“My mother? Please.” Winnie took a sip of her juice. “Her mission in life is to shelter us from the big bad world.”
“Then she should leave Ile de Paix. This is the last place anyone should raise a human child.” Aunt Mina wasn’t loaded or anything, but if she really wanted to, she could afford to live somewhere else. She bought and sold rare books over the internet — they could be shipped from Florida as easily as Ile de Paix.
“According to her, it’s the lowest crime rate anywhere,” Winnie said. “Ironically, being around supernaturals is the safest place to raise a family.”
Just not the safest place for me.
“Besides, this island is sentimental to my mom, since we all spent so much time together here during the summers. Plus, I think she needs to feel that connection to her sister.” Winnie paused to take a bite from her sandwich. “Your mom knew your dad was a werewolf when she married him, right?”
“Yeah.” I scooped up a spoonful of yogurt. “My mom was a witch so she could feel the energy off other supernaturals.”
“My mom said your dad took off before she could tell him she was pregnant with you. Did she know you’d be a werewolf?”
“Yep.” I scowled at the ham and cheese sandwich on her tray.
Winnie set her sandwich down and leaned forward. “Ever thought about searching for him?”
I shook my head. “Can’t. My mom heard a long time ago that he’d been killed.”
Winnie’s face fell.
“It’s okay.” I lifted one shoulder. “I never knew him.” It still stung a bit knowing I was an orphan.
She gave me a sympathetic smile. “You wish werewolfism wasn’t hereditary, don’t you?”
I gave a half laugh. “I’d rather be a witch. No such luck.”
“There has to be something good about being a werewolf. You’re way stronger than humans and could live forever.”
“And I’m more capable of hurting people,” I scoffed, taking another bite of yogurt.
Winnie’s smile faded with her enthusiasm. “If your mom knew you’d hit maturity and morph, why didn’t she prepare you better?” She took another bite of her sandwich.
“She meant to. But she didn’t know much more than me. She thought we had at least a couple more years before we had to deal with it. It wouldn’t have mattered though, because my dad wasn’t around and, outside this island, werewolves avoid witches. They wouldn’t have helped us. She would’ve been as lost as me,” I said.
“Last year, I had this friend who went missing for a couple weeks. When she came back, she was… different. Anyway, one day, I was in the bathroom stall and no one knew I was there. She was talking about what it was like at obedience school and how they put her in isolation for a week. Supposedly, that’s all the time she needed to be able to control her morphing.”
I nodded and struggled to keep the impatience out of my voice. “I’m guessing she didn’t nearly kill her boyfriend though. Just because it was easy for her, doesn’t mean it’s that easy for everyone else.”
“But did you know it’s an elective here? You can skip the isolation part and do the rest of the class. I bet the guidance counselor could hook you up.”
“Winnie, if he realizes I never did obedience school, he might put two and two together and figure out I was here that summer when… when that happened.”
“It was three years ago. You really think—”
“The crime rate here is extremely low. When a kid is attacked and maimed, people remember.”
“Maybe someone else can help you, like an older werewolf who’s had years of practice controlling the beast. It can’t be that hard. I mean, werewolves have hidden from humans for centuries. If they didn’t have some kind of discipline, no way could they keep their secret.”
How nice would it be not to constantly worry about exposing my true nature to humans or get thrown in jail for what I’d done to Jack?
But I didn’t want to seek help that could lead to anyone discovering that incident.
“If you learn how to stay human when you need to, you could go out more often without being afraid of what might happen. And you wouldn’t miss out on the ball.” Winnie bit another chunk from the sandwich and chewed. “Maybe you could make friends with a werewolf here and get some tips.”
“Winnie, I can’t.” I lowered my voice. “I don’t want to draw attention to myself. If any of them discovered I’d bitten a human and possibly killed Jack, I’d be put away. Or worse.” I shoved the yogurt container aside and stared at my tray.
Winnie gave me one raised brow and cocked her head. “I remember your mom saying that they don’t expect anyone under fifteen years old to have much control. They’ll go easy on you, Cyd. I’m sure of it.”
“If the boy died, maybe not. And I can’t take the chance they’ll ship me off or something. I’d be scared and I’d miss you guys. And what about Gavin? He’s lost so much already.” I was dangerously close to whining.
“Seriously, Cydney?” Winnie let out a heavy sigh, full of all the things she longed to say. And was probably about to. “You act like we don’t live in the most paranormally populated country on the planet. Ile de la Paix is war-free. It’s like Switzerland for monsters. This is the safest place for people like you and the best place to find out everything you need to know.”
My hopes for a relaxing lunch had been shot to hell. Winnie would nag me until I gave up — which meant she’d nag me forever, because she wouldn’t get her way this time. No way. “Why are you pushing this?”
She gave me a sympathetic look.
“What?” I took a few gulps of water, hoping it would fill me up, then I wouldn’t have to eat. Plus, later when I had to pee, it would get me out of class for a few minutes.
“It sucks watching you agonize every day that you might kill someone.” She dropped the spoon she’d been about to dip into her cottage cheese, and leaned toward me. “You hardly ever go anywhere. You’re seventeen, Cyd. You should be going out Friday nights and meeting boys. Instead, you lock yourself in the dungeon.”
“It’s hardly a dungeon.” Dungeons didn’t have their own bathroom.
“Still, it’s not healthy hiding out all the time. I’m just concerned. Why suffer through that when you can get help? Even if you don’t want help, you know you need it.”
I avoided her gaze, concentrating instead on the paper label wrapped around my water bottle.
“Go to the ball, Cyd. Maybe it’ll be easier than you think.”
I studied Winnie’s face and after a moment, I sighed. “I’ll think about it.”
Winnie’s eyes met mine. “That’s all I ask.”
Not even a fairy godmother knocking on my door and handing me glass slippers and a diamond studded gown could make me want to go to that ball. Meeting a snobby prince who thought he was better than everyone else didn’t tempt me for even a second.
Even if the girly things — like dressing up and waltzing — didn’t make me want to gouge my eyeballs out with an ice cream scooper, I would never put myself around that many people and risk anyone discovering my past.
I didn’t want Winnie and Beatrice to be disappointed when the day of the ball arrived and they went without me. I had to convince Winnie and Beatrice what a horrible idea any social affair would be for a werewolf girl like me.
Chapter Five
Remy
“Please, Dunston, help me,” I pleaded to the top of his white-blond head.
He remained focused on the book in his lap. “You know there’s nothing I can do once your father’s made up his mind.”
I loomed over the king’s advisor, praying he would take pity on me. Dunston was my only hope to talk some sense into my father. “Then get him to change it.”
“Even if I could, I’m not sure I want to.” Lord Dunston raised his gaze from the book and reached toward his glass to sip the thick, red liquid. He swallowed, then resumed pretending not to care that my life, as I knew it, would end in six months.
“I order you to try anyway.” I lifted my chin, hoping he’d see how futile it was to fight me.
“You do?” His English accent thickened. “Shall I tell His Majesty King Lefevre that your wishes now overrule his?”
I groaned, knowing I was screwed. “Please, Dunston, I’m begging you to help me.” I dropped to my knees in front of him, hoping he’d finally make eye contact with me and see how badly I needed his cooperation. “I can’t marry some girl just because he tells me to.”
“And why is that? Is he no longer your king and father?” A smile played at the corner of his mouth.
“You’re messing with me,” I said through my tight jaw. “You can’t expect me to go along with Dad’s antiquated thinking.”
Dunston growled. “Our sovereign must be obeyed. I don’t make the laws, but my sworn duty is to enforce them.”
“You can’t possibly think a forced marriage is good for anyone. Why won’t you help me?” I peered into Dunston’s mug and my mouth watered at the tangy metallic scent wafting from it. I hadn’t fed in several days — not since my father had laid down the law and threatened to cut me off from my inheritance. I’d totally lost my appetite. The contents of the mug, however, was bringing it back. “You’re his most trusted advisor. He’ll listen to you.”
He dropped his book in his lap and his eyes shot to mine. “Has it occurred to you that maybe this will be good for you? Remy, it’s time you moved on.”
My stomach tightened. So that’s what this was about. Dunston didn’t support my dream to find the girl I really wanted, the girl I couldn’t purge from my mind, even years later. I had to make him understand it wasn’t as simple as finding someone to replace her. “I’m not ready to move on. If you were me, could you let the love of your life go?”
“Actually, yes. Realities as one grows. Inevitably, you’ll find that how you thought you felt back then isn’t at all how you feel now. You’re chasing a fantasy, Remy. I would think that when a girl nearly kills you, then maybe that girl isn’t the right one.”
I straightened my spine and thrust my shoulders back. “She bit me. I would’ve turned into a werewolf.”
His jaw ticked as he exhaled. “You know damn well you were too sickly to survive the transformation. If I hadn’t come along—”
“I know what I feel.” My hands fisted at my side. “I love her.”
“You barely knew her.” He flipped the page of his book, but he wasn’t really reading.
I had his attention, but not in a good way. Hell, I’d take what I could get.
“For three summers I was with her when you guys were wondering where I’d gone. I know her.” My lungs filled deeply and I continued. “I’m not moving on until I see for myself if she still feels the same or not.”
Dunston stood and slammed the book on the end table, jostling his mug of blood. “No, you don’t. You have a duty to your country and your king before all else. I won’t risk losing you to some little werewolf girl who can’t control herself!”
His face flushed and I knew I was dangerously close to really pissing him off. At that moment, I didn’t care. I just wanted to be out from under my dad’s latest order, anyway I could accomplish it.
I took a step back and angled my head. “Oh, I get it. You’re old-school — still prejudiced against werewolves.”
He scoffed and his gaze faltered. “I am not. I simply prefer not to put my king’s son in danger.” Dunston leaned down to lift the mug of blood.
“The damage is already done. She did what she did and she couldn’t help it. But you gave me your blood and saved me. We’re no longer at war with werewolves — not here anyway.” I took a few steps forward to close the distance between us. “I get that some people can’t let go of ancient prejudices, but we live on Ile de la Paix. Island of Peace, right? We’re neutral here. No werewolf would attack me knowing I’m a vampire, especially with me being the king’s son.”
He threw his shoulders back and looked me square in the eye. “You would do well to remember that there are those who would take pleasure in the fall of a warlock king, especially one so beloved and respected by his people. I hate to think what the terrorists would make of this country if they gained power. What would happen to our people? To us?” Dunston shook his head. “They may never have tried to take over had you not been turned and upset the natural order of things.”
“Wait.” I held up a hand. “Someone tried to take over?”
“As a human, you would’ve been physically weak and eventually die. But as a vampire, you have eternity.” He waved a hand over the length of me. “Now you’re a threat to them. You’re no longer easy to kill and you have all your father’s resources — his money, his allies. Their dreams of taking control have been squashed.”
“Who? We have no enemies.”
Dunston sighed and reached for his mug again. “You’re naïve. We’re on an island conveniently situated between Europe and America. We have peace, prosperity and our people are productive. We’re a wealthy country without debt, but we’re still small enough to be conquered. We’ve done our best to leave you out of island politics. You’re a legal adult now, so there’s no reason to continue to shelter you from the truth.”
“Fine. Whatever,” I said. “I’ll help Dad out and do anything I can to keep our island safe.”
“There’s more.” The look in Dunston’s eyes made my shoulders bunch up.
“What is it?” I asked.
“We’ve received threats. As near as we can tell, it’s originating from a werewolf faction in Rome. But someone on the island is doing the dirty work. This is why your father is determined to see you settled. People love a wedding. It will create loyalty, a united front. And having eligible prospects brought here, especially from Rome, gives His Majesty the opportunity to mingle with foreign dignitaries and create more allies.”
Crap. My happiness was being sold out for the good of my country. “In this day and age, no one gets married at nineteen. No one’s going to buy that. There has to be another way.”
“When you find another way, let us know.” His lips thinned into a straight line.
“I’ll make you a deal: you help me locate Cinderella and I’ll behave like a perfect gentleman at the ball.” Geez, I wished I knew her real name. Her pretend-name only made her appear more like the fantasy Dunston had accused her of being. “I’ll put on a good show and make it easier for my dad to mingle with anyone he needs to. And I won’t burn any bridges.”
Dunston’s exhale proved I was wearing him down. “I’ll see what I can do.”
Chapter Six
Cydney
Just minutes until the end of my last class and I couldn’t bear one more second. I needed some air. I needed to run. Every nerve ending, every muscle and every cell in my body commanded me to morph.
When I felt the little tremble that told me the wolf was near, I focused on Jack. Not the moment I’d bitten him, but the way he’d look at me those days right before the kiss. Just the image of him slowed my breathing and my shimmering limbs steadied.
I missed him. I missed our hikes, our talks and the way I’d felt when we were together.
At last, the bell rang. I bolted from the room and tore out of the school. I wasn’t taking any chances. Skidding to a stop outside the building by the curb, I scanned the area for my aunt’s Audi. I breathed deeply and fast, like I’d run miles, instead of less than a block. But I wasn’t winded. Just afraid of losing control.
“Hey.” Winnie sidled up beside me. “So did the rest of your first day get any better?”
“It could’ve been better.” Her presence calmed me instantly. If only I could put Winnie in a bottle and take her to every class. Well, I could put her in a container — parts of her anyway. But that would be gross.
“Why don’t I call Mom and tell her we’ll walk home? We could stop at Pierre’s,” Winnie suggested.
Like I needed to get amped up on coffee.
“Yes!” Be
atrice beamed. “Perfect. Because I just learned that the new guy is going to Pierre’s. He’s way hot.”
Where had she come from? Normally, I could sense people from a block away. Not so much today. I needed to get it together.
“Who?” I asked as Winnie’s fingers danced across the keyboard of her phone. Texting her mom, I assumed.
“Over there near the stairs.” Beatrice’s eyes darted toward a group of guys. “Dark green shirt, blond hair.”
My gaze followed hers. Oh. Him. “Uh…”
“What?” Beatrice looked irate. “Are you going to tell me he’s not human?”
I scrunched up my face. “Let’s just say I hope you like guys who howl at the moon.”
“No, I don’t,” she hissed. Then she backpedaled. “I mean, you’re okay. But I don’t want to date one. Hey, I’ve seen what your room looks like in the mornings.”
Winnie raised a brow at her sister.
“Oh, c’mon. Could you really date a guy who gets that hairy? I bet they shed too, which means I could never wear black. Either that or I’d go broke buying lint removers.” Beatrice gave me an apologetic look. “Sorry.”
I didn’t think I could feel any uglier, but Beatrice managed to take me to depths I never thought possible. No normal guy would ever want me. Not when he discovered the real me.
Beatrice groaned. “Cydney, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way.”
I knew she didn’t. Even so, it still hurt. “What can I say?” I forced my mouth into a smile. “It’s the truth.”