“Well, Toven hasn’t really said much. I know we’re going to his night club at some point, and we’re going to Ace’s movie premiere in LA next week.”
“Nice. I’ll have Jacque come up with something red-carpet worthy for the premiere. And you should schedule a session with Sandra just before you go to LA to get you bikini ready.” She was all business now.
“I don’t know that we’ll be going to the beach.”
She waved off my protest. “Of course, you will. You’ll want to make sure your wax job is still good.”
“OK. I see your point. Thanks for thinking of everything. All of this is so new to me.” I shrugged.
“That’s what I’m here for. Now head on down to the spa for your session. I know they’re all anxious to see you. In your short time with us, you’ve gotten all of us rooting for you.” Circe gave me a kind smile.
I scooted to the edge of my seat. “OK. Before I forget, how’s Lucy?”
“She’s good. I can give you her number if you want to reach out. I think she’s going to do another contract with Victor in a couple of weeks.” Circe leaned over her desk and scribbled on a Post-It.
“That’s good, right? I know she wants to do interior design, so she must have done good work for him if he’s going to use her again.” My fingers gripped the armrests of the chair.
“It is good whenever there’s a repeat relationship established. It means both the employee and the client found the transaction to be mutually beneficial and are willing to extend their business relationship. Here’s Lucy’s number. I’m sure she’d love to hear from you. It’s good for you to have a friend here who understands your job.”
I took the slip of paper and thanked Circe again before heading to the spa.
5
Toven
My door flying open interrupted my musings. Lydia sauntered in wearing an impossibly short skirt and a low-cut blouse. Would she ever give up?
“Toven, I’m so glad you’re in this morning. I didn’t know if you’d be busy with . . . her.” Her lip curled in disgust.
“You mean Celesta? I’m leaving in just a few minutes to meet up with her. Was there something in particular you needed? Because we don’t have a meeting scheduled for this morning.” My tone was frosty.
She leaned over my desk as she laid a copy of an email down in front of me. I grabbed the paper and rolled my chair backward to take my eyeline away from her exposed cleavage, as she had yet to stand up.
My eyes perused the paper. It was an email from the lead singer of Rage Rush, the hottest rock band on the scene at the moment. The band was interested in the song posted to YouTube, and they also wanted to discuss other song options.
A smug smile tipped up her lips. “I told you creating a social media presence would open doors for your music to flow through.”
“Yes, you did. And thankfully, Celesta took your idea and expanded on it to generate a huge buzz in less than twenty-four hours of my profiles going live. She surpassed my expectations. I think she might need a raise,” I enthused.
Lydia frowned and stepped back from my desk, straightening her spine.
“Perhaps she is good at marketing and fixing your image. But you should still be cautious mixing your personal and professional lives.”
“That’s rich coming from you,” I scoffed.
Lydia stammered and stuttered but couldn’t get a coherent response past her lips.
“Do you like your job, Ms. Summers?”
“Yes.”
“Then just worry about doing your job, not Celesta’s job. And may I remind you that my personal life or my relationship with my girlfriend are not listed in your job responsibilities. See if Rage Rush can meet tonight at Club Night around nine to discuss collaborations. Text me their response. I’ll be leaving for the day in a few moments.”
“Very well. I’ll let you know what they say,” she said curtly.
Silently dismissing her, I turned to my computer. My mind roiled. Every time I called Celesta my girlfriend, this deep feeling of satisfaction spread through me. It was like each time I declared it made it closer to the truth. If I wasn’t careful, I might buy into our own false hype.
I checked through my email one last time, noticing a new message from Dr. Gregory.
Toven,
All of the original test group 1 mice have died. They rarely ate or drank anything at all after their injections, so their demise is not surprising. They continued to appear to be searching for something until they finally collapsed and died. Anticipating this, I did start a new batch of mice on VP#1 injections a few days ago.
There was one interesting development. I decided to divide the sample batch in half, giving half of the mice the full injection of VP#1, and the remaining mice got a half dose. The ones receiving the half dose were to be given the rest the next day. All the mice exhibited the same behaviors as the original mice from test #1. There was no decrease in symptoms in those given the half dose. However, when I gave them the second half of the newly-created dose, all the searching/hunting behaviors ceased to nearly non-existent levels.
I ran some tests and discovered that somehow during the preparation of the second batch, the VP#1 protein was altered. I haven’t figured out in what way just yet or how I managed to alter it by accident. But it was certainly altered because the structure is different. I don’t have any solid theories yet, but even if we can’t locate a cure for vampiral, this stroke of luck gives me a bit of hope that we may be able to negate some of the less desirable symptoms of the vampiral virus.
I’ll keep you posted.
Abigail
I knew she was excited by this turn of events, and in her shoes, I would be as well. But I wasn’t in her shoes, I was in mine, and negating some of the symptoms of this disease wouldn’t save me.
I tapped out a quick response in my hunt and peck manner—one of the many reasons I loathed email.
Abigail
Thanks for the update. That is an exciting turn of events. But it’s one I hope we won’t find necessary to follow-up on because a cure for the disease will be found. Please continue to work diligently as we both know the sand is falling quickly through the hourglass and negating some of my symptoms won’t change my fate. Only a cure will.
Toven
With that, I shut down my computer and told Mrs. Stephens I was leaving for the day. I set off for B.I.T.-10, which was farther downtown than my building.
Once I stepped out of the elevator on the tenth floor of the B.I.T. building, my heart was fluttering at the thought of seeing my girl and spending the rest of the day with her. Absence had certainly made my heart grow fonder. The receptionist stood and stammered out a greeting.
Smiling, I informed her, “I’m here to get Celesta whenever she’s done for the day. I was also hoping I could see Jacque if he’s available.”
“Certainly. Just go down the hallway. His door should be open.”
“Thank you.” I gave her a little salute and headed in the direction she indicated.
I knocked lightly on the open door and peeked inside. Jacque sat on the floor surrounded by piles of clothing.
He glanced to where I stood in the doorway. “Mr. Adams, this is a surprise.” He got to his feet and offered me his hand. “I must say the photos of Celesta in the dress you helped design were stunning.”
“Thank you for your help with that. She was so surprised. And, man, she was absolutely . . .” I shook my head in disbelief. “I write words for a living, and I don’t even possess the vocabulary necessary to describe her beauty. She took my breath away and stopped my heart.”
“The photo showed that she was a work of art.”
“Yes, she was. I’m hoping you can hook me up with some club appropriate attire for her. We’re possibly going to be visiting my night club a few times in the coming weeks. Maybe even tonight.”
He clapped his hands in excitement. “I actually have just the thing for her to wear tonight. Let me get it out of the wa
rdrobe. I have a few other things I can send with you as well.”
“Great.” I was oddly excited about showing her my night club.
“Toven, I hope Jacque is helping you with whatever articles you need for Celesta,” Circe’s voice came from behind us.
“Yes. I needed to pick up some club attire for her,” I explained, stepping toward her.
“She needs clubbing clothes? You’re taking her to a club?” her tone said she obviously couldn’t imagine me stepping foot inside a club.
“Yes, we’re going to be visiting my club a few times in the coming weeks to meet with some prospective song shoppers.” I raked my fingers through my hair, now all of a sudden nervous that I’d be totally out of my element in my own club.
Circe rested a reassuring hand on my bicep. “Great. I know Jacque will hook you up. Do you have a minute so we can talk?”
I tilted my head at her, trying to figure out what she wanted. It paid to be suspicious in my world. “Sure. Jacque, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“No problem. I’ll be here,” his muffled reply drifted from inside the wardrobe he was sorting through.
I followed Circe to her office, where she shut the door behind us. I wasn’t sure what she wanted to talk with me about. I was a bit nervous that it would be something concerning Cassandra. She spun around to face me and stood there studying me for a long moment. I stepped to the center of the room and waited to see what she wanted.
“What are you doing, Toven?” she finally whispered.
“I’m here to pick up Celesta. Is that not OK?” I asked in a confused tone.
“Of course, it’s OK. I didn’t mean what are you doing as in right here, right now. I mean what are you doing with Celesta?”
“She’s helping me develop my image, and we’re going out as a couple in public. All things outlined in our agreement. I don’t understand your . . . concern?” Was Circe capable of concern for someone else? I sat on the couch off to the side because I sensed this conversation wasn’t going to be quick.
“Yes, I’m concerned. Toven, Celesta isn’t like the other girls I employ. She’s sweet and pure and special.” She settled next to me.
“I agree with you. Celesta is amazing.”
“So, you like her?” Her brows lifted, waiting for my response.
“Hell yes, I like her. Maybe too much. Why would you ask that?”
She gave me a knowing look. “She’s been with you for five days now. She’s living in your home. And you haven’t tasted her or had sex with her.” Circe was never one to beat around the bush.
Heat rushed up my cheeks in utter disbelief that she’d call me out on this. Though I shouldn’t have been surprised—she’d always been a bold woman who said exactly what was on her mind. I lifted my hands, palms up and shrugged, faking nonchalance. “I told you those caveats were unnecessary in my contract.”
“I know you said that. But they’re included in your agreement. Not to mention you like her, so why don’t you want to be with her, taste her, pleasure her, be pleasured by her? I don’t understand.” Exasperation covered her face.
“Circe, you know as well as I do, what our kind does. How we show so little regard for the sweet and pure. The track record of vampires, me included, is to corrupt and destroy that which is unblemished and gentle. I couldn’t live with myself if I did that to her. She deserves better than me. Besides, this is just a job. She’s gaining experience, albeit she’s having fun while doing it. But when it’s done, she’ll go back to her life . . . and I’ll go back to mine.” Unless, I can convince her to stay, and I can find a way to cure myself of vampiral, so I won’t have to be back under Cassandra’s thumb.
“Toven, open your damn eyes. That girl likes you. A lot. She doesn’t think you’re a monster. She wants you. And the most confusing thing of all this is if you’re so worried about her virtue, then why on Earth did you kiss her?” she scolded as she got up to pace the floor.
I shrugged off her reprimand with a wave of my hands. “Oh, that’s no big deal. We have to be believable in front of the press.” I hoped Circe bought my load of crap.
She stared at me for several heartbeats. “None of the kisses you’ve shared have been captured on film, so they weren’t in public for the sake of the press. You and I have known each other for a long time. Don’t insult the friendship we once had by telling me that a kiss is no big deal for you. When was the last time you kissed someone?” she prodded.
I swallowed. “On the lips?”
“Yes.”
“Over one hundred and fifty years,” my words were a whisper.
“Toven,” she said as she sat beside me on the couch, “kissing Celesta means something. Even if you don’t want it to. But you need to figure out what it means so that neither of you gets hurt unnecessarily.”
“I can’t risk ruining her. I know what I’m capable of if I don’t keep a very tight leash on myself and the inner demon that rages inside me. I refuse to turn her into collateral damage because I can’t keep an iron tight grip on my dick.” My fingers clenched so tightly into a fist that I was sure there’d be half-moon impressions in my palm when I finally unfurled them.
“Toven, you are different now than you were back then. I think your worries are unfounded. I think the way you feel about her will keep you from hurting her. If you don’t do something about the urges you’re denying yourself in all realms, then something bad could happen,” she cautioned, laying a hand on my knee.
“How do you know I’m denying myself?”
She rolled her eyes at me. “Please, Toven, I know everyone in this business, even my competition. I know the service you normally use. After Celesta told me the lack of activities you’ve been partaking in with her, I made some calls. You aren’t using someone else. You’ve made calls, but then changed your mind. You’re suppressing your urges and desires. We both know that when our hungers are denied, they don’t just fade away. They become ravenous. That is where your concern should lie. That at some point something will happen, and you won’t be able to stop it when it does.”
A deep sigh slipped through my pursed lips. “I already fear that. That’s why I’ve denied myself of everything but a few life-altering kisses.”
“My advice is that you slowly start to satisfy your hungers and desires. You have nine more weeks with her. She won’t deny you. She wants you. You want her. Let yourself go just enough so you both can have what you want.” Circe’s eyes pleaded with me to listen to reason.
“What if a little isn’t enough?” I rasped.
She shrugged. “Cross that bridge when you get to it . . . together. Our kind isn’t really known for one hundred percent consensual relationships based on free will. But it isn’t impossible either.”
I stood, ready to be done with her scrutiny and advice. Her eyes had always seen too much, and her mind always understood too much. “I’ll consider what you’ve said.”
Gracefully, she rose to her feet. Laying a hand on my arm, she said, “For what’s worth, I think the two of you look very good together. Much better than you ever looked with Cassandra or me. I think it’s worth it for you to see what might be there.”
“Thanks for trying to look out for Celesta. She’s lucky to have you in her corner. I know when all is done, she’ll still have your friendship.”
“Yes, she will. And so will you. I must admit when you first came by last week, I wanted to figure out a way to have you for myself. You’ve always been the unattainable dream that was supposed to be mine. I was bitter about it for a long time. But I see a light in your eyes that I’ve never seen before, and Celesta is the source of that light. I want to see the two of you shine for each other.” A genuine smile tipped her lips.
“Awww, Circe, are you going soft?” I teased.
“Hell no. And if you ever tell anyone I was sappy in here with you, I will deny it and find some way to make you suffer.” She scowled at me.
“Your secret’s safe with me. And for what it
’s worth, I am sorry you weren’t the right woman for me. I hate Cassandra for what she did to me, but I loathe her for what she did to you—all in the name of keeping me under her thumb,” I spoke through clenched teeth.
“I don’t hate you anymore. And I’m ready to move on from the dream that was never realized.” Her tone was wistful.
Relief flooded me. “I’m glad you don’t hate me anymore. I think we can be friends now. Maybe.”
“I’d like that. Now, go get ready for your girl. She should be finishing up any time now.” Circe pushed me toward the door.
I couldn’t contain the smile that beamed across my face. I kissed Circe’s cheek before walking to the door, anxious to lay my eyes on the most precious thing I’d ever had in my life.
“Toven,” Circe’s voice halted me before I opened the door, “trust yourself and trust her. You won’t go far enough to hurt her, and she won’t hurt you with her fear.”
I nodded and walked out. I couldn’t find the words to voice all my hopes and fears. A huge part of me hoped Circe was right about me. For more years than I cared to count, I hated myself and what Cassandra had turned me into. It offered a small sliver of hope that someone saw something in me beyond the bloodthirsty monster.
Jacque waited for me in the reception area with a bag of clothes for Celesta.
“The outfit on top is the one I immediately thought of when you made your request. Have her wear it tonight. I think you both will like it,” he said with raised brows.
“Thank you. I’m sure Circe spoke with you about the movie premiere we’re going to in LA next week.” I accepted the filled-to-the-brim bag from him.
“Yes, she mentioned it. I’ll have something red-carpet worthy for our girl to wear,” he promised with a wink.
I suppressed a growl at his ‘our girl’ comment. She was my girl, not anyone else’s. I had never shared well, and she was no exception.
Blood Song: Refrain (Blood Song Series Book 2) Page 3