Romani Witch (Shifter Blood: Romani Curse Book 2) Read online

  “You can’t miss this appointment,” Calandra urged. “Give me your number, and if anything happens, I promise I’ll call.”

  Mom mumbled something, too quietly for me to hear. Eventually, the back door opened and closed again. Calandra urging Mom to go to her appointment seemed odd. Their conversation had sounded like they knew each other, not like they’d only just met.

  Mom’s warning to stay away from the witches made sense now. It wasn’t because they were evil or couldn’t be trusted. She’d been afraid they’d tell me the truth.

  I wondered if Garrett knew about me. He hadn’t seemed to know much when we talked at Wendy’s party, but maybe what he’d said about coming to town for me hadn’t just been some pickup line.

  I closed my eyes and pressed against the tree trunk, feeling the rough bark digging into my back. This had to be a dream. A nightmare.

  Please be a nightmare.

  “Wake up, wake up,” I mumbled, pinching my arm. Slowly, I opened my eyes, but the woods still stared back at me. “I can’t be a…”

  Hearing a car engine start, I moved closer to the backyard and watched the jeep’s taillights disappear down the street. Mom had taken Calandra’s advice and left town. She’d abandoned me. What was I supposed to do now? Go back inside the house and pretend nothing had happened?

  I glanced around, waiting for a Norwood wolf to appear. Were they even around tonight? They knew I was leaving town. It’s possible no one heard Mom and Calandra talking in the backyard, but what if a Norwood wolf had been nearby? Mom talking to a witch would definitely raise red flags.

  I couldn’t risk anyone finding out about me. Not before I had a chance to talk to Kaleb. He needed to know the truth about my biological mom being a Romani witch. If he loved me, surely he wouldn’t care?

  But what if Calandra was right? What if Kaleb’s reaction was to kill me? He’d always insisted witches were worse than vampires. Would he feel the same way about me?

  No. I couldn’t think that way. I wouldn’t—

  “I know you’re out there,” Calandra called. “We need to talk. There are things you need to know.”

  I held my breath. Calandra was the last person I wanted to talk to right now. If she hadn’t come to town, none of this would have happened. I’d be with Mom, driving to Dover and looking at wedding dresses tomorrow.

  “Sienna,” she whispered.

  I took off running. Running away from Calandra, away from a home I didn’t know anymore, and away from a community who had no clue who I really was.

  I ran through the woods, not stopping until I hit the road outside the Romani community. The sun had set, and soon darkness would surround me. Doubling over, I caught my breath as I considered my options. Go back and face Calandra, go talk to Drina about it, or go to Norwood Isle to wait for Kaleb.

  Facing Calandra was out of the question. I wanted nothing to do with her.

  Talking to Drina was also out of the question. I had no idea how she’d react. Would she feel obliged to tell Victor or Uncle Henry? Then they’d have to let the Elders know.

  I had no choice. I had to go to Norwood Isle and wait for Kaleb. When he came home, we’d sort out this whole witch mess. Calandra could be lying. What if she’d put a spell on Mom to make her lie? Everyone said you couldn’t trust the witches.

  As I walked into town, my cell phone vibrated, so I pulled it out to check who was calling. My caller ID showed a picture of Mom—the woman who wasn’t really my mom. Choking back a sob, I hit the decline icon, turned off my phone, and shoved it back into my pants pocket.

  I had nothing to say to her. Not until I’d had a chance to talk to Kaleb.

  When a police car pulled up alongside me, I muttered, “Crap” under my breath. I should have known better than to walk along the main road where anyone could see me.

  “Sienna, is that you?” the sheriff asked as he stopped his car.

  “Hi, Sheriff Johnson.” I smiled, trying to act like everything was okay. “How are you?”

  “I’m fine.” When his car radio emitted muffled voices and static, he glanced back at it and reached over to lower the volume. “What are you doing out here?”

  “Bill called and said he needed help with inventory. It’s a beautiful evening, so I thought I’d walk.” I couldn’t believe I’d lied to the sheriff. He was a trained police officer. He had to know I was lying.

  His eyebrow shot up. “Did you say you’re walking to work?”

  “Yes.” I hoped he didn’t know I was supposed to leave town with Mom tonight. My hair must be a mess, and I wasn’t exactly dressed for work. “Mom said it was fine, and the other waitress offered to drive me home after.”

  “Why don’t I give you a ride?” He unlocked the car doors.

  “That would be great. Thanks.” I got in and buckled my seatbelt, knowing I couldn’t refuse a ride. “Have you heard from Wendy yet?”

  “No. She’s still hiking with her father.” The sheriff slowly drove toward town. “Have you and Kaleb set a wedding date?”

  “Not yet.” I stared out the window, grateful the ride to the café was less than fifteen minutes. Right now, marrying Kaleb was the last thing I wanted to discuss.

  “You’re doing the right thing by waiting.” The sheriff glanced into the car’s side mirror. “Marriage is a huge commitment. You need to be one hundred percent sure, especially when you’re marrying an olden like Kaleb. The bond you’ll have with him is forever.”

  I glanced at the sheriff, stunned he was encouraging me to wait, not telling me to rush into marriage like the Elders and Uncle Henry. “I wish everyone else felt like that. The Elders want us to elope next week.”

  “Of course they do.” He shook his head. “Did they tell you why?”

  “No. They’re probably worried I’ll change my mind.”

  “Maybe, but…” He scratched his chin as if debating what to say next. “You know about the witches showing up in Woodlake, right?”

  “Yes.” I didn’t volunteer any additional information, like Garrett coming by the café or Calandra showing up at the kris. Anything that might make Sheriff Johnson have second thoughts about confiding in me. Because he knew something. Something he thought I should know.

  “There hasn’t been a witch on sacred ground in almost twenty years. At least, not that we know of. It’s possible a witch might have come to town and no one knew, but two witches showing up straight after Kaleb claimed you can’t be a coincidence, especially when one of them is a High Council witch.”

  “What’s a High Council witch?”

  “I guess you wouldn’t know much about the witches, but I’m surprised Henry hasn’t educated you on this stuff.” He glanced at me briefly. His walkie-talkie clicked with static, and an officer reported two drunk tourists near Lake Sweeney. “The High Council is made up of five powerful witches who oversee the others. They’re able to control all five elements, unlike the other witches who can only control one or two. It’s unusual for them to leave the coven, and that’s why the Elders were worried when one showed up in Woodlake. They believe the High Council doesn’t approve of your marriage to Kaleb and may be trying to stop it.”

  I took a deep breath and replayed what he’d said. Calandra had told Mom the High Council knew about me, and that’s why she’d come to town. They hadn’t known I was the one marrying Kaleb. They’d wanted to find out who I was because someone named Grace couldn’t read my mind. There had been nothing said about the High Council being upset over a Romani girl marrying an olden.

  “Why would they care about me marrying Kaleb?” I asked.

  “I don’t know.” He shrugged. “Maybe they’re worried about the alliance between the Romanies and the Norwood wolves. They’re a large pack, and it’s a big deal for a future alpha like Kaleb to agree to an alliance.”

  He slowed down as he approached the café and parked alongside the sidewalk behind a truck. The red neon Open sign flashed on the café’s window. “I’m sure there’s nothing t
o worry about, and the Elders are just being cautious. My friends on the Dover police force say the witches aren’t as powerful as they used to be. There’s a struggle among the High Council witches. It’s possible none of this has anything to do with you and Kaleb.”

  “Thanks for the ride. When you talk to Wendy, tell her I said hello.” I got out of the car and closed the door, hoping Sheriff Johnson was right.

  I walked slowly toward the café, keeping to the shadows as I pulled out my cell phone and pretended to text someone. Bill stood talking to a group of tourists at one of the side tables while two students served coffee and pie to the Town Council members.

  Glancing back over my shoulder, I waved to Sheriff Johnson. He waved then turned the police car around and drove away, heading back in the direction we’d come from. Once the car’s taillights had disappeared, I shoved my cell phone back into my pocket and hurried away from the café.

  Chapter 13

  Keeping my head down, I hurried past the stores on Main Street, then ducked down the alley the trucks used to collect trash from behind the stores. I couldn’t risk walking directly to the ferry from Main Street. What if Bill or one of the Town Council members happened to look out the café window?

  I needed to find the trail the Norwood staff used, the one in the woods behind the stores. They always said it was a shortcut, and I didn’t think anyone else used it, not even the locals.

  As I searched for the trailhead along the edge of the woods, an uneasiness settled in my stomach. Even though I was Kaleb’s mate, I still felt queasy at the thought of going to Norwood Isle. If Calandra was telling the truth, then I was knowingly going to Norwood Isle as a witch.

  I found the trailhead and took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of pine trees as I entered the woods. As darkness engulfed me, I struggled to convince myself I wasn’t in any danger, even though everything was quiet. Much too quiet for the woods at night. There were no bug sounds, no small animals scurrying through the undergrowth, not even the sound of the trees whispering in the breeze. Nothing but leaves crunching underfoot as I walked.

  You can do this. You’re safe.

  If I ran into any Norwood wolves, I’d say I needed to talk to Carmel. Maybe I could convince her to be my escort. One way or another, I’d get to Norwood Isle and wait for Kaleb. He’d know what to do.

  Laughter interrupted the quiet night and sent me off the trail to hide behind a tree. I held my breath but heard nothing more. Had I imagined it? Then more laughter from up ahead and a girl spoke; her voice sounded exactly like Tessa’s. What was she up to, and why was she hanging out in the woods?

  I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and glanced at the time. Eight minutes until the ferry left. If I missed it, the next ferry wasn’t for another two hours. I had no choice. I had to keep going, and I had to avoid Tessa.

  Following the edge of the trail, I crept through the woods, hiding behind bushes to ensure she couldn’t see me. When I caught sight of her up ahead, she seemed distracted by whatever she was doing.

  As I drew closer, her laughter stopped and a guy chuckled—a soft chuckle that sent goose bumps down my arms. I dropped to the ground and crouched behind a large bush. Slowly, I pushed aside a branch and peeked through the bush, wanting to see who Tessa was with. I couldn’t recall anyone coming by the café to see her.

  The full moon illuminated Tessa as she stood in front of the guy, blocking most of my view. She casually ran her fingers down his arm. He didn’t react; either he was playing hard to get or he wasn’t interested. Tessa laughed again and took a step back, and I finally caught sight of the guy. Bile rose in my throat and I wanted to look away, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t tear my gaze from that all-too familiar face.

  Kaleb?

  Kaleb was here, and he was talking to Tessa. They were laughing like old friends, which made no sense. How could he know her? Whenever he’d come to see me at the café, she hadn’t been working. Had he called in to see Bill and been cornered into a flirtatious conversation? But even if that were true, why were they alone in the woods?

  Was Kaleb the guy she’d talked about? The one she hoped things would work out with so she’d stay in Woodlake permanently?

  NO!

  She’d asked me about Kaleb. She knew we were dating.

  What the hell was he doing with her? He wasn’t due back in town until tomorrow.

  I tried to hear what they were saying, but I couldn’t make out their words. At one point, Kaleb glanced in my direction. I froze, thinking he’d seen me, but if he had, he didn’t react.

  When Tessa moved closer to him, my entire body seized up as the tightness in my chest intensified. There had to be an explanation. A good explanation for Kaleb not mentioning he knew the new waitress. A damn good explanation for why he was letting her stand so close.

  Carefully, I scooted as far into the bush as I could. I needed to know my eyes weren’t playing tricks on me.

  Tessa stood mere inches from Kaleb, resting her hand on his arm. She whispered in his ear and pulled back a little. And then…She kissed him.

  Oh, HELL NO!

  She kissed my Kaleb?

  I wanted to scream, wanted to shout, ‘I’m here.’ Wanted to tear her away from him.

  This had to be a nightmare, or maybe I’d traveled to another universe where this Kaleb wasn’t my Kaleb. Because the Kaleb I knew wouldn’t do this to me. He just couldn’t.

  Tears welled up in my eyes as I waited to see what would happen next. Would he pull her into his arms and keep kissing her or push her away and tell her he has a girlfriend?

  At first, he did nothing, and I couldn’t see his face. Was he upset or giving her a sexy grin? He said something. Something that made her fold her arms and step back, giving me a small glimmer of hope. Then Kaleb moved closer and gently touched her arm.

  I covered my mouth, stifling a sob. I didn’t understand. What had I done wrong? Was I not enough for him? How could the person I trusted most in this world betray me? Kaleb had kissed another girl, and even if she’d made the first move, he’d let it happen. He’d allowed her to get physically close, close enough to kiss him. He had to know she’d do that and he hadn’t stopped her.

  “The ferry’s waiting!”

  The sound of Markus’ voice gutted me even more. He didn’t seem surprised to see Kaleb’s hand on Tessa’s arm. The three of them left, following the trail to the ferry.

  The breath I’d been holding came out as a sob as I stumbled backward and fell to the ground. Not only had Kaleb betrayed me, but so had Markus. He hadn’t cared that Kaleb and Tessa were together. She’d even walked with them to the ferry which meant she was going to Norwood Isle. Had Kaleb offered her one of his private tours?

  The world spun around me as my heart snapped in two, and I held my head in my hands and sobbed. As my chest tightened and my stomach clenched, I balled my hands into fists and pounded the ground over and over, wishing I was far away from Woodlake. Far away from this life I no longer wanted.

  When I opened my eyes, I was surprised to see the full moon directly above me. Somehow, I’d ended up lying on my back. How long had I lain there, crying in the dirt? I wiped the tears from my face, feeling the grittiness of the earth beneath my arms. I held my hands up in the moonlight, staring at the dirt beneath my fingernails. This is what I’d been reduced to—rolling around in the dirt like a child.

  The ferry’s horn sounded, signaling for all passengers to get on board. One more screech and the ferry would be on its way.

  Sitting up, I wiped the tears from my face. I needed to know, had Tessa gone to Norwood Isle with Kaleb? Or was she kissing him goodbye and staying in town? I jumped to my feet, hurried to the trail and ran.

  As I skidded to a stop at the edge of the woods, the horn sounded again, and the ferry pulled away from the dock. Kaleb, Markus, and Tessa stood at the front with several other Norwood wolves in human form. None of them looked my way as my knees went weak and I collapsed to the ground.


  I pulled my legs up to my chest and wrapped my arms around them, rocking back and forth as tears trickled down my cheeks. How could Kaleb do this to me? To us?

  Calandra was right. I couldn’t trust the Norwood wolves, not even Kaleb or Markus. I couldn’t even trust Mom, who’d been lying to me all these years. I had only myself to rely upon.

  From out of nowhere, a strong wind sprang up, pushing against my back and swirling the leaves around me. Hugging myself tighter, I lifted my chin.

  Screw Kaleb.

  I didn’t need him or his lies. I was better off without him.

  What I needed was a new plan because I couldn’t sit here crying all night. Going to Norwood Isle was out of the question now, and I didn’t want to go home. But where else could I go? Who else could I talk to? If I called Victor or Drina, I’d have too much explaining to do. I had no choice: I had to walk home. At least the walk would give me time to think and figure out my next move.

  I stood, brushing the dirt off my clothes, and headed toward the street, away from the woods. I no longer cared if anyone saw me. As I reached Main Street, I passed a man walking his dog. He nodded at me and said nothing.

  The neon Open sign was still on at the café, and Bill and the council members were sitting at a table, talking. Did they know Kaleb had no intention of committing to me? Did they know about Kaleb and Tessa?

  I turned away from the café and kept walking. The truth was, I didn’t belong here. I should leave this town and never come back. Start a new life somewhere else. A life without shapeshifters or witches. A life without someone telling me what I could and couldn’t do.

  “Sienna?”

  Cringing, I cursed under my breath before turning to see Garrett standing in front of the hotel with three of the wolf trackers. Forcing a smile, I waved, then turned and kept walking.

  “Hey, wait up,” Garrett called as he ran after me. “Where are you going?”

  “Nowhere.” I picked up my pace to a jog, but that didn’t stop Garrett. He slid in front of me, forcing me to stop and look up at him. “Get out of my way.”