Chapter 12 #5
“May I ask why a human would demonstrate such interest in a wolf? The vampires, I get. When a human falls for a vampire, they’re essentially falling for an immortal human. But the wolves? They hold the magick of the Goddess within them. To continue their lines, they must mate with another shifter.”
“I’m sorry. I, uh, I know that I’m not his…” Skylar looked across the field. He gave her a wave that sent her heart fluttering and she smiled. “We’re just friends. We have to be.”
“Not all that appears true is true. And not all that appears false is false.”
Skylar sipped her water, allowing the bubbles to dance in her mouth, all the while avoiding commenting further.
“Rafe is a troubled creature. One with a good heart. He had a good life in Wyoming. He wasn’t meant for so much trouble. But I’m afraid saving him with my blood has brought a prophecy to light that I’d hoped wouldn’t happen.” Ilsbeth traced her finger along the rim of her glass.
“If I hadn’t been attacked…” It’s all my fault.
“Have you considered this was fate?” Ilsbeth asked.
“I believe in destiny, but I also believe in consequences. Long before I met Rafe, I’d made the decision to go to L.A.
It was my decision to take the part. I could have stayed in New Orleans, happily running my bookstore.
Clearly it was a mistake to go to L.A. But now, I’ll admit.
I’m a little over my head with all of this.
And Rafe—” Her chest tightened as she watched him throw the ball.
He’d never be hers. “We must remain friends. There is no other way.”
“Nonsense. You belong to him.” Ilsbeth sipped her tea. “My oh my. It is hot. You fancy a swim?”
Skylar looked to the pool. “I don’t have a suit.”
“The lesson repeats. Just because something doesn’t appear to exist doesn’t mean it doesn’t.” Ilsbeth motioned to her ever-watchful butler, snapped her fingers. pointed to the pool and then to Skylar. “Tell me about your necklace.”
“Um.” Skylar fingered the small crow around her neck, her intuition warned her against lying to the witch. “My mom gave it to me.”
“How old were you?”
“I guess I was around twenty-one or so. I haven’t worn it for a long time. It was in my old bedroom.”
“Is that a crow?”
“Yeah, my dad. He’s got a family of them. He feeds them every day. Even though it’s been years, the babies grow up and then they keep coming.”
“Why’d you move to New Orleans?” Ilsbeth asked.
“I went to college here. I love books. And film. New Orleans has both.”
“But you don’t go to blood clubs, I understand?”
“No.” The skin on her neck tingled as she recalled being bitten. Never again.
“And what about Rafe?”
“Hmm. What? I’m sorry?”
“He claims you.”
“I don’t know what that means. I’m human so…” Skylar shook her head, emotion still swirling in her chest. Her focus drifted to Rafe, who walked toward her, a sexy smile on his face.
“You and my son have found yourselves in quite a quagmire, have you not?”
“What? Oh, sorry.” Skylar’s attention snapped back to the witch, yet she couldn’t remember the question asked.
Ilsbeth smiled and shook her head. “It’s a good thing you’ve come to New Orleans. Now come. Swim before spells. It’s healing.”
“But I didn’t bring a swimsuit. I don’t know if I can—”
“My dear. It wasn’t a request.”
Skylar opened her mouth to speak but shut it as Ilsbeth rose and walked away toward the pool.
She glided with grace as if she were a model on a New York runway.
Spellbound by her electrifying presence, Skylar watched as the high priestess stripped off her robe revealing a white one-piece bathing suit.
She dove into the water, swimming without breath the entirety of the fifty-foot rectangular pool.
Mesmerized by the sight, Skylar watched in fascination as Ilsbeth emerged and turned around, her ice blue eyes piercing through to her soul.
Rafe touched her shoulder, instantly breaking the spell and she jumped in her seat. “Oh, Rafe. I, uh, think she wants us to go in the pool.”
“So I heard.”
“Why the water? Magick?” Skylar brushed a bead of sweat off her temple, the heat intensifying in the afternoon sun.
“Because it’s hot.” Rafe’s low voice rumbled through her, his sexy smile implied more than the weather.
The Alpha’s gaze burned over her skin, her heart pounding in her chest. His bite tingled on her neck, the sensation reaching down her body. She willed the pulsing ache between her legs to recede. As he reached for her hand, she willingly followed, helpless but to yearn for more.
Ilsbeth’s words played in her mind, tempting her like a rich box of chocolates. Was she implying that she and Rafe could be together? Were her words driven by kindness or sadism?
Rafe’s fingers brushed the small of her back.
Instinctively she leaned into him, his arm wrapping around her waist. Her heart pounded in her chest, the tendrils of her restraint pulled tight like a rubber band about to snap.
She wrapped her hands around her waist and pulled away, determined to keep her distance.
As she steeled her resolve, forcing a shield around her heart, her gaze locked on Ilsbeth. The witch smiled, staring right through her, as if she had read her thoughts. She knew.