A Witch's Dark Craving (A Distant Edge Romance Book 2) Read online

  "What do you mean?"

  "You want to play that game with me?"

  No matter what I said, Aurelia would be angry, but I realized in that moment, I didn't know why. Was I really willing to push her, knowing what she was capable of?

  I'd always been the good girl. Mama's girl. I'd never left home. I'd never ventured farther than our town of Distant Edge. In college, when my friends had gone less than an hour south to Mexico or less than an hour north to San Diego, I hadn't gone with them.

  I wasn't afraid to leave, I just never wanted to. I was content here at home with Aurelia and Iphigenia. I had my painting and a friend or two that had stayed after college. But recently, those friends had gotten married, and one was pregnant. They didn't have time for me anymore. And now Sadie was following in the same worn path of the status quo. Was my altered perception of reality how I justified dying a spinster virgin?

  My mother snapped her fingers in front of my face. "Chrysothemis, are you daydreaming?"

  "What? No, sorry." My tongue twisted up in my mouth. Suddenly it seemed far too big for such a confined space.

  "I thought I knew you. You were the only one of my three daughters that I could count on." She shook her head slowly, tsking.

  "What? Of course, Mama, I'm right here."

  "No you're not. Okay fine, I'll bring up the elephant in the room. You sounded like your sister Sadie last night, in your own bedroom. I don't think you need me to tell you where that path leads."

  Heat crept up my chest and into my face. I licked my lips. "Sadie is a sesso, Mom." I looked her in the eye. "She needs to use sex for her magic to work."

  "Exactly, Chrys, and you don't."

  "Don't you want me to be happy?"

  "Of course I want you to be happy, but what does that have to do with getting frisky on your own in your room?"

  I shifted again in the high-back wooden chair as restrictive as a coffin. The last thing I wanted to do was talk about sex with my mother.

  Aurelia huffed. She folded her arms in front of her on the table and looked at me, waiting for me to meet her eye.

  Finally I looked at her, knowing I was probably beet red. Red never looked good on me.

  "Chrys," Aurelia began, saying my name softly and then stopping and shaking her head before continuing. "I want you to be happy, of course I do. I want all of my daughters to be happy. I just don't see how playing with yourself in your bedroom is the way to achieve that."

  I twisted uncomfortably in my chair and then I stood up, pushing the heavy wood frame back. It made a scraping noise on the floor. My mother's nose scrunched up.

  "Chrys, sit down," she said.

  I didn't return to my seat. Instead, I turned around and walked out of the kitchen. My mother's voice called after me. I'd never defied her before. It was both exhilarating and horrifying at the same time.

  Down the hallway on the way to my room, I paused at Iphi's door and then knocked lightly. I needed a family connection at that moment. Someone who knew me to either approve or tell me I was acting like a spoiled brat.

  "Come in," her tiny voice rang out. It was high-pitched and breathy, kittenish.

  I opened the door and peeked in. Iphi usually came to my room to talk or to sit for a painting, since I was the oldest. We'd never laid out any ground rules, it's just the way we'd operated over the years. A formed pattern.

  Her room was fastidious, just like her. Everything was neatly organized and arranged, as if I'd just caught her right after cleaning it. But no, it was like this all the time.

  She was sitting at her desk, bent over a book. She didn't even look up as I entered.

  "You can sit on the bed, Chrys," she said, waving her hand toward her canopied double. Of course she knew it was me. Aurelia didn't wait for anyone to invite her in, she just knocked and barreled through the door.

  Iphigenia's room was decorated in white and light pink. My little sister seemed like such an innocent girl. I turned to leave.

  "Don't go," she called out, and then, closing the book, she turned to face me.

  "I just don't think you can help me with this one," I said.

  "Try me."

  I walked over and smoothed out her pink and white paisley comforter before sitting down on the edge.

  "This is really hard for me to talk about. Maybe I should talk to Sadie instead."

  Iphi's hands clasped together. "Oh, it's about sex?"

  Heat flushed upward again.

  "You're blushing!" Iphi's voice rose an octave above normal. "It is about sex. How fun!"

  "What do you know about sex? You're only eighteen."

  "More than you, apparently," she said, a smile taking the sting out of her voice.

  My youngest sister was not mean or cruel, but she was blunt, just like the rest of us.

  "Okay, I just . . ." I put my head in my hands.

  Iphi leaned forward in her chair. "What? Chrys, I want to know. You can trust me."

  "I know I can, it's not that. It's that I'm embarrassed."

  "You can be embarrassed and still talk about it. I have never judged Sadie and I won't judge you."

  She spoke the truth. Iphi was not judgmental. It was not in her nature. Keeping my head in my hands so she couldn't see my face, I spilled. "Mom heard me masturbating last night."

  "Oh my god. You poor thing. That's really awful."

  I looked up at my sister, unsure of which part she found awful.

  Picking up on my look, she shook her head. "No, no, sweetie, I think it's great that you're exploring your sexuality. That is nothing to be embarrassed about. But to have Aurelia hear you, that's not good." Her little mouth turned down at the corners.

  "Iphi." I met her eyes for a moment and then looked at the floor. "It was the first orgasm I've ever had in my life."

  "What?" she almost screeched. Then she stood up, walking over.

  I couldn't meet her eye again as she sat down next to me on the bed.

  "That is nothing to be ashamed of. If anything, Aurelia should be ashamed for not being supportive."

  A snort came out of my mouth by accident. "Aurelia, supportive?"

  Iphi put her arm around me but I tried to pull away. The last thing I wanted at that moment was physical contact. She kept her arm there anyway. Iphi had always been the touchy-feely type, as opposed to me. Maybe she couldn't help it or thought it would benefit me somehow. "Please look at me," she said softly.

  I made myself turn toward her.

  "Masturbation is natural. Orgasms are delicious. Maybe you're going through a phase of discovery. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that."

  I rubbed my hands together. "Maybe I should move out."

  Iphi smiled at me but didn't say a word. She always knew when to hold her peace. Her hand patted my upper back and then, very slowly, she placed her head on my shoulder. She was nodding.

  Chapter Four

  Iphi pulled my silver Honda Civic up to The V Club, but neither of us got out.

  "I don't think you're allowed to go inside with me," I said. "It's twenty-one and older. They serve alcohol."

  "I know." She looked at me, squaring her shoulders. "I'm here for moral support."

  "Why couldn't Burgundy meet me anywhere else?"

  "You know why. Just run in and grab the keys from her. The sooner you get inside, the sooner you can leave."

  I'd never been in The V Club before and I did not want to go in now. My only solace was that it was broad daylight.

  "Okay, but you promise to wait." I looked at my sister with my brows drawn.

  "Yes, of course, I would never leave you here alone."

  I nodded and got out of the car, slowly. As I walked up to the door I kept stealing looks behind me for support. Iphi gave me a thumbs-up, which almost made me laugh.

  The heavy wooden door creaked as I opened it. Surely everyone inside had now been alerted to my entrance, but no one turned to look. It was dark, even during daylight hours. I looked around, letting my eyes adju
st to the windowless interior. Even though vampires were a race unto their own and could go out in the daylight, they preferred darkness. Probably so they could appear more mysterious.

  Techno music was building, lights were flashing, and Burgundy herself was center stage. The place was reminiscent of a speakeasy, or what I imagined a speakeasy would look like. I'd always been interested in that time period. Prohibition. The roaring twenties. The idea that when something was forbidden, it became more of a draw. The V sported red-velvet-lined booths, mahogany tables and chairs, and glittering, delicate glassware. The walls were brick, all painted a high-gloss black. The ceiling stretched up at least twenty feet and featured exposed silver and black ducts that managed to look both retro and modern.

  Scattered between the thick wooden tables were platforms each showcasing a wide pole from stage to ceiling. Currently the poles were vacant, but I had no doubt that scantily clad girls adorned each and every one in the evenings. Maybe scantily clad boys too.

  I tried to focus on Burgundy, to catch her eye so she'd know I was here. That proved difficult in the low light, with her act apparently in full swing. She was gyrating and dancing. I wanted to look away but I couldn't. She was beautiful and sexy. Something stirred. The same feeling I'd experienced the night before. My sister's best friend? A girl? Gross. It was bad enough to be turned on by a male vampire. Maybe they'd put a spell on me.

  "I'm happy to see you here." The voice in my ear was deep, dripping over me like warm honey.

  I spun around to face Carter. Thank goodness it was dark so he couldn't see me blush.

  "I didn't expect you would come to a place like this."

  I looked down. "I'm just here to meet Burgundy for a minute, Mr.--? I never did get your last name."

  "Rees. But please, Ms. Holt, call me Carter."

  How did he--? Burgundy. "You can call me Chrys," I mumbled, my tongue suddenly too large for my mouth.

  Crouching down in front of me, he looked up into my eyes. "I'm glad you're here."

  Confused, I tilted my head and took a step back.

  "Just trying to see your amazing eyes," he said slowly.

  I forced myself to look at him. Even in the darkness his eyes sparkled. "So, this is where you hang out?" My voice was tinged with judgment. Snippy.

  "I work here." He just smiled at my reprimand.

  "What?"

  He laughed, and the sound splashed against me like molten metal being poured into a casting mold. "I'm the bartender."

  "Oh." I looked away again, flushing.

  "You thought I was a dancer?"

  "You could be." I turned to watch Burgundy again but my core heated up as she removed her top, revealing her, dare I even think it, spectacular breasts. They completely defied gravity for their size, which I guessed to be at least a D. And they had those perfect dark brown areolas that I secretly admired. Mine were a boring pink. I didn't know where to look, shifting from one leg to the other. If I looked at Burgundy's naked body, I was turned on. If I looked at Carter, I was turned on. This was a fail. I spun toward the door. "I have to go."

  Carter reached his arm toward me and then dropped it. He hadn't really come close to touching me but I'd flinched anyway. The small hairs on the back of my neck stood at attention.

  "Do you want to go?" he asked so quietly that I took a small step toward him.

  I shook my head. "I'm feeling a little . . ." I looked around and then back at Carter. ". . . out of my element."

  "Would you like to come sit at the bar or in a booth? Just talk for a few minutes? I'd love to buy you a drink if you're thirsty."

  "I don't drink."

  "Never?"

  "Well . . ." I wanted to stay with him more than I wanted to leave. "I never have."

  "You've never had alcohol?" He could not hide his incredulity.

  "No. There was never any reason to."

  "How about some soda water and cranberry juice?" That smile. Those teeth.

  "That sounds good." I nodded, following him to the bar where he patted a wooden stool. I sat down, trying not to look back over my shoulder at the sexual display of my soon-to-be roommate.

  Carter stepped behind the bar, which was lined with mirrored shelves. The bottles sitting on each shelf were old, antiques. Props, probably, many without labels, marking a time lost. Black, charcoal, clear, brown, red–a gamut of color. Some were rounded, others wide. Still others were pear-shaped. The few labels visible were sepia toned, and some looked burnt either around the edges or in the middle. Squinting, I was able to make out several bottles of absinthe and a Hudson's Bay Scotch whisky. The ones without labels had raised or engraved lettering instead.

  He leaned his elbows on the dark wooden bar top, diverting my attention. "One cranberry and soda coming up."

  He reached for bottles underneath the bar and I watched him busily pouring and mixing. My eyes flitted to the mirror again, this time catching my own reflection between the collectibles. Why had I chosen such an ugly T-shirt? And one replete with paint splotches of green and gold, no less. Was that a bleach stain? Like the old yawn and stretch, when boys tried to end up with an arm around girls in middle school, I strategically placed a hand over the stains. Could I be more out of place here? Not only did I stand out like a massive wart on the end of a witch's nose, I was not making a good impression in the elegance department.

  A few minutes later, he placed a tall glass on the bar with bubbly pink liquid in it.

  I anxiously brushed my hair back, wishing I'd at least put it into a ponytail. It hung limp around my face. Why had both of my sisters gotten curls and I'd gotten straight hair?

  "You don't like it?" Carter looked offended.

  "Oh, sorry." I reached for the glass and slid it toward me. I leaned forward to bring the glass to my nose and inhaled. "It smells like lime."

  "Good nose, I added a splash." Carter leaned toward me. "Taste it."

  I brought the drink up to my lips, and then in a flash it was gone. Had someone snatched it out of my hand? Suddenly, Burgundy was sitting on the stool next to me, holding my drink. I would never get used to vampire reflexes. I tilted my head at her and reached for the glass.

  "Oh no you don't." She was talking to me but she was looking at Carter. "What do you think you're doing, Carter? This one is off-limits."

  "Excuse me, I'm sitting right here." I glanced at him. He was wearing a sly smile.

  "I think that one gets to make up her own mind, Burg."

  Burgundy put the drink on the bar and reached for my arm. Why was everyone trying to touch me? I tried to pull away but her grasp was quick and firm. She gently led me off the stool and away from the bar. She was still topless and I tried, unsuccessfully, to focus on her lovely face. She saw me looking and smiled but didn't comment. Thankfully.

  "He's not your type," Burgundy said as she placed the keys in my hand and then closed my hand around them.

  "What is my type?" I asked her.

  "Another witch, a human perhaps."

  I made a noise.

  "Right, you're like a mini Aurelia."

  "Please do not call me that."

  "Oh, you've had a change of heart about her?"

  "Let's just say I've recently experienced being on her bad side."

  "Do tell." Burgundy leaned closer and her ample breast brushed against my arm. I shivered as an unexpected twinge shot between my legs and then morphed into heart-racing discomfort. I straightened up quickly, pulling a safer distance away.

  Burgundy, noticing my reaction, offered me a shrug and an apologetic smile. "Sorry. I'm so used to running around naked here that I forget sometimes it can make people uncomfortable. Maybe it's a good thing. The V can help desensitize you."

  I looked away, then down at my splattered T. I didn't want to be more desensitized than I already was. If anything, the opposite sounded intriguing. What was wrong with me? I didn't like sex. I didn't like blood-suckers either. It was like something inside myself had broken free last night, some
thing deep and dormant.

  I shook my head. "Iphi is waiting for me in the car."

  "A minute ago it looked suspiciously like you were flirting with our bartender." She tilted her head, allowing her lovely dark hair to fall across a bare shoulder.

  "I was waiting for you to finish your . . . exhibition."

  "My dance?"

  "Sure, whatever." I turned away from her, hiding my crimson cheeks in the shadows.

  "I'll meet you at home later, and you can tell me what Aurelia did to change your mind. Whatever it was, I'm glad." She was talking to my back but she sounded genuine. Burgundy had always been kind to me in the past, even when Sadie hadn't, and for that I was grateful.

  "Thank you, Burgundy." I turned back to flash her a smile but she was already back at the bar, leaning toward Carter with her big tits resting on the bar top. A pang of jealousy stabbed me like a metal hangar in my gut. He, however, was not looking at her tits. He was looking past her. He was looking at me.

  I stood by the moving truck, not wanting to accidentally run into my mother. Iphi had warned me that Aurelia was in one of her moods.

  Ryder and Sadie came out of the house first, pushing my bed frame on an upright dolly. Iphi followed with several boxes.

  "I'm going in there, this is silly. It's going to take longer if I don't help," I said.

  Sadie shook her head but Ryder nodded.

  "Come on, Sadie, she's got a point. If Aurelia is angry, it's best we get Chrys moved out as quickly as possible." He put his arm on her shoulder and squeezed it.

  "Okay but only go inside with me," Sadie said.

  That was surprisingly nice of Sadie. I guess we'd come a long way from hating each other, to putting up with each other, then to working together last summer to save our family and town.

  "Thank you." It was time to remove the stick wedged firmly up my backside and accept my sister for who she was. She had a good heart.

  We walked back inside together, Ryder patting her butt as she left. He and Iphi stayed outside to load the truck.

  "Things must be going well," I said to her.

  "Very," she replied. "We'll see how long the honeymoon period lasts when we're living together though." Her pale cheeks flushed pink as she laughed. "I'm happy you decided to take my old room at Casa Mañana, I really am. It's going to be so good for you to--"