Thea and Aiden climbed onto the platform first since they were the closest, but the rest of the cast and even the crew started making their way up, crowding around the mayor. But Gemma stayed where she was, picking at her crab puffs.
“I think you’re supposed to go up there,” Marcy told her.
“I’m fine here.”
“You should go up there,” Marcy persisted. “You want to look normal, don’t you?”
Gemma sighed and handed her plate over to Marcy. “Fine.”
She slid through the crowd until she made her way to the platform. There was hardly enough room on it, so she stayed on the floor, standing next to the platform even though Thea motioned for her to join them onstage.
“Isn’t this a wonderful cast we’ve got here?” Mayor Crawford asked, alternating between beaming at his son and staring at Thea. “I hope all of you enjoyed tonight’s performance of The Taming of the Shrew, and if you did, you can tell your friends, because there are three more shows this weekend.”
The mayor looped one arm around Aiden’s shoulders and his other arm around Thea’s waist as he continued, “Not to mention that At Summer’s End is kicking off. Tomorrow, in addition to more performances of the play, there’s a fish fry at noon at the Bayside Park Pavilion and a regatta at Anthemusa Bay at four.”
He continued to list all the events going on this week, trying to get everyone pumped up for the At Summer’s End Festival. As he talked, Gemma kept her eyes on Penn and Liv. Penn was doing something on her phone, and Liv stared up at the stage with rapt interest. Her lips were pulled back in a wide smile, and as Gemma watched, her teeth lengthened and grew.
At first, Gemma thought Liv’s gaze was fixed on the mayor, which seemed kinda gross to her. But as soon as the mayor had finished, and the music came back on the speakers, Liv rushed toward Aiden.
Seeing her fangs out, Gemma feared the worst—that Liv’s new siren appetite had gotten the best of her, and she was about to devour Aiden right in front of everyone.
Gemma was just about to dive between them to stop that from happening, but a split second before she did, she saw that Liv’s teeth were back to normal. When she smiled up at Aiden as she put her hand on his arm, she looked human.
Even with his new scars, Aiden was still gorgeous. Not to mention that he was the son of the most powerful family in Capri. And he didn’t seem to mind being cornered. Liv had a siren’s charms now, and he smiled radiantly at her as she laughed and batted her eyes. Maybe it was her appetite for affection and power that needed to be whetted.
At least for now. Gemma knew exactly the kind of monstrous hunger that lurked just beneath the surface, and Liv didn’t seem like the type to go long without being satiated.
“This is some party, huh?” Thea asked as she climbed off the platform, and Gemma turned away from Liv and Aiden to look back at her.
“Yeah, it’s something, all right.” Gemma walked a few feet away to where it was less crowded, then stopped with Thea to talk. “So are you bringing Liv with you everywhere now?”
“It seems that way.” Thea sighed.
“You don’t trust her enough to leave her by herself?”
Thea gave her a sidelong glance. “You know how new sirens are.”
“I do.” Gemma turned to face Thea fully and crossed her arms over her chest. “Which is why I don’t understand why she was Harper’s roommate.”
“That was Penn’s idea.”
“So Liv was supposed to be some kind of spy?” Gemma pressed.
“Not originally.” Thea ran a hand through her long, scarlet hair and refused to meet Gemma’s eyes. “Before Penn killed Lexi, Liv was supposed to be your replacement. But after Lexi died and you were still part of the circle, Penn thought it’d be good to have someone on the inside gathering dirt on you.”
“And you didn’t think that was a bad idea?” Gemma asked, then lowered her voice, trying to make it sound slightly menacing. “I mean, she could gather some dirt on you, too.”
Thea finally let her eyes meet Gemma’s. “What was I supposed to tell her? ‘No, you can’t spy on Harper because you’ll find out my dirty secrets’?” She shook her head. “I just went with it and hoped the two of you weren’t stupid enough to say anything in front of Liv.”
“Why wouldn’t you just tell me about this?” Gemma asked.
“Penn didn’t want me to, and I’m already putting myself at enough risk helping you, all right?” A flicker of fear shot through Thea’s emerald eyes. “I’ve put my neck out for you much farther than I ever should have, and if this all goes to hell—which I’m certain it will—I need to have my back covered.”
“You don’t think I can break the curse?” Gemma asked.
Thea looked over to where Penn was still busy on her phone, too distracted and too far away to hear anything they were saying. “As far as I know, the curse is unbreakable.”
“Then why’d you even bother to give me the scroll?” Gemma asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Honestly? I don’t know. I think I was just sick of Penn destroying everything.”
“Do you regret giving it to me?” Gemma asked.
“Not yet.” Thea paused, then said, “If I live long enough, I might. But soon, it’ll be a moot point.”
“What do you mean?”
“If that curse isn’t broken soon, Liv will destroy us all. But either way, there aren’t going to be any sirens around for much longer.” Her lips pursed together in a thin smile.
Marcy had been standing on the other side of the room, but she’d refilled her plate with shrimp and made her way over to where Thea and Gemma were talking.
“What are you guys talking about?” Marcy asked through a mouthful of food.
“How much fun this is!” Thea said with far too much exuberance. Then she rolled her eyes and walked away.
Marcy wiped her mouth on the back of her arm. “What was that about?”
“I don’t know.” Gemma shook her head and sighed. “Everything just kind of sucks right now. And Liv is horrible.”
“Duh. She’s an evil, murderous sea wench. If she isn’t being horrible, then she isn’t doing her job.”
Gemma knew she was right, and that was the worst part of it.
“So anyway, who’s that foxy guy?” Marcy asked and pointed vaguely to the middle of the room.
“What guy?” Gemma asked, glancing in the general direction that Marcy had pointed. “Aiden?”
Marcy scoffed. “No, that guy’s a dick. That cute one with the nice butt.” She pointed again, and this time it was directly at Kirby Logan. He was at the appetizer table, and he sniffed a cracker before putting it back down.
“Kirby?” Gemma asked.
Marcy nodded. “Yeah, him.”
“You’re into Kirby?”
“No. Maybe. Why? What’s it to you?” Marcy narrowed her eyes at Gemma.
Kirby was cute, so that’s not what surprised her about Marcy’s liking him. It was mostly just the fact that Marcy liked anybody that shocked her. Plus, he was only nineteen, and Marcy was twenty-five. Not that she acted like it.
“Nothing,” Gemma said. “He’s just like a lot younger than you.”
“So? I’ve always fancied myself a cougar,” Marcy declared. “Is he nice?”
“Yeah, he’s really sweet.” She paused before adding, “He’s a pretty good kisser, too.”
Marcy wrinkled her nose in disgust. “Gross. You kissed him?”
“We dated for like a minute.” Gemma waved it off. “It doesn’t count at all. If you’re into him, then by all means, have at him.”
“Saliva stays in your mouth for three months after you kiss someone, so his mouth is all full of your germs,” Marcy said.
“I’m pretty sure that’s not true. And even if it is, I’m not all that germy. I promise.”
“Whatever.” Marcy handed her plate to Gemma, then wiped her hands on her jeans. “I’m going in.”
Gemma picked at what
little food Marcy had left on her plate and watched as Marcy went up to Kirby. She considered moving closer so she could overhear them because she couldn’t imagine how Marcy flirted. But Kirby was a nice enough guy, so it hopefully wouldn’t be a total disaster.
ELEVEN
Flirtations
“Hey, Gemma,” Harper said, and Gemma glanced over to see Harper and Daniel approaching her, hand in hand. “Sorry it took so long for us to get here. Daniel had to clean up and get the set ready for tomorrow.”
That’s what Harper said, but she lowered her eyes when she said it, and her dark hair looked a little mussed. Daniel’s shirt was also buttoned crooked. If Gemma had to guess, she would’ve said they’d stayed behind a little longer to get in a quick makeout session.
Not that she blamed them. They were new to this long-distance thing, and as much as they both insisted it was fine, being away from each other had to be hard. So it was good when they could get a moment alone together.
“I understand,” Gemma said, smiling to herself.
“You were great in the play tonight, by the way,” Daniel said. “Or at least you looked that way from backstage.”
“Thanks,” Gemma said. “The set looked amazing.”
“It really did,” Penn chimed in, and Gemma had to fight back a groan as Penn smiled up at Daniel. “You are quite the handyman.”
Daniel had been here for all of a minute before Penn found him. Gemma didn’t completely understand what was going on between the two of them, but whatever it was, it couldn’t be good. She trusted Daniel not to do anything to hurt Harper, but Penn’s interest in him was definitely getting more intense.
“Hello, Penn,” Harper said, smiling tightly at her. She’d been holding Daniel’s hand, but he let go and moved away from her slightly. “I didn’t know you were coming to this party.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Penn winked at Daniel, who shifted uncomfortably. “So how are your studies going, Harper?”
“Better, now that you’ve taken my roommate off my hands. It’s much quieter.” Harper kept smiling at her. “So thanks for the favor.”
“You know me.” Penn’s tone got even more seductive than normal. “I love to serve.”
“I think I’m gonna go get a soda,” Daniel said, taking a step away. “Do you want anything, Harper?”
“A bottled water, please,” she said.
“I’d like a glass of wine,” Penn told him before he’d escaped.
He hesitated, glancing between Harper and Penn, then asked, “What kind?”
Penn smiled broadly. “Red. Merlot.”
“I’m not sure if the bartender will serve me without ID, but I’ll see what I can come up with,” Daniel said, and hurried away to the bar.
“Your boyfriend is very eager to please,” Penn told Harper as she stared after Daniel.
“Liv seems eager, too,” Gemma interjected, and pointed to Liv. “She’s coming on pretty strong, actually.”
She was mostly just trying to change the subject because the tension between Penn, Harper, and Daniel was almost painful. But Liv had gone beyond flirting. She and Aiden were all over each other, and they were still standing right in the middle of the room.
Penn glanced over at Liv. “She can handle herself.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be babysitting her?” Gemma asked. “If she hasn’t fed yet, she’s dangerous.”
“Trust me, Gemma—she’s plenty dangerous even when she has fed,” Penn said in a way that made her blood curdle. “If you don’t like what she’s doing, you can stop her.”
“She’s not going to listen to me,” Gemma countered.
“She’s as much your problem now as she is mine,” Penn replied coolly. “Remember that.”
“How is she Gemma’s problem?” Harper asked sharply. She’d probably been trying to bite her tongue, but Penn had gotten to her. “You’re the one that made her. Don’t you have any sense of responsibility?”
“Not really, no.” Penn shook her head. “Liv can kill anyone she wants. She could turn this party into a bloodbath, and I wouldn’t care. You’re the one with a superiority complex. If you don’t like what she’s doing, deal with it.” She smiled widely at Harper’s apparent shock. “Hell, if she wanted to have a feast tonight, I’d probably join in.”
Daniel arrived back, just in time to keep Harper from freaking out on Penn. “Here you go, ladies.” He handed the water and the wine to Harper and Penn. “The bartender wasn’t going to give it to me, but when I told him it was for you, he obliged, so hopefully it’s to your satisfaction.”
Penn took a sip, then moaned. “Mmm. You always know how to keep me satisfied.”
Daniel cleared his throat. “It was more the bartender that’s trying to satisfy you, not me.”
“This is getting gross, and I think Liv is going to mount Aiden, so I’m going over there,” Gemma said. “Mostly so I can be not here.”
She didn’t think Penn would kill Harper right in the middle of the room, and she really didn’t want to be a part of that ridiculous conversation. Besides that, Liv and Aiden were getting out of hand, and since Penn had no plans to intervene, Gemma knew she had to do something before Liv lost control.
“Oh, yeah?” Aiden whispered, his lips hovering just above Liv’s as she pressed her body against his.
“Hey, you two,” Gemma said, loudly and forcefully so they’d pay attention to her. “I don’t know if you realize this, but you’re standing in the middle of a crowded room, practically making out. So maybe you should cool it.”
Aiden slowly turned toward her, and he had that familiar glossy look in his brown eyes. It was the same one she’d seen in Sawyer’s before, and it made her stomach knot up. Sawyer had been so completely under the sirens’ spell, he’d been unable to save himself. Gemma had tried, but it had been too little, too late, and Lexi had murdered him.
“Jealous, Gemma?” Aiden asked with a lazy smile. “You could always join in.”
“No, she most certainly cannot,” Liv hissed with an ugly venom.
“Sorry.” Aiden shook his head. “I don’t know why I said that. You should get lost, Gemma.”
“I wouldn’t have joined in anyway,” Gemma said. “What I’m saying is that you’re drawing a lot of attention when you should probably be keeping a low profile.”
“Why? I’m the star of the play,” Aiden said, and that wasn’t the siren spell talking. That was the kind of thing Aiden would normally say. “Everyone should look at me, and Liv is the hottest girl in the room.”
“Aw.” Liv giggled.
“Liv, you had your fun,” Gemma said. “Come on. You should spend some time with me, so we can get to know each other. You said you wanted to be friends, right?”
“I’ve already made a new friend, Gemma,” Liv insisted. “And if it’s bothering you so much, maybe we should just get a room.”
Gemma knew what it was like to be new and ravenous—an uncontrollable hunger gnawing just beneath the surface. Romance and fear both stoked the beast within, but really, if Liv hadn’t fed yet, then anything would make her hunger flare and spark the transformation.
The one and only time Gemma had allowed herself to become the monster, it had been terrifying, and it had turned into a bloody mess. She’d actually been unable to stop it, and she couldn’t let Liv get to the point of no return. Because then it wouldn’t be just Aiden that she’d have to worry about—everyone in the ballroom would be in danger.
“We’re in a hotel, so we can just go right upstairs.” Liv bit her lip as she looked at Aiden.
“Yeah, we could have our own room in a matter of minutes.” Aiden smiled and wrapped his arm around her waist. “Then nobody could tell us what to do.”
“No, that’s a horrible idea,” Gemma said firmly. “You can’t do that.”
“Gemma, we’re doing it.” Liv tried to step away, but Gemma moved and blocked her path.
“No, Liv, I don’t think you realize what you’re
saying or how dangerous it is. You shouldn’t be up there alone with him or any guy.”
“I don’t think you realize how dangerous I am, Gemma.” Liv ran her tongue along her teeth, so Gemma would notice that her incisors had gotten more pointed.
Her wide eyes had gone dark, and Gemma realized dourly that Liv knew exactly what kind of monster she was. Gemma had never learned how to transform on command because she never wanted to risk even letting a little bit of the monster out, but Liv already seemed to understand and embrace it.
If Liv took Aiden up to that hotel room, Gemma was certain that he wouldn’t come back alive. And if Gemma stood in her way, she wasn’t completely sure that she’d stay alive, but she had to do something.
“You had your chance, and you weren’t into it,” Aiden said. “You don’t need to be a cock block.”
“Aiden may be a huge jerk, but I can’t let you do this,” Gemma said, her eyes fixed on Liv. “I won’t let you hurt him or anybody.”
Liv stepped closer to her. “You think you can stop me?”
“I think you need to get yourself under control, or I won’t need to stop you,” Gemma clarified. “Penn will take care of you the same way she took care of Lexi.”
“Please.” Liv scoffed. “She hates you, not me. And I can get rid of you without lifting a finger.” She smiled, then commanded, “Aiden, get rid of her.”
Aiden grabbed Gemma’s arm, but she instantly got free and glared at him.
“Get your hands off me, Aiden,” she snapped. “I am doing this for your own good, but if you touch me again, I will break your arm.”
“Is everything okay here?” Daniel asked, approaching them.
“Yeah, it’d be great if Gemma could just get out of the way,” Liv said.
“Well, she’s not going to.” Daniel stood behind Gemma and crossed his arms over his chest. “But more importantly, Penn wants to see you over there.”
“She does not,” Liv insisted with a whine in her voice, and Gemma glanced back to where Penn stood on the other side of the room. She had that devious smile, the one she got whenever she seemed to enjoy watching Gemma suffer.
Elegy (Watersong #4) Page 9
