Spellcaster All-Stars, page 34
Jovi squares her shoulders, drawing herself up to her full height, eyes hardened to flint. “Earlier today, a housekeeper came by to clean and ran into something while vacuuming beneath Nathaniel’s bed. She called her supervisor, who, unfortunately, sold it to a member of the press.” Her voice becomes clipped. “We saw the breaking story on Otherworld News Network. They revealed the contents inside a small blue velvet pouch. It contained mage’s blight, a dried-up chicken foot, a live tick, a tarnished copper coin, ash, three small river stones carved with—”
“It’s a sickness charm,” Nathaniel interrupts, his voice vibrating with barely contained fury. He runs a hand through his disheveled chestnut hair, leaving it standing on end. “All the ingredients to gradually siphon a wizard’s magical energy while simultaneously introducing a persistent malady that is resistant to both mundane medicine and healing spells.” As he speaks, a vein pulses visibly at his temple.
“Mmf. Mmf.” Tripp shakes his head in jerky movements, eyes wild with panic. His chest heaves with rapid breaths, and sweat now trickles down the side of his face.
Jovi ignores him. “As soon as the news hit, I called Nathaniel right before Dennis and I rushed over.”
“I was on my way to a witch doctor as a last resort when I felt my illness suddenly disperse like that.” Nathaniel snaps his fingers, the sound echoing sharply in the tense room. His face still looks paler than usual, and there are dark circles under his olive eyes.
“What does this have to do with me?” I ask.
Kace steps closer to me, his large frame almost vibrating with protective energy. His hand finds the small of my back, warm and steady. The muscles in his forearm flex as he restrains himself from pulling me closer.
“We found something else while searching this room,” Jovi says, her voice dropping to a grave tone. She glances at me with something like pity in her eyes.
“Mmmm” is the only protest Tripp manages. His eyes are now frantic, darting between me and Kace, sweat pouring down his face as he struggles against his invisible bonds.
“This was in Mr. Peters’s nightstand.” Jovi walks over to the dresser with measured steps, grabs something on top, and brings it over to show me.
“Is that a voodoo doll—of me?” I gasp, my hand flying to my mouth. The room suddenly feels like it’s spinning.
A creepy three-inch doll made from burlap rests in Jovi’s palm. It has a stitched mouth, mismatched button eyes, and several strands of ash-blond human hair sticking out at the top of its head. My eyes widen in horror. Is that my freaking hair? I grab a handful of my hair subconsciously and shudder, feeling violated. Most disturbing of all are the black pins stuck in each of the doll’s hands.
“What the fuck?” Kace roars, his voice transforming from human to something animal-adjacent. His eyes flash amber—a sign of his wolf rising close to the surface—and his entire body tenses like a coiled spring. The veins in his neck stand out through his wolf tattoo as his face contorts with rage.
Jovi pulls away and glowers. “Mr. Warren, I warned you.” Her voice is sharp, but there’s a hint of unease in it too.
“Fuck that!” Kace’s hands ball into fists at his sides, and for a moment, I worry he might actually shift right here in the hotel room.
“Can you please take those pins out?” I ask Jovi, my voice cracking. My hands are shaking as I hold them out in front of me.
She nods once and plucks them out quickly with nimble fingers. I sigh in instant relief, clenching and unclenching my fists several times. “The pain’s gone.” I sob in relief. For a second, the release makes me forget about Tripp and the doll.
Kace is another story. His face transforms into something primal, a mask of pure fury. He storms over to Tripp, muscles bunching under his shirt, and leans down until they’re nose to nose. The air around him seems to shimmer with heat as he yells, “How could you?” Spittle flies from his mouth, landing on Tripp’s cheek, but Tripp can’t even flinch away.
“Mrrrgh,” Tripp responds, his eyes bulging with desperation.
“Relento,” Nathaniel says, with another snap of his fingers.
Tripp gasps. “It wasn’t me, I swear.” The words tumble out as if he’s been holding them back for hours. His chest heaves as he gulps air. “I would never— I couldn’t—” His eyes dart to the bag in Kace’s hand, a reminder of the normal evening we were having together before all this.
Nathaniel scoffs. “The only people with access to this room are you, your girlfriend, and myself.”
“And housekeeping,” Tripp yelps, his voice rising to a desperate pitch. He strains against whatever invisible force is holding him in the chair.
He’s wild-eyed and jerking in his seat like he can’t get up, like a trapped animal.
“Sure, blame it on housekeeping,” Nathaniel says disdainfully, rolling his eyes dramatically.
Tripp turns his head to Kace, his eyes pleading. “You gotta believe me. I didn’t do this.” His voice breaks on the last word.
Kace studies him in silence, his chest rising and falling with deep, controlled breaths. His eyes, still glowing amber, search Tripp’s face for something—truth, perhaps, or a hint of deception. Several emotions flash across his features—anger, betrayal, doubt—before his expression hardens into cold resolve. His face darkens, shadows playing across the planes of his face. Without breaking eye contact with Tripp, he lifts the bag with the box he’s been holding and slams it down on the table. The loud crunch of cardboard hitting wood makes everyone flinch.
“All I know,” he says, each word dripping like hot grease, “is that if you hurt Haylee, you’re gonna wish we never met.” He leans in closer, until their noses nearly touch. “Stay away from my girl. You only get this warning once.” The last words come out as a growl, inhuman and savage.
A shiver runs through me that has nothing to do with fear. I know it’s completely inappropriate given the seriousness of the situation, but I can’t help the flush of heat that spreads across my skin as I watch Kace defend me so fiercely. There’s something primal and thrilling about seeing him this way—all protective power and raw dominance. His words echo in my mind: my girl. The possessiveness in his voice makes my belly flip in a way that has nothing to do with anxiety. I press my thighs together and try to focus on the actual crisis at hand, but part of me is simply mesmerized by this wild, protective side of him.
For a moment, the room is silent except for Tripp’s ragged breathing. Then Kace turns his back on his former friend and returns to my side. His amber eyes fade back to their normal brown as he puts his arm around me, drawing me close against his solid warmth. His body still vibrates with tension, but his touch on me is gentle, protective.
In that moment, I don’t care if Tripp and Alice made the Haylee voodoo doll or someone else hired the housekeeper. What matters most is that Kace chose me over Tripp, severing a species bond of loyalty. I feel guilty for the surge of validation that washes through me, but I can’t deny it’s there.
I slide my arm around my boyfriend’s waist, now able to grip him free of discomfort. I’m mad and also grateful the doll was discovered before performance night. But mostly, I’m struck by the realization that Kace has just declared, in no uncertain terms, where his loyalties lie.
With me.
Chapter Forty-Four
When I wake up Wednesday morning, there is absolutely no pain in my fingers, and—BIG NEWS—I’m no longer a virgin! I don’t know if it’s a zombie thing, but the first time didn’t hurt at all.
I can’t help but smile into my pillow, memories of last night flooding back in warm waves. Kace was everything I’d hoped he would be. Attentive. Gentle. Patient. He whispered questions throughout, making sure I was comfortable, his brown eyes studying my face for any sign of discomfort. It wasn’t like in the movies, where everything happens in a perfectly choreographed montage, but it was real and wonderful in its own way, a meaningful connection.
“You sure?” Kace had asked, his voice husky with restraint, muscles tensed as he held himself carefully above me. That control—knowing the raw power he possesses as a werewolf yet seeing how tenderly he touched me—was possibly the sexiest thing I’ve ever experienced.
I trace my fingers along my collarbone where his lips have been, feeling the ghost of his touch and the slight bruise he left behind—a small mark that makes me blush. For all the crazy drama of the competition and voodoo doll, I’m grateful that my first time was with someone who made me feel both protected and desired. Someone who growled “my girl” with such conviction that it makes my belly flip, even now, hours later.
If Tripp truly was trying to eliminate me from the competition, his plan backfired spectacularly. While my evening ended in bliss, his concluded with disgrace. Jovi’s security team now stands guard outside his door while they investigate further, effectively placing him under hotel arrest. They relocated Nathaniel to a new room, by himself, for his safety last night.
Despite everything pointing to Tripp’s guilt, something doesn’t sit right with me. The raw confusion and desperation in his eyes last night seemed too genuine to fake. If he’s guilty, he deserves an Oscar for his convincing performance of being wrongfully accused.
What I know with absolute certainty is this: Kace picked me over a fellow werewolf. And now, one of the competition’s front-runners will likely miss the semifinals. There’s a certain poetic justice in watching someone else face the chopping block for a change. I should feel bad about potentially benefiting from Tripp’s downfall, but after everything I’ve faced? I’ll take the win.
Kace stirs beside me, then pulls me into his arms and nuzzles my shoulder. “Z, you’ve made me the happiest werewolf on the planet.”
I hug him back, loving how comfortable I feel with all of this, like we’ve been going out for months.
“And you’ve made me one happy zombie. Last night was better than brains.”
Kace’s laughter widens my grin. I love making him laugh. I love having a boyfriend. It’s better than I ever imagined it would be, and I don’t know how I got this lucky.
In love, anyway.
In life, few people will ever experience the hell I have survived.
Which reminds me, I have a heart to win. The magic edible kind.
As much as I want to stay snuggled with my boyfriend, it’s time to get my lazy ass out of bed. I kiss Kace and pull away before he has the chance to initiate a make-out session followed by more of what we did last night.
“Hey, now, where you off to?” Kace reaches for me, but I’ve already wiggled to the edge of the bed and pulled the covers aside.
I grab the light gray nightshirt with little white hearts and lace trim I left in a sloppy fold on the nightstand and put it on before standing. “Shower. Get dressed. Breakfast. Practice,” I tell him.
He sits up, blanket falling to his waist to reveal his muscular chest. “Here’s an idea. We blow off practice today.”
“Tempting.” I tap below my bottom lip, as though in thought, and laugh. “But we still have the Top 3 to get to.”
Kace folds his arms behind his head and leans into his pillow. “Either way, I’m not going anywhere with the reunion performance coming up. Can’t wait to share the news with the rest of the pack that you and I are official.” He winks.
“Um, yeah.” I worry my lip. “They might be more interested in what’s going on with Tripp.”
Kace instantly scowls. “I don’t wanna talk about that fool. I should have listened when you tried to warn me. Good thing I’m your boyfriend and all is forgiven.”
“Oh, is that how this works?” I laugh.
“Yep.” Kace nods and grins. “Part of the perks of dating. Speaking of which, I got something for you on the way back from practice yesterday.” He laughs at the way I perk up.
Kace slides out of bed, fully nude and stiff as a board.
“Kace!” I exclaim, shielding my eyes with one hand.
“Aw, don’t be acting all bashful, girl. We’re beyond that.”
“Speak for yourself. I’m still new to this.” I add my second hand and press them both over my shut eyelids. I’m smiling, though, half joking. Even a greenhorn like me can appreciate the hotness that is Kace Warren in the buff.
He laughs. “Yeah, keep your eyes covered while I get out your gift. No peeking until I tell ya to.”
My stomach does a series of somersaults that would make an Olympic gymnast jealous.
“I haven’t gotten anything for you yet,” I say, but inside, I’m vibrating with excitement.
“Z, you gave me the best gift a woman can give a man.”
My cheeks flush, which makes Kace chuckle huskily. I hear the rip of a zipper, followed by some light rustling, and then the zipper again.
“You ready, Z?”
“I’m ready,” I say, barely containing the squeal building in my throat. My toes curl against the carpet and I bounce slightly on the balls of my feet. I love receiving gifts. I’m going to need to find something for Kace. At this point, he’s given me two cute souvenir shirts, flowers, and a teddy bear. I have a feeling that whatever he got now that we’re a couple is going to be something extra.
“Keep your eyes closed and hold out your palms.”
I do as he asks, my hands trembling slightly with anticipation. The skin along my arms prickles with goose bumps. He places something small and light in my hands, the touch of his fingers against my palms sending tingles up my arms.
“Open your eyes, Z,” Kace says in a low, sexy voice.
I don’t need to be told twice. When I open them, there’s a square white box tied with a purple ribbon in my palms. My belly doesn’t just flip—it performs an entire dance number.
“Kace! You didn’t have to buy me jewelry.” My mouth is saying one thing while my head is squealing in excitement to see what’s inside. The delicate weight of the jewelry box in my hands makes my fingertips buzz with electric anticipation.
“I wanted to.” Kace is still naked, but my attention is laser-focused on the box at the moment. “Go on, open it,” he says.
I take my time untying the ribbon, savoring every second of the reveal. When I read the embossed Wandora logo on the box, a gasp escapes my lips so forcefully it sounds like a shout.
“Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh,” I say, the words tumbling out as my body vibrates with excitement. If my heart could still beat, it would be slamming against my ribs like a trapped bird.
Kace chuckles. “Girl, you’re this excited and you haven’t even seen what’s inside yet.”
“How do you even know about Wandora?” I ask him, my fingers caressing the embossed logo reverently. I lost everything the day my family died, including a gorgeous celestial-themed Wandora charm bracelet that took me four years to complete.
“Got sisters, remember?” He winks.
“Well, they certainly steered you to the best location.” My voice quivers with barely contained glee as I pry back the lid. The hinges creak in a way that sends delightful shivers down my spine.
Inside is a silver bracelet with three different etched beads, a heart charm covered in clear rhinestones, and a howling wolf in a moon. In the center hangs a crown charm studded with purple rhinestones. It’s the only gold charm on the bracelet, which makes it stand out from the rest.
“It’s so pretty!” I gasp. My mouth drops open and stays there as a delicious warmth spreads through my body.
Kace grins and nods. “Only the best for my woman.”
“Oh my gosh! I love it! I love you!” The words burst out of me, propelled by pure, unfiltered joy. I set the box on top of the dresser with shaking hands, curl my fingers around the bracelet as though it might disappear if I don’t hold on tight enough, and then throw myself at Kace and hug him.
He squeezes me into a firm embrace and murmurs, “Told ya I’d buy you a crown.”
It’s better than an actual crown. I can wear this one everywhere. All the time. I love it so much. I want to put it on and never take it off. Maybe I’ll take it off to shower and sleep, but that’s it!
“Thank you so much!” This time, I squeal out loud, the sound erupting from deep in my chest. My entire body tingles with elation, from the tips of my toes to the roots of my hair. It’s moments like these when I almost forget I’m not fully alive anymore.
“May I?” Kace asks. It takes me a moment to hand it over, my fingers reluctant to release their treasure even for a second. As soon as I do, I hold up my left wrist for Kace. He secures the bracelet, looks into my eyes, and grins. “Seeing that look on your face makes me want to buy you gifts all the time until I go broke.”
“Don’t you dare!” I say and laugh, holding up my wrist to admire the dangling charms. My undead nerves spark with pleasure at the slight weight of the bracelet. “I don’t need anything after this. Well, not for a while.” I laugh gleefully, a sound I almost don’t recognize as my own—pure, uninhibited joy.
While Kace chuckles in amusement, I rush to the wall mirror and grin at the reflection of the bracelet on my wrist. I shake my wrist slightly, watching the charms dance and catch the light.
I feel pretty. I feel special. I feel alive.
It’s a good thing I got up when I did, because there’s an email from Jovi instructing us all to get to the theater by eight a.m. for an emergency meeting.
I also have a missed message from Zane—sent late last night.
Zane: Nathaniel told me what happened. You okay?
Haylee: I am now.
Cameron already knows I’m fine, because I called him right after I left Tripp’s room last night.
While Kace showers, I turn the TV on to Magic in the Morning, where Felix Graves is just announcing, “Another bad week for the wolves on Spellcaster.”
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