“But he still wears that ring, right?” Hekla asked. “He didn’t seem to be under the Duke’s control at the unseelie feast.”
Lucus shifted his weight on the seat behind Hekla, his lure sparkling over her and making her breathe too quickly. “I suppose the power of the spell set into the ring has faded.”
“Hey, can you keep that lure on lock?” Hekla’s cheeks warmed. “You’re making it difficult to drive.”
“Oh, yes. Apologies. As to Kaippa’s ring, a portion of magic must remain in the gold, or the vampire would surely remove it. He has been clear about his hatred for his former master.”
Baccio huffed. “That’s the single instance in which the vampire and I are in agreement.”
Hekla shook one hand, trying to ease the knuckles that ached from gripping the crap out of the wheel. She took a right onto Hillsboro, heading for Coren’s place. Kaippa’s fair complexion didn’t make her think of death even though it totally should have. He reminded her of the sculptures she saw on the Uffizi gallery’s website. Yeah, he looked like an Italian Renaissance subject with his perfectly proportioned muscles, graceful hands, strong nose, and silky hair. His skin brought marble to mind, smooth and strong.
“Did you just sigh?” Baccio snorted a laugh. “You must restrain yourself with regard to the vampire, or you will become a danger to us. Or is it my brothers’ and my lure stirring your loins?”
Aurelio twisted in his seat. “Leave her alone, Baccio.”
Aurelio looked a bit like a sculpture too, and Hekla remembered Coren mentioning that.
“Listen, forest people. You are all incredibly good looking. It’s not easy for us mere humans and our lesser loins.” She rolled her eyes. “I would never, ever get cozy with Kaippa, especially after what he did to Titus.”
“Thanks, Hekla.” Titus gave her a smile in the mirror.
“No problem. But none of you need to worry about me because number one, you’re not my dad.” Not that her dad would’ve bothered to worry unless she’d been in charge of getting beer that day. “Number two, I’m not a traitor like some folks in this expertly constructed vehicle.”
“Hmm.” Aurelio shifted forward in his seat as Hekla pulled onto Coren’s street.
“Oh, damn it.” A group of not nice people stood on the road at the end of Coren’s driveway. “Today really sucks. I wish I had chocolate croissants.”
“I don’t think this lot will be swayed by sweets,” Aurelio said.
Hekla’s hands shook as she pulled in. The gathered bunch of men eyed them like they were criminals. “Still an unbeliever, Aurelio? We have to get you on board with the power of sugar.”
8 Coren
The small crowd of burly dudes moved aside so I could pull my Indian into the garage, but they blocked Hekla’s Volvo, forcing her to park along the curb.
I tore my helmet off and stormed toward the group. “What the hell is this? Did someone announce a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert in my front yard?”
The most heavily bearded of the bunch came toward me, narrowly missing the garden gnome Hekla had bought me as a joke gift two birthdays ago. “Miss Coren, we need to talk.”
“Then give me a call at the bakery. I don’t know you.”
I stormed past him, then began waving the rest of the motley crew back so Lucus could get Titus inside. Hekla hurried ahead and opened the door for them. Aurelio and Baccio remained in the garage like they were my bodyguards.
“You do know me, Miss Coren,” the guy with the beard said. “My aunt is Nancy Striffer.”
A faint memory of a knot of college boys getting arrested for public intoxication last year flitted through my mind. I faced him, ignoring the grunts of Titus as they shuffled him up the stairs and into my house.
“Right. Dain. The glory of Franklin. Arrested for public intoxication and not one but two DUIs between the bunch of you. Am I correct?”
“This isn’t a time for throwing mud, now.”
“Then call me at the bakery, Dain.” I got in his face. I could smell the minty dip he held in his cheek. “Because this stinks of harassment.”
His beard moved in and out as he pursed his lips, seeming to consider what he wanted to say. “You accosted my aunt, but you’re lucky she has no desire to press charges.”
“Press charges?” I laughed. “For what exactly? Because I didn’t accost anyone.”
Another of Nancy’s boys came forward, a Predators hat in one hand and a rifle in the other. This one wore a golf shirt and the air of private schooling. “We think it might be good if you and your friends left town for a while.”
“I’m sorry,” I said. “Are you even eighteen yet? Why are you here?”
A scowl twisted prep school’s face, and he started toward me, his arm muscles tensing.
There was a quick breeze, and then Lucus was standing beside me, his brothers a few steps away. “Shall I remove them?”
I patted Lucus on the chest. “Nah, love. I’ve got this. Listen, I’m sure you’re trying to be good guys and doing what your aunt asked,” I said to Dain and company, “but I doubt she wants anyone to get hurt. Right?”
They exchanged glances like they were considering their next move. Surely, these goofballs would mosey on. They weren’t going to start a—
Rifle slung across his shoulders, prep school came closer, his cologne souring the air. He was bearded guy’s cousin, if I remembered correctly. Nancy had introduced me at the Main Street Festival years ago. Yeah. Dain was the bearded one and golf shirt, prep school dude was Evan.
“You’re a witch,” he said quietly.
Ice cracked along my spine like I knew exactly where this was headed from tales of Salem and countless movies.
“You are the reason for these earthquakes. You and your new friends here.” Dain cocked his shotgun, his features practically exploding with judgment. “We strongly suggest you find a new place
