15. Evelyn
15
Evelyn
I looked back to find her standing near one of our elders and Miss Clarissa, who was smirking at me.
“Where’s Professor Lucien?” I asked.
Miss Clarissa frowned. “Why?
“He’s grabbing some wine from the bar.” Morgana waved in dismissal. “Come now, we need to talk.” She snapped her fingers as if I were a dog.
Keep it calm, keep it contained, no wings, no flames.
That’s when I got another text message. I looked down at my phone and read, “Invite me in now!”
An echoing thud of panic rose in my chest.
Was that Alister?
Was something wrong?
A serving staff member walked over to us and addressed Morgana, “There’s a gentleman at the door without an invitation. I reckon he’s a vampire…”
Another text pinned: “Now, little phoenix.”
“Come in, Alister,” I said loud enough for him to hear over the murmur of the crowd.
“No! You stupid girl,” snapped Morgana.
In a blur, Alister zipped beside me, his arm around my waist.
“Why would you insult my wife, Matriarch?” His voice was cold, every word dripping with menace.
The room quieted immediately, tension settling over the attendees. Eyes flickered towards us, wary.
Alister’s monster was fully out, eyes blaring red, and people actually flinched when he glanced their way. Even Morgana looked pale for a moment, her usual composure faltering.
It was rare to see Morgana unnerved.
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling.
“Wife?” she asked, not able to mask the horror displayed on her face.
Alister grabbed my hand and lifted it, showing the tattoo on my ring finger.
Lia walked over, her eyes wide with disbelief. “You’re married?” Her tone was accusatory, almost as if I had betrayed her by not telling her.
Lia and I had always planned on getting married at the same time and having a grand party—a childhood dream now shattered.
I frowned at her.
It’s not like we were close anymore. Why was she so surprised?
Alister released me and strolled among the attendees, each one stiffening as he passed. He paused near some of the elders, his gaze piercing and unrelenting. I could see him battling with his monster.
They all paled under his scrutiny.
Considering most of the people in attendance were the same people who stood by while I burned at the stake, their reactions to Alister were somewhat satisfying.
He reached for a glass of wine from the bar, swirling the liquid thoughtfully before taking a measured sip. His face stayed expressionless, except for the slight narrowing of his eyes. With deliberate calm, he set the glass back on the bar— the stem cracking under the pressure of his grip.
“This will not do,” he said softly, the glass splintering as he released it, shards falling like deadly confetti.
Morgana turned her infuriated gaze on me. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done? Who this vampire is?” Her tone seethed with anger.
I squared my shoulders and lifted my chin. “I know exactly who this male is. My husband.” I smiled as Alister came to stand beside me, intertwining his fingers with mine.
We weren’t quite there yet—husband and wife—but there was no way I was not putting up a united stance in front of Morgana. I needed to show strength. There was still so much I didn’t know about Alister, and seeing everyone’s reactions to him only made me more eager to learn.
The Fates had chosen him for me for a reason and I wasn’t going to turn my back on that.
He was terrifying, yes, but it was more than just the red eyes and fangs. It was his essence—an unhinged, menacing aura that could make even the most hardened supernaturals shake with fear. There was something primal and unpredictable about him, a dangerous edge that set him apart.
And part of me found it undeniably sexy.
“I think we should call it a night, love. The wine is not to my liking,” he said, looking down at me. “What do you think?”
“I agree,” I replied without hesitation.
I bid farewell to Morgana with a curt nod and texted Lucien that I’d be heading back with Alister.
As we stepped outside into the cold night air, Alister turned to me. “They were planning something,” he whispered. “I’ve been keeping to the shadows outside, making sure you were okay when I overheard Morgana and the elders talking—they wanted to take you tonight.”
“What?” I stood there stunned.
“They were discussing your increased power and wanted to perform tests on you,” he said, his jaw tightening. “I should just go back there and behead them all and be done with it. I could be done in about 30, maybe 40 seconds tops.”
He looked at me expectantly.
Was he serious or joking?
“I think it’s best we uncover how far this goes before we start with the ‘off with their heads’ routine.”
He sighed. “I guess you’re right.”
“Why would a room full of witches and warlocks be afraid of one vampire?” I asked.
He smiled, and it was wicked. “I’ve acquired quite a reputation over the years.” His monster still peaking out. “There are many things you don’t know about me yet, little phoenix. I can become quite unhinged when provoked, but it’s more than that. I’ve also formed powerful alliances and hold secrets over many. I wanted them all to know we were married, and that you were under my protection. Was it too much?” he asked.
I laughed. “No, it was perfect. Seeing the Elders almost piss their pants is a memory I’ll cherish forever.” Whatever he held over them must be big.
Alister and I walked to the edge of the property, the estate’s lights fading behind us. The cold air was refreshing, and I welcomed it, needing the clarity.
“So, you were there all night, just lurking in the windows like a pervert?” I teased.
“There was no way I wasn’t going to make sure you were safe. The others felt the same way.”
“The others?”
“Did you seriously think your fated mate, your guardian angel, and those two shifters would stay away?”
We had walked further toward the forest edge when suddenly, a large shadow crept up beside us. I tensed, but then recognized the red eyes gleaming in the night.
“Chad?” I asked.
The massive Hellhound stepped into view, almost the size of a pony. His fur bristled as he rubbed himself against me affectionately.
“Hey there, Puppy,” I greeted him, running my fingers through his thick fur.
Alister pointed to the sky. “Look up.”
I gasped as I saw Rafe soaring above, but beside him was a large dragon—Ryker. He was enormous, his black scales glinting under the moonlight like polished obsidian. His wings spanned wide, creating a menacing silhouette. Every movement radiated power. He was the living embodiment of one of the rarest shifter forms. But then he began to waver, flickering out of sight and blending seamlessly with the night sky.
A chameleon dragon.
That’s why my fire didn’t burn him.
“We’ve got quite the entourage,” I muttered, still marveling at the sight.
Tearing my gaze away, and towards Alister. “I’d like to see if there are any clues at my parents’ house. It’s just a fifteen-minute drive outside the village.”
“What’s the address?” Alister asked, pulling out his phone.
I gave it to him and watched as he quickly texted Lucien.
“Will Lucien be okay? Should we wait for him?”
“He said to leave and that he’ll meet us there. Clarissa is parading him around.”
I rolled my eyes.
He turned back to me with a wicked grin. “Want to race? Test those wings of yours and see who’s fastest?”
I hesitated, glancing down at my clothes. “But my beautiful clothes…”
He shrugged. “I’ll buy you more.”
Excitement bubbled up inside me as I let my wings out, shredding the fabric at my back. They stretched out behind me, iridescent and glittery.
Alright wings, I said to them silently in my mind. We haven’t always been on the same wavelength, but let’s teach these males a lesson and leave them in the dust.
They flustered slightly in confirmation.
We all lined up—Alister and Chad beside me, and Rafe and Ryker above us.
“Make sure you keep close to the forest’s edge. I don’t want anyone to see us,” I warned.
“Get ready. Get set. Go!” Alister called out.
I rocketed forward like a bullet, the force almost too much for my body to handle. My skin felt like it was peeling off as I sliced through the air at breakneck speed.
The air whipped violently around me, a blur of colors and shapes melding together. The chill of the night bit at my cheeks, but the thrill of the race was exactly what I needed after the stressful evening.
A bubble of laughter sprang out of me.
Before I could blink, I was at my parents’ house, landing lightly on my feet.
Wow! That was amazing!
Exhilarating!
I never felt so powerful!
I turned and promptly vomited.
Alister arrived seconds later, followed by Rafe and then Ryker. Chad arrived last, shifting back into his human form—completely naked—and whining.
“I’m a freaking Hellhound! How can I be last?”
“You’ll never be last with Lucien around.” I joked.
Chad laughed hysterically, clutching his sides as he doubled over.
“Put some fucking pants on. It’s freezing,” Alister complained, but there was a faint smile on his lips.
The key was right where I had buried it in the dirt of a potted plant on the porch. The plant was dead and dried up, a sad remnant of what it once was. Mom would be heartbroken to see it like this.
One day, I promised myself, that the flowers and plants would flourish again.
I unlocked the door and stepped into my cozy home. It was a two-story cottage with a wraparound porch and a large herb garden at the back. It bordered the forest, private enough with neighbors a few miles away—a little oasis not too far from the village.
The air inside was stale, untouched for over a year.
I opened a window to let in some fresh air.
Ryker and Chad followed me in, both now wearing jogging pants—thanks to Rafe, who’d carried a bag of clothes for them. Their towering forms looked almost comical in the intimate space.
“Missed you,” Chad said, hugging me tightly.
“Same,” I mumbled to him, squeezing tight.
He released me, and I turned to everyone. “I’m going to look around,” I said. “Go through my father’s study and my mom’s stuff. See if I can find anything useful. You guys don’t have to stay. It’s going to be kinda boring.”
Ryker’s eyes locked onto mine. “We’re staying,” he assured, leaving no room for argument.
I tiptoed up to him, stretching my arms, and he leaned down, meeting me halfway then lifting me in his large arms. “Hey, big guy,” I said in his ear, “I love your dragon.”
He nodded, the curve of his lips twitching in a smile, then put me back down, his intense gaze lingering on me.
After the cold of the night, I instantly heated up under his intense scrutiny.
“We’ll help,” Alister said as I tore my eyes away from Ryker.
So we spent the rest of the night searching through books and stacks of papers. Every corner of my parents’ study was explored, each drawer opened and examined meticulously.
Lucien arrived hours later, looking positively exhausted.
“They extended an invitation to join the Luminary,” he announced wearily, dropping into a large chair. “Apparently, my ‘expertise’ is sought after.” He grimaced as he mentioned an upcoming date with Miss Clarissa.
We were all drained from the evening’s events. Lucien slumped in his chair; Rafe took another one nearby. Chad had shifted back into his Hellhound form and lay curled up on the floor, his tongue sticking out adorably.
I found myself sandwiched between Ryker and Alister on the sofa. The warmth from their bodies was comforting after such a tumultuous night.
At some point, Ryker snatched me up into his large arms, holding me close.
I felt a pang of guilt, knowing I was married to Alister yet seeking comfort from Ryker.
It was funny to think I had never kissed Alister, the man I was bound to, while Ryker, with whom I had hardly spoken, seemed the most affectionate—or maybe it was possessiveness.
Then there was Chad, who I had kissed once. He had alluded to a harem, which I still wasn’t sure if I was part of or had even agreed to… Plus, there was Rafe, who had given me a chaste kiss, and Lucien, who now had to date Miss Clarissa.
My feelings were a tangled mess.
Alister was my Fated Mate, so how was it possible for me to have feelings for the others?
It was a lot, and kind of confusing.
Too confusing for this tired brain.
It wasn’t long before exhaustion overtook us all, and we drifted off to sleep in the living room of my parents’ old home.