Chapter 12 #2
As Skylar spun around her chest brushed his body, igniting her desire, leaving her skin tingling with awareness. The scent of him washed over her and she relaxed her palm onto his chest. She looked up into his eyes for a second, her heart crushed.
“Hey.” His hand cupped her cheek and she closed her eyes.
“It’s going to be all right, sweetheart. If this goes sideways, get your mom and dad to the car. I’ll hold them off,” he told her, his voice both strong and calm.
She nodded and stepped behind him.
As he opened the door, she caught sight of Greyson and Sebastian. But it was the striking woman standing next to him who caught her attention. With long ice blonde hair, the petite woman wore a tailored white linen pantsuit. Wearing dark Chanel sunglasses, she feigned a smile.
“What are you guys doing?” Rafe asked under his breath and attempted to close the door. “You’ve got to get out of here. I’m not kidding. Get out.”
Greyson blocked it with his hand. “Bad news, wolf. We can’t risk leaving Skylar without setting wards.
Sebastian is a cunt but he’s not wrong. We don’t know if she’s being followed.
Her parents are a lesser risk but human, nonetheless.
Ilsbeth will set a protection spell so they’re invisible to the paranormal. ”
“Are you kidding me?” Rafe exclaimed. “No, no she cannot come in here.”
“Everything okay, Sky?” Her father asked.
“Yeah, yeah Dad. Just someone looking for their rental,” Skylar lied.
“You guys have got to get out of here. I’m serious. Do whatever you’ve got to do outside and go. Except for Greyson. Just wait in the driveway. I’ll be out within the hour.”
“Rafe. Darling. No hug for mommy?” Ilsbeth asked.
Skylar’s eyes widened in shock. The High Priestess. Why is she at my house? “I’m really sorry and I very much appreciate your, um, protection but you see my parents are here and I don’t think this is a good idea.”
“She’s a delightful human. Goddess does have a sense of humor. Now are you going to introduce us?” Ilsbeth glared at Rafe. “I think I’ve earned the right to meet my son’s human.”
“No, ma’am. No, I’m not his human.” Skylar forced a smile and glanced up to Rafe whose focus rested on Ilsbeth, his glare equally formidable.
“Skylar’s mine. You will not harm her or her family.”
“Darling. Would I have come across the world just to harm a human? Surely you know I can do that from a distance.”
Rafe released a low growl.
Skylar’s heart raced as Ilsbeth addressed her.
“This human is your human. She just doesn’t know it yet.
And as such, I give you my word. I shall do no harm.
Now please, if you want me to set the wards, I shall walk towards the water, preferably through the house, not the woods.
Surely your parents will see us out there so it’s best to make introductions. ”
“Yes, I suppose you’re right.” Jesus, what am I doing? Nervous energy whipped through Skylar, tightening like a vice. She settled her focus on Greyson and Sebastian. “Hey, you two. No fangs. Got it?”
She looked to Rafe, a corner of his mouth ticking upward. “Good rule. And be fast.”
“And where’s that demon?” Skylar asked. “He’d better not show up here again. My parents just got off a month-long vacation and it’s a private party. I cannot have any of what happened in Las Vegas happen here. No trouble.”
“In and out. Got me?” Rafe pointed at them. “After you’re done, Greyson’s gonna come get me and we’ll leave.”
“After we’re done here, Bash is staying behind to keep an eye out,” Greyson said. “Skylar comes with us.”
“No.” Both Rafe and Skylar protested.
“From a distance, of course,” Sebastian explained.
“Darling. Sebastian is hardly the one to be afraid of.” Ilsbeth glanced at Greyson.
“We are all in a precarious situation, aren’t we now?
You’ve attracted the attention of a very dangerous creature who is likely to come finish off her prey.
” The witch set a hand onto her hip. “I expect my son will take his human with him. If they get you here, they’ll take your parents. ”
Skylar’s mind raced. Who is this woman? What is happening to my life?
Literally a month ago she was drinking a café au lait and selling books while working the occasional acting gig.
It was a calm, somewhat predictable, happy life.
Weeks later, she was trying to put her trust in a witch that she’d just met who was explaining that an ancient vampire was going to watch over her parents.
“I…I don’t want anything to happen to them. Sebastian lied about who he was.” Skylar glared at him.
“You clearly are a virgin to paranormal ways.” Ilsbeth glanced at Rafe and raised an eyebrow.
Skylar froze as the witch leaned in towards her and sniffed. Startled, she jumped back towards Rafe putting distance between them. What the hell?
“Perhaps I misspoke. It seems you have been educating yourself on my son.” Ilsbeth wore a closed smile.
Skylar stared at the witch and took a deep breath.
“I don’t want my parents hurt. They don’t go to blood bars or to pack houses.
They’re humans. Retired. Lovely people. I realize it’s by my own doing I’m in this situation, but I cannot agree to allowing a vampire to stay here. I need your word he won’t hurt them.”
“You have my word,” Ilsbeth told her, her tone serious.
“Believe me, my word, my promise, that’s not something I grant lightly.
Your parents will see no harm. As long as you agree to stay under Rafe and Greyson’s protection, leave this place, you’ll be far away from them.
Don’t worry about the vampire. Sebastian owes me a favor.
As does Viktor who has promised to back him up should he need assistance.
I cannot promise you will be entirely safe, but we will certainly try. ”
Skylar released a breath, her mind resigning, adjusting to her new reality. “I’ve got to keep my parents safe. But I’m trusting all of you.”
“Are you ready?” Rafe asked.
“Let me do the introductions,” Skylar whispered as she reached for the door. “Keep it short. Do not. I repeat do not tell them what is going on or I will never be allowed to leave this house. Be inconspicuous.”
“Sure.” Greyson shrugged. “We can do that.”
Skylar couldn’t look at Rafe as she stepped inside.
She simmered with anger for her own actions.
She wasn’t the first woman on earth to fall for the wrong person.
She steeled her nerves, remembering who she was.
An actress. As she walked into the kitchen, she prepared for the greatest role of her life.
“Mom. Dad.” Her parents stood up from the table, her father wearing a distrustful smile. “No, please. Please sit down. These are friends. This, this handsome gentleman is Greyson. I met him in New Orleans. With Rafe.”
“I’m his cousin. Twice removed.” Greyson shot her mom a charming smile and her mom’s face lit up with delight.
“And this. Um, this is Sebastian.”
“I’m Greyson’s brother,” The vampire spoke with a slow confident cadence. “Lovely to meet you both.”
“And I’m his mother, Ilsbeth.” The witch strode toward Skylar’s mom and offered her hand.
“Ilsbeth and I met in New Orleans. She’s quite the talented m—” Skylar’s mouth gaped open as Ilsbeth interrupted.
“Witch.” The High Priestess offered a cool smile, her shoulders back with a perfect posture.
Skylar’s stomach dropped. She glanced to Rafe who grimaced.
“A witch? How interesting,” Her mom stood and shook Ilsbeth hand. “Well it’s lovely to meet you too. Would you like a glass of wine? What brings you to Port Townsend?”
“She’s a psychic. You know, mom. It’s New Orleans.” Skylar looked to Rafe, who nodded.
“Oh honey.” her mom replied with delight. “We’re so happy to meet Rafe’s mom. What a wonderful job you must have. A witch. Amazing.”
“At least someone appreciates my gift,” Ilsbeth replied blithely.
“I invited her to come here. They were in the area. And well, they only have a few minutes to stay.”
“What business are you in?” Her dad nodded towards Sebastian and Greyson.
“Modeling,” Sebastian replied without missing a beat.
“Mom. Dad. I know you must have a million questions, but I really need to show Ilsbeth the yard. They, uh, they actually have a flight to catch. Sorry I wasn’t expecting you’d be back. It was kind of a surprise nature blessing kind of thing.”
“I know you’ve been in New Orleans for a few years, but I didn’t think you’d become so involved with the occult.” Her father appeared otherwise unfazed. He stabbed at a piece of cheese and turned to her mom. “Patty, do we have any frozen meatballs?”
“I think we’ve got some in there from last month. I’ve also got some gnocchi. They’ll go perfect with the olive oil we brought back from Croatia.” Her mom turned to Rafe, who slid into the chair next to her. She placed her hand onto his forearm. “You sure you can’t stay for dinner later?”
“No.” Both Rafe and Skylar said at the same time.
With her heart pounding in her chest she gestured toward the sliding glass door. “We can go out back. We’d love to have you next time you’re in town. Mom, they’ve got to catch a flight.”
“Lovely meeting you,” Ilsbeth waved.
“Truly a pleasure,” Sebastian gave a bow and winked at Skylar’s mom.
“No flirting with my wife, pretty boy,” Neil growled.
“Thank you. We’ll be in and out, I assure you. Like she said, we’ve got to go. Definitely next time, I’d love to try your meatballs.” Greyson nodded with a smile and filed outside to the yard.
Skylar rushed behind them and closed the door. She gave her mom a wave through the glass. She turned away, concealing her facial expressions from her parents. No longer able to act, Skylar’s nerves came undone like a ball of yarn.
“Oh my God. Modeling? Seriously?” She sighed and shook her head. “I mean not that you both aren’t good looking. Okay, yeah, I guess you could be models but really? I am not that good of an actress for this.”
“Your mother is lovely. She has a positive aura,” Ilsbeth replied. “Especially for a human. She definitely has a toe into our world.”