by Chloe Adler
"I'm so sorry." The boy's voice was tinged with both hunger and regret.
"We may as well try." What the hell was I thinking? "If you hurt me, I'll stop you."
"You can't stop a vampire," he moaned and then his mouth bit into my arm so hard that I was knocked off my feet. Those sharp teeth tore at my flesh like a feral animal.
"Ouch!" I shrieked, scrambling backward, trying to get away.
His mouth pressed harder as my consciousness faltered.
"Stop," I yelled but he didn't even slow down. His hunger was too great. He was going to kill us both.
Trying to yank my arm away did nothing. The kid was sickly, but still strong.
Anger. I needed to get angry. My mind spun to Carter, lying to me, baiting me, feeding me to his brother. In an instant, the boy flew backward. The only problem was that I flew with him.
"Let go of me, Julian." I tried to sound commanding, using all the force I could muster. Instead, we flew across the room again, together, and hit the opposite wall. Still attached to each other.
Senses slipped. Blackness oozed in sideways. I screamed as loudly and as hard as I could, knowing it would do no good.
The door to the room flew open.
"Julian, stop!" Carter? But as everything faded, I thought I must be hearing things.
I'm so sorry, Iphi, I really am a gullible idiot. Then, blackness.
Carter and I were embracing, his kisses deep and strong. We were floating, turning and twisting together in the sky. Just as I registered the impossible sensation, a deep warmth rolled over my body. Golden-red sunlight played on my closed eyelids. My eyes flew open and I sat bolt upright. My heart felt heavy in my chest, like Armageddon had been sitting on it.
I looked around, blinking back the brightness. The sunlight pouring through the window was disorienting. The bed I was lying on was covered by a quilt. An actual quilted quilt, with little hand-sewn rectangles and everything. The room itself was large with brightly painted walls of Indian yellow and manganese blue. Another quilt, this one with a brightly colored mandala, decorated one of the walls. The vivid painted walls made me think of Iphigenia, but she had murals of the four seasons adorning her bedroom's walls. I knew, I'd painted them. Where was I?
Arms flew around me, trying to comfort or hold me still, I couldn't tell. I pushed them away. Carter.
"How dare you touch me!" I spat, jumping off the bed, disoriented, scrambling for something to block him from me. "Get away from me. You're sick. Evil."
He had the audacity to look hurt. "Chrys, I'm so sorry. I screwed up. Please let me explain."
"Where am I?" This room looked far too cheerful to be the home of a vampire.
"My room."
His room? "What time is it?" I jumped behind a glass desk. Maybe I could flip it over between us if I had to get a head start.
"It's morning; you slept through the night. I was so worried."
"Really? You fed me to your brother and you were worried?" Spark.
"I . . ."
The door opened slowly and a little face I didn't recognize peeked in.
"Chrys." It was Julian's voice but the kid looked completely different. He pushed the door open and came running in, jerking to a stop before he reached me, his arms outstretched.
I made no move to hug him and his arms flopped limply to his sides.
"I'm so sorry, I would have killed you if Carter hadn't pulled me off." His eyes brimmed with blood.
"Ha." I hoped I sounded as indignant as I felt. "You both expect me to believe that crap?"
"It's true." Julian stood on the other side of the desk, blinking at me. Soulful eyes replaced the haunted ones and a few large drops of blood ran from the corners of his eyes, staining his cheeks. "You saved me. I'm forever in your debt. Plus I'm bound to you now."
"Julian, I don't want anything from you. I don't want anything from either one of you. I never want to see this family again."
Flare. Suddenly the windows shattered into a thousand tiny pieces. Glass shards flew outward, spraying the bay.
Both vampires leapt away from the windows and from me.
"That's right." I held up my hands. "Stay back."
Julian held a cupped hand out toward me. "This is yours." He opened his fist and there was my amulet, dangling.
"Throw it," I said, my voice detached, like it belonged to someone else.
He tossed it toward me and I snatched it midair.
"Let me." Carter took one step toward me, his hand held out for my amulet.
"No freaking way," I countered. My anger skyrocketed but nothing happened. Maybe just holding the amulet dampened my powers a little. The thing sure was unpredictable. No matter. No need to destroy their house. I had my pride. Hands shaking, I clasped it around my neck.
Carter offered me his hand. "Can I help you out?"
"I think you've helped me quite enough. I'll see myself out." I scooted out from behind the desk, never taking my eyes off either of them. Never turn your back on a vampire that's already tried to kill you once.
Julian rushed to my side. "Let me help, please. I'm bound to you now."
"Whatever. Ignore it. I know I will." I turned away from him and made my way to the door, walking slowly. That's when I realized that the brand on the back of my neck was burning. Carter saving me indeed.
Chapter Fourteen
I couldn't go back to Aurelia's, not after my dance with death at the tips of a tiny fanged boy. The only people who could possibly understand were my roommates. My ex-roommates. I rang the bell and then stuffed my hands in my jean pockets, looking at the doormat.
Jared answered the door, cocking his head when he saw me. "Why'd you ring the bell instead of using your key?"
"Because you kicked me out."
"What? Burgundy didn't say anything about that. Come in."
Jared ushered me into the kitchen, sitting across from me at the table.
Burgundy was already there, eating dulce de leche cake. Her favorite. "What happened to you?" she said, looking up. Concern laced her brow and I had to blink rapidly and hold onto the table to keep myself from lurching toward her for a hug.
I took a long, deep breath and told them what had happened.
"What is wrong with him?" Burgundy went to the stove, took out her phone and punched something in before setting the water to boil.
"You poor thing." Jared reached out to take my hand but I pulled it back.
"I'm an idiot." I put my chin in my other hand, my elbow propped on the table.
"You're not an idiot," said Jared.
"He's the idiot," said Burgundy, "and he'll be lucky if he survives this because if I don't kill him, Aurelia will."
"Please do not tell her. I have to figure out a way to live with that woman."
Burgundy tilted her head. "Why? You're moving out?"
"You kicked me out, remember?" Letting out a noisy sigh, I continued, "And I don't blame you, after what I did to Jared."
"That?" Jared huffed. "Forgotten like a bad one-night stand."
Burgundy walked over and sat next to him, facing me. "We want you here. Right?" She tilted her head toward him and he nodded. "We want to help you. You're one of us."
I wanted to squee. I'd never wanted to squee before. "But I can't even pay rent, let alone control my magic. Wouldn't you rather have someone that could do both?"
"Never," they both said nearly in unison.
"You may not have noticed, but we've both become quite attached to you," Burgundy said with a smile in her voice.
"I don't want to be a bother and I don't want to be a project."
"You're neither," said Jared. "We like you for who you are, so either accept that or accept that."
Out of nowhere, Sadie rushed into the kitchen and threw her arms around me. "Chrys, oh my god, are you okay?"
Wriggling out of her grasp, I shot Burgundy a look. "You called Sadie? When?" The words tumbled helter-skelter from my mouth. "And where were you?" I snapped at my sist
er. "Hiding in my room, waiting to tell me you were right about Carter? And why the heck do you care anyway?"
"Ouch," said my sister, letting go. "Burg texted me because she cares about you and I was down the street at the corner market." She thrust a brown bag toward me. "They have my favorite ice cream."
"Whatever, Sadie. I'd rather not even look at you right now. You're obviously here to gloat."
"Gloat? What? Of course not. I have no idea what's going on and what do you mean about me being right about Carter? If he hurt you . . ." She put the bag of ice cream down on the table and actually punched her open palm with her fist. "I will kill him."
"Get in line," snarled Burgundy.
"Chrys, I'm sorry." Sadie pushed the bag of ice cream toward me. "Truce. Please. I screwed up. Again. I have foot-in-mouth disease, you know that."
I pulled the bag over and looked inside, my eyes flashing back to my sister. "This is not your favorite ice cream." I pulled the carton from the bag. "It's mine."
Sadie smiled and got me a spoon. "I was getting it for you. Trying to apologize, something I've never been very good at."
Opening the lid, I dug the spoon into the rich brown cream and scooped some out. Mmm, toffee. I let it melt on my tongue. "Damn you, Sadie." I rolled my eyes at her.
"Like Superman's kryptonite," she whispered loudly to Burgundy and Jared, who both laughed.
"I'm not sharing this." I scooped another bite into my mouth.
"Nor should you," said Jared.
Sadie sat next to me. "I truly am so sorry, Chrys. Tell me what happened, I want to help."
I waved the spoon at Jared. "You tell her, I'm eating."
Jared quickly went over the main details while Sadie listened. Speechless. Ha. First time ever.
When he was done, she looked angry. "What can I do? I'll do anything."
Shrugging, I ate another bite. Delicious. It's crazy how comfort food could put out a fire. "It's over. I got away and I won't be going near that family again."
"I can make them suffer. Just say the word."
I turned to my sister, annoyed. "What? No, they've suffered enough."
"But they tried to kill you. You don't want vengeance?"
"No. It's done, and I'm fine."
"Well if you change your mind," she punched her open palm with her fist, "I'm your gal."
I didn't respond.
"Hey, Why don't you come over to our house for dinner later?" Sadie asked.
Burgundy fetched the tea, placing steaming mugs in front of each of us. She'd used the nice china, the little blue teacups with the gold-painted vines and handles. Saucers to match. The pretty picture they made on the table lightened my mood. She was making a special effort, emphasizing my worth. That effort made me feel valued.
"Please let me help. The least I can do is make you dinner," Sadie said when I didn't still hadn't answered her. "Plus you've never even seen our new house."
I placed my hands around the cup, feeling the warmth. Pulling it to my nose, I inhaled the fragrant scent of roses.
"I think it would be a good idea," Burgundy said.
"Hello, do you not notice that these are my decisions?" I asked them.
"What if I invited Iphi over and we cast a spell or two? Just us girls," Sadie said, trying to lure me.
Fine, I'd bite. "What kind of spell?"
"Well, for one thing, we can spy on him with my crystal ball."
"No thank you," I snapped. "I don't need to spy on him to know he's a jerk."
"Okay, okay." Sadie held her hands up. "We can do whatever you want to do. If you want to work on some spell casting, you can decide which spells."
"She'll do it," said Jared. I narrowed my eyes and flared my nostrils at him, then silently sipped my tea.
Chapter Fifteen
I sat in front of my easel. Despite Burgundy and Jared being so welcoming, I needed to get away from the old trio in the kitchen. I was the odd man out when the three of them were together.
Dipping a brush in the oil, I touched paint onto the canvas. I usually had some idea of what I wanted to paint before I started, but this time the mood struck without an idea. It was the one thing in my life I didn't need to control. I could let myself go and explore. Trance out. Like the way Sadie described dancing. This was my dance. Mmm, dancing with Carter. Why was I still thinking about him? Traitor. Liar. Creep.
An hour later, there was a knock on my door.
"Come in."
The door opened and Jared stepped inside. "Are you going to get ready to go to Sadie's?"
"I have hours, I'm just finishing this." I looked up. The sky outside of my window was dark. I looked back at the canvas. I hadn't even realized what I'd done. Jared was standing at my side.
"Well, I guess you're not over him after all."
Oh god, not again. There he was, staring out at us. Those dark eyes, glinting. Beautiful and tormented. His lips were parted, red and wet, with just the hint of a fang. His eyes followed the viewer wherever they roamed. There was a sadness there too, remorse or regret. Great, was I projecting onto my paintings now?
His expression in the first one had conveyed a hidden darkness, those golden eyes full of torment. Now I knew why. I must have intuited it. And now those eyes were fuller, open, as if he wanted me to see inside. As if he was done hiding. I stuck out my tongue, annoyed with myself for again feeling what wasn't really there.
Jared leaned in, his nose almost touching the picture. I held my breath, waiting. What did he see?
"Is that a tear at the corner of his left eye?" He turned to look at me.
Then it was my turn to lean into my work. Oh for the love of-- There was no denying the translucent red droplet I didn't remember painting.
I shot him a look that shut him up. "Okay, time to leave, I'm going to change."
"Like I care." He walked over and sat down on my bed. "You may need my expertise in that area."
I threw my paint rag at him. He caught it.
"Don't go in your usual attire of jeans and a ponytail, sweetheart. You're so much prettier than that."
"I'm going to see my sisters, what does it matter?"
"It always matters." Jared's hands flew over his body to demonstrate, and I had to admit he always looked amazing. He was an impeccable dresser. If he wore jeans, they were a name brand and tight fitting, hugging him in, yes, all the right places. Any sweater he donned was hand knitted in a delicious color like teal or violet, bringing out his eyes.
I did want to be prettier, but more importantly, perhaps, was that Jared was trying to show me he cared. Service love? And he did have an amazing knack for bringing out my best . . .
"All right." I reached back and pulled the elastic band out of my hair, shaking my head and letting it fall like some glamorous movie star.
"Va-va-voom," he said, his mouth crooking up to his eyes. He got up and walked to my closet, the walk-in that Sadie had loved so much and filled with outfits galore. I didn't know many women that could shop at thrift stores and come out looking fabulous. She definitely had that gift.
Jared disappeared inside the small room, tsking.
"I can hear you," I called out.
He poked his head out. "Girlfriend, we have to take you shopping. I just can't get over the nightmare of your closet."
"I've had a chance to unpack everything since then." I sounded defensive.
"If by unpack you mean you put away ten pairs of the same baggy blue jeans and ten button-down shirts in ten boring colors, then . . ."
I sighed. He was right. I didn't know how to dress. "I never really cared before. What's your suggestion?"
He pulled me into the room.
"You have a walk-in closet filled with paint supplies. Not even one of your four clothing racks is filled with clothing. And I haven't even gotten to your shoes yet."
When you're an artist who shuttles between your mother's house and art school, what does it matter what you wear? Or look like, for that matter.
&nbs
p; There was one folded sweater in the built-in set of drawers. Jared shook it out. "It's December, the weather has changed drastically, you can wear this." Holding it up to me, he shook his head.
"What's wrong with it?" I asked.
"The color is fine; the red goes well with your complexion. But the cut? Oh, honey. Why do you insist on wearing boxy tents that always hide your figure?"
I rolled my eyes at him. "What figure?"
Before I could stop him, his hands were on my waist, squeezing me there. I leapt and shrieked at the same time. "This figure."
"What's going on here?" Burgundy poked her head in.
"The princess has nothing to wear. I'd raid your closet again but we may have already pilfered the only thing of yours that will fit her."
Burgundy threw the dish towel she was holding at him.
"I'm going to take it as a compliment that my women are throwing towels at me," said Jared as he walked out of my room.
I smiled inwardly. Jared had included me as one of his women. I'd gone through so many years being a loner with no friends. These two really weren't just pretending. I finally belonged somewhere.
Burgundy took my arm in hers. "Let's see what he has in mind, shall we?"
I parked my little Honda on Walnut Street outside of Sadie and Ryder's new house. A twinge of guilt pricked me. I hadn't even offered to help move her in here. Why was I still holding onto the old story I'd conjured between us? Hadn't we made up and moved past it all? And yet here I was again, dredging it up, holding onto it the way my canvas held onto oils.
The lights were on in front of the little cottage. At the end of a cul-de-sac, the house had a lovely front lawn and a walkway framed with solar lanterns. Sadie had a modern sensibility, but she was clearly embracing some of Ryder's shabby chic. The cottage's white clapboard siding was lit up with warm amber porch bulbs. Several wind chimes and hummingbird feeders decorated the front porch, along with two lovely outdoor lounge chairs and a table. One thing our entire family had always agreed on was no wicker, limiting choices for outdoor decor. Sadie, always favoring the modern, had picked out a brushed-metal table and chairs with gray cushions.
