Page 1 of Poison's Kiss
Chapter One
The Enemy
"It's been three weeks since Mom got back, and she's still refusing to see me? What the hell, Frankie?" I gripe while staring down the tired warlock.
He sags against the back of my couch as he shrugs. "She was pretty beat up and battered when she crawled through the great halls of the light council's chambers. She still doesn't know who her captors were, and they've been working on healing her ever since she showed up. She will hardly speak to anyone, including me."
This is killing me. My mother and I have never spent this long without talking, and now she's back, refusing to speak to me. It boils my blood to know how terrible someone has been to her, especially since I don't even know who's behind it.
"Three more days, Frankie. That's all I'm giving her before I show up and force her to see me. She doesn't have to play strong for me. I'm her daughter. If anyone can be there for her, it's me."
"I agree, Alyssa. Just give her time. Calypso is a hard one to let her guard down. She hates for people to see her pain. Until then, I need to get back. The light council is taking this a little more seriously now that they've seen the damage done." He starts to walk away, but turns back with hesitance in his eyes just before he reaches the door. "Has he tried contacting you at all since the diner?"
My heart folds and breaks even more than it is already broken. My chest grows heavier, weighing me down all the more. I really didn't need a reminder.
I try to act unaffected by the mere mention of the night stalker I so foolishly fell in love with. I wish I could stop missing the man I thought he was and start loathing the monster he really is.
"No. If he knows what's best for him, he won't. When is Thad coming back?"
Frankie smirks, a secretive grin spreading. "Needing new socks, eh?"
I flush instantly, realizing there are some things I will never again share with Frankie.
"No. I just want an extra set of hands available, should Kane decide he wants to finish what he started."
Seriousness takes over the playfulness in his eyes.
"I won't let him touch you, Lyss. You know that. If he tries, I swear I'll show him how incredibly tough light ones can be."
Sighing out, I start to tell Frankie about Castine. It's a topic I've avoided. Frankie will surely put me on lockdown, and I'll feel like a turtle that is unable to poke its head out of its shell.
"Frankie, I-"
Before the words can escape, Gage materializes in the room and flops down on my couch while reading something on his phone. He's way too comfortable in my home these days, but he definitely makes me feels safer.
"What the hell?" Frankie scolds, making Gage's head snap up in realization. "Why is there a dark-"
"It's a long, long story. He's keeping me safe," I grumble, interrupting Frankie's will to rant.
Gage tenses as he stands up, coming to take a place behind me. It's smart to put me between the two of them, but I don't exactly enjoy playingMomto a dueling duo.
"Ican keep you safe, Lyss. He's not-"
"He can keep me safer. He can vaporize me without killing me, and he can get me out of here, should the time arise for such a need."
"Nothing can get in here. I've recast the protection spell. Apparently, I should cast it again."
The venom in Frankie's eyes is apparent, and the dark user who has held his tongue finally gets sick of being Mr. Nice Guy.
"I'm the one who kept her safe while you left her to the mercy of a damn night stalker. I'll be the one keeping her safe when Castine returns."
Frankie's face is suddenly ashen with fear. His whole body tenses, proving Castine must really be one hellacious bitch.Just what I need.
"Why the fuck is Castine coming?" Frankie asks, his voice trembling.
My eyes scold the foolish dark user for being so careless with his tongue. He just offers me a he-needs-to-know look in response.
Very briefly, I give Frankie the rundown, while omitting the part about this being Castine's home.
