The Scarlett Legacy (Woodland Creek)(7)

“Let’s just say that we eliminated those that pose a threat to our family.”

Swallowing, Evie covered her mouth with a cold hand. Her words came out breathlessly. “What did you do?”

Adelaide shrugged. “We did what we did to protect you.”

Evie watched in awe as her mother flew down without another word.

Evie hovered in the air, welcoming the sun’s rays warming her neck. Still, chill in her blood remained.

What has my family done?





THE PICTURE WAS beautifully drawn. The Gryphon was a majestic creature, revered in mythology from cultures all over the world.

Learning that they were real thrilled Evie.

Now it made sense why this creature kept appearing in her dreams.

Her stomach was unsettled. What Adelaide had revealed to her wouldn’t leave the forefront of her mind. Even though her family was in the middle of so much drama, this new revelation took precedence. All she wanted to do was go outside and find a secluded area where she could fly free once again.

Never reveal your ability.

Never fly around humans.

Always stash clothes where you can find them.

Adelaide had told her as much as she could in the short amount of time they had. So much information about her shifter side, and nothing about what she and Wes had done to protect her.

I’ll find out… in my own way.

She was good at that.

Father hated shifters, and so it made sense why her mother lied.

But now Evie knew why she felt the way she did. That empty hole was now filled. She could fly, in her human form or as a Gryphon.

Adelaide had tried to get her to shift, but Evie wasn’t quite ready. She’d rather enjoy the benefits without having to be a creature of myths and legends.

Lazy was what Adelaide had called her when she refused to shift.

Practical was what Evie had called herself in defense.

Why transform when I can do everything as a human?

Apparently she was more powerful in her animal form, but she was afraid to feel what that was like.

Evie actually looked forward to going home to learn more about her shifter side.

“That’s Edward Scarlett’s daughter.”

“The one that lives in the huge manor in the countryside?”

“The haunted one?”

“Yeah.”

Really?

“Yeah. Her family is in the mob. I’d stay away from her unless you want to end up dead.”

Evie cringed at hearing herself being talked about. Even if they did whisper, she could hear the two girls at the table next to her quite clearly. Sure they were right about her family being organized crime… but why did people think her house was haunted?

Her father had hosted some of the most elaborate parties in Scarlett Hall. It was a beautiful Victorian house, kept up with no expense spared. No matter if he ran an underground gambling ring, he made sure Evie was kept far from those things, and never let his business life spill into their home.

She shook her head and continued reading.

“They say her father was into some pretty bad stuff. That’s why he was killed.”

Evie’s face heated. She shot a glare at the girl that kept whispering about her family. Evie considered turning around and knocking them out of their chairs. Then she thought of how much trouble she’d be in if her secret got out.

She tensed.

Only if I used magic.

No one would learn of her secret if she walked over there and slapped them both. That was a purely human thing to do, right?

Still, it was a terrible idea.

Evie decided to tune them out and calmed herself by closing her eyes for a moment.

I’ll be free in a few more months, she reminded herself.

She took a deep breath and ignored them. Her finger traced the outline of the creature that had an eagle’s head and a lion’s body.

“What are you up to?”

Evie slammed the book closed. She looked up to see Parker standing next to her in a navy button-up shirt and jeans.

“Jeez,” she said taking off her glasses and cleaning the lens on the hem of her purple pleated skirt. “You scared the crap out of me.”

His eyes read the title of the book. “Mythological creatures. Doesn’t sound like anything that’s going to help you with your trigonometry exam.”

“Lower your voice,” Evie said, standing from her seat at one of the tables in the back of the library.

She glanced at the girls that had been talking about her, seeing them stare at Parker. She tucked the book into her satchel and took his hand into hers. She pulled him along as they left the library.

Outside the sun tried to break free from the dark clouds that continued to gather. Evie already smelled the sweet aroma of rain.

They stood on the white stone steps looking out to the lush green quad that connected the buildings of Hastings-Albrecht University. The beauty of autumn was all around them. Trees were covered with orange leaves, the ground was littered with them, and Halloween decorations were set all over the campus.

There was no doubt that the town was excited about the annual Halloween party the town held. Evie began to wonder if she even wanted to attend with all of the media attention and rumors circulating Woodland Creek.

Evie clutched her notebook to her chest and held down her skirt as a gust of wind swept through the campus.