Page 24 of Haunted By the Shadow of Death

“But we were supposed to have our birthdays together?” he said.

“But this one is yours.” We’d obviously inherited the same stubborn gene.

“Don’t worry. We’ll do something for your sister’s birthday too,” Kicks said from behind me.

Normally I sensed his presence like I had a built-in sonar, but the crowd must’ve thrown me off.

Charlie smiled, as if he had every confidence that Kicks would handle it. He blew out his candles and the room cheered. Then someone handed him a present, and then another, and I was beginning to think this night would never end.

About halfway through the present openings, Kicks grabbed my hand, pulling me along after him out the back of the building.

“Why didn’t you tell me about your birthday?” he asked, his hand still wrapped around mine.

“It wasn’t important. It’s not even that close to his.” I took a step away, and he pulled me right back.

“I think it is. When is it? If you don’t tell me, I’ll just ask Charlie. I bet he tells me.” He was smirking in a way that made my insides go soft.

I sighed. “Three weeks from now.” He might only be six today, but that kid’s memory was a vault. The only reason I’d been keeping track of the days was so I didn’t forget Charlie’s.

“We need to mark the day, and before you try to get out of it, it’ll upset Charlie if we don’t.” Kicks moved a hair closer, his eyes locked to mine until they dropped to my lips. His hand curved around the back of my neck as his head dropped closer and he breathed deeply. “I’m becoming nearly obsessed with your scent.”

Would it be so wrong if we did enjoy ourselves a little? Maybe I was riding a high from the night going so well and it was making me unrealistic, but at this moment, I wanted him to kiss me.

“Piper? Are you out here?” Evangeline called from around the corner. “Oh, come on! You guys have been busy enough, and you’re sneaking out at a party now too? Sorry, but she’s mine.” She was almost in between us, and Kicks stepped back. “You have to meet Zetti. She’s been waiting to say hello to you all night. She’s the oldest member of the pack. Although we all love her dearly, she’s not going to stop nudging me until I bring you over to say hello.”

“Of course.”

Evangeline grabbed my arm, tugging me along with her. We weaved our way through the crush of the hall and toward the corner, where an older lady was holding court. Her hair was still jet black, but there were fine lines at the corners of her mouth and eyes. It didn’t matter. She had the type of bone structure that would make her a beauty until she died.

“Zetti, this is Piper, Kicks’ mate and the new guide.”

She smiled. “I’m so glad you came. You’re exactly what Kicks and this pack needs in these rough times.”

“Thank you. I hope so.” The pressure that came with being a guide continually added to the overwhelming stress of being a disappointment. Somehow my just being here seemed to give a pack more comfort, but it was beginning to feel like a scam to me.

Zetti looked at me, and quite suddenly there was a flicker in her eyes that didn’t seem to match the smile. It was there and gone before I was sure I’d even seen it. Was it actually there, or had I imagined it because my hackles were constantly rising these days? Was I seeing demons everywhere I looked? Was I the problem?

“Here. I brought this for you. It’s been in my family for generations.” She handed me a bag, and I pulled out a beautiful knit wool blanket. It was covered in a myriad of different stitches that created an intricate and beautiful pattern.

“It’s beautiful.” I ran my hand over the wool, sensing how precious it was. “Are you sure?”

“I don’t have children, so it feels only right that it will be in the alpha’s family now. It was made by my great-great-grandmother in the old country.”

“The old country?” I asked.

“The tip of the Scottish Highlands,” Evangeline replied. “That’s where most of our bloodlines come from.”

“If you ever change your mind and decide you want it back, just tell me. I’d completely understand.” I tucked the blanket back into its bag, silently chastising myself for doubting the woman’s intentions. I was becoming so jaded I saw evil everywhere.

“No. It’s yours. Once you give a gift, you don’t take it back.” She pointed at me, as if chastising younger people was a usual thing for her.

“Thank you so much. I’ll treasure it.” I would, too. It might’ve been one of the nicest things I’d ever gotten.

“It’s the least I could do for—” Her words broke off as a gurgling sound came from her throat.

Her mouth was frozen as if in mid-gasp, her lips becoming tinged gray, that ugly slug color of my victims.

No. It couldn’t be. But as I stood there, almost as frozen as she was, I watched as that horrible color took over her entire face.

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