Page 63 of Rogue Witch

I hurry into the front of the store and halt at sight of the tall, handsome vampire staring into a display case. He turns his head and I look into eyes so unlike those of the vampire I know at The Academy that I think for an instant that I’ve mistaken him for Raith. He’s hard, that hasn’t changed, but there’s a soft light in his eyes, a hunger—for me. My heartbeat quickens. He turns toward me. His attention shifts over my shoulder to the woman behind me.

I hurry forward. “Can I help you?” I say, as I step behind the counter.

“Can you get away for a few minutes?” he asks.

His voice is the same deep voice I know, but the anger is absent. I had no idea this Raith existed.

He lifts his brows. “Well? Can you get away?”

I open my mouth, but what do I say? I don’t know if I can get away? What are you doing here? Why don’t you hate me? Why do you hate me?

The bell on the front door tinkles again and Raith turns as another man enters. He’s tall, though not as tall as Raith, and he has a hard look about him that I instantly dislike.

“Vanderkoff,” the man says.

“Cordero,” Raith’s reply is cold.

Cordero? Sounds like a crime boss—which I realize, he is. Dread prickles my spine. He’s here to see me. I know him. I know him well, in fact. Revulsion roils in my stomach. Why would I have anything to do with this man? His gazes remains fixed on Raith and I tense. Are the two men going to throw down right here? I realize there is an Italian stiletto knife strapped to my leg, hidden by my skirt. I step around the counter and allow my hand to drop toward my hem.

The woman enters the room. She halts, eyes locked on Cordero. She glances at Raith, and says, “Mr. Vanderkoff,” then her attention returns to Cordero. “Can we help you, Mr. Cordero? We have a dozen of the chocolate tarts you’re so fond of.”

He flashes white teeth. “No one can refuse your pastries, Mrs. Elias.”

She gives a curt nod and walks to the counter. She pulls a pink cake box off the shelf against the wall, then slides open the display case and puts half a dozen of the small round chocolate cakes in the box. With crisp efficiency, she closes the lid and tapes the cover.

She meets Cordero’s gaze square and I know she’s telling him to leave me alone. “That will be three-seventy-five, please,” she says.

Three-seventy-five? Those half dozen cakes should be twelve dollars.

But they’re not, comes the whisper of a reply.

Because this is some time in the past. I glance around the bakery for clues to what era this is but, aside from the prices on the baked goods, the bakery could be any bakery in a diverse city neighborhood.

Cordero pays and, again, flashes that smile at Mrs. Elias. His proprietary gaze lingers on me, which causes my cheeks to warm, then he angles his head in Raith’s direction. Raith doesn’t so much as flinch a muscle until the bell tinkles again as the door clicks shut behind the man.

Mrs. Elias shakes her head, then looks from the door to me. “I have told you, Nova, to stay away from that man.” She blinks at Raith, as if having forgotten he is there “I am sorry, Mr. Vanderkoff.”

Raith shakes his head. “There’s no need to apologize. I can deal with Cordero for you.”

Her face softens. “That is kind of you, but do not bother yourself. I’m sure he’ll give up—once Nova makes is clear she is not interested in his attentions. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have bread in the oven. Nova, please help Mr. Vanderkoff.” She heads toward the kitchen.

Raith waits until she leaves, then asks, “Why do you encourage him?”

Irritation flares. “I didn’t encourage him. I didn’t say a fucking word to him.”

He frowns. “Nova, what’s gotten into you? If your mother hears you talking like that, she’ll—”

“Mother?” I cut in. That woman is my mother? I look through the door into the kitchen, but she’s out of my view.

“Is something wrong? It’s Cordero, isn’t it?” he demands.

I jerk my attention back to Raith. He’s staring out the front door. I’ve seen Raith angry, but that anger was always directed at me. This anger is in defense of me. He starts toward the door. He’s going after Cordero. Cordero, I suddenly know, plans to kill Raith. Cordero isn’t just any crime boss. He hunts big game. Vampires, werewolves, and maybe even witches. More than once, I’ve wanted to kick Raith’s ass. I’d even wished him gone. But not dead. No, not dead.

“Hey,” I call to Raith.

He pauses at the door and looks over his shoulder.

“How about that moment alone?” I ask.