The light blinked out, leaving her in total darkness and like a vacuum, she felt her soul being sucked back into her body.
Chapter Fifty-Two
The bouncing of her bed woke Tanya early the next morning. She squinted her eyes, not quite ready to face the day. The ache in her skull still lingered, a reminder of Damion’s murdering spree.
“Come on, Tanya.” Regina bounced one final time. “It’s time to get your butt out of bed.”
Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, Tanya glanced at the clock on the bedside table. “Five thirty? What in the world are you doing up so early?” She propped herself up on her elbows. “Shouldn’t I be the one shaking you away?”
Giggling, Regina stood and threw an outfit at her. “Hurry up and get ready.”
Great. Her friend had picked out clothes for her to wear. Seriously, did it look like she was incompetent? She did know how to dress herself. It was a task she’d been doing for sixteen years now.
Throwing the covers off and swinging her legs over the side of the bed, Tanya noted that Dannika’s bed was empty and neatly made. “Yes, she’s up. She just finished her shower and is in the living room with Dessa.” Regina made a hurry up gesture. “Come on already. You are slower than molasses.”
Towing her outfit with her to the shower, she stared daggers at the low V-neck top. What was it with the three of them always trying to dress her and Dannika? Clearly, they thought she had no fashion sense. Why, because she refused to show off her cleavage like they did? That was one pet peeve of hers, and it drove her batty, but she wouldn’t trade any of them for the world.
The spray from the shower massaged the tension from her neck and shoulders, relieving the remaining ache in her skull. Fresh and ready for the day, Tanya joined the others in the living room. Serienna, Makinzee, and Regina sat on the couch. Dannika had pulled the desk chair next to them, and Sabastian and Earadessa sat on the coffee table.
Patting the spot next to her, Earadessa straightened her spine then addressed her audience. “Last night Tanya had a vision.”
Gasps echoed around the room.
Dannika shook her foot in a bout of nerves. “Oh no. Please tell me that there’s not more danger headed out way.” Tears formed in her eyes. “I don’t think that I can handle more than what we’re already facing. This isn’t the life I dreamed of having.”
This wasn’t the life that any of them had dreamed of living. Tanya always dreamed of marrying a lawyer or a doctor and living in a large house with a white picket fence. Her future husband would give her a baby or two and they’d live happily ever after.
Sabastian offered her a tissue. “Well, yes and no. Remember the two men that came here to warn us of the fight?”
Tanya watched her friends nod as they reached out to hold one another’s hand.
“Tanya had a vision last night involving their murders. Damion is out of control.” Their eyes widened, and he gave them a minute to digest the information then retold the vision in great detail.
“Oh,” Serienna started.
“My,” Makinzee continued.
“Goodness,” Regina finished.
Tears were running freely down Dannika’s cheeks. “Tanya, he’s pure evil.”
“Yes, he is.” Tanya shifted her attention back to Earadessa. “But that’s not all I saw.”
Alarmed, Sabastian asked, “There was more to your vision?”
“No…um…” Eyebrows raised all around the room and Tanya cleared her throat. “I had an encounter with the goddess.” There, now it was out there.
Tension ebbing away in Earadessa’s face, she leaned back. “She showed herself to you?”
“Yes, but it wasn’t like the experience we had at the rest stop on our way here.” Tanya wasn’t sure how to describe her time with the goddess. “After the vision of those brothers, I couldn’t sleep. Their deaths weighed too heavily on my mind.”
“That’s understandable,” Earadessa said.
“There was a tug on my soul, and I found myself floating through a tunnel and toward a bright light.” She felt stupid for admitting this, but the words flew from her mouth before she could stop them. “I honestly thought that I was dying. You know how all the movies portray death as your soul being ripped from your body and drug through a tunnel and into a bright light?”
Everyone nodded, and her embarrassment faded.
Sabastian crossed his ankle over his knee, shooting a thrilled look at Earadessa, one that she returned immediately. His emerald eyes sparkled. “What did she say to you?”
Sharing her encounter with Ratri was so much easier than retelling her vision of Damion. When she shared the part about Damion selling his soul, silence fell. No one spoke or moved.
Slapping his knee, Sabastian was the one to break the silence. “I knew it.” He grunted. “Didn’t I tell you, Des? I always said that he was evil, that he was soulless.”
Intertwining her fingers with his, she rubbed her thumb against his. “Yes, sweetheart, you always suspected there was something more with the boy.”
Awe replaced fear on Dannika’s face. “Wow, Tay. You really talked to the goddess?”
“Yes.”
“That’s awesome.” Dannika reached past Sabastian and Earadessa to touch Tanya’s knee.
Everyone was stunned because it’s a rare thing for the goddess to show herself, even just her silhouette, like Tanya saw. Only Lazarith and Aaliyah have seen her in her physical form. When she appears to guardians, it’s always just a voice in a cloud and never anything more.
“Dannika, I’d like for you to keep yourself open to other’s signatures.” Earadessa crossed her ankles. “This is your ability, to know that a vampire is near and whether they’re good or evil. Now that Damion feels betrayed by his faithful servants, we know that he’ll kick things up a notch and prepare only his best.”
The terrifying part is the fact that he’s been building his army for decades. Tanya wasn’t sure they even stood a chance. All this talk of Damion had her on edge again. Her vision of the girls played over and over in her head. Memorizing each and every part of her vision, she tried to save their fighting techniques in a storage compartment in her mind. Hopefully they would be enough to help them defeat the enemy.
The sound of Earadessa’s voice brought her out of her thoughts. “Well, ladies, we really should be going. Jewelry, remember?” She stood and blew a kiss to Sabastian who then reached up to catch it.
The girls were so excited to have some girl time that they were out of the hotel suite before Tanya could stand. As she followed after her friends, Earadessa grabbed hold of her hand. The tender way she squeezed Tanya’s hand let her know Earadessa sensed her anxiety and fear. Her fear of not being a good enough leader. Fear of letting everyone down. Fear of being an embarrassment to Ratri.
Earadessa bumped Tanya’s hip with her own. “You’ll do just fine. You have nothing to fear.”
“Thanks. I love you.”
Shocked by her admission, Earadessa said, “Well, I love you too.”
The rest of the gang stood in the elevator, holding the door open. Makinzee mumbled ‘slow pokes’ as Tanya stepped in. She smiled at her blonde-haired friend, jabbing her in the arm with an elbow. “You, my dear, are just so hilarious.”
“Hilarious, no.” Makinzee hit the button for the first floor. “In a hurry to shop, yes.”
Chapter Fifty-Three
The door closed with a resounding thud. Sabastian knew the girls were taking a day to go shopping. This may be the last normal day the princesses have in a very long time. He waited until he was certain that they had left the hotel to pull out his cell phone.
On the third ring Lazarith’s raspy voice answered. “Sabastian?”
“Yes, sir.” He took a deep breath before relaying the recent events. “I
received a call from the palace late last night. Damion sent one of his minions to deliver a message.”
A sigh and the tapping of a pen on a desktop traveled through the receiver. “My son never ceases to amaze me. What is the message?”
Sabastian relayed the message, told him of his visit with Ricardo and Carlos and their warning about Serinity and her clan. About Tanya having had a vision of them when they were still at Earadessa’s house. Then about the DeLeon brothers wanting out from under Damion’s rule but not wanting to abide by the laws of the kingdom.
With a saddened heart, Sabastian retold Tanya’s latest vision of their murders.
A rush of curses flew from Lazarith’s lips. “He will do whatever necessary to overcome us now. War is coming, Sabastian. My hope is we can get the princesses and princes ready in time.”
Sabastian thrummed his fingers on the end of the coffee table. This was happening a lot sooner than any of them had anticipated. They’d known he’d been preparing an army for hundreds of years, but now he was ready to engage in war.
“How are the boys coming along?”
The smile on Lazarith’s face could be heard in his voice. “They are doing very well. Jujitsu is becoming second nature to them, and their vampire abilities are starting to manifest.”
That was good news. “Good, I can’t wait to meet them,” Sabastian said.
“We will be sending them on their way soon.”
Sabastian thumbed through the room service menu.
“Other than my fool of a son, is there any other news that needs my attention?”
“No, sir.”
“How are the princesses developing?” Lazarith asked.
“They are developing perfectly.” Sabastian wrote down the breakfast items he wanted on a notepad so he could place the order after this call. “At this time, Makinzee is the only one lacking a power. We started their defensive training yesterday, and they’re definitely quick learners, just like you had predicted.”
“Excellent. Continue doing what you are doing.” Lazarith pulled the phone away from his ear to speak to someone. “Keep me updated.”
“Will do, sir.” Ending the call, Sabastian dialed room service.
Chapter Fifty-Four
The moment they stepped out of the elevator the hotel manager rushed to their side. “I trust that our service is to your liking.”
“Yes,” Earadessa answered.
“Good.” He took her hand in both of his. “If you need anything at all, just ask.” He walked with them to the front doors and snapped his fingers. The valet attendant immediately rushed to their side, and Earadessa handed him the keys. It took him no time to bring the SUV to the door. His shiny, black shoes tapped on the pavement as he made his way around the vehicle to open the side doors.
Tanya listened to her friends discuss jewelry and shoes. Makinzee wanted to shop for handbags. Apparently, she thought Tanya needed more accessories to compliment her wardrobe.
Talking abruptly stopped when Earadessa pulled into the gym parking lot. The flesh on her arm stung when Serienna slapped her. “Seriously, Tanya? I thought we were going to the jewelry store.”
Moans filled the small space. Dannika complained about still being sore from yesterday, and Serienna never wanted to see a gym again.
Regina wished she’d stayed in bed. “Why did I ever think that you of all people would want to go shopping for jewelry?”
Makinzee stuck her tongue out at Tanya. “I’m never going anywhere with you again.”
“Come on, you guys.” Tanya turned around. “Let’s just get this out of the way. You know it’s a necessity in order to defeat Damion.”
“Doesn’t mean we have to like it,” Makinzee mumbled.
Tanya crossed her arms. “Besides, there will be shopping.” That perked them up.
“There better be,” Makinzee said as she exited the vehicle.
The manager greeted them at the door with a smile. “The gym is all yours. I’ll be in my office should you need me.”
Handing him an envelope full of money, Earadessa thanked him for his kindness.
He ran his hand down the front of his shirt to straighten out the wrinkles. “Thank you. Please, take your time.”
Smiling, she said, “Thank you,” and headed toward the aerobics room. “Ladies, grab a partner. We’re going to practice every move you’ve previously learned, and then I’ll show you a couple of new ones.”
An hour passed, and Earadessa announced they’d be pairing up for a freestyle sparring. Before Tanya could partner with Dannika, Earadessa ushered her to Regina’s side and led Tanya to the other side of the room.
Without warning, she threw a kick toward Tanya’s head. There was no time to think. When Tanya saw the movement from the corner of her eye, she acted on instinct, blocking the impact with her forearm and knocking it to the side. In one swift move, she swung her right leg up, making contact with Earadessa’s head.
They practiced for an hour, and fatigue took hold of Tanya. Every muscle in her body hurt.
Earadessa blew her whistle, halting their lesson for the day. “You all have done well.” Pointing to her gym bag, she said, “I have blood bags, help yourselves.”
After a couple of bags of blood to replenish their strength and showers, they were on their way to the mall. Earadessa adjusted the rearview mirror. “Okay, ladies, we sort of lied to you about the whole jewelry shopping.”
“But…” Serienna grumbled, clearly upset over the announcement.
Promptly cutting her off, Earadessa pressed on with her news. “We are going to the mall; we’re just not shopping for jewelry.”
Huffs echoed in the back of the SUV.
“See, since Sabastian has access to my every thought I had to make up a story for today so that my true plans could stay secret. It actually took a great deal of mind blocking and scheming to keep this from him.”
“Ooh, secrets. I love it.” Makinzee rubbed her hands together mischievously.
“I do too,” Earadessa admitted. “Today is Sabastian’s birthday. He did not want to celebrate this year, but he’s my husband. There’s no way I can do that.” Shutting off the ignition, she retrieved her purse from the floorboard. “So, today we’re shopping for him.”
On their trek across the parking lot, Earadessa informed them of the reservations at the restaurant/winery. Excited, they clapped their hands and giggled. Mention wine and they’re sold.
Earadessa beamed with pride. Whether it was due to the fact she was able to hide this secret from Sabastian or because the girls were so excited, Tanya didn’t know.
“So, what do we buy for him?” Dannika asked. “I mean, we’re kind of on the run at the moment. Not to mention, you guys have been around since forever. What can we get him that he doesn’t already own?”
“You’re right, Dannika, we are on the run.” Earadessa held the door open for them. “Sabastian loves clothes and believe it or not, he loves jewelry as well.”
Regina, Serienna, and Makinzee gasped from that bit of information. They knew their jewelry. This entire shopping trip would be right up their alley.
Chapter Fifty-Five
Walking into the mall, Makinzee examined the map. Running her finger along the store names, she jammed her finger on a square. “Found our first stop. Follow me.”
As they neared the store’s entrance, Tanya almost fell over when Serienna shoved past her to get to the showcase to view the merchandise. She stood back and watched Serienna and Makinzee play with the jewelry. The two of them held up necklaces to decide whether they’d be suitable for Sabastian.
“No.” Makinzee shook her head at Serienna. “That’s too big.”
“Uh, uh.” Serienna wrinkled her nose.
“That wouldn’t look good on him,” Regina a
greed. “It’s too flashy.”
The three of them must have looked at every piece of jewelry in the store before finally coming to an agreement. Serienna held up a ten-karat, two-tone gold necklace. “What do you think?” She turned so Tanya could see.
The first thing Tanya’s eyes zeroed in on was the price tag. The little chain cost two thousand dollars. Did people actually spend that kind of money on a chain to wear around their neck? Earadessa nodded, and Dannika clapped her hands.
Well, Lazarith did leave them plenty of money. Tanya gave Serienna a thumbs-up. “I love it.”
“Great.” Turning to the lady behind the counter, she handed the necklace over. “We’ll take it.”
The woman rang up the merchandise. “That will be two thousand one hundred eighty.”
Serienna discretely dug the money out of her purse. “Can we get that gift wrapped?”
“Yes, you sure can.” Placing the necklace in its box, she took it to the back to wrap.
In their excitement, this morning, they’d failed to eat anything, and Tanya’s stomach rumbled its protest. Dannika giggled, and Earadessa shot a glance at her middle. Heat raised in her cheeks, and she wished a hole would form under her and swallow her.
“Here you go, ma’am.” The sales lady returned with the giftwrapped box in hand. “Thank you for shopping M-Kay’s Jewelry.”
The food court was around the corner, and everyone scrambled to get in line at their choice of restaurant. Tanya was drawn to the sandwich cart and ordered a Mediterranean Loaded Veggie Sandwich.
Starved, the six of them ate in silence, the only noise coming from shoppers at surrounding tables. It didn’t take long for them to finish their meals. Sated, they set out for a clothing store.
It seemed that the first floor had nothing in their taste. There was a clothing store for golfers and one for tall and big men. The rest of the stores consisted of books, video games, and toys. Tanya suggested they try their luck upstairs.
Princesses of the Night (Royal Blood Book 1) Page 19
