Taking on Tory(7)

“What is Charleston like?” Tory asked, leaning forward in excitement. “I heard it is filled with history. They have a market there where you can get the coolest sweet grass baskets. I heard you can even watch as they are being made. Can you get me one for my collection?”

“Why don’t you come back with me and pick out your own?” Alexandru suggested. “I have no idea what to get you. You must have every basket known to mankind, plus witch, elf, dwarf, and fairy.”

“Don’t forget Genie!” Grandpa Carson added with a twinkle in his eye as he wiped his mouth. “She found one online last month.”

“A Genie!” Alexandru exclaimed in surprise. “How on Earth did that happen?”

“It was an old wine basket. I got it off of ebay for twenty bucks. When it arrived, I was cleaning it up and the next thing I knew, Dev popped out,” Tory grinned.

“What did you wish for?” Alexandru asked in curiosity. “Or was he not that kind of Genie?”

“What other kind of Genie is there?” Tory asked, puzzled by the choked laughter that followed her older brother’s question. “Nevermind, I don’t think I want to know. I gave him his bottle, kept the basket, and told him that he should go talk to Susanna down at the Krazy Kettles.”

“Why?” Alexandru asked, confused. “What would she need a Genie for?”

“Well, he said he had to do something to repay me for rescuing him,” Tory replied with a grin. “Susanna is short-handed right now down at the diner. I was helping out as much as I could, but I had a big project I was trying to finish. Now, she has help, and I was able to finish the project so I can go to Charleston without feeling guilty.”

“Totally brilliant,” Alexandru laughed. “Good move, sis.”

“So, when do we leave?” Tory asked excitedly.





Chapter 3


Simon stood on the sidewalk across from his office building and turned in a frustrated circle. The male and female were gone. He didn’t understand how they had disappeared so quickly.

He drew in a deep breath, but all he could smell was the salt breeze and automotive exhaust. Frustrated, he rumbled a low growl of warning at Youssef when he jogged across the road. The beast inside him was pushing dangerously against his restraint.

There were many legends about Werewolves in the world, practically all of them were wrong. There was only one that was correct that he knew of and that was the effect of the full moon on him. His need to mate became insatiable. In previous years, he would find a willing female and fuck her to take the edge off. The beast inside had never reacted this strongly to a female, especially at just a glance.

He glanced up at the sky. The faint outline of the moon could be seen in the twilight. He had four days until the next full moon. He turned when Youssef stepped closer.

“They were gone?” He asked in concern, looking up and down the street.

“Yes,” Simon replied in a deep voice. “See if they were on the surveillance cameras you set up. I want you to find her.”

“What happens when I do?” Youssef replied in surprise. “You have never asked me to kidnap a female before. I usually have to beat them off you.”

Simon turned and glared at Youssef. “Find her,” he repeated. “You have two days.”

Youssef paled as he glanced up at the sky before looking back and nodding. “I will find her,” he replied gravely.

Simon turned and gripped the railing along the sidewalk. “Call the car. I will stay at the estate tonight,” he ordered in a low voice. “I need to run.”

“At once,” Youssef said, pulling his cell phone out. “Meet us out front now.”

*.*.*

“Today was the most wonderful day ever!” Tory said, laughing as she twirled around in a circle so she was walking backwards. “I found at least a dozen baskets and Maureen said she would let me sit and watch her tomorrow and I found some gifts for mom and dad and Nonny and Gramps and Sue and…”

“And you’ll need a truck to get everything home,” Alexandru chuckled at Tory’s flushed face. Whoever said Vampires were supposed to be pale had never met his little sister. She glowed with happiness. “So, what did you get me?”

“I got you, my dear brother, a new website!” Tory grinned. “Yours was so outdated, it belonged with all the antiques you are always looking for. I’ve polished it until it shines and you’ve already had an increase of twenty-five percent thanks to the little spell I wove in it.”

Alexandru shook his head. “You know I’ll have to hire you to keep it up to date. Also, since when did you create a spell that actually works for any length of time?” He teased, jumping back when she tried to swat him with one of her shopping bags.