Curse of Shadows and Light (19 page)

“
What’s going on?” I ask.

“
I don’t know. But I think you fainted?” She stares at me wide-eyed. “You were getting pretty fired up, and then
poof
, you just sort of sat back down and nodded off, like you fell asleep or something.”

“
That’s weird.” I shake my head and sit up straighter. I’m pretty warm, but other than that I feel perfectly fine.

Vincent looks at me carefully. “Are you okay?”

I nod.

“
Demons don’t just faint, you know.”

I stand up and shrug him off. “First time for everything. Maybe someone roofied my drink. Speaking of, I could really use another.”

“
Stay here,” he orders. “I’ll get it for you.”

I’m a bit put off by his tone, but I nod and sit back down, my mind still on what Adessia just told me.
Abbaton is dead… the Legionare is in shambles
. Who would notice, or even care, if a little ol’ demion went wandering into Thiberoux? Of course it’ll take some planning. I’m not going to be so stupid this time. I don’t regret trading my chance to kill the Amazèa for Kieron’s freedom from the Legionare, but circumstances have changed. And I’m not letting this opportunity slip through my fingers again.

“
Here you go.” Vincent returns and hands me my drink. As I chug it down, he turns to Adessia. “Can we have a moment?”

“
Of course.” She gives my hand a quick squeeze before gracefully rising and float-walking back to the VIP area.

Vincent takes her seat beside me, obviously still concerned. He seems to struggle for words. “Are you feeling better?” he finally asks.

That’s it
. I’ve had enough.

I finish my drink, set the glass down, and turn to him. “Why are you doing this?” I ask him, my voice low.

“
Doing what?”

I can feel my irritation build as I gesture back and forth between us with my hand. “
This
! The way you’re looking at me… acting as if I’m some sort of precious possession to you. I mean, we just met like
five
seconds
ago, and you keep acting all… ugh! You know I have a boyfriend, right?”
And that my heart is breaking for my real love
…

He stares at me. “Yes, I know.”

“
Then what
is
this? What are you doing to me? What’s with all the sexy vibes and concerned protection like I’m your… your…” I break off, not sure what I want to say.

He raises an eyebrow. “My
what
?”

I shake my head. “Like I’m your lover or girlfriend or something. Just stop it!”

Vincent lowers his gaze and is quiet for a moment. “Yes, I know we just met,” he begins. “And I’m very sorry if I’ve made you uncomfortable. That certainly was never my intention. But the truth is I
am
concerned for you and your well-being. That I won’t apologize for. And it is my job to make sure that you are guarded and safe from harm.
Any
harm. You
are
precious, and I will die before I let anything happen to you.”

I take a breath and stare at him.

“
And as for these ‘sexy vibes’,” he continues, a mischievous twinkle lighting his normally serious eyes, “well, I wasn’t aware I was doing that. I’ll try and keep it down.”

I shake my head and look away. Is he
kidding
me right now? What the hell
is
this?

We sit in awkward silence, the tension so thick I can barely stand it. I’m just about to get up and leave when he asks, “Are you happy?”

I turn to him, incredulous. “Is that a joke?”

“
I’m quite serious.”

“
Why would you even ask me that?”

“
It’s a simple question.”

“
Ha! Simple my ass. That’s the most loaded question ever. But the short answer is no. No, I’m not happy. I’m really pissed off about a lot of things right now.”

“
Like what?”

I stare at him. Part of me wants to talk to him, to trust him. But another part knows how stupid that is. Demons cannot be trusted, especially ones I hardly know. And I cannot open any more emotional doors with this guy than I already have. I don’t care how hot he is.

“
Like a lot of things I’m not getting into with you.”

He leans back into the couch and crosses his long legs. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to pry, and I’m not trying to make you uncomfortable. I just want to keep you safe. My nature, my soul is one of a Guardian. So I apologize if I come off a bit strong sometimes.”

“
It’s okay,” I mumble. Now I feel foolish. “It’s me. I’m just stressed, I guess. Sorry.”

“
Don’t mention it—”

“
Hey, Vincent, my man!” Some guy comes up from behind us and pats Vincent on the back, breaking our moment.

Vincent looks at him, and his face lights up.
Wow, he’s got an amazing smile.

“
Rodrigo, my old friend, how are you? I haven’t seen you in ages!” Vincent stands to shake hands with the tall, dashing man with the pointy black eyebrows and silver goatee. For some reason he reminds me of a carnival barker. “What’s it been, fifty… sixty years?”

“
At least! Tell me what you’ve been up to, good man. You still breaking all the young girls’ hearts?”

Vincent laughs. “Ah, Rodrigo. I would
never
.” He turns to me. “Lucky, this is my old friend Rodrigo. He and I go way back. Rodrigo, this is my friend Lucky. She’s from Dryndara.”

I automatically stick out my hand. “Nice to meet you.”

Rodrigo gives a small bow and kisses the top of my hand. “The pleasure is all mine, dear girl. Dryndara, huh? A shame.” He squeezes my hand and kisses it again.

Vincent gently disengages my fingers from Rodrigo’s. “Okay, that’s enough, Romeo. Save it for the maidens.”

Rodrigo stands upright and gives me a wink. “Oh, I see. This one is already spoken for. My mistake, old friend.”

Vincent gives him a look and starts to speak, but I interrupt. “I
am
spoken for, that is true. But my boyfriend isn’t here right now.”

Rodrigo raises his eyebrows and glances around. “Oh, no? Where is the lucky fellow?”

“
Um, well, he’s at home. Asleep.”

“
Ahh. Darling… Sweetheart… if you were mine I wouldn’t take my eyes off you for one second.” He chuckles and squeezes my arm. “Not one second! I’d refuse to sleep a wink until I was dead. Refuse!”

Vincent rolls his eyes and smirks. “Oh, that’s not creepy at
all
, Rodrigo.”

I glance back and forth between the two of them. “What did you mean earlier when you said it was a shame about Dryndara?” I ask Rodrigo.

He opens his mouth, but Vincent holds up his hand and cuts him off. “I haven’t had a chance to fill her in yet. Mind giving us a moment?”

Rodrigo glances at me. For a moment his playful demeanor turns somber, and he regards me with what appears to be sympathy.

My breath catches in my throat.

He gives Vincent a short nod. “Sure thing, brother. Oh, and I’m here with Cassius, Remy, and Lucien. Come say hello when you get a chance. They’d love to see you.”

“
Will do, my brother.”

Vincent sits back down and turns to me, his face grim.

“
What is it?” I demand. The apprehension in my gut is mounting rapidly. “What happened in Dryndara?”

He sighs, and takes my hands in both of his. “The past several days there’s been a lot of fighting all throughout Thiberoux. A few nights ago, Dryndara was attacked by three neighboring clans, led by the Hlbafa, in order to get revenge for what went down between your tribes.”

I brace myself and stare into his eyes, willing him not to say the words I know he’s about to say.

“
I’m sorry to have to tell you this,” he continues, his voice low, “but Dryndara fell. It was annihilated in the siege. Most were killed, and those who managed to flee are in hiding. It was a brutal, ruthless, and strangely coordinated effort.”

Dazed, I slowly shake my head, and shut my eyes against the tears that threaten to spill out. “You mean Dryndara… my home… is
gone
?”

He squeezes my hands. “I’m so sorry, Lucky. But yes, it’s been pretty much destroyed. Ironically, you being banished from there is most likely what saved your life. In fact, I know it is.”

I stare at him, too stunned to process his words clearly. “How do you know?” I whisper.

He gulps and glances away. “I was debating how much to tell you… but you have a right to know. But are you sure you really
want
to know? It might be painful for you to hear.”

A nasty pit forms in my chest. I should say no. I should tell him to stop talking now, because nothing he can say will undo the events of the past. So there’s really no point in continuing.

“
Yes, tell me everything.” My voice is barely audible.

Vincent takes a deep breath. He catches my gaze, and I find strength in his eyes that I need to hold onto right now. “Apparently the Hlbafa wanted revenge for the Legionare killing their leader and dozens of their members,” he says softly. “They waited until the Legionare was distracted with other battles around Thiberoux. There was no one to stop them, and many Dryndarans were caught unaware. They blew up Demon Bar with some
Veneficus Calx
stones during peak hours.” I gasp.
Veneficus Calx
stones.
“Maximum causalities. But there’s more…”

He stops and looks away. “Tell me,” I croak. He sighs, and gently wipes a tear from my cheek. I don’t blink.

“
They were after
you,”
he says.

“
Me? Why me?”

“
Hlbafa is ruled by a demon wizard now. They blame you for what happened to their tribe. Well, you and Liora.”

“
So they just wiped out all of Dryndara because of me?”

He’s quiet for a moment.

“
Some escaped, though.”

A weird, almost maniacal laugh escapes me. “Some. Oh, well, that’s a relief.”

Vincent reaches over and gently wipes the tears again. I’m numb to his touch. I’m numb to everything. Everything that happened is my fault. Everyone suffered and died… because of me. Those were my stones. Tattie warned me not to take them, but I did anyways.

“
Lucky…”

“
Get me out of here,” I whisper.

He nods. “I’m very sorry you had to hear this. But you would’ve found out sooner or later, and you need to know what happened.”

I swallow hard and nod.

“
Come on, let’s get you home,” he says, and gently takes my hand.