Finding Lily

by Emma Shade

  Sam plucked, primped, and applied my makeup with expert precision. My eyes were winged in black eyeliner and my lips painted a deep, dark crimson. It was very femme fatale.

  Sam cinched the leather straps in the back and front, squishing my breasts high and full. He instructed me to turn for him so he could inspect his handy work.

  “Girl,” he stated, “you are going to knock them dead tonight. Ashton’s going to have a coronary with all the men lusting after you.”

  I laughed. “I don’t know about that.”

  “Trust me. It’ll be a wonder he doesn’t lock you up in the bedroom after seeing you in this thing. Even if he picked it out.”

  I shook my head and kissed Sam on the cheek, leaving a smear of red lipstick. “I love you, bestie. Wish me luck.”

  “Love you too, Lily. Be careful and don’t do anything stupid. Okay?”

  After a hug, I threw on a lightweight jacket Sam had picked out and headed downstairs to meet the rest of the crew. With the coat, the only thing you could see were the boots, and for that I was thankful.

  Each person, including Paige and Alistair, hugged me and wished me luck. I wasn’t so sure if any luck was needed. But a miracle sure as hell was.

  Blake, eyeing my body with suspicion, grunted, “Please tell me you’re wearing something that covers the majority of your body under there.”

  I chucked him on the arm and winked. “Okay. I’m wearing a nun’s habit under the jacket.”

  “Liar,” he said with a smirk, running a hand along the exposed collar under my jacket.

  “Maybe. Maybe not,” I answered, and hugged him tight. “Blake, don’t show up tonight, please. I know you want to come to the rescue, but don’t do anything stupid and put everyone’s life in jeopardy. Okay?”

  As I pulled away, Blake’s eyes swerved over mine and he nodded. “Please be careful tonight. I’ll do my best to stay put.”

  It’s all I’d get out of him, but Ashton’s appearance at the bottom of the stairs caught me off guard. He also wore a light black jacket, buttoned to his collar bone. But black leather pants and boots donned his legs. His hair was gelled into spikes and Ashton’s blue eyes stood out like a lighthouse in all the black clothing.

  “Are you ready to get this over with?” Ashton asked me, and I sighed.

  There was the stupid line that haunted my life. And following it up with the next one that never helped, I replied, “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  ASHTON

  Club Mystique was a few miles from Revive. It was on the outskirts of town in a huge warehouse without windows. The only logo was a painted M on the door of the main entrance. No bouncers stood outside, no sounds could be heard from the interior, and the packed parking lot was the only sign of life.

  “How do we get in?” Lily asked, sidling up beside my arm.

  “I guess we knock.”

  “Surely it isn’t that simple,” she stated.

  “Oh, I’m sure it’s not. But, if I had to guess, I bet they’re already watching us,” I admitted, glancing up at a security cameras blending into the building. “Are you nervous?”

  She sighed. “Yeah, I am. I don’t want to die wearing leather lingerie.”

  I wrapped my arm around her waist, pulled her closer, and chuckled. Inhaling the scent of her fruity shampoo, I imagined what she’d look like in said lingerie. Sure, I knew what it looked like on the rack, but I’d pictured Liliana in this since ever since I picked it out. The only sneak peek I’d gotten was the tip of her chocker collar and her boots. It was enough to drive a man wild.

  As she sunk into my arms, I whispered, “You aren’t going to die. I won’t let you.”

  Knocking on the door, I enjoyed the feel of Liliana snuggled into my side. But it was short lived when a section of the door slid open to reveal a pair of eyes staring back at us.

  “Name and password,” a gruff voice ordered.

  “We don’t have a password, but I’m Ashton and this is Liliana. We were instructed to meet here,” I growled, narrowing my eyes at the man staring back at me.

  The divider slid back with a click. After a minute, I asked, “Are you sure tonight’s the night?”

  “Yeah, I’m sure of it. The man said tonight at...”

  The door popped open, and I stood face to face with a blonde man with eerie golden eyes. Liliana inhaled beside me, and her fear filtered through my senses. This was one of the vampire Contingent members that invaded my home. I was sure of it.

  “How’s your throat feeling?” Liliana asked with a sneer.

  I blinked, surprised by her boldness. I gently squeezed her arm as a warning to tread with caution.

  The man smiled, and said, “Just fine. Although removing a bullet out of my esophagus hurt like hell. You’re lucky I don’t just kill you here and now.”

  “You’re lucky I didn’t shoot you in the di...”

  I cut Liliana off before she put her foot in her mouth, and introduced myself. “I’m Ashton Ryder. What’s this all about?”

  “We’ll talk inside,” he stated, and gestured for us to go ahead of him. Once inside a small entrance with a second set of doors, he instructed, “Hang your coats here so I can inspect you both for weapons.”

  I slid the jacket off my naked chest and placed it on the peg on the wall. Liliana hesitated, eyes roving over my body. Her heated gaze lingered over my chest and she swallowed. I felt her nervousness, and unsure if was because of me or the situation, I untied her jacket and slipped if off her shoulders.

  Holy fuck. She stood in front of me clad in sexy leather and I had to will my heart to keep the blood flow above my waist. My fantasies hadn’t compared to the vision of the woman I loved dressed in skimpy clothing that screamed sex. She shuffled on her feet, boot heels clicking on the floor.

  Running a knuckle over her cheek, I resisted the urge to slam my mouth on hers in a kiss of ownership, and murmured, “You look amazing.”

  “I look like a total slut,” she complained.

  “Don’t you say that. You could wearing nothing but a loincloth and never be considered a slut.”

  She frowned and shook her head in denial.

  “Are you two going to stand here and tête-à-tête about sex and lingerie, or are we going to head to the table and have a talk?” gold-eyed guy asked after running his hands over my pant legs searching for concealed weapons.

  “Lead the way,” I grunted, and wrapped my arm around Liliana’s waist again. I held her tight so the man wouldn’t search her as well. I wasn’t sure what I’d do if he had.

  The second door opened and heavy metal music assaulted my senses. Once inside the club, my lungs pulsated with the bass beats, the floor vibrated, and I pulled Liliana closer to my side. Men and women, dressed in leather and latex, strolled between the dance floor with a main stage and the bar. Some of these couples, or subs or whatever you called them, barely had enough scraps of material covering their private parts.

  Of all these scantily clad women, none of them compared to the beauty of the woman at my side. That was a comfort that filled me with pride, even though she had yet to forgive me.

  We filed through the group of people by the bar, their hands groping and grabbing. Liliana recoiled and slapped a hand away from her breast. I growled and resisted the urge to rip the asshole’s throat out. This night was going to test my patience. If I didn’t slaughter somebody from groping Liliana or staring at her wrong, it was going to be a miracle. My gums burned as my fangs grew, and I gritted my teeth in restraint.

  Close to the stage near the dance floor was a raised area filled with a few tables behind a glass partition. All of the tables were full except one and we followed the Contingent member to the empty one. Since the music was muted behind the thick glass, we wouldn’t have problems communicating.

  The vampire gestured for us to have a seat at the empty table, and he slid in to the chair across from us. “My partner will be here soon. Would you like somethin
g to drink?”

  “No, thank you,” I answered, not trusting this man one bit. He’d most likely poison us.

  Liliana spoke up to protest, but I clasped her naked thigh and she immobilized instantly. She glanced down at my hand and back up to me, biting her lip.

  “Fine, I’ll start by filling you in on why we’re here. My name is Ward. I lead the Contingent in the Midwest, and it’s came to our attention that Lily here is unique. An abomination,” he began.

  “I’m not an abomination!” she protested.

  “What you are, is indeed an abomination. How many conjurer-vampire crossbreeds do you know? I’ve never met one. Now, whether or not that’s a good thing is yet to be seen.” Ward shrugged in indifference. “I also know that the Enforcers and conjurers are aware of who and what you are. They’ve attacked you recently, no?”

  “And how do you know this exactly?” I questioned, leaning forward.

  With a Cheshire cat smile, Ward said, “Our source is closer than you think.”

  “What the hell does that mean?” I hissed, displaying a bit of fang.

  As though Liliana caught on, she gasped and covered her mouth. Somebody, close to us, was leaking information to the Contingent. It was most likely how they knew she was in my house. My private house at that.

  The only people in the home that I questioned would be Blake and Alistair. Even though I hated pointing a finger at my brother, his whereabouts over the last fifty years was still a mystery.

  Wade stated, “Take it however you want, but I’m not at liberty to reveal our informant. They’ve been crucial to us over the last few months in notifying us about Lily’s location and situation. If she ever became a threat or unstable, we were to make our move.”

  “I’m not a threat!” Liliana spoke up, slamming her hand on the table. I felt the swell of power from her supernatural energy through my hand on her thigh.

  Ward smiled. “Oh? Did you not kill Conrad Steele?”

  “That son of a bitch deserved...”

  I cut her off, and retorted, “And how did you know he died by her hand? The man had enemies all over the world.”

  “Our source confirmed as much. She shows signs of murderous rage and that’s something the Contingent won’t take lightly,” Wade countered.

  “No,” I growled, “this woman at my side would never hurt a fly. She defended herself when it came to Con, and you know it as well as I do. Your informant is a liar. I’m the leader over the United States and I demand respect. I will not sit here and listen to this drivel.”

  “And what are you going to do, Ashton? The head vampire over us all is no help to you. The man hides behind his throne like a feeble old man. You know we’ll find her anywhere she goes. It’s just a matter of time before she kills again. You can’t honestly think...”

  I stood, and yanked Liliana with me. “I’m going to make sure that everyone knows exactly who the woman I love really is. She’s not a murderous psychopath, but a woman who’s strong and resilient. If you want to file a complaint, you can do so the correct way and schedule a meeting with me. Because I’ve claimed her as my match, this is on my terms, not yours.”

  Ward laughed. “Match, huh? I bet you haven’t even exchanged blood yet.”

  “That is none of your concern, Ward,” I barked. Tucking Liliana at my side, I nodded at the Contingent member. “Let’s go, Liliana. We’re done here.”

  I led her out of the glass room and helped her down the stairs. I turned to make sure Ward wasn’t following us...

  Boom. A gunshot rent the air and people screamed as they scattered. Confusion and chaos filled the club as the patrons tried to escape from the unknown attacker.

  I was shoved away from Liliana by the panicked party goers, no longer able to see her. I lost my cool, growling at the individuals blocking my path. “Liliana!”

  Throwing people out of my way, I looked over the crowd, trying to spot her. My heart raced, air pumped in and out of my lungs, and my senses sharpened to microscopic detail. Once I was close to the stairs that I lost Liliana by, I frantically searched for her.

  That’s when I smelled it. Blood.

  Leaning against the glass was a very pale Liliana, alarm crossing her face as she held a hand against her chest. Tossing aside the man barring my way, I went berserk when I finally arrived at her side. Roaring out in anguish, terror and dread filled my soul. My heart sunk and I stood immobilized as I stared at her with shock.

  Blood gushed along her chest, trailed down the leather in thick rivulets, and pooled along the top of her boots. It spurted out, each heartbeat thrusting more of her vital fluid down her body.

  As she started to slide to the ground, I wrapped my arms around her and slunk to the floor with her body. Her breathing was shallow and labored, lungs gurgling with each breath.

  “Ashton,” she choked, coughing up blood and slowly slipping into unconsciousness.

  “Liliana, don’t you dare pass out on me!” I cried, shaking her body in a panic.

  Her eyes rolled back in her head and she coughed again, crimson liquid dribbling from her lips.

  I only had one option left to keep her alive. It was risky with her blood loss, but I had to try. Knowing that Liliana may end up hating me for the rest of her life, I threw caution to the wind and acted in an instant.

  “Please forgive me,” I whispered.

  Ripping my fangs in to my wrist to open a vein, I thrust my wrist against her mouth, forcing her to ingest my blood.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  The ambulance ride was absolutely terrifying. Had I given Liliana enough blood to survive? What if she doesn’t make it? A million scattered thoughts filtered through my mind as the EMTs inserted an IV, staunched the blood flow, and provided her oxygen. Her head lulled back and forth as the vehicle travelled to the nearest hospital.

  I hadn’t thought about the reproductions of my actions and the fact I showed my vampire side in the night club. That fact was oblivious to me in that moment. Liliana had to live. Before I could dig out the bullet that may be lodged inside her chest cavity, the ambulance and law enforcement arrived on the scene.

  Where is this pain coming from? Make it stop.

  Liliana’s voice echoed in my mind and I surged with hope. Then it instantly deflated when the EMT stated her blood pressure was dropping. I rested my head in my blood stained hands. I felt so helpless, distraught, and at a complete loss on how to heal her.

  Adding insult to injury, I forced her to drink my blood in order to heal her wounds. Without her permission, and knowing she denied my offers in the past, the consequences of what I’d done may ruin any chance I had for a happy ending with Liliana. But, if she survived, then it was worth it. I was willing to give up anything for her happiness. Even if it cost me my own.

  The cell phone ringing in my jacket pocket caused me to start. Blake’s number popped up on the screen and I answered halfheartedly.

  “Where are you? Why are the police at Mystique?” he asked, voice on edge.

  Preparing myself for his livid reply, I answered, “Liliana was shot. We are in an ambulance and on the way to the hospital.”

  Blake’s booming voice over the line caused me to wince as he roared, “What?! How did you let this happen? Where were you when she was shot?”

  I snapped, “Right beside her, Blake. I looked away for two seconds.”

  “I knew those damn vampires were up to no good. And you allowed it to happen! What the hell, Ashton!?”

  “I didn’t allow it to happen, Blake,” I growled. “You could’ve have stopped it either. At least if I saw it coming I could’ve jumped in front of her and taken the bullet instead. Trust me, I would have if I could.”

  I told him which hospital in the Indianapolis area we headed to and disconnected the call.

  The gunfire came out of nowhere. The shooter had to be at a great distance for none of the patrons to see a gunman. Which had me thinking. Was it the Contingent, the Enforcers, or somebody else altogether?


  Then add in that Blake had called as though he knew the situation. I wasn’t sure what to make of that. Though he generally did care for her, I hadn’t been sure of his full past. Even though I questioned him, the jackass thought he would’ve done a better job of dodging a bullet. Bullshit.

  I felt like I failed Liliana. I promised to keep her safe, and instead, the moment I turned my head she took a bullet to the chest.

  *****

  Sitting in the hospital waiting room, Paige and Sam arrived first. They rushed into the room and both asked rapid-fire questions all at once.

  “Woah. Slow down,” I instructed. “She’s in surgery to get the bullet out now. I’m waiting on the doctor for news.”

  Sam plopped down next to me, and croaked, “Is she going to be okay?”

  “I don’t know,” I admitted, worry for Liliana echoing in my mind.

  Blake and Alistair were next, followed by a phone call from Carlotta to check up on her after she heard the news. Blake glared at me, as though he could burn me with his gaze. Alistair stared off into space and every so often snuck a peek at Paige who paced the room.

  “Did you try to save her?” Sam asked with a whisper.

  Checking the space to make sure unsuspecting ears wouldn’t hear, I said, “Yeah. I fed her some of my blood, but not sure if it was too late or not.”

  “You did what?!” Blake cried.

  I glowered at Blake, and hissed, “Would you rather she have bled to death, Blake?”

  “Of course not,” he barked back. “But doctors can work miracles these days.”

  I snorted. “That may be, but the blood was running down her chest and pooling in her boots. I did what I felt was right. It may have just saved her long enough to get into surgery. We’ll never know.”

  “Can you read her thoughts?” Blake growled.

  “I don’t know yet,” I lied.

  It wasn’t any of his concern. He was a hairsbreadth away from being escorted out of the hospital before I snapped. Thankfully, Paige came to the rescue.

  “I’m sure you did what’s right. Although, I will say that receiving somebody else’s thoughts is pretty annoying,” she said with an eye roll. “Especially Jamison’s.