Page 21 of Curses & Cold Brew (Maple Hollow #2)
RAMONA
I stormed through the twilight streets, unsure of which way to turn. All I knew was that Esme was hiding somewhere in plain sight. That fucking bitch. She seemed to be around every corner and a mile ahead of me at the same time.
Only rage guided me. Rage at Esme, yes, but also at myself.
I couldn’t resist Iris’s lips, and now they’d damned me worse than hell ever could.
I should’ve just told her. Told her I liked my sigil on her skin, not like a collar around her neck but like a ring on her finger.
That I was just as drawn to her as she was to me.
That we belonged to each other, connected through magic, yes, but also something more.
But I wasn’t a sentimental sap, or at least I shouldn’t be.
I didn’t have the words to tell her I wanted her, that despite pushing her away, it thrilled me every time she stubbornly appeared again.
The truth was it terrified me— she terrified me.
I could deal with monsters and ghosts, but the way I felt about this girl was scarier than anything this paranormal town had to offer.
“Dammit!” I gritted out, punching the unyielding brick beside me.
“You’ve always had such a fiery temper,” a familiar voice crooned. “You should really work on that, darling.”
I whirled, saying her name before my eyes even landed on her. “Esme.”
“Hello, old friend. Miss me?”
I found her standing just inside the threshold of the broomstick shop.
Her pale skin shimmered in the dwindling light of the sunset.
Wavy brown curls framed her round face and made her normally blue eyes shimmer bronze with hunger.
She was always the bronze to my silver, always one step behind me.
And this time, it was no different. Whatever game she was playing would end with her head separated from her body, her ashes scattered far from Maple Hollow. Far from Iris.
Ready to throttle her, I stormed toward the doorway but crashed to a halt as I collided with a hard wall of air. The unseen barrier pulsed against my palm as if alive and laughing at me.
“Warding the broomstick shop against me before taunting me? You always were spineless.”
Esme pursed her lips, tilting her head from side to side. “I just wanted to give you a little taste of what I’m working with these days, old friend. Wards are just one of the many little witch tricks I picked up on my travels.”
I hated how kept she looked. Wherever she’d been hiding clearly hadn’t been unpleasant.
Usually, lone vampires lost their sanity after a few solitary months.
I knew she had found a new brood of vamps out in Washington, but had she brought them back with her?
Someone would have noticed a whole new nest of vampires skulking around, right?
“Demons are so easy to ward against.” Esme flashed a devilish smile, her fangs glinting in the streetlights that had been triggered by the sinking sun. “I’ve actually been able to ward a few other town shops from you and any other demons.”
She started counting off on her long, slim fingers. “Midnight Market, Stars and Stones, Black Cat Knit Shop . . .” Her eyes pinned me through the veil she’d created. “The Poison Apple Apothecary.”
My fist slammed into the hard force field as I let out a feral growl. My knuckles split, but I ignored the pain even as blood dripped down my fingertips. “I swear to Lucifer, Esme, if you hurt her . . .”
“I guess I finally found the weak link in your armor.” Esme’s smile widened. “You always did have a thing for the cute, little artsy ones.”
I curled my lip. “I’m going to enjoy killing you. Step outside and fight me, you coward.”
She threw her head back and cackled. “Now, what sort of fun would that be? Ending the game so soon after I’ve spent so much time preparing it for you?”
“You’re the only one playing games,” I growled. “Why are you doing this?”
She shrugged. “Fifty years is an awfully long time in human years. But I was there when you offered Saul that deal, don’t you remember? I knew his time was just about up. And what a perfect time for a little visit.”
“I won that coin toss fair and square. My deal or your fangs. Smarter heads won out.”
Saul had been miserable all those years ago. The deal I provided, he’d realized, didn’t solve his issues and had been a fate worse than death by fangs. But he’d gotten what he’d wished for: a long life safe from monsters and an astoundingly successful business, to boot.
“Come on, Ro.” She pushed her bottom lip out in an exaggerated pout. “We used to get up to all sorts of mischief. Don’t you miss it?”
“No, I don’t. Just tell me what you want so we can get to the part where I paint the town red with your blood.”
“There’s that fire that always made men quake in their boots.” There was a crazed glint in her eyes. “My feisty counterpart.”
Esme had always been anarchic and unpredictable, but this deranged state was new. We’d spent years gallivanting together, doing the most wicked deeds just for the simple pleasure of them, but she’d never turned against me like this.
“You know I don’t need a reason,” Esme said as if reading my mind. “Though, I suppose some would say that you letting me get run out of town was reason enough. A true friend would have stood up for me, or at least come with me on a new adventure.”
“You were reckless and refused to cover your tracks. Which brought the slayer here! There was nothing I could have done to stop them.”
“But you stayed!” Her eyes widened and her voice pitched to a new height, shattering the illusion of indifference.
“Demons have no need to go on the run. I was building a stronghold here, and staying was the right choice.”
“You became slow and boring,” she pushed. “You’d rather craft handmade holiday cards than kill for the fun of it anymore. What kind of demon are you? No.” She shook her head. “This town ruined you, Ramona, and instead of coming out west with me, you tossed me aside like trash.”
“This is pointless.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Tell me what I need to do to get you to leave.”
“Entertain me,” Esme said with a delighted grin. “Play my little game of cat and mouse.”
This had always been her problem. She would make terrible choices just because she could, get us into terrible scrapes, and then I’d have to dig us out of trouble. She was the worst kind of friend. I should’ve known she’d come back to haunt me.
“You set up this senseless game of stealing my souls to what? Best me?” I glared at her. “How is that any fun for you?”
“Oh, I’m having a ball,” she purred. “You should’ve seen your face when you discovered old Saul.
You didn’t even think to look around you before you left, storming out like a raincloud.
I think that little witch of yours has distracted you for far longer than I’ve been back.
How about you tell me all about her. Iris, right? Such a pretty little thing.”
“You do not touch her,” I growled, more feral than a werewolf now. “She is mine .”
Esme yawned, attempting to seem bored. “She won’t be for long.
I know how to break your claim on her.” Her eyes panned down my body, sizing me up.
“Do you think she’ll still be so enamored with you after your sigil is broken?
She won’t owe you anything. Will she still follow you around like a lost puppy when she isn’t compelled to by your magic? ”
A new wave of hatred filled my chest. Esme’s smile widened as her words struck true, just as she’d clearly planned. I was well versed in concealing my temper, but Esme had known me too well for too long.
“Why would someone as vibrant as she is want someone as dead inside as you?” She shook her head at me. “Look at you. Becoming blander by the day, turning into a sad, pathetic version of the demon you once were. You used to be mighty, Ramona. But this town has made you soft.”
“I like this town. I like who I am here. And so does Iris,” I said like I was trying to convince myself.
The way Iris had looked at me, the hurt in her eyes . . .
There was something there if I were only brave enough to grab it.
“You needed a reckoning, Ramona.” Esme clicked her tongue, pulling me from that thought. “I’m that reckoning.”
“Esme—”
She turned halfway toward the shadowy shop. “I’ll make you a deal.” She examined her ruby-red nails. “I’ll give you a few days to think it over to be a good sport. If you agree to come with me and give up this embarrassing, kitschy town, I’ll let the witch live.”
I didn’t have to think about it, but I did need time. We both knew I’d do anything, but still I said, “And if I don’t agree?”
“Then the game isn’t over.” Esme shrugged and the door magically shut in my face.