Ghast Me Gently (Wicked Good Witches Book 4) by Starla Silver

both relief and dread (relief, because he had someone on his side now, dread, because he knew how enraged his brother would be by this predicament).
    Secondly, the man getting out of the cab was obviously related to Riley; they shared the same dark hair and matching molasses eyes, although Riley’s brother’s gaze was much more direct and intense. He was also taller and had an authoritative gait about his walk.
    Before anyone could speak, Riley’s brother, Lucas, walked straight up to his brother and stared down at him as if waiting for an answer to an unheard question.
    “This wasn’t on purpose,” Riley insisted quietly. “I swear, this just happened .”
    The entire Howard family stood in awed and confused silence. Before them clearly stood two members of the Deane family. Charlie positioned himself in between his family, Eva and the sheriff. Even Mack stepped back, afraid a war might just break out. Michael kept hold of Emily while Melinda made her way closer to her brothers. She stood about half way in between her brothers and the Deanes, fearing just how ugly this scene would or could get, especially if Riley’s brother spilled the beans on their secret relationship. Her brothers didn’t know this part yet.
    Melinda cast a quick glance toward William. She could not imagine what he was thinking right now. But he appeared wrapped up in the moment. Alert and ready to play defense if needed. She sighed. William could break the brother’s necks in a second flat. Sometimes she had to remind herself he was not human.
    William surprised her though, by stepping forward, as if to speak on behalf of the Howards.
    Riley opened his mouth to say something but his brother’s hand flew up motioning him not to bother. Melinda assumed Riley wanted to warn his brother that William was a vampire, not that it wasn’t obvious up this close to anyone aware of vampires being in existence. William’s skin was pale white, looking almost pasty against his high-collared black jacket. His emerald green eyes drilled into Riley’s brother’s but his fangs and temper remained under control.
    “I am to assume you are this young man’s brother?” prodded William, in his usual compelling tone.
    “That assumption is correct. My name is Lucas. Lucas Deane,” he spoke clearly, as if needing to confirm it out loud, that yes, he was a Deane. “And you are?”
    “The Vampire, William Wakefield.” His eyes never left Lucas’ and neither pretended this was a desired greeting.
    Unlike Riley, Lucas did not flinch at the vampire revelation. Of course, he didn’t have fangs attempting to rip his throat open, either.
    Lucas nodded and addressed everyone, aiming his words towards the Howards.
    “I don’t like confrontation. And I won’t fake stupidity. The situation we have here is less than ideal.”
    Melinda heard Michael mumble, “Clusterfuck comes to mind.”
    Lucas ignored it. “This isn’t how I intended on introducing ourselves to you.” He took in a breath. “You have no reason to trust us. No reason to give us a chance. But I do ask that you give us the opportunity to prove ourselves. Because basically…” he paused for a moment, his intense façade fading. “I won’t lie. There’s no reason to, other than pride. My brother and I are here because we have no other place to go. After our parents’ deaths, we lost almost everything. The old house here on the Isle is all we have left of our family’s heritage. It’s all we have left … ”
    “Regardless of your reasons,” it was Charlie that now stepped forward to speak, “you have to understand our concerns.”
    “How can I not? What my family did here… I’ve heard the stories. I know the history. I never thought I’d see the day we would ever return. But that day is here. All I can ask is that you give us the chance to prove ourselves. Perhaps even start making amends for everything our ancestors did to you, and to The Demon Isle.”
    Everyone went silent