"What is it?"
She handed it to me. "It's a cooking contest," she said. "You enter your favorite family recipe. I thought of you right away."
"Oh," I said. "I've never cooked for anybody besides family and friends before."
"And the best part is that the grand prize is a trip to Le Cordon Bleu in Paris."
Paris? That was a great prize.
"Thanks, Natalie," I said. "Maybe I will enter." I slipped the flyer into my purse. I'd fill it out as soon as I got home. Otherwise, I'd never get it done.
Natalie and I were in the kitchen preparing the tenderloin when I noticed a large tabby cat observing us silently from the top of the cabinets. Its watchful green eyes were intimidating.
"I didn't know you had a cat," I said.
"That's my familiar," Natalie said. "I wish he could go everywhere with me, but unfortunately they don't allow animals in the diner. Not even magical ones."
Natalie reached up and gave the cat a bit of meat, and he purred gratefully. It made me miss my old cat, Midnight. But it turned out that she was a shifter and therefore not an ideal pet.
We heard Mrs. Mason arrive home.
"There's Grandma now," Natalie said. "C'mon. I'll formally introduce you."
We walked into the living room, where Mrs. Mason stood. She was talking on her cell phone. "But you have to come help me with this," she said into the phone. "I have clothes for the—" She paused as she caught sight of us. "I'll call you back."
"Grandma, this is Daisy Giordano. I think you know her mother."
Mrs. Mason frowned. "I didn't realize you had company." There was a huge bag at her feet. She wore a purple tracksuit with a row of fake flowers hot-glued to the collar. I wondered where she kept her wand stashed in those sweats.
"Daisy's teaching me to cook," Natalie said.
"I don't see why you won't just whip something up the easy way," her grandmother said, making a motion with her hand.
Apparently I had been staring curiously, because Mrs. Mason frowned at me. "Donation items," she said, "for my charitable work."
It was her outfit I'd been focused on, but now I realized that the bag at her feet was filled with men's clothing. "Oh," I said lamely. "That's nice."
"I'll leave you two girls alone," Mrs. Mason said, picking up the bag. "I'll be in the greenhouse, Natalie, and I'm not to be disturbed."
"Yes, Grandma," she replied obediently.
After Mrs. Mason left, Natalie explained, "Grandma is extremely touchy about the greenhouse. Even I'm not allowed inside."
I briefly wondered why she was taking the clothes with her to do her gardening, but soon got caught up in teaching the basics to Natalie. She hadn't been kidding when she said she'd never cooked before.
As the pastry for the beef Wellington baked, we chatted about her life back home. Natalie revealed that she'd spent most of her time at school ever since her father died a few years back.
"That's awful," I said. I knew how it felt to lose a dad. "If you don't mind me asking, how did he die?"
Natalie took a deep breath. "He was murdered," she said. "By people who found out about his magical abilities. They thought he was a freak. So they killed him."
I grimaced. I had never heard anything so awful. It was hard to imagine people could be so hateful. "I'm so sorry, Natalie," I said. I wondered if the people who killed her dad could have been part of the Scourge. It was their goal to wipe out paranormals of all kinds.
She wiped away a single tear and smiled again. "Well, things can only get better, right?" she said. "My grandma's the only family I have left. That's why I'm spending the summer in Nightshade."
"Did they ever catch who killed him?"
Natalie shook her head. "My grandmother even alerted the Nightshade City Council when the threats against him started, but by the time the council reached him, it was too late."
It was past eleven when we finished and Natalie walked me to the door.
"Thanks so much," she said. "I think I've got it now. Sorry about your arm, though."
She'd accidentally set down a hot pan a little too close to where I was working and my arm had been burned. "It's nothing," I said. "Don't worry about it."
"I'm such a klutz," she said with a moan. "Grandma says I can't do anything right."
I was beginning to not like Mrs. Mason. Natalie, on the other hand, was a sweetheart and I could see why Slim was smitten.
"It's nothing," I assured her. "Just a little mark, really. It doesn't even hurt." In truth, it was throbbing, but Natalie looked relieved and headed back inside.
As I stood on the porch, rummaging in my purse for a Band-Aid, a strange green glow appeared. It seemed to be coming from the back of Mrs. Mason's house.
Snooping was second nature to me, I guess, because I didn't hesitate to investigate. Walking closer, I could see that the light was coming from the greenhouse. I was surprised she was working on her plants so late.
I crept closer and peered through the doorway. The glass building was stuffed to the gills with plants and flowers, which spilled out of containers. Ferns the size of grown men lined one side. There was moss on the floor and a thick moist heat made it hard for me to breathe. I heard a low groaning noise and stepped into the room.
Dense foliage partially obstructed my view, but I could see that Mrs. Mason was bent over something on a long wooden table. She mumbled and green sparks flew from the object.
Without thinking, I gasped, then hid behind a large fern. Mrs. Mason stiffened and wheeled around. She peered into the darkness. I told myself there was no way she could see me, but I felt as if her eyes were boring into me.
"Who is there?" she cried. She raised her wand menacingly, and for a second, she didn't look like the pleasant elderly woman who took prizes for her roses every year. There were deep lines in her face and her eyes held a dangerous gleam. I didn't move and a minute later, she went back to her work.
I slipped out while her back was turned, then ran all the way home. What exactly was Mrs. Mason growing in her greenhouse?
Had I really heard a groan? I'd decided that my imagination was getting the better of me. Mrs. Mason was probably just working on her flowers with magic. The explanation satisfied me and I put the incident out of my mind.
CHAPTER SIX
I was doing laundry on Thursday when my cell rang. I checked the number of the caller. It was my boyfriend, and a call from him always made my day better.
"We haven't been to the new outdoor theater yet. Let's go tonight," Ryan suggested. "Just the two of us."
I considered the idea. Milk Duds, a dark night, and Ryan. What's not to love?
"Sounds good. What's playing?" The owner of Nightshade's new outdoor movie theater had a fondness for old horror movies, Vincent Price, Lon Chaney, Bela Lugosi, and stuff like that.
So I wasn't surprised when Ryan said, "House of Dracula." I smiled. "It's a date."
The movie was crowded. A big screen was set upon the pier, close to the Snack Shack, where Poppy worked. The audience members brought blankets and low chairs. People in Nightshade tended to drift in after spending the day at the beach. Or in a coffin. Whichever. I noticed a vampire couple sitting on a blood red blanket in the front.
I was getting pretty good at telling a paranormal from a norm. The lack of color in the couple's skin was a giveaway that they were of the undead persuasion. And the female vampire was absolutely stunning. She bore a strong resemblance to a silent-movie star from over a hundred years ago. Who knows? Maybe it was her.
"Want something?" Ryan asked. "I could use a soda." The Snack Shack stayed open late for the summer movie nights.
"Mmm. Milk Duds and a large root beer, please."
While he was gone, I people-watched. Obviously, Poppy wasn't working at the concession stand, because I saw her arrive with Candy and put a blanket down right next to a group of cute guys. I waved to them and then said hi to a couple of girls from the cheerleading squad. I relaxed in my lawn chair whil
e I waited for Ryan to get back with the goodies.
My sense of contentment was shattered a minute later, when I saw Wolfgang Paxton leading a group of rowdy guys to the front. To my surprise, I saw that Sean was at the back of the pack. What is he doing hanging out with those creeps? I thought, then I realized, they were all on the football team.
Everyone except Wolfgang, of course. And why was Wolfgang their leader?
Unfortunately, there was no sign of Bane, who seemed to be able to keep his brother in line.
Wolfie shoved his way in front of a little girl and knocked a box of candy out of her hand. He didn't even pause to say sorry, and all the rest of the guys followed without looking her way. All the guys except Sean, who picked up the candy and handed it to her before continuing on his way.
Sean was wearing a light shirt and shorts. His muscles looked like they had muscles. I frowned. He'd bulked up a lot since I'd seen him last.
Wolfie and his crew flopped down behind the vampire couple. Wolfie leaned forward and whispered something to the female vampire. Her shoulders stiffened, but she kept her gaze firmly on the screen, even though the previews hadn't started yet.
"Did I miss anything?" Ryan handed me my soda and box of candy.
"Not on the screen, but Wolfie looks like he's about to start something."
We watched as Wolfie reached out and touched the female vampire's hair. She ignored him, but the male vampire turned in a flash, his fangs bared and fists clenched.
In response, Wolfie and his pals jumped to their feet. Fortunately, an usher came by and politely suggested that they find a spot far away from the couple.
After a tense second, Wolfie got up and moved several rows back from the couple. His buddies followed.
Ryan leaned forward until his breath tickled my ear. "That usher's dad is the head of a very powerful Were pack outside San Carlos. Even Wolfie's not stupid enough to mess with him."
Apparently, Ryan was plugged into the whole Were community now. It gave me a pang to realize he had a whole life that I wasn't a part of, not really.
He was right, though. At least it seemed as though Wolfie had calmed down. The movie started without any further interruptions.
But halfway through the movie, Wolfie started throwing candy at the vampire couple. There were a couple of loud snickers. The male vampire turned around, and in the dark, his eyes were lit with a red fire.
"I advise you to stop that, Paxton cub," he said in a loud voice. "If I didn't know who your father and brother were, your throat would already be torn out."
Wolfie stood and his cronies followed suit. All but Sean, who looked like he wanted to be anywhere but where he was.
"This is the kind of trouble we don't need," Ryan said. "I'll be right back."
The entire movie audience held its collective breath as Wolfie made a slight movement toward the vampires.
I had to do something. No time like the present to practice a little telekinesis. I concentrated and Wolfie's extra-large soda flew out of his hand and landed upside down on his head, showering him with icy cola.
Ryan threw an amused glance my way but continued to where Wolfgang and the others were. "You," he said in a measured voice. "Out." He grabbed Wolfie's arm and twisted it behind his back. His gaze encompassed the rest of the team. "All of you. Now. And don't come back."
Ryan marched Wolfie up the pier. Wolfgang's eyes burned into mine as he passed me, but he didn't say a word.
Sean was the last in line. I grabbed his arm. "What are you doing with those guys, Sean?" I knew they were all on the football team together, but Sean was hanging with—well, frankly, the creeps of the bunch. And besides, Sean was a senior and Wolfie was a freshman.
He shrugged off my arm. "Stay out of it, Daisy."
"Sean!"
But he ignored me and continued after his buddies. I waited a couple of minutes and then followed. I wanted to make sure Ryan was okay. He was a werewolf, but so was Wolfgang and who knew who else in that little group.
There was no sign of them on the other end of the pier, but I caught a glimpse of Ryan standing behind the Snack Shack.
"Is everything okay?" I asked. Wolfgang and his group were gone, all except Sean, who was looking down at the ground when I approached.
"Everything is fine," Ryan assured me. "I just need five minutes alone with Sean.
I grabbed his arm and pulled him a few feet away, hopefully out of Sean's earshot.
"You're not going to fight him?"
"Of course not. He's my best friend. I'm just going to try to talk some sense into him.
He gave me a quick kiss and then I went back to my seat, but it took Ryan longer than five minutes to rejoin me. In fact, the movie was almost over by the time he slid into the lawn chair next to me.
"Sorry, he said. "I didn't mean for that to take so long. He looked grim.
"Is Sean okay? I whispered.
"Stubborn, but he's okay. I think I got through to him about being a little more selective about who he hangs out with. Ryan took my hand. "I'm really sorry, Daisy. I'll make it up to you.
The movie ended a few minutes later, but I hadn't really been paying attention, anyway. I was more concerned about Ryan, and how could I be mad at him for trying to help Sean?
I didn't want our date to end on such a down note. "I'll forgive you if you forgive me.
Ryan looked startled. "For what?
"I ate all the Milk Duds. And the popcorn," I joked, and was relieved when he cracked a smile. It was a small one, but it was a beginning.
"Then you can buy me a slice of pie at Slim's, he replied.
"As much as I love that place, I've been spending all my time there. I'm pretty sure we still have some apple pie left at my house. And no one's home.
"Even better, Ryan said, as we walked out of the theater. And it was.
CHAPTER SEVEN
It mas Friday night. I had decided to stay home and hang out with Poppy, who still had days awash in tears, mourning the loss of Gage.
Since I was staying home, Ryan had planned a night out with the guys. Rose was working late at the lab, so Poppy and I headed to the video store.
"How about this one? Poppy said. She gestured toward one of the more gory selections in the horror section.
I wrinkled my nose. "How about something with less slash and more suspense?
Poppy wandered into the next aisle. A minute later, she came back waving a DVD. "We're going to watch this tonight."
I peered at the movie in her hand. "Truly, Madly, Deeply? What's it about?"
"You'll love it," she replied, but she didn't meet my eyes.
I read the description on the back. "A ghost? You want to watch a movie about a doomed love affair with a ghost?"
"I miss him, Daisy," she said softly, "but I know he's not coming back. As a ghost or anything else."
I frowned." I don't think—"
"It's not any different from when Rose watched An American Werewolf in London over and over that time she and Nicholas broke up," Poppy pointed out.
My sister and Nicholas had broken up when they were high school sweethearts. Rose didn't know it at the time, but he had broken up with her because he was having a hard time dealing with being a Were, not because he didn't care about her. They were back together and seemed to have resolved all their relationship issues.
I couldn't resist Poppy's pleading eyes." Okay, but I get to pick one, too."
"The werewolf movies are over there," she said.
I smiled to see Poppy kidding around again, but on impulse, I grabbed a couple of older werewolf movies and then we checked out and headed for home.
Poppy wanted to watch Truly, Madly, Deeply first, so I popped it into the machine and settled on the couch next to her. By the end of the movie, we both had reached for the tissues.
I clicked off the movie. "You know what we need?"
"More tissues?" Poppy joked, but her eyes were still watery.
"No, chocolate," I said.
"Let's make brownies. With the good chocolate."
We still had some of the chocolate we'd brought back from Europe, although, thanks to me, not very much of it was left.
But it was enough for me to whip up some truly delicious brownies.
"You know, I've really been enjoying cooking the old-fashioned way lately," I said as I stirred the batter. "But my telekinesis might come in handy at Slim's during a rush."
"Have you tried to hone your powers at all?"
I thought about her question. "Not really. I've been busy." I hoped she didn't ask doing what. Summer was for relaxing, right? "I did dump soda on Wolfgang the other night at the movies, using my powers."
"I thought that was you," she said.
"He deserved it," I replied.
She chuckled. "Of course he did, but it doesn't pay to get rusty," Poppy said. "Especially not in Nightshade."
She had a point. I poured the batter into the pan and put it into the oven, then gave her a beater to lick.
"Why don't we practice now? We have about half an hour before the brownies are done."
We went outside, where the night sky was sharp with stars. The moon was out, but I noted with relief that it wasn't full yet.
I faced Poppy. "So, what now?" She'd been helping me train to improve the control of my telekinesis ever since we'd found out about it, but it had been awhile since I'd put in any real work.
"Let's try something different," she said. "Try to open the front door, using your mind."
It took me about fifteen minutes, which meant I really was rusty, but I finally managed to do it.
"You're horribly out of practice," Poppy scolded me. "You've got to work at it, Daisy."
As she was lecturing me, I heard the howl of a wolf, which was not all that unusual in Nightshade, considering our werewolf population. It was followed by several other howls, closer this time.
I stared up at the moon." Look, it's not even full."
She shrugged. "No big deal. Rose isn't with Nicholas. She's on campus. And besides, Nicholas has a lot of control."
"Yes, but Ryan's out with the guys tonight," I said. As a new werewolf, the last thing my boyfriend should be doing was socializing this close to a full moon. He hadn't completely figured out how to handle the transformation yet, and teen wolves often shifted even when the moon wasn't full.