Once Upon a Steamy Night
Chapter Eighteen

Claire gasped when she opened her eyes and took in her surroundings. Someone was calling her name repeatedly and she glanced up at her father's soft brown eyes.

"Ethan?" she called unsurely.

He frowned. "I'm your dad."

"But...you're dead," she mumbled.

"Dead? Claire when did this intense wish begin?" He chuckled.

Claire shook her head as she raced to the mirror and took in her bland dress and look. She didn't look like a faerie princess.

She grabbed her phone to dial Scot or Liam's number but there was no number on her phone.

"I told you to make friends, Claire," he sighed.

She tried mind linking Adam but still, it wasn't working. Nothing was working.

She ran out of the house as Ethan screamed her name. She headed to the Mayor's mansion only to see Liam and Anna together.

"No, this isn't true!" She screamed tugging at her hair as she felt the anger rise in her.

"It isn't real!" She yelled and a burst of energy flowed through her.

"You failed again, Claire!"

Claire blinked as the warm sunlight filtered into her half-open blinds. She looked around her room and sighed, she was finally back to reality.

"Grandma, that's not an ideal way for me to learn how to handle my weakness," she sighed, running a hand through her hair.

It's been a few days after her romantic date with Liam and she had begun training in earnest, preparing to defend herself from her boyfriend should the need arise and also save the world. Morgana had started frequenting the house through a portal and was creating a weird reality for her to deal with her fears so she can control her weakness and finally get rid of the green-eyed demon tormenting her dreams. "Morgana."

Claire smiled at the beautiful woman with a grim smile on her lips. She had constantly warned her to call her by her name but yet Claire couldn't resist getting her irked.

In Claire's defense, it was a small price for Morgana to pay for ruining her mind with harsh unreal reality.

"Sorry, Grandma. I was trained to respect my elders," she smirked.

"Adam, can I blast her now?!"

Adam chuckled and strode into the room, his arms full of stacks of books.

"Stop teasing Morgana. You don't wanna see her mad."

Claire shrugged. "Tell her to stop playing mind games on me!"

"Those mind games are what a green-eyed being is playing on you!" Morgana snapped.

"I can handle him. I need to go out and help Liam's birthday party," she said finally.

Morgana narrowed her eyes to slits. "You aren't stepping a foot into that hunter's house!"

Claire glanced at Adam who suddenly seemed to be engrossed in his books.

"You aren't my mother so don't talk to me like that!"

With a flip of her hair, she strutted out of her room leaving a shell-shocked Morgana and her father. He should explain to her anyways, serves him right for ignoring her with his bossy mom. She got into her car and drove straight to the Mayor's mansion where she found Anna with Lilian.

"Claire, nice of you to drop by," Anna said icily.

Claire chuckled. She had gotten accustomed to Anna's hostile stares and had accepted the fact that none of the girls her age wanted anything to do with her.

"Claire!" Lilian gushed, engulfing her into a tight hug.

Lilian was more like her friend than her mother figure and if things should go south with Liam then she would miss Lilian.

"Hi, Lilian. How are you?" She smiled trying to hide the sadness in her eyes.

"I'm excited, Claire. My baby boy turns eighteen tomorrow," Lilian gushed, leading her into the house and leaving Anna behind, who kept throwing daggers at Claire with her eyes. Thank God looks couldn't kill, Claire mused.

"Congratulations, Lilian," she beamed.

Lilian nodded. "I've got everything planned out so you could go keep him company. He's not allowed to leave the house till after Sunday."

Claire frowned. "Why? How can he be grounded on his birthday?"

"Courtesy of his dad," Lilian sighed and entered the kitchen.

Claire headed upstairs and knocked softly on Liam's door.

"Go away, mom. I don't wanna eat just get Claire here!"

She chuckled at Liam's muffled voice from behind the closed door.

"It's me, Liam. Open up."

The door flew open instantly and he grinned pulling her into a tight hug.

"Come in before my dad sees you," Liam said, shutting the door.

"I don't understand what's going on, Liam," Claire stated furrowing her brows.

Liam sighed and sat down on his bed as he ran a hand through his hair.

"I argued with my dad."

Claire's frown deepened. "So? We argue a lot with our parents. Why is this a big deal?"

"The same question I asked him. I told him didn't wanna be involved with the council yet because I was too young, and he got so fucking pissed it was scary."

"So, he asked you not to leave the house till..."

"Till Sunday night when I can properly join the council," he shrugged.

Claire smiled and snuggled against him. "I'll stay here with you then."

"How will you hide when he comes into my room?" He asked, his mouth quirked up in a small smile.

Claire smirked. "I'll just blend into the shadows."

His chuckle rumbled in his chest and she sighed in content at the sound. She was happy being here with him like this and she hoped Sunday night won't change everything. "Don't ever forget me, Liam," she mumbled.

He gazed at her with admiration in his eyes. "Nothing will ever make me stop loving you talk more of forgetting you."

Claire sighed contentedly when he placed a kiss on her temples. His words were supposed to help calm her fears, but they only worsened them.

***

"I can't believe it's today!"

Claire stared at her reflection in the mirror as she sighed trying to steady her frazzled nerves. She wouldn't want to ruin Liam's birthday with a heavy downpour.

She glanced at her dress and frowned. She didn't like anything from her wardrobe today. She needed to be perfect for Liam!

"Calm down, Princess. I can feel your nervous energy all the way downstairs."

She whirled around the moment Adam entered her room.

"I need your help, dad!"

"You need to take deep breaths and calm..."

"Calm, dad!" She snapped interrupting him.

A flash of lightning illuminated the sky and she winced.

"Maybe not so calm but I've got a reason to freak out!" She exclaimed.

Adam sighed. "You're doing it again, Claire. Just take a deep breath and focus."

Claire sighed and exhaled slowly running a hand across her wet hair.

"I'm calm," she mumbled.

"Good. Now, why aren't you dressed?"

Claire eyed her father. He was dressed in a dark-blue tuxedo. His hair was neatly trimmed and slicked back; his black shoes shimmered in the mirror. "How do you even get to be so amazingly dressed?" She asked pouting.

Adam chuckled. "I use magic to dress, princess."

Claire's eyes widened as she stared at him. "Really? So, I can conjure a red dress?"

Adam nodded. "Sure, but why a red dress?"

"That's my matching outfit with Liam," she giggled.

"Just think of how you wanna look and focus," Adam instructed.

She nodded and closed her eyes trying to imagine what Liam will be wearing and then she imagined dressing up as a princess in red.

"Wow!"

Adam's gasp startled her, and she pried her eyes open. Her jaws dropped at the image in the mirror.

A beautiful young woman was standing before the mirror because it didn't look like her except it was her.

The dress she had conjured was the most beautiful red silky long gown she had ever seen. It had a slit at the right leg running up and stopping at her thigh. The red was a vibrant color with intricate dark red roses designed as patterns at the bottom of the dress.

The dress was an off-shoulder, showing off a generous amount of her cleavage, and her neck was adorned with a shiny tiny ruby necklace and earrings. Her legs were encased in red high-heeled shoes with rosy designs.

Her hair was braided with tiny red flowers and she had smoky eyes that heightened her forest-green eyes.

She took a step back and found the heels were comfortable to walk in and she was feeling giddy.

"This is perfect, Claire," Adam said.

She nodded. "Yeah. Let's get going I don't wanna keep Liam waiting."

Adam nodded and led her out to where a white limousine was parked.

"Dad?" She arched a brow at him.

Adam shrugged. "I had to get a car befitting your dressing."

Claire chuckled and entered the car.

***

For once in her entire life, Claire was glad she had dressed up tonight with the number of guests that were Invited and all their flashy dressing.

She headed to the doorway where Tyler stood welcoming the guests with a proud smile on his face.

"That's new," Adam mumbled.

"Adam, Claire, welcome!"

Claire blinked at the cheerful voice of Tyler.

"Are you feeling alright, Tyler?" Adam asked.

Claire rolled her eyes and facepalmed. He just had to ask.

"Way to ruin my mood, Adam," Tyler snapped.

Adam chuckled. "Now this is Tyler Hudson."

Tyler huffed. "Whatever you do I'll remain cheerful today because my son is finally grown up."

"Congratulations, Tyler," Claire cut in before Adam could comment.

"Thank you, darling."

Claire blinked and glanced at Adam. Who are you and what have you done to Tyler Hudson? She longed to ask but instead, she smiled.

"You look gorgeous by the way," Tyler added.

"Dad, I'm supposed to say that!" Liam whined walking up to them.

Tyler shrugged and smiled. "Go have fun tonight, Liam. Tomorrow, you won't have time for that again."

Despite the warm weather, Claire felt a shiver of cold crawl up her skin, and she shuddered, she swallowed her dread and handed Liam a wrapped box.

"Happy Birthday!" She smiled, glancing at Liam. He was dressed in a dark-red tuxedo with an intricate rose pattern on his blazer. His hair was neatly styled. He looked perfect.

He took the box and kissed her passionately. "Thanks for the gift, princess but my best gift is you."

Claire blushed and strutted into the party with Liam while Adam remained at the doorway probably trying to get some information.

Lilian welcomed her warmly inside and she relaxed on the chair while Liam went round greeting his friends and schoolmates. She didn't want to be around them, so she left for the quiet garden and sat down beside the pool. Sitting alone in the silence and listening to the gentle sound of the pool, her mind drifted off to everything that has been going on in her life.

She had found out a lot of things but what puzzled her most was her adopted parent's death. She still hasn't been able to find out who killed them and who had framed her.

"Hey."

She heard his footsteps before he appeared in her line of vision.

"What are you doing out here all alone? I've been looking everywhere for you."

She shrugged. "I'm just thinking about my parents."

He frowned. "I know you're worried, sweetie, but I spoke to my dad, and he's promised to do something about it."

Claire chuckled. She was tempted to tell Liam that her father led the council and was aware she was framed but she nodded. "Thanks, Liam."

"Anything for you, princess."

Claire leaned into his chest and kissed him softly as she felt another pang in her heart.

"Don't you ever forget me, Liam?"

"I love you, Claire. Nothing will ever make me forget about you."

"Perfect couple!" A cold voice snickered.

Claire rolled her eyes as Anna walked towards them a weird look in her eyes.

"What do you want, Anna?" Claire frowned.

Anna smirked. "Nothing. I hate to ruin your fun, but your other lover is threatening fire and brimstone if he doesn't see you."

Claire frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"Go away, Anna. We need to spend some alone time," Liam waved her off.

"I'm serious, Claire," she smirked, "Scot said he's gonna expose you if you don't meet him in your house in thirty minutes."

Claire's eyes widened at the mention of exposure. What did Scot know?

"What do you mean by exposing?" Liam asked with a small frown.

Claire chuckled nervously. "Don't listen to her, she's just trying to get you alone so she can sink her claws in you."

"I suppose," Liam said but he sounded skeptical.

Claire, there's been a major development and we need to handle it!

Claire sighed when Adam's urgent voice sounded in her mind.

Way to ruin her last night with her boyfriend before he turned to her hunter.