Cursed by Fate (COMPLETE)

Chapter Ten

I know I soaked in that amazing tub for at least an hour before I reluctantly pulled myself out. And that was only because the water had turned cold and my skin was pruning. Plus, Lance should be back anytime now and I didn’t want to leave him waiting for me. That would be rude after everything he has done. And to be honest I couldn’t keep my mind off of him. He was a good man. He didn’t even know me and it seemed almost like he was protecting me. He had immediately offered me a place to rent, escorted me here, and went out and bought my groceries for me so I wouldn’t have to go to town. Maybe I could ask him to stay for dinner? It’s the least I could do. 

I hummed to the music I was playing from my phone as I wrapped a towel around myself before making my way out to my room. All my clothes were still packed, but I managed to riffle out a pair of shorts and a tank top. It was comfortable and it wasn’t like I was expecting too much company so why bother dressing any other way. If this was to be my new home then I intended to be myself. To be free. 

Heading downstairs I looked around. There was no TV, which I didn’t mind too much. I don’t really like watching TV and when I did it was usually on Netflix or something of the kind. Cable never really appealed to me, too many news stories that the media wanted to shove down your throat coated the screens. I’d rather not entertain their bullshit. 

The sun was just starting to set over the fields and my mood lifted. I shot up to my room and grabbed my camera. The balcony was the perfect angle to get a shot of the sunset. I ran out onto the open space, aiming and focusing the lens where I wanted it. I snapped some of just the sunset and some of the sunset through the branches of the old oak that stood proudly in front of the house. Then I just enjoyed the view. 

I normally lived life through the lens of my camera, never really taking time to live it myself. Maybe it’s time I start. Maybe I should go on a date, go to a bar, a concert. Just do something. I was still young, I still had so much to experience. I just didn’t know what that was. 

When I saw Lance’s truck pull onto the driveway I made my way downstairs and waited on the porch. I’m sure he would need help bringing everything in. When he stopped though I noticed he wasn’t alone. Another man sat in the passenger seat and a woman between them. My blood froze in my veins, my body locked down with fear. My mind screamed at me to run inside and lock the door, but my feet were frozen to the porch. 

It wasn’t until Lance jumped out of the truck and the mountain of a man jumped out from the passenger side did my body unfreeze. I shot into the house, slamming and locking the door behind me. No doubt the mountain could bust the door in if he wanted to. 

My entire body was vibrating, my heart felt like it was going to explode out of my chest. The only thing I could hear was the whooshing of blood in my ears. My breathing came in ragged short pants making my lungs burn from lack of oxygen. I didn’t know what to do. Why would he bring people here? After knowing what I said, why bring people straight to me? 

Banging on the door drew my attention and it was then I realized Lance was yelling at me through the door. “Nicole, they won’t hurt you.” He yelled. “They’re friends, they want to help. Please open the door so we can talk.” I wanted to believe him, but I’d been lied to before. Made to believe someone wanted to help when in reality I didn’t know what they wanted from me. 

“I don’t believe you.” I said between breaths. “I’ve been lied to before, too many times. I won’t fall for it again.” Hysteria was taking over. These people would start following me now too wouldn’t they? I’d never truly get away from anyone. Everyone would want something from me. 

“Nicole please. I’m telling the truth.” 

I squeezed my eyes shut and shook my head. “Why? Why should I believe you?” I asked. I heard him audibly sigh as he mumbled to the people with him. 

“Nicole.” A deep masculine voice said, taking over for Lance. “My name is Malachi. I am the sheriff of this little town. Lance told me of your situation. I just wanted to see if you would tell me more so I would know how to better make sure you’re safe. The woman with us is Stacey. She is someone we thought you would like to befriend. A woman on the run needs a support system.” 

His words made sense. And having the sheriff on my side couldn’t hurt. I hesitantly unlocked the door and opened it just enough to peek out through a small crack. Lance stood first, his face crumpled in concern and regret. Malachi looked intimidating as hell. His face hard, but his eyes were soft, telling me he was safe enough. Then behind them was a tiny woman. It was hard to tell her age, she was small. Shorter than even me. 

When I saw the bags piled on the porch I sighed and opened the door. I stepped away, making sure no one got close enough to touch me, or even accidentally brush arms with me. When I moved to help both Malachi and Lance shook their heads at me, piling their arms full of bags so I couldn’t grab any. I crossed my arms and pouted. I was here to be independent, to do things on my own. And they wouldn’t even let me carry my own groceries into the house. 

While some women might find it sweet, I found it irritating as hell. “They must like you.” The woman said walking to stand beside me. I flinched away, moving a few steps to the side. 

“I don’t know what you mean.” I murmured, toying with my hands in front of me. 

“I mean, Lance doesn’t show any woman attention. He’s standoffish. Every single woman in town wants him, but he ignores their advances. But you, you come into town and he turns into a completely different person.” 

I just stared at her. “And the sheriff. Well after Lance came asking for help for a young woman on the run, he was curious and angry. You better go talk to them. Malachi can be a force to be reckoned with when he’s angry.” She warned. 

I snorted. “Yeah, so can the men I’m running from.” I mumbled, more to myself than to her. 

I did as she advised though and made my way to the kitchen where the men were dutifully putting groceries away. And to my surprise they got plates, bowls, utensils, pots, pans, cups, and thank the heavens a coffee pot. I didn’t even notice they brought those in. “Thank you.” I whispered, moving to brew a pot of coffee. 

Lance smiled. “I thought you might want one.” He said knowingly. I nodded, giving him a half smile, still uneasy about Malachi’s presence. “You don’t need to be afraid of me.” Malachi tried to assure me. “I mean you no harm.'' I gulped, but nodded at him all the same. “Now can you tell me who you’re running from?” He asked. 

I stilled. Could I? No, I couldn’t possibly, they’d think I’d lost my mind. “Two men. They both seem to think they have some kind of ownership over me. Apparently they are brothers. I didn’t even know until I called home for help.” I shook my head with a sigh. 

“It started when I started college. I was taking photography courses. The university offered the best classes in the US. It wasn’t until I got there I noticed something was off. That’s when I was told that the school usually doesn't accept outsiders. No one outside that county had ever been to that University. I noticed I was being followed, and one of the guys, Elias, was the one following me. 

I called home, a family friend is the chief of police. I was going to ask him for help. But Mathias, the other man, picked up. He told me to get away, avoid Elias at all costs. So I did. I went to the city, rented a room until Mathias got there. It was then, when Mathias was in the room with me and Elias broke the door down, I was told they were brothers. I left while they were fighting over me.” 

I looked up and Lance was trembling, his eyes had gone dark with his rage. Malachi’s hands were clenched into tight fists, his jaw ticked. “Is their last name Majesty?” He asked through his teeth. I gaped, but nodded at him. “And you. Nicole Legend. Are you from a town called Darkridge in West Virginia?” 

I shot to my feet and backed away until my back hit the counter. “Who are you?” I all but shouted. “How do you know who I am? Where I’m from?” My fingers itched for a weapon, some way I can defend myself. My eyes darted around the room for an escape but the door was blocked by the tiny woman. I was sure I could barrel over her, but I didn’t want to hurt her. My eyes then landed on the window, thankfully my keys were here in the kitchen and I clutched them in my hand. 

They must have seen what I was thinking because they rose to their feet to block me. “Nicole, wait.” Lance pleaded, his hands held in front of him. “The Legend family have been friends of ours for a long time. When they died we thought the entire family died, we didn’t know their daughter survived the crash.” 

I grabbed the sides of my head, clenching fists full of hair, shaking my head violently. “Stop!” I screamed. “Just stop.” The windows rattled under my voice, my body vibrating. When I looked up at them I knew what they were seeing. I was on the verge of one of my fits. Meaning my eyes had turned a deep purple, my face had bled all color. “Back up.” I hissed in warning. “It’s not good when I lose my temper. I don’t want to hurt anyone. Please just back up and stop.” 

“Nicole, when do you turn twenty?” Lance asked cautiously, stepping away from me, his hands still raised in front of him. “Two months.” I grit through my teeth. Lance drew in a harsh breath as he turned to Malachi. “She’ll be turning soon.” He whispered. 

I growled, baring my teeth at him like I was a rabid dog. “I can hear you.” I seethed. “Do not talk about me as if I’m not here.” 

“I’m sorry Nicole, I meant no disrespect. I just meant your moods are going to be unstable for the next two months. Until you turn you won’t be able to control it.” 

I laughed humorlessly, my eyes boring into his. “You don’t think I know this? You don’t think I know I’m going to turn into some hybrid freak?” My manic laughter continued as they stared at me wide eyed. “The Legend hybrid. Few hybrids exist and I’m lucky enough to be one.” I shook my head looking at my feet. “I know what I am. I know what I’ll be. There is no need to remind me.”

“You’re a hybrid?” Lance asked awed. 

My eyes snapped to his in disbelief. “You didn’t know?” He shook his head slowly. “No. Some of the Legends were hybrids. But most were werewolves. If you’re a hybrid and you’re being claimed then it’s only a matter of time before they find you. They can smell you Nicole. It’s impossible to hide from one's mate. A hybrid will usually have three, but can only choose one. You must be a vampire, werewolf hybrid. That means you’ll have a vampire mate, a werewolf mate and a hybrid mate. But you will only be able to choose one. A supernatural can only have one soulmate. Only one hybrid in our history has had more than one and even then it was only two.” 

I slid to the floor, exhaustion taking over my body. “I don’t want to deal with this right now. I’ll deal with the werewolf, vampire and mate thing when I turn. Right now I just want to hide from Elias and Mathias. I want to be normal for the two months I have left. Is that too much to ask for?” I was talking to myself by the end, and didn’t expect them to answer. 

“We’ll do our best.” Malachi said. “But you should have someone here with you if you want to stay protected.” I sighed in defeat. He was probably right, but I didn’t like it. 

“Fine.” I agreed. “Whoever stays can stay in the spare room. I’m going to bed.” I stood and strolled past them, completely forgetting the coffee I’d just made. 

“I’ll stay with you Nicole.” Lance’s soft voice came from behind me. 

I turned and gave him a small smile. “Thank you Lance. Goodnight.”