The Touch Series: Initiation

by Cecilia Lonski

  He was no longer cold but more interested that anything. “What girl?”

  “We don't know. Lisa saw them talking together but she couldn't get a good look. But she really freaked Cassie out. And we're all too freaked out to continue.”

  He looked down to the floor and nodded. “Okay. Fine. I'll get your checks.” He didn't look at us before he walked to the coat rake near the front door. From one of the coat pockets, he took out white envelopes with what appeared to be our names on them. He handed each check one-by-one. I was the last one but I didn't take it. I looked up to his eyes and whispered, “I hope you didn't forget what I said yesterday.”

  He held my gaze. His eyes were warm though his jaw was tense. “This check will be electronically delivered into your family's account. Artie is smart like that. I'll make him do it.”

  “There is no point in arguing with you, is there? You always get your way.”

  He straightened up and titled his head upward with his eyes focused on me. It looked like I had insulted him in some way and he wasn't pleased to have the others standing around watching.

  I broke our gaze when I remembered that we were not alone. “Thank you, Mr. Constane. We will be on our way now.” Ivy, Janel and I started to move to the door but the other four didn't. I looked over at them to see what was going on. They stood still and looked at each other as if they knew something that the rest of us didn't. Josef looked at them too and then he grinned as he leaned against a wall. He then turned to the three of us at the door. “Looks like some changed their mind.”

  Janel was more shocked than anyone. “What are you doing? It was mainly your idea to leave the group.”

  Lisa looked down the whole time while Nadine, Samantha and Kimberley all looked up composed and entirely different. Kimberley smiled. “We changed our minds. We need this. And Mr. Constane is right. Stuff like this happens.”

  Nadine nodded as she wrapped her arm around Lisa who was still looking down. “It's not a conspiracy ladies.”

  Oh. My. God. They planned this. They wanted to us to leave the group and make it seem like we were the crazy ones in front of Josef. And apparently they dragged Lisa into it too. I looked at Ivy and Janel in shock. I was waiting for Ivy to make some sassy remark but she didn't. I looked over at Josef who looked pleased and amused with the outcome.

  Janel cursed and abruptly walked out and so did Ivy. As I stood there in disbelief, Josef titled his head towards me. His eyebrow was raised. “Are you reconsidering, too?”

  “No, thank you.” My response made his mouth tense and eyes cold again, “I hope for your sake that this is all really just an accident. But I really doubt it myself.”

  “Oh how sweet. You're worried about me?”

  Kimberley, Samantha and Nadine snickered as they held onto Lisa. I felt embarrassed that he was making this awkward and clearly uncomfortable for me. And this was obviously something that he wanted and enjoyed. But I wasn't going to lie. Especially not now. And when this could very well be the last time that I may ever see him. “Why wouldn't I be worried about you? You may be a vampire but that doesn't mean that you are entirely invincible. And this doesn't just involve you. Artie could be in trouble too.”

  He quickly leaned off the wall and stood to face me. “The only person you need to worry about is you. It's ridiculous for you to waste your time and thoughts on vampires who can take care of themselves while you are mortal, weak and naive.”

  Mortal. It was great that he brought that up again. Like I needed some type of reminder.

  Weak. I already knew that.

  Naive. He didn't really know me well then...

  “Well, thank you for being honest with me. But the thing is that I'm not selfish. I don't only think about myself.”

  He rolled his eyes which pissed me off even more. “Sweetheart, you couldn't protect yourself from most dangers that occur in this world. You are so unaware. It would actually be best if you stayed and continued to associate yourself with vampires because at least we could protect you.”

  “Oh please! The last thing that you want is to protect me. You're just like any other guy and you just want me to stay for one thing only. You want to use me and throw me out. I'm actually not really that naïve.”

  Nadine snorted and whispered to Kimberley, “Um. No guy would even want to use a petty virgin princess.”

  I shot her a cold look though it was Josef who put her in her place. He turned to her casually with his hands in his pant pockets and cocked his head towards her. “Disrespect is the one thing I really can't stand the most. Lose the attitude or you'll be gone.”

  All four of them looked down and then Josef turned back to me. He was about to say something but I was too upset to hear it. I turned on my heels and walked away. “Save it.”

  But before I walked right out the door, I turned back to look at Lisa. She didn't want to be there. She was scared. I wanted to help her but I didn't know how.

  ***

  “Those bitches.” Janel was seething as we walked out the gate and down the stony road that led to the entrance of the less-affluent area of Richmond. “They played us the whole time.”

  Ivy shook her head. “You could never trust them. I could smell snake off them from a mile away. It sucks that they are doing this after Cassie's death though. I see how they like to mourn. Very classy.”

  Janel stopped in her tracks which made me and Ivy stop and look at her. “What if they're right? What if it was just a coincidence? And I just lost my law school fund.”

  Ivy looked exasperated. “Are you serious? How about the girl at the museum?”

  “Maybe she's the killer.” Janel shrugged her shoulders as she starting pacing side-to-side. “Maybe she tricked Cassie, made her feel uneasy to the point that she wanted to be alone, and BOOM. She kills her. And the person we would never suspect is the person who sent the warning.”

  It made sense. It made total sense. “That actually wouldn't surprise me.” Ivy then looked at me in surprise. “Think about it Ivy, it does make sense.”

  Ivy then lifted a finger to her lips. “So there is no such thing as witches then?” She pretended to look disappointed.

  “Okay, well that I can't explain. Maybe the girl was a witch. Who knows? And don't you want to open some witch museum?” I eyed her curiously. I really wanted to know what was up with that.

  She started to kick rocks on the ground. “Yeah, do you know how many witch-craft fanatics there are in the world? I can make a ton of money off deluded people. Doesn't mean that I have to believe in it all. Sue me.”

  Janel stepped up closer to the two of us. “Maybe we should reconsider.”

  I shook my head. “No. I can't.”

  They both looked at me like they knew I was hiding something.

  “Okay. Look. Me and him got into a fight. I like him more than I should. But he made it very clear to me that our relationship was nothing.” I fought to hold back the tears. I didn't want to cry over him again.

  Janel and Ivy looked at me in pity. “Stop looking at me like that.”

  Ivy let out a groan. “Look. You need the money. Heck, we all need it. He's got it. Take your feelings out of the equation and see this as an opportunity to not only make money off him but find out what really happened.”

  Janel and I looked at her curiously.

  Ivy rolled her eyes and smirked, “Let them be the four snakes. And we'll be the detectives.”

  Janel was actually considering her proposition which shocked me more than anything. “I love a good sleuth job.” Of course, the lawyer-in-training would.

  Ivy nodded. “Yes. But we will also ask for more money.” She looked at me again. “Scam him. Pretend to like his time. Use him entirely. Then when it's done you'll be the one who won't be returning any feelings.”

  I was angry and pissed at Josef. He used me in the last two weeks. He knew we wouldn't have a relationship and he was prepared to spit me out in the end. Maybe Ivy was right? I should take revenge while
possibly trying to find closure for what happened to Cassie. I had to do it for Lisa at least. And we had to get her out from Nadine's, Samantha's and Kimberly’s clutches.

  Janel and Ivy were already up for it, they were just waiting for my response. “Fine... And no feelings this time.”

  CHAPTER twelve

  We didn't want to walk back up to his house and have Nadine, Samantha and Kimberley have the satisfaction of seeing us looking like fools and begging Josef to take us back. Artie wasn't going to give me Josef's number so we went to Gwen. Yes, Gwen. We knew where she lived. We were given her information in case of an emergency.

  When we arrived at her apartment, Gwen wasn't angry that we were there. She was actually happy to have the company as she ushered us into her living room. “Come in , please. I'll bring tea.” She wasn't her moody self. Instead I found a hint of sadness in her presence.

  The three of us sat on one of her couches and we waited quietly for Gwen to return. I felt queasy. I didn't know how we were going to explain to Gwen that we had quit the group an hour ago and wanted to find a way back in without looking like fools. She returned with a tray with tea cups. She smiled as she put the tray down onto her coffee table and sat on the couch across from us. When she wasn't angry or bitchy, she looked warm and pretty. Her fiery red hair glistened in the sunlight and her green eyes looked like emeralds. We all took a cup of tea so to not to be rude and she clasped her hands as we started sipping. “A few minutes before you came, I received a call from Mr. Constane. He told me you three walked away.” She smiled sweetly as she sipped her tea. “May I ask why?”

  Janel put her cup down. “Gwen, after last night's events we became very scared for our lives. You see, according to Lisa, Cassie received a warning from some girl that someone in the group was going to be killed. And then we all thought there was some conspiracy against the group. So we got scared.”

  Gwen froze with her lips at the tip of the cup. After a few seconds she slowly put the cup on the table. Her jaw was tense but she still managed a smile. “What girl told her that?”

  All three of us shrugged. “Lisa couldn't get a good look. Cassie just told Lisa what the girl told her.” Ivy was irritated. She wanted to get past that point and start asking Gwen how to get back into the group.

  Gwen frowned. “Strange.” She then smiled though her eyes were sad. “Poor Cassie, I feel awful.” Her smile completely faded. “You girls were my responsibility and I failed one of you.”

  I shook my head. “No. It wasn't your fault. You could not have stopped it.”

  Janel began to talk again. “And that's why we are here actually.”

  Gwen picked up her cup and began to sip. “I'm listening.”

  “We realized how rash we were when we spoke to Mr. Constane today and then we realized that there is no conspiracy and that, unfortunately, what happened...happened. Now, we would like to know if you knew if there was a way to get back into the Club and make Mr. Constane understand our initial reaction to it all.”

  Gwen frowned and licked her lips. “I'm sorry, I can't make such decisions. The only thing you can do is ask Mr. Constane himself. Of course, I can tell him that I understand why you left in the first place. I'll try to get him to see your side.”

  “Do we just go back and see him?”

  Gwen shook her head profusely and learned stern. “No. Don't ever do that. He wasn't happy when you came to him today. I'll have to pencil you in to meet him.”

  Ivy was irritated. “Fine. Let us know when he can see us.”

  Gwen smiled as she added more sugar to her tea. “I hope it works out. I like a big group.” All of a sudden we heard a “dinnngg” noise to which Gwen abruptly got up. “I'm baking a pie for Cassie's family. Please, excuse me.” When she left, I noticed that she left her cellphone where she sat. And without thinking I grabbed it and started searching for Josef's number. Ivy tried to hold in a laugh while Janel looked like she was going to murder me. I found the number and quickly wrote it into my phone before I put the phone back in the same position where it was. Gwen walked back in just as I sat back down. “I made extra pie. Who would like a slice?”

  ***

  When we left Gwen's and were a good distance away from the apartment building, Janel whirled right in front of me. “What were you thinking?”

  I tried not to laugh along with Ivy. “I got his number and I'll call him tonight. Knowing him, he'll make us wait long to see him as a way of punishment for ending the contract in the first place.”

  “She's a vampire. If she knew, she could have done something to you.”

  Ivy snorted. “Did you see her? She's in denial and in mourning. She is in no mood for doing anything else but bake pie.” We all started walking again. “And Quinn's right, he won't pencil us in for anything. Except maybe Quinn.” I pinched her arm for that. She laughed. “What? It's true. Sorry. But hey, revenge will be sweet.” I was no longer smiling or laughing which she noticed. “Hey, it's his fault. He led you on when he shouldn't have. I know how this group thing works and he doesn't get close to any of its members for a reason. And he obviously fucked up with you.”

  At that moment I eyed Ivy. “Are you still in contact with that friend of yours who used to be in the Club?”

  Ivy looked at me with pursed lips as if she wasn't sure where I was going with this. “Yes. Why?”

  “Do you think she'd be willing to answer some questions about her experience?”

  “I guess, sure. But why?”

  Despite my anger and hatred for Josef right now, I still yearned to know more. “I don't know. I just feel like someone in a past group might have known or noticed something. Do you think I could at least get her email?”

  Ivy no longer looked confused. “Yeah. Whatever. I'll text it to you.”

  We ended up walking in silence the rest of the time until Ivy started laughing.

  Janel looked at her irritated. “What?”

  Ivy shook her head. “Quinn, I can't believe you're just going to call him. I can just see you melting at the sound of his voice.” She pretended to fan herself which made me annoyed.

  “Do any of you want to call him instead?”

  They both looked serious and responded in sync. “No.”

  ***

  I was biting my two index fingers as I looked at the screen of my laptop. I wanted to write an email to Ivy's friend, Claire, who used to be in the Club. Maybe she knew something about it that was worth noting. After I had written a greeting and asking her if she could answer some of my questions, I simply waited to see if she was a quick email responder. I was setting my laptop aside and ready to head downstairs to grab a snack when I heard a ping sound. It was her. She was inviting me for an online chat. I took up my laptop and immediately accepted her invitation.

  C: Hi, Quinn :)

  Q: Hi, Claire. Thanks for responding :)

  C: No problem. Ivy told me you had some questions about the Club?

  Q: Yeah. Did she mention to you what recently happened to one of the members?

  C: Yeah. It's awful :(

  Q: Yeah and weird timing...

  C: Not really surprised though...

  What did she mean? She wasn't surprised?

  Q: What do you mean?

  It took her a whole two minutes to respond.

  C: They're vampires. Their natural side was bound to come out.

  Q: But there is evidence that proves that Mr. Constane, Artie and Jacob weren't involved.

  C: I wasn't talking about them...

  Q: ?

  C: Think about it. I won't accuse someone online...

  Q: Red-head was cleared too.

  C: Which one?

  There was more than one?

  Q: Name starts with a “G”...

  C: No, the other one...

  Q: Ummm...don't know another one.

  C: Nevermind then....Forget it.

  Okay, that was weird.

  C: I have to go now...

  No!

/>   Q: One more question?

  C: Okay...

  Q: During your time, did you ever see if Mr. Constane was romantically involved with someone? Outside of the group?

  C: Yeah, he had some chick on the side.

  Shit.

  Q: Really? Was it serious?

  C: We were never allowed to talk to her and she was a cold bitch.

  I suddenly remembered what Lisa and Cassie were talking about on the elevator in Hawaii. They mentioned some girl who was best not to be stepped on...

  C: Why????

  Q: Just curious. He seems lonely.

  C: She didn't make a difference. He was always like that.

  Q: I haven't seen this other woman yet. Do you know if they broke up?

  C: Ha! LOL. She clung so hard to him, there was no way he could get rid of her... She tended to pop up around unexpectedly.

  The mystery girl?

  Q: Maybe I did see her. Can you describe her?

  C: She changed her hair color a lot. One night it was black then blonde the next. But her face was ice-cold all the time. Can't miss it.

  Q: Hmmm... Can't recall...

  C: Trust me. She'll pop up sooner or later.

  Q: Did he seem to like her?

  C: He was as distant to her as he was to us. But apparently she was his fuck buddy.

  I definitely didn't want to hear that.

  C: I really have to go now. Sorry. Talk later?

  Q: Yes. Thanks. Goodnight :)

  C: Goodnight. (Don't ever be by yourself with the vampires. Trust me.)

  She definitely knew something that I didn't. And she wanted to hide it at the same time. But why? Was it dangerous to know? It wouldn't surprise me, really. Especially not after what happened.