Unveiled: The Cursed Trilogy, Book Three by Betty Legend (recommended ebook reader txt) 📗

Phoenix’s cell phone ring cuts off their responses.

“Kristo, how are you?… Yes, it is, thanks to Selene’s elixir… How so?… Here, tonight?… No, it shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll let the others know.”

Phoenix hangs up and pockets his phone.

“What’s going on?” Cyrus asks, his brows furrowed like everyone else’s.

“Kristo and Andrea will be here soon. He’s dropping off more of my things but also has news to share about a demon attack at the Moonlighter’s Night Club.”

“Why did they attack the club members?” I ask, confused.

“They were searching for all of us.”

“The devil must be getting desperate. He must know magic is growing stronger in supernaturals,” Cyrus shares.

“We’ll need to stay hidden for a while until this curse is broken,” Griffin tells everyone. “It might be time to head home to Mordeeves Island,” he says to me.

“You’re probably right. If you guys wouldn’t mind, I’d like to have some time alone with Phoenix. Would you mind going ahead of us, and we’ll join you in a few days?”

“No.” Griffin shakes his head. “You need the most protection of all of us. You and Phoenix can go to Mordeeves Island and have the house to yourselves for a while, then the rest of us will join you later.”

“I won’t be able to relax. I’ll be worried about all of you here.”

“I’m not leaving my mate.” Killian puts an arm on my shoulder and rubs, his affection a soothing touch at this moment. “We’ll all go to Mordeeves Island together and give her and Phoenix the privacy they need.”

“I think that’s best,” Cyrus agrees.

“All right then, we’re going to Mordeeves Island tomorrow.” Griffin’s tone brooks no argument.

Phoenix and the shifters turn their attention toward the direction of the overgrown drive. Kristo must be here already. Killian goes to the door and opens it. A minute or two later, the click-clack of heels come up the wooden porch steps. Kristo enters first, carrying a black suitcase. Phoenix takes it from his hand and gives Kristo a pat on the shoulder.

“Thank you.”

The Redwood shifters become attentive to Andrea, sniffing the air, their body posture aggressive. They surround her, eyeing her with uncertainty.

“What’s wrong with you?” she snaps. “Never seen a gorgeous vamp before?”

“There’s no way in hell you’re our mate,” Garrett growls out.

“Ha! Hell no, I’m not. I don’t fuck filthy wolves.”

Everett circles Andrea, his eyes glazed over, his fangs visible, his claws extending.

“Then why the hell are you drenched in our mate’s pheromones.”

“Oh, well,”—she waves a hand in the air—“that’s probably the chick in the car. I needed a snack on the way here.”

The three of them rush out the door, and the rest of us follow with interest. Garrett and Everett carefully pull a dazed brunette out of the back seat, bite marks still dripping from her neck.

“What’s going on?” she murmurs. “Where am I?”

“You’re safe now,” Garret tells her, his tone warm and comforting. “We’ll protect you.”

As if she’s a fragile flower, they’re careful bringing her in and set her on the couch. Bennett shoves past Andrea, knocking her into Phoenix. Phoenix catches her, grimacing as he looks at her.

“What? It’s not like I knew she was their mate.”

Joining them at the woman’s side, I squeeze in between the Redwood shifters.

“She’ll be okay. I’ll heal her.” Placing my hand at her neck, I release earth magic, and the wound closes, developing new skin. Griffin hands me a warm cloth, and I wipe the blood off her neck and chest.

“What’s your name?”

“Lexi.” Grumbling, she puts her hand to her head. “Where am I? Who are you guys?”

The shifters’ eyes are nearly bulging out of their heads, their mouths salivating over the curvy brunette.

“Killian, can you take everyone outside?”

With the way our first meeting went, I know he understands. With an acknowledging nod, he corrals everyone out the back door.

“My name is Selene. This is my home. You’re safe here with me and the others.”

“What about the bitch who bit me?” She sounds livelier as she sits up.

“Don’t worry about her. That’s Andrea. She is a bitch and a vampire. She won’t dare bite you now, though.”

Lexi looks at me with big, chestnut brown eyes. She’s a beautiful woman, like a curvier Jessica Alba.

“Vampire.” She snorts. “Makes sense why I have an aching neck and head, and I can’t remember everything.”

“Are you a supernatural or human?”

“Wolf shifter.” She rubs at her neck. “I’m here visiting a friend. Oh, hell, Amber,” she says aloud, her voice panicked.

“Is Amber the friend?”

“Yes, we were out having drinks. I need to call her.”

Movements still slow, she reaches for the phone in her back pocket. Dialing her friend, she keeps a wary eye on me.

“Amber, are you all right?… Oh, good… I’m… I don’t know where I am. A vampire attacked me, and now I’m at a log cabin with a woman and a shit ton of men.” She glances at me. “Yeah, I think I’m safe… See you soon.”

“I would offer to portal you back to your friend’s house, but I can only portal to places I’ve been, but I’ll see about getting you a ride home. I wouldn’t dare make you get back in the car with Andrea.”

“Are you a witch?”

“Yes.”

“Who are all those guys?”

“Five of them are my boyfriends, and the other three are the Redwood shifters. The older man is Kristo Artino, the patriarch of the Artino vampire coven.”

“Wait, are you the witch?”

This gal is smart.

Chuckling, I nod my head. “I am.”

“I knew the rumors were true when I was able to shift at will again.” Her mouth spreads wide. “Thank you for doing whatever you’re doing to help us.”

“You’re welcome.” Now that her color is back, and she seems lucid, I stand from the couch. “Would you like some water and aspirin for the head and neck ache?”

“Yes, that would be great.” She follows me into the kitchen. “So, you said there were Redwood shifters here.”

“I did, yeah.” Her interest seems piqued. “That’s who carried you in.”

“Oh.”