Being Grey (Beings Trilogy) (27 page)

No chance. Two disgustingly fit guys with tight trousers and little else run onto the stage. Poppy has stopped dancing and is standing there flapping her hands at her sides. Annabel and I are wondering whether to run. The DJ screams ‘Happy Birthday Poppy’ and it happens.
 

Foam is jetting out at what feels like a hundred miles an hour. The three of us go flying. I look at Poppy, afraid she’ll be upset but she’s screaming laughing and looking like she’s trying to swallow the foam. Next thing I know there are two hundred people on the dance floor. Screaming, laughing, trying to dance and falling all over the place.

Laughing, I make my way to the side of the dance floor. I can see Stefan trying to dunk Poppy in the foam teasingly. She’s winning though.

Jason, David and Adam are in there somewhere. Perfect time for a bathroom break.

As always, loads of girls in the ladies room. I’ll never understand this.

I decide I’ll run into the main house. No problem.

Chapter Fifty

I’m laughing like a lunatic. This is turning out to be a great night. Worst part is Adam loves it. I suppose it doesn’t hurt to let someone enjoy themselves before you kill them.

I’m not going through the maze even though I know it like the back of my hand. That would be daft seeing as I need to use the bathroom. So I’m running, without my shoes, hope I can find them again later.

I make it to the house and slip inside. Do what I have to and then decide I’ll check in on Copper.

I text Poppy as I know she’ll panic if she can’t find me.

“Cook? Are you in here?”

“Miss Alice. Well what are you doing here? Caterers do a lousy job and you need some real food?”

Cook is huge. I think she’s eaten twice as much as she’s ever prepared. Must believe in trying what you serve; to a new extreme. But she’s the sort of person who’d hug you to death.

“No, just had to ‘powder my nose’ and crazy queue out there so thought I’d see how Copper is doing.”

“She’s fine. She had some pork left over from dinner.”

Great, no more canned or dry dog food for this one. I can see Copper snoozing under the huge farm style sink. Poppy texts me so I snap a photo of Copper and tell her I’ll be back soon.

“Don’t suppose there’s any chance of a cuppa?”

Twenty minutes later and feeling much better after a good cup of tea I head back. It’s around 11:30 and if possible more people appear to be showing up. This place is nuts. It’s going to take me ages to fight through all these people. Only sensible option is through the maze.

It’s pathetically easy when you know how. Two rights and a left. One right and a left. Two one, one one. Might be easier if you’ve done this a thousand times as I have!

I’m over halfway through when I hear him.

“Told you I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

I twist to the sound of his voice and inevitably fall flat on my bum. The bottom of my dress is still covered in foam and somehow I’d tripped on it. Whatever! I’m embarrassed, for a change in front of Ian.

“What are you doing here?” I whisper.

“Do you think I would not come to see something as beautiful as you?” He whispers. He’s close but I haven’t seen him yet.

He needs to die. Not that I want to kill him but he’s obviously delusional. Foam in hair, no shoes, been dancing for over three hours. Beautiful I am not. Crazy he is.

“Well at least if you’re here you’re not killing family and friends.” I say light heartedly. Don’t feel it though.

He finally shows himself. Damn. Wish he hadn’t. If it weren’t for all the blackness he’d be blinding. There is no one in the world that can possibly look as good as he does. Tuxedo that is obviously custom made. Perfect hair, eyes, and cheekbones. Bum!

“
Alice
I will make a deal with you. And I’ll even give you time to think about it. I will trade the deaths of your family and friends for you. I won’t go near your mum, dad, mentor, Poppy or the rest of the gang.”

“For me?” Then kill me now to protect them. But do I believe that? Nope.

“We will be together and they will be safe. Isn’t that what you want?” He asks, leaning in close.

OK. Yes, I want to be with him together, forever and let’s be honest, so would anyone. He’s gorgeous. Like every book your grandmother swooned over gorgeous. Every time you and your friends teased that’s who I’m going to marry. If we were normal and you couldn’t see the pure evil, well, even your mum would be jealous!

“Ian, kill me now. Let’s just get this over with. Don’t bother going after everyone else. They’re too strong. I have to be honest and apart from the very evil vibe, you’re quite charming. And If I were normal I’d probably fancy you. But the fact is I’m not. And you’re not. So, want to do this now?”

Damn. Sexy chuckle ensues.

“I can’t kill you Alice. I can hurt everyone you love but I can’t kill you. I love you.”

And that’s how I feel. Is that how Parker felt? Can you destroy each other without killing each other? I need Poppy, the gang. I turn to run but he’s there.

“
Alice
, look at me! This is destiny. I can’t change me anymore than I can change you but I need you to realize something. Whatever happens, I love you.”

How can this be possible? How can the one person you want to be with be the one person you can’t be with? I push with all my strength, trying to push his darkness away from me. Ian pulls back but the look he’s giving me is slowing me down. I can’t leave yet.

“I don’t understand. Why can’t things be different?” I ask, tears building. “I want to kill you but I want to save you more.”

“I don’t need saving
Alice
. We just have different points of view. Take care. I’ll come for your answer soon. Everyone is safe until then.”

“Wait.”

Please wait. Kiss me. Hold me. I’ll run away with you, but not to protect everyone. Well, yes, but more because I want to, if you kiss me one more time.

But he’s gone.

Chapter Fifty One

I stumble back into the party. There’s too much foam, the lights are too bright. I feel someone grab my arm.

“Where the hell have you been?” It’s Robbie but he looks more concerned than angry.

“I went to check on Copper.” I fake a smile. “Come on, let’s party!” I drag him on to the dance floor.

We laugh, dance and next thing you know Jason is beside me.

“Do I have competition?” He asks.

“What?” There’s no way he can possibly know, but he’s nodding towards the tent where Robbie is glaring at us.

“No.” I laugh. “He’s like a little brother. Very protective.”

The foam is up to our knees and it’s getting tiring to dance in it so we retire back to the tent. I know I’m loosing the will to enjoy the party. Ian took that from me as well as my common sense and my heart.

 
“Ah, fresh air, please.” Poppy begs.
 

“I’m just going to veg out here. Can’t stand.” I moan, rubbing my feet.

Everyone looks at me. There are hundreds of ‘Gifted’ and pure
Beings
here. I’m safe.

“Will you promise..?” Poppy begins.

“Am good.” I wink at her.

“We’ll keep an eye on her.” Jason states, confused. The gang go outside. I’m left alone with Jason and Adam.

“Having fun?” I enquire of both of them.

“Yes, but need a thirst quencher. Back in two.” Jason gets up and leaves me alone with Adam.

His cold eyes stare at me, as he says, “‘Whatever happens, I love you’? Well, well, well.”

He heard? How much did he hear? I scan the crowd. Too many grey’s to kill him now?

I look around. I can see Anna and Mike in the corner. Anna is known for taking everything in around her but today her and Mike are too in love to notice anyone else.
 

“Thought you were a bit too pure to be true
Alice
.” Adam is leering at me.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You know Jason doesn’t even think you’ve met Ian, but all this time you’re seeing him behind his back. There are names for girls like you.”

“I think you need to leave Adam.” I don’t know what else to say.

“That’s a good idea. But a better one is for you to leave with me, come on.” He grabs my arm and starts dragging me towards the doors.

I can’t scream. There are too many witnesses here. I can take care of him, but I need to be somewhere quieter. We get outside, onto the red carpet. He gives the valet his ticket and we’re waiting for his car.

“It’s not what you think.” I’m stood here wondering what on earth I should do. How long will it be before the others notice I’m not where they left me?

 
“Give us five.” He winks at the valet and we walk towards the maze.

For a moment I’m wary. I’m walking into a trap. Adam, Ian. Forget it; the mood I’m in right now, I’ll take them and anyone else on.

 
“
Alice
, I think it’s time
we
got to know each other better.”

The good news is he’s stupid. The bad news is
Adrian
said keep him alive but to draw out Ian. Well, I can draw out Ian, which leaves the whole keeping Adam alive thing redundant. Adam is useless. I’m going to kill him tonight.

 
“So Jason is a good boy at heart, and I know he likes you. But Ian is a bit more fun, I admit, and if that’s what you like, then maybe you and I?” Adam is getting close. His puts his arms around my waist.

I push him off. “Adam, you’re a murdering drug pushing creep.”

He smiles, but it doesn’t touch his eyes. It’s more like a sneer. “How do you know about that? Not that it matters. It’s not my fault if people are stupid enough to use drugs. It’s just a source of income. And pulling a scarf over the eyes of someone driving? Making Jason and David believe they were partly to blame? Phil was an accident. Nothing more.”

 
“You can just brush it off that easy? He died Adam. Him and goodness knows how many of the people you’ve sold drugs to. You’re evil from the inside out, rotten to the core. The very
Being
of you is damned.”

“
Alice
, it’s time to stop lecturing and start having fun.”

He’s strong but I’m prepared for this and as he comes at me I duck away. He spins around laughing as if this is some sort of game.

“Come on
Alice
, just a little fun.”

His Being is so dense I can hardly see him. But I’m not blind to his intent.

He runs at me with his arms held out straight before him. I let him grab me but I bring me knee up hard. The look on his face as he crumples makes me think he finally realizes this isn’t a game.

“I’m going to kill you now Adam. I wish I could draw this out a little longer but I have a party to get back to.”

Murderer, drug dealer; this should have been a slow death. His neck is now broken and he’s dead on the ground.

 
“We need to talk but I’m going to let everyone know you’re OK first.”

I spin around and Robbie is stood there watching. There’s a terrible look of disappointment in his eyes. I’m too exhausted to explain as he turns towards the party house.

I sit next to Adam, waiting for the next wave of emotions to hit me.

Chapter Fifty Two