Crossroads (Crossroads Academy #1)

by J.J. Bonds

  Chapter Sixteen

  “She’s got to be here somewhere,” I grumble to myself. This place is jam packed tonight, and, now that everyone is up and moving around, it’s even more difficult to find one person in the crush of bodies.

  I’m doubly disadvantaged because I’m stopped every few feet by people who want to meet me. Everyone knows my face after this evenings’ grand introduction. I’m engaged by politicians, casino owners, and business professionals. I’ll never remember all of their faces, let alone their names. I’m simply not that interested. I do my best to make polite conversation for a few minutes and excuse myself. I repeat this process no less than a dozen times before I spot Keegan by the buffet.

  He’s working desserts tonight. It’s a ridiculously large spread for a group of beings who predominantly stick to liquid sustenance. The table is twenty-five feet long and three tiers high. The assortment is extravagant, and, if the taste is half as good as the presentation, the desserts have got to be out of this world. I spot elaborate cakes, cocktail glasses overflowing with mousse, fruit tarts, and fancy desserts the likes of which I’ve never seen before. The buffet is dotted with ornate ice sculptures which pour blood and seem to attract more attention than the desserts themselves. My favorite is a large flower with blood trickling over its petals like fresh morning dew. I approach Keegan’s station hoping he can tell me where to find Shaye.

  “Miss Katia.” Keegan greets me formally playing to the audience. I doubt anyone is paying attention to us, but I go with it. “What can I get ye this evening?”

  “Actually, I was looking for Shaye. Have you seen her?” I ask pointing to a chocolate truffle which he promptly serves to me on a delicate china saucer.

  “I haven’t seen Miss Shaye this evening, but I’ll let her know you’re looking for her if she happens by.” I pop the truffle in my mouth and let the chocolate melt on my tongue. It’s heavenly.

  “Thank you,” I reply formally. This type of charade makes me uncomfortable. I hate having to treat Keegan differently just because there are other people around. “The truffles are wonderful.” I help myself to another one as I turn away.

  Before I can devour the second truffle, I’m accosted again. This time it’s an accident. The stranger bumps into me hard as he’s shoved from behind.

  “Pardon me,” he says turning to look me in the face. “Oh, dear!” Recognition lights his eyes. He’s worried about my reaction. Damn that introduction.

  “Not to worry,” I assure him. “My truffle is intact. Katia Lescinka.” I extend my free hand to him to show there are no hard feelings.

  “Dr. Andrew Philips,” he says, shaking my hand firmly. He’s the most average looking guy in the world. Average height, average build, nondescript features. And yet he’s the face of our future.

  “The Dr. Philips? You head the research team at the Dwyer Group, right?” I can’t believe it. My night is finally turning around.

  “Correction. I lead one of the research teams at the Dwyer Group. I see my reputation precedes me, as does yours.” He smiles looking pleased. He probably spends a lot of time in the lab and doesn’t achieve celebrity status often. I’m impressed by his humbleness.

  “I don’t mean to put you on the spot, but could I please have a few moments of your time? I know you aren’t here to talk business, but I have a friend who would like very much to meet you. It would mean the world to me if you could spend a few minutes with her.” I probably look desperate, but I would never forgive myself if Shaye didn’t get to meet Philips tonight. I know she’s been looking forward to it since the guest list was published.

  “It would be my pleasure.”

  “Thank you,” I reply gratefully. “Just have a seat at that table over there, and I’ll go get her. Would you like a truffle?” I ask as an afterthought, offering him my last remaining treat.

  He wrinkles his nose in distaste. “I’m a purist, Miss Lescinka. I only put into the body what it needs to survive: blood.”

  “Fair enough. I’ll be right back.”

  To each his own I think, inserting the remaining truffle in my mouth as I head off in search of Shaye. It takes me a few minutes to find her, but I’m not worried. I’m pretty sure Philips will be waiting right where I left him no matter how long it takes me to return. Being Aldo’s great niece does have its advantages sometimes.

  I see Shaye sitting with what I assume is her family. I don’t want to approach the table and get caught up in introductions, so I wave to her from a few tables away. Shaye excuses herself and comes to me.

  “O-M-G! You look freaking awesome!” she gushes, bouncing up and down with excitement. Before I can get a word in, she goes on. “Like my dress? I designed it myself!” Thankful I don’t have time for pleasantries (she’d totally know I was lying about her hella ugly Rainbow Brite-like ensemble), I get right to the point. “I found Philips. He’s waiting for you over by the dessert table. Are you ready to meet him?”

  Her face lights up involuntarily, and I know the answer. She hugs me tightly to show her gratitude, and I lead her to the table where Philips is waiting.

  “Dr. Philips, this is my friend Shaye Walker. Shaye, Dr. Philips of the Dwyer Group.”

  They exchange greetings briefly.

  “Thank you again for your time, Dr. Philips. It was good meeting you.” To Shaye I simply say, “Find me later?”

  I head back to the table in search of Aldo but strike out. The only people there are Nik’s parents. I have no interest in being grilled by those social leeches again. Their approval means nothing. They were only pushing Nik and me together because of Aldo. They’re probably beside themselves at the prospect of us as a couple. Too bad it will never happen. I keep moving.

  It seems like I move all night long without pause. I do my best to be charming when engaged in conversation and accept all invitations to dance, although I’d much rather be sitting by the dessert table talking to Keegan or getting the lowdown on Dr. Philips from Shaye.

  I’m on the dance floor when the servers come around with flutes of blood for the midnight toast. I graciously accept a fresh glass and turn my attention to the front of the room. Aldo has taken center stage. The music dies down, as does the hum of the crowd. No one wants to miss a word of his speech, myself included.

  I edge my way closer so that I can get a better view. I find myself shoulder to shoulder with Blaine. We ignore one another.

  “Welcome friends!” Aldo’s voice carries easily over the crowd. “I hope that each of you is having a wonderful time this evening. We are fortunate to be in such good company and in good spirits. This year has been a challenging one for us in many ways, but we have labored through it together and have come out stronger in the end. I look forward to continued prosperity not only for my coven, but for all of the covens under the rule of the Consiliul de Batrani. I wish each of you happiness and contentment in the year ahead. Now please raise your glass with me as we toast to new beginnings!”

  “Ten, nine, eight…” We count down the remaining seconds of the outgoing year in unison. It’s been a long year for me personally, but Aldo is right. The New Year offers a fresh start for all of us. Maybe even me. “Three, two, one!”

  The room explodes in noise. Those around me exclaim cries of “Happy New Year!” and the band breaks into an instrumental version of Auld Lang Syne. Everyone begins to hug and the traditional New Year’s kisses are exchanged. Over my dead body will I lock lips with Blaine. I turn away from him abruptly and find myself sliding into Nik’s arms.

  Before I can stop him, Nik leans in for a kiss. His hand slips past my chin and into my hair, gently massaging the back of my neck as his soft lips descend upon mine. I feel the pressure of his other hand as it lands on the small of my back, pulling me closer until our bodies meet. The heat of his kiss spreads over me and I’m tingling right down to the tips of my toes. I refuse to let myself surrender to his passion and although the exchange is way beyond friendly, I can’t seem to pull myself a
way. Before I can stop it, one of my traitorous hands finds its way into his hair. It’s even softer than I’d imagined. I hate to admit that I enjoy the feel of his lips moving ravenously over mine. It just feels so good.

  It’s over in the blink of an eye and then, without a word, Nik is gone. Probably afraid I’ll squash more than his toes this time. My fingers flutter to my swollen lips looking for confirmation of the tryst. I stand there dumbfounded wondering if I didn’t imagine the whole thing, as Blaine shoves past me angrily.