“Oh, you look so gorgeous.” Daisy chimed, pausing in her typing to admire my appearance. I flushed an unattractive shade of red and tried to pull the hem of my dress down.
“You don’t think it’s too much for a house party?”
“Absolutely not,” Daisy dismissed. “You’ll see what I mean when you get there. So many pairs of panties I never wanted to have to see.” She mock shuddered and I chuckled. Daisy couldn’t be more than two years older than me. She knew what she was talking about.
Ticking off my mental checklist once more, I definitely had everything. “Okay, well, I’m off. I’ll see you tomorrow if you’re here. I’m staying with Jenny tonight.”
“No problem, see you then.” Daisy had to note if I was staying out for the night, just in case there was some reason Dale needed to get hold of me.
I blinked when I saw Jenny. It wasn’t that she was normally ugly; she was normally just plain. But she apparently had also felt the need to go all out tonight; her scarlet dress clung to her normally hidden curves and a matching red lipstick finished off the look. I was glad she hadn’t taken off her glasses, they suited her an ungodly amount.
“You look great!” She slid into the car and pulled down the hem of her own dress.
“Let’s just get this over and done with.”
The bass of the music could be heard even as we turned onto Jerome’s street. I dreaded to think what his neighbours’ opinions were. The street was long and wide, with big detached houses and driveways with multiple cars. I wondered where these people had gotten their money from. I wondered if any of them were Fae.
Finding Jerome’s house wasn’t difficult. Banners covered every window and balloons were stuck to the door.
Pulling up on the street, I realised no one else would have driven since they’d be drinking. Unfortunately, I needed to be on high alert tonight, so I’d have to stay sober.
Tom was in the kitchen when we walked in and made his way straight to my side, wrapping an arm around my waist and dragging me towards a table littered with half empty bottles of spirits. “What’re you drinking?” He slurred. We’d decided getting here an hour after Tom said he was arriving was suitable, but I hadn’t expected him to be this sloshed already.
I waved a hand. “Oh, nothing for me, thanks. I’ll just get some coke or something.”
“Oh come on,” he groaned, beginning to pour some vodka into a glass. “Jenny, you’re having one right?”
“Erm, sure, I guess.” Jenny took the freshly poured vodka and coke and had a minute sip. “Thanks.”
Rolling my eyes, I accepted the next one he’d made, sipping myself. It was horrendously strong.
“Now let’s go and sit down!”
I noticed Jack the moment I entered the large living room. He was in the corner, chatting with his group of friends. He wasn’t aware of my presence and I sincerely hoped it would stay that way. Tom led us to a sofa which had been pushed against the wall to allow space for dancing. I wasn’t sure how we were meant to talk when it was so horribly loud.
“So how many people here do you actually know?” I was forced to lean into Tom’s personal space to be heard and the scent of hair gel filled my nose, even past his cologne.
“Most people. Jerome has a couple of friends from his football club, but otherwise they’re mostly from school.” My memory recognised most faces, but no names sprung to mind.
I drank my drink without realising it, feeling a slight buzz from the alcohol already. I definitely needed to slow down; maybe this would just put me down to a normal reflex time. I supposed it was fair if Jack and I were on an even footing.
“So, what are your birthday plans? It’s soon, right?”
“A couple of weeks,” I clarified. “And probably just some films with Jenny, maybe I’ll sneak some wine in.”
Tom tutted. “What a waste. I’ll have to think of something more interesting for us to do.”
I’d probably much prefer films and wine to whatever Tom had planned, especially if it was anything like this party. My eyes lingered on Jack, who was still conversing with friends across the room. Perhaps I wouldn’t even make it to my birthday.
Thankfully, it seemed like he still hadn’t noticed me.
It also didn’t look like he was drinking anything.
I finished the last of my drink and took note of how small the glass was. I couldn’t have drank that much so far. “I’m going to get another one.” I leaned over Tom’s knees so that Jenny could hear too. “You guys want one?”
Tom nodded immediately. “Of course.”
Jenny gulped down her last mouthful, looking somewhat grim. I felt bad about dragging her along. She wasn’t enjoying herself at all, though it had only been about fifteen minutes. There was still plenty of time for it to get better. Alcohol was supposed to make everything better.
As I worked my way through the throng of people dancing in the centre of the room, I was ambushed. The glasses were removed from my hands and a strong arm brought me up against a hard body. I glared at Jack. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Dancing. Isn’t it obvious?”
Forcing myself to move to the music, I really tried my best not to follow my dancing instinct and grind against Jack. We were awfully close, just like when he’d pushed me against the wall in school. “Why?”
“Because it’s amusing to watch your poor little face try and figure out what to do next. Besides, I know you only came tonight because of me, may as well make your time worthwhile.”
I rolled my eyes, body shoved further into Jack’s as someone bumped into my back. “Don’t flatter yourself.”
“Oh, come on. Look at you. You’re completely paranoid about tonight, look how I’ve gotten inside your head.”
I willed down a blush as heat spread from where Jack had a lazy hand resting on my hip. I was quite sure that wasn’t what he’d meant. “I think you’re delusional,” I countered. “How do you know I’m not the one playing with you?” I reached up and patted Jack’s chest, unable to miss the muscles I felt beneath my hand. Perhaps I really had had too much to drink already. “I’m the experienced one here.”
“You just keep telling yourself that.” I could hear the doubts whirring through his mind though. It was true; I was experienced and he was a novice being driven by hatred. There was only so much he could have over me.
“I’ll find out why you hate me eventually, you-” The change in music to a slow piece cut me short. “Who the fuck plays this at a party?”
Jack smirked, encasing my waist fully now with his hands as I was forced to reach mine around his neck. “I think Jerome’s girlfriend got tired of watching him dance with other girls.”
My glance followed Jack’s to a disgruntled girl and I chuckled. “Anyway, I was saying that I will find out what I did to make you hate me.”
“No you won’t.”
“Oh come on, it’s obvious someone died. I must have killed them. I’m an assassin, Jack, there’s not exactly endless possibilities.”
The teasing expression drained from Jack’s expression with every word I said. “That doesn’t mean you know who, or why.”
“I can find out. There’s only so many people I’ve killed. Your friend, your family. I basically know, even if there aren’t details.”
Hands dropped from my waist and Jack all but snarled. “The facts are all the matter to you, otherwise you would have just killed me already. Don’t pretend you have some kind of conscience.”
He had left me on the dance floor feeling almost guilty. Whoever I’d killed meant a lot to Jack. I really, really hoped they hadn’t been innocent.
With a heavy heart, I went to the kitchen and was forced to get new glasses. Pouring my drink extra strong, I decided nothing was going to happen tonight. Jack wasn’t going to kill me at his friend’s house and I wasn’t going to get anything out of him. He was completely determined not to have me find out, so the bug would be more useful.
So it was fair play if I
decided to drown my guilt in this vodka and attempt to make Jenny have a good time.
“Sorry, I was ambushed on the dance floor,” I apologised to Tom and Jenny when I returned, slipping into my seat and taking a large gulp.
“By who?” Tom asked, standing up and letting me take his seat next to Jenny.
“Jack. He’s probably drunk too much already, like someone else we all know.” I sent him a look that hopefully drew all attention away from Jack.
Chuckling, Tom swayed slightly from his upright position. “And now, I am going to drink some more, with Jerome. I’ll catch you guys later!”
Huddled close to hear each other, Jenny and I downed our drinks. “Sorry for dragging you along. This was kind of pointless really. Films would have been more fun.”
“I haven’t ruled it a complete disaster just yet.” Her eyes had strayed to a particular guy, who was chatting to some friends on the edge of the huddle of dancing people. “I’m enjoying the scenery and it was nice of Tom to stay sitting with me.”
“Yeah, he’s pretty cool. We have a laugh in maths, anyway.”
“It’s kind of weird that you know him better than I do, when I’ve known him since I was about 4.”
I laughed. Nearly everyone in the school had been together their whole school lives, from what I’d gathered. It was odd to come into something like that, but I’d been lucky in sitting next to Jenny my first day. “This house is really cool,” I admitted, admiring the fancy plasterwork around the ceiling. “I kind of want to go and explore. Best not, though.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty. Hey! When am I going to get to see your apartment by the way? We always hang at mine and I have to keep the volume on my TV down and stuff.”
My eyes averted automatically. “I kind of like being around people at yours. It’s nicer than my empty apartment, honestly.” Whilst it was kind of true, the implication was that my supposedly dead parents were having an impact on my opinion. I was a really classy girl.
“Oh! Of course, you know you can come round any time.”
I chuckled, tapping my empty glass and considering going to fetch another drink. “Thanks Jenny, you know I’ll take you up on that offer.”
***
Traipsing up the stairs, I welcomed the dimmed sound of the music. My eardrums were close to exploding and my head pounded.
I’d had far too much to drink.
I wasn’t close to throwing up just yet, but I definitely needed a break. I’d been more than grateful when the guy Jenny had been ogling all night plopped down beside her. It was the perfect time for an escape.
Besides, I had really wanted to see this house. It had a spiral staircase for God’s sake.
Upstairs, I opened the first door on my left and peered inside. It was empty and practically without furniture, just a bed and wardrobe. Clearly a guest room. Slipping inside, I turned on the light and headed for the window. It was unbearably hot in this place, even with my skimpy outfit.
It was pouring with rain outside, I now realised, and I dangled my hand out of the window, appreciating the cold water dripping from my fingers. My head was swimming pleasantly up here and I was, in the end, glad I’d come. Talking to Jenny was always enjoyable and I was nosy enough to have greatly enjoyed watching some of the drama unfold. Everything kicked off when people were drunk, apparently.
My eyes snapped to the door when it was opened. I really didn’t want to deal with people attempting to get frisky.
“Ah, it’s my biggest fan,” I drawled, returning my attention to the pouring rain and blackness outside.
Jack joined me at the window, choosing to collect the rainwater in his hands. “I really didn’t think you’d drink.”
“And I was certain that you would,” I countered. “I was so up for getting information out of you. This was more fun, anyway.”
“You’ve just sat and talked to Jenny all night.”
“Getting to sit around talking to an actual friend is a blessing. Besides, I don’t normally get to do it with such a pleasant buzz.”
“You didn’t have friends in Filey?” Jack sounded sceptical.
I shrugged. “I didn’t live in Filey, that was all a lie. I didn’t have friends in the various places I’ve been lumbered around to, though. I like it here,” I noted absently, hand beginning to get cold from the breezy air and icy rain.
“You didn’t have many friends at your other schools?” I wasn’t sure why Jack seemed so surprised.
“Half the time I was the nerdy girl, improved memory and all. And then because of what I am, I wasn’t allowed people around to my house, I wasn’t allowed to parties or anything because I didn’t have anyone to take me. Besides, it’s difficult to be interesting when you can’t tell anyone a single detail about your life.” I wasn’t sure what made me tell him, probably just the influence of the alcohol and the fact I actually could without any repercussions. Besides, it was difficult to be interesting when you couldn’t tell anyone a single detail about your life.
Jack was silent and I observed his face unabashedly, watching the cogs turn. I longed to know what his real opinion of me; I honestly would have quite liked Jack if it wasn’t for the fact I’d obviously murdered someone he cared about. “What are you thinking?”
He snapped away from his thoughts to grimace. “That you probably deserve it.”
“There’s no doubt,” I murmured, returning my attention to the dark, cloudy sky. “Who did I kill, Jack?”
He ignored my comment. “You were an idiot to drink.” Voice now clipped, I knew I wasn’t going to get anywhere with him. I just wanted the trust at this point. “I could kill you right now.”
“You wouldn’t, though. Not in your friend’s house. You’ll just shoot me down one day so that no one will ever know who splattered my brains on the pavement.”
“I’d much rather have the satisfaction of seeing your reaction to knowing you were dying.” My eyes jumped to his when I heard him flicking his knife in and out of its holder. “And I will get you one day. Maybe getting caught doesn’t even matter to me.”
I turned from the window and retrieved the knife I had stashed in my bra, pulling out the blade and running my finger along it precariously. “I would threaten you back, but I’d be afraid of actually hurting you after drinking this much.” Replacing the blade in my bra, I followed the flashing lights of a plane in the sky. “You’re an idiot, you know, trying to kill me the “manly” way. Just take the shot. I’m sure it’ll be just as satisfying.” I supposed this whole thing proved I was somewhat of a depressive drunk.
“You won’t be saying that when I’ve outsmarted you.” A grimacing Jack had his knife to my neck surprisingly fast, and the pressure was such that I was forced to lean back and out of the window, the tips of my onyx hair dampening. Jack's lip was quivering; I was quite sure he wanted desperately to shout at me, to let me know exactly what I'd done to him, but he resisted. Apparently my frustration and paranoia was more satisfying than any remorse I might show.
However, his hand was completely steady as it continued to put more pressure on my neck with the blade. I narrowed my eyes. My head might have still been experiencing a pleasant buzz, but I could feel when Jack was pushing his luck.
When I felt the blade split skin, I reacted. Removing his knife and taking it for myself, I threw Jack onto the bed, wasting no time straddling him. One of my hands pinned both of his above his head and the other held the knife to his throat, without even coming close to breaking the skin. "I'm stronger than you," I spat. "Even when drunk.”
Jack stared at me, face slack and eyes wide. He obviously had absolutely no idea what he was really dealing with. “Are you on something?”
I blinked. “What? No, of course not.” Drinking was one thing, but drugs? I definitely wasn’t that stupid.
“Your pupils are massive.”
Blinking again, this time in a stupid attempt to hide my eyes, I frowned. “It’s a Fae thing. When we have extreme emotions, our pupils dil
ate really big.”
“Oh,” Jack murmured, clearly attempting to control how miffed he was at being manhandled by me. “Is that the only other thing Fae have? I mean, there’s the mark, the speed, strength, dexterity. I didn’t know about the eye thing. You guys aren’t like, more genetically attractive are you?”
My cheeks burned. “No.” I just about managed to get out the word. “You obviously haven’t seen Dale.”
The joke was awkward, but his comment had sent a ripple of pleasant feelings through me, one of them being the realisation of how close I actually was to Jack. Due to my short stature, it required me to lean almost completely against his body just to pin his wrists above his head. Our breaths mingled and my hair framed his face, the wet tips dancing along his cheeks, which were also an attractive shade of pink.
The Reluctant Assassin Page 3
