Chapter Twenty-Three: One for The Books

Celeste:

The next day after changing into a wolf felt horrible, getting hit by a car would feel better at this point. Massaging my forehead, Novi already had a couple of Excedrin and a glass of water in his hands. Taking them graciously, his crooked grin melted my heart. Rubbing the top of my head, a plate of toast and eggs sat in his hands. Nausea wracked my stomach, the food not really looking too appetizing to me. Maybe I could get him to throw it away after a couple of bites. Guilt ate at me, he had worked hard to make me this breakfast and I wasn't up to it.

"I have to work, so get some rest for your Novi." He whispered softly in my ears, kissing my lips sensually. "I will check in on you around lunch. Please behave yourself. Stay in bed. Don't even think about trying to leave, Tammy and Jarod are watching the door for me." My eyes narrowed, quiet rage simmering in my eyes. No one told me what to do, a wave of grief crippling me. Grabbing his sleeve, confusion twisted his face. Biting my lips, I didn't want to be alone. Nor did I want to capitalize our friends' day. Mostly, I didn't want to be alone.

"Can I come with you?" I wept uncontrollably, my bangs hiding my eyes. "I don't want to be alone." Gazing lovingly down at me, he spun me around. Clutching me close to his chest, his own tears soaked the top of my head. Rubbing my back, he sniffed me deeply. Melting into his arms, he tossed one of his t-shirts over my head. Holding me by the small of my waist, his scent relaxed all of my tense muscles. Tossing me over his shoulder, my eyebrows twitched. Grabbing my plate of food, he carried me to his office. Setting me down in his lap, my fingers wrapped around the plate of food.

"Of course, Celly." He promised softly, wiping away my tears. "I don't want to be alone either. Now please eat. It is important to eat after you change after all. I love you more than the world." Resting my head on his chest, he fed me a couple of bites of eggs. Shaking my head, he set the plate down on the corner of his desk. Wrapping my arms around his neck, his chin resting on the top of my head. Typing away on his computer, his navy suit felt soft against my skin. Refusing to let go, his steady breathing was the only thing keeping me sane. Why did this make me feel like a small child?

"Stop thinking so much." He teased playfully, lifting my chin up with his finger. "You don't look like a small child." Chuckling to himself, his crooked grin destroyed all of my anxiety in one second. Flashing him my real smile, his lips kissed mine hungrily. His tongue danced in my mouth, his hands running up my thigh. My inner wolf begged for his touch, his fingers danced around my swollen clit.

"But you are supposed to be working, right?" I protested weakly, trembling with pleasure. "I don't want to distr-" Shooting me a devilish grin, he began to unbutton his jacket. A knock on the door snapped him out of his trance, his father walking in awkwardly. Cocking his brow, shock rounding out our eyes as Gregory rushed in. A mixture of quiet fury and annoyance flashed in Novi's eyes, his lips pressing into a thin line.

"Tonight is the only night that the library will open, so we have to go now!" He shouted urgently, the floorboard creaking as I leapt to my feet. "I promise to bring her back in one piece, Benji is already waiting in the car." Novi looked uncomfortable with it, my hands crossing. Marching over to me, Novi kissed the top of my head. Tucking a piece of hair behind my ear, his lips pressed against mine sensually. My heart fluttered, a tender blush rising to my cheeks. His affection was everything that I desired, all that I needed. From the moment I met him, he was mine and only mine. Smiling warmly to myself, his scent settled my nerves.

"Go on, Celly." He urged sadly, clutching me close to his chest. "Make sure she comes back in one piece or I will rip your throat out myself." The two of them believed it, my bare feet pounding down the hall to my bedroom. Tossing the t-shirt off, my trembling hands threw on a red sweater and black leather skirt. Sliding on my boots, Novi waited for me outside of the room. Snatching me, his hands slid up my thigh.

"I have to go." I stammered hungrily, wanting more. "This will help us win." Sinking his teeth into my neck, a small whine escaped my lips. Goosebumps popped up, his gray eyes gazing lovingly into mine. Joy twinkled in his eyes, my finger wiping my blood off of his lips. Sucking off the blood, Gregory cleared his throat impatiently. Holding his finger up, his lips kissed my bump. Cocking his head, the devious grin made me scared for his next words.

"Just marking her, so that you know that she is mine." He taunted proudly, sticking out his tongue. "So don't you try anything." Rolling our eyes, the blood began to soak my sweater. Curse him for being sweet but jealous at the same time. Bounding after them, Novi winked at me as we left. Climbing into a black pick up truck, Benji fumed in the back seat. Running his hand through his shaggy hair, his gray eyes narrowing back at him. Smiling pleasantly at me, the pain was clearly evident in his smile. Why smile if you aren't going to look genuine doing it? Also, what the fuck was his beef with me? I only wanted him to be my friend.

"You don't have to kill yourself trying to smile." I joked lightly, his trembling hands dusting off his black leather coat. "I know that you still hate me, right? I get it. I can be super pushy and whate-'' His big hand pat the top of my head, both of us crying in fear at the sight of a glaring Novi watching out the window. Lifting his hand off of my head, a nervous chuckle poured from my lips. Simmer down, Novi. Shooting daggers back up at him, a soft whine coming from his inner wolf.

"Sorry about that. You remind me of a little sister." He admitted sheepishly, the engine coming to life. "You are just fine the way you are. We are picking up a witch who is the descendant of the first witch. With the three of you, we will have everything we need to get in. She is kind of a firecracker but a wonderful friend." Raising my eyebrows in suspicion, she certainly sounded like more than a friend. The distant look in his eyes told me a much darker tale sat behind his eyes, choosing instead to watch the trees flash by my window. A ghost of death floated behind him, a feminine energy adding grace to it.

"Did you lose your original mate?" I queried cautiously, both of their eyes widening. Tears welled up in his eyes, a dim grin meeting my pale face. Taking a deep breath, my hand cupped his. He didn't need to say any words, the distant look said it all. It matched my father-in-law's, my heart shattering. A pang of depression hit me, Novi's mother happy smile flashing in my mind.

"I did." He wept softly, even Benji beginning to shed a couple of tears. "Her name was Lilianna Derosito, a fire burned down our first home. That was five years ago, and the blood trail I left after that was monstrously long. I can understand if you hate me. I really haven't been happy until I met Rubiana, the woman we are going to meet. You must think that I am path-" Tears crashed onto his black jeans, his hand gripping mine tighter.

"I am sorry for your loss." I mumbled under my breath, the shock of his hand ripping from mine throwing me off. "Maybe you can love her again. The spirit of his mate floated over to me, her dark brown eyes boring into mine. Long blonde hair floated behind her, her dainty hands wrapping around my neck. My breath grew shorter, the reason he wasn't happy very clear to me now. Her jealousy had turned her into a dark spirit willing to kill any woman that got close to him, her darkness not allowing him to move on. Ripping at her spirit's hands, Gregory pulled over to the side of the road. Unable to free her grip, cold sweat dripped off my brow. Her other hand slammed into my chest, blood soaking my sweater. Gregory cried out in fear, my blood exposing her invisible form. A cold shiver ran up my spine, the pain of my skin burning plaguing torturing me. Smoke filled my lungs, my airways getting poisoned with carbon monoxide.

"Liliana, stop it!" He demanded desperately, attempting to grab at her ghost. "You need to move on. I can't stand you anymore!" Hurt dimmed her eyes, her attention turning towards Gregory. Ripping her arm out, my own blood splattered onto my face as I collapsed to the ground. Drawing a circle around me, my fingers wrapped around the bag of various herbs that I always carried around. Shifting through my bag, my eyes scanned for the spirit purifier. Heavy raindrops plodded on top of my head, my fingers scratching at the bite mark on my neck. A triumphant grin danced across my lips, my trembling hands spreading it over the symbols. Covering my hand with the blood pouring from my chest, the dirt stuck to my palms as I spread my blood around the circle. A golden light bathed me, a smaller circle appearing underneath Lilianna.

"Golden rays of light, purify her soul." I wheezed, coughing up blood. "I command you to let him go! You are no longer among the living." Unnatural shrills burst from her lips, her spirit jerking erratically before changing into a golden ball. The golden ball hovered around Gregory, touching his face. Relief washed over my face, his broken face turning into a wide grin. Kissing the ball one last time, it drifted up into the sky. Curiosity peaked in me, choosing to let him keep his final words with her to himself. Collapsing onto the ground, the pain hit me all at once. A black haired woman about my height bounded towards me, a white ball of healing magic swirling on her palm. Her light purple eyes shimmered with concern, her purple silk blouse fluttering in the breeze. Flipping me over, she slammed the ball into my chest. A bright light blinded us all, her long curly purple hair hung halfway down her back. The light died down, the pain of my wound sealing fading to a dull throb. Sitting up, a migraine began to pound violently, the effect of the Excedrin null and void. Rubbing my forehead, the gentle witch checking to see if I was okay.

"Hello, I am Rubiana. I am officially the only descendant left of the first witch." She sang happily, helping me up. "Nice spell you have there. I can't even purify spirits." Her personality gave off an airhead type of vibe, the kind that was always happy no matter what. Wiping my blood on her black leather skirt, our similar styles made us laugh. Rubbing the back of my head, she was going to be a fun friend.

"I am Celeste." I introduced myself confidently, embracing her tightly. "Thank you for saving me. I would love to have you as my friend. Do you think Gregory will be okay?" Biting her lips, their eyes met lovingly. His sadness faded to just a drop, the trunk creaking as I climbed into the back seat with Benji. Rubiana understood my plan, thanking me silently.

"Why do I have to sit with you?" Benji whined childishly, a twinkle of laughter leaving my lips. "You are so an-" His eyes narrowed as I interrupted him playfully, the tension dissolving away between the two of us. Something softened in his expression, my pushiness hopefully bearing some fruit.

"Annoying?" I teased in a friendly tone, shrugging my shoulders. "I think you actually like me, but simply refuse to give into your desire to have a friendship with me." A growl rumbled in his throat, his arms folding across his chest. His black velvet suit shimmered in the yellow light bathing the cab as Rubiana and Gregory got in. Scoffing with disdain, he was still such a child. The way he acted, he must have had a rough childhood. The lack of love in his eyes was clearly evident, my hands crossing.

"I am here just to help you get into the stupid library." He grumbled bitterly, looking at the trees flashing by our window. "Then I just want to go home." Wondering what his issue was, he certainly was grumpy all of the time. Surely, he had a soft side when it came to Amelia. Placing my questions on the back burner, that answer would certainly have to wait.

"I have to ask. What is your fucking problem?" I demanded hotly, Gregory turning the pop music up. "I spared you, but you must understand that you were planning on killing us that day. I had to tie you to the chair. Get over it. More importantly, I get the sense that your childhood sucked." Ignoring my statement, the venomous silence poisoned the air. Watching the trees flash by my window, the truck skidded to a stop. A black temple loomed in front of us, the original three glowed on the door. The four of us hopped out of the truck, Rubiana passing me a bloody pocket knife. Cutting my palm, blood dripped down my arm. Benji cut his palm, the three of us placing our palms on the door. Our blood flooded the symbols, the stones groaning as the door slid open. Invisible hands pushed us in, the floor giving out underneath us. Stale air lashed at my face, Gregory broke my fall. Rubiana crashed on top of me, Benji narrowly missing us. Groaning in pain, we all struggled to stand. A blunt object whacked the back of my head, strong arms catching me. My vision blurred, three faces looking down at us. Silent words flooded from their lips, my other friends passed out. The inner wolf in me was yelping for help, the connection not reaching Novi. Touching the back of my head, blood covered my fingers. Struggling in the strange arms, another blunt object hit the back of my head. Darkness wrapped me in his rough arms.