Weddings Bells Times Four Read Online Free Page B

the last straw. He was 17 or 18, I’m not sure which.” She turned her arm over and held it out for them to see the long scar that ran from her elbow to her hand.
    “I was to be Brian’s sacrifice to the blood gods, but when my mother couldn’t find me…Well they knew something was wrong. To bring this nice story to a close, the house is protected. My mother and father left it for me, knowing it would keep me safe if my brother ever decided to pay me a visit.” She leaned her head against the window and smiled at Dred.
    “Once you walk into the door, you can feel the magic. It’s like nothing I’ve ever felt. Hell even in the driveway, the magic seeps into your pores, welcoming you.” She sighed remembering the first time she’d walked into the house. The day after her parent’s death, Nora’s father had driven her to the house and placed the keys into her hand.
    “Your parents knew this day was coming. You’ll be safe here,” he had said before turning and leaving her standing at the door.
    “Have you heard from your brother at all since you’ve been at the castle?” Dred asked, sitting back and frowning, once more bringing her out of the past. “You should have informed Edward. Your brother could be anywhere,” he took out his cell phone. The sound of displeasure in his voice made her frown. Even now, she didn’t want to do anything that would make them angry at her.
    “No! Please don’t tell Edward over the phone. I’d know if my brother showed up. I can sense his kind of magic miles away. He’s tried to contact me a few years ago, but I ignored him. I sent his one hexed letter back to where it came.” She placed her hand over the phone.
    Dred squeezed her hand, but pulled the phone away from her. “I’m sorry my enchantress, but this cannot wait. I’ll see if he’ll meet us at your home so you can inform him, if that helps.” Dred stated dialing the number.
    “You’re right, it’s time, especially with the wedding coming up. He might show up and I don’t need that surprise.” Beth rolled down the window when they pulled into the driveway to her home. At once, the magic settled over her like a warm blanket.
    Rock gasped next to her. “Wow, that is some powerful stuff. It engulfs you, surrounds you and you can almost smell it. It’s old, but still as powerful as the same day it was performed. My wolf wants to roll in it.” He looked down at her and hugged her tightly to his body.
    “Yes, but it also works the other way. If you come here with evil intentions, tenfold will be thrown back at you.”
    She reached for the door handle, but Rock shook his head. “We always go first.”
    Snapping his phone closed, Dred opened the door and stepped outside. He scanned all around and sniffed the air. “It’s clear, and Edward is on his way. He just finished his last meeting.”
    “Good, maybe we can have supper here. I have the local store deliver groceries here all the time. Well, I used to.” She stepped out of the limo and took a deep breath.
    “Smell the lilacs. They’re my favorite. I had six trees planted all around the house just so I could smell them. They remind me so much of my mom.” She took both of their hands and pulled them up the sidewalk to the wooden wrap-around front porch. “After supper Nora and I would come out here and watch the sun set. It was beautiful and so peaceful.” Beth released their hands and stepped up to the front door, which opened on its own.
    Dred growled and stepped in front of her. “Relax. it’s the house welcoming me home.” She put her hand on his shoulder. “This is a magical place, Dred. You’ll see things that shouldn’t be. I learned later that as my father built this house, every aspect of it was laced with my parents’ magic. Touch the walls and you can hear it talking to you, telling you what has been going on around here.”
    She waited for him to step inside, and when he did Beth laughed. His eyes grew large and he snarled