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"He couldn't have tortured that sort of information out of anyone," Anukh said, and even from the top floor, I jumped at his loud, piercing words. "There is no known way for anyone other than those born in Ankhsis to go through the portal." |
"True enough, but they seem pretty determined to keep asking," Louis said. "At least you're all safe," Anthony said, sounding bored. I knew he couldn't care less whether we were safe or not, but I guessed he felt it would look good for him to say it. "I will send out everyone to search for my missing men. I will find t... |
"No," Anukh said in a sharp voice. "You will find them and bring them to the High Council. _We_ will do the questioning." "As you wish," Anthony said, and it seemed to me he'd agreed too fast. "Come, Anukh. Let's give them a chance to rest." |
"Yes, you are right, for once," the trueborn muttered. "Oh, right, I almost forgot. This whole affair has created a lot of tension and worry," Anthony said. "I decided we all need to put it behind us so there will be a party at the club tonight in Hesrah's honor. She needs to relax a little." |
It sounded like a nice thing to do but, coming from Anthony, it just felt wrong. "I don't think anyone is in a mood for a party, Anthony," Louis said. |
"That's just it. Trueborns disappearing, mysterious and powerful baseborns... we all need a reprieve." "I have to agree with Anthony," Anukh said. "Hesrah has been through a lot, and so have you and Alexa. Everyone needs to relax." |
"So you will come to my party then?" I couldn't see Anthony, but I could hear the grin of pleasure in his voice. "Yes, I will," Anukh said after a few moments of silence. |
"Excellent. See you all there," Anthony said, the door opening and closing after that. Anukh stayed a little longer, he and Louis trying to come to a conclusion on what the whole party idea was about. We'd all find out soon enough. |
The idea of going to a party organized by Anthony didn't bode well with me, but Hesrah seemed strangely excited. "You know, Anthony might still be behind your abduction. Why are you so happy about his stupid party?" I asked. |
"Oh, I know that, but no one ever threw a party for me. Despite his devious scheming, this is still an event in my honor." I remembered being as excited as she was as a kid, when I'd finally grown old enough to understand what a birthday party meant, how it was all about me. Seeing a similar display from an adult seeme... |
"What do you mean you never had a party?" I asked, frowning. "Don't you celebrate birthdays over there?" "We do. There are always special ceremonies for each year. There are also parties. I just... I took being part of the Inner Sanctum way too seriously. Ever since I can remember, I always wanted to be one of the warr... |
"Oh, god, why not?" "Well, my mom had plenty to deal with. She was the High Commander of the Inner Sanctum. Even when my father was still alive, their responsibilities always weighed heavily on them and their relationship. I just didn't want to add to that." She shrugged and gave me a small smile. |
"Wow, you completely skipped adolescence," I said, raising both my eyebrows. "Is that a bad thing?" I looked at Louis who had joined us and was leaning against the door frame and gave him a little smile before turning to Hesrah. "Somewhat. I skipped it, too, plus most of my childhood. I had to grow up fast, but I still... |
I could feel Louis's gaze on me. He was intrigued, I guessed from the emotions passing between us. I had never mentioned my childhood before. And I didn't want to get into the details of it. It wasn't the best, not the worst, enough said. |
"I think if I'd ever let Tali take me to one of their parties, I would have loved it. I did with you. The dancing, the music, I enjoyed every second of it," she said with a melancholic twist of her lips that slowly turned sour. "Maybe that's why she left. I was no fun." |
"Like hell that's why! Hesrah, look at me. Look at me," I shouted. "That's not why she left. I can't imagine someone who truly wanted to have fun with you failing. I barely knew you and had no problem with it, so your Tali couldn't have tried very hard." |
She lunged at me and hugged me so tightly, I couldn't breathe anymore. A fit of cough helped break her death grip on me. "Sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you," Hesrah said, hanging her head. |
"Oh, you didn't. Just cut off my air supply a little," I choked out, smiling. "Come on. We have a few hours until the party. Let's go shopping and get our hair done and all that jazz." |
What followed was one of the most fun afternoons of my life. I am sure it was like that for all of us. Well, maybe Louis had less of a blast while we were getting our hair and nails and makeup done, but he never let it show. He passed the time in a quiet corner of the salon, reading a book and chatting with us from tim... |
We eventually arrived at the club, more than fashionably late, and made our entrance. Louis stood in the middle, Hesrah on his left arm, me on his right, all smiles and dressed in in our new fancy teamwear. There was a sudden halt in conversation that we picked up on despite the loud music. Anthony darted to greet us, ... |
"Anthony, darling," I said, my voice more dramatic than I thought I could pull off, "we are the stars of your party. Of course we are late. We had to put so much effort into looking exquisite tonight. We couldn't disappoint you, could we?" |
We all burst into a loud and uncontrollable fit of laughter. He didn't look pleased at all. So, on a hunch, I let go of Louis's arm and kissed Anthony on the cheek. |
"Oh, relax, will you," I said. "It's all good. Disaster averted. The party seems lively, and we are here to make it even better. Try enjoying yourself for a moment, Anthony." |
"You are right. Come, dance with me and I'll be fine," he said. I agreed, but when I caught the smug look he gave Louis, I regretted my actions. As I was walking with him to the dance floor they'd arranged in the middle of the club, I turned my head just for a few seconds to smile back at Louis, the smile I saved just ... |
The moment we got to the dance floor, the music suddenly went from the latest club hit to a slower tune. Anthony pulled me close to him, closer than I was comfortable with, and led me through the steps. "When will you grow tired of wasting your time with Louis?" he whispered in my ear. "I'm a much better choice for you... |
"How's that?" I said, batting my eyelashes at Anthony, acutely aware that Louis could hear every word we whispered. "He's... uninteresting. I might be harder to handle, but I'm never boring." |
"Boring you are not, Anthony. But, other than that, you're of no interest to me." "I used to be, though," he said, his arms moving slowly down my back. |
"The past tense being key here," I said out, catching his hand and stopping his descent just in time. "I very much doubt I couldn't get you all hot for me again." He chuckled and held me even closer. |
"I am sure you could...if you were the last man on earth." "Ouch! That was mean." "Yes, also an understatement. The reality of your chances is much harsher. Besides, it's not mean if it's true." |
"Oh, come on. That night couldn't have been that bad. I remember the sound of your orgasms quite well." I could feel Louis's fury cutting through the entire club and reaching me. |
"If sexual satisfaction was the only reason to be with somebody, I would still be stuck in that weird, never-ending trio with my ex." |
"Are you telling me your ex or Louis, for that matter, is just as good as I am?" he muttered in my ear. "My ex was better than you, Anthony, simply because it's not just about skill. It's about actually taking an interest in the person you're with, figuring out they are more than an object that you can abuse as you lik... |
"And Louis?" "I really couldn't tell. But, if you like, I'll let you the moment I find out." He stopped and pushed me back a bit. I could see Louis over his shoulder, tense and ready to come to my rescue. Anthony laughed and resumed our dance. "See, you are harsh and cruel yourself. We would have made quite a pair. Why... |
"Well, Anthony, maybe we would have. Think about that long and hard. The only person to blame for it failing is you. If you'd bothered to get to know me and not follow your crazy script, things might have been different." |
"Do you really believe that?" "Not really. I don't like the real you very much. And I don't think you would have changed for me. People don't change." |
"The woman I am unable to make happy hasn't been born yet." He huffed and I could feel his hand pressed against my back turning into a fist. |
"Oh, I am sure there are millions you can't make happy. Most of us don't appreciate sharing or being used as a blood bank." "True enough. Your loss then," he said. "Thank you for the dance," he added, although the song was not yet over, then walked me to the table Hesrah and Louis were sitting at. I sat down next to Lo... |
Thinking Anthony had left, I felt him next to me, whispering in my ear, "But I'll keep trying to show you the errors in your ways." He laughed as he walked away, waving at Louis. |
I instantly reached out and took Louis's hand. He wouldn't look at me. His eyes followed Anthony as he walked away, anger and violence radiating off him. I could feel it taking me over and I knew I'd just amplify what he felt. I called his name, trying to distract him, but he wouldn't answer. "Louis, look at me," I sai... |
He finally turned and faced me with his burning green eyes. I had never seen that expression up close. He was ready to tear limbs apart and end lives. I should have been scared, but I felt an immense sadness taking over instead. That was not the feeling I wanted to cause in the man I loved. |
It hit me then, like a freaking truck flattening me to the ground. It was more than sexual tension and friendship between us, at least where I stood. It was a lot more. This was a man who had gotten to know me, who'd allowed me in, behind his walls. Someone who made a strong, lasting impression on me that would be clos... |
"Alexa, are you all right?" Louis's voice brought me back. I realized I was no longer looking at him. I was staring at into nothing, my eyes teary. "I'm sorry," I mumbled. |
"What for? You haven't done anything to be sorry about." "Yet, somehow, you were so angry just now." "And how was that your fault? That was all Anthony," he said and turned to face me, taking both my hands in his. |
"Louis, it's his fault for trying to get that reaction, but it's not his for succeeding." I wanted to add that it was mine because it was me who Louis believed would run back to Anthony if he kept pursuing me. |
Louis squeezed my hands gently and I looked up. "You're right. It's my fault for acting like a beast defending its territory and allowing myself to forget for a second all I've learned about you." |
He had to say the perfect thing at the perfect time, didn't he? No wonder I loved him. I wanted to tell him, but I kept quiet. This wasn't the place and I felt stupid for feeling so strongly for someone I wasn't even with. I doubted someone like Louis could feel the same way about me. I had a bad habit of under-appreci... |
Louis kissed my hand, his broad smile making me forget my insecurities. Then Hesrah decided it was time we hit the dance floor, and we danced and danced for hours. Just when I was starting to forget where I was and who had thrown the party, a screen appeared out of nowhere and descended in the middle of the dance floor... |
"Oh, brother," I said, disappointment washing over me. "What's wrong? And what exactly is karaoke?" Hesrah asked, still dancing to the now significantly lower volume of music. |
"You just go up there and sing famous songs." "It sounds like fun," she said, clapping excitedly. "Why don't you like it?" "First of all, I can't really sing. Second, anyone can try it and not all who try it can sing. So you spend most of it having your ears assaulted by tone deaf wannabes." |
"And doesn't making fun of them compensate?" Hesrah said, wiggling her eyebrows and grinning. "Oh, you bet it does!" I loved how her mind worked. Maybe this wouldn't be as bad as I feared. |
The Spanish girl, who had at least learned not to aggravate me, turned out to be a great singer. So was one of Anthony's vampire friends and the two of them ended up doing most of the singing. Louis and Anukh were at the bar, drinking and talking, while I enjoyed the music and danced with Hesrah. |
At a certain point, Anthony got the microphone from the Spanish girl. She leaned in to kiss him before leaving the stage, but he pushed her aside. For a moment, I could see the hurt and disappointment on her face. I felt bad for her, as I knew full well what harsh rejection from the man you cared for felt like. |
The moment I heard the first notes of the song, anger raced through me. Anthony _had_ to sing that song. Yes, I'd posted it on my novel's website and it used to mean a lot to me. _Somebody_ by Depeche Mode. Anthony had no right to sing that, not to me. His voice was perfect for that tune, which didn't help diffuse my w... |
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