A Mistletoe Wish, page 7
The man shook his head, a defeated look in his eyes. "I've tried everything. A better job, a new home. Nothing seems to work."
Maybe he wasn’t worthy. Maybe because she was standing next to him, his luck would be even worse now.
"Next!" called the attendant, making her jump guiltily.
“It’s your turn,” the man said, glaring at her.
“You can go ahead of me,” she said. It was the least she could do if he had been contaminated by her bad luck.
The man grunted and stormed up to the well. He raised the bucket from the depths of the well and then brought out a special ladle that they sold in town. He dipped the ladle into the water and took a sip. Then he reached into his pocket and tossed a gold coin down into the depths. “I need that to come back to me ten thousand-fold.”
Selena held her breath. A loud rumbling started from the bottom of the well, and then a geyser of gold-colored coins vomited up from the bottom like a volcano. Selena gaped in horror as mounds upon mounds of Sacagawea dollars pelted the poor man until he was knocked to the ground and battered by them.
No one dared approach the small fortune of coins that half buried the unconscious man.
“Well, that’s new,” The werewolf captain of the town’s police force said, coming up to stand next to her. She had found out from Ben that his name was Simon.
“Is it?”
“It seems like his wish was granted, with a vengeance.”
Selena wondered if that was her fault. “We should check and see if he’s okay.”
Simon spoke a guttural order in a language she didn’t understand into the microphone unit he had attached to his ear. Two ghouls moved in carrying a stretcher. They loaded the man and his golden coins onto it, snapping at a few eager tourists who tried to snatch the dollars from the ground.
“I believe you were next,” Simon said, indicating with his hand that she should start the line over again.
“I guess I am.” Selena stepped up to the well, feeling the weight of her curse on her shoulders. She lowered the bucket into the well, and when it was full, she pulled it back up. With a deep breath, she closed her eyes and whispered, “I know we kind of spoke in the dreamlands unless, of course, I imagined it all. I just wanted to come here and make my request in person.” Cupping her palm, she scooped up some water from the bucket and took a sip. Switching to Elvish, she said louder, “Please, ancient powers that be, help me break this curse that has haunted me for so long. Grant me guidance on how to make my wish come true so I may live a life unburdened by this cruel fate.” Selena opened her eyes. “And to be clear, my heart’s desire is that I’d like to no longer be unlucky and cause other people bad fortune.”
She waited a few more seconds. “Hello?”
She had expected to feel the immediate effects of her wish as if a great weight would be lifted from her shoulders, replaced by the warmth and light of newfound connections. Or at least a confirmation that she had been heard. Instead, she found herself staring into the depths of the wishing well, waiting for something—anything—to change.
“Hey lady, there’s a line here,” a man said.
“You will wait your turn,” Simon growled.
“It’s all right,” Selena said dejectedly. “I’m done.” But as she turned away, a faint tinkling of bells caught her attention.
“When you find what you’ve been missing all your life, the well will grant you your heart’s desire.” The voice belonged to the sunsidhe, Candace Juniper. And it came from all around Selena.
“Did you hear that?” She asked Simon.
“Hear what?”
“Nothing.” Selena moved aside as the impatient man who was next in line sank to his knees in front of the well. He didn’t bother to lower the bucket. He tipped it to his mouth and took a drink.
“I want a gorgeous woman who will obey my every command.”
There was a grumbling roar from the depth of the well.
“Does this happen often?” Selena asked.
“Often enough, you’d think there would be a social media page dedicated to things not to wish for,” Simon said.
Floating up from the well on a fluffy cloud was a golden retriever puppy with a pink bow around its neck. It drifted over the wall and settled down at the man’s feet.
“What’s this? I said woman, not female.”
There was a crack of thunder and a deep voice that was definitely not Candace’s said, “You said woman, but you thought bitch.”
“Intent is everything,” Simon said solemnly.
The man scooped up the puppy and stomped away from the well, muttering about bullshit.
“Do you think the puppy will be all right?” Selena asked.
“If she is in danger, the well will see to her protection.” And then a bird pooped on Simon’s head.
Selena took a sidestep away from him. “I should be going.”
As she walked back to the town square, she racked her brain, trying to figure out how she could find what she had been missing all her life. Her clues were to spend time away from the Faelands. Check. Experience more of what the universe could offer her. Okay. And something that required great strength and sacrifice. That remained to be seen. What she did know was that she wasn’t ready to move on to the next artifact just yet. Not when there was potential here in Hope. And the possibility of spending more time with Ben.
Chapter Eight
Selena
The moon hung low in the winter sky, casting a silvery glow over the town while Selena escorted Ben as he did his nightly rounds around town. She was nervous about being out so openly, but they weren't run over by a malfunctioning car, and there weren't any vampire hunters coming out of the alleyways to chuck holy water balloons at them. Squinting up into the sky, she could see the gargoyle guards flying over the town, and every now and then, they passed a werewolf foot patrol on the streets.
“Everyone seems to be decorating for the Winter Festival,” Ben grumbled. “Even though it’s still three weeks away.”
“You don’t seem excited about it.”
Ben shrugged. “It’s the same thing every year. But that’s the thing with traditions, isn’t it?”
“Yeah,” Selena said, trying to force a lightness into her tone that she didn’t feel.
Ben stopped and faced her. “I’m sorry. Did I bring up a painful memory?”
“Not painful. Not anymore. Our tribe has Yule traditions. I wasn’t good in the kitchen. I liked eating cookies more than baking them. I was a menace with a broom, so I wasn’t allowed to clean the yurts we lived in. So, I would lead the group to gather mistletoe from the forest to add to our tribe’s collection. I did that for most of my life until the curse made it more of a chore than a tradition.”
“What happened?”
Selena blew out a sigh. “One year, I led the raiding party over a bear trap. We had to fight our way out of the trap and then again from the rangers who had been poaching on our lands. Another year, the crop of mistletoe we collected suddenly turned into poison ivy and covered all of us in a terrible itchy rash.”
Ben winced.
“But the last straw for me and my tribe was around this time last year. Last year, as I tried to help prepare for the festival, everything that could go wrong did. I tripped and knocked over the hearth decorations, breaking several cherished ornaments. Then, as I tried to light the candles, I accidentally set my hair on fire, which caused a panic. And when we finally gathered to exchange gifts, I somehow managed to ruin every single one, from a simple doll to a handcrafted wooden toy."
Ben's eyes widened in sympathy.
"That wasn’t the worst of it," Selena continued with a heavy sigh. "To top it all off, I accidentally spilled a pot of hot soup all over our tribe's revered storyteller, Elder Nessa. She had been sharing our ancient Yule tales, and my mishap injured her and ruined a precious scroll. That was the moment my tribe decided that my curse of bad luck had gone too far, and they couldn't bear the misfortune I brought upon our most sacred traditions any longer. They started the long banishment process, and here I am."
Ben placed a comforting hand on Selena's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Selena.”
She half expected his hand to break out in hives or catch on fire. But when it didn’t, she let herself relax under it.
“Hopefully, once I find what I’ve been missing all my life, the well will grant my heart’s desire, and I’ll finally get rid of this curse.”
“I sincerely hope that happens for you,” Ben said, but he appeared to be melancholy.
“What are you thinking about?” she asked as they circled back towards the town hall.
“About all the paperwork I have to do,” he said glumly.
“We could put that off for a bit and have some hot cocoa,” she suggested.
“Add in a peppermint stick, and you’ve got yourself a deal.”
They ducked into The Gingerbread House, a cozy café that had just opened for the night. As they sat down, Selena gazed at the warm, flickering candles on the tables and the garlands of pine and holly that adorned the walls. The sweet, spicy smell of cinnamon and cloves mingled with the rich aroma of chocolate and cream. A sudden pang of restlessness distracted her, but she pushed it aside, determined to enjoy the moment.
A young waitress, a pale, freckled girl with short, dark hair and bright green eyes, greeted them with a wide smile. "Hi, Mayor Ben and friend. My name is Jinx. What can I get you?"
"Two hot cocoas with peppermint sticks, please,” Selena requested.
Jinx nodded and scribbled down their order on her notepad. As she turned to the counter, Selena caught a glimpse of a strange symbol tattooed on the back of her neck. It was a twisted knot of vines and thorns with a small, glowing gem in the center.
Selena couldn’t help but stare at the symbol, wondering what it meant. Jinx turned around and caught Selena's gaze, causing her to quickly look away.
"Is everything okay?" Ben asked, noticing Selena's sudden discomfort.
"I'm fine," Selena replied, but her mind was still fixated on the symbol. She had seen it somewhere before. But the memory was elusive like she had seen it in a dream or as a very young girl.
Their hot cocoas arrived, and they sipped the warm, comforting drink in silence for a few moments. Selena smiled as Ben's eyes lit up at the sight of the steaming mugs. They settled down at a small table in the corner, and Selena warmed her hands around the mug. The scent of chocolate and peppermint wafted up to her nose, and she sighed contentedly.
"This is perfect," she murmured and took a sip.
Ben hummed in agreement, his eyes closing as he savored the taste. "You know, Selena," he said after a moment, "I don't think you’re cursed."
Selena looked up in surprise. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, maybe all those things that happened to your tribe were coincidences. Maybe you just had a string of bad luck."
Selena frowned, unsure of what to say. She had always believed in the curse, that it was her fault that everything went wrong. But Ben's words made her think.
"That’s a lot of coincidences. Everything I touch seems to go wrong, or break, or fall apart. Just the other day, I was almost hit by a car.”
“Almost being the key word.”
Selena chewed her peppermint stick thoughtfully, considering Ben's words. Maybe he was right. Maybe it wasn't her fault that everything went wrong. Maybe it was just a string of bad luck. But even so, she couldn't help but feel like there was something more to it. Something deeper that she couldn't quite put her finger on. But even if it was just a coincidence, it didn't change the fact that she had been banished from her tribe. And if it wasn’t just a coincidence, it didn't change the fact that she would be better off alone to avoid causing harm to anyone else.
"I don't know," she said finally. "It's hard to shake the feeling that it's my fault."
Ben reached across the table and took her hand. "Maybe it's time to let go of that feeling. Maybe it's time to start fresh, to start anew."
Selena looked at him, her heart aching. It would be so easy to give in, to let go of the guilt and the shame that had plagued her for so long. But it wasn't that simple. She noticed the way Ben's eyes lingered on her. It wasn't the usual friendly gaze she was accustomed to. It was something more heated. She flushed under his stare and pulled her hand away, suddenly feeling exposed and vulnerable. "I don't think it's that easy, Ben. I can't just forget about everything that's happened. And my tribe certainly won’t."
"I'm not saying to forget about it," he said, his voice low and intense. "But maybe it's time to forgive yourself. Maybe your tribe doesn’t deserve you."
Selena’s heart raced as she looked at him, unsure what to say. Something in his eyes made her feel like she was the only person in the world. She was drawn to him despite the warnings she gave herself to hold back her emotions.
“My whole family is there. My tribe needs me.”
“Of course,” he said softly. “I’m sorry for saying that.”
“Don’t be,” she said. “I can see how it looks from an outsider—that they tossed me away like garbage. But that’s just how things are done in the Faelands.”
“I understand, but please consider this: It’s not how we do things here in Hope.”
She nodded. She had already seen that for herself. She looked around the café to take her mind off these warm and strange feelings he evoked inside her. The garlands of pine and holly were adorned with little red bows, and a beautiful wreath hung on the door. A small Christmas tree was set up in the corner, twinkling with colorful lights and shiny ornaments. Kente fabric table runners were on every table. Colorful dreidels were set in large glass jars on the coffee bar. Pinecones were scattered on every surface, and large banners of a stag and a blazing sun hung by the bathrooms. There were other religious and holiday decorations around that she didn’t recognize, as well. But it was the symbol on Jinx's neck that continued to nag at her. She couldn't shake the feeling that she had seen it before and that it was important somehow.
“You certainly represent all cultures in celebrating the winter holidays,” Selena said.
“It’s what the Winter Festival is all about,” he said. “Hope is about inclusion for everyone.”
A thought hit her. “I imagine that’s why the vampire hunters are targeting the town. The vampire hunters want a human mayor and to drive the supernaturals out. I just can’t figure out why Izina would be helping them or why they’re helping her with whatever she has planned for the town if she manages to get rid of you.”
“Hopefully, my werewolves can get us that information.”
“Any word?”
Ben shook his head grimly. “Rahl hasn’t reported in either. I’ll give them a few more days before I call them back to Hope.”
“I hope they’re all right.”
“They’re tough.” But Ben looked worried.
"Excuse me," Selena said when Jinx came back to the table to check if they needed refills. "What's the story behind your tattoo?"
The waitress's eyes widened, and she looked down at her neck, touching the symbol with a frown. "It's personal," she said hesitantly.
"I’ve seen it before," Selena pressed. "Are you Fae?"
The girl shook her head. "No, I’m not. Who are you?"
"I'm Selena. It's nice to meet you."
"Selena is my new bodyguard," Ben said, sounding like he was boasting.
Jinx's face blanched.
"Where would I have seen that tattoo before?" Selena wished the girl would turn around so she could get a better look at it.
"I'm not really sure," Jinx said. “Do you have tattoos?”
“No.”
"Why do you ask?" Jinx said, slowly starting to back away from their table.
"I think it might be important," Selena replied. "But I don’t know why."
Jinx's complexion grew even paler. "Will there be anything else, or can I get you the check?"
Before Selena could ask any more questions, Ben interrupted.
"I hate to cut this short, but I just remembered something I need to take care of. Do you mind if we get going?"
"Oh, no. Not at all." Selena did feel a twinge of disappointment. She had been enjoying their conversation. When she looked up again, Jinx was gone.
Chapter Nine
Ben
Ben concentrated on the bond between him and his wolves. He sensed Wyatt skulking about in the forest, hunting the blacksmith’s apprentice, Nia. Wyatt had her scent. It was only a matter of time before he brought her back. He wondered why she had been so spooked at seeing Selena in town. He could only hope that whatever it was wouldn’t bring pain to Selena.
He watched her out of the corner of his eye while he pretended to do paperwork. She was diligent, standing at his office window looking out into the night. He could tell that her making the rounds of the town hall ruffled Gertrude’s feathers a bit, but maybe that was a good thing. If Selena annoyed her enough, perhaps Gertrude’s silly crush on him would fade when it was apparent that he and Selena were intimate.
Of course, that might take some time—time he didn’t have as the days counted down to the Winter Festival and then Yule. If the wishing well didn’t grant Selena her wish to be curse free, she would move on.
His eyes lingered on the way her tight leather pants clung to her backside as she left his office to do her rounds of the building.
A few moments later, there was a terrible crash outside and then loud Elvish cursing. Selena had knocked over the suit of armor that had been standing in the foyer of the town hall. Luckily, the armor was animated and was putting itself back together.
“Sorry,” she called up as he peered over the spiral staircase.
“As long as you’re all right, it’s fine,” he said.
He could sense Gertrude’s annoyance and felt a little guilty that it gave him a pang of glee.
“Master,” she started to say.
“Mayor,” he corrected.
