Page 20 of Shadow Spirit

“I don’t think I want to be there when the two of you explain that to your mate,” quipped Colby.

Greg nodded thoughtfully. “I think you’re probably right, but this is all theoretical, right? What if we both mark her, and it makes things worse?”

CHAPTER 10

ADRIANA

Adrianna closed her eyes and let the feeling of well-being seep into her pores. She hadn’t been lying when she’d told Greg she was finally at peace. Something about being with both of them intimately had shaken the bond with Eoghan. It wasn’t gone, but it was far weaker than it had been before.

It still didn’t make sense to her. She had enjoyed being with both of them. Decker was all power and passion, and Greg was more intimate and more moving. She didn’t want to have to choose between them, and she sure as hell wasn’t going to allow anyone else to choose for her.

Thinking about it was giving her a headache. She rose from the bed, pulled on her sweater and skirt, picked up her boots, and headed back to her own chambers. People she passed in the hallway seemed to shy away. She questioned whether or not that was real or just her imagination. If it was real, and the clan couldn’t accept it, was she willing to pull Decker and Greg away from their chosen clan just to be with her? Maybe the weakened bond with Eoghan meant she could escape to a Shadow Sisters’ safe house and live out her life alone. Being a lone wolf, literally, would probably not be the worst thing if she meant to carry on the work of the Sisters.

Adriana made her way back to her chambers and removed her clothes before stepping into the shower and allowed the hot water to cascade over her as she cleansed her body with a moisturizing, liquid soap and soft sea sponge. She sniffed her hair and could still detect the lingering scent of both of them. Bending over at the waist, she washed her hair, ensuring she got a good amount of suds throughout. Once it was rinsed clean, she applied a leave-in conditioner and then stepped out to dry herself off.

Pulling her hair back into a low-set ponytail, she pulled on distressed jeans, a clean sweater and a pair of knee-high, round-toe, flat boots that laced up the side, giving them a steampunk look. She belted the sweater with a low-slung leather belt and headed out to see if she could find Erin. She was feeling a little guilty about tossing her in the footwell of the Bugatti and then just sort of abandoning her. She wasn’t worried about Erin’s safety, but she felt a responsibility for the girl.

As she arrived on the main level of the keep, she could smell the delicious aroma of gingerbread cookies. Colby had brought his long-time cook with him, and she was known for her baking skills. Adriana still wasn’t all that familiar with the abbey but following her nose—especially with her enhanced sense of smell—made finding the kitchen easy.

Adriana wasn’t sure what she had expected, but the dark, dreary kitchen of just about every Masterpiece period drama was not what she found. Instead, she found a bright, modern kitchen bustling with activity. She also found Erin sitting next to Brie on a pair of counter stools while Maya fussed around her, plying both Brie and Erin with the most amazing smelling treats, included some that looked suspiciously like frosted gingerbread.

“Adriana!” called Erin. “Come and try these cookies. Maya says she can’t decide which ones to serve so me and Brie are giving her our opinions. These coconut macaroons might be my favorite.”

“I’ll have to take your word on that,” said Adriana snatching two of the frosted gingerbread cookies. She bit into one and moaned. The combination of sharp gingerbread combined with caramel latte cream cheese frosting was incredible. “I don’t care what the other ones taste like, these are officially my all-time favorite cookie, and I am something of an expert on cookies.”

Maya grinned. “You and Brie are in agreement. Maybe we should call them Shadow Sisters cookies.”

Brie laughed. “Yes, and we can give every woman we get to safety a dozen cookies and the recipe.”

“A new life, a new cookie,” added Adriana, laughing and making Erin giggle.

“Can I have the coconut macaroons instead?” Erin asked.

“You can have whatever you want, sweetheart.” Brie assured her. “Erin was worried she wouldn’t see you again.”

“Why?” Adriana asked Erin. The little girl shrugged. “I know you and I are the only witches here, but everyone here is lovely, and I’m not going anywhere. You are welcome to stay here as long as you like.”

“But what if wolves come? The bad ones, the ones who can shapeshift?”

“Why don’t you like the wolves?”

“Because the wolves were the ones who attacked my village. My mother sent me away to hide. When I came back they were all dead. One of them saw me and they started to chase me.”

“Well, not all wolf-shifters or shifters in general are bad, just like not all witches are good. In fact, I’m kind of a weirdo.”

“You are not,” said Erin.

“Oh, but I am. Not only am I a witch, I am descended from the banshees…”

Erin’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“Witches’ honor,” said Adriana. “And I’m a wolf-shifter because a bad wolf-shifter bit me and made me one. But I’ve decided I’m okay with that, as being a wolf-shifter can be a lot of fun.”

“Can you really change into a wolf?” Excitement became concern. “Do you have red eyes when you become a wolf?”

Knowing the little girl had suffered a terrorizing incident, Adriana took her hands in hers. “No. Did the ones that attacked you have red eyes?”

Erin nodded and Adriana risked a glance at Brie. The red eyes were indicative of only two things: vampires or warlocks. Warlock or vampire hybrid wolves? There was nothing good about that. Nothing.

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