Never piss off a banshee
I pressed the "Print" button and heard the sheets slide out of the printer, which was standing somewhere behind me. Ole got down from the stool, got some sheets for me, and returned to his perch.
I borrowed Ole's pen and started translating whatever words I could make out. Once I did that, I used context clues to translate the words I was sure of. Thirty minutes later, with a huge headache, I pieced together a story written two hundred and forty years ago, even though the events in that story seemed to have taken place long before the story was written.
The story was about a witch who was worried about her newborn. Children disappeared in the village, and she was afraid for her daughter. A protective enchantment was set up to seal her tiny house in the woods.
Waking up one morning, the mother found that the crib was empty and the charms had been destroyed. She looked everywhere for her child, but she never foun
He gave me another soft, quick kiss"Yes, they would have done a rape test. We'd have proof of who attacked you." Clive clenched his jaw in anger, but then he managed and pulled himself together."You've had enough problems. When Helena told me that you talked about wanting to live on your own, move out of her apartment and start your own business, I wanted to help. I got the impression that you trust Marcus. Whatever it was, he was a member of the family. If I told you that it was from him, I was quite sure that you would agree.""I nodded. " I think I surprised both of us when I leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. He tilted his head, a wary interest in his eyes. I don't know what got into me. Perhaps the understanding that life is short, that Marcus is dead, and that Clive, no matter how hard he tried to hide it, was a hero, not a villain. Maybe mostly it was because I was tired of living in isolation. Whatever the reason, I changed my mind at the last minute and kissed him on the
In which Clive scares ShakespeareEvery time I turn my back, you are in troubleI kicked with all my might, pushing towards the surface.Gasping for air, I tried not to suffocate, and the waves kept rolling over me. I felt a bite on my hand and heard a loud crack. What, were they shooting at me? Diving down, I tried not to stick my head out, while doing my best not to drown. Blood gushed from the wound. Perfect. Sharks were not unheard of in this part of California.I needed air. If I float, they will shoot me. If I stay here, I'll drown or be eaten. Great. Great options. I was so glad that I decided to leave my sweet, warm, safe home to die saving a dead body. Everything must be well thought out.The chest was on fire. I needed air, but my body was tossing around like a rag doll. I heard a click and the water splashed a few inches from my head. I dived as fast as I could, trying to avoid the trajectory of the bullet.A huge figure was walking towards me. And it was the body of a woma
He claimed that I belonged to him“Miss Quinn, good to see you again. Although I regret this reason.” His gaze flickered over the dead woman, and then returned to me again. Is there a better place to work here?For a second I thought. "There is a sofa in the bookstore. Will it fit?""Yes, I think it will lift you higher." He smiled kindly. At least that's how it seemed to me. I hardly saw his face behind the beard. However, the skin around his eyes was wrinkled."Can we lose the wetsuit?"I tried to get up but slipped, my legs were too weak to stand. Clive was there, holding out his hand, but I pushed it away. I could fucking take care of myself. I didn't need his protection or his hand. I stifled a sob as I pulled my good leg under me and stood up. My wounds revived before a wave of pleasant pain relief washed through me again.I tried to unzip my wetsuit, but my hands were trembling. I was wearing only cycling sho
Mom's friend"Hey!" He carried me to the bathroom and set me on the floor, holding me until my legs began to work properly.“Remind me who was wandering around the city alone in the dead of night after numerous attempts on her life? Who jumped into the ocean for a dead body?" He tapped his chin in mock thought. "Let me think." He waited while I stood motionless in the bathroom with the door open."Now what? Can you help me undress?" I snorted and closed the door. Knowing I needed help but not wanting to ask for it, I kicked off the covers and tried to figure out how to get out of my shorts and sports bra without bleeding out. I knew that Clive and the drugs would take away most of the pain, but I still suffered from sudden painful spasms when I moved in the wrong direction.I was finally able to remove my shorts and panties without hurting the wounds and let them fall to the floor. A sports bra is a completely different story. I repeatedly and unsuccessfully tried to remove it, sweat
They stole my memory"Sam? Are you awake?" Squinting one eye, I tried to focus on Owen's worried face. Why did it hurt so much? "Thanks that..." Saved me. Knives pierced his throat with every whispered word.“Shit, Sam." The couch shook as Owen fell to his knees next to me. “Healing magic is none of my business. I tried, but I doubt I did well.” He rested his forehead on my shoulder. "I don't think I've ever been so scared in my life. Even when Jenny Lim tried to kiss me in first grade,” he said with a shudder."Underfoot?""I called. It took a while to trace his number and then he didn't answer, but I left a message. I also called my sister. Healing magic is her gift.""Clive?" If anyone could quickly bring Underfoot here, it would be Clive."Ah, no. I didn't bother him. I mean, the sun is still…” His voice trailed off at the last word. “And, well, he’s a little intimidating." I started nodding, but my neck and head were screaming in pain, so I tried to lie as still as possible."Cli
How arrogant vampires bathe in luxury"Could you hang up the phone, wait a few minutes and call back?" Then either Owen will answer or I'll redirect the call right away and he'll never know we've spoken. "Certainly. I look forward to meeting you in person."Ten minutes later the phone rang again. I ignored the call and let Owen answer. We needed normalcy and teasing. We needed something other than threat, fear, and dead bodies.Later, when I heard Owen's warm welcome voice, I slowly got up, not wanting to lose my balance and fall. I was pleasantly surprised that I feel good for the most part. It's time for a long-overdue retaliation prank.I looked around the bar and spotted a gorgeous guy in a green sweater that matched his light eyes perfectly. The guy was sitting at a table next to the bar. Owen was mixing the drink, keeping his eyes on Mr. Big Exotic. Perfect.I walked in, leaned against the bar next to the bookstore, and pretended not to notice his date. “Hey Owen, have you left
Russell followed us down the corridor and up the stone steps to the first floor. Clive turned in the opposite direction from the front door.We ended up in a two-story library that would have put the Beauty and the Beast library to shame. I stopped, just stopped. I could not get past the huge number of books. His library must be four times the size of my bookstore. I wanted nothing more than the time and freedom to climb ladders and inspect the shelves.Clive turned around. Seeing the look on my face, he shook his head, a grin curling up the corner of his mouth. “Russell, I need to bring you up to date. Sam, you can explore the library, but first I need to give you a proper introduction.""Oh, we've dated." I glanced at the man standing next to Clive. “He brought me here.""Yes, I know." Clive walked over to the dark mahogany table. “I mean, I would like you to get to know each other better. Sam, Russell is my second in command, my right hand."Russell winced at these words. “Russell
At night clubClick.Aside from a drunken pixie who regularly burst into song, preferring the tunes of 1950s shows, the evening was thankfully uneventful. I plucked up my courage, but waited until Owen was almost done before dragging him into the kitchen, where Dave was making shrimp pad thai."Go away! Dave roared."“We'll be quiet and not disturb you,” I whispered, pushing Owen towards the door to my apartment. "I need your help." He was waiting for an explanation."Clive," I pointed vaguely at the bar, not knowing why. “Tonight we should go to some nightclub south of the Market to talk to the wolves from the Bodega Bay pack."He nodded. "Okay, and..." I spread my hands, pointing to my clothes."I don't have nightclub clothes." Dave snorted. Owen moved, blocking Dave from my view."Understand. You take advantage of Owen for his unsurpassed fashion sense, but refuse to give him any sexy vampire