Trouble no. 2 RavenCroft Collection

The invitation had been awkward.

Ariana had asked what the occasion was and Kalabernus hadn’t had a good answer ready. Stumbling over his words he’d felt like a bumbling idiot and had been relieved when she finally smiled and let him off the hook.

“I’m just teasing you, Kalabernus,” she’d said.

He liked the way she said his name.

Then she’d argued with him, stating it was unsafe for her to associate with his family because of the stalker. One of his brothers or sisters could become a target just as he had, she’d pointed out. The whole time he couldn’t help but get the feeling she was trying to avoid attending for other reasons. She didn’t seem quite herself and was constantly fidgeting, her eyes darting about as if afraid her stalker were about to jump out at her at any moment.

“It’s okay,” he said finally, giving her the out she was clearly looking for. “I get it, I do. I won’t push you to spend time with me outside of your house. I wouldn’t want to embarrass you by being seen with me.”

“That has nothing to do with it at all. Why in the world would I be embarrassed to be seen with you?” Ariana was astounded by his ridiculous assessment.

“It’s okay, really. Most people are. And I’m sure the last thing you want to do, would be to meet any more of my family. I wouldn’t want to give them the wrong impression or anything. You know, like we’re dating or something.” Looking wounded he turned to leave, only to be stopped by her hand on his shoulder.

“Aren’t we?” she asked.

“Aren’t we what?”

“Dating. I know we’ve sort of started a bit backward here but… Whether advisable or not under the circumstances, it sure seems like we’re seeing each other a lot. Don’t you think?”

Kalabernus’s heart did a little dance in his chest. “Does that mean… are you my girlfriend then?” he asked abruptly, beginning to sweat at the startled look she gave him. But then she grinned.

He was so sweet, Ariana thought. And inexperienced where women and dating were concerned, which was kind of refreshing. So often she’d be harangued and harassed by polished men with their silver tongues and it was tiresome to have to fend them off. But with Kalabernus it was different. He never took anything for granted. Even the time he spent with her. He seemed to cherish it, as though ever expectant it might be his last.

Reaching up, she pulled him down toward her and deliberately kissed him. She could feel his arms surround her, his hands splaying across her back as he pulled her into a closer embrace.

“Yes.”

Kalabernus looked at her intently. He appeared confused. “Wait, yes to dinner at the ranch, or yes to being my, you know, girlfriend.”

Ariana giggled. “Yes to both,” she said, smiling brightly. He looked so hopeful and yet astounded.

Wanting to believe her and anxious to get her out of the cabin and back to his father’s horse ranch Kalabernus threw caution to the wind.

He knew it wouldn’t last.

Knew it couldn’t last.

But for at least a short time he wanted to enjoy the moment. He never had a woman want to be his girlfriend before. But then, she didn’t completely know who he was yet.

With not but a little bit of guilt twisting in his gut, he gave a big toothy smile and took her hand in his. Together they made sure the cabin was locked up and then he walked her to his truck, gallantly assisting her into the vehicle, albeit a bit awkwardly.

Getting into the driver’s side he buckled up and started the engine. “I gotta warn you, though, my family, they’re a bit different than most.” He was nervous, but his excitement was clear in his tone and mannerism.

Ariana became increasingly agitated as they drove along. Sensing her anxiety, he turned toward her and frowned. “But don’t worry. They won’t hurt you or anything. Might embarrass you, though. But probably not.”

Holding tightly to the hand hold on the door Ariana watched guardedly as a shadow crept toward her from the backseat. Clasping her hand tightly around the treasure in her pocket she willed the dark creature away, hoping she hadn’t just made a bad decision in agreeing to have dinner with his family. The shadowy beings she had been seeing since Saturday night didn’t seem to bother her too much, if she kept a careful hold of the item in her coat pocket. But their incessant presence was discomforting, nonetheless, and often put her on edge. She truly believed she was going mad.

The drive to the RavenCroft horse ranch was shorter than she’d anticipated, but she was almost grateful for that. An uncomfortable silence had permeated the vehicle till they arrived, mostly from anxiety both were experiencing for different reasons.

Ariana marveled over the expansive grounds and beautiful log style ranch house as he pulled up the drive. Set in a very picturesque location one could see the mountains looming in the distance even from the driveway. About fifty yards away she could see a series of horse barns and corrals in addition to a bunkhouse of which made up the extent of the horse ranch.

Pulling up to the house, Kalabernus parked near the walkway. From the looks of all the vehicles in the driveway near the garage, it appeared everyone was already there. Getting out quickly, he rushed around the vehicle, nearly tripping on his feet to open her door for her. Taking her hand, he helped her out and walked her to the door.

Inside, the RavenCroft siblings and their spouses had congregated between the living room and kitchen. Most were catching up on what they’d missed in each other’s lives since the last time they’d met the previous week.

“Listen up!” Bastion called suddenly from his perch near the fireplace. Gaining everyone’s attention he continued quickly, anticipating his son’s imminent arrival. “I expect you all on your best behavior tonight.”

“Why is tonight any different than any other night?” Drayke asked suspiciously.

“Because tonight we will be having a guest,” Bastion said in answer.

The door in the entrance opened before anyone could reply or query. Kalabernus stepped in the house, guiding Ariana along with him.

Synedra turned around in her chair, surprised to see her brother with a woman in tow. Recognizing the woman arriving with Kalabernus as the same one she’d run into at the coffee house, she got up and extended her hand as they came further into the living room.

“Hi there!” she greeted her.

“Oh, well, hi there right back!” Ariana took her hand and shook it, smiling brightly, her eyes shifting about the room. “Small world. I tried the mint tea you suggested, by the way. You were right. It was quite helpful and tasted good too.”

“You recommended mint tea?” Dr. S.T. Funnie inquired with a raised brow. He’d just come in from the kitchen where he’d been helping to set the tables for his wife Mackenzie. He thought his sister-in-law’s advice a bit odd as he knew typically why she would recommend it. Taking one look at Kalabernus’s new friend, however, he let out a low whistle and became distracted. The woman was very pleasing to look at. Peering around the room he suspected he’d missed something which irritated him. It seemed like lately he was always coming in on the tale end of a family drama and Dr. S.T. Funnie sure hated missing the good stuff.

“Yup, seemed fitting at the time,” Synedra said in a small voice while glancing between Ariana and her brother, trying to figure out what was going on. He was beaming from ear-to-ear and looked positively stoked for having brought a woman home.

“For those who haven’t met her yet, this is Ariana Davis.” Kalabernus guided her forward gently with his hand at the small of her back. “She’s my girlfriend,” he announced proudly.

Bastion’s head jerked around suddenly and he stood. His eyes narrowed upon his son and the woman next to him, who blushed profusely. He shook his head toward Kalturek and Drayke who, nearly choking on their beers, halted their exclamations of surprise abruptly. Greeting Ariana warmly, Bastion welcomed her to his home.

“Thank you. Your invitation was very kind. It’s actually sort of nice to get out of the cabin,” Ariana said. “I work from home, you see.”

“What do you do that allows you to work from home?” Laynie asked curiously. Her shoulder length chestnut curls hid her eyes slightly, allowing her to get a good look at Ariana without the appearance of staring.

“I’m a freelance writer.”

“You mean like instruction manuals and such? I’ve heard about people doing that,” said a short woman with medium length golden blonde hair standing almost possessively near Kalturek. Ariana presumed it must be the Sheriff’s wife.

“Some freelance writers handle that sort of thing, but not me. I handle business and technical writing that most companies don’t want to, or don’t have time to mess with. You’d be surprised how many companies, and even individuals for that matter, will pass on such odd jobs.”

“Sounds lucrative.”

“Well, I haven’t needed to dip into my parent’s inheritance money for years so, yeah, I guess I do okay,” she replied, shrugging out of her jacket. Taking it for her, Kalabernus hung it up in the closet then quickly returned to her side.

“Are we eating or what?” Nathan called from the kitchen. Popping his head around the dividing wall he waived at Ariana in greeting. His smile waned briefly and he shifted his gaze away quickly toward his wife Synedra. They seemed to share a mutual unspoken thought.

“Come on everyone. Don’t want to keep Nathan waiting,” Bastion said wryly, finding the exchange between his daughter and son-in-law interesting. Something was up.

The family converged upon the kitchen. Taking up plates from the table they headed to the long counter where a makeshift buffet had been set up. Ariana had been relieved to see roasted chicken in the pans with long grain wild rice, and French style green beans.

“Do you all do this, every Wednesday?” she wondered aloud as she dished food onto her plate then glanced around. Kalabernus had said there were six kids in his immediate family but when the spouses were added along with Sable and Kahner’s three children, she realized it made for a large crowd.

“Didn’t use to,” Mackenzie acknowledged. She handed the bread basket toward Ariana, offering her a roll. “But it has sort of become a regular Wednesday night deal here lately, I guess.”

Choosing a roll from the basket Ariana thanked her then moved awkwardly towards the table, unsure of where to sit. Making the decision for her, Kalabernus reached around her and slid out a chair so she could sit. Then he sat down beside her on her right. Ariana noticed Synedra pull out the vacant chair to her left.

“You don’t have a drink,” Synedra commented while sitting down.

“I guess I forgot to get one.” Ariana appeared a bit dazed by the hustle and bustle of the many people in the kitchen. It almost felt like being in a busy restaurant.

Synedra’s eyes lit up, thankful for the opportunity which had presented itself. “Kalabernus, why don’t you grab her a drink? I’m betting she’s not quite used to finding her way through such a mass of people.”

“Right, I’ll get it for you!” Kalabernus jumped up from his seat, anxious to be helpful and quickly sped away.

Synedra leaned toward Ariana. “So, have you told him yet?”

“Told him what?”

“About what’s coming,” Synedra replied, trying to be tactful.

Perplexed, Ariana gave her a quizzical look. “Sorry. I don’t understand what you mean.”

Synedra’s head tilted and she gave Ariana an appraising stare. Her mouth dropped. “You don’t know yet, do you?”

“Know what exactly?” Ariana inquired, baffled by the line of questioning.

Eyes becoming huge Synedra’s head jerked toward Drayke expectantly. “Drayke?” she called. “Is she for real?” she asked, knowing full well he’d been eavesdropping.

Shoulders tense, her brother peered back at his youngest sister. “Far as I can tell. Why?” Drayke asked appearing confused.

From the head of the table, Bastion followed the conversation closely, intent upon learning if his suspicions were correct or not.

And that’s when it happened.

Exactly what Ariana had feared would happen when she’d accepted the invitation to dinner.

She heard them before she saw them and her head jerked suddenly in their direction. The black vaporous wisps of smoke funneled into the kitchen from the patio leading off it. Chittering and cackling with glee as they soared toward the table where she sat next to Synedra, her eyes grew wide with fright.

“Got you a tall glass of milk,” Kalabernus said eagerly, having just returned to the table. Aware the shadows were seeping into the kitchen; he was desperately trying to ignore them but his eyes shifted toward the patio anxiously anyways.

“Please, no. Not now,” she whimpered softly, wishing she’d never come. They’d think she was crazy, and Kalabernus would think she’d lost her mind.

“Ariana? Are you okay?” Kalabernus asked with concern.

Ariana began to shake. Reaching for her treasure she realized with dread that she no longer had it in her possession. Having placed it in the pocket of her coat before they’d left her house, she had forgotten to transfer it to her jeans pocket.

“My coat.”

“Ariana?”

“I need my coat,” she declared, trying to keep the despair from her voice unsuccessfully.

“Are you cold?” Kalabernus asked becoming more than a little concerned. Aggravated by the shadows sudden and unwanted presence, he knew whenever they were around they tended to bring the temperatures down.

“No, I need what’s in it.” Jumping out of her chair she nearly tipped it over in her haste to get away from the table.

“Wait, I can get it for you,” Kalabernus insisted, confused by her behavior as he stood himself. She looked scared again and he didn’t like that. He took hold of her arm to try and stop her.

The shadowy creatures converged upon her, and this time, she realized with horror, that there was more than just three of them. Crying out with fright her whole body trembled violently as she fled the kitchen.

“Wait, Ariana!” Kalabernus called, taking off after her.

Bastion’s head drooped with distress the moment he saw recognition go off in his daughter Synedra’s eyes. She watched the couple flee the kitchen then stared down the length of the table toward him. Her lips pursed in annoyance and she tossed her fork on the table, gaining everybody’s attention.

“You knew, didn’t you?” Synedra accused heatedly.

“I had my suspicions,” Bastion groaned guiltily. “Come, for I suspect neither one understands.”