Hexed and Bitten

Chapter 2

“Now that’s how you start a morning,” he chuckled, making her smile against his skin as she listened to his heart rate slowly settle. “Okay, my little s*x kitten, time to eat some actual breakfast.”

Scooping her up into his arms, he carried her inside, and they did just that. They sat at her little dining table, enjoying the spread she’d prepared, before sneaking off to the shower for round two.

Thoroughly satisfied and dressed, she watched David gather his things.

“Are you sure I can’t convince you to stay home today?” he asked, leaning over her with a playful grin.

“No, I have a shop to run, and you have work,” she replied, swatting his chest affectionately.

“Okay, I get it. I’ll call you later.” He pressed his lips to hers in a tender yet passionate kiss that almost tempted her to pull him back to bed before he finally slipped out the door.

As much as she would love to stay home all day with him, she had a business to manage. No one, not even an attractive man with a gifted tongue was going to distract her from what was important. David was sweet, and she was growing fond of him, but she couldn’t afford to let him truly in. He was adventurous in bed and enjoyed her biting him, but that didn't mean she could trust him entirely, which was why compelling him to forget the feedings was non-negotiable. She needed to stay focused on her peaceful life, her shop, and her fur baby, Jinx.

At the thought of Jinx, she looked over at the black cat perched on the edge of her bed. Wearing his miniature witch hat, his bright green eyes studied her patiently.

“Okay, Jinx, ready to open up?”

Jinx tilted his head, his expressive eyes locking onto hers before letting out a loud meow as if to say obviously. He hopped off the bed and padded toward the front door.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” she grinned, following behind him.

Downstairs through a connecting door, she stepped into her quaint shop. Shelves filled with books occupied most of the floor, mainly fantasy, romance, and supernatural fiction, along with a few titles that brushed suspiciously close to the truth. Then there was her witchy merchandise, crystals, candles, tarot decks, and enchanted jewelry. She stocked everything from beginner guides to advanced spellbooks that made her laugh internally because most of it was complete rubbish, but it paid the bills and felt like home.

Salem had become her sanctuary, and she loved leaning into the witchy aesthetic. Her shop was never slow, especially in October, and with Halloween only days away tourists flooded the shop daily, eager to buy anything themed. Out of all the identities she had assumed over the centuries, 'Ari Rivers' living in Salem was easily her favorite. She had finally built a quiet, mundane life. Even knowing her time here was ticking down, that she would eventually have to fake her death and move on, it was worth it.

“Morning!” a cheery voice sang out, cutting off her spiraling thoughts.

“Morning, Viv,” Arabella replied without looking up, instantly recognizing her best friend and employee.

Vivianne sauntered into the shop, her pastel pink hair styled in her signature double buns. She wore her Hexed & Bitten employee shirt tied at the back for a fitted look, paired with a distressed skirt. Arabella wasn't a strict boss when it came to dress codes, as long as staff wore the uniform top and kept things presentable.

“Someone’s glowing today,” Vivianne teased, leaning over the counter as her honey-brown eyes swept over Arabella. “Ari Rivers, did you get lucky last night?”

“No,” Arabella said, unable to hide her grin.

“Oh my god, you did!” Vivianne pointed an accusing finger, a wide smile breaking across her face. “Who was it?”

“Do you really have to ask?” Arabella raised an eyebrow.

Vivianne’s smile vanished. “Oh god, was it David?”

Arabella just kept smiling, causing her friend to gag dramatically.

“Eww, my brother? Seriously, that’s still going on? Geez, Ari, have some standards, my brother's a massive dork!” She made a disgusted face.

Arabella burst out laughing. She had been nervous to confess sleeping with Vivianne's brother initially. It had started as a drunken one-night stand two months ago, but it had slowly evolved into a casual arrangement. She knew David wanted more, but she couldn't offer it. In a perfect world, she might have let him in, but her world was far from simple. Shaking off the heavy thoughts, she turned back to adjust a shelf display.

“So, what did you do last night?” Arabella asked.

“More like who did I do,” Vivianne wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. “He was tall, dark, and ridiculously blessed downstairs. I’m telling you, walking is a challenge today.”

The two of them shared a laugh as the morning rush started. The day flew by in a blur of tourists eager for recommendations. It kept Arabella’s mind occupied, but as the afternoon wound down, memories of her dream began to creep back in. She tried to push them away. Maybe she should invite David over tonight? No, she reminded herself, he’s getting too attached. This was meant to be casual. She needed to stop letting him stay over.

“Babe,” a familiar voice called out softly. “Earth to Ari.”

Fingers snapped in front of her face, making her flinch back to reality. She found an amused Vivianne watching her closely.

“Sorry, what?”

“Oh my god, you’ve got it bad, don’t you?” Vivianne giggled.

“I do not.”

“Sure you don’t. Anyway, I was asking if you wanted to come out with me tonight?”

“Oh, no, I can’t. I have work to catch up on.”

“Oh, come on, live a little!”

“It’s Monday. I’m not getting drunk on a Monday.”

“Boo,” Vivianne stuck her tongue out playfully. “You’re no fun. Fine, but you better still be going out with me Friday night like you promised.”

“Promise,” Arabella smiled, holding out her pinky.

“You better,” Vivianne grinned, locking pinkies with her before heading toward the exit. “See ya later, Ari!”

Shaking her head in amusement, Arabella flipped the door sign to Closed and locked the deadbolt. Turning around, she spotted Jinx sprawled across the main counter.

“Ready to lock up and head upstairs?”

Jinx blinked slowly before rolling over and hopping down.

“I think tonight calls for ice cream and a movie,” she added, flipping off the main lights and following Jinx toward the back door that led to her upstairs loft.

“This is what we needed, Jinx.” She scooped up another spoonful of brownie ice cream.

She and Jinx sat side-by-side on the couch in matching pajamas and face masks. She was truly blessed to have found him. Years ago, he’d been wandering alone in a dark alley, just a scrawny, terrified little kitten. Back then, she’d been going by Arabella Stone, preparing to fake another death, shed another identity, and slip out of town before anyone noticed she wasn't aging. But looking into those big, frightened green eyes, she knew she couldn’t leave him behind. Scooping him up, she had sworn to love and protect him.

They’d been inseparable ever since.

Arabella had owned a cat back when she was human, but she had never met a creature quite as chill as Jinx. He didn't act like a normal cat, but given that she wasn't a normal girl, it was a perfect match. He let her dress him in funky outfits, put little hats on him, and even wear custom-made fake face masks so he wouldn't feel left out. He was her fur baby, her best friend, and the only living soul who truly knew what she was, the only one she let her guard down around.

Not since the others...

The sudden thought of Maximus and her former family dampened her mood. Why had he infiltrated her mind tonight? She’d gotten so good at pushing memories of her old life into the dark. What was the point of dwelling on a life she could never return to?

Meow. Jinx gently patted her hand with his paw, as if commanding her to stop overthinking.

Smiling, Arabella rested her hand over his. “You’re right, Jinx. No more dwelling.” She patted his paw before scooping up another bite of ice cream, pointing her spoon toward the TV screen. “Where do I find a guy like that, anyway? Why don’t real men act like movie leads? I’m starting to think chivalry never existed, and trust me, I’ve lived long enough to know. Men like that aren't real.”

She waved her spoon around dramatically. “Well, not human men, anyway. Because you, my furry little man, would definitely be the hero in a romance movie.”

Jinx blinked up at her, endless affection shining in his bright green eyes. He let out a soft meow, spun in a tight circle, and curled into a comfortable ball with a tiny yawn.

“Alright, little guy. I got the hint, bedtime.”

Smiling, she turned off the TV, set her bowl in the sink, and gently peeled the mask from his furry face. Once cleaned up, she crawled into bed, Jinx padding right behind her to settle at her side. Patting the spot beside her, she let her eyes drift closed, helpless against the pull of sleep.

She moved through a sunlit meadow. It felt familiar, yet strangely hollow. In the distance, a woman stood with her back turned, pale blonde hair whipping softly in the wind. A magnetic pull drew Arabella forward. Without thinking, she reached out, just as the woman spun around.

It was Mary. Her face was bloodied, exact as it had been on that tragic night.

Mary’s hand shot out, gripping Arabella’s arm with desperate strength.

“Run!”

“Mary!” Arabella gasped, bolting upright in bed.

Her heart hammered against her ribs. It had been a dream, a vivid, terrifying dream, far too real to be a simple nightmare. Tears slipped down her cheeks as a familiar, heavy ache filled her chest. First came thoughts of Maximus, and now her sister. But this specific scene had never happened. It felt less like a memory and more like a ghost arriving with a warning.

If Mary was telling her to run... what was coming?

Even with her magic weakened by her vampiric turn, Arabella still possessed a faint bloodline connection. She’d be a fool to ignore a warning from her sister’s spirit.

Collapsing back onto her pillows, she stared up at the ceiling, wishing it would offer answers. A furry paw gently patted her cheek, followed by two big green eyes peering down at her in concern.

“It’s okay, Jinx,” she whispered, scratching him gently behind the ears. “I’m okay, buddy.”

Jinx didn't look entirely convinced, but he licked her cheek softly and settled beside her chest.

Sometimes she wondered if Jinx was actually her familiar. But that was crazy, she was no longer a witch. She shouldn't be capable of holding a familiar bond. Yet a deep, quiet part of her told her that her intuition wasn't wrong.