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“Cicely! Cicely, come out of it—come back to us.”
As I opened my eyes, I saw that I was surrounded by Kaylin, Chatter, and Leo. Rhiannon gathered me into her arms and I screamed as a white-hot lance raced across my skin.
“What? Your back!” She leaned me forward and I heard the men murmur.
“What about my back? Other than it hurts like a son of a bitch.” All I could think of was that Grieve had taken one hell of a beating and I’d tuned in to it. The thought of him out there, lost to Myst and her beatings, made me queasy.
“Your back is covered with raised welts. Like you’ve been whipped.”
They helped me up and to a mirror, where I looked over my shoulder to see the red thin weals crisscrossing my skin.
“Fuck. Oh motherfucking son of a bitch.” I stared at the oozing cuts even as Leo raced downstairs. “Grieve was being beaten—I felt his pain. I didn’t realize . . .”
“You took on his pain for yourself. Cicely, this bond you have with him—it could be terribly dangerous. What if Myst decides to kill him?” Kaylin took my chin in his hand, forcing me to stare into his eyes. “We have to break the connection.”
“No! Grieve is mine . . . he’s mine . . . she can’t have him!” I burst into tears as I folded into Rhiannon’s arms. She held me quietly.
“Shush . . . we’ll figure something out. We’ll find a way . . .”
I knew she didn’t believe it, but hearing her say it made me feel a little better. Leo returned with a jar of salve in hand, and as he smoothed the ointment over my back, the sting and pain began to recede. After a few moments, it vanished.
“There, it all soaked into your skin. I don’t think we can bandage them—the marks cover your back, but I also don’t think that it’s going to leave marks. They’re fading a little already. I think because these were sympathetic magic, they’ll disappear a lot quicker than actual lacerations would.” He let out a long breath. “I hate to sound pushy, but we’ve got to get moving. Geoffrey and his crew don’t brook lateness, and Lannan will use any excuse he can to get to you. You don’t need that right now.”
I nodded, swallowing the lump that had risen in my throat. Rhiannon helped me up and gently helped me adjust the dress. I winced, but at least the fact that it was backless kept it from brushing against the welts. I hoped Lannan wouldn’t notice and ask questions. I’d wear a shawl, and hopefully that would cover the marks until they faded.
Heartsick, wondering how Grieve was, I applied my makeup and then slid into stiletto black patent leather ankle boots. Brass padlocks ornamented the side zippers, and I slowly clicked them into place. Then I added a red chunky bracelet and necklace. If I wore silver to a vampire soiree, I’d be asking for trouble.
When I was finished, I slid a black shawl laced with sparkling red threads around my shoulders and picked up my clutch. A look in the mirror told me too much—I washed up pretty good. Which normally would make me feel wonderful, but in this case, I knew Lannan would be there, watching and waiting. As I headed for the door, I tried to push him out of my mind, but the vampire was there, and he wouldn’t let go.
Geoffrey’s mansion was sparkling as we pulled up in the limo he’d sent for us. The crowd overflowed, out the main doors, a scintillating Who’s Who of the bite-me set. As Rhiannon, Leo, and I walked through the crowd, I felt like a walking invitation to an all-you-can-drink party.
Rhia wore a blue ankle-length cocktail dress, sparkly with sequins and about twenty years too old for her. I had to get her to stop plundering Heather’s wardrobe. The two were nearly the same size—tall and willowy—but Aunt Heather had dressed sedately and Rhia looked older than she was in Heather’s clothing.
Leo was the surprise of the night. He was wearing a pinstripe zoot suit, with the matching white-and-black shoes. And it looked good on him. He grinned at me as he caught my eye.
“Geoffrey said I need to break out of my style rut. I decided to take his advice, especially since he pays the bills.” He touched the brim of his felt hat and winked at me.
“Geoffrey calls the shots, doesn’t he?” I eyed Leo cautiously, thinking that for a magic-born healer, he really enjoyed working for the vampires.
Leo’s smile disappeared. “Geoffrey pays both our salaries. I think it would be best to shelve this conversation for a more suitable time.” He wrapped his arm around Rhiannon and waved to one of the guards, who motioned us through without even searching our purses.
The mansion was a glitter of sparkling lights. Though Geoffrey and his kin didn’t usually celebrate holidays as the living did, he’d still taken advantage of the season and a giant tree filled one corner, glistening with a thousand lights.
The swirl of vampires filled the hall and I noticed that one of the bigger rooms was closed off. No doubt their playhouse—the vamps had a predilection for orgies, and having been witness at one, I had no desire to join another.
I glanced around, looking for Regina or Geoffrey. The foyer was filled with bodies, all incredibly seductive regardless of shape or size. Sensuality came with being a vampire. It was an innate ability, like drinking blood or fading into shadows or—for some ancient vamps—turning into a bat or wolf or spider.
The music swirled around us. Buffalo Springfield, Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Nirvana . . . I closed my eyes, swaying slowly to the beat. The heavy scents of perfume drifting around us clouded my senses, and the smell of musk in the air was intoxicating. Ulean couldn’t come with us—the vampires didn’t like Elementals, and so there was no one to wash away the lingering smell of sex that permeated the room.
And then, at my elbow, Regina appeared. Her gold hair was swept up into a chignon, adorned with a black-and-red lace comb covered with Swarovski crystals. She was wearing a jacquard bustier in crimson and a black chiffon pair of lounging pajama pants, with five-inch stiletto sandals.
She coiled herself around me, her fangs showing slightly as she smiled. “You look lovely, Cicely. I’m sure my brother will appreciate the effort.”
“I didn’t do it for him. I don’t give a fuck what your brother thinks about my looks.” I couldn’t stop myself. I was worried about Grieve and my back hurt like hell. Well, that was a lie. I did care what Lannan thought about me. I just didn’t want him to like the way I looked, though I knew that was too much to hope for. “I was ordered to dress, and I did. Simple as that. I’d rather be in my jeans and a comfortable sweater.” Or one of Rhiannon’s gypsy skirts and a tank top, I thought.
She shook her head. “We need to have a private talk. Now.” Grabbing me by the elbow, she threaded through the room with me in tow. Leo and Rhiannon watched us go, but Leo was smart enough not to attempt a follow-and-rescue.
Regina dragged me into a small room off the main foyer and slammed the door. I glanced around and realized that what I’d thought was a smallish parlor was actually a huge bathroom. Must be for the bloodwhores, since vampires didn’t need to use the bathroom, unless it was to wash off the blood.
