Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

ARROW

T he weeks aren't getting any easier and the wedding is fast approaching. I still don't have an answer whether or not Donovan is going to come.

I hope he does, because I can't risk losing him for good. And pissing off Luke is not a good idea.

I get it, I do. He can't face Silver and honestly I don't want to either. I am so torn with how I feel about her.

One day I want to rip her heart out and watch her crumble at my feet. Another I want to throw her onto a bed and fuck her until she begs for me to let her come.

Then there are the odd days where I just miss her. I miss the way she'd hum and dance while baking the most delicious muffins.

Or how we'd just cuddle in her bed and watch movies when she was sad, thinking about her family.

I still don't understand why she decided to leave us for him. Maybe if I could just get some time alone with her, she will explain to me what the fuck happened.

How we went from having fun in the limousine, to her ditching us and shattering our fragile hearts.

We were broken men when she met us and for a minute there she made us whole. Now we are just fractured.

Some more than others. I guess I got off easy. I never truly gave my heart to her. She owned a sliver, and I was on the verge of giving her more. But it's too late now. She's burned those bridges.

Looking over at Wellson, I sigh. “I know you don't want to face the truth, brother, but you need to. It's time to wake up. To start healing.”

Leaving him, I walk to my room and grab a change of clothes. I have plans tonight but I don't want to fucking go.

Jade and Clara are forcing me to go dress shopping with them. She popped by the other day with a basket of muffins that looked suspiciously like Silver's, but that's not possible.

She begged me to take them because Hunter's have been spotted in the area. I'd suggested saving a trip and money and just conjuring something, but they refused.

Leaving my room, I head for the shower. I cleaned up the mess I made a few months ago, but it doesn't matter.

This whole cottage holds the ghosts of her presence. Her laughing haunts me some mornings.

I can almost picture her making a mess all over the counter as she rolls out her homemade cinnamon rolls.

The way she would toss her hair up into a messy bun and get flour all over her cheeks.

Fuck, I need to get this chick out of my fucking head. I need her to leave me the hell alone. To stop haunting everywhere I step.

Muttering a spell, my clothes disappear and I step into the shower, letting the cold water crash over me.

I need to force these memories away. I need to create new ones to overtake the ones starring her.

Grabbing some citrus body wash, I scrub my skin of the ghost of her touch.

Taking some shampoo, I cleanse my hair from the way she would run her fingers through it.

As the water beats over me, I give myself one moment to mourn her loss, then I rinse myself, and turn the water off, letting all my hate, misery, and confusion swirl down the drain with the suds from the soap.

Reaching for a towel, I have to grip the bathroom wall as a vision hits me hard and fast. Using my wind magic, I dry myself off, then get dressed.

I don’t understand anything that I saw, but I have a sense of foreboding.

Someone is coming, and it’s not going to end well. I don’t know when they are arriving or where, but they are going to bring us misery and pain and blood. Lots of blood.

It's going to be a massacre. I just wish I knew more details.

Leaving the bathroom, I stop by the kitchen and look out the window. The sun is shining, and a few of my peers are walking up and down the paths.

A lot of people avoid the cottage, thanks to the wards we have in place all around it, but some do attempt to break in.

I haven’t been to class, and I know that graduation is coming up next month. I’m not participating. I refuse, since my brothers aren’t here to attend this big step in our lives.

It’s been months now. Not just a few weeks. No, I have been alone here in this big place for months. No word from Silver, besides that God awful wedding invitation, and Clara telling us that she saw her briefly.

I still can’t believe she hitchhiked Luke’s portal. She’s lucky her flesh wasn’t flayed from the bone.

Closing my eyes, I take in a breath, then head back to Well’s room. I still have some time to kill before the girls want to leave.

I found a new book that I think may have something to help us.

Plopping down in the chair that has a permanent imprint of my ass, I crack it open and start reading.

Jade thinks that I need to get away and take some time to myself, but I won’t leave my brother. It’s bad enough that I have to go to the wedding by myself.

No! I’m so over this shit. It’s time for Don to come home and stop fucking pouting.

I tug my phone from my pocket and try his number, not surprised when it goes straight to voicemail. I hang up and toss it onto the table, then lean back and concentrate on his face.

“Thanks, babe. Keep them coming.” Slumping on a bar stool on the beach, Don tosses some cash a waitress’ way. She gives him a beaming smile, but he ignores her advances.

He looks like absolute shit, and I wish he would just come home. A presence comes up beside him, but it’s fuzzy. I can’t tell who it is, but I know it’s not good.

My eyes snap open and I jump to my feet. Don’s in trouble. I have to get to him before I lose another member of my family.

DONOVAN

I have thought alot about what Myah said, but I'm still not ready. I know I need to get over my shit and move the fuck on, but every time I picture being with someone else, I feel ill.

Literally.

I tried flirting with Kalee, a cute bartender that works with Myah, and I almost regurgitated my clam chowder on her shoes.

If I didn't know Silver, I would think that she's spelled me from talking to other girls… Then again maybe she has.

I don't think I ever truly knew who the real Silver Forest was.

She came into our lives when we needed someone to care for. To protect, because our lives were a complete shitshow.

I was being forced to date Winnie, Wellson was drinking himself into a stupor and doing dumb pranks, and Arrow was forcing himself to keep waking up every morning.

My dad wasn't the only one trying to pressure a pure bloodline marriage.

Fuck, marriage…

Tomorrow is the wedding, and I am not taking it well.

Leaving my bungalow, I stick a note on my door so Myah knows where I am. I don't want to bring my phone to the bar.

I might lose my inhibitions and answer a call again without looking at who the caller is.

I can't risk my dad calling. His threats are getting more insane by the day. He started off by saying he missed me.

Now, I may have believed him if he had ever treated me with shred of compassion, but he hasn't so I knew he was full of shit.

It didn't take him long to reveal his true colors once more. Though, I can admit his new threats are getting creative.

Walking across the parking lot, tingles run down my spine and I can't help but feel like someone is watching me.

Stopping, I turn around to see if I can spot anyone. It's barely noon, so the only ones around are some teenagers holding surfboards and a few women unloading groceries from a Jeep.

Shaking off the feeling, I continue down the sidewalk and cross the street to the sandy beach.

As I enter the bar, Kalee gives me a big smile and I head her way, claiming a stool. Frank is there, reading the paper with a plate of fish and chips in front of him.

“Hey, how's the catch of the day today,” I greet him, then gently pat him on the back. He complained that I was too strong last time.

“Delicious as always. Marge is in the kitchen today, and she knows her way around a beer batter,” he jokes.

Kalee grabs a notepad and pen, then comes up to me. She's the epitome of a beach babe, and I wish that I could flirt with her.

Ask her to dinner, but she's not the one my heart aches for.

“What can I get for you today, handsome?”

I nod toward Frank’s plate. “I'll have what he's having, plus a beer and a shot of something strong.”

Jotting it down, she gives me a wink, then heads for the kitchen to give Marge my order.

“That girl thinks you're the bee's knees, son. You better let her down gently,” Frank warns me and I groan, rubbing my face.

I’m scratchy. When was the last time I shaved? I'll have to do a trim spell when I get back to the bungalow.

“I know, Frank, but is it bad that I like the attention? Nothing will ever come from it, but it's nice to be wanted every now and then. Especially when dealing with a broken heart.”

Frank laughs, and shakes his head. “My boy, you're still young. There will be many more fish swimming by. Just don't let a shark swim up and steal them. If you catch my drift.”

Tossing some cash onto the bar, he grabs his plate, paper, and beer, then walks off down the beach.

He's a weird one, but harmless, though his analogies always have a fish reference and confuse the fuck out of me.

Kalee returns with my food and my drinks.

I toss back the shot and wave my hand for another as I take a few fries and dip them into the lemon tartar sauce they make here.

It's not long before my plate is empty, and I'm buzzed.

I don’t know how many drinks Kalee has served me, but I’m not done. She places another beer in front of me with a wink.

“Thanks, babe. Keep them coming,” I say, then stand to pull some money out of my pocket. I slump back onto the bar stool on the beach, and toss her the cash.

She gives me another smile, but I ignore her advances.

I still can't stomach someone who isn’t my girl. The one with the metallic eyes and curvy body.

The one who can disarm me with a smile… The one who left me and is marrying the wrong person tomorrow.

I feel like absolute shit, but the alcohol is numbing some of the pain.

I feel her before she enters the bar, and I groan. She shouldn’t be here. Her mom is going to kill me.

Myah has today off, and they were going shopping to get some things for when we head back to Salem next week.

Mylie sits next to me on the stool, giving me a glare. Sighing, I toss my sunglasses onto the bar and turn to face the feisty seven-year-old. Hands on her hips, her dark hair in pigtails, I can’t stop my lip from twitching. She’s too cute.

I mean it makes sense we are related after all.

I imagine if Silver and I ever had a daughter, she would look similar, and with that thought, my chest tightens and I take a deep breath.

“Does your mom know that you’re down here?” I ask her, and she rolls her blue eyes.

“She’s the one who sent me to find you. You are late for supper and my stomach won’t stop talking about it. She's worried about you, and I'm hungry. Mom made homemade mac and cheese with the good bacon,” she whines and rubs her stomach.

“I think that means it’s time for you to call it,” Kalee says with a small laugh. I toss her some more cash and stand.

My head feels fuzzy, but that’s how I like it. If it was left to me, I would stay in a perpetual drunken state until we leave.

There are only a few more days until I’ll be back at the cottage.

Mylie takes my hand and tugs me up the beach, but I freeze, thinking back to what she said. Her mom wasn’t making dinner tonight. She had plans to go somewhere good for dinner. She’s been talking about the restaurant all week.

Ripping my hand from hers, I turn and stare.

“Who are you?” I ask, and Mylie looks shocked before giving me a smirk. Her face has a perfect sheen to it, and if I wasn’t drinking, I would have noticed the glamour sooner.

“I’m impressed, Donovan. There may be hope for you yet.” With a wave of her hand, Mylie’s face disappears, and there stands Luke.

My blood boils, and I’m about to start throwing fireballs at his face, but he doesn’t give me a chance.

With a snap of his fingers, I start to shrink. “What are you doing? I feel funny,” I groan, but my voice doesn’t sound normal. If I had to guess what it did sound like, I would say feline.

Luke hovers over the top of me, then bends and scoops me into his arms. “Oh, aren't you a handsome little guy? Yes, this will do quite nicely. Now, let’s get you home to my bride,” he coos.

KANE

“One more time, love,” I shout, and Silver glares at me. “The harder you fight your inner magic, the more time and endurance it’s going to take!” I grumble.

“What the hell happened to the woman who made an entire room full of muffins? This isn’t hard. All you need to do is picture the clothes in your mind,” I remind her again.

Earlier, Silver mentioned that she didn’t like wearing the lingerie, but it’s all that Layna and Luke have provided. I asked her why she didn’t just conjure other things, and she looked at me like I was crazy.

I know I’ve only given her one lesson, but surely Luke, Thimon, or Merida have been teaching her things too.

How is she going to perform the ritual at the wedding tomorrow night if she can’t even conjure a fucking bra?

“Okay, love, I am getting frustrated and hungry. Let’s take a break,” I suggest and she sighs. Her shoulders droop, and she looks exhausted.

I wave my hand and dress her in some comfortable pants and a sweatshirt that belongs to me.

“I’m never going to get the hang of all of this,” she mumbles, then pulls the hood over her head and tries to hide.

Moving closer to her, I laugh. “I have had centuries to hone my craft, love. Just take it day by day. Now, how about I take you for a walk around your new home?” Looking up at me, she nods and I offer her my hand to take.

She accepts, and I portal us to the volcano. There is a bench made out of souls in front of it, and I lead her there then conjure us a picnic basket of sorts.

“Is it always so hot?” she moans, taking the sweatshirt off, and I nod. Closing her eyes, she tries to focus, and I bite my bottom lip when she conjures a bikini on herself.

Opening her eyes, she looks so proud, and I can’t stop myself from leaning over and taking her lips with mine.

Fuck, she tastes like sin, and something heavenly—a total juxtaposition. The connection I feel to her has my magic going wild.

Closing my eyes, I try to control it. Silver moans into my mouth and I know if we don’t separate, I’m going to disobey Luke right here and now.

The way I react to her isn't natural and it's starting to make me wonder if she's my fated mate.

It's rare for my kind, but not unheard of. And if I needed to pick someone to spend the rest of eternity with Silver Forest would be at the top of my list.

Gently pushing her away, I rest my forehead on hers. “We should stop. How about a snack?”

“Yeah,” she breathes and I smirk. Her lust is giving me quite a delightful meal, but I think I'll have some real food too.

Opening the basket, I conjure a blanket and set it onto the dry sand, then lay out some of the things I thought she would enjoy.

“Wow, Kane, this looks amazing. Thank you,” she says, smiling at me. I can’t help but to return her grin. She’s infectious.

Taking a seat beside her, I hand her a small plate and she digs in, moaning with each bite.

“So, tell me about yourself. I know you mentioned that you knew Elena. Did you go to school with her? How did you meet?” Silver asks me as she dips another strawberry in some whipped cream.

I am fighting an erection watching her swirl her tongue around the tip of the berry. I don't think she even notices how alluring it is.

Conjuring a few small pillows, I place one over my lap and squeeze it to my chest.

I don’t think she would care if I sported one, but I’m trying to get to know her right now. Nodding, I grab a grape and pop it in my mouth.

“I attended Alistar Academy with Luke and your great-great-grandmother. We were classmates. I was a new demon, trying to control my urges. A few of our peers were suffering from my powers.”

I laugh, thinking about all the unexpected couplings that were going on, and the disgraceful unwed pregnancies. I didn’t do it on purpose. I swear.

“How did you become an Incubus?”

“Luke is one of my best friends, not just my cousin. We were always joined at the hip growing up. Thick as thieves. We didn't have a family to call our own, so we created one.

When he became the ruler of Hell, I joined the army… I was killed in battle. Luke wouldn’t let me leave him, so he turned me into a sex demon.”

I think back to lying on that battlefield. The pain from the gunshot wound. The way my body was slowly dying as I watched my brothers in combat fighting.

“Do you regret Luke changing you?” she whispers, and I immediately shake my head.

“Not, for a moment. It took some time to get used to it, but I like bringing people love and pleasure. I may be classified as a demon, and yes, I have done some hellish things, but for all intents and purposes, I work with families that struggle to conceive.”

Silver reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze. “You’re a good man, Kane…” She pauses and her eyes widen. “I don’t know your last name. Is it Diavolo like Luke?”

I nod. “And soon it will be yours too,” I say, and she looks down at the blanket, picking at it with her fingers.

“I still can’t believe I’m getting married tomorrow.”

“Never imagined this, huh?” I joke, waving my hand toward the giant volcano beside us. I have a silencing bubble around us so she can't hear the souls screaming in pain.

Doesn't bother me after all of these years, but it can ruin the mood from a nice picnic date.

She smiles, but it’s sad.

“I always thought I would get married on my grandfather’s property. It’s a huge vineyard. I also kinda thought that my twin, Luna, and I would fall in love at the same time, and have a shared ceremony. She could be selfish at times, but I always saw us together.”

Wiping a tear from her cheek, she sighs. “I won’t know hardly anyone at my own wedding. My family is gone. I’m all that’s left. Which you obviously know, thanks to the stupid prophecy,” she grumbles, and my eyebrows raise.

“Who told you about the curse?” I don’t think Luke has, and I know I haven’t. It was probably that asshole, Thimon. He’s had a huge hard-on for Luke, and I know he’s jealous of Silver.

Wouldn’t be shocked to find him trying to sabotage the ceremony. I guess it’s a good thing he’s going to be stuck with me at the Academy, checking invitations before letting them enter the portal.

Luke may have made this a mandatory event, but you still need to be invited.

“I don’t remember who told me. That’s not important. Sorry, I’m ruining our picnic. I’m just sad that my family won’t be there, but I know they are looking down at me from Heaven. I just hope I haven’t disappointed them too much.”

“Do you think they would hate Luke?” I mean, yes, he’s the Devil, but he’s still my best friend. He can be a huge asshole, and hulk out sometimes, but deep down he does have a good heart, and he will go to Heaven and Earth to keep those he loves safe.

“Surprisingly, I think my dad would like him. My mom would try to feed him, my sister would think he’s hot and try to take him from me, and my brother would threaten him, then ask him to play games.”

I laugh, picturing Silver’s family, wishing that there was a way to have them attend, but it’s not possible. They crossed over, and we don’t have the best relationship with Heaven at the moment.

But maybe someday…