Page 4 of Balor

“Should have let them try to eat your pants. I’d have paid to see that,” Ben said.

Clay snorted. “Bet you would have.”

Ben hadn’t made it a secret that in his rather long life, he’d been with both men and women. Although, he said he preferred females, I hadn’t seen him with anyone since he’d moved to town.

I leaned back and cracked a joke, feeling the smile stretch across my face. From the way the others responded, I knew it was genuine. Clinking of beer bottles filled the air. The taste of the beer was warm on my tongue, and I took a deep breath, enjoying the scent of leather and pine tar soap.

“Wait until you hear about the time I accidentally kissed a fae,” Clay said. “Fuckers can be tricky.”

Collin and Jackson laughed, and I noticed Collin’s head was tipped back against the couch. His eyes were closed, but the smile on his lips said he was enjoying himself. Jackson leaned forward, dark eyes gleaming as he waited to hear the rest of the story. Ben turned his phone off and slid it into his pocket before facing Clay.

“You kissed a fae?” Ben asked.

Clay’s lips twitched. “Yes. I didn’t know what she was. Swore she was a changeling. She’d been following me around for months, and I’d dared her to prove she wasn’t a changeling. Next thing I know, she’s in my space and taunting me. I did the only thing I could think of to get her to shut up.”

“You kissed her,” Ben said. “Did she shut up?”

“Oh, she shut up all right. Then she started making plans. I didn’t know it at the time, but kissing a fae is the same as accepting them as your mate for a year. Took her an hour to convince me to go home with her. Bitch had my bag packed before I even agreed.”

“You didn’t go,” I said. No way. He’d have never let a fae push him around like that.

Clay grinned. “Oh, I went. And I stayed. But I was pissed off about it. Took some time for her to get me to understand things.”

Collin chuckled softly. “Sounds like you had your hands full.”

“Yeah. I did. Didn’t help that she came with a kid already in the picture.”

Jackson leaned in a little. “You had an insta-family?”

“That I did. For a year. Once the time was up, she packed my shit again and tossed me out on my ass.” His smile faded a little. “I liked having a family, though.”

Ben shook his head. “I’d say you’re making that shit up, but I know you’re not.”

“Why would I make it up?”

The night wore on, the clubhouse growing quieter as some of the others drifted off to their homes. While they wandered away, each smiling and still feeling the warmth of our brotherhood, the weight of my responsibilities settled back on my shoulders. I had a town to protect.

And secrets to keep.

I stepped outside and took a deep breath. The cool night air made me miss the warmth from inside. I glanced back and saw the light spilling through the windows. It wasn’t a castle, but it had felt like one tonight. The moonlight cast long shadows on the ground, adding to the gothic feel of the evening.

I walked down the road, my mind racing. I’d have to come back and see the men again. I struggled to keep up with how much time passed, but for now, I had to make sure no one threatened Darkwood. The club brothers didn’t know about my other side, and I needed to keep it that way. For now.

I knew I’d circle around to my mansion. Didn’t have a choice. It was the one place I felt like myself. That I didn’t have to hide who I was. I walked through the front door and paused. The entire place felt empty. Cold. The light from the moon spilled through the windows, casting a ghostly glow over everything. It made the place feel eerie. Haunted.

I couldn’t keep living like I had been. I needed to be around people. The time I’d spent with the club brothers tonight had proven that. But I didn’t know how to get what I wanted without giving away my secrets. I supposed I’d have to find a way. Or I’d spend the rest of my days alone.

Or living a lie. I didn’t want to be Luke for the rest of my days.

Chapter Two

Belladonna

I poised myself at the threshold, breath held as I waited. It was Halloween night, and I only had a few hours to get this done. I’d had a vision, one that had sent me running from my father’s coven and toward a man I hadn’t met. Not really. I’d seen him in my dream, but I’d never set eyes on him in person. I only hoped the spell I’d prepared would be enough.

The doorbell echoed in the stillness of the night, the silence making the sound seem eerie and full of anticipation. I heard a deep voice, then heavy footfalls. A moment later, the door swung inward, and a man stood there, the low light behind him making him seem even more imposing. I caught sight of his piercing blue eyes, and the black hair that brushed his shoulders. He looked me over, his gaze lingering on my breasts. I’d worn my tunic-style shirt a size too small, the laces straining to contain my chest. I knew the moment he realized I was a witch. His gaze snapped up to meet mine, and his posture grew tense.

I couldn’t risk him throwing me out before I had a chance to explain, or before I could get my spell off. I lifted my hand, the blinding ball of light already forming in my palm. I tossed it at him, the light bursting forth and striking him squarely in the face. He staggered back, blinking rapidly.

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