Текст книги "A Beauty So Beastly"

Автор книги: RaShelle Workman

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A Beauty So Beastly
The Beastly Series – 1
By
RaShelle Workman

Author’s Note

While A Beauty So Beastly is a new story with new characters, the world is the same as that of the Blood and Snow world. So don’t be surprised if Snow, Cindy, Jasmine or one of the many characters from those stories makes an appearance in this series.

You don’t have to have read the other stories to appreciate and enjoy this story though.

Sincerely,

RaShelle

Dedication

This story is dedicated to my children. They inspire me to make use of my crazy imagination.

Acknowledgements

A great big thank you to Sarah Hansen for the gorgeous cover, Ali Cross for the amazing formatting on the print books, Jen Hendricks for her incredible editing and my amazing family. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.

Nearly eighteen years ago…

“Go, Lenora! They cannot catch us.” Fisher pressed his nose against her furry cheek, urging her on. His whiskers tingled with the realization that the Locanis were close. Too close.

They were being hunted by his father’s servants, the worst of the worst of the Locanis. And Kevoney had not been a kind master. He’d been ruthless. Fisher knew if he and Lenora were caught the werewolves would slaughter them without remorse.

Fisher and Lenora had to survive. They were all that was left of the Vaktare royal family, and his mate carried the child that could save their species.

He looked back, peering into the dark night. A strong smell of smoke wafted through the air and Fisher knew the werewolves had burned their home.

“I can’t do it.” Lenora stopped, panting. She swayed, her swollen belly nearly touching the ground before she caught herself. “Our child is unhappy with all the running. It’s making her sick.” Lenora fell onto her side. “It’s making me sick, too.” As though to prove the point, she retched on the ground.

Fisher moved close, taking a protective stance, sensing the Locanis were getting closer.

A quick glance at his chest showed him the pendant was still there, the red stone gleaming in the moonlight. It was their only chance, the one significant advantage they had over the Locanis: each Vaktare was born with a unique preternatural ability.

He had been given the gift of conjuring, which was why he could use the pendant. Lenora could control the elements, but couldn’t use her power now for fear the strain would harm their unborn child.One of the Locanis howled. Others responded. There were at least a dozen, and they were getting closer.

“Please, Lenora. Get up.” Urgency caused him to roar. “If we can get to the top of the mountain, we’ll be able to jump realms. It isn’t far.” Fisher helped her to stand.

Lenora’s legs shook and wobbled.

“Oh,” Lenora cried. “I think the baby is coming.”

“How much time do we have?”

Her ears twitched and she shook her head. “Minutes, possibly just seconds.”

Fisher knew there was no way to predict when the child would come but he wouldn’t let them give up.

Another set of howls. The werewolves were gaining fast. He paused, closing his eyes. Unlike Lenora’s gift, his usually required additional components in order to work. He needed a spell that didn’t require any ingredients, something that would slow the werewolves down. If only Lenora could use her talent and create a thunderstorm to conceal and wash away their scent.

“What is it?” Lenora asked, her breathing heavy.

Fisher opened his eyes, considering his mate. Could he ask such a thing of her, especially in her condition?

Lenora swayed, but held her ground.

His mate seemed to understand. She closed her eyes, focusing. And Fisher immediately felt the winds pick up. Dark thunderclouds appeared in the already opaque sky as it began to rain heavily.

He wrapped his furry arms around her swollen body and lifted Lenora with his front paws as he began walking the remainder of the way up the mountain. He debated changing into his human form, but tossed the thought aside. If he and Lenora were caught it would be easier to fight the Locanis in his werecat form.

This high up, the wind whipped fiercely against their faces, slapping through their fur, stinging their skin. He kept going, bowing his head against the tempest his wife had created.

“Stop you mangy cat!” Even through the downpour it was easy to hear the Locanis’ words.

It had been the leader of the pack, Adam, who shouted. The werewolf was young and arrogant, but he was also fearless and exceptional in the art of killing. Many Vaktare had died with their throats in his mouth, their blood dripping from his fangs.

“It’s okay. Keep breathing.” Fisher spoke softly to Lenora, keeping his back to the werewolves.

Lenora opened her eyes with a look of amused irritation. It said if she had more strength she’d lovingly claw his eyes out.

“I know. Sorry,” he whispered, a wisp of a smile on his face.

She rested a paw against his cheek. He leaned into it, setting her down. He would use the pendant now. If they weren’t close enough to the gateway, it wouldn’t matter. They were dead anyway.

“Turn around, Fisher. Don’t be a coward like your father. Face your death honorably.”

Fisher’s hackles rose. He wanted to make the werewolf leader pay for his insolence. Instead he chanted the words for the incantation. The wind and the rain kept the portal hidden until it was nearly big enough to jump through.

“Go,” he shouted ferociously, shoving Lenora into the opening.

But Adam was suddenly on his back as Fisher took a step toward the portal.

“So you are a coward,” Adam hissed, sinking his teeth into Fisher’s shoulder.

With a mighty heave, Fisher pulled Adam off him, trying to snap his neck in the process. “You’re a lot of talk, Adam.”

The gateway was beginning to close.

Adam stood, shaking his head. Then he charged. Fisher planted his feet. Adam lowered his head, preparing to ram Fisher. At the last second, Fisher sidestepped and leapt into the closing portal.

He heard Adam howl in frustration just as the gateway locked behind him.

It was dark in the new realm, like it’d been in Hiraken, but Fisher’s enhanced vision allowed him to see that Lenora was on her side, breathing rapidly.

“Lenora,” he shouted, running to her. He was in his human form now, as was Lenora.

She didn’t speak, all of her attention on birthing her baby. As the child came, Lenora let out a loud roar. Then she fell silent.

Fisher picked up the human child. “Lenora,” he whispered, when the baby started to cry. “Our baby girl.”

It was strange. While he’d been so terrified for the child moments before jumping realms, he now found he had no emotion at all. He remembered he’d had emotions, that he’d once known what it was like to smile, to love, but he couldn’t find where they’d gone. The medicine woman had explained that in order to shut away the werecat part of them, when they crossed into the human realm the enchantment would seal away all emotions as well.

“I feel nothing,” Lenora said.

“Neither do I. This is what she said would happen.” Fisher looked down at the baby. “What should we call her?” The question seemed appropriate, though he couldn’t understand his need to name the child now.

Lenora closed her eyes, nodding. “We’ll name the child Beatrice.”

“Agreed.” Fisher glanced down at his naked chest. The pendant was gone. He remembered when Adam rushed him, as he’d moved to the side, he’d felt a tugging. “Adam has the pendant.”

“He won’t be able to use it. He has no power. We are safe.”

Fisher nodded, but a strange buzzing deep inside made him think otherwise.

One
You Aren’t Invited

I was seven when I caught my first glimpse at how much power my family possessed, how much power I possessed. My dad rented out an entire amusement park for my birthday. I invited the kids in my class to come. We rode the rides as many times as we wanted, watched the shows over and over, and ate ice cream, funnel cakes, and homemade fudge from the food shops.

Throughout the day more than one classmate told me I must be “the richest girl in the world” or asked if I was a princess. Of course at that age I wanted to believe I was a princess. So I said yes.

After that I gained a lot more friends.

It didn’t matter that I felt nothing. No one cared if I treated him or her badly. Those who I allowed to spend time with me felt privileged. I was given everything and took what I wanted without consequence.

I was ten when one of my classmates first called me on my personality, or lack thereof. She’d said I was a heartless bitch.

My dad had rented out the entire IMAX Theater so my friends and I could watch the newly re-digitized Beauty and the Beast movie. Dad and Mom told me to invite as many people as I wanted. I invited five.

Alice Lindell came over to me one day in school, sat primly in the seat beside mine, and informed me that I should be kind and invite everyone. She was one of those trendy girls, very friendly, super pretty, and her parents obviously had money too, which was why I wanted nothing to do with her. I was the princess. No one else would ever be allowed to claim my title.

She’d been wearing flower pants, a white half shirt with the word princess sparkling in hot pink across her chest, a hot pink tank shirt and matching hot pink boots. The girl loved hot pink. Her hair was blond and she always flipped it with her hand when she talked.

I’d picked up my fruit punch juice container and “accidentally” spilled it all over her shirt and pants. “I don’t have to be kind,” I said, thinking I had no idea what kindness felt like. “I can do what I want and you aren’t invited.”

That was when she used the words—heartless bitch.

They stuck. If it were true or not, I didn’t know. I didn’t care. Those types of emotions meant nothing to me.

Eight years later and people still called me a heartless bitch behind my back. And it still didn’t bother me. Nothing did.

A lot has happened since then.

I’d just turned eighteen, graduated from high school, and was the owner of a brand new LaFerrari. It was yellow, had black leather seats, and cost my parents more than a million dollars. The car was beautiful and I knew I should be excited, yet my mood remained the same as always—blank.

“Would you like lunch by the pool or inside?” Mrs. Dotts asked, interrupting my thoughts of the past. She was Cavanaugh Mansion’s cook, an older lady, with gray hair, a friendly smile, and sensible shoes.

“The pool,” I answered.

“Very well, Miss Beatrice.” She bowed slightly, making her ruffled, white apron arch outward.

“Have you seen my parents?” I asked before she left to go into the main house.

“No, miss. When I arrived, they were already gone.”

The way her pudgy face puckered, it was easy to discern she was distressed by their actions. I knew why. My parents were creatures of habit. They woke each morning, including weekends, at five o’clock. Exercised. Got ready for the day. Ate breakfast. And then my dad would go in to work and my mom would do whatever it was she did. I rarely rose before seven but they’d been following the same routine for so long, even I knew their schedule. Occasionally they took a trip, but they always gave plenty of notice so Mrs. Dotts and Isaac could prepare for their absence.

“Did they leave a note?”

She wrung her hands, filled with worry. “No, miss.”

If they were gone, they were gone. I shrugged. “You’re blocking my light,” I said, waving her away.

Mrs. Dotts nodded and headed toward the house.

The pool was a few hundred feet from the main house, past the adobe-style patio. Cavanaugh Mansion was twenty thousand square feet of traditional grandness. The outside was a combination of stucco and brick. There were dozens of windows, and a balcony across the front and back of the house. It rested on the side of a mountain, overlooking Salt Lake City. Spanning fifty acres, Cavanaugh Mansion’s grounds had everything, including its very own nine-hole golf course, tennis courts, and stables, along with three guesthouses.

“Alone,” I whispered.

The pool water shimmered in the sunlight. I lay on my back, soaking in the warm summer rays. Birds chirped in the nearby trees, singing so happily I suddenly wondered what that must feel like—to be cheerful enough to sing about it.

“Miss Cavanaugh, may I present Will, Eva, Ashley, Cassidy, and Greg.” Isaac came over to the pool followed by my guests. He wore black pants, a black jacket, a silver vest, a white shirt, white gloves, and a black bow tie. Always pristine and by the book, he was a butler’s butler. When I was little, he scared me. He was tall and thin with receding salt and pepper hair and thick eyebrows that seemed to grow thicker by the year.

“Can we get some drinks, Isaac?” I sat up, my toned abs contracting as I shifted.

“Yes, miss.”

I’d known my friends were coming. Yesterday was my birthday and they’d texted that they wanted to bring me presents. I wasn’t going to pass up gifts, no way. What they gave told me how dearly they held my friendship

“The hard kind,” Eva said, smiling coyly up at a guy that I guessed was Greg. Then she said, “Happy eighteen, Bea. You look hot.” Greg nodded. He held a present in his other hand.

“Thanks. I am hot.” Everyone except Greg laughed. He obviously hadn’t been schooled on what was appropriate in my presence. I’d find a way to make him see.

I went to push my sunglasses on my head and then remembered I wore a tiara. Yes, the tiara was perfectly acceptable sunbathing attire. My bikini was red, the exact shade of the red diamonds in the rose crown. I took the glasses off and set them on the table next to my chair.

“Damn, Bea. Where’d you get that crown?” Cassidy asked, setting her present on the patio table and moving closer. She liked shiny things almost as much as I did.

Ashley shook her head. “Seriously? Only you would think to lie out next to a pool in a bikini and a tiara. What’s that stone in the center? A ruby?”

I shook my head, feeling like the cat that swallowed the canary. “It’s a red diamond.”

Will, who’d been quiet so far, blurted out, “Holy shit.” His father was in the diamond business. I knew that because he talked about diamonds all the freaking time. “That thing is probably worth eight million, give or take.” He sat on the long patio chair beside me, smiling. The present in his hand was small, with a brilliant blue bow and the word “Tiffany’s” etched across the box top.

I smiled back, knowing it was expected.

“Where did you get it?” Ashley asked, still referring to the tiara. She sat in the chair next to mine.

Eva, Cassidy, and Greg pulled up patio chairs and sat as well.

Glancing at each person, verifying I had their full attention, I gave them a brilliant smile. “My mom and dad gave it to me for my birthday.” I spoke about it like it was no big deal. To me it wasn’t, but I knew it was a big deal to them. Picking up some tanning lotion, I held it out for Will. “Would you mind?”

“Not at all.” Will was always so accommodating, just the way a boyfriend should be. He put down his gift, shook the lotion and squirted some on his hands. Then he rubbed them together and placed his hands on my back. The lotion was cool against my warm skin.

I winked, knowing he liked when I did that. He rested a hand on my knee, his blue eyes sparkling with need. I pulled away. His hand was still covered in lotion. Will’s face fell. I knew it bothered him that I had no desire to get physical.

Eva crossed her legs, leaning into Greg. “I’m so sorry, Beatrice. I know you had your heart set on that yellow Ferrari.”

I laughed. It was hard and cold. “I got that too.”

Cassidy whistled.

“You driven her yet?” Will asked, massaging lotion into my shoulders. Some got on my hair. My maid Celeste had curled it and swept the front up, but the back was still down.

“Watch it,” I snapped, pulling the ends out of the way.

“Sorry.” Will sounded repentant.

“No, I haven’t driven the car yet,” I said, putting my sunglasses back on. “I’m thinking tomorrow or maybe the day after that.” There were several magazines on the table next to my chair and I picked one up, casually flipping through the pages. Of course I wanted to drive the car. Why wouldn’t I? But I didn’t want to take him.

“This is for you,” Greg said, handing me Eva’s present. I gave him my special smile, taking it. The paper was a bright yellow with an even brighter orange ribbon.

“Should I open it now?” I was playing demure. To fit in with regular people my parents had taught me at a young age what was expected during certain situations.

“Yeah.” Eva glanced at Greg. “We hope you like it.”

I tore off the paper and opened the box. Inside was one of the Fall collection Christian Dior bags. The colors morphed from red into orange and then yellow. It was gorgeous. Score one for Eva and the hot guy.

“Love it.” I set it back in the box and on the concrete ground.

Eva beamed with pride.

The look on Cassidy’s face told me that either the gift she got was too cheap or it was the same gift. Without focusing on her, I watched her push it back and under her chair.

“Do you want me to open your gift next, Cassidy?” I asked, purposely putting her on the spot.

Her already pale face got whiter. “No, I—I’ve brought the wrong gift. This one is for my aunt.” Her face turned red as my bikini. “I’ll bring you the right one tomorrow.”

I raised an eyebrow, telling her with my expression that I wasn’t happy with her efforts. “Whatever,” I sniffed, lifting my nose.

Ashley handed me hers. “Happy birthday.” Her present was long and thin, like a hefty envelope. It was wrapped in yellow paper with a black bow. It reminded me of a bee and I randomly wondered if she’d done the colors on purpose. I didn’t ask. When I took the box I waited a few seconds for her to comment on the color scheme, but she didn’t.

I could see she was a little worried. The skin around her eyes was tense, but she was also less willing to bow to my desires than the others. If the gift was lame it was because she’d had enough of my bitchiness and I would drop her like a hot plate.

“What could it be?” I ripped off the paper and opened the envelope. It was a trip for two to Belize. I was actually impressed. She’d remembered that I’d mentioned I’d wanted to go to Belize a few months ago. Maybe she wasn’t worried about me so much as something else in her life. “This is great. So unexpected.” Then I smirked. “I suppose the second ticket is for you?”

She played it cool. “Whoever. I’ve been to Belize a bunch of times.”

“Right. I’m sure I can find someone.” I set the envelope with the tickets in it on the ground next to the Dior bag.

The only one left was Will. He handed me his present. “It isn’t anything big, but when I saw it I thought of you.”

I took it and untied the ribbon. In the distance came a yowl, like a cat, only the sound was louder than a house cat. Living on the side of a mountain, it wasn’t uncommon to hear strange noises. There were bobcats living in the higher altitudes.

What was strange was the way Will glanced in the direction of the noise. “Afraid of bobcats?” I asked, smirking.

One of his eyes twitched. “No, not really.” He chuckled nervously.

Since the box was from Tiffany’s I expected to find diamond earrings or a tennis bracelet or even a pretty diamond necklace. I mean his dad worked in diamonds so believing I would get diamonds didn’t seem far fetched, even if whatever it was would seem trivial next to my amazing white and red diamond tiara.

I opened the box.

There were no diamonds inside. Instead I found a key chain with a yellow and onyx textured leather bee with palladium-plated wings on the end. I picked it up.

“Read the back. There’s an inscription,” Will said, leaning closer so that I could smell his spicy cologne over the strong chlorine from the pool. I turned the bee over and read aloud, “You’ll always be my Bea. ~ Love, Will”

It was corny and cheap and totally stupid. “Wow.” I forced myself to smile, internally debating what in hell I was supposed to do with it.

“You see,” Will said. “It’s a bee and you’re my Bea.”

I nodded, gritting my teeth. “I get it.” I bit my cheek. “It’s… it’s…” I studied his features, wondering why I even bothered to keep him around. He had black hair he spiked in the front with gel. His eyes were a dark blue and his lashes were black. He had olive skin and even though school had only been out a couple of weeks, he looked like he lived in the sun, his tan was so deep.

“You hate it?” His expression was filled with hurt.

It would have been proper to thank him and move on but I couldn’t. The present was stupid. Eva and Ashley had each spent several thousand dollars. His probably cost a hundred, if that.

“I don’t exactly hate it,” I said, and took a deep breath. Blowing out, I tossed the bee into the pool.

He gasped, his eyes getting wide.

“The gift is stupid, Will. My parents gave me an eight million dollar tiara and bought me a million dollar car. Ashley got me a trip and Eva got me a bag worth thousands of dollars.” I tossed the box onto his lap. “Don’t you care about me?”

Will’s mouth opened and closed, his eyes permeated with pain and anger. I turned away, watching the Tiffany’s bee sink to the bottom of the pool. “It’s pitiful.”

He stood, clasping his hands into fists, letting the box crash to the ground. “I’ve got to go.” He walked a few steps and glanced back. “Happy birthday, Beatrice.” A cruel grin spread over his face. It was a look I hadn’t seen on him before and I couldn’t decide if it was new or if I just hadn’t paid enough attention to his facial expressions before. “I hope you get exactly what’s coming to you.”

He stomped past Isaac, who carried a tray of drinks. “Are you leaving?” he asked Will.

“Hell, yes.” Will shot me a final glare.

Disappointment settled on Isaac’s features. His bright brown eyes locked on mine. They spoke volumes about how I should be more understanding, that I could show my friends, if not kindness, at least respect. But he said nothing, which was a damn good thing. It wasn’t his place. Isaac cleared his throat, set the drinks on the patio table, and walked away without a word.

* * *

Those who remained spent the afternoon with me outside, by the pool. Mrs. Dotts brought out a lunch of marinated salmon with mango-kiwi relish. After we ate and had a few cocktails, Ashley, Eva, Greg, and Cassidy swam. I didn’t. I wasn’t a fan of spending long periods of time in the water. No one mentioned what had happened between Will and me. They kept the conversation on easy stuff, like summer plans, parties, and college.

I hadn’t decided where to go yet. I had no idea what I wanted to study. Ashley was going back East to Harvard. She wanted to study law, which fit her perfectly. Most days she wore black horn rimmed glasses and kept her short, dark hair pinned back. She was short, like me, and had brown eyes, not like me. Mine were hazel.

Cassidy was going to the University of California, Berkeley. She said she was going to study the fine art of hot men and surfing. Her long blonde hair, green eyes, and unnaturally tanned skin would fit right in on the California beaches. She was also tall and super into working out.

Eva was staying in Utah to go to the University of Utah. When I found out that was where Greg went, I understood. It was hard to know what the true color of Eva’s hair was. She changed it monthly. Today it black with white streaks throughout. She had a tattoo of a butterfly with fangs on her left collarbone and her nose was pierced. Her clothes were edgy too. She said she wanted to work in a zoo, and her plan had been to go to Africa for a semester. But the way she kept looking at Greg, I wondered if she would now. Probably not, which was completely idiotic. She’d probably known the guy five minutes.

I didn’t know where Will planned on going to college. He hadn’t told me and I hadn’t asked.

I’d been accepted into a few schools but since I didn’t know what I wanted to study, I couldn’t decide which school to attend. My parents didn’t seem to care where or even if I went, unlike other kids’ parents, so I figured I had time. Maybe I’d go to Belize and not come back.

Ashley dunked Eva under the water. Eva screamed as she surfaced, spitting water out of her mouth.

“Don’t do that again,” Eva shouted, slashing Ashley with water.

Ashley gasped as though she couldn’t believe the nerve of Eva. “You’ve ruined my makeup!”

Greg jumped out of the pool and walked over to where I was sitting. He picked up a towel from the chair next to mine.

I decided to use the alone time to make my move. “Can you help me get some more wine?” I asked him, smiling sweetly, the way I always did when I wanted something.

“Can’t Isaac get some?” He glanced back at the pool, at the still fighting girls.

I pouted. “Yes, but I want some now.”

“All right.” He grinned, wrapping the towel around his waist so that it hung low on his hips. I knew this was going to be easy.

I took him down the back stairs into the cellar. It got cooler the deeper we went. “What’s your major?” I was trying to be conversational.

“Engineering, I suppose.” It was hard to see in the dim light, but his eyes seemed to take on a strange color, almost turquoise.

What did he mean, he supposed? Not that it mattered. I didn’t want to get to know him, I wanted to make out and mess around. Do just enough damage to remind Eva just how much power I had over anyone I wanted. I didn’t want sweetness, Greg’s life story, or anything personal. “How much longer do you have?”

Greg glanced up as though thinking about it. “A year, this time.” He gave me a strange smile.

I did the math on his age as I flicked on the lights. The walls to our wine cellar were made of stone. There were wood cabinets. The wine slots were wood as well. The floor was made of slate. “You must be twenty-one then?” I preferred older men. They weren’t as immature as the guys my age. They seemed less gushy with their feelings.

“My age is of no consequence.” He walked over to the wine rack. “Did you want red or white?” Greg pulled a bottle and held it out.

“Sure, whatever.” I slid up to him, putting my hands on his naked chest and tracing my fingers along his muscles.

“What are you doing?” He grabbed my hands, his strange eyes studying my face.

“Come on. Don’t you want to mess around?”

Greg released my hands. Sadness crossed his face. “Are you sure you want to?”

“Yeah. Are you kidding? You have to know you’re gorgeous.” I ran my fingers down his muscled arms. He didn’t move. “Don’t you want to?” I removed his towel, letting it fall to the floor.

“What about Will?” He put his hands on my waist. A strange tingle wriggled in the back of my mind. Like it was trying to tell me I’d forgotten something and was on the verge of remembering.

I ignored it. “We are definitely not together anymore. You saw what happened.”

Greg leaned down so his lips were next to my ear. “And what about your friend Eva? She and I are an item. We’ve talked about getting married. What about her?” His voice was soft and warm.

The irritating tingle came back but this time it was stronger. It felt like my mind was trying to tell me no, that it wanted me to run away. But that was ridiculous. I did what I wanted, when I wanted. And right now I wanted Eva’s boyfriend. “She doesn’t have to know.” I didn’t say I’d make sure Eva found out within minutes after he and I were finished. He didn’t need to know that. He didn’t need to know anything, except that I wanted him right now and that meant I should have him.

He sighed heavily. “Then it’s come to this.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head.

I tried to kiss him but he pushed me away.

“Come to what?” I frowned, unused to being denied anything.

He kept silent, picking up his towel and wrapping it around his hips again. It was then I realized he no longer held a wine bottle. When had he put it back? I thought, a little confused.

Greg’s turquoise eyes were a mixture of sadness and delight. “When we designed your species we believed you were perfect. We thought you would be the precise combination of ferocity, tenderness, humility, generosity, power and love. I was most excited. Your kind was to be my finest creation.”

Greg ran a hand through his thick, dark hair. I watched, caught between being mesmerized and terrified, even though I had no idea why. Maybe it was because he was crazy. What did he mean perfect species? I was a human, not some beast that was bred to be domesticated like the house cat. He wasn’t making any sense and the tingle in the back of my brain had changed to an annoying buzz. I felt myself take a step back. The heel of my shoe caught on the grout between the slate slabs. I started to fall, but felt my body turn so I landed on my hands and the balls of my feet.

“Whoa,” I said, pushing myself up. I turned back to Greg. His body seemed to shimmer in the dim lights. Or maybe it was my head. I’d had more than my normal amount of alcohol. I covered my ears with my palms, pressing them against my temples. I hoped that would clear the incessant buzzing and whatever was going on with my eyes.

Greg leaned toward me. “Beatrice Cavanaugh?”

He said my name like a question. “Yeah.” I thought maybe he’d changed his mind about messing around and moved closer.

He held me at arm’s length. “It’s time you understood that being beautiful doesn’t give you the right to be beastly and that sometimes those who seem the most beastly are actually quite beautiful.”

I snorted. “Right. Whatever you say, Greg.” Obviously the combination of too many fruity drinks laced with alcohol and too much time in the sun was making me see things.

Greg’s distorted eyebrows rose. “For your vanity, your cruelty, and your cold unfeeling heart, a curse I leave upon you . . .” While Greg spoke his body changed from chiseled arms and legs to something less corporeal and more ghost-like.

The buzzing in my head was so loud that if he said more I didn’t hear him. Turquoise eyes watched me from within the dark mist that had once been Greg. The mist shot up, passed through the ceiling, and was gone.

Pain. The noise was pain. The buzzing sound all I knew. It seemed to engulf my body. I fell to my knees, pushing my palms more tightly against my head. The room started to quake. The lights swung from the ceiling. Bottles fell from their shelves, crashing to the floor. Glass cut my skin. Wine broke free of the bottles. I watched it mix with my blood. One of the lights broke free, smashing against my forehead. Red liquid ran into my eyes. I closed them, forcing the world to go black.