Sonia climbed into Emma's Cadillac SUV, closed the door, and looked over at her friend. "So, where we going for dinner?"
“Don’t even try it,” Emma replied in a stern voice.
“Fine,” Sonia spat. “I’ve been dreaming of this particular man for months. I swear I heard him speak to me in your house moments ago.” Her friend wanted to get to the point, so there it was. Now, Emma could think she was crazy because that is what Sonia was. In-freaking-sane.
Emma stared at her, mouth gaping, and her hand still clutching the key fob. “Why didn’t you tell me you met someone? Where? Who? Details and leave nothing out.”
Sonia sighed. “Either I’ve gone stark raving mad, or Nana’s gypsy ways are finally wearing off on me. I’ve never met him. I have no idea what his name is. I only know he has blond hair and is built like a freaking gladiator. My dreams never show his face.”
Her friend grinned. “He sounds yummy. It’s probably your lack of a sex life that has dreamt this guy up.”
Sonia fidgeted with the strap of her purse. “No. Maybe. It’s so real. I feel his emotions, like now he is in pain.” The urge to flee from the vehicle and help him made her legs twitch, but she had no place to go.
Emma laughed. “Are you sure that’s not you being pissed at me for prying?”
She met Emma’s gaze and shook her head. “No. This sounds completely insane, but my heart knows he’s real.” She threw her hands up. “My mind knows he isn’t, but my heart says he’s been looking for me. Inside your house, I heard him ask where I was.” She shivered again. The unexplainable urge to help him washed over her once more.
For God’s sake, listen to yourself. You can’t decide one minute to the next if you believe this shit or not. Your heart knows it. Ha!
“You’re serious.” Emma’s features became somber. “Look. Have you talked to your grandmother about this? She might have answers and make sure he isn’t a demon.” Her friend looked away. “I mean, I understand that gypsies know things the rest of us don’t.”
Her friend referred to the tarot reading her grandmother had given Emma before she had gone off to college. The cards had indicated love and riches. Well, hell.
“Not yet.” Besides, this man was no demon. Of that, she would stake her life. It was more likely her nana would confirm Sonia’s biggest fear. There was something to the ancient gypsy myth about soul mates and fate, and then she would be forced to believe the tarot cards her grandmother read. Compelled to accept her heritage as one that was different than most normal people. “Can we just forget about this for now and go out?”
Emma studied her before relenting. “Sure. But don’t think this is over. So, what are you in the mood for?"
Sonia shrugged. "I don't care, someplace we can have a drink because I need one."
Emma started the vehicle and backed out of the garage then maneuvered her way down the driveway. "I get the feeling something else is bothering you tonight."
Damn it. Emma read her like a book. “I didn't want to say anything until it was a sure deal, but the vet's office has sold to a new owner..." She took a deep breath and tried not to become emotional, reminding herself it was only a job. "They're not keeping any of the old staff." She quickly looked out the window and tried to focus her attention on the scenery that sped past.
"My God, Sonia. You love that job. What are you going to do now? How much time do you have left?"
Sonia waited, letting several minutes pass before she answered. “Well, I guess I'll find a new job. I mean I have money set aside, so I don't need to be in a hurry. And of course, Mom and Dad's house is paid for so there's no worry there. They gave us until the end of next month, but said if any of us found a position before that, we should feel free to go ahead and take it." Silence ticked away inside the SUV, broken only by the hum of the tires on the pavement. Emma finally spoke up.
“Well that just sucks, but you can look at this as a new adventure. A new chapter in your life. Hey, that little shop that I want to take you to happened to have a notice up that they were hiring. Maybe while we’re in there, you can talk to them about it."
Sonia wasn't sure she was ready to go down that road just yet. "We'll see."
The girls finally arrived in town, and Emma maneuvered her boat of a vehicle into a parking space that just happened to be right in front of the new little shop. Sonia opened the door and hopped out. "I'll get the parking meter." She shoved her hand into her purse and dug for change. Pulling out a quarter, she fed it into the meter and gave the handle a turn.
"That's a cute name. Bedazzled Jewels,” Sonia stated.
Emma giggled behind her. "I can't wait to see what's in there. From the looks of the items in the window, it's pretty intriguing." She looped her arm through Sonia's. "Come on, let's go inside." The girls headed for the front door and pulled it open. A delightful bell sounded, and a woman hurried into the room from somewhere in the back.
"Good evening, ladies. Is there something in particular you’re looking for, or are you just browsing?" the redhead asked.
“We're just browsing right now," Emma replied.
The woman smiled again. “My name is Korinna, and I am the shop’s owner. Please let me know if you have any questions about any of the items in the store. There are some unique pieces here. Many I've collected from around the world, so some of them have quite the history." She gave them a wink and walked away, busying herself behind the long, glass case on the other side of the room.
"You should ask her about the job," Emma whispered as she jabbed Sonia in the side.
Sonia rolled her eyes at her friend and walked away, picking up a brooch that looked like it had seen several decades. She laid it back down and moved on. The store had a feel she liked. Bright, beautiful colors adorned the walls in the form of murals, which she assumed were places the woman had visited. On one side was a large painting of what had to be Venice. A canal with floating gondolas ran between ancient buildings. The other was a castle nestled in a forested hillside. Even the room smelled comforting. A pleasant floral scent mixed with rain filled the air.
The proprietor herself appeared to be no older than her late twenties to early thirties. Long, red curls were pulled back into a ponytail, and she wore a sapphire blue dress with black leather boots. Something about her definitely seemed familiar, which was crazy. Sonia had never met the woman before, nor did she know anybody who even looked like her. So why the familiarity? Perhaps it was just her warm smile, which no doubt would gain her lots of customers. Or maybe it was her beautiful violet eyes. They seemed knowing and reminded her of an old soul.
While Emma looked around, Sonia decided to go ahead and inquire about the job.
Andrei adjusted the pinstriped black and white tie until he was satisfied with his appearance. With his hair groomed, tied back with a piece of leather, and his facial hair trimmed nice and neat, he had to admit he cleaned up pretty well, considering only a few days ago he had woken from a deep sleep. His green eyes stared back at him in the mirror and were much clearer than they had been earlier. It seemed drinking an asshole dry could do wonders for not only one's mood but one’s entire physique.
He brushed a bit of lint off of the dark gray jacket he wore and stepped away from the mirror. His Italian leather shoes clicked as he crossed the stone floor of his suite and made his way to the other side.
"Roman?" He called out as he exited the room and headed down the long spiral staircase. He had grown fond of this castle... Well as fond as one could grow of a place that wasn't his home. He needed to find a way to get back to where he belonged, and hopefully tonight the witch would be his answer.
"Sire?" Roman appeared at the bottom of the stairs dressed in a fitting tuxedo that matched his black hair.
“Don't you make a fetching display." Andrei raised a brow. "I'm sure the ladies will be delighted to see you tonight."
Roman flashed a grin. "There might be a few who are anxious to see me."
Andrei chuckled. "You always were a ladies’ man, but one of these days you will find your true love and be forced to settle down."
This time Roman laughed. "Sire, I welcome the day when my fated one finally makes her presence known. However, until that time, I plan to enjoy myself to the fullest."
Andrei reached the bottom of the stairs and headed toward the front door. "As you should, my friend. As you should."
The men exited the castle and headed for Andrei's favorite car. A sleek, black Lamborghini.
"How much time do we have before we are fashionably late?" Andrei asked as he swung open the door and folded himself into the rich leather seat.
Roman slipped in beside him. "As long as it takes you to get there, Sire."
Andrei started the engine and listened to the purr. "Roman, you have to remember to drop the title." He shifted the car into drive and pressed his foot to the gas pedal, easing her out of the driveway until they reached the winding road headed into town.
Roman leaned back in his seat. "Don't worry, I know how to use your given name." He turned his head to look directly at Andrei. "Andrei Vladimir.”
Andrei gave a nod and pressed his foot harder against the accelerator. With a smooth, fluid motion, the car sped off. Trees flew by so fast, humans would never be able to detect what they were. The sports car hugged every corner like a fine lover, and for the first time since Andrei had woken from his sleep, he felt alive and guilty. He was here, enjoying one of humanity’s luxuries, while his people were trapped behind the mist. He was here, only existing. Feeding when he absolutely had to and then locking himself in his tomb deep below the castle when his hunger got out of control. He placed himself in stasis until his body forced him awake to once again repeat the process of feeding, creating his immortal children, hunting them, and then killing them. All because a witch had become enamored with him long ago and then angry when he had left her.
Sonia headed down the stairs, hardly believing two weeks earlier she had given her notice at the vet’s office. The smell of bacon and eggs cooking made her stomach rumble. When she reached the bottom, she crossed to the kitchen where her grandmother was cooking.
"Good morning." She stepped over and kissed her grandmother on the cheek. The woman gave her a warm smile.
“Good morning, nepotica. Coffee is ready, go grab a cup and sit. Breakfast will be done in a few minutes." The woman waved a spatula in the air, and Sonia laughed as she headed for the coffee pot. She grabbed a mug, filled it with her favorite hazelnut creamer and a cube of sugar then poured coffee to the brim. Stirring, she headed toward the table and took a seat.
"So, today is your first big day. Is it not?"
"Yes. My boss flew to Romania yesterday. Something about a charity function she needed to attend and then hoped to be able to purchase a couple of pieces while there," Sonia replied.
Her grandmother looked back at her with silver brows raised. "The motherland? Did she say where she was going?"
Of course her grandmother would want to know, considering she had come to America from Romania right before Sonia’s parents were killed. Even though her English was good, the woman still held a thick accent. When she spoke quickly, it could be hard to understand by those who hadn't been around her for many years.
"She did, but I don't recall where she said she was going. I was so nervous about having to be on my own today, I guess I didn't pay attention." To say that her boss had taken her by surprise and left her in charge right away would be an understatement.
Her grandmother scooped two sunny-side up eggs onto a plate with three strips of bacon and two slices of dry toast, and then set them in front of Sonia. "Perhaps one day she will take you with her. I would love for you to see the motherland."
Sonia patted her grandmother's hand. "Thanks for breakfast. I somehow doubt my boss is going to send me to Romania, or anywhere else for that matter, but I do have to admit I would love to see the country of your birth.”
"I believe your fate will one day lead you there. Things are beginning to fall into place for you, Sonia. One day soon, you will meet your prince, and he will sweep you off your feet."
Sonia stabbed her fork into her eggs to break the yolk, and then dipped the corner of her toast inside before taking a bite. She looked at her grandmother. "Nana, you know I don't believe in that fate stuff. I'm not going to Romania anytime soon, and I'm certainly not going to be meeting any prince.”
Her grandmother shook her head. "Sonia, I wish you would pay more attention to the ways of our people. You are gypsy and that makes you special. We can see things others cannot. Fate has everything to do with where we end up and how we live."
Sonia crunched on a piece of bacon and thought carefully about her next words. "Nana, if fate decides our lives then I certainly don't want anything to do with it. After all, it was fate that took away my parents." She loved her grandmother, truly she did. However, these conversations sometimes wore on her. Sonia wasn’t sure she liked fate. She believed things happened because of choices people made. There was no prince in her future. That was for little girls who lived in fairytales. Sonia would be lucky if she ever met Mr. Right. Even if she did, would he be taken from her too?
Living in a small community didn't open up many opportunities to meet new guys. Those she'd gone to school with certainly were not ones she wished to one day marry. And it was unlikely some stranger was going to gallop into town on his stallion, swoop her up, and take her away. This was a small, tightknit community where men like that simply didn't visit. If she wanted to ever settle down, she would have to leave town. As far as her dream man? On the heels of a new day, Sonia chalked it up to her loneliness and desire to get laid. It had been two years since her last relationship, and frankly, he had been a dud in bed. Her lustful imagination had concocted the sexy blond, and she had to end this craziness.
Excitement ran through her. Who knew, maybe this new job would provide other opportunities. Korinna had said she owned shops throughout the world. Maybe if Sonia proved her worth and that she was a good employee, she might actually get a chance to travel and visit those other stores. This could turn into a new career.
Her grandmother clicked her tongue and shook her head. "I know you don't believe, granddaughter. But one day you will see. You will see your fate, and you will know that it is worth fighting for. There is a man out there waiting for you." Her grandmother’s brown eyes narrowed in on her. "He needs you, and you will sacrifice everything to help him. This I know.”
She didn’t argue. It was best to let her Nana believe she had won. Besides, she had to finish getting ready.
Sonia parked her rattling heap in the back lot and stared at the door to the building in front of her. She could hardly believe Korinna had hired her and made her a manager. She told Sonia that she had a sixth sense about people and needed someone she could trust to run her store while she was away. Sonia accepted and here she was. Ready to face her first day alone while Korinna jetted off to Romania to hopefully purchase several unique pieces for the shop.
Pushing open the door, Sonia swung her legs out and stood. She smoothed her skirt and pulled the building key from her purse. It was an odd sensation, wearing something other than scrubs to work, but she enjoyed playing dress up. Contrary to what she had thought, Sonia embraced this new change in her life. Yes, she missed the vet’s office, but it was time for something new.
Shoving the key into the door, she slipped inside and flipped on the lights. The same scent that had given her comfort the first time she had come to the store, gave her strength to face her first day on her own. She flitted around, turning on lights and wiping down the glass display cases before she turned the sign on the front of the door to “Open.” Within minutes, she had her first customer.