Blood Twist (The Erris Coven Series)

3



LIZ



Liz shifted the glass serving dish into one arm as she adjusted her sunglasses. No matter which brand she bought, they were always sliding down the bridge of her nose.

Although she suffered a momentary anxiety attack when she parked her rust bucket in the McKenna’s driveway, she was fine once she reminded herself whose home it was. Any parents responsible for breeding a Casanova like Teagan were sure to be a blast.

The lawn looked like it belonged on the cover of Better Homes and Gardens. She would hate to step on a single blade of grass; they were all too perky and evenly level to ruin with the indentation of her foot. Torin’s place was the same way. Endellion was growing flowers with blooms the size of Liz’s head. Did the Irish damphyrs have a magical explanation for their gardening or did they just have green thumbs?

Liz followed the cobble walkway that stretched around the large white Victorian into a sprawling backyard. Endellion and Cian’s mother, Fianna, were setting up a large banquet table for their buffet styled luncheon. Fresh cut flowers in whimsical vases of all shapes and colors adorned the pastel linen covered surface. Lemongrass scented oil burned in amber effusion lamps, while ivory pillars made of beeswax dotted the table.

All we need now is for David Tutera to pop out for an episode of “My Fair Wedding.”

Endellion was splendid in her long, moss green gown next to the taller and polished Fianna. Cian’s mother had eye-catching espresso hair that complimented her ivory skin. She rocked a tailored, raspberry cocktail dress with strappy sandals. Liz smiled. If she could look that slamming in her golden years, she would be partying until the day she died.

As soon as Endellion spotted Liz, her gentle face lit up. “Hello,” she said, giving her a tender hug. “What have you brought us, darling?”

Liz looked down at her large bowl covered with aluminum foil. “It’s just a potato salad. It’s one of my specialties. I make it for my dad when he comes to visit.”

Thank God they don’t read minds.

Fianna cleared a place for it among the platters of fresh fruits and vegetables. “I haven’t had a potato salad in months, it sounds lovely.” Her Irish brogue was ethereal.

“Was everything okay at Ruby’s place?” Endellion asked concerned. “If I had known you were heading there, I would have asked Donovan or Torin to accompany you, and make sure the place was clear.”

“It was nice and quiet.” Liz appreciated the motherly concern, but could hold her own if she caught anyone lurking about. She was the one who insisted Lexie join her for some self-defense classes at YMCA. Being man handled by anyone was not an option. “Is Lexie and Torin here yet?”

Endellion shook her head, “She’s checking on her mother, but will come along soon.”

As the backdoor of the house opened, a plump woman sauntered out carrying a serving platter full of heaping finger sandwiches. With a head full of shocking brassy curls, she had the biggest green eyes Liz had ever seen. She recognized Aileen’s resemblance to her son, Teagan.

“You must be Liz.” Swiftly, the robust woman added the tray to the table. Lissome as ribbon, her body moved five different directions at once, practically dancing. “I’ve been nailed to the floor with all of this work, or I would’ve invited you over yesterday.” After wiping her palms on her cotton apron, Aileen gave Liz a warm embrace. “Are you keeping well?”

Liz couldn’t help but smile, she had imagined Endellion as the face of Ireland, but Aileen was the spirit. “I’m fine thanks.”

Aileen stepped back and gave Liz a head to toe survey. “Teagan is still off with his mates, but he should be here soon. I hope the little gobshite has been minding his manners.”

“Of course,” Liz answered. She wasn’t sure if Aileen’s concern was because her son was an insatiable flirt or for some other reason, but she liked Teagan. He was easy to talk to. It was when she tried talking to Braden that she got tongue tied. He was too cute to stand next to and still form sensible language patterns.

“Glad to hear it or I would beat the little gimp,” the Irish woman hooted, causing her bosom to wiggle. Her laughter had force, just like her tone. “You’re a bonny girl, give him time.”

Glancing past where the three women worked assembling their feast, Liz spotted Ella sitting alone by a large in-ground pool. Realizing she must have walked over with Endellion, Liz ventured across the yard to her best friend’s sister.

As Liz sat down on the chaise lounge beside her, Ella barely looked up. The blonde’s long hair had grown past her shoulders, accenting her pretty golden skin. Liz had always wanted skin like Ella and Lexie’s, but instead got the Captain’s pearly white hue. Burning was easy, but tanning was impossible.

At one time, Ella was a complete brat and drove Liz nuts. If she wasn’t on their heels, she was going out of her way to add caustic commentary for the sole purpose of being spiteful. Seeing her now, Liz realized the thirteen-year-old was no longer a child. With the same petite figure as her sister, she had become a young woman.

Liz looked down at her own shapely build. In jeans and a black and white striped tank, she was dressed for a skate park rather than a garden party. Her wrists were adorned with bangles and the layers of her ebony hair had been flat ironed. From the expression on Ella’s face, Liz was certain she wasn’t the only one feeling out of place.

“How long until everyone gets here?” Ella asked, her voice just a whisper.

Liz shook her head, “I thought they would all be here by now.” The sun was bright. Liz scraped the deck chair across the cement, edging it towards the shade. “I’m usually late for these kinds of things.”

“I feel weird sitting here. I don’t know why they won’t let me just stay home.” Ella picked at the frayed hem of her jeans. “I’m old enough to be there alone.”

Liz wondered how much she should say. She didn’t think Ella’s age was the reason they didn’t want her to stay alone in the big house. “Do you like everyone here, okay?”

“I guess,” Ella smirked. “The guys are cute, but their parents are creepy. I can’t believe they’re all old.” She looked over at the women. “They take good care of my mom though.”

“I’m sorry about Ruby,” Liz offered. She knew it must be tough seeing her mom that sick. “And that Lexie got hurt, too.”

Ella’s face hardened. “She should have known better.”

Liz was unsure if Ella was referring to her mother or Lexie, but neither could have anticipated what was going on. “Well, at least your sister is healing. Her bruising is already gone and she won’t need the crutches much longer….Must be nice.”

Ella’s head snapped up. “Nice? She gets all of this attention and the ability to heal from her hot new boyfriend, while the rest of us have to suffer for her mistakes. Because of Lexie, my dad is dead and now Nicolai doesn’t have a family or a place to stay.”

“And that’s Lexie’s fault?”

Her dark brown eyes glowered at Liz. “She never once tried to fit in and now everything’s ruined. If Mom dies, I’ll be stuck with these people forever.”

Liz bit back the words she wanted to say and thought about Ella’s position. The girl was angry and scared and talking out of her hat. Normally, she would have read her the riot act on not being selfish, but decided to let it go. “Your mom won’t die. I’ll make sure of that.”

Surprised that Liz didn’t argue back, Ella’s defensive posture lowered. “Good.” She sat back in the lounge chair and covered her eyes with the back of her hand. “It doesn’t change Nick’s situation though. I hate that he’s all alone.”

Liz wondered why Ella wasn’t afraid of the fact that Nicolai was a werewolf. It was as if she had more than two days to come to terms with what the fifteen-year-old was. Maybe Nicolai had been a little more candid with Ella than anyone realized.

Was it more than just a crush or hero worship? Suddenly, Liz understood.

Ella’s in love. Well that complicates things.

Liz didn’t know Nicolai, but she knew how dangerous his brother, Alik was. If Nick plotted and schemed the way his cunning brother did, he could have manipulated his way into Ella’s young heart, maybe already infecting her. The idea made her sick.

“You haven’t fooled around with Nicolai, have you?”

Ella bolted forward in her seat. “You are a total freak.”

Liz could see the hurt in Ella’s expression. “I’m sorry I asked you that way. I should have worded it differently.”

“No, you shouldn’t have asked me at all.” Ella’s arms crossed over her chest. She tapped the tips of her nails as she glared at Liz. “I’m thirteen. I may not be a baby, but I am not a slut either,” her pitch wavered. “And if I did, it would have been my business. Our parents were only married one month, so it wasn’t like we were related or anything.”

Liz scooted to the edge of her seat. “My concern wasn’t that you were being incestuous. My concern was that you could become a werewolf.”

“Do me a favor and don’t talk to me,” Ella’s voice trembled, “ever.” With a shake of her blond hair, she shifted herself in the seat until only her back faced Liz.

With a sigh, Liz stood and headed back across the yard. She wasn’t going to win that argument. At least Ella hadn’t made a huge mistake. Having one member of the family infected was bad enough.

Lexie better keep a close eye on her sister.