Page 14 of 3 Shifters to Break a Curse

I threw a wrench into their lives by showing up how I did. One that might put them in danger.

I couldn’t help but feel as though I was trading one mistake for another, and it was becoming harder to make the right decision without someone’s health or life being at risk.

“This is absolutely ridiculous,” Rin snapped.

I blew out a raspberry. This was shaping up to be one of the longest nights of my life.

6

RIN

I stood in the middle of the floor, between the living room and the kitchen, and shook my head, pressing my lips together as tight as they would go. There was no way I was going to share my home with a stranger. Much less one who brought trouble along with her. I didn’t care how cute she was, or how much she smelled like home and made my pulse race when I got too close to her. Her history was hers to deal with. Not mine or my brothers.

We shouldn’t have to deal with the mistakes of her past. She brought all of this nonsense on herself. It wasn’t our responsibility to make things better for her. And the sooner she left, the sooner things could go back to normal. Having her in our house is a huge mistake.

“I truly don’t want to cause any trouble,” Toni said, stammering a bit before setting her gorgeous gaze on mine.

I gulped in the split second that followed. But I had to be the only one thinking with their brain. In the following split second, I hardened.

“No,” I snapped, continuing to ignore the way her eyes made me feel, “but you certainly will have some following you. And I’m afraid that’s not acceptable.”

“I realize that, and I’m sorry,” she said taking a seat on the couch again. She sniffed and took in a shuddering breath before in a softer voice adding, “I would understand completely if leaving is the best option.”

“Don’t you think you’re overreacting a bit?” Ezra asked, eyes boring holes into my head. I glared at him. “She’s been through enough hell for one night. She doesn’t need more from you.”

Again, I shook my head. “Not at all. I think I’m the only one using my brain and looking at the possible repercussions about letting her stay.”

“Heartless,” Ezra seethed. “Insensitive asshole.”

“I’m not being heartless,” I said. “I, unlike you, am clinging to a thing called boundaries. And those were broached by her coming into our home tonight. Look, we moved out into the middle of nowhere for a reason.”

“I know this,” he said, setting his glare on me. He opened his mouth to continue.

I held up my hand to stop him from whatever nugget of wisdom he was determined to share with me. “I’m not done. We live off the grid for a reason.”

“Get to the point,” Luke said. He pinched the bridge of his nose and took a seat at the end of the couch, sitting on the edge, angled toward the rest of us. He had been quiet for most of the time. I almost wondered why, but that was just something he did from time to time. He listened and observed.

God, I hoped that meant he was going to see reason.

Still, I switched my glare to him. He should have known exactly where I was going and if it wasn’t for Ezra and his interruptions, I would have made my point by now.

“My point is, we didn’t go through all that hassle to live under the radar of humans just to let every wayward witch through our door because she is in trouble and needs help,” I said. “We aren’t a safe haven.”

“I’m not a wayward witch,” Toni said, standing up for herself. I switched my gaze to her. She shrank back.

“Believe it or not,” she continued, more timidly, “I have self-control. Most of us witches do, contrary to whatever unfortunate history you have with people like me.”

“Clearly,” I said, voice falling flat. “Sound self-control evidenced by some random guy trying to kill you.”

“He’s not random,” Toni said. “He was my boyfriend.”

That made my anger boil through my blood. No man should put his hands on a woman.

“Stop being confrontational, Rin,” Luke said. “It’s not helpful to the situation.”

“I’m being blunt,” I said, settling my glare on him. “There’s a difference.”

“Nor are we in the habit of letting everyone who comes to our door in. She’s the first, and you know it,” Ezra added.

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