Bittersweet (11 page)

 

 

Perched on the island stool in the kitchen, I sipped a mug of warm tea while I scanned my laptop. I now had two supernatural beings defending my life, and yet I didn't feel any better. Neither said a word to the other after that. They'd reached the most volatile and uneasy truce ever to have been struck. And I still felt like the noose hanging around their necks.

I just wanted to forget everything that happened last night. Force myself not to think about what Venus was capable of… I'd go insane with worry if I did.

I typed MBD into the search browser for the tenth time this morning. Still nothing of use. Then I tried IOMBD. The screen flickered and then went blank. Then it flashed to a screen but only for a moment before going blank again. I searched the cached pages and the same thing happened. But I had just enough time to read the heading. International Order of Magical Being Disarmament.

A whiff of perfume floated by as my mother drifted into the kitchen. She was decked in striped yoga pants and had her blond streaked hair pulled into a high ponytail. With the figure of a ballet dancer, she could have easily passed for the instructor in her yoga class.

“Morning.” Swiveling in my seat I handed her a mug of coffee. “Freshly brewed,” I said. “Brigit ground the Blue Mountain beans, figuring between the two of us, coffee would inevitably get made.”

Our housekeeper Brigit was gone for another week or so, and although I missed her, Mom seemed to be enjoying our mother-daughter time. Honestly, I liked it too.

“Thanks, hon.” She took the cup from me, frowned, and set it on the counter. “What happened to your arm?” she asked, alarmed.

Visible scars weren't the norm for me.

I cringed, wishing I'd put long sleeves on. “Oh, it's nothing. I fell... not my most graceful moment,” I said quickly.

“That's going to leave a scar.” She frowned, seeming appalled by the idea.

“I'm sure it'll be fine.”

She rolled her eyes. “Not if you don't do something about it. I bet your grandmother has something you could put on it to help.”

I paused. That was a first. I'd never heard her mention Gran's remedies before, except to mock them.

“Uhm, yeah probably. I'll find something at the café tonight.”

“We'll have to go through her things sometime soon,” she said, sitting on the stool across from me. “It's been long enough now. And who knows how long Camilla will be gone.”

My chest tightened and I fiddled with my mug.

“Pretty inconsiderate not to let anyone know she was leaving. I mean, what if something happened to her? Crazy old broad,” she muttered before taking a sip. She smiled at me and tapped her cup with her nail. “Mmmm. Pretty good. You've picked up a thing or two at that café.”

I smiled back, happy to see her happy. Her smiles were limited to the photos she e-mailed while away on tour. I'd gotten used to her not being around, so much so that broken promises and missed birthdays became the norm. When I was little, I used to cry when she left. To make up for it she'd send lavish presents to fill the empty sadness until I no longer felt any sadness at all. Only empty.

“I bought you something.” She smiled, taking another sip.

“Oh?” It wasn't as unusual as she made it sound. I had knickknacks, souvenirs and designer dresses from nearly every country in Europe that she had sent me while she was away on tour. But it was strange for her to make a production out of it.

Reaching in her pocket, she pulled out a silver ring with keys dangling from it, and tossed it on the counter in front of me.

“Cool. Another key chain. Thanks.” I picked it, inspecting the silver butterfly dangling from the ring. Likely platinum.

“Not the key chain,” she laughed. “The key.”

Now I was confused. “A key? To what?”

“Take a look.” Her head bobbed in the direction of the front door.

Maybe I needed more caffeine because I still wasn't getting it.

With an impatient sigh, she said, “Go look in the driveway.” And she gave me a gentle push off my stool and toward the door.

Opening the front door, I paused. What I saw there was more than my pre-caffeinated brain could ever have conjured. Parked next to my mom's jeep, was a cherry red Volkswagen beetle car topped with a ridiculously large gold bow.

“You are not serious. You bought me a car?” It gleamed under the pale morning light, calling attention to itself with confidence I wished I could match.

I shook my head incredulously. “Why would you buy me a car?” It was an amazing gift, but something this huge, with no associated occasion… I had to ask. My mother had never felt I needed my own car. Most of the time I either walked to school or borrowed hers. And more recently Adrius picked me up on his motorcycle or in his uncle's SUV.

“I have the right to buy my daughter something special. Think of it as a reward for winning at vocals if you must have a reason.” She shrugged and took a long sip of coffee. “Besides, you've had to rely on Adrius a fair amount for rides to school. Now you can get there on your own.”

And there it was. The knife she was always so sweetly trying to sever our relationship with. I was torn between jumping behind the wheel, and handing her back the keys with a polite “thanks but no thanks.”

“Mom, I…”

She held up her hands defensively. “Before you say anything, I'm not against you riding with him. That's not what this is about.”

I stared blankly, waiting for her to come up with an excuse for her ulterior motive.

“I just think a girl needs to maintain her autonomy. Self-reliance and independence have always been important to you, Lorelei. Having a boyfriend shouldn't change that. Wouldn't you agree?”

How could I not? If anything, they'd become even more important. I sighed. I eyed the candy apple car again with a twinge of appreciation. It was an awesome gift. And as much as I hated to admit it, I wouldn't always be able to rely on Adrius for lifts. Even if the myriad of obstacles worked in our favor, he'd still have to return to the Nevermore for the potions that keep him alive in my world, unless we agreed to Peterson's offer.

“It's amazing, Mom. Thank you.” I wrapped my arms around her.

***

An hour later, Abby and I were on our way to school in the new car. Brianne was pulled over on the side of the road. She had the hood up but didn't exactly look like she knew what she was looking for. Abby glanced at me with an unspoken question in her eyes.

Brianne had managed to refrain from making my life miserable for a while now. That didn't exactly make us BFF's but I wasn't about to leave her stranded. I pulled up next to her and lowered the window. “You need a ride?”

She looked relieved when she saw it was me.

“Thanks,” she said breathlessly. “Not sure what happened, but it's the last time I'm driving that piece of crap car anywhere.”

“No worries. Have you heard anything about Mr. Smythe?” I asked, sounding hopeful.

“Nothing. Not a word. I hope he's all right. I mean, who's going to direct the Phantom if he doesn't make it.”

“Really, Brianne, could you be less sensitive?”

“Sorry. Was that mean? My therapist says I need to work on filtering what I say before I say it.”

I exchanged a quick glance with Abby, who tried not to laugh.

Brianne looked around the car as I reversed and pulled back onto the road. “This looks new.”

“It was a present from her mom,” Abby answered.

“Wow. Your mom actually bought this for you?”

I nodded. “She did.”

“Nice. Your effortlessness landed a new car and the guy of your dreams. Stellar year for you.”

She had no clue how much effort went into making our relationship work. Instead I told her to put her seatbelt on.

“If only I had the power to dream cute boys into real life,” Abby moaned.

I rolled my eyes but couldn't hold back a snicker. “You wouldn't want it. Trust me.”

“What about the new guy? I saw you talking to him last night, Lorelei. What's his story?”

“Last night?” I panicked. There wasn't much that had happened after leaving the club that I wanted anyone to know about.

“Ya, I came looking for you after Mr. Smythe's accident to give you a ride, but couldn't find you. When I drove by, you were in an alley with Adrius and some other guy.”

“Isn't it kinda soon to be trolling for a new boyfriend?” Abby turned to look at Brianne.

“Please spare me the meaningful relationship crap. He was hot and we desperately need more hot. Since the last one was snatched away before any of us had a shot.” Brianne threw me a look in the rearview mirror that I knew not to take personally.

“Ha. Like you would've had a chance with Adrius.” Abby laughed.

“Hey... I've got plenty to offer. Ask Davin.”

I pretended to cough and clear my throat. “Uh, too much information, thanks.”

Bri shrugged “Just sayin'. Anyway, I can't wait to get a look at him.”

“You mean get a piece of him?” I said.

“That too,” she agreed with a wicked grin.

Abby spun in her seat. “Nuh-uh. Hands off, Brianne. If the new guy is hot, he's mine,” she warned.

“Fine,” Brianne huffed. “But I get dibs if he passes. Not that he will,” she quickly added when I frowned at her in the rearview.

I pulled into the parking lot, looking forward to ending the discussion about how hot Zanthiel was.

Brianne nudged Abby on the arm. “You won't have to wait long, to get a look at least. Here he comes.”

She was about to jump out while the car was still moving.

“Are you insane?” I shouted. “Can I at least put the car in park first?”

“Well hurry up, grandma, I'm gonna miss my chance,” Abby said.

“Chill out. You seriously do not wear desperate well.”

Abby fished in her makeup bag, watching Zanthiel weave through the parking lot.

“You're going to introduce me, right? I am your best friend,” she said, pointedly looking back at Brianne, who slumped in her seat.

Zanthiel was headed for an ink black Audi vehicle with keys in his hand. Who knew if it was actually his or if he'd conned the previous owner out of it in a shrewd faerie bargain. I steered toward the empty space next to his and sighed. “I'll introduce you, Abby, but if you scratch my car, or his car…”

“Relax,” she said, and then smeared hot pink lipstick across her pouty lips as I pulled in next to him. “No damage involved.”

She winked and hopped out of the car, then promptly dropped her books at his feet with a flirtatious smile.

Classic. And way cliché. But right on cue, Zanthiel picked them up and smiled back at her. Guess there's a reason clichés become… well,
cliché
. When he rapped his knuckles on the window, I reluctantly climbed out of the car.

“Hi, Zanthiel. I see you've met my
friend
,
Abby. My
best
friend.” I gestured. “Abby, Zanthiel.”

He searched my face for a moment, then turned his full attention on Abby. An act that nearly liquefied her where she stood. Very few can withstand the charms of the Fey, much less one who is pouring it on.

“A pleasure,” he said and took her hand, holding it for an uncomfortably long time.

I cleared my throat. “Well, we should be getting to class,” I said, and pulled her arm from his grasp.

“Zanthiel,” Abby repeated. “That's an unusual name. Where are you from?”

“Uhm, he's not from around here, I'm guessing,” I answered quickly and gave Abby a gentle shove. “You're going to be late, and your first class is that way.” Then I whispered, “Don't worry, I'm on it.”

When Abby was out of earshot, I faced Zanthiel.

“So…” I gave him the once over, from his charcoal Converse athletic shoes to his faded jeans and black leather bomber. “You're rockin' the high school student look now?” I pointed to the backpack slung over his shoulder.

It wasn't uncommon for higher beings from the Nevermore to don human glamour, the magic that disguises things like pointed ears and faerie wings, and try out normal human activities like school, college and jobs. When you have an eternity to fill, a few decades of faking humanity was just one way to pass the time. A form of entertainment. But seeing him like this—the glow of his silver hair faded to dirty blond—it was unsettling. He looked
too
human… apart from his startling good looks.

Reaching into his backpack he pulled out a calculus text. “Fifth period math with Mr. Chompskey.” Zanthiel's silver eyes glittered with dark mischief.

That was my first class. He was taking this whole keep me alive thing to extremes.

“Just so we're clear, there are a couple of rules you need to follow if you're going to be here.”

“I don't care for rules.”

I ignored him. “Number one. Stay away from my friends. I saw the way you flirted with Abby. Very smooth, by the way, but she's off-limits. Got it?”

He studied my expression for a time, parsing my thoughts for hidden meaning. “And the next?” he said.

“No faerie mischief. And no throwing people out of windows. And absolutely no bargains.”

“That was more than a couple.”

“We have to go.” I sighed, picturing Adrius' reaction. Fortunately he wasn't at school today. He had to sort through the information he received from Hawthrin about the veil, and promised to meet me at the café after my shift. He was also going to see how much info he could glean about Mr. Smythe's condition from the hospital. No doubt he could charm a nurse into spilling an update.

The remainder of my day consisted of Abby's endless stream of gushing, detailing everything from Zanthiel's slivery eyes to the way he looked at her. Every moment of it grated on my nerves.

I'd gotten used to the way girls responded to Adrius. The way they blushed, flirted or openly stared. And I was expecting more of the same when they laid eyes on Zanthiel. What I wasn't expecting was it coming from Abby. She'd never been the boy crazy type. I'd known her long enough to tell when she was falling for someone, and she was falling hard. Who could blame her? It was as if one of the hot vampires from the latest paranormal flick walked off the screen of his blockbuster film and into our little town. As compelling as the Shadow faerie was dressed, all trendy emo-alternative with a sexy edge, I knew what lurked beneath the facade. Someone far more dangerous to a mortal girl than any vampire.