“What about her?”
“She skipped town.”
I narrowed my eyes at him, hoping this was all just a cruel joke. “You’re kidding me, right?” He dropped his gaze then, unable to meet my eyes. “How did that happen? Wasn’t she with the Emissary?”
“They seem to have lost her,” he said. “You of all people should know it’s not impossible to ditch an Emissary detail, if you’re determined.”
“So, what now?”
He shook his head. “She was pretty upset about our decision to reassign her. I imagine she’s covered some ground already.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”
“Not really.”
I sighed. This was the last thing I needed tonight. I was going to have to tell Trey that the one person who had killed his friend and nearly killed his wife just got away.
“There are people watching for her,” Antonio added. “I’ll let you know if I hear anything.”
The noise level in the room had increased dramatically as the room filled with fans . I was trying to decide how I was going to break the news to Trey when I felt someone tap me on the shoulder from behind. I turned around to see some girls who looked like they might have been seventeen or eighteen smiling at me nervously.
“Sorry,” one of them said.” We don’t want to bother you but would you mind taking a picture with us?”
“A picture?” I asked, dumbfounded.
“Yeah,” the second one said. “So we can show our friends that we met you.”
“She’d love to,” Beck said, smiling like he’d just come to my rescue. “Here, I’ll take your camera.”
The first girl handed her camera over to Beck, and I pushed my chair out of the way so they could stand on either side of me for a photo. I smiled, amazed at how my life had gone from that of a recluse vampire artist to rock star wife so quickly.
“Thank you,” they said in unison to me as Beck handed their camera back to them.
“We were really worried after the car accident,” the first girl added. “It’ll be good to see him in one piece tonight.”
Then the second girl’s eyes fell on my hand, and her jaw dropped. “Is … is that the ring Trey gave you?”
I held my hand up in reaction, and she reached out, steadying it so she could get a closer look.
“It’s breathtaking,” she whispered. “It must weigh twenty pounds.”
I couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped my lips at that comment. “It’s beautiful,” I agreed. “I’m a lucky girl.”
“If Trey will just wave at me tonight, I think I’ll die,” she said. “Thanks again for the picture. You guys make a great couple.”
I was about to respond to her when I noticed someone standing near the aisle a few rows back, looking lost.
“Excuse me,” I said politely as I escaped into the aisle. Trey’s father, Jon Decker, looked more than a little relieved when he saw me approaching.
“I have a seat for you up front,” I said to him, taking his arm to lead him forward.
“I’m glad to see you,” he said as he walked with me. “My son had a car sent for me and everything. To be honest, it’s all a little overwhelming.”
“I know what you mean.”
“Where is Trey, anyway?” he asked, glancing around as we stopped at our seats.
“He’s going on stage any minute.” No sooner than the words left my mouth the lights dimmed, and there were excited squeals from random girls in the crowd.
Neon walked out onto the stage, a spotlight tracking him. He raised a microphone to his mouth and said, “Hello, hello!” The crowd went wild, screaming and clapping anxiously. “Wow,” Neon said, grinning. “It’s nice to feel the love. I think I’ll just pretend you’re this excited to see me and not the four guys waiting backstage.” Another round of screaming and clapping. “Alright, alright,” Neon said, laughing. “I can take a hint.”
I glanced at Beck from the corner of my eye and saw him practically frozen with excitement. Even after spending so much time with Trey lately, he could still hardly stand the anticipation.
“These guys have been working really hard lately to bring new music to you,” Neon said to the crowd. “I know they’re just as excited to be here as you are, and I promise you won’t be disappointed. Please welcome to the stage Trey, Jonas, O’Shea and Chase … otherwise known as Catalyst!”
The roar of the crowd was deafening as the lights went out completely only to come back on in perfect sync with the opening notes of “Midnight Poison.” A spotlight shown on each of the guys now as they were all positioned on the stage. Trey was front and center. He’d strapped on Liza, his favorite green electric guitar, and he was slamming on it through the intro.
I found myself jumping up and down excitedly along with Beck as Trey’s voice came through the loud speakers. I sang along to every word. After the first verse, Trey made a point to look down at me and smile. I saw the surprise register on his face when he noticed his father standing there next to me, watching him proudly with watery eyes. I elbowed Jon, smiling at him.
The crowd jumped in sync with the beat of the song until the last note rang out. The applause was insanely loud, and Trey and the guys couldn’t help but grin at each other and take it all in.
“We want to thank all of you for coming out to celebrate with us tonight,” Trey said into his mic as the shouting died down. “Also, a big shout out to all of the fans who are watching this stream online tonight. Thanks for tuning in, wherever you are. We put our blood, sweat and tears into this record, and we’re excited to finally be able to share it with you.”
O’Shea grabbed his mic from its stand and said, “Raise your hand if you’re going home with a copy of the record tonight!”
Every hand shot up in the air, and O’Shea gave an exaggerated nod of approval. “That’s what I like to see. My hand is still cramping up from signing all of them, so there better not be a single copy left when the night is over. The record will be available at midnight in stores and on iTunes, too.”
“The song we just played for you is called “Midnight Poison,” Trey said. “It’s the first song we recorded for this record, so we thought it was only fitting if you heard it first tonight.”
“But we have a lot of songs to play,” O’Shea piped in. “Maybe we should just get to it.”
Trey turned around to face Chase and said, “You heard the man.” Chase counted off with his sticks, and then they began playing “Mirage.”
I was impressed with how well Beck knew the words to the song as he sang along. From what I knew, he’d only heard it once at the wedding, but that didn’t mean he didn’t know every line.
Trey was really in his element on the stage. There was a whole new level of energy coming from him tonight that I hadn’t seen at Carlie’s or at the studio. His left foot kept the beat the entire time he played, and he kept leaving his mic stand to spin or play next to O’Shea or Jonas whenever there was a break in the lyrics. It was fun to see the girls react every time he waved or tossed a guitar pick their way. I couldn’t blame them. I knew firsthand how easily he could send shivers up your spine or twist your stomach up into knots. With just one of those lazy half-smiles of his, your whole world could turn upside down.
Before the next song, Trey took the mic again and said, “As you’ll see when you read the album jacket, we’re dedicating this record to a man who was an integral part of our team who is no longer with us.” The room was silent as Trey stepped on his guitar pedal and then nodded at O’Shea. “Sing along, if you know this one,” he told the crowd. Then he added, “This one is for you, Wes.”
They played “You Only Live Twice” with the music video playing on the giant screen in the back. The crowd sang every word with passion, pumping their fists in the air through the song. The zombie video concluded with a picture of Wes standing with the guys and smiling for the camera. The words ‘Dedicated to Wes Leavy. We miss you,’ were set across the screen
in white print. The applause at that point was more controlled, though no less enthusiastic, and some of the crowd held up their cell phones with apps on the screens that mimicked lighters.
“What do you say we slow it down a bit?” Trey said into the microphone. He took his guitar off and set it on a stand near Chase’s drum cage before approaching his mic stand again. “This song is called ‘Mirage.’ I’m pretty sure I was high on paint fumes when I wrote it, but it’s one of my favorites.” He looked straight down and gave me a half-hearted accusing look which earned a short roar of laughter from the crowd. I shook my head at him, smiling. “I hope you all like it, too,” he added. The band played through ‘Mirage’ and then four other songs from the new record. Their performance was flawless, especially with Trey’s spot-on vocals. I couldn’t believe just how fast the time passed while I was watching Trey sing. I could have watched him like that all night long. Thankfully, I’d get to do that often enough with the tour starting soon.
“Thanks again for coming out to party with us,” Trey said into the mic. “We have a great band called Crosstalk opening up for us on tour. They’re here tonight to play a short set for you. I hope you’ll all stick around and enjoy their stuff. They’re incredibly talented. O’Shea and Jonas and Chase and I will be hanging out after their set to meet all of you and hang out. Don’t forget to visit the merchandise booth to pick up the album and some other fun stuff. Thanks again for coming out!” The crowd went wild and you could just feel in the air how much they wanted more as the guys said goodbye and left the stage, and Crosstalk came out.
“I’ll be back,” I told Beck as I snuck out into the aisle again. I made my way around to the side of the stage and spotted Neon. I waved at him, and he waved me over. “Where’s Trey?” I asked.
“This way,” he said, nodding for me to follow him.
“I’m going to have to get better at the whole sneaking around backstage thing,” I said to him.
He laughed. “You’ll get it figured out real quick once the tour starts.” I followed him around a corner and down a little hallway to a room where Trey and the other guys were waiting.
“Hey,” I said as I walked inside.
“Aurora,” Trey said, grinning wide as he hurried over to lift me up in a triumphant hug. “What did you think?”
“I loved it,” I said. “You guys were amazing. The fans loved it.”
“I think they did,” O’Shea agreed with me.
“Trust me,” I said. “There’s no doubt in my mind.”
Chapter 55
Trey
COMING OFF THE STAGE for the first time after playing our new songs for the fans was an incredible feeling. Having Aurora there to celebrate and enjoy it with me was just that much better. It was my first taste of what band life would be like as a vampire. So far, so good.
“So we know the fans enjoyed it,” Jonas said. “What do you think the people the label invited thought? You know, the bloggers and the radio deejays and the PR people.”
“I guess we’ll find out when we go back out there,” O’Shea said.
“Was it just me, or did the crowd seem different tonight?” I asked.
“Different how?” Chase asked.
“I don’t know.” I couldn’t put my finger on it exactly, but maybe it was just because I hadn’t performed for the fans for six months. The air in the room just seemed to hold a child-like excitement that I can completely relate to but that I don’t usually get from our fans. Maybe I was just still reeling from the adrenaline of being on stage. “I can’t believe my dad is here,” I said, changing the topic.
“I thought I saw him,” O’Shea said. “I had to convince myself I wasn’t seeing things. Since when are you guys in touch again?”
“It’s a recent development, believe me.”
“He seems really happy to be here,” Aurora said to me, leaning her head on my shoulder.
“I’m surprised, myself, but I’m actually really glad he’s here.” She grinned up at me and I squeezed her hand.
“I’m starving,” Chase said.
“Surprise, surprise,” I said, laughing. For the first time ever, I wasn’t totally craving a sandwich after getting off stage. I was hungry, all right, but the typical tour food wasn’t going to cut it anymore. We hadn’t even done a full set. I hadn’t expected to need blood again so soon.
“There’s food,” Neon said, going to the back of the room and pulling out a meat and cheese tray and some deli rolls. “The label had this sent over. They must know you guys are pigs or something.”
“Guilty as charged,” Chase said as he grabbed a plate and started loading it up. Aurora gave me a knowing look that I didn’t completely understand and took me by the hand, pulling me toward the door.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“To get you a bite,” she said as she opened the door of the first room we came to. She peaked inside and said, “Come on. It’s empty.”
“Aurora we can’t–”
“Can’t what?” she asked as she locked the door behind us.
“I don’t know … whatever it is you’re suggesting.”
She smiled up at me, biting her lip. “I don’t know how you’ve gone this long to be honest,” she said.
“What do you mean?”
“You haven’t had fresh blood since before Club Sanguin,” she said. “You’re long overdue.”
The look on my face must have betrayed my hesitation, because she cocked her head to the side and studied me closely. “Don’t pretend you’re not hungry,” she said. “I can read you like a book right now.”
I smiled at her, but held my hands up defensively. “I’m not doing this. It’s too soon.”
“I’m completely healed,” she said. “You know that already.”
“I....” But I didn’t have any good excuses for not doing what she wanted. I needed blood. My body was making that painfully clear.
“Tonight is a night for firsts,” she continued. “Why not add one more to the list?”
She moved her hair away from her neck, exposing her long, slender throat. My initial reaction was to pull away. I couldn’t bite her. I couldn’t hurt her. But then I saw the way her pulse was jumping just beneath the surface of her vein there. The memory of her blood on my tongue came crashing down on me like a hundred-foot waterfall, washing away all of my reasons for doubt, for hesitation. She moved closer to me, tilting her chin up to give me easy access. I couldn’t have refused her if I’d wanted to. I slowly bent down to her, letting my lips trail along the soft skin of her throat until I found the right spot. I don’t know how I knew it was right, but an instinct as old as time was telling me so. I opened my mouth and let my fangs gently pierce her skin there. She didn’t so much as flinch from the bite as her blood began to pour into my mouth. I drank from her, the hot, sweet blood bringing new life to every cell in my body. I didn’t have to take much to feel completely invigorated and renewed by it. When I was finished, I ran my tongue along the bite marks on her neck like she had done to me the night she’d changed me. I willed them to close, to heal. When I pulled back, the holes were gone and Aurora let her hair fall back into place, smiling up at me proudly.
“See. That wasn’t so bad, now, was it?”
“Bad didn’t even enter into the picture,” I admitted. “Thank you. I think I needed that.”
“I know you did,” she said. “Performing must have really taken it out of you or something. I’m not surprised considering how long it’s been since you had fresh blood.”
“I feel great now,” I said. “Maybe I should get back out there and meet some fans.”
“I think that’s a good idea,” she said. “I can’t keep you locked up in here all to myself tonight. Besides, some of them are dying to meet you.”
“Have you been talking to the fans?” I asked her, giving her my half-smile.
“No…. Maybe. They sort of cornered me for a picture.”
“I hope it didn’t get too crazy.
”
“They were wonderful,” she said. “I kind of expected them to hate me or something.”
“How could anyone hate you?”
“Stealing away their beloved Trey would be reason enough,” she said, but she was grinning. “You’d better get out there.”
I grinned and unlocked the room, pulling her back out into the hallway with me. I opened the dressing room door again and said, “You guys coming or what?”
“I’m halfway done with my sandwich,” Chase said through a mouthful of food. Jonas mumbled something incomprehensible in agreement while he chewed.
“Well, hurry it up. We have fans waiting on us.”
“Aren’t you hungry?” O’Shea said, throwing away his plate full of bread crumbs.
“I’m good,” I said. I would have to go out of my way to eat with them during the tour or they’d think I’d lost my mind.
Aurora and I made it back out into the ballroom before Crosstalk finished their last song. We watched them from the back of the room by the merchandise booth, knowing that the second the song ended, things were going to get a little crazy. O’Shea caught up with me just as the last notes rang out, and Crosstalk took a bow.
“Here goes something,” O’Shea said.
“I’m going to go find Kacie and everyone,” Aurora said to me. “Break some hearts, Decker.”
I couldn’t take my eyes off her as she walked away in that little, red dress.
O’Shea smacked me in the side, getting my attention. “Pull it together, man,” he said, grinning. “You get to go home to that tonight, but right now, you belong to them.” He gestured across the room, and I looked up to see that the fans were indeed milling toward us.
Chapter 56
Trey
THE FIRST GROUP OF fans reached us a few seconds later. I gave them my million dollar smile, which wasn’t hard to do considering how amazing I felt. “Hey, I said, offering my hand to each of them in turn. “I’m Trey.” Once again, the fans seemed just as anxious tonight as I was feeling. I was good at hiding my nerves. That came with performing. What I hadn’t expected was for them to be so nervous, too. Our fans are usually pretty laid back, but tonight you’d have thought we were filming a Disney special or something.
Immortals And Melodies (Blood And Guitars #2) Page 28