Infinitely Intertwined: A Modern-Day YA Paranormal Rapunzel Retelling

INTRODUCTION

Wysteria’s story is told over three volumes.

Eternally Entangled

Thoroughly Tousled

Infinitely Intertwined

My first week of college, and I already had an embarrassing mishap with magical jungle juice. On the plus side, I also got my first toe-curling kiss. Too bad the guy with the amazing lips is off-limits. At least, he should be. ♥

After escaping my lonely prison, all I wanted was to attend Gothel Springs University. Filled with humans and supernaturals, it seemed the perfect place to hide. Even with a magical spell protecting me, there are those who know what I am, and they will do anything for my blood. That's why I've always stayed away from vampires. My parents taught me how to slay them before I learned how to ride a bike. 

But what if the man I'm beyond attracted to has become one?

I can't tell, and I don't want to because I want more of his kisses. I'm already half-way to falling for him. And with vampires, love is eternal. 

__________

ETERNALLY ENTANGLED SERIES:

★ Eternally Entangled

★ Thoroughly Tousled

★ Infinitely Intertwined

1

CRACK MY KNUCKLES

AUSTIN

For the dead, the hard part is over. Not so for the living. The difficulty is only just beginning. To rise each day with a gnawing ache while knowing it’s important to mourn and try to move on.

The photo of Wysteria’s mom and dad lying in their blood sickens me. I can’t imagine how finding them like that must’ve been for her. My dad’s death was harsh, and I could barely stand him. 

When Wysteria falls into a fitful sleep, I call Christopher and tell him what’s going on. He’s relieved to know I’m with his sister and that she’s okay. I can hear it in his voice, but there’s more. 

I’m coming to town. Snow White wants to meet. Christopher’s words are clipped, unemotional. 

It’s about Doug, I say, knowing the time has come to pay for my sins.

He sighs. That and you’re unsanctioned. It needs to be addressed. We’ll discuss it when I get there. I don’t want to say more over the phone.

When will I see you? Before he answers, someone is at my door, unlocking it. I immediately smell Evan’s cologne and the stench of his cigarettes. I have to go. I hang up and wait for my cousin to enter. 

Austin. Bro. You decent? Evan is focused on his phone. 

I crack my knuckles and take a deep breath, blowing it out loudly as an answer.

Surprised, Evan looks up, only mild guilt on his face. Hey, he says, eyeing me sharply. 

How did you get in? The door was locked, I say, crossing my arms. 

He holds up a key. Dude, I made myself a spare. Evan gives me a once over. Nice outfit. Bet Pudgy Wu— uh, Wysteria loves it. He laughs, obnoxious, heading over to the kitchen, opens the fridge, removes a beer, and cracks it open. I know she’s here. He glances toward the closed door of the spare bedroom. If you’re done with her, I’m going to take a turn. His gaze turns down the hall toward my bedroom. Which room is she in? You promised the last time she was over that I could have some fun with her.

My mind buzzes with a seething anger as I put myself between my cousin and Wysteria. What? Are you spying on me now? I ask, ready to fight if he doesn’t give me an answer I like. 

Dude, chill. I was home when you brought her over. The walls aren’t that thick. He tries to push past me, but I block him, holding his arm so he can’t move. 

Get out. Wys is sleeping, I hiss through clenched teeth. 

Not for long, he says, shoving past me, tucking his phone in his pocket.

I grab him by the arm, using more strength than I should. But what the hell, my vampirism is going to be out soon anyway. I said no, Evan.

He looks down at my hand, then up at me. His eyes are hard. What do you care? She isn’t good enough for you, and you know it. You have royal elven blood. She’s nothing but a stupid commoner. Why are you protecting her? Let’s have some fun—

Evan, I swear to all the Gods, if you finish that sentence, I’ll make you wish you hadn’t. Our little chat the other night meant nothing to him.

Evan snorts. Shoves me. You saying you’d choose her over me? Over family? His features contort like he can’t believe it, and he’s pissed. 

But I’m beyond caring what he thinks. That’s exactly what I’m saying. Yes. I nod once. At the same time, I drag him toward the door. As I go, I notice the box with the photo in it on the floor. Did you do this? Evan can be cruel. I pick up the box, which is still holding the picture, and shove it in his face. 

Wow, that’s sad. He shakes his head in mock sympathy. He doesn’t look sad at all. 

Tell me the truth! 

No, man. Evan chuckles. But maybe I should have. When her parents were alive, they drove a wedge between my dad and yours. She’s doing the same to you and me. He shakes his head, disgusted. I don’t get you. You know your ancestry. Yet you fawn over Wysteria like she’s the queen, and you’re nothing but the court jester. He pulls from my grasp, and I let him.

I don’t care about that, I say, snapping my teeth together. Then I think of something. "The bigger question is, why do you care? Our fathers were banished. Our mothers are human. No one in the elven realm knows we exist." 

Evan’s eyes narrow craftily. Maybe things have changed. Maybe the king actually does know about us. He removes the photo from the box before flinging the cardboard onto the couch. Think about that as you’re screwing the little nobody piece of ass. He shoves the picture into my chest. Walks to the door. Don’t make me regret my friendship, or there will be consequences. He yanks on the knob, flinging the door open, then slams it shut once he’s outside my apartment. 

I heave a sigh of relief after locking the door. Evan’s words echo in my mind. He threatened me, but he’s done that so many times before I’ve lost count. It might be time to add a deadbolt.

Picking up the picture, I scrutinize it, searching for what, I don’t know. I do notice my dad’s favorite baseball hat is on the floor beside Wysteria’s dad. At least I think it’s his. He went over to Wysteria’s house a lot. My dad and Wysteria's parents were friends. It seems odd the hat is on the floor, leaning on its side, so it’s easy to read the writing: Gothel Police Department. Not only am I a vampire, but I possess a little of the elves' eternal sight. And I know Wysteria is telling the truth about my father. He really did murder them. But why? 

I flip over the photo. There are words written on the back. Three handwritten words, to be exact. In all caps, someone wrote: YOU’RE NEXT WYSTERIA.

Devastated, I sit on the couch, trying to figure out what to do next—no point involving the police. Without a doubt, this isn’t a human matter, but a supernatural one. The Supernatural Task Force should be involved. I lean back and suck in a deep breath. It hasn’t been that long since Wys came back into my life, but I know without a doubt that I’ll choose Wysteria over my family every time.

2

WE’RE RELATED

WYSTERIA

When I open my eyes, there’s light shining through the blinds. Austin? I call out. My throat is raw, and my eyes burn, probably from crying. I’m not surprised by my reaction. Even though I see their dead bodies in my mind almost daily, last night, it was like I was eleven again, and I just found them dead. An ache fills my heart. Followed by hope. Abernathy awakened the power within me to summon the dead. So, while they no longer exist in this realm, they are still out there. All isn’t lost, I think, working to convince myself that talking to ghosts is the same as having my parents alive and around. It doesn’t work. 

I throw off the blanket and stand. I’m still in Austin’s spare bedroom, fully dressed, except for my shoes. Austin must’ve removed them for me, and I’m grateful. Without a doubt, I love him. If he’ll have me, I want to be with him forever. It doesn’t matter whether I’m meant to be the queen of the elven realm or something else. Austin is a part of me, and I can feel our lives are infinitely intertwined. 

As I slide on my shoes, I take a deep breath. Leva, I call out, even though she isn’t here. She’s not even in this realm but has returned to Sharra. If only there were a way I could call her and tell her how I feel. I think about Snow White. We’re related. At least, according to Abernathy. My brother knows her. Maybe I could ask him. I grab my phone off the bedside table and think about calling him. Before I do, I notice several texts.

Sage texted me twice. Staying the night with Romney. Don’t worry. And, Are you and Austin still together? Still the big V? Let me know you’re all right.

That girl has a one-track mind. I shake my head and move on. 

There’s also a text from Austin. Had an emergency. See you later. Lock the door when you leave. We need to talk!

My pulse quickens. What’s the emergency? Does he know who delivered that picture and why? What does he want to talk about? I hope he’s safe. I quickly text Sage. I’m okay. I debate whether to comment on my virgin status but decide I might as well, or she’ll keep asking. Yep, still the big V. I don’t go into details.

The clock on the wall says it’s eight fifty-five. My English class starts in five minutes. I’m not going to make it. And since I have Austin’s place to myself for the next hour at least, I decide to take a look around, a.k.a. snoop a little and see what the man I love keeps around his place.

After freshening up in the bathroom, I make myself toast and wander as I eat. On the desk in his room is a computer. The screensaver is an image of scrolling musical notes—a piano rendition of Titanium. I can