by Emma Shade
“Who keeps calling you?” I asked, annoyance getting the better of me.
Blake tapped the armrest and gazed out the window. He finally said, “My sister.”
I blinked in surprise. “You have a sister?”
“I have a younger half-sister,” Blake responded with a shrug. “I don’t talk to my family much anymore, but they’ve been pretty persistent lately. Unfortunately they just can’t take a hint.”
“Why don’t you talk to them? Family means the world to me. I’m still struggling with the fact that my own brother doesn’t want to stick around.”
Blake laughed sarcastically. “My family and I don’t get along because we have opposing views on a certain number of things.”
“What differences could be so bad that you can’t stand your own family?”
“Ashton, it’s none of your business and I’m not getting into it any time soon.”
“Fine.” I glowered at Blake and dropped it for now. But there was more behind Blake’s family. I wasn’t a fool.
We arrived at the Indigo Casino where Carlotta and Jeffery waited for us just outside the entrance.
Carlotta helped unload our luggage from the limo, and said, “Are you sure she’s here?”
I nodded. “Sam called me. He found her and we’re meeting Jamison in,” I checked my watch, “two hours.”
“Ashton,” she said and put her dainty hand on my arm, “please tell me you’ll be patient and understanding if she doesn’t give you the warmest welcome?”
Blake chimed in, “Yeah, because after all, you lied to her. Again. A girl can only take so much.”
Carlotta let go of my arm and smacked Blake upside the head. “You don’t need to make this even worse. None of us know how Lily is going to react. She could hate us all and we need to accept that before we even see her.”
I let out an exasperated breath and nodded. Blake finally snapped his mouth shut, thank the Lord. The thing is, I wasn’t so sure that once I saw Liliana, I wouldn’t run up and wrap my arms around her. Or throw her over my shoulder and leave the city.
*****
When eight came around, Blake and I waited for Jamison to make an appearance. I checked my watch constantly, Blake paced the length of the sidewalk. Jamison was late.
A petite dark haired woman strolled up to us and I had to do a double take. “Paige?”
“In the flesh. Jamison’s on his way shortly. He got caught up in something. Or someone,” she replied, and her mouth curved into a grin.
My heart sunk and anger rushed through me. “You better be screwing with me.”
Blake interrupted her answer, and I had wanted to strangle him for it. Surely Liliana wasn’t in bed with Jamison.
“Paige! I’m happy to finally see your bitchy ass again!” Blake cried out and wrapped his arms around Paige like they were best of friends.
“You too, Blake. Have you been staying out of trouble? Keeping Ashton in line?”
He pulled back and nudged her on the chin with his knuckles. “You know it.”
“Enough!” I scowled and eyed Paige. “Are you messing with my head? Jamison better be joining us soon.”
“I’m here,” Jamison announced, striding down the sidewalk. “What’s this about messin’ with your head?”
I glared at Paige first and then turned my attention to Jamison. “Paige here made it seem as though you were in bed with Liliana.”
He chuckled and said, “Nah. Even though I’d love to, I wouldn’t do that to the poor girl.”
Frowning, I glanced around expecting her to make an appearance. However, my hopes were squashed when Paige said, “She’s not coming. She’s taking a nap in the hotel room. I’d love to be sleeping too, but Jamison dragged me out even with my splitting headache.”
“Paige wacked her head during our struggle with the Enforcers.” Jamison shrugged.
“Whacked my head? I landed on my fucking head. If anything, I have a concussion along with a massive goose egg on the back of my skull,” she scoffed.
“I healed you didn’t I? I don’t do that for just anyone,” he replied with a raised eyebrow.
I interrupted Paige’s rebuttal and asked, “The struggle with the Enforcers? Is everyone okay?”
“Yeah, luckily Sam came to Lily’s rescue. Which was a big surprise to her and Paige, by the way. What’s the deal there? At the mention of your name, Ashton, she was madder than a wet hen. I got the distinct impression that she didn’t want anything to do with you.”
Even though I had thought it was coming, it hurt more than I wanted to admit. After all, I deserved her anger.
Blake’s voice transported me from my melancholy thoughts. “So when do we get to see her again?”
“We’ll all meet up at the restaurant inside Indigo at noon. We all need to get a little bit of sleep. It was a long night for us all,” Jamison replied, and typed on his phone as he made his way down the sidewalk, Paige following behind him.
Seeing Liliana later was going to either go terrific or horribly wrong, so I had a 50/50 chance. Knowing my luck it was going to be the latter. Not that I blamed her. I’d lied to Liliana, and knew better. Although lie after lie spewed out of my mouth to keep her safe, this last one was deceitful. I never intended to hurt her, because it’s the last thing I ever wanted to do, but I had anyway. Sam was meant as a surprise. Plus, he begged and pleaded that he would be the one to tell her if anything happened. It just wasn’t supposed to happen this way. Out of all the things in my past, not telling Liliana about Sam’s decision was the one thing I regretted the most.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
LILY
Waking with Sam’s arms around me in a comforting hug was better than anything in the world. Not that I had romantic feelings, because Sam preferred the opposite sex and was my best friend, but it confirmed that this was real.
I smiled and stretched. “Good morning.”
“Good morning to you too, morning breath.” He kissed me on the cheek and then waived his hand around. “You need to brush your teeth, badly.”
“I’m sorry!” As if it would block my breath, I covered my mouth with my hand.
“Don’t be sorry. I just can smell everything in crazy detail now. Sometimes I feel like a dang bloodhound,” he said and winked. “Pun intended.”
With my hand still blocking my mouth, I asked, “Where is everyone?”
“They went to meet Ashton and Blake. And, no, Ashton and Blake won’t be with them when they return. I knew you needed time, so we are meeting them at lunch.”
My belly growled at the mention of food and Sam chuckled. Removing himself from the bed, he rummaged around in a plastic sack on the dresser. He spun around and held up a small bag of powdered donuts.
“Sam, you’re a man after my own heart. Donuts, and do I smell coffee brewing?”
“Well, I know you all too well. Coffee for your morning grouchiness and donuts for your belly,” he said with a smile, and poured me a cup of coffee.
Sitting up in the bed with a yawn, I groaned at my sore muscles. The fight with the Enforcers fresh on my mind, I contemplated how they knew we would be at the masquerade ball. They were there before we arrived. Something hadn’t been right about the whole scenario.
Then I had to worry about seeing Ashton and Blake for the first time in months. Even though I was far from prepared to see the two men, curiosity peaked my interest. Now, at least, I thought I could block all emotions from the equation. Well, that was the plan anyway.
Sam handed my coffee and the bag of donuts to me. I sipped the coffee and chowed down on the powered sugary goodness. A knock on the door interrupted my breakfast and I looked at Sam with wide eyes.
Tilting his head to the side, he frowned and announced, “Alistair. What’s he doing here?”
Swallowing a bite of donut, I eyed Sam with confusion. “How did you know that without looking?”
He shrugged and headed to answer the door. Silence filled the room for a few minutes and Sam fin
ally greeted him. “Alistair, nice to see you. Are you gonna come in or gawk at me some more?”
Without a word in reply, Alistair strolled into the hotel room with bewilderment etched on his face. His eyes swung to me first still in bed and then back to Sam. Dressed in distressed jeans and a plain, black T-shirt, Alistair stood in the middle of the room as though he was lost for words. It would’ve been comical if I hadn’t been in the exact same position hours before.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m alive and a vampire. Ashton changed me,” Sam declared with a shrug. “Nobody apparently knew, yada, yada, and here I am.”
“How did you find Lily?” Alistair inquired after a shake of his head.
“Well, Jamison Masters gave up their position to Ashton and Blake. Who are also in town as of early this morning. I showed up long before they did and rescued Lily from the Enforcers last night. I just had a hunch she was in Las Vegas. Thank the Lord for that too. If I hadn’t been at the masquerade ball, who knows what might have happened.”
Alistair’s nostrils flared and I felt his anger filter through the room. He slowly turned his head and pinned his gaze on me. I squirmed uncomfortably. Through gritted teeth, he asked, “You and Paige went out last night even though I told you not to?”
“Yeah?” I answered, but it came out more like a question.
“Un-fucking-believable!” he roared and his finger aimed at me. “You two knew how dangerous this whole Enforcer thing is, but went out anyway. Totally ignored direct orders and put your lives at risk!”
“Hey, now,” Sam chimed in, “don’t get angry with Lily for doing something like this. When have Paige and Lily ever followed the rules?”
Head snapping in Sam’s direction, Alistair snarled, “I don’t care! They should’ve never went to this ball! And what would’ve happened if one of the girls had been killed? None of us could’ve ever forgiven ourselves. That’s what.”
“Alistair, please don’t do this now. Everything’s fine. I’ve only got bruises, and Paige hit her head and was knocked unconscious. It was really scary for a minute, but everything’s fine. Jamison and Sam were more help than you can imagine,” I interjected.
Alistair paced the length of the hotel room, jaw ticking the whole time. He stopped at the foot of the bed, his face impassive, and asked, “Paige was unconscious?”
Tilting my head to study Alistair, he stared back at me without an ounce of emotion. Even if his eyes were expressionless, his question wasn’t. He worried about Paige’s wellbeing. Regardless, Alistair wasn’t going to admit it or say otherwise.
I finally nodded and responded, “Yeah. I thought she was seriously hurt. Head wounds bleed like crazy and I wasn’t able to make it to her side before Sam snatched me up and escaped.”
He pressed a few buttons on his phone and placed the phone to his ear. Stomping out in the hall, he closed the hotel door behind him for privacy.
The bed sunk when Sam sat beside me. He chuckled. “Is it just me or could there be something between Paige and Alistair?”
I snorted. “Ya think? I’ve been debating that for months. Neither would ever actually confess to having any sort of feelings. They can barely stand being in the same room with each other. So I’m not really sure what to think.”
Sam waggled his brows. “You know they say opposites attract. Sometimes the person you fall in love is the one person who drives you bat-shit insane. It’s the type of illogical, passionate love that catches you completely by surprise.”
“Well, don’t ever mention it to Paige or Alistair. Paige would likely slap you, and Alistair would just be a jerk about it.”
“Now, Lily, would I ever open my mouth and say anything?”
With I smile, I replied, “Sam. Come on. We both know you like to spread gossip and rumors more than any tabloid magazine.”
“Touché. Now, let’s get your lazy butt out of that bed. It’s time to shower and show Ashton and Blake just what they’re missing. I’m going to make sure you look like a runway model, babe.” Eyes roaming over my hair, he cringed. “Well, we don’t have time to fix your hair, but you’ll still look fabulous.”
*****
Once I showered and dried my hair, raised voices drifted through the closed bathroom door. I was able to make out Paige, Alistair, and Jamison. Something about Paige and me disobeying a direct command or something like that. Sure, we should’ve stayed inside the hotel room, but we weren’t able to change how the night had went. It wasn’t our idea to get ambushed by a bunch of conjurer assassins.
As I applied concealer on the dark circles under my eyes, my hands shook. Not from the raised voices, but because I was going to face Ashton and Blake for the first time in months. I wasn’t sure what to really expect or how to react. I was upset with both men after Sam was injured and their sudden disappearing act when I needed them the most. Not counting the fact that Ashton had flat out lied to me. Maybe once I’m face to face, indifference was going to be the right way to respond to the situation.
Sam swung open the door, rushed inside, and shut it quickly behind him. With a deep inhale, he leaned against the closed door and rambled, “Paige and Alistair are in each other’s faces yelling at each other. I swear there’s so much tension between the two of them that the walls might possibly crack. Jamison is trying to resolve it with kind words, but he’s being ignored. I couldn’t take it anymore and had to come in here to hide.”
I raked my fingers through my hair and said, “Well, nothing new between Alistair and Paige. While you here, we can always get me ready.”
“Yes! We need to doll you up,” he said and rummaged through my makeup. “Plug in your hair straightener, babe. I’ll do your hair too. I’ll need to see what clothes you have with you.”
A bang resonated through the bathroom as the room door crashed shut. Sam and I jumped at the noise and eyed each other through the mirror. The shouting had stopped as soon as the door closed. An awkward silence filled the space and I jolted again when a knock sounded at the bathroom door.
“Sam? Lily?” Paige called out, voice muffled through the thick wood.
Sam shrugged at me through the reflection and went to let her in.
Face red from anger, Paige’s nostrils flared with each breath. She made her way into the room, allowing Sam to shut the door behind her, and plopped down on the toilet. Her head fell into her trembling hands and she growled.
“Are you okay, Paige?” I asked.
Her hands fell away from her face and she eyed me through the reflection of the mirror. “I’m not sure. Alistair and I said some pretty nasty things to each other. I just don’t know if I can continue to work with him or not. Maybe I can get transferred to another country or something.”
Sam propped himself on the edge of the tub and patted her shoulder. “You don’t mean that. Right now you’re just angry. Surely after a few days you’ll feel differently about it. Not to change the subject, but where’s Jamison?”
She waived a blasé hand around. “Oh, he followed Alistair out the door hoping to calm him down. I feel bad for Jamison trying to keep the peace, because Lord knows it isn’t going to go over too well.”
I finished applying the foundation on my face and sighed. “I doubt it’s going to happen anytime soon. Besides, we have other stuff to worry about. Like Enforcers and death threats. Paige, they’re probably after you now too.”
“Nah. They left as soon as Sam carted you off. If they wanted to finish me off, they had the prime opportunity when I was unconscious.”
Sam frowned. “How did you heal so quickly? Lily’s got bruises up and down her back and upper legs from falling over that table.”
“Jamison healed me while I was out. If I’d known what the guy was doing, it would’ve never happened. I can hear his effing thoughts now. Like they’re blasting through a megaphone. I had to put my mental walls up and under lock and key.”
“You can hear his thoughts?” I asked with a whisper.
Blake and Ashton had the same reacti
on when Ashton healed him during war. It was a story told to me so long ago that I’d forgotten until Paige mentioned hearing Jamison’s thoughts. Little did Paige know that her lifespan had increased significantly.
She huffed. “Yeah. Can you believe the guy’s thoughts are in a stupid southern accent too? It’s annoying as hell.”
A slight tug on my subconscious broke through and minor headache blossomed. My eyes rolled to Sam who watched me through reflection in the mirror. “Sam? Can I ask you something?”
“Anything, babycakes,” he answered, cocking his head to the side and pursing his lips.
“Have you noticed anything strange since you’ve become a vampire? Like how you know all these things that you shouldn’t?”
“You mean how Ashton healed Blake once and they can hear each other’s thoughts if they want to?”
“What?!” Paige cried and removed herself from the toilet like it was on fire.
I bit my lip as Paige, mouth gaping, focused on me. I had a suspicion Sam could read minds. Well, his answer confirmed my suspicions. However, Sam ignored us for the most part and rummaged through my makeup.
“We better get you ready to go. I’ll do your makeup and then work on your hair. But first, we need to find you a sexy little outfit,” he said and turned his attention to Paige. “Lily brought that cute little black dress. Can you grab it for me?”
Paige’s mouth worked like a fish out of water. When she found her voice, she put her hand on her hip and demanded, “Are you not going to fill me in on this mind reading thing? Is there any way to stop it?”
“I don’t know how to stop it. I’ll let you know if I do.” He motioned for her to hurry up and turned back to me as she left the bathroom. “Now, let’s get started on your eyes. Smoldering okay with you?”
I nodded in response and followed his instructions. Close your eyes. Open your eyes. Close them again. Open them. Look up at the ceiling...
“Lily, we need to talk about how it’s going to go down today,” Sam said softly as he applied another layer of mascara on my lashes. “I know it’s going to be hard on you. Keep in mind that Ashton’s been looking for you for two months. He regrets not telling you about me. Blake regrets shutting down when he thought I was dying. However, it’s no excuse for not being there when you needed it the most. Ashton may have changed me and Blake is one of my good friends, but you’re my best friend and I’ll always put you first. So, that being said, you need to walk in there like you own the place. Act like a bitch and that your life is better than ever, no matter how much you want to cry or scream. Okay?”
