FOUR - Graveyard

Cordelia Blackwell

I stared at the tombstone of Jeanette McConnel, and I read the epitaph engraved on the stone. “A loving mother and a precious servant of nature.” My eyes narrowed when I saw the date of her death, “1960.”

“You found her?” His voice startled me.

“Give me a heart attack, why don’t you?” I shook my head then turned back to the grave, “Yes, here lies Jeanette McConnel.” I paused for a second, “You know, this spirit didn’t just up and possess your sister. There must be another witch here, a living one, who’s used her. You better try and figure out who could be behind this, because this won’t be the end of it.”

He tilted his head to the side, “To become what I am, I had to make a couple of enemies.” He said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“More like a couple of hundred, but who's counting?” I mumbled under my breath, then shook my head, “My point is, the witch who did this must be extremely powerful. She opened a portal to the other side, it isn’t an easy spell, and she couldn't have used Earth Magic. Therefore, she’s extremely powerful and she will come at you again.”

“Does that mean you care about my well-being?” He asked with that annoying, beautiful, and very attractive smirk on his face.

I scoffed, “Really? That's all you heard?” I shook my head, “No, I don’t care about you. But if you’re living here in Midwick, this witch is a danger to us all.”

He picked up the shovel and began digging, “Don't worry about that, darling. I'll protect you.”

“I might have believed that if I didn't know what you do to witches.” The audacity of this man, using his flirty tone on me, thinking I'd fall for his lame advances. “I just want this night to be over and done with. Then hopefully we won't need to cross paths ever again.”

He suddenly stopped what he was doing, throwing the shovel harshly on the ground. In a second, he was in my face, clenching his jaw tightly, “You should really tone down that attitude of yours.”

Of course he had anger management issues. All wolves did. They were brutal with no manners, very primal and defended on instinct.

“Stop talking to me like that." I said firmly, standing straighter and trying to look taller before this hulk of a man. “I'm not one of your lackeys.”

He looked like he was battling with himself, as if he was holding back on something. The first idea that came to my mind was that he would try and attack me, rip my throat out or something equally bloody.

I was surprised when he took a deep breath, then stepped away from me before picking up the shovel and digging again.

“This is going to be one long night.” I heard him mutter. "The Moon Goddess sure has a funny way of punishing me.” I believe I wasn't supposed to hear the last part, but I did.

For the next ten minutes, there was nothing but silence. The only sound was that of the occasional wind blowing the remnant dried leaves of autumn. The sound of the shovel going through the dirt of the grave irked me, got under my skin.

I wasn't sure how he knew I was uncomfortable, but he suddenly asked, “Do cemeteries creep you out?”

No, death does.

“No, but flirty Alphas with notorious reputations usually do.” I snarked back.

It was my defense mechanism. I knew it wasn't wise to speak to him like that, but if I didn't then …

It was just so easy to feel the pull towards him; I believe that even my magic was gravitated towards Alpha Cadell. And that scared me more than anything.

He's what they call sex on legs. Having all the qualities of an attractive alpha male didn't help in the internal war I was having with myself.

The way his muscles flexed with every push of the shovel, how his back was broad in the way that pulled me to just touch them. I mean even his aura called for my attention.

He's an evil, power-hungry, obnoxious man.

I reminded myself harshly. I had to ground those teenage-like feelings I was having because of him.

“I've got her.” He announced and I heard the thump of the shovel hitting the coffin.

I took a few steps closer, as Cadell moved the dirt away and carried the coffin out like it weighed nothing.

The smell of dirt made my blood run cold, just for a second, I imagined myself in that coffin. My heart raced and my hand felt colder.

“Open it.” I told him in the most powerful voice I could muster at this moment.

The cemetery, the coffin, everything about this situation brought back memories that I wish to forget.

He tore the lid off in one swift movement. His nose scrunched in disgust, “That smell is terrible”

“That's how death smells like. It has to be terrible.” I commented, then leaned in front of the coffin. There was nothing but bones enclosed in what could have been a nice white dress.

I looked at the skeleton for a bit longer, “I'm sorry, sister. But we shall all reap what we sow.” I turned to Cadell, "Perhaps we should take the coffin with us to the mansion. I'm sure I can perform the spell there.”

“And we'll just leave an empty open grave?” He asked with a raised eyebrow. “What would the humans think?”

“Sheriff Fisher will handle it.” He was one of the humans in the know about the supernatural. He helped fight those who were evil, and helped those who were good.

He carried the coffin back to the car, and put it in the trunk. When he started driving I leaned my head back, trying to relax my eyes.

At some point I could feel his eyes on me, my skin prickled with how long he stared. “Better keep your eyes on the road.” I mumbled without looking at him.

“This is an interesting scar you have.” My heart skipped a beat. “How did you get it?”

I unconsciously stiffened, my muscles tensed, and my heart began racing in my chest. The only scar I have is the one on my throat, very faint, slightly lighter than the rest of my pale complexion.

Usually people don't notice it. Usually, I hide it better.

I couldn't form a reply, my lips pursed together, and I stared unblinkingly at the road ahead. We were already close to the mansion, and I couldn't wait to get out of this car.

“If that wound was deep enough, it could have been fatal.” Something about his tone raised my anxiety.

It was like he knew something. As if he was trying to connect some dots in his brain. It can't be though, because no one knows about this wound. No one can ever know.

“Are we really going to play twenty questions?” I retorted.

“Why not?” He said with a shrug.

“Alpha Cadell, we owe you a favor, let's get it over with and that's it.” I said with a frustrated sigh.

“You should call me Cain.”

This man was really hard to discourage. Thing is, I knew for sure that he had some ulterior motive. He pulled up in front of his mansion, and I found myself grateful again that I could leave this confined place I shared with him.

A man appeared, really handsome with light brown hair and very tanned skin, his body was more on the lean side, unlike Alpha Cadell.

“You're finally back. John is going nuts, I barely stopped him from barging into Sheila's room.” The man said in a rush.

“Daniel, this is Cordelia Blackwell, she's helping Sheila. Now, there's a coffin in my trunk. Get it and follow me to the back of the mansion.”

I wasn't sure what happened, but Daniel and Cadell both stared at each other, a silent conversation was happening between them. And I remembered reading about the mind link between pack members.

Daniel's eyes widened before drifting towards me and bowing his head slightly. “It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Blackwell. My name is Daniel Braxton, the Beta of the pack.”

“Pleasure is all mine, but there's no need for formalities, just call me Cordelia.” I told him with a polite smile.

He had this vibe about him, very friendly and familiar in a way. He nodded, “I'll go get the coffin then.”

Cadell strode away and I followed him, my heels sinking slightly into the grass and I really wanted to take them off.

“Didn't think you have a friendly bone in your body.” He said with a voice full of anger.

What did I ever do to this man?

I rolled my eyes, “I can be friendly, just with certain people.”