Chapter 21
Skylar’s fingertips danced over the piano keys. Though it had been years since she’d played, it was like riding a bike, her legato reflective of her strokes. Beethoven’s Für Elise, rhythmic and smooth, an infinitely recurring melody, lulled her into a meditation of sorts.
It had been nearly a week since she’d come home from Nevada. With her heart broken, it had been her choice to leave without saying goodbye. A quick text had been a cop-out but after everything that had happened, she needed time to process her own reality.
Her mom and dad didn’t ask many questions when she arrived, and she’d kept her newfound abilities a secret. She couldn’t find the words because she couldn’t explain it herself. The one person who could have helped her understand what happened had perished. Ilsbeth.
The Prophecy. The High Priestess had been correct all along. But she’d concealed the big secret. Her death. In an ultimate sacrifice, Ilsbeth was forced to return to Hell to ensure Zyaire never escaped the realm again.
Skylar couldn’t stop thinking about Rafe. Her heart ached, aware that he’d held a predilection for the witch. He’d mentioned he’d gone back to Wyoming, and she couldn’t bring herself to respond, wondering if he’d find his mate back in his old pack.
Yet every night she’d dreamt of him. In her fantasies, they’d make love until all hours in the night and she’d soar high, watching him run free in the forest. But each morning she woke to a nightmare.
No text. No call. No Rafe. It had been what she wanted yet each day her yearning grew stronger and she struggled to think of anything else.
“Hey honey, can you take this basket down to your dad?”
Her fingers stilled on the keys hearing her mom call from the kitchen. She smiled and pressed to her feet.
“Is it time to go?” Dressed in a pale blue sundress, Skylar had made herself presentable for dinner. Mom and Dad were taking her to their favorite seafood restaurant.
She sighed. Do it for Mom and Dad. Skylar pasted a smile onto her face as she lifted the basket.
“Thanks. Dad will handle the rest. I just want to have a little happy hour for sunset. Then we’ll go. You know, like the old days.”
“It’s getting late. The crows aren’t usually out right now.” Concerned the sight of them would make her shift right in front of her parents, Skylar had avoided going outside or feeding them.
“Oh, you know how he is. He’s probably taking more video of the orcas.”
The last time she’d watched the sunset she’d been with Rafe. She bit her lip, struggling to maintain her composure.
“Aw honey, whatever’s going on with you, and I’m guessing it has to do with Rafe, it’s going to be okay.”
Skylar nodded as her mom continued. “And if it’s about what happened? I told you not to worry about us. We were fine. Sebastian and your dad had a laugh riot taking him over to the VFW. They had an eighties band. He’s a great dancer. He was very popular with the ladies.”
Skylar laughed.
“You’re sure you’re okay?”
“I’ll be fine, Mom. I just need a little time off. Being here with you guys is just what I need.”
Skylar slipped on her sandals and headed down towards the overlook.
Her dad stood at its edge, with a pair of binoculars held tight to his face.
Curiosity piqued, she picked up her pace, wondering not just what her dad was looking at but what goodies Mom had packed in one of her famous happy hour surprise baskets of joy.
“Hey, Dad,” she called to him. “Are you ready for some wine?”
“Blue Sky. Come have a look at this.”
“Orcas?” She breathed a sigh of relief. The murder was nowhere to be seen likely getting ready to roost.
Skylar set the basket on the picnic table and joined her dad.
“Come see.”
“Where are they?” Skylar looked down into the sound at the glassy water.
“Over there.”
“I don’t see them.” She scanned the area. “Are you looking at the yacht?”
“Yeah, it’s nice, huh? I wonder who it belongs to?”
“Don’t know. Cool boat though.”
“Looks like it’s gonna pass right by. Hey, maybe I should get a boat again,” he mused.
“Mom will seriously kill you. You know she wants to go to Italy next summer.”
“Ah well, you’re probably right. So hey, let’s have a sit down. I’ve been meaning to talk to you all week, but I wanted to give you some space.”
Skylar sat down on the bench and stared at the water. “So yeah, what’s up?”
“I’m worried about you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so sad. Something seems different.”
Skylar closed her eyes, her heart aching, desperate for the truth to surface. Tears brimmed in her eyes, yearning to confess.
“Hey, now.” He wrapped a hand around her shoulder and patted her gently. “You know you can tell me anything.”
“It’s going to sound crazy.” She shook her head.
“Crazier than your mom and I spending the week with a thousand-year-old vampire?”
“Oh my God, he told you?” Her cheeks flushed.
“Don’t worry. Mom’s good. She’s still texting with him about which modeling agency he should switch to.” He laughed.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you everything.
The thing about Rafe? He’s an Alpha wolf and I met him in New Orleans.
And there was this whole ritual thing with this witch.
Not a regular witch but like a really, really strong one.
It’s complicated. And then Rafe had this issue with being a vampire because he’d been saved by Sebastian’s brother Viktor, and I don’t know how it happened, but I think… I ended up…Please don’t freak out...”
“I’m your dad. I don’t freak out. I internalize, hold it in and sulk. Much like you’re doing.” He gave her a gentle squeeze. “Out with it.”
“This witch, the magick, Rafe’s vampire? I don’t know what did it, but I think I turned into a raven. A couple of times.” Skylar closed her eyes, her whole body tensed, her lips pinched together tight in anticipation of her dad’s response.
“Are you serious?” he asked, his eyes wide, excitement in his voice.
“Yeah. Okay, I don’t know but I’m pretty sure. I can’t really explain it.”
“Your great-great-grandmother could shift,” he told her. “I know, I know, I probably should’ve told you but honestly it’s been centuries. I never got to see it for myself, but Grandma always loved birds.”
Skylar’s spirits lifted, turning toward her dad. He wore a broad smile, his focus trained on the yacht making its way through the sound.
“There’s something else, Dad. It’s about Rafe. Even though I like him, I just don’t think we can be together.”
“Really?”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”
“But you just said you transformed?”
“I know, I know. But that could have been a spell for all I know. The only thing I really know for sure is that I once again picked the wrong guy to catch feelings for.”
“Are you sure about that?” He smiled.
“What’s going on?” Skylar studied her dad, her eyebrows narrowed with suspicion.
“Ah, nothing. I’m just saying that sometimes when you think you have all the answers in the world, something comes along to change that.”
Skylar looked to the water. A smaller speedboat had emerged from the yacht. “What are they doing? Are they anchoring there?”
“Forget about that. Tell me about Rafe.”
“Dad. He’s everything. He’s brave. Funny. Honestly, I think he just needs a vacation. He’s loyal. He respects me. He’s…” Hot as fuck. “…not my person, though. Sadly. But yeah, that’s apparently how it works when you’re a wolf. And so…I shall get over this. I hope.”
“Life is full of surprises. Maybe you shouldn’t sell him short.”
“Well, it’s over.”
“Are you sure? Because he gave me a call—”
“What?” Her eyes widened in shock.
“Yeah, yeah, he pretty much told me everything.”
“He did what?” Her voice grew louder.
Her dad stood up and peered down the steps leading to the dock. “Hey, we’d better get this stuff out of the basket before your mom comes down. I’m gonna run back up and get a wine opener. She always forgets.”
Skylar turned to the basket and began to rummage through what appeared to be a basket full of kitchen towels. “Hey, Dad. I think Mom gave me the wrong…”
Her words trailed to silence, an awareness of his presence falling over her without him ever saying her name out loud. Skylar.
“Rafe?” Her pulse raced as she turned around to see him standing at the cliff’s edge.
Dressed in white linen pants and shirt, Rafe appeared as if he’d stepped out of an Italian fashion magazine. Tanned, with his face shaved and his hair slicked back, he wore a huge smile.
“I’ve missed you, sweetheart.”
“How did you get here?” Confusion swept over her as she looked back to the house. Her mom and dad peered at them through the glass sliding doors. They knew.
“Please don’t blame Patty and Neil.” Rafe took another step toward her.
She froze. Her heart pounded in her chest, fighting the urge to touch him, kiss him. She rooted her feet into the ground.
“You look beautiful.” Rafe took another step toward her.
“I…thank you.” At a loss for words, she gave a tight smile. “I’m sorry I left.”
“Today is a day for celebration,” he replied as he turned back to the steps and waved his hand.
“Henri?” Skylar peered down to the dingy, mind piecing together how they’d arrived. “How did you get here?”
“Henri. Would you mind doing a little setup for us?”
“Of course, sir.” Ilsbeth’s dutiful butler carried a huge red velvet sack and slung it onto the picnic table.
“What’s happening?” She laughed as he shook out a white satin runner and rolled it onto the ground.
“Almost done.” Rafe smiled. “It’s kind of a surprise.”
“My parents know about this?” She glanced back at them and then focused back on Rafe. Henri carried a white wicker basket filled with white and red roses, and commenced sprinkling copious amounts of petals onto the ground.
“This is lovely but what’s happening?”
“Patience.”
“But Rafe—” Skylar’s stomach flipped as Rafe winked at her, his sexy lips tempting her. His delicious woody scent drifted into her nose, reminding her of their night together.
“I wanted to make sure this was exactly right.”