11

Selene paced the room trying not to wipe her ever-increasing sweaty palms on her dress. Was it natural to be this nervous to meet your boyfriend’s family? Or just when they were witches? The stuff you’d only ever thought of as myth and legend? Or was it the idea of meeting a vampire face to face and maybe seeing a werewolf or two? No, wait. Not werewolf, shape-shifter. Not all shifters werewolves, and—and—

Selene dropped onto the couch. There was so much to remember. Kyler had reassured her over and over tonight was no big deal. Just a party to celebrate the end of the harvest year. Mabon, he’d called it, held on the night of the autumn solstice.

Everwood was more than she’d ever realised. Crops, orchards, livestock, even a vineyard, the property was self-sustaining and had been for years before the brothers had returned. It took many hours and hands to maintain it, and tonight was both a celebration of the Goddess for the blessings she had bestowed on them and to those who worked hard to reap them. Almost everyone on the Estate was a supernatural creature of sorts. Kyllian opened Everwood’s doors to those without a place to call their own. Many of the races weren’t what you’d call ‘friendly’ with each other, but Everwood was neutral territory and all were welcome as long as they obeyed the rules.

Tonight, she’d jump in the deep end. No more baby steps. The more she considered it, the more tonight felt like an initiation. A test to decide her worthiness to join the secret society Kyler belonged too, and if she failed—well, that wasn’t an option.

She shot from the couch as the phone rang. “H-hello.”

“Hey, sweetheart. I know I’m late, and the manor’s closer, so I’m jumping in the shower here. I’ll be twenty minutes, tops. Wait for me.” He hung up before she could respond.

Twenty minutes. Left alone with her thoughts for another twenty minutes she’d be certifiable. No, she’d take a walk and meet Kyler at the manor. Give her a chance to calm her nerves and show him, she didn’t need to be there to hold her hand every step of the way. Just most of them. Besides there was at least another hour before sunset, so it wasn’t like she’d be walking around in the dark, and it would only take a few minutes. The only thing capable of calming her down was seeing Kyler, so the sooner that happened, the better. Not giving herself a chance to change her mind, she snatched up her bag and dashed out the door.

Instead of cutting through the grove, Selene walked along the road, and up the drive towards Everwood manor. The walk might take her longer, but sneaking in the back door seemed inappropriate for the occasion.

Two stone pillars, holding iron gates that stretched twelve, maybe fifteen feet high, marked the entrance to the Everwood estate. Set back off the road, Selene had never noticed them. Her journey forgotten, she stepped closer to inspect them.

The grey, marbled stone was cool beneath her touch, and smoother than the texture implied. Atop the pillars, hidden amongst the tree branches, crouched stone figures with folded wings at their backs. Gargoyles maybe? Next, her fingers traced the intricate, sprawling vine that drew the edges of each gate together.

A prickling sensation halted her inspection. Someone was watching her. Selene’s eyes darted around but found no one, yet the prickling remained. Calm down, Sel. Stop letting your imagination run away with you. No one is out to get you. Kyler promised.

The unwelcome sensation lessened as she made her way further up the drive, but hovered in the background. As she drew closer to the front door, her footsteps slowed, nerves getting the better of her. Perhaps she should have waited for Kyler. To face a room full of strangers alone was the last thing she wanted. She made halfway down the drive before she stopped. No, she wouldn’t run. Selene spun on her heel and marched back to the massive wooden door, rapping the iron knocker that hung dead centre.

No one answered.

What little confidence she had frayed the longer she waited. Heart pounding in her chest, Selene reached out and turned the handle. The door wasn’t locked and swung open under her touch. Now what? Should let herself in? Not like she’d be trespassing, Kyler had invited her, but still.

Music and voices floated towards her through the open door. Across the foyer, another door stood open on one side. Had someone left this door unlocked on purpose? Amidst the noise of everything going on outside, it was unlikely anyone would have heard her knocking, which suggested guests were to let themselves in.

Magick brushed over her skin as she crossed the threshold. The unexpected sensation sent a shiver down her spine. Wards. Kyler had mentioned Everwood had protection wards woven all over the estate. The wards ensured the safety of those living on the Everwood Estate as much as the naïve townsfolk on the other side of the river. No one crossed in either direction without the express permission of at least one brother. Now standing inside the manor itself, her confidence went up a notch, but it would be a whole lot stronger Kyler with standing beside her. Time to find her man.

A soft, orange glow lit the scene beyond the side door. A sea of strange faces wandered in an unfamiliar garden, far more in number than she’d expected, and her confidence plummeted. This had been a bad idea. Several heads turned noticing her arrival, causing her heart to trip faster in her chest. A really, really bad idea.

Something solid collided with her as she stepped back. Selene whirled around, hope soaring in her chest. “Ky—” The face of a complete stranger stood before her with eyes that unnerved her. She tried to step around him, but he blocked her path.

“Well, what have we here?” Selene stood frozen in place as the stranger studied her. “I don’t think I’ve seen you here before, pet.” His eyes stared straight into hers. “Tell me, where did you come from?”

The eyes staring at her were beautiful. How had she ever thought otherwise? Her own travelled over the face of the man before her. Dirty, blonde waves of hair framed his face, falling below his shoulders. Eyes of the darkest brown stood out against his pale skin. Such a contrast to—to—a fog settled over her thoughts. “I—I don’t… remember.”

Excitement lit the eyes of the stranger, and Selene smiled at him. Her hand reached up to touch the side of his face. How strange. His skin was as cold as the pillars that framed the gate at the entrance.

Gate.

Pillars.

The words sent flickers through the fog. A gate. She’d walked past the gate to meet—his face moved closer and she lost her train of thought.

“Pet, why don’t we take a walk? Find somewhere more… private?”

He dipped his head towards her neck, and the nearness of him sent a shiver racing through her body. She didn’t resist as he wrapped an arm around her waist to lead her away.

“Going somewhere, Julius?”

The voice crashed, like a bucket of ice water, over her senses. Selene stumbled when the arm around her waist vanished. The creepy stranger who’d blocked her escape stood to her left.

Wait. He’d been facing in the other direction a second ago. Selene twisted her head to get her bearings. A good thirty feet now separated her and the manor. How had that happened? She’d been standing only a few feet away searching for Kyler when—the memory stopped. Nothing but blank space and zero recollection of moving to here from there. Fear spiralled in her gut. So not the fun time Kyler assured her it would be.

Heads turned in their direction. A couple standing at the edge of the gathering circled closer, their attention split between her and the woman blocked from view.

“Not at all, Arabella. Just looking for a spot privacy.”

Arabella.

Selene focused on the familiar face walking towards her.

“Ara—bella.”

The red-headed witch raised her eyebrows in surprise, but the malice in her eyes conveyed a different emotion. “Do you presume to know me, little mouse?”

“What is going on here?” A dark-haired man, with pale skin, stepped up beside Arabella.

With her mind clear, Selene guessed he was a vampire, same as Julius, the creep who’d bespelled her moments ago. Kyler had warned her his world was dangerous.

The witch waved him away. “Nothing for you to concern yourself with Silas. A little mouse has wandered somewhere it does not belong and we’re deciding what to do with it.”

The older vampire started. “There are rules—”

Julius stepped forward. “Screw the rules. Do you have any idea how long since I’ve drunk blood from the vein, let alone that of a virgin?”

Embarrassment heated Selene from head to toe and she prayed for the ground to swallow her whole.

“You might not remember what it’s like, old man, but I do. The hot, sweet flavour of virgin blood sliding down your throat. It sets your body on fire and makes your dick explode better than sex ever can. Kyllian and his fucking rules. There’s a veritable smorgasbord lying across the bridge and he’s forcing me to go vegetarian.” Julius reached out and grabbed her hand. “I can’t go to them, but this tasty morsel came to me.”

Someone grabbed her other hand, tugging her away from Julius. “And what gives you claim? You aren’t the only one the virgin appeals to.”

Tears slid down Selene’s cheeks as opposing foes held her in place. Note to self: saving one’s virginity, not worth it. “Kyler. Where are you?”

Julius stepped in front of her. “I saw her first, dog.”

Unfazed, the other man met the vampire toe-to-toe. “No, you only happened to be standing closer at the time, fanger.”

“Enough.” Both Aryn and Julius moved apart as the older vampire approached though neither released their hold. “The woman belongs to neither. She’s protected. Release her at once.” The hands holding her let go Silas’ tone brokering no argument.

“But that is where you are wrong, Silas.” Arabella moved to stand in front of Selene. “The mouse bears no mark of protection. Anyone of significance would never have wandered in alone, unmarked, and unescorted.”

Wait for me. Kyler’s last words to her. Wait for me. He’d intended to escort her to the party. To have his presence beside her announce she was his, and off limits, but she’d ignored him, taking matters into her own hands. Kyler thought he made stupid decisions when they were apart, but nothing topped this.

Arabella fixed her with a sly smile. “That makes her fair game.”

The blood drained from Selene’s face. In the cafe, the other woman’s message had been unmistakable, and now she intended eliminating the competition. For good.

“That’s not fair.” Julius protested. “She’s mine.”

Aryn tore the clothes from his body, the woman beside him doing the same. “You don’t stand a chance, fanger.”

“Run, little mouse. Run.” Arabella blocked her way as she stepped towards the house. ‘No, not that way, little mouse, that way.” Her hand stretched out, pointing in the opposite direction.

Selene tried to move forward once more, but the witch pushed her back. Her eyes searched the crowd unable to find a single ally prepared to stand against Arabella. Even Silas ducked his head, refusing to meet her eyes. There was no other choice. Selene spun on her heel and ran.

Only a scrap of daylight remained. Soon she wouldn’t even be able to see. Not that it mattered. She wouldn’t make it much further before one of them caught her. Her lungs burned for air and her legs threatened to collapse beneath her, but she refused to stop. To try and outrun them was futile, nothing more than a game, and though she couldn’t see them, Selene could sense those perusing her. From the corner of her eye, she’d catch glimpse of something that was no longer there, by the time she dared to look.

As Selene breached a rise, the ground sloped away, and a familiar sight filled her view. At the base of the hill lay the creek, and beyond that the grove of trees. The protection ward ran along the tree line. All she had to do was—

A flash cut across her path. Startled, Selene lost her footing and tumbled down the hill. Pain exploded through her body as her back smashed against a rock protruding from the earth. Debris slashed her body, slicing her skin, as she rolled helplessly towards the water. The ground levelled out, and she landed like a rag-doll at the water’s edge.

Unable to move or even summon tears to cry, a sense of numbness replaced the pain. Through half closed eyes, she watched the wolves pace back and forth surveying their prey.

Why were they waiting? Did they prefer to wait until she was dead before tearing the flesh from her bones?

How noble.

Selene lifted her eyes to the sky. She’d never given much thought to how she’d die. Both her parents and Emme had died in car accidents. Eaten by wolves wasn’t a scenario she’d envisioned. No doubt the authorities would attribute it to dingoes, wolves weren’t common in Australia. That is if it ever got reported, secrets, sacrifice and all that. And how fitting her story ended, in the place it began.

Selene cried out as her body came off the ground.

“To the victor go the spoils.”

Julius.

She recognised both his voice and scent. Julius had been the one to cut her off, to cause her to stumble and lose her footing.

The wolves halted their pacing and howled in frustration.

Selene’s body arched as Julius’ teeth sank into her neck. Fire burned through her body, setting every nerve alight with pain. Her rasping, broken screams, unable to prevent the essence of her life spilling unhindered into his mouth.

Every near-death experience was a lie and only the dead understood the truth.

Death wasn’t peaceful.

In those final moments, life didn’t flash before your eyes, and no white light waited to guide you into the afterlife. The light... the light was—green.

A primal roar filled the night, thunder crashing in the sky, while the earth shook.

Julius released his hold on Selene, struggling to keep his balance.

Green light rushed over the hilltop, washing away the dark, as it flew towards her. Selene watched the wolves cower and whimper at its approach. The light slowed as it reached her, and Kyler stepped from its embrace. Somehow she gathered the strength to reach up and touch his beautiful face. “I’m… sorry. I didn’t… wait for you.”

So, the experts might have gotten everything else about dying wrong, but they’d been bang on with the out-of-body experience.

Selene, or a version of herself, floated upwards. She watched her hand slip from Kyler’s face, and her head fall to the side exposing the wound Julius had failed to close. From her elevated position, she saw Julius standing mid-thigh in the middle of the creek. Blood, her blood, smeared across his face. His once dark eyes now glowed red.

Julius wiped his thumb across his chin, before making a show of licking it clean.

Even on the brink of death, Selene had to marvel at the vampire’s stupidity.

With her cradled against his chest, Kyler reached one hand towards the storm raging in the sky. Eyes fixed on Julius he didn’t flinch as lightning plummeted into his palm. It gathered into a ball, the crackle cutting through the night.

The cocky smirk disappeared from his face, as he tried to move, but the water held him in place. Reality hit Julius full force. The hunter had become the prey. His hands flying up as if to halt what was coming, but he’d sealed his fate.

The lightning shot from Kyler’s hand, smashing into Julius’ chest. Every head turned, shielding their eyes from its brightness, the force obliterating the vampire such that not even ash remained.

Only as the light faded, did Kyler return his attention to Selene. “KYAN.” His younger brother, shimmering in yellow light, appeared at his side.

Distracted, Selene hadn’t noticed his arrival, or that of everyone who’d followed to witness her demise.

Arabella, Silas, and several other faces from the gathering stood atop the hill, somewhat reluctant to venture closer.

A figure moved towards the cowering wolves. Given his resemblance to Kyler and Kyan, this had to be Kyllian. In contrast to the green light surrounding Kyler, and the yellow light coming from Kyan, Kyllian’s was a deep purple.

Oh, those were their auras. Kyler had mentioned those. Yellow for healing. Green for nature. Purple for insight.

“Shift.” Kyllian’s command garnered no argument. Selene watched, somewhat gobsmacked, as the wolves once more regained their human form. Even in her ethereal form, she blushed at their naked state.

“You broke the rules.”

“The witch—”

Kyllian lifted a hand and Aryn fell silent. “Arabella’s influence is not in question here. The rules are clear. You broke them.”

Selene almost felt sorry for them. Almost. She snuck a glance in Arabella’s direction. The earlier haughtiness now long gone.

“You knew the rules when you arrived here. You agreed to them when you chose to remain. No fighting. No coercion. No harm.” His arm stretched towards where her body lay. “You broke the rules.”

The wolves strengthened their stance. “Aye. We have—”

Aryn didn’t get the chance to say anything more. Kyllian was on him before anyone blinked, his hand slashing across both their throats in one swift move.

Both wolves fell to their knees.

At first, Selene turned away. Watching them fail to stem the flow of blood gushing from their necks upset her non-existent stomach, but she turned back. Nothing Kyllian did was any less than they had planned for her. Leaving the wolves bleeding upon the ground, Kyllian strode up the hill towards Arabella. Many others gathered took a step back, but the red-haired witch lifted her chin and stood her ground.

“I understand this was your doing?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Ooo, the nerve of that witch. Selene drifted closer. What she wouldn’t give to slap the witch bitch right now.

“Interesting. You knew Selene was important to my brother and yet you did not intervene. Why?”

Kyllian’s directness shook Arabella’s confidence. “That was weeks ago. She was here unmarked, and unescorted. If she’d mattered—”

Her face paled as he stepped into her personal space. “Does it not look like she mattered?” Arabella flinched but refused to cower. “Give me your hand.” When she refused, he reached out and took it. She struggled against his grip. Arabella bit back a cry as he slashed her palm. Blood dripped from her hand onto the ground. “I banish you from this place and everything associated with Everwood. The land has tasted your blood, it knows you now and it will prevent you from returning. You and your descendants are not welcome here. Ignore my warning at your own peril.”

A mix of pain and outrage filled her face the banishment taking hold. “She is just a pathetic human. Kyler should be with me. I’ve been waiting fifty years for him to deal with his shit and get his act together. You think I’ll walk away now?”

“Interesting. If Kyler’s the one you’ve waited for, then why is it you spent all of Mardi Gras chasing after Kyan?”

Colour flared on Arabella’s cheeks. “Well, why shouldn’t I? You’re all hot as each other. Why limit myself to just one?”

Her words sent Selene reeling and she couldn’t decide who was stupider.

Julius or Arabella.

Kyllian’s anger was palpable wherever it was she lingered. “So because we look alike, we are interchangeable, is that what you think?”

Arabella appeared to grasp the hole her mouth had dug for her. “Kyllian, I made a mistake. I’m sorry.” Her tone lacked sincerity. She winced as the banishment strengthened, pain flittering across her face, but she continued to hold her ground.

“Perhaps, we should give Kyler the final say?”

Selene looked back to where Kyler and Kyan crouched beside her lifeless body. Oh, Kyler. Even though the veil she could sense his pain.

Kyan clasped a hand on Kyler’s shoulder. “It’s her only hope, bro. She’s too far gone for me to save her. It’s up to you.”

He bowed his head. “I can’t. It wasn’t supposed to be this way.”

“There is no other choice. Do this, or let her go because it still might not be enough.”

Kyler reached up and undid something at the back of his neck. A pendant, in a matching shade of his eyes, dangled from a gold chain.

High above, Selene felt it slide against her skin as she watched him fastened it around her neck on the ground. She played with the chain that materialised. This was way more than a pretty little trinket. It was old, older than Kyler, as was the power contained within.

“This would have protected you, sweetheart, and fool I am, I kept from you until it was too late, but I swear, no one else shall ever wear it, save you.”

Through the pendant, the intensity of Kyler’s pain filled her knocking her backwards. This was all her fault. She had to fix this, she needed to—

Both her bodies jerked as air failed to fill her lungs. Kyan held still as she gasped for breath that wouldn’t come, but she’d been here before. Heatstroke hadn’t killed her; no way a flippin’ vampire was killing her now. Selene surged towards her body, but an invisible hand pulled her further away. No, she had to reach the ground, she had to go back. She fought against its hold.

Time slowed as the pulling sensation tugged at her neck once more. Unlike Julius, there was no pain this time, it was almost… euphoric. No longer was she being pulled away, but she couldn’t move closer either. The scales were in balance.

“No.” Arabella lunged towards them, but Kyllian held back. “You can’t do this. Not with her.” Pain and anger laced the witch’s words.

Kyler’s head whipped back over his shoulder, eyes blazing, and blood covering his lips. “It will never be anyone, but her. I’ve waited one hundred years to find her, and I’ll wait for one hundred more if I have to. I will never love another but her.”

Arabella’s hair flew out around her as her emotions flared. “Liar. You said it was me, you promised, me.”

The green light around Kyler brightened. “No, you chose me because you thought I would be the easiest to manipulate, but it will never happen. Not now, not a hundred, or even a thousand years from now. Never. I will never bond… with you.” He turned his back.

“NO” Fire shot from Arabella’s hand aimed at Selene. It hit an invisible barrier and bounced back, knocking her off her feet.

Kyler flew after it, straddling Arabella’s chest. One hand pinned her right wrist to the ground while the other gripped her throat. She clawed at him with her one free hand, but it was no use. “Leave, or die.” She struggled beneath him and he tightened his grip. “Leave, or die.”

Arabella’s eyes grew wide, her fear evident. “Leave.”

“Gabriel.” Kyllian’s voice boomed through the night.

The invisible hand pulled her backwards once more. No, Kyler needed more time. She reached out to push it away, but her hands found nothing but air. It wasn’t right. In protecting her from Arabella, he would lose her. Kyler. Kyler, help me.

A strange noise interrupted her struggle. Something was coming towards them. Something big, with wings. Each downward movement of its wings sounded like the crack of a whip. Many of the onlookers fled at its approach. As it hovered above Kyllian, Selene saw it clearly for the first time. Gargoyle. Her mind registered the creature even if her eyes weren’t sure. This wasn’t one of those that guarded the entrance, this one, had to be at least five times that size. Though she’d never seen one up close, she’d read about their grotesque appearance. While she couldn’t deny the resemblance to what she imagined a demon might look like, there was still something beautiful about it. She jerked as it turned and stared at her. Not the helpless version of her lying on the ground, but the one that hovered level with it.

Face of a demon, soul of an angel.

It was over.

Once Gabriel took hold of Arabella’s wrists in his stone claws, Kyler raced back to her side.

“Toss her beyond the borders,” Kyllian instructed. “The land won’t permit her to return, but watch her anyway.” Gabriel nodded and lifted into the air, taking Arabella with him.

The witch screamed and struggled with her stone captor, but it was futile. “This isn’t over. I promise you. You will pay for this.”

All three brothers ignored her threats as they hovered in a protective circle around Selene. They were talking, but she was too far away to hear what they were saying anymore.

Tears slid down her cheeks. Why was she destined to lose everyone she loved? First her parents, then Emme, now Kyler. It wasn’t fair. Selene grabbed the pendant and pushed all the love she had through it. There was no way to know if Kyler would sense it, but she had to try. She’d never taken the chance to tell him she loved him, and now she never would.

As she watched them from above a warm light surrounded her. Huh, there was a white light after all.

Goodbye, Kyler. I love you.

A voice whispered in her ear as a strange taste filled her mouth. “Goddess, forgive me.”

If the Goddess answered, Selene never heard. The last thing she saw was the light wrapping itself around her, and then there was nothing.