by Patti Larsen
I ignored the odd car driving by. Especially those that honked at me, catcalls coming from the passengers. Jerks. Like I gave a crap. Page’s shout was the nastiest of all.
“What’s the matter, loser?” The car slowed down just long enough for her to finish. “Lose someone?”
She and her so-called friends laughed as they sped off. Loser, huh? Her opinion. So what. I was left behind, my boyfriend dumped me and here I was stuck in the middle of town in my prom dress and bare feet.
Maybe she was right after all.
My life could not suck any worse. Seriously.
At first I didn’t believe it when I heard a familiar engine rumbled up. I kept my eyes locked on the dirty pavement, the black of it staining my toes. I refused to see Quaid drive by in his black leather pants astride his shiny motorcycle. Refused to see the contempt in his face for the mess I’d gotten myself into, the judgment, the cynicism. Because, you know, that would suck more.
Much more. And I’d probably have to throw myself in the pond if I gave him that power over me.
Poor ducks.
It wasn’t until the motor stopped in front of me I realized he wasn’t going away. I drew a deep breath, held it. Searched for my anger and found a thread of it. I was Sydlynn Hayle, damn it. Maybe I wasn’t a witch anymore, but no one made me feel crappy about my choices except me.
It was enough to rouse my nerve. I looked up. And into Quaid’s eyes.
“Nice dress,” he said.
I couldn’t talk, could barely breathe. Gone was my indignation, the line to my fury snapped clean. I wanted to hug him, to have him hug me back, kiss me and tell me everything was okay. But he’d made his choice, hadn’t he? And that forced me to make my own.
Regret added another crappy layer to the black pit of despair.
I was sure he had prepared a scathing speech, a classic Quaid snark that could flay me to the quick with the careless rumble of his voice. Instead, he made me wait for it. Quaid stared at me for a long moment, his chocolate gaze unreadable. I must have looked pathetic and unable to take what he had to dish out, because he reached down beside him and retrieved his spare helmet.
“Need a ride, princess?”
Any other time, that smirk and remark would have won him a scowl and me stomping off on my own, furious. Not to mention the way he’d been ignoring me for weeks. But I couldn’t manage it. He was right. I was an idiot who thought she could survive in the real world only to find out my dreams were nothing but a horrible mess.
I swallowed my pride. If he had something to say to me, fine. But at least I’d be away from here and the humiliation sinking into the very ground beneath me. I stood up, took the helmet. Crammed it over my perfect hair. The bobby pins jabbed me in a million places but I didn’t care. I gathered the hem of my enormous dress and jumped on the back of his bike.
“My hero,” I said as he hit the gas and sped away.
***
Chapter Five
He didn’t take me home like I expected and though I figured I was in for a reaming or at least considerable I told you so's, I was still glad. I couldn’t face Mom just yet. She figured I’d be out until at least midnight and I knew it was hours before that.
Quaid pulled into the small park down the street from my house and switched off the engine. He slid off his helmet, hanging it from the handlebars, but didn’t try to get up.
I let go long enough to tug my helmet from my hair, shocked when it came free that the updo still felt reasonably secure.
Mom certainly knew what to do with bobby pins.
I slid off the back of the bike, dropping my shoes in the grass, letting the now too-long hem of my skirt hit the ground.
“Thanks for the ride.”
Quaid watched me as I shuffled my bare feet and tried to come up with something else to say, some defense for my actions. I had none. I’d done the best I could with what was left to me. My silence dragged out so long, mind wrestling with words and emotions, I felt like a total and complete moron.
“You’re welcome.” He swung his leg over the bike, but didn’t get up, using it as a seat. “Syd.”
I shivered, afraid and worried and nervous all at once. If he was about to tell me off, fine. But that wasn’t what worried me, oh no. I was terrified when he opened his mouth, he’d tell me he couldn’t be with me because my demon was gone.
I’d have to go back to the pond and drown myself for sure.
I wanted to be mad at him. For avoiding me and ignoring me. Especially after he was the one who wanted things to change between us. And for dumping me like a hot rock when my demon sacrificed herself to save all of us.
Ungrateful ass.
But I just couldn’t. As much as this wasn’t fair to me, I could totally understand his position. I didn’t want to be with me, either. Not like this.
“Syd, come here.” He held out one hand. I shuffled over to him and waited. His fingers wrapped around my wrist and he gently pulled me down into his lap. “You don’t get anything at all, do you?” His delicious face and the gentle expression on it warmed me even if I couldn’t feel the heat of his power anymore.
I stared into his eyes and did get it. Unlike with Brad, the connection to Quaid was still there. Maybe not a witch based one, but a connection nonetheless. I slid my arms around his neck and kissed him.
Even without power, his lips were magical.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered it over his mouth, tears standing in my eyes.
“So am I,” he said. “I should never have let you go to that stupid prom with Football. I thought it was what you wanted.” His deep voice made my body tingle. “I stayed out of the way because I needed to know if you were going to be happier this way.”
“Powerless.” I could only whisper it.
He nodded. “I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t give you the chance to find out.”
Quaid was right. He usually hit the mark, much to my irritation. But this time I wasn’t mad at him at all.
His dark hair fell over his eyes and he brushed it away with impatience. “I knew this was a bad idea, though. I knew what he would do to you. How’s your heart?” His fingers traced down my collarbone, down my skin, not quite far enough to be forward, but just far enough I shivered.
“Fine,” I said. “It’s my ego that’s broken. Or sulking, anyway.” Suddenly everything seemed so stupid. Why was I crying again? I actually laughed and hugged him.
Quaid hugged me back. “Good to hear,” he said.
I’d never seen him so sweet. “So now what?” I sighed. “I don’t know if this will work. Between us.” I flushed suddenly. “If you want there to be an us.”
His arms tightened. “I’m never losing you again.” So fierce. I wondered how much of his need was connected to finding out he was an orphan. I knew how important family was to him.
And as much as I wondered if that was healthy, I wasn’t even considering pulling away. Are you kidding? I had my Quaid back. When he became ‘my Quaid’ I had no idea but there it was. As it turned out, my need for him was just as intense.
“Okay,” I said. “Also good to know.” He grinned and winked, planting a soft kiss on my neck followed by a soft sigh of hot air that distracted me for a moment. “What was I saying?”
He nibbled the skin. “We need a plan,” he said.
Right. A plan. Impossible to come up with when he explored my ear with his lips and teeth. Not that I minded, or the shudders of heat which came with such attention.
He pulled away and faced me, lips hovering over mine. “We’ll find your demon,” he said, voice husky and raw, “and save her. And make you whole again.”
I believed him. And wished he would go back to kissing me. Instead, he leaned away and smiled a little. “I thought I lost you, you know.”
He did? “I thought the same thing about you.”
Quaid shook his head, dark hair shadowing his face. “You should know me better than that by now.” His fingers brushed my cheek.
There was a deep edge of sadness in him. I hadn’t noticed it before, but it was so clear to me now.
I slid my fingers into his hair and put every ounce of conviction I had into my voice. “I want my demon back. I want my life back. And I want you in it.”
“Good to hear,” he said. “Because I may have news.”
My whole body jerked in answer. My demon?
He laughed a little. “Easy,” he said. “I’m not sure yet, but it might pan out. A friend in another coven. Heard a rumor, that’s all. And I’ve been talking to Sunny. She might know more than she’s telling your parents.”
“Why would she hold back?” Ever since Sebastian disappeared, his dark angel persona fed by the blood of the vampire plague infecting him, Sunny filled in as the de facto leader of the DeWinter blood clan. Her takeover surprised me. I assumed the post would go to Anastasia, the vampire who led the vamps when Sebastian first left. But for whatever reason, now that she was back to normal, Sunny was in charge.
I’d forgiven her for her betrayal, how she turned me over to Nicholas and almost got my family killed. I knew it wasn’t her fault. And now Nicholas was dead, she’d never have to worry about being coerced again.
I loved Sunny and always had, aside from that brief, horrible time I wanted to tear her apart with my bare hands. Still, powerful or not, undead or not, if she had been right there at that moment, I would have killed her with the spikes of my heels for the answers I needed.
“I think she feels responsible,” Quaid said softly. “Wouldn’t you?”
My anger drained away. “It wasn’t Sunny's fault,” I said. It really wasn’t, not ultimately. “My demon and I would have separated anyway. I don’t just need to save her. I need to find out what’s keeping us apart.” I straightened, looking down at myself. “And I’m wasting time on this instead.” I was suddenly disgusted with myself.
“You do look beautiful,” he said. “So not a waste in my book.”
I smiled. I couldn’t help it. “Thanks.”
As much as I hated to do it, I climbed out of his lap. “I’m going home,” I said. “And I’m going to talk to Mom about this thing in my head.”
“And I’ll talk to Sunny.”
I hesitated, partly because it rankled my Uncle Frank’s undead girlfriend and a member of our family wasn’t telling me what I needed to know, and partly because there was one other vampire I was sure could help. “What about Sebastian?”
Quaid shrugged in that slow, sexy way of his. “What about him?”
Sebastian had powers beyond what we understood now. I was sure he would help if I could just track him down. I guess that was the deciding part. From what I’d overheard, finding Sebastian wasn’t going so well for anyone.
Okay then. Sunny first.
Quaid offered me the second helmet, but I shook my head.
“I’ll walk.” I needed the air and the time to think without his body pressed against me. “But thank you.”
A sudden gust of wind stirred my massive skirt. I looked up, frowning. The night had been flawless, but suddenly it felt like rain. I jumped as a massive strike of lightning lit the sky, a roll of heavy thunder close behind it.
I guess there was another storm coming.
I retrieved my hateful shoes and turned to watch as Quaid fired up his bike. I rushed forward at the last moment, pressing my lips to his again. He kissed me and winked before driving off.
I drifted my way home in a bit of a daze, alternating between thinking about Quaid and how I was going to figure out this protection thing so I could at least have access to my witch magic. My slow pace turned suddenly into a flat out run as the skies above opened up and soaked me through.
Still, my heart felt much lighter as I crashed through the front door, my hair and makeup finally done in by the heavy downpour.
It turned out to be a great night after all.
***
Chapter Six
The kitchen was vacant and for a moment I wished Mom was there to talk to. But reality rushed in and I felt grateful she wasn’t around. As much as I loved my mother and knew she just wanted the best for me, I didn’t need to go over what happened with her.
That I would save for Alison.
I heard voices downstairs as I passed the basement door. Mom and Dad. Good, they were occupied. That meant sneaking upstairs without being stopped would be much more likely. They’d been spending a lot of their time down there lately. I figured they were trying to come up with a way to get Dad home safe and sound. Ever since Demitrius, the insane leader of the Chosen of the Light, shattered Dad’s statue, he’d been stuck here on the mortal plane with us instead of his own realm of Demonicon. Without his effigy, he was as vulnerable as the rest of us and had no way to go back.
I felt bad for him. As much as I loved having Dad around, I knew he had to be missing Demonicon. I’d catch sadness on his face sometimes. At least when I was paying attention to anyone but myself. As I rustled my frilly way up the stairs to my room, I wasn’t too proud to admit I was being selfish.
Of all people, Dad would know how I felt. But even though his power was diminished from being mortal, at least he still had power.
So maybe not. Back to the sulking, then.
The second I closed my door behind me, I heard something start to buzz. I dove for my desk and fumbled my cell phone, almost dropping it in my haste to check the text. Not that I was super popular or anything, quite the opposite as my not so subtle dumping proved. But maybe it was Alison asking where I was.
Surely she gave a crap?
It was from Quaid. I wasn’t expecting one from him. My heart did a little leap. Until I read the message.
Sunny. Park. Hush.
I so sucked at text speak, but the message was pretty obvious. Somehow Quaid managed to track Sunny and get her to agree to a meet. The park, now. And don’t tell anyone. Fair enough.
Except I was still draped in soaked satin with really horrendous hair. I jumped back a little when I caught my reflection. The hairspray had collapsed under the rain. I looked like someone sprayed me down with a fire hose.
Now, how was I going to get out of this mess? I tried reaching around me to undo the zipper, but the bodice was so tight and now so heavy it was practically impossible to reach around. There was a time when a little magic would have done the trick, but instead I was left grunting and panting, fighting the heavy monstrosity until I wanted to scream in frustration.
“Syd?” Mom stood at my door, concern on her face. “What happened?”
I’m sure I must have looked pretty upset, but not for the reason she thought. Still, I figured I’d use it. Maybe get some sympathy worked up so she wouldn’t have a cow when I told her I was going out again.
I dropped my arms to my sides and shrugged.
“Brad dumped me.” It didn’t hurt as much to say it. In fact, I felt pretty good about it. But it had the desired effect. Mom rushed to my side and hugged me.
“Honey, I’m sorry.” She winced at the look of me before forcing a sympathetic smile. “Are you okay?”
“I just want to get out of this.” I looked down at myself. “Sorry about the dress. It was raining and I walked home.”
Mom looked shocked. “Why?”
Against my previous judgment, I quickly filled her in on the Brad drama as she unzipped me. She spun me around and hugged me again, embarrassing considering I was just in my bra and underwear.
“I’m very proud of you,” she said. “You did the right thing, not going with him.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I glanced at my phone as it buzzed again. “There is one silver lining in this whole thing. Quaid and I… well, he wants to talk. Is it okay if I go meet him?”
Any other time I know she would have said no and made me stay home or him come to us. But she was still smiling when she stroked my cheek.
“I’m so happy you and Quaid are giving things a chance,” she said. “Have fun, honey.”
She stopped at my door and glan
ced back. “You might want to wash your face first.”
No kidding.
Five minutes of serious scrubbing had most of the crap off. My hair was a disaster of wilted curls and bobby pins. I managed to get most of them out and shoved the remainder up into a low ponytail. Not the most attractive, but I felt more myself.
At least as much myself as I could under the circumstances.
The only part I took my time with was the necklace. While it didn’t have magical properties, at least that I knew of, it demanded I slow down and unclasp it, sliding it into an empty drawer in my jewelry box. It made me wonder if any of the previous owners had gone through as much trouble as I faced.
Who was I kidding? We were Hayles, weren’t we? Of course they had.
My raincoat was on the rack at the back door, but I didn’t need it. The sudden downpour ended as quickly as it started. The ground was still wet enough my sneakers and the hem of my jeans soaked through by the time I ran across our yard in a short cut to the park.
It was dark, and I no longer had the benefit of my demon vision. But there was just enough light along the main path so I spotted Quaid and Sunny as I drew near them.
I hugged myself as I approached. The beautiful blonde vampire’s face looked grim, but she offered me a smile, the same loving smile I’d grown up with. Now I remembered why I’d stopped spending time with her like I used to. I was so accustomed to the power of the undead as a witch I forgot what an impact their perfection had on normals. And I was one of those now. I had to force myself to look away from her eyes after a moment.
At least she wasn’t Sebastian. In his present incarnation, I’d be a quivering, begging mass of need for him to bite me. Quaid may have been yummy, but the now angel of death, former leader of the DeWinter Blood Clan, Sebastian DeWinter was positively delicious on the worst of days.