Thirty Nights Forgotten

Chapter 3: Back and Forth

Nick’s POV

“You certainly didn’t draw a good lot, did you?” Sybil snorts.

“Is it bad?” I ask.

“Well, it’s certainly not good. For starters, The Moon card represents fear, anxiety, insecurity, and disillusion. Remember, the first card represents your current situation, or in many cases, your past. Because of your past, you are not seeing things as they are with clarity, and your fear is holding you back. The pool of water at the bottom of the image represents your negative thoughts and beliefs that create emotional blockages in your life.

“Now, the Seven of Wands card in the second position shows that you will need to go through a great struggle to overcome these negative thoughts and fears. This is where the Hanged Man comes into play. This third card represents martyrdom, which means that you will have to make a necessary sacrifice when the time comes. However, you will be at peace with the decision.”

I don’t know why, but my body bristles at Sybil’s words. Something about this whole situation gives me a bad feeling, and Nicholas isn’t helping things either.

You have to admit, The Moon card was too much of a coincidence.

Magic doesn’t exist here on Earth, I reply using my thoughts.

How can you still believe that after everything you have witnessed? Or do I need to remind you of the supernatural occurrences that occurred on Addy’s grandparents’ ranch? It was destiny leading her to me. Leading the both of you to me.

A great struggle? A sacrifice?

I know this is all a game, but something in this “witch’s” words ring true somewhere deep within, and I can’t shake this feeling no matter how much I try to reason with it.

“Addy, I think it’s time for us to leave,” I say abruptly, rising to my feet. “Thanks for the reading, Ms. Sybil.”

“It was my pleasure,” the old woman replies with a casual shrug. “But before you go, might I interest you in an occult tour later tonight after sundown?”

“I think we’ll be okay.”

“Actually, do you do them on any other nights of the week?” Addy chimes in. “We’ve been trying to book a ghost tour and haven’t had any luck.”

I give Addy a look, but she’s too excited to realize how desperate I am to get out of here.

“It’s really best to do it tonight,” Sybil explains, taking a step closer toward us. “New Orleans sits on several ley lines, and they say that the thinning of the veil between this world and that of the Demon Realm happens on the full moon.”

Hold up…did she just say, “Demon Realm?”

Hmm, you caught that as well? Nicholas says in my mind. I have not heard a single human refer to the Demon Realm since I came to Earth, but what she is describing is a portal.

“We’ve already got plans for tonight,” I say quickly, grabbing ahold of Addy’s hand. “But thanks for the offer. We’ll just be going now.”

Sybil calls after us as I dart toward the exit, and Addy doesn’t have a chance to protest as I weave our way through stacks of old, frayed books and dusty shelves. In fact, I don’t stop until we’re two blocks away from that creepy little magic shop, and only because Addy forces me to.

“Nick, wait! What’s up with you?”

“That old woman was describing a portal, Addy! Ley lines, thinning the veil to the Demon Realm, the full moon…I don’t want us to have anything to do with that.”

Addy sighs wearily, leaning up against a lamppost for support.

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” she says. “I just need to catch my breath from you sprinting out of that shop.”

She gives me a pointed look as her breathing finally begins to slow.

“Her reading freaked you out, didn’t it? I could feel it through our mate bond.”

“Not just me!” I say quickly. “Nicholas agrees that there was something off about that lady.”

“Well, at least there’s one thing you can both agree on,” she says with a snort of amusement. “Fine, I’ll keep calling around to other places for a ghost tour.”

And tell her to make sure it is for a different night of the week, Nicholas adds. For what I have planned for her tonight, she won’t be able to walk tomorrow–

“Ugh, Nicholas, don’t be gross,” I mutter under my breath.

A rosy blush appears on Addy’s cheeks, and the sight of it always makes me smile. It’s not often that Addy gets embarrassed, especially when it comes to s*x, so seeing her blush like this makes me smile.

“Come on,” I grin, reaching for her hand. “Let’s find a spot for lunch so you can sit down and rest.”

We find a charming little bistro that’s set up in a courtyard, with clothed tables surrounding a stone fountain in the center. There are lots of trees to provide shade between the buildings, and strands of bistro lights hang overhead.

I’m sure it’s a romantic place at sunset, but we’ll need to be back to the hotel before Nicholas takes over my body tonight. Those bright red eyes of his would almost certainly freak people out here on Earth.

My eyes are only that color because I need to feed, he protests in the back of my mind. I’m going an entire month between feedings, remember? After I feed on Addy’s blood, they’ll become darker, and then the humans won’t run from fright at the sight of me.

I ignore him and peruse the menu the well-dressed waiter brings to us. However, my eyes practically bulge out of my sockets when I see the prices of the food here.

You should eat like the alpha that you are.

I’m not an alpha anymore! I protest. I’m a human now. And just because you’ve never had to worry about money in your entire life doesn’t mean that we can go spending it all on a steak dinner!

Sensing my unease, Addy glances up at me.

“Order whatever you want. It’s our honeymoon. Splurge a little!”

“I know, but we’re still saving up for me to go to college, remember? Between you and Nicholas ganging up on me, one of us has to worry about our finances.”

I don’t mean for my words to come out sounding so harsh, but I can tell that Addy’s bothered by them.

“I’m sorry, that came out all wrong.”

The waiter appears back at our table to take our order, and I decide to cave into both Addy and Nicholas. Again.

“I’ll take the steak and frites. Medium-rare.”

After the waiter disappears, Addy is clearly eager to change the subject.

“Have you and Nicholas made a decision about your degree yet?”

“We still have plenty of time to decide, but I’m leaning toward history. Specifically, Native American history. I think it’d be really cool to learn more about my culture, you know?”

“I think that’s great! What does Nicholas say?”

“He wants to study political science and run for office someday. Probably take over the world as its evil overlord, I imagine.”

Addy and I break out into laughter, but Nicholas is not so pleased.

History is a useless field of study here on Earth! Even with widespread access to education on the ‘internet,’ humans seem to repeat history’s mistakes, anyway. Besides, it is my understanding that there is no money to be made with a history degree. How will we buy a castle with a historian’s wages? With political office comes power and influence—

“Oh, and Nicholas says he wants to buy you a castle, Addy.”

Addy just giggles and shakes her head, and I smile at her.

“I would give you a castle too, if I could,” I say quietly. “I love you, and I want to make sure you have everything you could possibly want or need. You deserve it.”

“I love you too, Nick. And I have everything I need, right here.”

She reaches across the table and takes my hands into hers, and her skin is warm and soft to the touch. I know I worry about the future a lot, especially with Nicholas second-guessing my every decision, but Addy always knows how to calm my fears.

Nicholas is always giving me crap about the fact that Addy makes more money than me. She’s working for a high-profile event planner in Hollywood now, although I’m just working as a hotel security guard at the moment, which doesn’t pay all that well. But my only skills are being a ranch hand, and there aren’t many opportunities for that sort of thing in a big city like Los Angeles.

We live in a tiny studio apartment, but Addy and I are happy there. It’s enough for us right now.

The waiter soon reappears with our food, setting our plates down in front of us. However, when I cut into my steak, I notice it’s a little overdone, but it’s not a big deal.

Not a ‘big deal?’ Nicholas says. You need to put these servants in their place! How dare they serve you improperly prepared food!

They’re not servants, Nicholas.

Whatever they are called, they are serving you, and you should say something.

Hey, you can treat people as horribly as you want when the full moon comes out tonight, okay? But right now, just leave it alone. I don’t want to cause a scene.

This is unacceptable!

Ignoring him, I dig into my steak and fries, and I’m determined to enjoy it just to spite Nicholas.

Addy’s giving me a strange look, and I’m certain she can sense Nicholas’ irritation. But she decides not to say anything, which I’m grateful for. I just want to spend the next few hours enjoying her company before sunset.

Once we’re finished with our meal, I glance around at the scenery of the courtyard, enjoying the pleasant breeze and perfect weather. A group of twentysomethings are at a table nearby, and they’ve obviously come to New Orleans for the sole purpose of partying. When I realize all of them are on their phones, ignoring each other, I have to stifle a laugh.

Imbeciles, Nicholas quips.

“Oh, I just had an idea!” Addy says. “Why don’t we video chat with your grandma and say hi? We didn’t get much of a chance to talk to her at the wedding.”

She is so thoughtful and kind-hearted, Nicholas hums tenderly, and I roll my eyes.

Wasn’t he just saying that people on their cell phones are imbeciles?

Addy is always the exception. She is extraordinary.

On that, we agree. I know Nicholas has grown quite fond of my family here on Earth, and he loves that Addy feels connected to them, too.

After meeting his family in the Demon Realm, I don’t blame him for liking mine more. Although my grandmother and siblings were mirrored on the other side, their doppelgangers there were evil and cruel – the complete opposite of my family. In a way, I think my family was the one that Nicholas always wanted growing up, but never had.

As much as he hates to admit it, he has a soft spot for them in his cold, dead heart.

I heard that.