Chapter 12 #3
“I assure you she does not. She just retired from teaching five years ago, enjoys things like going to lunch with her friends and traveling. She lives here not New Orleans.”
“Oh dear. You’d be surprised.” Ilsbeth set her bag onto a bench and looked to the water. “Take you for instance.”
“There is nothing woo-woo about me,” she countered.
“But you are my son’s human. You’ve done more than dip a toe into the magick of our world, but this can be discussed later. Right now. I set the wards.”
Skylar wove the strands of her damp hair into a thick braid and tossed it over her shoulder.
Emotion swirled in her chest, her heart heavy with guilt.
She recognized love when she saw it, and her parents were, without a doubt, in her mind crushing hard on Rafe more than she was.
And through all the insanity of Ilsbeth coming to ‘bless the home’, showing up with two extraordinary gentlemen who appeared swift to charm them as well, she’d resigned herself to leaving the safety of home once again.
She reached for the moisturizer, dripped the lotion onto her fingertips and applied it onto her face.
What could she possibly tell her very human mother about what was really happening?
She suspected her mom would be more likely to adapt to the paranormal.
At least she’d had her cards read one time when she’d come to visit her.
Her dad would never understand. Mumbo Jumbo is what her dad would call it.
It had been painful to lie to her parents about why she had to leave.
Yet Rafe’s witty conversation and plentiful compliments appeared to bewitch her parents, convinced they’d both return once they’d had a few days to relax.
He’d told her parents that he’d hired her as a consultant of sorts, that his eccentric ‘mother’ had a rare book collection he needed Skylar to assess.
The tale grew longer and more convincing, so much so it made her curious as to what treasures Ilsbeth held within her Garden District mansion.
Within minutes, her parents had forgotten their disappointment and Rafe had agreed to come to Thanksgiving dinner.
Skylar blew out a breath and shook her head. “What am I doing?”
A knock startled her and she peeked into the bedroom. Her mom poked her head inside and waved.
“Hey, can I come in? You dressed?”
“Yeah, yeah. Come in.” She gave a tight smile.
Her mom made her way over to the end of the bed, sat down and patted the one side.
The warmth of her childhood washed over Skylar as she sunk onto the mattress next to mom. She wrapped an arm around her shoulder, and Skylar hugged her mom tight, holding back the tears that threatened to fall. With a tidal wave of emotions flooding through her, she sucked a breath and pulled away.
“My bluest Sky. Is everything okay?”
This was the moment. Lying was no longer a viable option.
“I am okay.” Technically true depending on the definition.
“But, well. Mom. It’s about Rafe.” For a second she recalled their first dance.
Their only dance, his body heating hers as they moved together as one.
“It’s just…there’re a few things I want to tell you, but I really can’t explain it all at this time.
I don’t want to lie to you guys but…there’s been some trouble. ”
A concerned expression settled onto her mom’s face. “Honey, you know you can tell me anything. Whatever’s going on with you and your friend.” Patty raised an eyebrow, a corner of her lip ticking upward. “I feel like it’s going to be okay.”
“He’s great isn’t he?” Skylar mused.
“He seems so, but I just met him. I do know you though, and something’s wrong.”
“Rafe’s not human.” The confession slipped from her lips, relieving the pressure in her chest. In for a penny in for a pound, she rambled, her secrets on display.
“He’s a wolf. A vampire. He’s both. And the people he’s with.
They’re also not human.” Skylar lowered her head in shame.
“I took a job in L.A., and it ended. Thought I had another job in Vegas, but I was drugged and attacked by vampire.”
“Oh my God. Skylar. When did this happen? Why didn’t you call us? Are you okay?”
“Yes, yes. I’m fine but there’s something out there…
something paranormal. And it’s after me.
I’ve got to leave because I can’t put you and Dad in danger.
And I don’t want to argue about it. I know Dad wouldn’t believe a word of this but I’m betting you believe.
Ilsbeth. She’s not just blessing the house. She’s protecting things. With magick.”
“Remember when I let that woman read my cards in Jackson Square?”
“I do.” Skylar laughed.
“I’m just saying that I do know a little about the paranormal. Take the vampires. They once were people too. And wolves and witches? We’re all just people. So Rafe, the witch and the others? They’re here to protect you? They’re your friends?”
“I don’t know if I’d say that. I hardly even know any of them. But I know Rafe.” Oh how I know Rafe. Skylar sighed.
“Your dad and I will be fine here. We’ve got protection. Silver too.”
“What?” Skylar’s eyes widened.
“Sweetie, do you really think we don’t know what’s happening in the world? Besides, we all have a little magick in us.”
Skylar smiled at her mom. “Did you hear what I said though, mom? Rafe. He’s a wolf. And something bad is happening. I’m leaving because whatever this thing is, it wants me. And maybe Rafe. I don’t know. I just know I don’t want it here.”
“You don’t have to leave, Sky. You can stay right here and we’ll keep you safe. Trust me on that. But you’re an adult and Rafe seems like a good guy. I see souls not labels. And his soul, he’s a keeper.”
“Mom. You seriously just met him.” Skylar’s eyes widened. What is happening?
“I am aware I just met him. I’m a good judge of character.”
“But we didn’t tell you the truth.”
“I knew you were lying about the just friends part.” Her mom laughed. “Who are you kidding?”
“How can you be so calm about all this?” she asked. “And it’s true about us. We’re just friends. We have to be.”
“Honey, sometimes you have to take life just one step at a time. Now is one of those times. And besides, your dad and I don’t tell you everything either.”
“This is crazy.” Skylar shook her head. Tension curled in her gut, but her mother had rarely steered her in the wrong direction.
“Since you’re determined to go, I would suggest you spend time with his mother.”
“We’re headed there.”
“No, Sky. I mean spend time talking to her. Maybe there’s something you could learn. She’s a high priestess after all. Think of this as an opportunity. Not many people get to have a conversation with a witch, let alone a high priestess.”
“Why would you say that about her? Rafe told me she’s really dangerous.” She’s literally been to Hell.
“I don’t know. It’s just intuition. I know she cares. Why would she come all the way here to Washington, to our home no less, to bless it if she didn’t care?”
Skylar shot her a look. “Mom. She did a spell.”
“Blessing. Spell. Whatever. Words speak energy into action.”
“Okay. I’ll talk to her. I don’t think it’s going to do anything though. Some of these things…” Like me being human and him being a wolf. “Just some things can’t be changed. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
“None of us do.” She laughed and continued.
“You never know when God is going to punch your ticket. We all have an expiration date. Humans do anyway. You never know when it’s going to happen.
So in the meantime you’ve got to live this great life and follow your path.
Nothing is going to stop fate. Rafe is in your life for a reason. ”
“To break my heart?”
“That’s for you to find out. It’s going to be okay.”
“I hope so.”
After making love to Rafe, there was no going back. Her heart would get smashed into a million pieces one day soon. But today, she’d love herself and her parents. They would remain safe in Washington. When the evil came for her, she’d be protected…by her Alpha. Path chosen.
Dressed in blue jeans and a white tank top, Skylar stepped out of the car, humidity washing over her like a wall of water.
Considering the hot, summer soup, she wished she’d remained in Washington.
Though she’d considered wearing sandals, she settled on a well-worn pair of Doc Martens she’d accidentally left at her mom’s house over the holidays.
Shit kickers were in order for this trip back to New Orleans, and she planned on being the one doing the kicking.
She studied the sprawling mansion. Well hidden from the street by tall oaks and foliage, the home was nearly a quarter mile from the road. She imagined she’d stepped into a 1930s film with parties going late into the night.
“This is incredible,” she said, wonder in her expression as she took in the sight of the grand estate.
“You sure this is her house?” Rafe asked.
“Pretty sure. I dropped her off here.” Greyson tossed the key fob up into the air and caught it.
Rafe glanced to the black SUV, considering the vampire had picked them up in Washington. “How did you materialize us in the car? I thought you just, you know, transported people.”
“I do not divulge all my secrets at once, my friend. You have been promoted to the next level.”
“You’re kind of scary sometimes.”
“I’m mysterious.” He winked at Skylar. “Have to keep them on their toes.”
“I thought you said she lived in the Garden District?” Skylar asked.
“We’re in Covington. It’s her summer home, of sorts,” Greyson answered.
“She’s unwelcome in New Orleans,” Rafe said.
“She makes herself unwelcome. She knows damn well Samantha has taken over the coven.”
“Ever since the Dimitri incident, Acadian Wolves wants no part of her. He’s right about the coven though,” Rafe agreed. “There can only be one High Priestess of New Orleans, and she’s not it anymore.”
“I highly suggest you don’t tell her that,” Greyson warned. “She’s got money and a lot of time on her hands, so it appears she’s making her presence known.”