowing, flickered open and glared at Avalon who seemed to shrink away.

He lifted his hands, showering wizard’s fire in her direction.

She smiled as the flames cooled as they neared her body.

Just like her mother, Evie transformed into a creature of myth, legend, and nightmare. As a gryphon, powerful and majestic, Evie was filled with enough confidence to exact her revenge.

Lightning quickness aided her in flying into him. She grabbed Avalon by his neck and carried him high into the black sky.

His yell filled the air and Evie’s ears, but there would be no mercy. She continued to climb the air with her wings flapping in tune to her heart beat. The clouds were a welcome blanket for her, and yet the Avalon shivered at the drop in temperature.

“Let me down,” he shouted in between coughs and screams.

“No,” Evie said in a calm voice.

“Please, Evie. All I wanted was to love you. And for you to love me back.”

Evie took him higher and higher until even she was too afraid to venture any further. This was as far as she would go.

“But I don’t love you, Avalon. You took me from the man I loved. Now, tell me you won’t hurt my family anymore,” she shouted.

Avalon looked at her, eyes wide with fear, but there was more…something she couldn’t decipher.

“I promise,” he said. “Now let’s go back down and talk this over.”

Evie stared at him.

For the first time since she met him, she was able to read him.

Horror filled her mind.

He’d done things to Olivia. Things that would haunt Evie forever. She could only imagine how Olivia was coping.

Rage filled her.

All logic escaped her mind.

Before she could stop herself, she crushed Avalon’s neck with her talons and tossed his body yards away through the air. Panting with anger, she watched his body soar through the air and fall downward to the ground.

Alone.

So many emotions filled her.

Relief, sorrow, and fear overwhelmed her.

Is it over?

The silence answered her.

Avalon was gone.

Yes, she thought, a tingly sensation flooding her body.

Was this what victory felt like?

It’s over.

THE SWEET SMELL of hydrangeas filled Evie’s nostrils. It was the best smell in the world.

She carried the bouquet at chest height, her hands tightly gripping it as if someone might run up and steal them from her.

She’d be ready for them. No one would steal her happiness ever again.

Nothing was better than seeing Parker standing at the altar.

Was she dreaming?

Her smile felt as though it took over her entire face.

All that Evie and Parker had endured together.

All of the years they had spent falling in love with each other.

It led to that moment.

Wes gave her hand a pat as he led her down the aisle. She beamed at him, giving him a peck on the cheek as they made their way along the white rose petals that led to Parker.

Everyone that loved her was there. Quinn grinned from her spot at the altar as her maid-of-honor. Olivia stood right behind her in matching lavender gowns.

Parker’s parents watched with delight from the front row.

Adelaide watched from the front row across from them. Tears streamed her face, and she didn’t even care to wipe them away.

A spring wedding in Paris.

This is what Evie had been waiting for all of her life.

Wes kissed her cheek and stepped away to stand behind Parker’s brother, cousin, and best friend.

Evie stood before Parker, her heart full of so much love that it spilled forth in the form of tears.

He reached for her hands, taking them into his own.

“We did it,” he said to her in a whisper.

She nodded. “We did.”

No one else existed at that moment. The priest waited for them, respecting the gravity of that moment.

A tear escaped Parker’s eye. “I’m never letting you go.”

Evie smiled through tears, and nodded. “I know,” she said. “This is not a dream”

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my novella from Woodland Creek!

All reviews are appreciated.

If you would like to read more from the Woodland Creek series, please click on the link below:

Woodland Creek Website

K.N. Lee is an award-winning author that resides in Charlotte, North Carolina. When she is not writing twisted tales, fantasy novels, and dark poetry, she does a great deal of traveling and promotes other authors. Wannabe rock-star, foreign language enthusiast, and anime geek, K.N. Lee also enjoys helping others reach their writing and publishing goals. She is a winner of the Elevate Lifestyle Top 30 Under 30 "Future Leaders of Charlotte" award for her success as a writer, business owner, and for community service.

Author, K.N. Lee loves hearing from fans and readers. Connect with her!

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