Blood and Guitars

by Heather Jensen

  “Like you have any room to talk,” I said to him with a laugh. “I’m pretty sure you and Krystal set a new record at the club the other night.” Chase gave a happy sigh and a dreamy look crossed his face. “Snap out of it, Romeo.” I elbowed him as I walked past, carrying Aurora’s easel in one hand and opening the door for her with the other.

  Aurora laughed and Chase followed us inside. Jonas pulled up a few minutes later just as I finished getting Aurora set up in the live room. Chase got comfortable at the drum kit and the rest of us strapped on our guitars. Serena had gone out to run some errands, so Ken was watching Joshua until she got back. For that reason, he was staying in the control room so he could adjust the volume as he listened to us work out the kinks in our newest song, “Random Words.”

  We played for an hour before Chase went into a sound booth to lay down the drum tracks for the song. At that point Serena had come to get Joshua and take him in to bed. The rest of us stayed in the live room and continued working. Jonas and I gave suggestions to O’Shea as he finished working out his guitar solo. Chase nailed the drum part in two takes and then it was my turn to record the rhythm guitar. We pulled the drums out of the booth and I brought in Liza, my electric. Aurora must have decided to take a break from painting, because she waved at me from the control room where she was standing in front of the glass, holding a bottle of water. Wes had come in a few minutes before and was sitting on the leather sofa. He was texting on his cell but paused long enough to give me a thumbs-up.

  Karatz walked in to adjust the microphone and then went back to his seat at the computer. I put on the headphones and signaled to him through the glass. My part was fairly simple, so it didn’t take long for me to nail a good take. Aurora watched through the glass the entire time. I glanced up on occasion to see her standing there, and although we’d only known each other a relatively short time, it was hard to remember what it was like to record without her there. She’d been such a crucial part of this record for me personally; I couldn’t imagine what direction it would have taken if we’d never met.

  Only three and a half hours after Chase had entered the sound booth, we’d finished the song. Ken still had four or five hours of mixing to do to get it polished up, but the recording aspect was done. My voice was back in shape, better than it had been when we’d started recording a month ago. I was back in the swing of things, as were the rest of the guys, and that made recording a song go more smoothly.

  It was ten-thirty when we finished up and decided to call it a night. We spent a few minutes talking business with Wes and then I made plans with the guys to come back to the studio tomorrow afternoon. I carried Aurora’s stuff out to her car for her and loaded it in the trunk.

  “You did good work tonight,” she said to me, leaning up against the door of her car.

  “So did you,” I returned. I was the only one she’d allowed to have a good look at the art she’d been doing for the album cover and the booklet inside. So far, she’d finished paintings of Jonas, O’Shea, Chase and I all individually. Tonight she’d been working on the second of two group paintings while we all rehearsed in the live room. She’d admitted to having a couple of ideas for the cover in her head and I couldn’t wait to see what she had in mind.

  “What are your plans tonight?” I asked her casually. I knew her well enough at this point to know she wasn’t headed straight home to go to bed.

  “I’m going to go work on an idea I have for the album cover,” she said. The look she gave me made it clear that she was already waiting for me to ask if I could come along.

  “Do I get a sneak peek?” I teased, not wanting to disappoint.

  “Nice try.” She was too good at this game.

  “What? You don’t trust me?” I complained.

  “About as far as I could pick you up and throw you,” she retorted. I scrutinized her hundred-and-ten-pound frame and chuckled. “You should get some rest, anyway. Can’t have you wore out for tomorrow night’s recording session.”

  “You know, you’re much too logical for my own good,” I replied, feigning disappointment as I stepped forward.

  “I come by it naturally.” She raised her hand to play with my hair for a second, smiling at me. “Go home and get some sleep. When you wake up tomorrow you can write me a song.”

  I bit my bottom lip, gazing at her. I could have pointed out that all I’d been doing lately was writing songs for her, but then, she already knew that. She grabbed the front of my tee shirt and pulled me closer, kissing me quick and hard, and making my heart beat in double-time. She looked almost dazed when we pulled apart, giving me a slow, euphoric smile.

  “Good night, Trey.”

  “Good night.” It was all I could manage as I watched her climb in her car and start the engine. She waved as she backed out of the parking space and disappeared around the side of the house.

  “Pull yourself together, man.” It was O’Shea’s voice coming from behind me. I’d been so caught up I hadn’t even realized his car was still in the parking lot. I’d thought Aurora and I were the only ones left.

  “Shut up.” Once again, it was the best I could manage.

  O’Shea paused at my side, scrutinizing me. “You’ve got it bad.”

  “Am I that obvious?”

  He laughed. “It wouldn’t matter anyway. I know you well enough to recognize the signs.”

  I gave him a defeated smile. He did know me too well. It was one of the curses of spending every waking moment with someone for nine or ten months out of the year.

  “Come on,” he said. “You and I haven’t had a chance to just hang out lately. Let’s go to Carlie’s and see if there’s a good band playing. You can tell me all about how Aurora’s the perfect woman and all that mush. I promise I’ll at least pretend to listen.”

  I grinned and smacked him on the arm. At least he wasn’t mad at me for all the time I’d been spending with Aurora. “Meet you there,” I said. We climbed in our separate vehicles and I followed him through the driveway and down the street.

  Chapter 40

  The next night was just as productive as the last in the studio. We didn’t record much, but we did hammer out another song titled “Untold You”, and with Karatz’ suggestions, it was shaping up to be a great one. Aurora had stood in the corner painting away the entire time and joking around with us. She even painted an acrylic Picasso-esqe version of O’Shea that showed him with half a nose and one eye. It was hilarious. He’d begged her to let him keep it and then Jonas suggested we give it away to someone in the fan club. The painting Aurora had done of me playing my guitar in the loft of The Waking Moon had been such a big hit when we’d given it away in an online drawing that it seemed logical to do the same with this painting. Even O’Shea liked that idea, so when it dried, Aurora gave each of us a turn with the paintbrush to add our signatures to the bottom of the painting next to hers.

  Jonas jumped on his laptop and immediately sent out a video message to the fan club where people could sign up to win a one-of-a-kind piece of abstract art in the likeness of O’Shea. We had two hundred responses in twenty minutes. Aurora entrusted the painting to Jonas for safekeeping until we could randomly select a winner and send it to them. Stomachs rumbling at that point, we collectively decided to go to dinner.

  “You kids go ahead,” Karatz said when we’d insisted he come along. “I’m going to put in a couple of hours mixing last night’s song and then I’m going to head inside and call it a night.”

  “You do realize that if you stay behind, that makes me the official chaperone?” Aurora teased him.

  “Yeah. Good luck with that.” Karatz winked at her and turned to me and the guys, adding, “Behave.”

  “Yes sir,” I said with a salute. I led Aurora to my Mazda and held the door while she got in. The guys all fell in line behind me in their own cars as we pulled out. I drove to the nearest place that was still open and they followed me into the parking lot. It wasn’t a fancy restaurant, but it wasn’t fast f
ood either. We were seated near the front in a booth and placed our orders with the waitress after perusing the menu.

  I recognized the sound of teenage-girl giggling from two booths down and I leaned forward and whispered, “Fans at twelve o’clock.”

  “Anyone have a writing utensil?” O’Shea asked. “I think we’re about to get fan-bushed.”

  “I think I have one,” Aurora said, looking a little surprised. She dug through her purse and produced a pen.

  “What else you got in there?” Chase asked, trying to peer into Aurora’s bag.

  “I get the mystery of it,” Aurora said as she playfully smacked his hand away. “But I promise there’s nothing of interest to you in there.”

  Just as expected, it only took a couple of minutes for the two girls in the other booth to work up the nerve to approach us. They were giggly and nervous as they timidly stepped up to the table.

  “Hey ladies,” I said, smiling at them. “Come on over, we won’t bite.” They smiled in relief and stepped closer.

  “We’re, like, you’re biggest fans,” one of them gushed.

  “We love fans,” Chase said. “What are your names?” They introduced themselves as Kate and Trinity.

  “My Mom’s name is Kate,” I stated.

  “I know,” Kate said, blushing.

  “Do you live around here?” O’Shea asked them.

  “We’re from Tampa,” Trinity said.

  “We saw you guys on TV the other night,” Kate added. “Is the new album really almost ready?”

  “Getting close,” Jonas said. “We just cranked out a new song tonight.”

  “What’s it called?” Trinity asked. Then she looked embarrassed like she wasn’t sure she should have asked.

  “It’s cool,” I assured her, chuckling. “The song is called ‘Untold You.’”

  “That’s so amazing,” Kate said, looking dreamy. “I can’t wait to hear the new record. Are you going to tour after it comes out?”

  “Definitely,” O’Shea answered.

  I realized I’d completely forgotten my manners and I gestured to Aurora and said, “Forgive me. This is Aurora Evins.”

  Aurora waved at the girls, smiling at them.

  “Wait a minute,” Kate said. “You’re Aurora?”

  Aurora gazed at her in mild confusion, smiling and raising her eyebrow. “I… I guess-”

  “You’re the artist who’s been doing the paintings for the fan club!” Trinity exclaimed happily.

  “That’s me,” Aurora admitted. I chuckled at the look of astonishment on her face.

  “I absolutely loved the one you did of Trey,” Trinity added, smiling shyly at me before she turned back to Aurora.

  “And the crazy one of O’Shea, too,” Kate said, flashing a big smile for O’Shea.

  “That must be the best job in the entire world,” Trinity said.

  “I get to sit around and paint hot guys all day,” Aurora said with a playful smile, shrugging. “No complaints here.”

  “Are you going to do more? I’d love to win one.” Kate looked at Aurora hopefully.

  “Sure,” Aurora said. “We still have Chase and Jonas to go.”

  We chatted for a minute longer and then posed for some pictures on Kate’s camera phone. Then we all signed a napkin for each of them and they went giggling back to their booth.

  “That was really great of you guys,” Aurora said as soon as the girls were out of earshot. “I think you just made their entire year.”

  “Gotta love the fans,” O’Shea added. “We’d be out of a job if it weren’t for them.”

  Aurora bit her bottom lip in thought as she gazed toward the girls again. I was sure it must seem weird for her to have complete strangers approach us like that, but it had been going on so long now that I didn’t think twice about it most of the time.

  “Do we get to see the paintings you’ve been working on soon?” O’Shea raised his eyebrows at Aurora expectantly and took a sip from his ice water.

  “Soon.” Aurora gave him a reassuring smile. “Give me a couple of days. I’m almost done.”

  “Really?” O’Shea looked impressed. “I didn’t seriously expect you to say that yet.”

  Aurora shrugged and I thought she looked distracted, like her mind was on something else.

  “I can’t wait to start putting together a live show with the new material.” Leave it to Jonas to change the subject.

  “Won’t be long now.” Chase peeled the paper wrapper from one end of his straw and put it in his mouth. He blew and the rest of the wrapper shot across the table, hitting O’Shea square in the nose. I couldn’t help but smile until I saw Aurora glancing nervously at the front door. That was when I noticed the two large men that had come in. They were speaking to a server and casting fleeting looks in our direction. I sensed Aurora’s unease and reached for her hand.

  “What’s wrong? Do you know them?” But she didn’t answer me. Instead, she looked down at her plate again while the server approached alone.

  “Excuse me, Miss? The two gentlemen at the door are asking to have a word with you.”

  What was going on? “Who are they?” I furrowed my brow in confusion.

  “It’s nothing.” She forced a smile for me. “I’ll be right back.”

  I stood up to let her slide out of the booth. “I’ll come with you.”

  “I said it’s nothing,” she insisted. “I’ll just be a moment.” She put a hand on my shoulder to stop me and then walked off toward the door. I watched in confusion as she stood with her back to me, speaking in hushed tones to the strangers. They wore matching charcoal colored suits, with a strange red symbol embroidered on the breast pocket. I couldn’t imagine who they were or what they wanted.

  Chapter 41

  Willing my heart to stay calm, I slowly approached the Emissary. The situation would have been nerve-wracking even if I hadn’t just been seen in the company of a group of humans, but Trey’s presence made it all the more worrisome. I hoped he would stay in his seat and not come closer. I didn’t want to give the Emissary any more reason to take notice of him than they already had.

  “I was told you wanted to speak with me,” I said quietly, keeping my voice down.

  “You’ve been summoned by the Synod.” The tall, black vampire met my eyes as he spoke. I felt him reaching out with his power and was relieved that he couldn’t read my mind.

  I blinked at him. “The Synod? What could the Synod want with me?”

  “It’s not my place to explain.”

  “I was just with them for the lunar eclipse ritual.” My mind was reeling. What could have possibly changed since then to make them want to meet with me?

  “I’m afraid you’ll have to come with us.” The second vampire spoke now. He was a thin, pale man, but I knew that his stature was misleading, concealing his true strength. Emissaries were full vampires and with that came unbelievable strength.

  I took a deep breath to center myself, seeing no way out of this. “Give me a moment.” I forced myself to remain calm. The first vampire considered me a moment and then gave me a quick nod. The two of them retreated closer to the door of the restaurant and stood, hands crossed in front, looking like the secret service or something. I took care to wipe the concern from my face before I turned around. Trey was watching me from the table, his brow furrowed with worry.

  “What was that all about?” he asked as I slid into the booth next to him.

  “It’s a long story.” I sighed, wondering what he would believe. The lies were really piling up now. “A former client of mine wants to meet with me.”

  “Now?”

  “He’s spoiled,” I added. “And filthy rich.” I gestured with a jerk of my chin toward the men waiting for me near the door. “Those are his security guards.”

  Trey studied the vampires for a second. “Why now?”

  “I told you he’s spoiled. Apparently he bought a new house and spent half the day trying to track me down. He needs paintings t
o hang inside.”

  Trey’s mouth opened in surprise. “Doesn’t that creep you out?”

  “He’s harmless,” I said.

  “Wait.” He studied me for the space of a heartbeat. “You’re not seriously going to go, are you?”

  I shrugged, trying to look like it wasn’t a big deal. The rest of the guys were listening now. “I don’t really have a choice. He’s too influential. I can’t afford to make him mad. Plus, I can’t turn down the chance to make a bunch of money. The last time he did this, he bought six pieces straight off the wall at The Waking Moon.”

  “I’ll come with you.” Trey started to stand and I held up a hand to stop him. “What? I’m not letting you go alone.”

  “I’ll be fine,” I insisted, gesturing at the men again. “Security guards, remember? What could happen?”

  “I don’t care.”

  “I do.” There was a hint of impatience in my voice now. He was making this harder than it needed to be. The longer I stayed and talked with him, the more reason I was giving the Emissary to be suspicious. “I’m a big girl,” I told Trey. “Believe it or not, I can take care of myself.”

  Trey’s eyes grew wide. “I … I didn’t mean-”

  “Sorry about dinner,” I told him, including the rest of the guys with a sweep of my eyes. “I’ll call you,” I added, looking directly at Trey again.

  I could tell it hurt him that I was just leaving again like this, but what choice did I have? There were two very real, very dangerous vampires standing nearby. I wanted to get them as far away from Trey and the other guys as possible.

  I picked up my purse and turned away, hoping he’d be able to forgive me for this later. The Emissary opened the front doors as I approached, holding them for me. I felt the hum of power before I took a breath of cool night air. A dark stretch limousine was parked across the street, its windows as black as the car. The Emissary, who stood directly behind me now, followed as I crossed the road. The thin one opened the back door for me and gestured for me to slip inside.