Page 25 of Curses and Cauldrons

With those parting words, I hook Ambrose’s arm and drag him back to the car. I’m not a patient man, but something tells me Josephine is worth the wait.

After the parade,all I wanted was to follow Josephine to her house and confine her to more small spaces with my body. I don’t know why I let Ambrose convince me to go out. Even if that was our original plan all along. I’m not in the mood. Themusic is too loud, there are too many people, and far too fucking many women who have touched me tonight. None of which I’ve felt. It’s just a reminder that Josephine Delvaux, who’s had my number for almost a week, hasn’t reached out, but is going to parades.

Anything entertainment-related in Mystic Hollows is managed by Ambrose’s family. They own the local concert venue, the Mystic Theater, a handful of bars, and the best club in town, which is where we’re at tonight.

“Could you try to contain the snarl? You’re chasing off all the women.” Ambrose kicks my shoe. We’re sitting in the VIP booth that looks out over the dance floor. It’s always reserved for Ambrose, regardless of whether he plans on stopping by or not.

We picked up my brother Bram and Odie after the parade. Odie’s dancing in her seat, more than a little tipsy. Her platinum blonde hair is up in a high ponytail, which means she wants to dance. Bram looks about as happy as I am to be here tonight.

I glare at Ambrose and then jerk my head toward the women walking over to our table. “Obviously not.”

I’m sitting on the outside of the rounded booth with Bram next to me. Odie is on his other side, and Ambrose is across from me. The women look like they’ve broken out their fake IDs to get in here tonight. There’s so much make-up contouring their faces; who knows what the hell they really look like? It’s still not enough to hide how young they are.

They both have long hair styled in big curls that tumble perfectly over their shoulders. One is ashy blonde, and the other has reddish brown hair. The brunette comes to a stop next to me, her hip pressing into the side of the booth.

She sucks in her bottom lip, her eyes roaming over my body. With a practiced grin, she leans in toward me.

“Roman Blackthorn, right?”

Mystic Hollows is a big enough city that not everyone knows me, but when it comes to the magical community, it’s a lot smaller. A mid-level power flows off the woman, telling me she’s a witch. It’s not completely uncommon for members of the Tenebris coven to come over when I’m out for dinner or find me in bars. It’s always annoying, but I find myself even more irritated than usual.

The blonde is flirting with Ambrose, who already has his hand on her hip.

“Yes,” I finally respond to the woman.

“I’m Brianna. Brianna Puckett.” She says her name like I should know who she is. I don’t want to engage in conversation. If I have to be out, I just want to be with my friends. Odie looks like she’s holding back a laugh.

“A new fan club member?” she signs.

“Fuck off,” I sign back at her, which only makes her grin wider.

“Are you guys like using some secret code?” Brianna asks, shouting a little to be heard over the music. Lips thick with liner and gloss purse unhappily.

I cock my head to stare at her. “It’s sign language.”

“Oh,” she mutters, as though that’s disappointing.

“You’re absolutely clueless, Brianna. Can’t you tell the man would rather have his fingernails plucked off than speak to you?” A woman’s dry tone reaches me before Anastasia Lexington pushes Brianna out of the way. “Go find someone with lower status to flirt with. You’re playing outside your pay grade.”

While I don’t want Brianna anywhere near me, I don’t enjoy Anastasia’s brand of getting things done. Brianna scampers off, looking pale beneath her layers of makeup. The last time I saw Anastasia was at my parents’ founders party, where she was assaulting her glass with her tongue in an attempt to come on tome. Her long blonde hair falls down her back and she’s squeezed herself into the tightest, shortest dress I’ve ever seen.

I take a sip of my beer. I’ve been nursing it for so long it’s warm.

Odie raises an eyebrow and signs, “If she blinks, I’m going to get a flash of her vagina.”

I nearly choke on my drink. Bram chuckles beside me, and Anastasia bristles. She’s used to all eyes being on her and doesn’t appreciate not being the center of attention.

“Did you need something?” I sigh.

Her hand lands on my shoulder, and Bram makes a low humming sound next to me. I feel the weight of her hand, but nothing else. My eyes drift to my phone. Will Josephine ever message? Why didn’t I get her number instead?

“I heard a rumor about you.” Anastasia laces her words with sultry sweetness.

I pick up my phone, illuminating the screen and finding no new notifications. “And what was it?” I ask with disinterest.

Anastasia bends, putting her cleavage on display for the table. Her face dips close to mine, her lips by my ear. “I heard you’re looking for your perfect match.”

I jerk my head around, and she rears hers back before I collide with her nose. “Who exactly told you that?” I growl, swiping her hand off my shoulder. She wobbles and stands back up. I played nicely for a few minutes, but I’m done with whatever this bullshit is. I know she spoke with my mother at the founders party. What did my mother tell her?

---