Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

Gianna

As Angelo's sleek, state-of-the-art private jet touched down in Boston, I settled further into the plush leather seat, my heart filled with a sense of relief and security. I was heading to a place of safety. Salem represented a sanctuary, a place where I could escape the dangers of New Orleans. Yet even as I reveled in the promise of security, my mind couldn't help but wander to the mysterious stranger waiting near the warehouse, which the Moirai Mirror had shown Angelo. The partial truths the mirror revealed had ignited a burning curiosity within me, tempered only by the knowledge that, for now at least, I was leaving the danger behind.

The powerful engines hummed reassuringly as we slowed to a taxiing speed, the gentle vibrations lulling me into a sense of calm. Cocooned in the plush, ivory leather seat, I felt my body relax, the tension from my recent ordeal slowly melting away. My mind drifted to the possibilities that awaited me in Salem, a place I had always associated with warmth, comfort, and a sense of belonging. The fond memories of my past visits to the city filled me with anticipation, and I smiled at the thought of returning to a place that felt like a second home. With each passing moment, the horrors I had faced receded further, replaced by a growing sense of peace and contentment.

The airplane door opened with a hydraulic hiss, letting in the damp, cool New England air that smelled of jet fuel and rain. I shivered as a cold breeze brushed against my skin, raising goosebumps on my arms; a sharp contrast to the carefully controlled climate within the jet and the warmth of New Orleans that I had left behind.

"Ready to go, princess?" Petar's voice cut through the haze of my thoughts as he grabbed our carry-on bags from the gleaming overhead compartments, and we headed out of the plane.

I flinched as always at the name, my jaw clenching as a sharp retort threatened to burst from my lips. But I forced a smile, my face contorting with the effort to maintain my composure. "Yes," I managed to say through gritted teeth, my voice strained as I gingerly walked down the jet's sleek, retractable stairs.

Every step sent a fresh wave of pain coursing through my body from the wounds that still stubbornly refused to heal. I descended the metal stairs slowly, my muscles protesting with every click of my heels against the surface.

By the time I reached the bottom, weariness had settled deep in my bones. The exhaustion from the flight, together with the relentless throbbing of my injuries, left me yearning for nothing more than a hot bubble bath to soothe my aching body and a chance to escape the thoughts of New Orleans, the savage wolves, and the enigmatic stranger who haunted the edges of my mind.

Petar and I made our way through the quiet, private hangar, an uncomfortable silence hanging between us. The vast space was completely different from bustling commercial airports, with only a handful of high-end private jets parked in the dimly lit area. The soft hum of machinery and the distant chatter of ground crew filled the air, adding to the eerie atmosphere.

I glanced around, my eyes scanning the shadows nervously for any sign of wolf shifters. Each step I took echoed off the polished concrete floor and ricocheted around the cavernous hangar. Petar walked beside me, his presence both comforting and unnerving, a reminder of the possible danger that lay ahead.

As we approached the hangar's exit, I caught a glimpse of a luxurious, black Cadillac Escalade waiting outside, its tinted windows obscuring any view of the interior. Petar stood aside, watching it and scanning the parking area. He reminded me of a Doberman pinscher with its ears straight up, ready to attack. I shifted my weight from foot to foot, my nerves buzzing as I noticed Petar's relentless scrutiny .

Salem was supposed to be safe. What was making him act like this?

A cold, prickling sensation crept along my skin, as if a thousand needles were gently tracing the contours of my body. My heart pounded against my ribcage, each beat reverberating through my chest with a dull, heavy ache. I could feel the blood rushing in my ears, the constant whooshing sound drowning out the ambient noise around me.

Every muscle in my body thrummed with barely contained fury, my jaw clenched so tight I could hear my teeth grinding. I stalked out of the hangar, the air around me practically crackling with tension. My breath came in shallow, rapid bursts as I fought to control the rising panic that threatened to overwhelm me, and my eyes darted around with a feverish intensity, searching for any sign of danger lurking in the surrounding shadows.

The wounds from the previous attack throbbed mercilessly, reminding me how vulnerable I was. Each twinge of pain sent a fresh wave of fear coursing through my veins, my imagination conjuring lurid images of fangs and claws tearing into my flesh. The memory of the agony, the feeling of my life essence draining away, was etched into every fiber of my being, an inescapable trauma that pervaded my every waking moment.

"I won't let anyone hurt you." Petar placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, his touch grounding me in the moment as he escorted me outside.

The window of the Escalade rolled down, and a friendly face beamed at me. "Hey, stranger. "

I put a hand over my racing heart. "Louise."

She jumped out of the car. Excitement was reflected in her deep blue eyes, unlike the apprehension and pain that filled mine. Every step sent a jolt through my body, a reminder of the attack. It was almost a week ago, but my body still hadn't healed. Relief welled inside me at the sight of her familiar, smiling face, a balm to my frayed nerves.

"Louise." I edged forward and pulled her into a tight bear hug, some of my tension melting away as I clung to her, drawing strength from her presence.

Her husband, Augustus Eastey, got out of the driver's side. "Gianna."

His deep, throaty voice was music to my ears. I stared up into his deep blue eyes, my breath catching in my throat as I took in his imposing figure. He towered over me, his long dark hair pulled back into a man bun, his gaze intense and unwavering. I took comfort in the knowledge that he was a powerful witch, powerful enough to thwart my enemies.

As he embraced me, holding me tightly, a wave of comfort washed over me, momentarily quieting the butterflies in my stomach and easing the knots of tension in my muscles. "Good to see you, girl," he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. For a fleeting moment, I allowed myself to hope that everything would be all right.

I smiled, returning the hug, ignoring the sharp twinge of pain that shot through my body. It was a relief to be among friends again. The knots in my shoulders loosened slightly. I closed my eyes for a moment, allowing the familiar scents and sounds of Salem to wash over me, grounding me in the present and slowly pushing the memories of the attack to the fringes of my consciousness.

Louise looped her arm around my waist, supporting me as we walked together. "I'm so glad you were well enough to come to my birthday party. How are you feeling?"

"Still sore, and I move slower than a turtle," I sighed. I leaned my head on her shoulder, a familiar ache twinging in my chest as I thought about all the friends I'd outlived over the years. "I'm glad I'm here too. It's not every day one of your besties turns forty."

Louise opened the back seat passenger door for me and placed a small footstool on the ground. "We thought this would make it easier for you to climb into the SUV after the attack."

"Thank you," I murmured. My lips turned up into a teasing smile, but it felt fake, a mask concealing centuries of weariness and now pain and fear. "Now I really feel almost four hundred years old."

She slid in next to me. "But you're still beautiful, Gianna. Even with that ugly purple bruise you have."

I rubbed my cheek. "It's getting better." Not exactly true.

"I can't wait to show you around Goody Academy," Louise said as Augustus pulled away from the hangar. "We live in faculty housing."

"Is that where Petar and I will be staying? With you?"

She shook her head. "No, it's a little small. But there's an empty two-bedroom apartment across from us and that's where you'll be. It's fully furnished and everything."

The thought of staying alone in an apartment with Petar sent a chill down my spine, and the smile that had begun to form on my lips quickly faded. Unlike the unwavering faith I had in Angelo and Enzo, my feelings toward Petar were far more complex and unsettling.

As we made our way to Goody Magic, my mind raced through various scenarios, each one more disquieting than the last. I found myself hoping that the bedroom door would have a sturdy lock, a physical barrier between myself and the man who, despite his apparent loyalty to the family, never failed to set me on edge.

It wasn't that I believed Petar would attempt anything improper, but his very presence had a way of unnerving me, as if he constantly carried with him hidden intentions and unspoken secrets. The prospect of being alone in close quarters with him, without the buffer of other family members around, was not an appealing one.

I didn't want to think about it and changed the subject. "Is your party going to be in your apartment, or at Goody Magic Academy?"

She shook her head. "Neither. Augustus has rented a bar in Salem called the Mermaid's Melody. It's right on the ocean and has a nice patio, but if it rains, we can go inside. Even from there, the view is breathtaking."

"That sounds wonderful." Genuine excitement filled my voice, and my spirits lifted at the prospect of a night out with friends and the chance to forget about my recent ordeal, if only for a little while.

Petar gave Louise a deep scowl. "I'm not sure that would be safe for Gianna. "

I narrowed my eyes at Petar. "Why not?"

Louise gave Petar a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Augustus has warded it against any dark magic. No one will be able to come in there and harm her."

I crossed my arms, not wanting to remember Voodoo Velvet. "Please, Petar. Let me just enjoy myself. Angelo wouldn't have let me come if he didn't think I'd be safe."

Petar crossed his arms, his jaw clenching. "I take it Rose and Valentin are invited to your party." His icy tone made my skin prickle with unease.

I wondered why my brother had chosen him to guard me, since he was really particular about knowing everything about anybody who came to work for the family. Was there some other, darker, hidden purpose behind his decision?

Augustus glanced in the rearview mirror, his eyes meeting mine briefly. "Yes, we are aware of your history and animosity toward each other. That's not going to be a problem, is it?"

Petar glanced over at me, then turned around in the front seat. "As long as they don't interfere with my assignment to protect Gianna."

Louise turned around in her seat and glared at Petar, her eyes flashing with a protective fierceness that made my heart swell. "Why would they interfere? They don't want anything to happen to Gianna."

"Please. Surely you know we're in opposite camps," he said. "Rose and Valentin have sworn an oath to Dracula while the Santi family has broken that vow."

I swallowed hard, thinking of the tangled web of alliances and betrayals that shaped my family's history, tasting the bitter tang of old resentments and new fears on my tongue. With the wolves on my tail and centuries-old grudges simmering just beneath the surface, I had a feeling that this party was a powder keg waiting to explode.