“What?”
“You’re blushing. That means you want to say yes.”
I looked him in the eye. “Fine. One date. It can’t be more dangerous than a vamp mission, right?”
“In my case, biting is optional.”
I groaned. “I’m so going to regret this, aren’t I?”
Dante lowered his voice. “I guarantee you’ll love every minute.”
A shudder ran through my body. I pulled my hand away from his and hurried to catch up to my mom and grandma in front of the elevators.
Dante was all smiles when he joined us. “Mrs. Sky, Abby, dinner was delicious. Thank you for inviting me.”
“Of course, Dante,” Gran said. “I hope to see a lot more of you in the coming months.”
“Well you won’t see much of me,” I responded. “I still need to survive the last couple months of high school.”
“That’s right,” Dante said. “We want Aurora to graduate and join me at U of A. I look forward to many late-night cram sessions.”
Gran tittered. I didn’t doubt she caught Dante’s double meaning. I felt that familiar wave of heat rush over my body.
Dante walked with us to the car, opening the door for Gran. “It was so lovely to meet you, Abby.”
“Where are you parked, Dante?” Mom asked.
He grinned at her over the hood. “I’m on the other side.”
“We can take you around.”
“That’s okay, Mrs. Sky. I don’t mind walking.”
“Well, it was so good to see you again,” she said.
Mom got inside the car, leaving me beside the passenger door next to Dante. He raised a brow. “Kiss goodbye?”
I looked sideways at the car then back at Dante, my heart doing a flip-flop. “Only because my grandmother is watching.”
“Right,” Dante said, a big smile on his face as he stepped up to me.
His expression turned serious as he stared at my lips. I thought he would have rushed in for the kiss before I changed my mind. Instead, he set my nerves buzzing as he stared down at me, inches from my face. I took in shallow breaths. He leaned in slowly with the sort of dark expression that made me shiver all over.
Our lips met.
He’d taken me off guard with the first kiss. This time it was like he wanted me to anticipate what was coming, and dangle it in front of my face like a carrot in front of a horse.
Two could play that game.
I moved my lips over Dante’s, tilting my head as needed to change the angle, adding pressure. I was much more confident about my kissing skills thanks to Fane. My heart accelerated when I heard his intake of breath. I pulled back and shot Dante a grin. “Good night, lover.”
“Oh, you’re bad.” Dante said. “You know this isn’t over.”
I chose to smile rather than answer. I got inside the car, shutting the door gently. As my mom pulled away, I glanced over my shoulder and saw Dante still on the curb watching us go.
“Well, my dear,” Gran said from the front seat. “I can see why you’ve elected to stay in town. You’ll need to keep an eye on that one.”
I glanced over my shoulder, but Mom had already put downtown behind us.
23
Survival Instincts
I should have known Gran would be back at it when she came over for dinner Saturday night. At least we were eating Thursday night’s leftovers and only had to reheat stuff. Gran had arrived early and watched Mom and I as she sipped an iced tea.
“You really need to get behind the wheel again, my dear,” she said. Yep, she was back on me about that. “Look at me. I’m driving around at seventy-two.”
When my back was to Gran, I rolled my eyes.
“Aurora will drive when she’s ready,” Mom said.
“That fellow of yours might get tired of picking you up and dropping you off all the time,” Gran said, switching tactics. “A man likes a woman who’s independent.”
“There’s always the bus,” I said cheerfully.
“The bus?” Gran sounded horrified. Her expression made me chuckle. “Oh, dear. Oh my. Have you seen the depot downtown? I would be scared for my life.”
“I don’t ever go downtown, Gran.”
“Well that’s a relief.”
Mom surprised me by saying, “After graduation we’ll look at student housing on campus.”
I stopped tossing salad. “We will?”
She nodded.
“Oh, Mom.” I felt tears in my eyes. I dropped the salad spoons in the bowl and threw my arms around her.
She chuckled and rubbed my back. “It’s what makes the most sense.”
I wiped the moisture under my eyes with my fingers after I pulled back. I could feel the grin all the way up to my nose.
Grandma clapped once. “Now that that’s settled we can decide what to do about the house.”
I saw Mom’s smile drop from the corner of my eye.
“I told you, I’m not selling the house.”
“You should move in with me. We can take long walks on the coastal trail. It’s just what you need.”
Mom’s back was to us as she stirred the gravy at the stove, but if I could see her face, I’m sure it would mirror the horror she felt at Gran’s suggestion.
I only half-listened to Gran through dinner as she planned out the next six months of Mom’s life—something about cooking classes, water aerobics, and French lessons.
After helping clear the dishes, I tried calling Noel. She didn’t pick up. Dante’s advice of asking her what the hell was up sounded pretty good the more I thought about it. We hadn’t had a chance to fully discuss either of our missions. I felt like if I didn’t get it off my chest soon it was going to drive me half mad. Shouldn’t Noel be a bit more curious about Valerie skipping town? Not to mention happy about it?
I returned to the kitchen from the living room. “I need to head out.”
“At this hour?” Gran asked incredulously.
Mom merely nodded. “I’ll drive you.”
“You know, if Aurora drove…”
“Mom!”
Gran turned back to her tea and pie. “Better bundle up, dear. It’s like one big walk-in freezer out there.”
My pleather jacket was better suited to spring and fall, but it’s what I grabbed. At the last second, I ran upstairs for my red scarf.
“I’m surprised Gran didn’t want to come with us,” I said as soon as we’d pulled out of the garage.
Mom snorted. “And miss the chance to snoop around the house?” I glanced at my mom and we laughed in unison. It didn’t last long. “How long will you be out?”
“I don’t know.”
“Are you on assignment?”
“No.”
“Are you going somewhere dangerous?”
I thought a moment before answering with the truth. “Yes and no.”
Mom nodded slightly. She kept her eyes on the road. “Do you have protection?”
“Got my knife, but I don’t plan on using it.”
“Where am I taking you?”
“Bootleggers Cove.”
I had her drop me off at Elderberry Park. No way was I having her drive anywhere near the palace, not after what had happened to Agent Crist when she patrolled the area.
“You have your phone?” Mom asked after pulling into the park’s small vacant lot. Her body became rigid as she stared through the windshield at the deserted playground. At night the statues looked rather creepy, like creatures crouched in the shadows.
She had to have seen my phone in my hand, but I held it up for reassurance. “Yep. Right here.” I stuffed the phone inside my coat pocket, leaned across the car, and kissed her on the cheek. “I’m just going to talk to a friend.”
She nodded tightly. “Be safe.”
I unbuckled. “You, too. Gran’s in full battle mode.”
Mom’s shoulders relaxed and she laughed. “Don’t remind me.”
“Will you be okay?” I asked.
“I’ll m
anage.”
At least Mom didn’t look so tense when she drove off. I started down the hill toward the inlet and N Street, zigzagging my way across patches of dry pavement. Both sides of N Street were lined with condos. I stuffed my hands inside my coat pockets, sharing space on one side with my phone and my iPod on the other.
The humidity from my breath looked ready to freeze in the air. I pulled my scarf up to my nose, capturing the moisture in the fabric where it cooled instantly. We had to be in the negatives tonight.
I walked a couple blocks then turned right.
I hoped Noel had come out tonight, but what if she hadn’t? I guess I’d call a cab after killing enough time for Gran to leave our house. She couldn’t stay much longer. It was already late for her.
As I approached Marcus’s townhouse, it began to strike me that coming over tonight wasn’t the best idea. What friends did I really have here? I could hardly pretend to be with Fane, not after the way he’d cast me off.
I walked up to the hand-carved wooden door with the stained glass panels on either side and stared at the door knocker. I heard footsteps behind me and glanced over my shoulder. A young man walked up. Maybe one of the guys who’d been in the kitchen? I couldn’t tell in the dark. “Don’t be shy,” he said, nodding at the front door.
I pulled on the door handle and walked in ahead of him onto the slabs of sand-colored stone in the entryway. The first time I’d been to the palace Henry told me Marcus imported the stones from Jerusalem. Now here I was walking on them in Anchorage, Alaska. Surreal.
I took my jacket and scarf off and hung them from one of the curly iron hooks along the wall of the entryway.
Latin music played on low from the direction of the living room. No disco tonight.
I pulled my tunic sweater down over my skinny jeans and headed for the kitchen. I tried play it cool when I walked in and found Gavin pouring a drink inside a martini shaker. I fought the urge to ask if he’d heard anything from Valerie.
“Aurora,” he said evenly.
I stared at the martini shaker, waiting for him to shake it from side to side, but he didn’t. “I don’t suppose you’ve seen Noel around tonight?”
“Are you looking for Noel or Fane?”
My heart flopped. I put a hand on my chest. It didn’t feel especially good. “Fane’s here?”
“I suggest you check the October room,” Gavin said.
“Why’s that?” I asked coldly.
“Go see for yourself,” he answered, matching my tone.
I hated the hard look on his face. Even more than that, I hated that I had to do the very thing he obviously wanted me to. I certainly didn’t want to stick around the kitchen with him. As soon as I turned my back, Gavin began shaking the mixer.
My feet carried me to the living room. The surroundings had begun to take on a dreamlike quality, all hazy around the edges.
Marcus stood leaning against the iron banister of the spiral staircase in one of his silk shirts, half-buttoned, chatting with a fellow to his left. He nodded at me in greeting, and I nodded in return. I passed him and stared at the first step of the staircase. Marcus broke off his conversation. He turned to me. “Are you sure you want to go up there?”
“Yes,” I replied firmly.
He gave me a knowing smile. I’m not sure what he knew. It wasn’t good, whatever it was, but there was no turning back.
With each step I took, I had that feeling in my gut that I really didn’t want to see what I was about to, but I couldn’t turn away. I reached the landing and passed the giant shower with its mosaic tile artwork.
The door to the October room loomed in the distance, the silver bat hanging heavy from the knob. I approached with even steps. I did not pause to listen when I reached it. My hand moved for the knob as though gliding on the strings of a puppeteer. It turned easily in my hand. I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
They sat on top of the bed in the flickering candlelight. Fane and Noel.
Noel’s top had been dragged down her shoulder. A drop of blood beaded at the fresh puncture wound on her pale smooth skin. Not on the neck, but lower, right by her shoulder blade.
Fane’s eyes were half-closed. It took him a moment to notice my intrusion. When he did, it looked like he was slowly beginning to wake from a dream. His expression cleared into one of recognition. Our eyes locked.
I couldn’t speak. Neither, apparently, could Fane.
Then Noel saw me. “Aurora!” she cried. Horror filled her face. How comical. Noel Harper horrified that I’d walked in on their disgusting display of betrayal. I swear I hated her even more than Fane at that moment. “It’s not what you think!”
I didn’t give her time to explain.
I gave Fane one last look, one I hoped would haunt him for the rest of his everlasting life, then turned in place and walked out, shutting the door behind me.
The last thing I wanted was Fane or Noel coming after me. If I had to look at either of their faces or hear their voices, I’d fling myself off the balcony into Marcus’s living room. And I just might have to if I wanted to make it downstairs in time.
I looked side to side frantically. All the doors had silver bats hanging from the knobs. I just needed a moment to avoid Fane and Noel and compose myself. I didn’t want anyone to see my face until I’d had time to mask my emotions.
I hurried down the hall. Those stupid bats mocked me from each closed door. I quickly rounded a corner. At least I’d reached an area that couldn’t be seen from the door of the October room. Even a bathroom would do at this point. I’d lock myself in and wait until I felt certain it was safe to come out. I didn’t care if I had to wait all night.
A door at the end of the hall caught my attention. It was closed but there wasn’t a bat hanging from the knob. I walked up to it and reached for the knob then stopped. My hand wasn’t as adamant about going into this room. Then I heard a door open. This would have to do.
I yanked the door open and shut myself quickly inside.
I leaned against the door. My breath came out in ragged gasps. I fought to control my breath and listened. I thought I heard footsteps in the distance but then they died off.
Fane and Noel. I wanted to cry. I wanted to scream. I wanted to punch myself in the face and knock the image of the two of them together right out of my head. My lip curled back. Traitors, both of them!
How could Noel? She knew what it was like. She was worse than Valerie. At least Valerie did her backstabbing out in the open, not behind closed doors like Noel.
I clutched my stomach. Fane and Noel. The two of them together made me physically ill.
I stormed up to the window and glared at my reflection. The girl in the glass looked haunted. I wanted to smash through her face. I turned away from her and walked the few steps to the king-sized bed, dropping to my knees at the side as though in prayer. I shoved my face into the satin cover spilling over the edge. I pressed my mouth against the fabric to muffle my sobbing screams. I let it all out. I had nothing better to do, and I couldn’t leave with the party in full swing. How could I show my face downstairs?
I stood up slowly and went back to the window. Too far above ground to make my escape. I guess I was just stuck waiting until morning. Hours of mind torture. What a Saturday night!
I felt an insane urge to call Dante. I was sure he’d happily charge through the front door and get me the hell out of here, but noooo, I had to go and leave my phone in my coat pocket.
I paced the room, muttering angry curses.
“Not ready to cross that line.” I snarled under my breath. “Not like Noel!” I shouted at the door, punching my fist in the direction of the October room. I quickly covered my mouth and listened. When no one appeared at the door, I resumed pacing, muttering, and mocking everything he’d said to me the last time we were together.
“What we had was good. Let’s not ruin that. Oh, you ruined it, buddy boy. You chewed up every good feeling I ever had for you and spit it back out!”
I swung my arm in the air as though cracking an invisible whip. “Good thing I have someone on the inside to look out for me. Yeah, Noel! I see she’s looking out for alllll your needs.”
Maybe there was a perfectly good explanation for this. Maybe Noel was just doing her job. Even if Melcher had instructed Noel to take Valerie’s place with Fane, I couldn’t let it go. There wasn’t any room for rationalization inside my head when it came to him.
“All right, Aurora. Time to get a grip. Head held high. Let’s get the hell out of here.”
I stopped beside a statue, noticing for the first time the bust of a muscled chest ending at the groin. I looked around the room. A watercolor of two men seated naked beside one another hung at eye level beside the window.
On the opposite side of the room, oil paintings depicted full male nude frontals. The adjoining wall featured more whimsical and modern portraits, including an Asian silk screen with two men: one in black leather pants and another in red, thigh-high heeled boots.
“Oh wow,” I said in a whisper. “I really need to get out of here.”
I turned quickly away from a nude drawing of Peter Pan wearing spiked wrist cuffs and bumped into Marcus’s dresser. My knee hit one of the artsy iron handles. I cursed.
“Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow.” Pain shot up my leg. I’d hit the worst spot on my knee.
I gripped the dresser, breathing in and out, waiting for the wretched pain to pass. As it subsided, I straightened up, both palms firmly planted on the dresser’s surface. I looked down and saw a box with swirls and squares intricately carved into the dark wood.
Jared claimed to have found Crist’s cross inside a wood box in a bedroom.
The same feeling of dread I’d had as I approached the October room came over me. I lifted the lid and pushed it back gently. Inside I found leather and silver bracelets, pendants, a gold chain, large gothic rings, and even diamond cufflinks. And then there, nestled inside the box, I caught the glint of an orange oval gemstone. It practically flashed me in the eye.
My heart dropped to the floor. I felt sick all over again.
My fingers reached inside in slow motion. I lifted the ring in front of my face. The name “Mike” was carved into the silver on one side—an eagle, our school mascot, on the other.
Northern Bites (Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter, Vol. 2) Page 21
