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“It wouldn’t be so hard if he didn’t send mixed signals. The man is vexing as hell.”
“He’s been on his own for a long time. Imagine how hard this has to be for him.”
She sucks on her bottom lip, looking at me intently. “Maybe you’re right. I’ll give it time.”
“Something tells me your patience will be worth it.”
“Let’s get you cleaned up.” She effectively closed the book on that discussion.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“There. You look presentable.” Maggie grins into the mirror at my reflection.
She insisted on drying and curling my hair, which quickly turned into makeup application and torture by beautification.
“You and Katina would get along swimmingly,” I groan, dodging her attempt to apply lip gloss.
“You must tell me all about her.”
“I will,” I say, slapping at her hand so that I can turn to face her. “But there’s something else you should hear first. About Shannon.”
The smile dies on her lips, worry crossing her face. “Something has happened to Shannon?”
I nod in confirmation. “She was abducted from Liberty and purchased by Marcellus.”
She gasps. “There’s no way. If she had been at his estate, I’d have known.”
I shrug, not having an answer for that either. “He brought her to the same party, collared, just like my friend Stacey. She was bitten by one of Marcellus’s accomplices.”
Her hands fly to her mouth. “She’s turned.” It’s not a question. Maggie knows enough about this world.
“Julian has a warehouse in Seattle where he rounds up new bites.” She scrunches her nose. “It’s what they call newly transitioned vampires. They’re working on rehabilitating them faster, so they’re able to control their thirst and not be a danger to humanity.”
“She’s there?” Maggie asks, sounding hopeful.
“She is. Shannon’s there undergoing treatment, but it’s happening slowly.”
“Take me to her. I want to see her,” she says.
I grab her hand, squeezing. “When Julian gets back, we’ll go.”
She nods. “Is she okay?” Her voice breaks as though she’s holding back tears.
“When I left her, she was far from under control. She was fighting the beast inside, but she hadn’t won the fight. I do believe she’ll be all right, but it’s going to take some time. Maybe seeing you will help.”
“How do you figure?”
“They’ve found that tapping into a vampire’s life pre-transition switches back on their humanity and helps to get them under control. Seeing you will help Shannon remember the good old days.”
She smiles, lost in thought. “Despite how hard life was, there were some great times.”
“There were,” I agree.
“I’m sorry you had to deal with all of this on your own, Marina. It must’ve been so hard. Me, then your friend Stacey... Shannon.”
“I’ve been on my own most of my life.” I turn back to the mirror, absently picking at my hair.
She huffs. “You weren’t alone. You had me.”
