Goddess, Awakened. Cate Masters

easily. “It’s not my fault she hasn’t done anything wrong. If you’d tell me what, specifically, you want to know, I could watch for it.” Hiding in the bushes grew old the first night she spied on Joss. It was damn cold outside.

      Looming closer, his nostrils flared. “Everything. How much plainer can I state the objective?”

      Two could play this game. She had her own agenda and nothing would stand between her and Eric. She mustered her bitchiness, never very far below the surface. “You’re not giving me anything either. Eric hardly pays attention to me. And I think he knows.”

      Drawing back, the man’s eyes darted to her. “What do you mean, he knows?”

      “Ever since Halloween, he looks at me funny.” Hopefully, Eric hadn’t spied her sneaking around the inn. If only he didn’t live across the damn street from her.

      The man ran his gaze up and down her. “So?”

      “You’re keeping too much from me.” Like Eric. “What the hell are those crazy lighted buggy things outside the inn? They kept dive-bombing me until I couldn’t stand it anymore.”

      He waved her off. “Oh, the fae. They’re harmless, mostly.”

      Freaking fairies? Well, why not, if she stood here chit-chatting with a demon. One who owed her big-time. Apparently he’d forgotten that little tidbit. “When are you going to make him fall in love with me?”

      He huffed. “I never said such a thing.”

      She fumed. No way would he back out on her. “Yes you did. In the car the night we met.”

      In contrast to his casual tone, his eyes flashed. “I said you’d have him. I never promised he’d love you.”

      Talk about a piercing gaze. His stare drilled into her brain. Her head swam. “I don’t understand.”

      His deep voice echoed as if through a canyon. “Understand this. If you fail, you will suffer for eternity.” He sank into the wall and was gone.

      What the… “Hello?” What kind of screwed-up mess had she tangled herself in this time? Not a mess. An objective. For once in her pitiful life, she had a goal to reach, and boy howdy, did she intend to win.

      Then his words sunk in.

      Eternity? Hey, screw that. And what good was having Eric if he didn’t love her? Strolling to the bedroom, she stopped short at seeing Eric reclining across her bed, the sheet covering half his bare rear. Smiling, he patted the space next to him.

      Her heart flip-flopped.

      Oh, yeah. Finally.

      Ripping the band out of her hair, she shook it loose around her shoulders. “Here I come, baby, ready or not.” She squeaked the last word.

      Like a video game gone bad, Eric pixilated into static.

      “No.” She dove for the bed, landing on nothing but rumpled covers.

      Rolling atop them, she groaned and clutched them to her chest. Where Eric should have been.

      Okay. She wasn’t completely thick. This was a message. Having Eric, even if he didn’t love her, had its perks.

      She could deal with it.

      Chapter 5

      The gold and silver painted pumpkins decorated the foyer hardwood floor, its soft sheen testament to the recent refinishing. The ceramic pheasant her grandmother had given her sat beside the vase of sunflowers on the table below the mirror. Edging the door frame, the garland of yellow and orange fabric leaves twined with white lights provided a welcoming entry for Thanksgiving guests.

      After surveying the guest list, Joss walked to the dining room for a last-minute check of tables for correct silverware. As soon as they arrived, she’d light the candles and dim the lights. Everything appeared ready, so why did she have the nagging notion of something left undone?

      Needing to busy herself, she went to the kitchen. “What can I do to help?”

      “Not a thing. We have it covered.” Annie smiled at her cousin Tammy, hired for the day as a server.

      “I don’t know why I’m so nervous.” Her nerves tightened by the minute.

      Having finished squirting decorative frosting on a cake, Annie stepped back to admire her work. “It will be great. See? People are arriving right now.”

      Outside, three cars queued up beside one another. People exited and approached the inn. Joss untied her apron. “Show time.” Although excited by her expected guests, something else lingered in the air, hidden by their smiling faces and chatter as they approached the house. Larger and more powerful than their pleasantries, yet mingled with them. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, and her apprehension grew.

      Distractedly, Joss asked, “You didn’t take any more reservations, did you?”

      “No,” Annie said. “Why?”

      “No reason.” Except she’d been so sure Eric would accept the invitation, despite his reluctance. No time to worry about it now.

      The silver sedan pulling in caught her attention. “Aunt Lydia.”

      Standing on tiptoe, Annie strained to see. “Oh, good. Will she be telling fortunes again?”

      Tammy gasped in delight. “She’s a fortune teller?”

      Joss shot her a sardonic glance. “Not today if I can help it.” Ignoring their disappointed whines, she hurried to the lobby to greet an entering couple, whom she didn’t recognize. Seeing their overnight bags, she checked them in.

      Another couple arrived as she directed the first to their rooms. After taking their coats and hanging them on the coat rack, she ushered them to the front room. “Make yourself at home. Dinner will be ready soon.”

      When she returned to the foyer, Lydia was stamping her heeled shoes on the carpet. “It’s so cold.” Turning back, her aunt held open the door for the person behind her. “Come sit by the fire.”

      The powerful presence hit Joss before she spied her grandmother, who followed Lydia. Her mouth fell open in delight. “Gram.”

      “Happy Thanksgiving, dear.” Her grandmother opened her arms.

      Joss went to her embrace. “What a lovely surprise. I had no idea you were coming.”

      The love in her grandmother’s voice warmed Joss as much as the hug. “The inn looks lovely.”

      “Wait till you see the house next year after we paint the outside. And after the lavender’s planted.”

      Gram’s eyes crinkled in a smile. “How lovely you’ll carry on the family traditions.”

      Not the way her grandmother hoped. “Only your recipes.”

      “I’m still pleased.” Gram squeezed her hand. “Your special visitors will be too.”

      Her aunt primped in front of the mirror.

      Joss moved behind Lydia. “Let’s not mention such things tonight, please. Or anything else out of the ordinary.”

      Lydia pecked her cheek. “We wouldn’t dream of it, darling.” Halting outside the front room, her aunt gasped. “Oh, my. How gorgeous! The color’s extraordinary.”

      Joss had to admit, it would complement the outside colors nicely. Linking her arm through Gram’s, she led her inside. “Come in and get warm.” After settling her on the loveseat nearest the fireplace, she excused herself when the door opened.

      The sight of Eric in the foyer holding a potted flower stopped her.

      A wan smile crossed his face. “Happy Thanksgiving.”

      “Thank you. I didn’t realize you were coming.”