Cursed

By Shauna Granger

Summer is almost over and Mattie and the gang have time for one last hurrah before getting back to work. They pile into cars and drive up the coast for a weekend getaway in a private winery, ready for drinking, laughing, and relaxation. Because if they don't deserve the break, then who does?

But where Matilda Kavanagh goes, trouble is not far behind.

Wyvern Wineries is nothing like the picturesque brochures promise. The land is dead, their only means of escape cut off, and there is something inside the house, hunting them. As their companions start to disappear and the violence grows, can Mattie and her friends figure out what's really going on before it's too late?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shauna Granger
• Release date: Jul 7, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310770081

Shauna Granger

Shauna Granger lives in a sleepy little beach town in Southern California with her husband, John, and their goofy dog, Brody. Always fascinated by Magic, Shauna spent most of her teen years buried in books about fairies, elves, gnomes, spells, witchcraft, wizards and sorcery. When she's not busy working on the next installment of the Elemental Series she enjoys cooking, entertaining, MMA fight nights, watching way too much TV and coffee. Lots of coffee.

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Cursed

Smashwords Edition Copyright 2015

by Shauna Granger

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the author.

Published by Shauna Granger

Copyright © 2015 by Shauna Granger

Cover art by Shauna Granger

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

About the Author

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1

Summer was nearly over, and we had just enough time for one last adventure before the winter winds began. But this time, the adventure was one I’d planned—one that I wanted to go on—not one that had been thrust upon me. But being awake with the sun would never feel normal to me, and that morning, I gripped the biggest cup of coffee I’d been able to find as I waited by my car. Coffee with two shots of espresso. Cream and extra sugar. Soon enough, I would be vibrating.

The asphalt was already warm, heat radiating through my new sandals—summer or winter, if you’re nocturnal, you rarely have use for open-toed shoes. I’d actually taken the time to give myself a pedicure just for the occasion, so my toenails were a bright mint green to complement the floral pattern on my navy dress. My sunglasses were big enough to cover almost half of my face, but somehow the sunrays still seemed too bright. The hem of my sundress fluttered above my knees as the boys went back and forth with luggage, trying to figure out the puzzle of two trunks and too many bags.

Babe, it’s too much, Kyle said to Frankie.

Kyle looked a little strange in daywear. I was used to seeing him in dark jeans, dark shirts, and black boots, all set against his dark skin and hundreds of tiny black braids. But he was dressed in khaki cargo shorts, faded blue One Stars, and a button-up blue plaid shirt. His braids were caught back in a tie at the base of his skull, and his Wayfarer sunglasses were perched on top of his head.

Frankie sucked on her teeth and shook her head. What exactly do you expect me to leave behind? she asked, waving a freshly manicured hand at the four bags on the sidewalk. I was pretty sure she already had two bags in the trunk of the rental.

It’s only four days, Kyle said.

Three and a half, I muttered before taking a sip of my red eye, earning a snort from Ronnie as she affixed the gone fishing sign to her shop door.

How could you possibly need four bags for a four-day trip? A bag a day? What the hell is in them? Kyle laughed as he got louder, his tone a mix of incredulous anger and frustration that sounded way too loud on the deserted street.

I hoped we didn’t wake any of our sleeping neighbors. I knew exactly how Kyle felt, but there was no way I would interfere. My relationship with Frankie was better, but it would always be tenuous. I wouldn’t pluck at that thread.

Can’t you two do something? Frankie asked, turning on Ronnie and me.

Ronnie was quicker than I was, already darting for our car and leaving me to deal with Frankie on my own.

Um, what? I asked, my coffee cup in front of my face like a shield.

Can’t you make the bags smaller or the trunk bigger or something? Cast one of your little spells and fix this?

I waited for her to laugh, but she never did. She was serious.

Um, I mean, yes, I said slowly. But then your clothes wouldn’t fit in the bags. Unless you want me to shrink your clothes. The whole thing will take a few hours, and I’m not sure I have the spell you want. As for the trunk—

Oh my gods, never mind! Frankie threw out a hand to shut me up.

I smiled behind my cup and turned away from her. We were supposed to be on the road already, but somehow we were two hours behind schedule. I shouldn’t have been surprised—once your travel group is more than two couples, all concept of time flies out the window, and our group was twice that many.

Joey and her new boyfriend, Beau, were dozing in the backseat of my car, getting their mid-morning-pixie-nap before we hit the road. Spencer was as stoic as ever as he tried, unsuccessfully, to help Kyle get all of Frankie’s things into their car. If I’d thought Kyle looked out of place in his vacation wear, Spencer looked downright strange. He was the palest person I’d ever known, so I wasn’t surprised he’d chosen faded blue jeans instead of shorts , but he always wore military-chic so it was weird to see him dressed for a vacation.

Cole was checking my oil—something I should have done days ago, but what did I know about cars? I mean, the little light hadn’t come on to tell me anything was wrong.

Hello, hello! Ronnie’s parents pulled up along the curb, parking the wrong way so their front bumper faced mine.

Cole looked over his shoulder and gave them a friendly wave before ducking back under the hood.

Mom, Dad, Ronnie said by way of greeting as she met them on the sidewalk. Ronnie looked like a perfect blend of the Fitzpatricks, and I could never decide whom she looked more like: her mother or father.

I wandered up behind her, giving Conner a one-armed hug so I wouldn’t spill any coffee on him—he smelled of syrup and bacon. I wondered if they were keeping human hours or if they’d just stopped for breakfast before coming by. Christine leaned toward me to give me a kiss on the cheek after she hugged Ronnie.

You kids all ready to go? Conner asked. For a couple of witches, they both seemed bright-eyed and awake for what should have been the middle of a REM cycle.

Almost, Ronnie said, trying to sound bright and upbeat so Frankie wouldn’t turn her wrath on her.

I snuck a look at the she-wolf. She was still staring daggers at Kyle, her arms crossed under her ample bust with one foot peeking out from under the hem of her mauve maxi dress, tapping a staccato on the sidewalk. She looked like a regal queen who was not amused by her bungling subjects.

Are you driving up the coast? It’s such a pretty day, Christine said, pulling my attention away from the angry Were before she caught me staring.

No, I said, that takes us pretty far out of the way. I mean, we’ll see part of the coast at some point, but that’s it.

Too bad. It’s so pretty. The ocean probably looks amazing right now. Christine closed her eyes.

I figured she was imagining what the ocean and beaches looked like. Part of me was a little afraid she was angling for an invitation. Not that I didn’t love Ronnie’s parents, because I did, but this was not a weekend for parents. I glanced at Ronnie, silently asking her to get us off this track.

So, Mom, Dad, you know what to do? Ronnie asked, turning to get them to follow her to the front door where our pets were waiting. Artemis and Pumpkin were, surprisingly, sharing a cat carrier while Smert dozed in his metal cage beside a box of food for all three.

Of course we do, Veronica, her mother said, making my best friend cringe.

I didn’t mean you didn’t know how to take care of animals, Ronnie said, bristling. But I never had a dragon growing up, so I just wanted to make sure.

It’s fine, honey, Conner said, one hand on her shoulder, the other picking up Smert’s cage by the handle.

A flush colored Ronnie’s cheeks, highlighting her freckles. I caught Spencer smiling at the sight of them, but when he felt my eyes on him, he looked away quickly. Still so uncomfortable with the smallest public display of affection.

There are ghost peppers for treats for Smert in the box, I said. But Joey asked me to ask you not to give him too many at a time. You might lose your eyebrows or curtains if you do.

That earned me a round of laughter from Ronnie’s parents and effectively broke the tension.

Where exactly is it you’re headed? Connor asked as he walked over to the car.

Christine was cooing over the cats, teasing Pumpkin by sticking her fingers through the holes—I just hoped Artie didn’t take a swipe at her.

I pulled my attention away to answer Conner. We’re going up to Los Olivos, where all the wineries are.

I thought that was Napa.

It is. Everywhere in California is wine country, I said, getting another laugh from Connor. But Napa’s way, way north and way, way more expensive. Los Olivos has a wine trail, and we’ve rented a house on a working winery.

So what you’re saying is you’re never coming home? Connor winked at me then deposited Smert’s cage in the backseat.

I think it would have to be a winery and a working coffee farm before Mattie refused to come home forever, Cole said from the depths of my engine.

Har har, I said, knocking on my hood, making Cole curse and rub his ears. I took a sip of my coffee, happy to find it just the right temperature finally.

Anything special we need to know about Artie? Christine asked, lifting the carrier into her arms rather than carrying it by the handle—probably compensating for Artie’s heft.

I bent over, putting my face close to the wire door. Pumpkin purred and pressed his side against the door, his orange fur spreading across the bars. I gave him a little scratch so he’d move out of the way, and I saw Artie’s yellow eyes blinking back at me.

Prrrow, he said, something between a purr and a meow. He’d gotten so good with Pumpkin over the last few months. It made me so proud, and I wanted to rub my face against his smushed nose.

He’s spoiled rotten, I said to Christine. He’ll pretend like he doesn’t like dry food and try to get you to give him tuna and cream for every meal. Don’t buy the act. That earned me a less than sweet noise from my cat, making Christine laugh. Shush, I said into the carrier.

Got it, she said.

I put a hand on her arm to stop her as she started for the car. But you know, I added in a whisper, let him have tuna and cream sometimes.

Of course, she said with a wink.

We watched Ronnie’s parents load the familiars into the car, the box of food following, and said another good-bye to the cats. I was almost certain Joey had chosen to sleep through the good-byes for fear of bursting into tears in front of her boyfriend. This would be her first weekend away from the tiny dragon since she’d gotten him, and her relationship with Beau was pretty new, so I didn’t think she’d want to look all emotional over a pet. I’d been away from Artemis over the years, but it still pained me to do it. I didn’t care what any guy had to say about me getting emotional over my familiar. Artie had been in my life way longer than any guy, and I’d get sappy and teary if I wanted.

As if they sensed my wavering convictions, Ronnie’s parents hurried into their car after another round of kisses and hugs and were down the street before any of us could blink. Ronnie touched my arm as she passed me, walking toward the rental car again. Then I realized I had a lump in my throat and had to take a second to get myself under control. At least I knew Artie was in good hands with Ronnie’s parents. I didn’t care if anyone saw me get upset over being away from Artie, but I didn’t want to ruin my mascara—we were already so far behind schedule.

I turned back to stand by my car and realized that Kyle and Frankie were still arguing over the suitcases. I had to bite my tongue to keep from saying anything snarky and making Frankie turn her ire on me. But I did check the time on my phone one more time. Yep. Way, way behind schedule.

I need everything in those bags, Frankie said. She was using her dangerous voice, cool and low, and I wondered if Kyle was stupid enough not to pick up on it. If she was yelling, you were pretty much safe because it would be over quickly, but that low voice meant you were edging into the danger zone. Her eyes sparkled yellow, almost a perfect match to the honey-blond hair she’d chosen just for the weekend.

I highly doubt that, Kyle said as he stood back and gave up on getting the bags inside the trunk.

Spencer slipped away, walking around the car to meet Ronnie and take her one bag.

I defy you to find one thing I don’t need, Frankie said as she crossed her arms, one hip shifting to the side.

We do not have time for this, Kyle said, throwing up his hands in the air.

Ronnie shot me a look before ducking into the car and out of the line of fire, Spencer following right behind. I couldn’t have been happier that all the wolves were riding in the same car, especially since that car wasn’t mine.

Cole slammed the hood of my car closed and lifted his brows at me. I gave him a quick nod and darted into my car with him. We closed our doors at the same time, waking the two pixies.

Whaz going on? Joey asked as she came around. She pushed away from the seat and sat on her knees to look out the back window. Uh, is anyone going to help Kyle?

No, Cole and I said in unison.

I turned the key in the ignition so I could turn the radio on to drown out the fight.

What’s going on? Beau asked. Beau was new, and shiny—just like Joey. They’d met online, and despite my initial worry, he had turned out to be a good match for Joey. Like her, he was half-pixie, half-human with sharp features and bright silvery eyes that matched his silvery-white hair. They were like two sparkly fireworks together.

Were stuff, I said.

Vague much? Beau said.

I glanced at him through the rearview mirror. Before I could get mad at the snippy comment, he winked at me. Yep, he was perfect for Joey.

I think Frankie’s winning, Joey said, making Cole laugh.

Of course she is, I said, sliding down in my seat. My coffee was more than half gone. If we didn’t get on the road soon, I was gonna have to get a refill before we left.

She just threw a bag at Kyle’s head, Joey started commentating. But he caught it. Oh crap, he just threw it.

At her? I asked.

No, at the front door.

We’re never getting out of here, Cole said with a sigh as he sank into his seat like me. He pushed a pair of Wayfarers onto his face and crossed his arms.

Dude, are they making out now? Beau asked.

I glanced into the side view mirror. Sure enough, the two Weres were locked in a tangle of arms and lips.

Well, at least we’ll be on the road soon, I said, wiggling in my seat to sit up again.

Setting my cup in the holder between Cole and me, I gave the horn a quick beep, making Kyle look up. He flashed me a toothy grin before taking Frankie’s chin between his thumb and forefinger. He said something to her that made her cheeks flush, and she pushed him away playfully before getting into the second car.

I shook my head at Kyle’s reflection. In less than five minutes, he figured out how to get the bags into the car—two of them ending up in my car, one between Joey and Beau in the backseat—and we were finally on the road.

Less than three hours late. That wasn’t too bad, right?

Chapter 2

I didn’t know how, but Joey had convinced me to let her be the navigator of our little trip. Her fingers flew across her phone screen.

Joey, we’re going west, I said into the rearview mirror. We’re supposed to be going north. What are you doing?

Just trust me, she said.

Looking at the parking lot of a freeway in front of me made trusting her a little difficult. I want to know what you’re planning.

Joey’s lavender eyes were fixed on her phone as she watched our non-progress on the GPS app she was using.

We should hit the coast soon. Just got to get past this sig alert, Beau said.

The coast? I growled at the two pixies.

Joey punched Beau in the shoulder, hissing at him to shut up.

I think we’ve been shanghaied, Cole said, but he didn’t sound angry like me. He looked amused.

Dammit, Joey, I said with a sigh. I let my head fall back when we came to a complete stop for about the millionth time in the last half hour. We were already way behind schedule, and now we’re in this crap, and you’ve added another hour or two to the drive.

It’s too late to do anything about it now. Joey came forward to wrap her arms around my seat and give me an awkward hug that just crushed my windpipe and smooshed me into my seat. So just go with it.

Yeah, Mattie, Cole said, leaning across the console to join the awkward hug. Go with it.

Go with it, Beau said, his silvery head coming between Joey’s and Cole’s to rest his chin on Cole’s shoulder.

I hate all of you, I muttered, shoving them all away as the car in front of us moved.

Does she mean it? Beau asked in a stage whisper, making Joey snicker.

Nope, she said. If she did, we’d all be walking on the shoulder of the freeway right now.

It’s not out of the realm of possibility, I said.

***

It was midday by the time we made it to the coast and the long, lazy drive of the Pacific Coast Highway and out of the snarled mess of Los Angeles. When we turned onto the narrow highway tracing along the coast, manicured beaches stretching out on our left, I could breathe easier, as though the press of cars and congestion had stolen all the fresh air and now I was actually outside.

Joey let out a whoop of excitement when the ocean came into the view. She rolled down her window and leaned out so far that only her hips braced on the door kept her from tumbling out. Beau grinned and copied her on the passenger side of the car. They hung outside like two sparkling flags caught on the wind. Behind me, Spencer honked and flashed his lights to get our attention. Joey whooped at them before sliding back inside and grabbing Beau’s waistband to pull him back in too. They laughed and tumbled together, knocking against Frankie’s bag.

Be careful, Cole warned. Who knows what’s in that bag, but if you mess something up, I’m sure Frankie won’t be too happy.

That made the pixies sit up straight and calm down. Their wide, bright eyes darted to the bag, but they didn’t dare open it to check on the contents.

We’ll just say Kyle shoved and tossed them too much if anything’s wrong, I said, trying to sound lighthearted. I knew if anything was wrong, it’d be my head, not Joey’s.

While I was annoyed with Joey for tricking me into adding extra time and miles to our drive, after a few miles of following the glittering ocean and ogling the celebrity homes, I really was able to go with it. And after Joey called the proprietor of the house we’d rented to tell her we were running behind schedule, I totally relaxed.

But after hours of being stuck in LA traffic, it wasn’t long before everyone was begging me to pull over so we could get something to eat. When the houses along the coast fell away to reveal the ocean again, dotted with the heads of surfers, Neptune’s Net appeared on our right. I flashed my emergency lights at Spencer to warn him before I slowed down and guided us into the restaurant parking lot.

Everyone hurried out of the cars, stretching backs and arms and breathing in the salty air scented with the deep-fried goodness coming from the ramshackle restaurant. The walls looked as though they were held together by glass and toothpicks. It was so old even the once-colorful sign seemed to be fading under the constant sunrays. But the parking lot was nearly full, half with motorcycles, and people were coming and going from the counter and snagging tables as soon as they were empty.

As we walked in, I gave the place a quick scan. It was a famous spot on the PCH, depicted in quite a few movies over the years, but it didn’t look as though anyone was a gawking tourist. Everyone inside was either in bathing suits or motorcycle leathers. It was clearly a locals’ spot, which made me think better of the quality of food.

Is it just me, or is there no meat on that menu? Kyle asked as he walked up behind Cole and me. The menu hung on the wall behind the cash register, colorfully done in red and yellow chalk. Nearly everything was fried and in baskets or tacos, but it was all seafood.

Fish are meat, I said.

No, he said. If it doesn’t have feet and bleed when you kill it, it’s not meat.

For the love of frogs, keep talking like that and Ronnie won’t be the only vegetarian, I said, trying to shove the Werewolf away. It was like pushing against a brick wall.

Everyone’s a comedian today, Ronnie said, shifting her hip to bump into me.

We sent the rest of the group to snag a table while Ronnie and I stayed at the counter to order from the Selkie waiting for us to stop holding up the line.

Wrangling that many orders was a feat in and of itself, but we managed. By the time all the food hit the table, it looked as if we’d ordered ten pounds of French fries. There was a chance I had one too