Page 65 of Cursed Touch
Mia chuckled at Brandy’s side. “Just give the lady what she wants, or else…”
Something swirled in Mia’s palm, and Vanessa could not tell what it was from where she sat, but it looked like some sort of plant. Whatever it was, the lycan’s growl reverberated through the café as his head tipped back.
“Olsabir. Word got back to him about some human running her mouth,” he replied.
The women shared a look before Mia peered back at Vanessa. “I think his nose is broken. She’s no human.”
His nostrils flared, and his eyes glowed. “That doesn’t make any sense. It’s the same woman.”
“Guess you should have sniffed before attacking,” Brandy said. “Now, I have to removeyoufrom the picture for exposing us all to these humans.”
He attempted to struggle, but with the magical hold on him, it was futile. Vanessa did not see Brandy twitch—let alone move—and the lycan went up in flames. There one minute, gone the next.
She flicked a finger, and a gust of wind carried the ashes out the front door. Carter helped Vanessa to her feet as Brandy righted all the tables and chairs before placing her hands on her hips. “Shit, what do we do about them?”
“I can help with that,” Mia said with a wink.
They watched her produce a small vial as she moved toward the closest human. She tipped the liquid onto a finger and rubbed whatever it was on their temple. Mia moved around the room and repeated the action as they watched on with curiosity.
“There, they won’t remember the last twenty minutes with how much I gave them. It may cause some problems with orders, but their memories will be lycan-free,” Mia said, joining the three of them.
Brandy nodded slowly and Vanessa could only stare, a thousand questions bouncing around her head. The wound on her chest was merely a memory, and Carter’s firm hold anchoring her to him was a reminder of the fear they had all felt.
“Let’s take care of whatever this phone might have captured,” Brandy said, hurrying to the woman with her phone in hand.
It was not lost on Vanessa that Carter’s healing powers had not worked on her for some reason. Glancing away from the women and to his handsome face, she could still see his fear in his expression.
The sounds in the café returned, and people cleared their throats. They all shared a look, embarrassment and confusion clouding their faces before their gazes snapped down to their hands.
“It worked,” Brandy whispered, her curious eyes taking in Mia. “Who are you?”
Mia offered a hand. “Mia Hemlock.”
They each took a turn shaking her hand, and Carter and Brandy continued their scrutiny of the woman. Vanessa did not know what they were looking for or what Vanessa was missing, but it was clear that whatever Mia had done was new to them.
Carter cleared his throat. “Thank you… I don’t understand why I couldn’t—”
Mia’s smile was soft when she faced Vanessa. “She’s not like us.”
A week ago, she was a human, then she was not. What the hell was she?
“I don’t understand, if I’m not human—”
Brandy cleared her throat and smiled at a man whose pinched brows were directed at them. “No one feels human in the morning.” She chuckled and waved them toward the back.
“Sorry,” Vanessa whispered and followed Brandy into a small room in the back she had never noticed. “I’m not human? And I’m not like you guys?” she asked, giving Mia a sideways glance. “Am I on some wanted list then? Did they take a candid of me, because how the hell do they even know who to look for?” she snapped, her strength returning.
Carter squeezed her hand in support. “How did you know about the water? What aren’t you telling us?”
“Yes, while I’m grateful for your help, please cut to the chase,” Brandy replied.
“Why don’t you just tell them?” Mia asked Vanessa. “I mean, I get why the secrecy and all—”
“Oh my God, becauseIdon’t know. Until a week or so ago, no one thought I was anything more than a curious human.”
Mia’s brows narrowed as she shook her head. “That doesn’t make sense.”
Vanessa tossed her hands in the air. The woman was the first person to have any clue about what was going on with Vanessa, and she was not giving her any information. “No shit. Now, please,” she said with a wave of her hand to move along.
