Finding Lily

by Emma Shade

  CHAPTER TEN

  “Are you okay?” Paige asked.

  I shrugged. Along with emotions, if they weren’t bad enough, electrical energy buzzed through my veins. Everything I’d worked so hard at ramming to the back of my mind wanted to overflow with tears. Ashton. Blake. Sam’s death. Spotting Carlotta and Jeffery brought it all rushing back. What had running away really accomplish? When I joined this little band of misfits, had it caused more pain than healing?

  “Talk to me here, Lily. I don’t know what you’re thinking.”

  I sighed. “I don’t know, Paige. I wanted to run up to them and sprint away at the same time. Am I broken?”

  Paige tapped her fingers on the armrest of the car door as she inspected my face. She wrinkled her nose, and said, “Shit, Lily. We’re all a little broken. And that’s okay. There’s nothing wrong with questioning yourself and your choices. When it comes to leaving everyone behind or going back? I can’t answer that for you. One of the most challenging parts of life is deciding whether to walk away or try harder. And figuring out if it’s all worth it in the end.”

  “When did you get so insightful all of a sudden?” I grumbled.

  “Well, even though I’m a bitch most of the time, I’ve had things in my past that I’ve regretted. My life isn’t all rainbows and butterflies,” she said, and gazed out the window.

  I swallowed back any emotions that threatened to be exposed. Paige’s childhood was horrendous, even if I’d only known a tiny part of it. Setting an orphanage on fire with your unknown abilities probably still caused her nightmares.

  On the way up to the entrance of our hotel, a man leaned up against the fountains as though he waited on us. Baseball cap low on his face, he eyed us from afar. At first I thought it may have been Jamison, or even Jeffery, but his build was off. As we passed, he lifted his head and a star tattoo marred his skin under his right eye. This man wasn’t the same from the other night, but his mere presence and scrutiny from his gaze caused me to hotfoot inside with Paige’s arm tight in my grip.

  “What’s the hurry?” Paige grumbled, wrenching her arm out of my hand.

  “Did you see that guy out there?” I pointed back to the fountains, but like a ghost, he’d disappeared.

  “What guy? There’s nobody out there.”

  “Paige, you didn’t see the guy with the star tattoo? Leaning against the railing near the fountain on the way in?”

  She shook her head like I was losing it. “I didn’t notice anyone, but there’s always people hanging outside. Why?”

  “I saw a guy with the exact same tattoo the night Jamison took us to the bar. He didn’t want me to know it, but he panicked.”

  “Something about the star tattoo means something,” she said, and rubbed her forehead in thought. “We should call Alistair. I don’t like this.”

  I grabbed her arm to stop her from reaching for her cellphone. “No, don’t call him yet. Not until we know if these guys aren’t part of the prostitution and blood trade thing. How do we know that the vampire doesn’t have a mobster mentality and these are his little lookouts?”

  “We don’t. But...”

  “No buts. We wait.” I checked my watch and groaned. “It’s only nine, Paige. What now?”

  “Let’s go to that little boutique and check out dresses?”

  I smiled, ignoring the tattooed thugs for now, and straightened my hair with my fingers. “Let’s go.”

  *****

  Luckily the boutique was open late. The brick building on the outskirts of Las Vegas had dark tinted windows with painted intricate swirls. A bright neon sign with the name, Zeke’s, in bright blue illuminated the near empty parking lot.

  A cowbell at the door announced our entrance, and I stopped short. If gothic was what you were after, well, this place would be a wet dream. Dark purple walls with white scrolled designs, black leather benches along the left wall, and red stained concrete floors. Don’t get me wrong, the place even though gothic, was decorated in class and elegance. All the dresses lining the place ranged from leather corsets, elegant Victorian dresses, and steampunk. Matching men’s clothing sat beside the women’s dresses all in the same ranges of fashion.

  “Hello, girlies. How can I help you tonight?” said a flamboyant voice from behind us.

  We both spun with an intake of breath and inspected the man who spoke. Dressed in full steampunk regalia, with the goggles on his top hat and all, a man stood with his arms crossed. His coal lined green eyes inspected us as though we’d stepped right out of the twilight zone.

  “Hi, um, Jamison sent us here to get a dress for tomorrow’s masquerade ball?” I said, and frowned.

  “Jamison Masters sent you? Well, you girls are in for a treat,” he said, and bowed as though the name pronounced us royalty. Once upright again, he smiled and rubbed his hands together in conspiracy. “He let me know you both might stop by, and I must say, his descriptions are spot on. I’m sorry I didn’t introduce myself earlier, but neither of you appear to be the type to shop here. By the way, name’s Zeke.”

  When he smiled, fangs dangled just under his pale lips and the breath caught in my throat. I held up my hands, palm out. “Gotcha. Well, we’re here to spend money so...”

  “I’m just showing you the clientele we usually serve, so I’m surprised that Jamison sent two conjurers in is all. And letting you know that I’ll protect what’s mine without an ounce of regret. But, if he trusts you, then that’s all I need to know. So. Who’s first?”

  “She’s first,” Paige said and nudged me forward so hard, I stumbled.

  “Wonderful! Let’s see, you must be the darling angel my Jamison wants to take as his special guest.” Zeke tapped his finger on his chin. “Ah! Yes, yes, yes. That’s exactly the dress you need.”

  He continued to mumble as he colorfully swished through the racks of clothing.

  I stepped back and whispered to Paige, “Special guest? What does that mean?”

  “That means, angel, that you are his date for the evening,” Zeke replied, his eyes roaming over me like an elevator. “You must be a size six? Maybe a seven?”

  “Uh...” I stammered and pursed my lips.

  Several bags in his hands, Zeke rushed forward and propelled me to the dressing room with only a curtain blocking the view to the shop. He glanced back at Paige, who shuffled on her feet uncomfortably. “You, little red, must not like to be all dolled up. But don’t you worry. Zeke will make you fabulous. Don’t think I don’t know you’ve dyed your hair from what had to be a gorgeous coppery red color. Those freckles gave you away. Zeke always knows these things.”

  “Oh, great. He talks in third person,” Paige mumbled with an eye roll.

  “Yes, I do. And if you don’t want me to put you in some god-awful attire, you better thing twice before sassing me, Red.”

  I snickered and swished the curtain closed for privacy. This guy, even though he looked nothing like him, reminded me of Sam. I sighed and swallowed back the lump in my throat. Unzipping the garment bag, I pulled out a dress with a coordinating masquerade mask suspended from the hangers. I didn’t remember seeing any masks on the shop floor and I frowned.

  Peeking around the curtain, I caught Zeke’s attention and held up a gorgeous Venetian mask. “How did you know we’d need these?”

  Waiving his hand around, he said, “Please. Jamison called ahead, and if anything, that man is prepared for the whole kit and caboodle. Now get the dress on so I can ooh and aah over you.”

  I pulled out a red chiffon dress that didn’t fit in the shop’s motif in the least. Jeweled accents lined the waste of the dress and it reminded me of the dress Ashton had purchased for our first date. Once dressed and as if on cue, Zeke whooshed the curtain back, zipped my dress, and tied the coordinating mask to the back of my head. Checking myself in the reflection, I smiled at the choice Zeke and Jamison picked out.

  Zeke twisted a finger around in a circle. “Now, turn around so I can see this masterpiece. Red, you ne
ed to come check out your friend, and then I’m going to get you appropriately dressed in yours. I have the perfect one in mind.”

  Paige strolled towards the dressing area and smirked. “I’m not much on compliments, but you look beautiful. Too bad Ashton and Blake can’t see you in this.”

  The smile fell from my face in an instant. Paige was the only one who could compliment me in one sentence and devastate me in the next. I took a deep breath and reluctantly replied, “Thanks.”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean...”

  I cut her off, “You meant every word. That’s okay.”

  “Who are these men you speak of? I can see this one,” Zeke said and waved a finger at me, “apparently has feelings for them. Just the mention of their names caused such sorrow.”

  “How’d you know that?” I asked and grimaced.

  “Dear girl, vampires can sense most emotions. Yours were so thick they practically screamed on the air.”

  I hid my surprise. That explained a lot of things. Like the moment I felt all the emotional energy the night Sam was impaled by Con’s sword and I went ballistic. Paige choked and her wide eyes met mine. I shrugged. Thank you, Zeke, for that spilled bit of information about the vampire race. Because the vampires in our life appeared to be tight lipped.

  “Red, your turn.” Zeke snapped at Paige and gestured to the next curtain over.

  She blew a raspberry with her lips and rolled her eyes. Sliding the curtain shut with a growl, she rustled around as she undressed.

  He slapped his hands together. “You, on the other hand, don’t need to try anything else on. Get changed back into your clothes and we’ll work on your stubborn friend.”

  Several minutes later, after I was dressed in my street clothes, he zipped up Paige’s dress and tied her matching masquerade mask on. When she turned, grudgingly I might add, she slumped as though uncomfortable. Zeke slapped her shoulders to force her stand up straight.

  Paige looked stunning. The black, gothic dress had one thick strap on the left decorated with flowers, a lace corset, and lace skirt that curtained lower in the back and short in the front. Black high-heeled boots came to mid-calf and tied with ribbons and lace. Zeke couldn’t have picked a better dress. Even though she looked gorgeous, she could still kick ass.

  “You look great. And trust me, you don’t look as girly in the thing as you think. Plus, your attitude just makes this outfit,” I admitted.

  She inspected herself in the mirror in the dressing room and said, “Its okay. I’ll admit that.”

  “Just okay!?” Zeke cried out in astonishment. “Red, this dress is a-maz-ing on you. Get over that bitch mentality and find your inner diva!”

  Placing my hand on the wall to secure myself, I doubled over with laughter at Zeke’s statement. If I believed in reincarnation, Zeke would be the gothic version of Sam.

  *****

  Our dresses were paid for by Jamison’s tab, even after our refusal for his kindness went unheard by Zeke. Paige and I ambled towards our hotel with garment bags, delicately wrapped masquerade masks, and shoe boxes.

  The same man from yesterday rested against the railing by the fountains. His hat was lowered again, but the star tattoo was unmistakable. I nudged Paige’s arm and gestured with a quick nod in the guy’s direction.

  “I’m saying something to this asshole,” she muttered and started towards him.

  “No, if we make it apparent that we know he’s here, the man won’t be blatantly visible next time. This makes two different guys now, and they give me the creeps.”

  Riding the elevator up, I frowned. This was the third time I had spotted these guys. I said, “Maybe they already know we’re aware of them and after their leader?”

  Paige shook her head. “I’m sorry, but we’ve got to call Alistair in the morning. I’ll take the brunt of his anger for you hanging up on him the other day. Thanks for that, by the way.”

  “Well, he was an asshole. He deserved it.”

  “That may be, Lily,” she said and unlocked our hotel room, “but if memory serves, you were kind of a bitch that day too.”

  I rolled my eyes and strolled into our room after Paige. I’d barely had time to hang up our dresses, masks, and put our shoes on the bottom of the closet before she snored on the bed.

  For the first time, I changed into sweatpants and a tank top instead of sleeping in my clothes from the night before. Tucking myself into the covers, I stared at the ceiling for about a half an hour while thoughts ran rapid through my mind. Zeke reminded me of Sam and tears sprouted along my lashes. Carlotta and Jeffery being spotted brought a few more sniffles. Then, throw in Ashton and Blake, and well, I’d been long overdue for and emotional roller-coaster ride.

  Not able to hold it in any longer, the tears streamed down my cheeks, soaking my hair. This was worst kind of crying. The one when everyone is asleep and you’re alone to stare at the ceiling while a million thoughts collected in your mind. The lump in my throat burned, and my eyes became hazy from the tears. I just wanted to scream, but had to hold my breath and clutch my stomach to keep quiet. I gasped for breath through the sobs as my body shuddered.

  Yet, even though these tears cascaded down my face for the people I left behind, they were for myself as well. I mourned who I was, who I had become, and the future I’d yet to see. Because my life as I’d known it was an ever-changing nightmare. And even more than my life’s current changes, the tears cleansed and washed away what felt as taint on my soul. It was a good cry, if that made any sense. The crying spell purified the pain, and I felt just a tad bit better on the inside because of it.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  ASHTON

  That little shit! Sam had planned this for days and waited for the prime opportunity to take off. Carlotta and Jeffery jumped on a plane to chase after him. They’d been in Reno, Nevada anyway. He refused my calls and texts. If I hadn’t loved the bastard, I’d slaughter him when he returned.

  I paced back and forth down across the massive living room. Knowing Sam was right ate at my subconscious like a rabid dog. I should’ve been the one who chased after Liliana and traveled the world on my search. But instead, I sat here and rotated between Revive and home as though I wasn’t good enough to find her. Maybe trepidation played a part of my reluctance. What if we found her and she refused to see me?

  Unfortunately, it took Sam’s little pep talk to persuade me to take matters in to my own hands. If I truly loved Liliana, I needed to find her.

  As soon as I discovered Sam had disappeared, I called Blake straight back to my house. It was about time we’d discussed exactly how this was going to play out. We’d both leave in the morning, whether he wanted to or not. I’ll be damned if my stupid pride at the thought of Blake finding her first was going to hinder this expedition. The jerk was needed more than I wanted to admit.

  Blake entered the house through the unlocked door and found me pacing the room. He smirked and crossed his arms. “You’re going to wear a hole in your nice hardwood floors if you keep that up.”

  I glared and retorted, “I don’t care. It’s not like they can’t be replaced.”

  “Just like your women, right?”

  My hand clasped around his neck, cutting off his air in a millisecond. Fangs surged free and my eyes adjusted to minute detail, the demon threatening to erupt. I leaned close to Blake’s face and sneered, “Watch it, Blake. I’m hanging on the edge as it is. Don’t push me over or you’ll regret it.”

  Blake’s hands erupted in sparks of supernatural energy and wrapped them around my wrist. I hissed and released him. It hurt like a mother fucker. I shook my hand to release the scorching agony that still coursed through my nerve endings.

  “Well, I can dish out just as much as you, Ashton. So don’t push me either,” he snapped.

  “Fine. We’re never going to be best buds or anything, but we have the same damn goal. Find Liliana and keep her alive. Now, not only do we have to locate her, we have to find Sam too. The little shit
hopped on the first flight to Vegas.”

  “He did? Why didn’t you just tell me that on the phone instead of this meeting of the minds?”

  “Because, Blake, you’d be long gone by now and on a plane. So, before you had the opportunity, I decided to bring you here first. We can fly out on my Lear jet, but it won’t be back until early in the morning with Gary. He’s going to watch the club for the weekend so we can go hunting.”

  “Hunting? Lily’s not a deer, Ashton,” Blake scoffed. “Besides, I bought us some time with the Enforcers. They won’t outright kill her, unless she does something stupid.”

  I sighed and raked my hand through my short hair. “I think you’re forgetting she’s with Paige. And I’d like to know how you were able to pull that off with the Enforcers. Even being a conjurer doesn’t give you the power to call off a death order.”

  Blake smirked. “I have my ways in dealing with the Enforcers. And you’re right about Paige. The quicker we find Lily and Sam, the better off we’ll be. Are you sure Sam can’t wait until we find Lily?”

  “No. If anything happens to him, Liliana would never forgive me. Or forgive you for that matter. Sam asked me to bring him back so Liliana wouldn’t lose him, and I’ll be damned if he gets killed now. Carlotta and Jeffery are looking for him in Las Vegas, but I’d like to be there to slap the shit of him for leaving.”

  “I can’t believe Sam’s a vamp.” Blake sighed. “I never thanked you for that. But, thank you. And I agree with locating Sam. It’s a double edged sword no matter which way we go. If we risk saving Sam, Lily could be hurt in the interim. If we don’t save Sam, Lily will never forgive us.”

  “Jamison will watch over her until we find them both.” I shrugged.

  “Are you ever going to fill me in on who Jamison is? How he became a vampire? What is the deal with the two of you?”