“Oh I see you found the photos.”
I jumped and spun to find Rose with a teasing smile on her face and a tray in hand. She winked playfully before setting the tray on the ottoman. Cherry blossoms spread across the gorgeous white china laid on the tray. Each cup, saucer and even the teapot was decorated with the finest precision.
“I did.” I laughed guiltily. “Sorry.”
Rose shook her head and took a seat on the sofa. “It’s no trouble. I wouldn’t leave them out if I minded them being seen.”
That’s fair. I sat next to her, keeping about a foot of space between us. Ky followed us to the couch and leapt up beside me, curling up and sniffing the air. Ugh. The tea must smell great. I bit my lip, wishing I could take the nose plugs out.
“It smells great,” I lied. “Did you paint the china yourself?”
Rose shook her head, curls dancing around her angelic face. “No, I’ve never been the best with paints.” Her grimace told me all I needed to know. There was a painting catastrophe somewhere in her past. I smiled at the mental image of Rose covered in paint. “I do enjoy carving, however.”
“I noticed,” I said. “You’re amazing at it.”
Rose blinked large eyes framed by thick black lashes. Her cheeks flushed prettily as she took a cup and saucer before pouring some tea and handing it to me. “Thank you. You’re very kind.”
My cheeks burned. “You’re the sweet one. I can’t believe you’re letting me stay here for the night.”
Rose shrugged. “It’s no trouble.”
We lapsed into silence as Rose poured her own tea and I blew on mine. When I figured it was cool enough to drink, I took a sip. It tasted like strawberry rhubarb, but muted. I wouldn’t be able to fully taste with the nose plugs in. “It’s delicious,” I said, reaching for something to say. I’d always been socially awkward, but it only got worse around pretty girls and gorgeous men.
“I thought you’d like it.” Rose flashed a knowing smile.
I looked around her apartment, trying to think of something else to say. I’d already commented on how beautiful I found her place, complimented the tea, and said thank you for letting me stay. I ticked off those boxes in my head, running through my ‘must be polite’ mental checklist. Mom didn’t raise a rude girl, and I always felt compelled to be an excellent houseguest. But small talk? Ugh. Kill me. Sometimes I swear I don’t have a social bone in my body.
My gaze flicked over the photos again, and finally I had a topic of conversation. “Those are very sweet photos,” I commented. “You were such a cute kid.”
Rose laughed. “Thank you. I was so awkward back then.”
Girl, I know the feeling. “Weren’t we all?”
“True.”
“Are those your parents?” I asked.
Rose’s shoulders stiffened, and she slowly set her cup and saucer back on the tray. “Yes, my adoptive parents at least.”
My eyebrows furrowed. “Oh, I didn’t know you were adopted. You have your dad’s eyes.”
Rose shrugged. “Just a coincidence, unfortunately.”
I gnawed on my lower lip. Crap. Did I stumble into forbidden territory accidentally? “Sorry, I didn’t mean to bring them up if it’s a sore subject,” I said.
Rose shook her head. “Oh no, it’s fine. It’s just been awhile since I’ve talked about them. We haven’t seen each other in some time.”
I frowned. That didn’t sound good, and from the sad look on Rose’s face, maybe she just needed a friend to talk it over with. I didn’t want to pry, but I did want to help. It was the least I could do. “Do you want to talk about it?” I asked, nerves forcing me to tap my heel.
Ky pressed up against my thigh and laid his head against me. I took a deep breath, and on an exhale I stopped bouncing my foot. I don’t know how he could calm me down so easily, but it really came in handy.
Rose smiled sadly. “Well, I suppose it couldn’t hurt. I haven’t had a friend to talk things over with in awhile.” She sat back, bringing her legs up beneath her to get more comfortable.
My heart panged at the very idea, but now that I thought about it, I don’t think I’d ever seen any visitors head to Rose’s apartment. I very rarely even heard her through our shared wall. “You don’t have to if you’re not comfortable.”
“It’s not that,” Rose said. “I’ve always been a very solitary creature, so it’s nice to have the chance to share.”
“Well, I’m all ears.”
Rose’s lips twitched as if to smile, but she took a sip of tea instead before setting her cup down once again. “I was a strange child, and my parents’ always accepted me. They seemed to love me unconditionally despite my peculiarities.”
She paused, and I nodded to encourage her. “As a parent should. Go on.”
“Unfortunately, their love had one condition.” Rose stared into her tea, her lips pressed into a firm line.
My heart galloped as I waited for the shoe to drop. Whatever Rose was about to say, it had my fists clenched with anger. Unless she became a serial killer at sixteen, or was somehow abusive towards her family—which I very much doubted considering how sweet and honest Rose always seemed—then there was no excuse I would ever accept for these people to stop loving their daughter the way she deserved.
“Before I finished high school, I came out to my parents’. I never expected them to be anything but supportive, so when Mama kicked me out, I was lost.” She sighed, closing her eyes. “It took me a long time to get over their reaction, and sometimes I wish I could go back and change that I’d told them, but that just doesn’t seem…”
“Fair?” I offered.
Rose opened her eyes and smiled wryly. “Yes, fair.”
I set my cup and saucer back on the tray and reached across the distance between us. I took her hand as gently as I could. I was always awkward when it came to physical affection, but her confession left me feeling… emboldened, somehow. “You’re right. It isn’t fair. I’m so sorry, Rose. It’s not fair that they put you through that, and it’s not fair that they didn’t outright accept you the way you are.”
Rose squeezed my fingers, her hand warm in mine, her skin soft like flower petals. “Thank you.”
My heart thumped loudly in my ears as we sat in silence. Every inch of me wanted so desperately to help her in some way. It was terrible that someone as kind as Rose had to go through that. Someone’s sexuality doesn’t change who they are. It doesn’t make them a bad person, and certainly shouldn’t change how someone views them. It hurt my heart to think of someone’s parents’ rejecting them like that.
When I’d come out as bisexual to my mom in tenth grade, she’d laughed and hugged me, saying she’d known for years. She’d always thought I had a crush on my best friend at the time, and I was embarrassed to admit she was right. Fortunately, I never told that friend about how I felt, as we grew apart when we got older. It still made me sad to think about it, but Mom’s pure acceptance made my heart squeeze with thanks.
“Sorry to bring down the mood,” Rose said on a laugh.
“Don’t be!” I said, tightening my grip on her fingers. I’d almost forgotten I was holding her hand, but now I was glad I was. “It means a lot that you shared that with me. Thank you.”
Again, I found Rose blinking at me in wide eyed surprise. When I blinked back, her expression quickly softened. Warmth radiated from her palm as her thumb skimmed the back of my hand. “You’re a real treasure, Clara.”
My whole body flushed with embarrassment.
She laughed at my reaction. “Why don’t we finish our tea and put a movie on? Something light.”
I relaxed as Rose released my hand and grabbed the remote from the table sitting next to her. “That sounds perfect,” I said, entirely relieved.
“Let’s see,” Rose hummed as she flicked the TV on and began perusing the romantic comedy section. She paused, a teasing smile on her face as she looked back at me. “Pretty in Pink or Imagine Me and You? What do you think
?”
I grinned, despite the blush still coloring my face. “Imagine Me and You. Definitely.”
Rose’s lips pressed together as she stifled a laugh. Facing forward, she hit the OK button on the movie and the opening scene began. “Me and you it is.”
Chapter 16
“Are you sure you won’t stay longer?” Rose asked, tilting her head to lean against the doorframe. Curls spilled down her shoulders, not a hair out of place despite having fallen asleep on the couch last night.
I smiled and scratched Ky’s head as he nuzzled my cheek. “I’m sure. It’s way too quiet over there and I’m getting worried.” I darted a glance at the door to my apartment. Quiet was an understatement. Neither of us had heard a peep since last night. Then again, we had fallen asleep shortly after our movie.
Sleeping over at Rose’s had been far better than expected. After my initial awkwardness, we watched movies, drank tea and ate homemade vegan cookies, which were surprisingly amazing considering they didn’t have what I’d consider to be the usual cookie-making ingredients like milk and eggs.
Not only was Rose drop-dead gorgeous, a thoughtful sweetheart, and a talented craftswoman, but she could also bake. Amidst all the hell on Earth recently, it was nice to know that heaven still existed, even if it was in a tiny one-bedroom apartment.
“You make a good point,” Rose said. Her eyebrows knit together as she looked over my shoulder.
“Thank you again for having me. I really appreciate all you’ve done,” I said. My heartbeat sped up. I really did love spending time with Rose. Despite worrying about her safely at the beginning, she really helped calm me down.
“Anytime.” Rose grinned. “Feel free to come over whenever you need to escape.” She winked playfully, and my racing heart skipped.
“I’ll definitely take you up on that,” I said.
“Please do.” Rose pushed off the doorframe and stepped back into her apartment, her hand on the doorknob. “Have a great day, Clara.”
“You too.”
Rose shut the door, leaving Ky and I alone in the hallway. I sighed through my nose and looked down at the orange cat perched on my shoulder.
“Well, that was fun,” I said. “What do you want to bet that my apartment is still a disaster area?” Ky chuffed softly and twitched his whiskers, tickling my cheek. I laughed and took the few remaining steps over to my door. “I guess we’re about to find out.”
I opened the door, which wasn’t locked—definitely not a good sign—and stepped inside. My breath caught and my eyes widened as I gazed around the kitchen. For a second, all I could do was blink in surprise. Had I just walked into the wrong apartment?
Instead of the dingy old green cabinets I’d had for the last few years, the cabinets were painted white with new silver handles on every door and drawer. My appliances had been upgraded as well, sleek stainless steel with black backings. The room had been repainted a soft pastel blue, almost the same color as my bedroom, and sitting on the counter closest to my new breakfast nook was a brand new Batman toaster.
Holy shit. This is my apartment.
“What do you think?”
I jumped, surprised to find Ryker leaning on the doorframe to the living room. “Y-You did this?” I motioned at the kitchen. He nodded. “It’s amazing.”
A smile split his handsome face. “I’m glad you like it.”
“Like it?” I took another step inside, my gaze sweeping the room once more before settling on his red-brown eyes. “I love it.”
Faint pink flushed Ryker’s cheeks as he swept a hand through his long dark brown hair. “I hoped you would. I’m sorry again about yesterday. Things got… out of hand.”
Ky leapt off my shoulder and pranced between Ryker’s legs before disappearing into the other room.
“They certainly did,” I mumbled, images of my destroyed apartment flashing before my eyes. “But this definitely helps make up for it.”
His soft smile returned. “I’m glad. Why don’t you come see the rest?”
“The rest?” I squawked. “You mean there’s more?”
Ryker chuckled and motioned me towards him. He moved out of the doorway to allow me through. “Come and see.”
I crept closer, my pulse racing. Okay, the kitchen was one thing. The new appliances, a little far, though considering the landlord would get to keep them, not so bad. I might even get my damage deposit back. What else had he gotten up to while I was gone? And how hadn’t I heard any of it?
Stepping into the living room, I gasped. It might have the same color walls and same floor, but besides that, everything was new. All of my furniture had been replaced by an array of blues, golds and whites, from the sofa, to the armchair, and even the new plush carpet. A new sparkling white TV stand even leaned against the wall, a flat screen far bigger and far newer than my old one propped on top.
“This is too much,” I said, the words spilling out of my mouth in a rush. “Way too much. It’s gorgeous, but I can’t pay you back for all of this.”
Ryker blinked, confused. “You don’t need to pay me back, Clara. It’s a gift… well, an apology.” He shrugged, sliding his hands into his pockets.
Was this really such a casual gift for him? “I can’t accept this,” I spluttered. “It’s way too much.”
Ryker chuckled just as Ky strode back into the room wearing a white t-shirt and a pair of low-hanging blue jeans. He whistled in appreciation as he took it all in.
“Swanky,” Ky said.
I sighed, exasperated. This was ridiculous. I figured Ryker had money given he worked all the time and had a gorgeous modern house outside the city, but I’d never seen him use it. Not once. Just how rich was he?
“Are you done admiring it yet?” Zane asked coldly.
I turned to find the surly Reaper towering in the kitchen doorway, his arms crossed defensively. “Did you have any part of this?” I asked, my voice rising.
Zane rolled his eyes, but didn’t say a word.
“He did,” Ryker said slowly, glancing between us. His cheek twitched as if he wanted to deny it. “He did most of the cleanup himself.”
Zane can clean? An amused smile curled my lips as I pictured Zane in a maid’s outfit picking up after the carnage he’d caused. The guy didn’t have manners, but he could clean? Interesting.
“Forget it,” Zane growled, annoyed. “Enough is enough. You can’t put this off any longer.”
My blood ran cold. After the nice night I’d had with Rose, and the beautiful surprise waiting for me at home, I’d nearly forgotten that I had to kill a person today.
Ky scoffed. “Did you have to bring that up already? We just got home.” He slipped between the vampire and I to sling an arm around my shoulder. I didn’t have the energy to be annoyed with him, so instead I held my arms tightly to my body, trying to keep myself together.
Ryker’s throat bobbed as he swallowed. “No. He’s right.”
I narrowed my eyes as I looked between Ryker and Zane. Wait. Since when did those two agree with each other about anything? What happened while we were gone last night—besides the home remodel?
“Better to get it over with,” Ryker continued. “The sun will be setting soon.”
At least that meant Ryker was coming with us this time. My shoulders relaxed slightly, even as I kneaded my lip between my teeth. I knew I had to do this, but it didn’t make it any easier.
“Okay,” I said. Nerves sent my heart skittering and made my palms clammy. I knew what was on the line. If I didn’t obey Elizabeth this time, she wouldn’t let me get away with an injured Reaper at my side. This time, she’d hurt my loved ones. I shivered. No, I certainly didn’t want to feel Elizabeth’s wrath again.
“Good,” Zane grunted. “We leave in an hour.”
I nodded. Despite Ky’s warm body pressed against me, my entire body felt like ice. Tonight, I’d kill a person. Even if my demon was to blame, I would still have blood on my hands. Blood I’m not sure I’d ever be able to wash off
. But if it saved my mom, my friends, and even Zane, then I had to do it.
Tomorrow, I’d wake up a murderer. At least I had an hour left to enjoy my remaining innocence.
The car jostled beneath me as we rolled over yet another pothole. My heart raced with nerves, and I played with the edge of my black t-shirt, twisting it between my clammy hands. Just like the last time I’d tried to kill a person, we drove in silence, the boys letting me focus on the auras of those we passed.
Though I’d thought having all of them with me would reassure me somehow, I was still a nervous wreck. Zane glanced at me from the drivers seat every few minutes I didn’t tell him to stop the car, and Ryker periodically leaned from the backseat to squeeze my shoulder. But there was no touch powerful enough to calm my pulse. Even Ky’s purr had little effect.
I took a deep, shuttering breath and focused on everyone we passed. A couple stood outside a restaurant, their auras darker in color, but nothing outright cold or emotionless. A pack of young adults with bright, bubbly pinks and blues rushed to the front doors of another warehouse rave—but nothing sketchy lurked in the alleys this time.
“It’s been an hour,” Zane said coldly, startling me from my focus.
I snapped back against the seat, shooting a glare at the Reaper. “Being impatient isn’t helping.”
“You just need to pick someone,” he growled.
“You want me to just pick someone to murder?” My voice rose with indignation. I knew he’d probably spent much of his life killing people for his psychotic boss, but it didn’t mean I found it so easy. I hadn’t wanted to kill a man who might have been a budding psychopath, and still Zane didn’t seem to understand that this just wasn’t in my DNA.
“Yes.”
I bristled, fury pushing heat through my veins.
Ryker sighed and squeezed my shoulder once again. “Ignore him. Focus on the pedestrians. Remember, this is your choice, Clara. No one, not even Zane, can make it for you.”
I closed my eyes and sank into my seat. The cold of his hand grounded me, as did the gentle rumble of his voice. Slowly, the heat inside of me faded and my racing heart picked up speed once again. “Okay,” I said, opening my eyes.
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