Our Summer of Discontent (The Immortal Ones - Book Three)

prologue

How does one learn to become something else? A girl must learn to become a woman, just as a boy transitions into a man. From the time I was born, I believed that I was just like everyone else around me: a regular girl, living a regular life. After Roger died during the attack on Pearl Harbor, I found out that I was anything but normal. I didn’t have to learn how to become a woman… I had to cope with something altogether different.

In December of Nineteen Forty-One, the year I turned twenty, I learned that I was an Immortal One… a being that can self heal and can never age past a certain point. It takes a beheading and/or burning (to ashes) to kill an Immortal One. I had learned that I was virtually indestructible. That was a huge shock to my system.

I had to shed myself of my mortal ways and learn to live in a whole new manner. I learned to take on new names, assume new roles in society, and most importantly – never stay in one place for too long. I was pretty successful at it, living for well over half a century in my new role. Then last year I discovered that I was more than even that. I carried hybrid blood in my veins, a fusion of Immortal One and Dark One. But just a few short months after that discovery, before I had even adjusted to my new hybrid role, I became The Caster.

The Caster is a one-of-a-kind being. And until me, The Caster has always been a Witch. No one could tell me why (when I killed Nikola) those powers passed from him to me. Not James or Catherine, not Lulach, not Marcus or Eve. Not Cozmo, not Lizabelle or Lincoln… and especially not me. But the powers are mine, and now, once again, I must learn to live with this new change that has come over me.

Change. Some people revel in it. Some people ignore it. Some people avoid it, as if it were a feral animal. And some people simply can’t escape it. I am one of the latter. Change has come to me, it has taken ahold of me, and it simply will not let me go. Change is here to stay. Its claws are into me so deeply that it has taken roots within me and become part of my core.

I am change.

****

chapter one

STARTING POINT

C’mon, Marcus, will you just do me? You know you are amazing at it. Just… Please!

We could all hear Eve’s desperate plea, from down the hall.

Why do I always have to do you? Marcus shot back. You can do yourself better than I can.

Liar. Plus, it makes my arms ache. Please, baby, just do it, Eve begged.

Ugh! Fine. Come here. The things I do for love, Marcus groaned.

Can you do me next? Catherine called out.

Then me, Lizabelle chimed in.

Me too, Summer giggled, beside me.

And me, I finished, snorting loudly.

I covered my mouth with both hands in an attempt to muffle the sound of my amusement, but Catherine, Lizabelle, and Summer quickly joined in. Our uncontrolled laughter drifted down the hall and echoed throughout the house.

Summer gripped her chest, trying to catch her breath. He is sooo gonna kill us.

At that same moment, Marcus came charging down the hall, pointing a finger at me. Charity, love, he sneered. I would like to tell you how very much I despise you at this moment. You grabbed this particular power on purpose… to torment me, Marcus accused.

"Oh, yeah, right! I’m half out of my mind, desperately trying to keep everyone I love alive, knowing that I have to get your powers back inside you, before you DIE, and I stopped to think… Hmmm which powers should I grab? Oh, I know, the hair curling power, because that’ll drive Marcus crazy. Yeah, that sounds about right!" I raised my eyebrows, and nodded my head.

Whatever! Marcus exasperated.

Marcus, darling, love of my life, it takes you less than two minutes to do my hair. In the time it took you to argue and stomp your feet like a child you could have curled every strand of hair in this room. Now be a good boy and make us pretty, Eve scolded him with a soothing tone.

Fine. But I am not touching your hair, Charity. You know, as well as I do, and everyone else here for that matter, that you can change your appearance in the blink of an eye. Curl your own hair, Marcus groused.

Somebody’s crabby today, Summer whispered.

Marcus cut his eyes at Summer. "May I remind you, mortal, that somebody is not a hair dresser?"

Ah, but the first time you curled all of our hair and we loved it, you became one, Catherine reasoned.

I closed my eyes and whispered a spell, quietly repeated the phrase that had popped into my head, like so many others had during the past few months since I’d become The Caster. Summer stared at me with amazement shining in her eyes as the strands of my hair turned from the blue-black color, which had come with the role of Caster, to a bright, pale shade of blonde… it started at my scalp and cascaded down to the tip of each and every strand. She clapped her hands in delight as I smoothed my newly colored coif.

I winked at Marcus, who was still scowling at me. I didn’t want it curled, anyway. I smiled. And, I’ve decided to test the blonde theory.

Big, bouncy spirals, Eve instructed, as she tugged Marcus’s arm and dragged him back to their bedroom.

***

That bedroom had only been a guestroom for about two months, before Marcus and Eve had taken it over.

When James, Catherine, and I had moved to Telluride (in October of the previous year), we were three Immortals living on our own. Marcus and Eve, our Witch friends, came for a visit (in December) and had stayed with us ever since. Marcus’s twin brother Cozmo, also known as Oz, and his new girlfriend Lizabelle, a shape-shifter, had also decided to remain in town. They stayed on after we had all returned from our Las Vegas trip.

I married my husband, Lincoln Knight, in Vegas, in February. My mortal friend, Summer, was introduced to the paranormal elements of this world during that trip. She’d adjusted to the knowledge quite well and had formed an instant bond with the only other mortal in our closely guarded circle, Christopher. He is the personal assistant to Lulach, the Dark One (slash Vampire) helping Link adjust to his tri-bred status… one third mortal, one third Vampire, and one third Immortal.

Yes. This is the crazy, complicated world in which I live. This is the world in which we all live, with or without being aware of it. And it is a lot to wrap your brain around sometimes. I was quite proud of Summer for doing it with, what appeared to be, seamless ease. I had Eve check her brain, from time to time, just to make sure. So far, so good.

***

Lizabelle smiled, He acts like he hates being able to curl hair with the touch of his hand, but I think he secretly loves it.

He loves anything that makes Eve happy, Catherine agreed. Is it bad, Charity, that I’m glad you ended up grabbing that power?

Lizabelle shook her head back and forth. I don’t think so! I’m quite delighted that she passed it on to him.

Somehow I don’t think I made Marcus’s day with that one. I shrugged. Oh well, he can just deal with it!

Summer ran her fingers through my pale blonde hair. Make me a red head, Charity.

How red? I asked.

Deep auburn. Ooohh, with black highlights.

"Black would technically be lowlights, wouldn’t it? Anyway, won’t your mom be upset again? She hated those purple streaks you did. Chances are, somebody (probably Dee, but I’m not naming names) will post a photo online, and you will be outed before you could even show it to her first. You’d better be absolutely sure you want it."

You have a point. How about adding a few inches. I’ve been trying to grow my hair out. I haven’t cut it since Christmas. You could probably put two inches on me without anyone noticing.

Delilah will notice. She has hair radar.

Summer laughed. I’ll tell her that I’ve been taking my vitamins, or that you took me into Montrose this morning for some extensions.

Okay, but no more than two, I agreed. How about a few well blended, auburn highlights?

Actually, Summer said. Make me a blonde too.

Are you sure?

Yup. My mom wouldn’t object to that. Plus, she keeps saying I need to have more fun and be cheerful But I’d like a natural, multi-toned, summer blonde!

Quite specific on that color… aren’t we? I teased.

Quite. Summer smiled.

Lizabelle, sitting cross-legged on the carpet, started twisting her long strawberry blonde hair into a bun. She tucked the ends under, securing the hair in place.

I wish my hair was as long as yours, Summer sighed.

I’ve only trimmed it since I was twelve. Once it reached my bum, it seemed to slow down on its own. I think this is as long as it is going to get.

Well, it’s beautiful, Summer told her.

Thanks, Lizabelle beamed.

Fine, I’ll change your hair. Scootch closer. I gestured to Summer.

She slid over a few more inches and I pulled the elastic from the ponytail in the back of her head, letting her hair fall loose. I placed my hands on the top of her head and leaned forward to whisper into her hair. I closed my eyes and exhaled deeply, blowing the loose strands near my mouth. When I opened my eyes, Summer was a bright, natural looking blonde. I smiled.

Summer ran to the mirror, after she saw my smile, and squealed. You made it wavy! And that’s more than two inches. Dee’s gonna die.

You look gorgeous, Lizabelle said.

Thank you. Summer smiled. And thanks, Charity.

I looked at my magical handiwork with pride. You’re welcome.

I grabbed the remote to rewind the movie we were watching, backing it up to the point we were at when Marcus had come charging down the hall. I love this part, you have to watch it again, I said.

I was making Summer watch an old Leslie Caron musical with me… and Gigi was about to tell Gaston that she’d rather be miserable with him than without him. It was my favorite part.

Do you hate me for not loving this as much as you do? Summer asked.

No. I adore you for watching it with me anyway.

I leaned back into the couch to watch Leslie Caron and Louis Jourdan (as Gigi and Gaston) go out on their first romantic date. Gigi had instantly become one of my favorite movies, ever since I’d first seen it back in Nineteen Fifty-Eight.

Catherine interrupted Maurice Chevalier, as he sang for little girls at the very end of the movie, to tell Summer that it was time to go home. Your mom and James will be leaving the medical center any minute now. You need to get ready, she added.

Summer glanced at her phone and jumped up. Wow! I didn’t even realize the time.

Don’t forget the garment bag, Catherine reminded her.

Oh yeah, and thank you for the amazing dress. She gave Catherine a hug, and she grabbed the bag from the chair by the door. See ya at The Palm, at four o’clock. Summer waved at us all as she ran out the front door.

The Palm? Lizabelle puzzled.

The theatre space, where they hold the high school’s graduation ceremony, Catherine answered.

***

Emily Johnston (now Knight) would not be part of that ceremony. After putting in just over two months at Telluride High School, as a senior, I left the school to finish my High School degree online. I just couldn’t carry on the charade of Emily Johnston, seventeen-year-old High School student, any longer. Especially not after becoming engaged to Lincoln, at Christmas. My fake birthday, in February, raised my fake age to eighteen… and my very real marriage to Link, made me feel like less of a teenage girl than ever before.

But Emily would always remain my Telluride persona. Summer and Christopher were the only mortals that knew me as Charity. Everyone else knew Emily Knight – the eighteen year old, engaged too young, drop out, now married to the slightly older, ski bum. Emily is also the niece of Jason (really James) – one of the town’s doctors, and Rachel (really Catherine) – the incredibly sweet lady who owns that amazing dress shop on Colorado Avenue. It was a lot for me to remember sometimes. I tended to slip up from time to time.

***

I’m going up to get ready, I told Catherine and Lizabelle, as I walked toward the stairs.

When I reached my room, I opened the door as quietly as I could. Link had taken to sleeping during the brightest times of the day, and I didn’t want to wake him. Although it didn’t take much, and without using powers to block all sound, it was a hopeless attempt.

Charity, why do you even try? Link mumbled from the bed.

I lifted my shoulders for a deep shrug. I keep hoping I’ll be successful one day?

Link laughed. You won’t.

I guess not. You don’t really seem to get any sleep, anyway. You pass out for about an hour, when the sun it at its peak, and then you toss and turn the rest of the time.

Dark room, covers over my head, muffled sounds. It’s actually quite relaxing. He threw the covers off of him and stretched his hands over his head. What have you done to your hair?

I swung my head from side to side, making my new blonde hair swish back and forth. Do you like?

It’s interesting. Are we going with the blonde with dark roots look?

Seriously? I ran to the mirror for a look.

There was about a half an inch of blue-black hair peeking out from the base of my scalp. My body was burning away the illusion.

I just did this, less than an hour ago. These Caster traits will not be undone.

The eyes and the hair are here to stay, Charity.

I know. I know. I’ve got a dozen different pair of tinted glasses, that I have to wear whenever I leave the house, to prove it. You and I are the king and queen of shades. It’s all just so hard to get used to.

"You’re still you; however you look, whatever you wear. The blonde is kinda bombshell sexy though."

I plopped myself onto the bed beside him and ruffled his hair. You’re kinda sexy… when you’ve just woken up. I love those tired eyes and your messy hair.

Link put his hands on either side of my face, and pulled my head toward him to plant a kiss on my forehead. The feeling of his lips on my skin always sent a tingle down my spine. A small shudder rippled through my body.

Have I told you lately that you are the best thing that has ever happened to me? I whispered as I lay down on the bed beside him. I kissed his nose and then his lips. You are irresistible.

It’s my powers, he whispered, his lips against mine.

Your awesome powers, I reminded him.

Link grabbed the edge of the comforter and threw it over our heads. Blocking out the dim light that was filtering in through the slats of the shutters, cocooning us together.

Let me show you what else I can do with my powers, he winked.

I’m always open to a demonstration, I sighed

Lincoln covered my mouth with his own and my black eyes sparked with a small blue flame as I encased the two of us in a very sound proof bubble.

Link and I barely made it to the graduation ceremony on time. We entered the auditorium and searched for Catherine, James, and Christopher. We found them quickly and then slid into the seats they were holding for us, mere seconds before Principal Rivers stepped up to the microphone.

Thank you all for coming today. I want to start off by saying how very proud I am of these young men and women you see behind me. They have worked hard, achieved some extraordinary goals, and proven to me, once again, that the youth of today will bring us all a bright tomorrow. Parents, grandparents, family friends… give yourselves a round of applause for the support you have given to these fine young students. Principal Rivers took a step back from the microphone, gestured toward the entire graduating class, and then clapped his hands with vigor.

As soon as the applause died down he introduced Sara Evans, the class valedictorian (which came as no surprise to me).

She walked up to the microphone with that familiar I know everything smile, plastered onto her face, and began her speech. Sadly, I think most of her fellow graduates tuned her out the second she opened her smug little mouth. It was a shame, because her superior attitude was probably the primary reason for the lack of attention. She actually gave a pretty great speech.

Summer looked amazing with her newly blonde, wavy hair. Delilah kept cutting her sideways glances from over where she sat. Burke was oblivious to them, zoned out in his own world, still deliriously happy that he was married to Dee. He looked a little pale to me. Maybe Delilah was keeping him locked up indoors now. We hardly ever saw them anymore. Burke was the school athlete, the nice guy jock, the guy involved in every outdoor activity. Now he was just plastered to Dee’s side. She was sucking the life out of him.

Delilah had somehow convinced Burke that it would be a great idea for them to both change their last name to Prideux, to honor the memory of her beloved Grand-mére who had left her a fortune. Burke’s dad had almost boycotted graduation after finding out. Burke was his only son and he didn’t understand why his boy would willingly give up the family name. What his father didn’t understand was that Burke would do whatever Delilah wanted, and lately