Chapter 3
The plane had finally landed, and Evangeline wanted to tell the pilot to head back. Not that he would. Her father had hired him. Besides, her sister needed her.
Steeling herself against her father’s smarmy attitude, she made her way off the plane.
Dad wore a pristine suit and a cocky smile. He got his way after all, like he usually did. His dark hair was perfectly styled and his deep green eyes were smug as always.
Her skin crawled. She’d never liked her father much and chose to spend as much time away from him as she could.
He always convinced her to come back for Genevieve, but she had never regretted the decision more than she did at that moment.
“Evening,” she said with a curt nod. “Now tell me what you need so I can go home.”
His smile turned cruel. “Thought you’d be happy to get away from Killian’s mutts.”
Nope, Dad will never understand how I readily befriended one. Or that I’m ready to mate a second Taggert son.
And she wouldn’t tell him until after the mating took place because the bastard might find a way to prevent the bond.
“I have a life in Silvertail Ridge, a house, a business. I’d like to get back to it. Now, what was so important you needed me here in person?”
“That can wait until we get home.” He looked around, the first hint of his unease, but it quickly disappeared.
“What have you gotten yourself into now?” she demanded, taking a step toward the plane.
“Please, Evangeline. You’ll be perfectly safe, but I need your help.”
“For how long?”
Father made a motion. The stairs were moved away from the jet while the doors shut, leaving her stranded for the moment. She should have taken a commercial airline.
“You’re a bastard, you know that?”
He lifted a single shoulder. “I get things done. Now please, come home, and we can discuss the details there.”
Sighing, she followed him to the limo. “I’m not staying long.”
He wore a cruel smile. “We’ll see about that.”
Evangeline narrowed her eyes. “Doubtful. You claimed an emergency and wanted my help with my sister, though I don’t have a clue as to why. I don’t have your magic, or my sister’s.”
“No, but you have skills none of us have. Now let’s go.”
Her stomach twisted in knots as she climbed into the car.
They arrived at her family’s home within moments. Father stayed silent the entire ride. Evangeline never took her eyes away from him. Slimy bastard couldn’t be trusted.
It was why she had one tiny tattoo that warded her against any witch magic that could be used against her. The ring around her thumb was also enchanted with wards against the type of spells her father preferred.
The limo came to a stop in front of the house. She climbed out without anyone getting her door and made her way to the home she grew up in.
Everything had changed with her mother’s death when Evangeline was twelve. Her father had claimed her mother was a weak witch and was aging, unlike more powerful ones. Supposedly, her time was finite. She did have an exceptional ability with Dreamalking. Father used her skills to his advantage anytime he could. In all honestly, her mother always looked young, but Evangeline had been a girl when she passed.
Usually, Evangeline was smart enough to avoid her father’s calls. It saved her a few trips out. She should just block his number and never answer another call from him. However, he might find a way to block contact with her sister.
Evangeline had thoughts as to why Genevieve was sickly, but never voiced her opinion. He made grand plans that always affected everyone else. His sister became ill shortly after their mother passed. Evangeline was sent to Killian Taggert to glean information that benefited her father. He hadn’t expected her to wind up in Killian’s son’s bed or to be mated, ripping her magic from her. From that moment on, he only used her ability when he could convince her to come out, usually because of her sister.
In the living room, Father sat down. “Something to drink?”
“No. I’m only here to listen to what you have to say. I’m not staying in this home. You know better than that.”
He shook his head, feigning regret. “Still don’t trust me?”
She’d learned long ago he didn’t give a damn about her or anyone other than himself. Not even her sister.
“Of course not. Your dealings are always shady and have landed me in situations I would have otherwise avoided if you hadn’t dragged me in, yet once again.”
He laughed. “Well, don’t fuck this up and you’ll be just fine.”
Sighing, she crossed her arms over her chest. “Start talking.”
“Remember Neil Talos? He’s trying to tear apart my business. I simply need you to convince him to go elsewhere. Seduce him, marry him, kill him, scare him away with dreams. I don’t give a damn, just get him off my back.”
“And I couldn’t do this from my home? I will do nothing more than enter his dreams and persuade him to leave you alone.”
“You don’t understand. Neil has taken an interest in Genevieve. He’s trying to sway her away from me and to take her away. I want you here to ensure he doesn’t come anywhere near her, or my plans.”
“Why?”
“She’s fallen in love with the bastard. He only wants her money.”
Which made no sense because his family easily had as much as theirs. And unlike her father, the Talos family had not cut Neil off or pushed him out when he was turned into a werelynx a few years before. In fact, she knew he worked with Neil recently on some excavation on Whiteface Mountain.
Which meant her father was worried about something else.
Evangeline rolled her eyes. “He’s always been a good guy. Perhaps he’s exactly what she needs.”
Father sneered. “He’s a mangy cat and will never be good enough for my baby.”
“Of course not. Why was it okay to send me into the wolf’s den at such a tender age, yet you baby my sister?”
“She has always been special.”
“Oh, fuck you, I could have done this from home.” She turned to walk out the door.
“Genevieve misses you. At least see her. I fear her health is failing. There isn’t much more I can do.”
Evangeline left without another word. Her sister had a condo in a cozy building a short walk away. It was a gorgeous day, and she wasn’t ready to deal with her father.
* * * *
Evangeline stopped by Genevieve’s favorite diner and picked up breakfast. May as well make a day out of it. And maybe, just maybe, she could convince her sister to leave Lake Placid and move away with Neil, if he really was into her.
Though Genevieve had never mentioned Neil to her in conversation. And her sister had a fear of all beings not witch. Though, if she became a werelynx, or werewolf, or any other wereanimal, her health issues would resolve themselves. And if she were mated, truly mated, she would have no need for their father.
Father could rot in hell for all the pain he’d caused.
After knocking, Genevieve called out, “Come in.”
Evangeline shook her head and stepped inside.
“Sis!” Genevieve stood and immediately caught the table as a coughing fit took over.
“Sit, please,” Evangeline pleaded, moving to her and guiding her down, then sitting to hug her tight. “Getting worse?”
Genevieve nodded. She was far too thin, her face gaunt, her hair thin. She’d been ill since she was twelve. “Always getting worse. Think I’ve lived too long, like Mom. Not enough magic.” Except there were no gray hairs, no wrinkles. Something else was causing her decay.
“You know, there are other ways to continue on. I could change you, or maybe find another wereanimal to make you something other than a wolf. I could even find a vampire to change you. Whatever you want.”
A strangle sob escaped Genevieve. “Won’t be a monster.”
Standing, Evangeline turned away to hide the hurt. “Fine.” No point in arguing. Her sister would say Evangeline was the exception, but that was bullshit.
Instead, Evangeline pulled out a container and displayed the meal. “Peace offering.”
Genevieve’s face scrunched in a pout. “You know I don’t think you’re a monster.”
Evangeline lifted a single shoulder but didn’t meet her eyes. “Most shifters aren’t. You’re stuck in the coven’s mindset. Where I live, witches and werewolves are happy living together.”
She sighed. “I find that hard to believe.”
“One of my closest friends is a witch and mated to a werewolf.”
“Still don’t believe it.”
Sighing, Evangeline pointed to the food. “Eat. And while you’re at it, you can fill me in on Neil.”
Her whole face lit up. “Neil loves me. He wants to take me away from Dad.” And her smile fell. “I’m scared, and Dad is convinced he only wants my money. That something happened when the werelynx changed him, and he’s not the same man I knew.”
Evangeline knew better. Their father only wanted her around when he needed a Dreamwalker. Otherwise, she was an animal that was barely tolerated. “Neil is not a monster. You know, he still calls me.”
Genevieve’s brow pinched. “Do you want him?”
Evangeline laughed. “Oh no. I have a man back home.”
“You do?” Genevieve sat forward.
Nodding, she smiled. “First, you need to tell me all about Neil. Then maybe.” Though, Genevieve was more likely to forget about Evangeline’s new man.
Blushing, Genevieve ducked her head, but she settled in to eat.
* * * *
After Evangeline cleaned up dinner, she came back to sit across from Genevieve. She knew why their father brought her back to New York.
Her sister was dying, and daddy dearest had a plan to heal her, or something.
Evangeline had a better idea. Maybe she could help Neil steal her away and change her.
“Evangeline, what do you think about Neil?”
“He wants the best for you. Whatever Dad told you, ignore it. He’s full of lies, and I wish you saw that.”
Fiddling with the hem of her shirt, Genevieve asked, “Has Neil ever mentioned me?”
Smiling, Evangeline shook her head. “He does ask about you, but he’s not the kiss and tell type of guy. One thing I know, he’s always been drawn to you. That’s generally a good sign.”
“Unless he wants something from me.”
Evangeline rolled her eyes. “Let’s look at Neil from any point of view but Dad’s, shall we? First, his parents never disowned him when he became a werelynx, and they have plenty of money. Second, he has a very successful business and makes his own money. Third, I know he worries about you. He asks about you, but I never pry, which may be why he hasn’t told me anything. So, he cares about you.”
Genevieve lit up. “All of that is true. But he wants to know about the site Dad fired him from. What if he wants the relics Dad’s digging up?”
“What site?”
“There some strange ruins up on the mountain. There’s supposed to be an artifact hidden there. One that Dad believes will heal me.”
Evangeline snorted. “Dad never does anything for anyone unless it benefits him. Neil might have asked too many smart questions and Dad didn’t want to share whatever he found and fired him. Why wouldn’t Neil be curious?”
“Maybe. But he won’t make love to me. Says I’m too sick. That he won’t until I’m better, and the only way I’ll get better is if I let him change me.”
“And you still think we’re monsters?”
“You’re not.” But sometimes she wondered if that was why Evangeline stayed away. What if when she wasn’t around she was all bad?
“Do you really think he is? Think he’d be worried about making love to you while you’re so sick if he was just an animal?”
“No. Not really.” She let out a breath. “It’s just, what if I’m wrong.”
Evangeline shrugged. “That’s something you have to figure out. I can’t do it for you. But how does he make you feel?”
“I love him. But is it enough? It wasn’t enough for you to make things work with Nate.”
She laughed out loud. Her romantic relationship lasted only a few days and was born out of desperation to feel anything. They were much better friends. “Nate is like a brother. He’s not lover material for me. Though he’s perfect for his mate. All I can say is you need to tap into what you feel and make your decision based on that.”
Genevieve fidgeted with her nails. “Neil wants to get me away from Dad.”
“I want to get you away from Dad. That doesn’t make him a bad guy. Makes Neil smart. One day, you’ll realize that, and you’ll want to get away.”
She did, but she was afraid to be on her own. Would Neil really want to take care of her? Would becoming a werelynx or werewolf give her strength back?
“Think about it. And I’ll talk to Neil.”
“Love you, Evangeline.”
“Love you too, Genie. Good night.”