“Here goes.” Christa opened the door to the reception room, and the sound of mingled laughter and soft music met us.
One hundred fifty creatures of the night in one room is a bit overwhelming. Auras of all colors created quite a rainbow, and there was a stirring in the evening air that bespoke of the magic within the walls.
We weaved our way through the crowd. A couple parted in front of us, and my eyes met Rand’s. He was sitting at the head table, wearing a black tuxedo that hugged his muscled body and acted like acid on my heart. I gave him a small nod as I settled in the chair next to him. His scent enfolded me with its notes of cardamom and man. I breathed deeply, trying to concentrate on Christa’s mindless chatter.
Rand and Gwynn had done a good job organizing the whole thing, and if I’d been an outsider looking in, I would’ve thought someone was having a wedding reception. There were fourteen tables, all covered with white linens. Apparently, this was going to be a dinner service as place settings decorated the tables and included nametags for each creature. My nametag said: Jolie Wilkins, Witch. How original.
“Hey,” Christa nudged me in the side. “Did you hear me?”
“What?”
Christa frowned. “I said, does it look like I have deodorant stains? I didn’t notice it in the room, but now it looks like …”
I tried to pay attention to Christa’s deodorant stains, but had my own ADD moment. My attention centered on the table before me which included Rand, Gwynn, Christa, and two people I didn’t recognize. One was an elderly man, and upon seeing his nametag, I learned he was Grimsley Jones, a warlock who controlled Sweden, Finland, and Norway. Sitting beside him was Ryder Colden, the swarthy vampire who’d turned Gwynn and who’d already committed himself to joining Rand’s ranks.
As soon as my gaze landed on Ryder’s wide and unattractive face, my pulse quickened and the breath in my nose ran back down my throat. There was something about him—he was vile—in everything from his face to his clothes to his body language. I’m not sure why, but I was terrified of him.
My gaze shifted to Gwynn who sat very closely to Ryder and must have had poor eyesight because she clung to his every movement as if he were beauty personified. The thought of becoming some sort of half vampire was not in the least appealing, and I couldn’t help but wonder what was involved in such an ordeal. One thing that was clear—there was some sort of special relationship between turner and turnee. Gwynn treated Ryder with an admiration and awe she bestowed on no one else. Ryder didn’t seem as intrigued with her, though, and regarded her and the rest of the room with indifference, boredom even. I decided I didn’t much care for Ryder.
Rand stood at the head table, a microphone in his hand. It seemed he was waiting for all the late stragglers to find their seats.
“Look who’s here,” Christa whispered in my ear and jabbed me in the ribs. I turned in the direction she was pointing.
My heart dropped as I recognized Trent, the bastard, and who should be on his arm, but Anne? The two of them were enough to make me spit fire. I jerked my gaze away and met Ryder’s eyes. The bastard actually smirked, cocking a brow. I figured my history with Trent was obvious by the expression on my face. Ryder resumed his bored expression and looked away as a rush of heat claimed my face. I hadn’t even been introduced to the vampire, and he was already mocking me and my past relationships? Yes, I definitely didn’t care for Ryder.
“Thank you all for coming,” Rand began, and the room quieted. “I’m certain you all know why you are here and how important it is to keep Bella from building an army that will eventually come after all of us.”
If I hadn’t realized Rand was a well-respected warlock in the Underworld community, I realized it now—the room hanging on his every word.
“Word has spread there’s a new witch under your protection?” A fat man with no aura asked. He must have been a vampire.
Rand nodded and turned in my direction. “I was waiting to uncover our newest addition to my coven, but now is as good a time as ever. Jolie, will you please stand?”
Christa squeezed my hand as I got to my feet, feeling like livestock at auction.
“This is Jolie Wilkins,” Rand continued. “And the rumors you’ve heard about her incredible powers are all true. Jolie has the unique ability to reanimate the dead.”
There was a round of oohs and aahs and heat went straight to my face. Just as I was about to take my seat again, there was another comment from the crowd.
“We’ve heard she’s a new witch.”
Great, I thought. This was when the second-guessing started.
“She is a new witch, but that doesn’t change her incredible gift,” Rand responded, steeling my strength with an emphatic smile.
I had to admit I was proud of him—he was an excellent public speaker and answered all questions with eloquence and informed persuasion.
“How many has she reanimated?” another audience member threw out.
So now I’d have to stand here and pretend I wasn’t extremely uncomfortable as they tried to disprove my credibility. “Two,” I answered, to which there was much discussion among the room and feeling as if I couldn’t stand trial any longer, I took my seat with a great deal of disdain.
“Quiet!”
No sooner did I sit down then I heard a voice I distinctly recognized, and I raised my head. Trent.
“I was dead,” he started and looked straight at me. I diverted my attention, feigning interest in the silverware.
“She brought me back. I’m living proof of her abilities.”
There was more discussion from the crowd and Trent sat down. Rand took control of the audience and made it known I’d be very available to answer any questions at the end of the dinner service. But I was barely aware of his speech. My stomach churned, my head ached, and I wanted nothing more than for the floor to open up and swallow me whole.
This was going to be the never-ending night; I could see it already, and now I’d have to answer a bunch of inane questions when all I wanted was the solitude of my house and the company of my cat.
“I didn’t realize you was the witch,” Ryder said, his gaze settling on my bust.
Apparently, not all vampires could speak the Queen’s English, I thought and smiled to myself. For as much as I disliked Ryder from the start, sensing his holier-than-thou attitude, his diction bothered me all the more.
I thought of saying something rude, but then thought better of it. “That would be me,” I managed.
“I’m Ryder Colden.”
“I know, it says so on your name tag.”
He grinned, the light glinting off his fangs, and I noticed Gwynn watching us like a hawk. Ryder didn’t respond but leaned back in his chair, returning his attention to Rand, who was now wrapping things up. Once Rand finished his speech, he returned to our table as everyone clapped.
“Nice job,” I said.
“You’re going to be quite busy tonight,” he responded with a grin. “I hope you’re prepared to answer numerous questions.”
I shrugged. “I guess I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”
Rand turned to the old man at his left, Grimsley, and said something in some Scandinavian language I wasn’t even going to begin to guess. I figured he was translating what he’d just said to me because Grimsley nodded in my direction. So Rand could speak more than one language … was there a limit to what this man could do? And why were his abilities such a turn on? I tried to remember back to high school—had I ever had a crush on any of the foreign language teachers? Hmm … no.
“Two creatures, eh?” Ryder asked.
He was as ugly as the sneer that arrested his lips. He was a burly looking guy or vampire—it wouldn’t have surprised me in the least to find out he was a biker—he had that sort of look. Everyone had dressed up for this affair with the exception of Ryder who wore blue jeans and a leather jacket. But I wasn’t going to be the one to point out his faux pas.
“I believe the count is two so
far.”
He chuckled. “We’re puttin’ alotta weight on someone who only had two successes.”
“Jolie has incredible powers,” Christa said and Ryder made a humph sound.
Apparently having witnessed our conversation, Rand stopped talking to Grimsley and faced Ryder. “Two out of two, Ryder, she hasn’t failed yet.”
Ryder nodded and continued to inspect me, his inspection centering on my bust until I excused myself and hurried to the ladies room. I imagined this was what I’d be up against all night—creatures second-guessing me, wanting to make sure they were making the right decision by joining us. And the supreme kicker was that I was right there with them, doubting my own abilities as much as they were.
I turned a corner and Trent waylaid me en route. I resisted the urge to curse.
“Jolie,” he began, lifting his hand as if to take hold of me.
I stepped back, crossing my arms over my chest. “What do you want?”
He seemed deflated, his shoulders sagging visibly. “I wanted to talk to you.”
I sighed—crap, I didn’t have the time nor the interest for this. “About what?”
“You look beautiful,” he said, and eyed me up and down, grinning appreciatively.
“Thanks,” I said with great put-outedness. “I’m sure that isn’t what you wanted to talk about though?”
Trent paused and glanced around him before his eyes settled back on me. “Can we go somewhere a bit more private?”
There was no way in hell I was granting him the favor of going anywhere more private. Whatever he had to say, he could do it right there in the hallway. “No,” I said. “We can’t. What is there to talk about anyway?”
“About us.”
I shook my head, little bursts of anger heating up my blood. “There is no us, Trent.”
He paused and shifted uncomfortably as a woman stepped between us, on her way to the ladies’ room. I envied her, wishing I could escape just as easily.
“I wanted to tell you I’ve missed you.”
Was he insane? I couldn’t imagine why he’d even bother talking to me when he was the one who dumped me. Couldn’t he leave me alone and allow me to lick my wounds with dignity? “It’s a little bit late for that now, don’t you think? Or have you forgotten the part about you dumping me?” I said, not caring if I sounded pissed off or not.
He sighed and tried the quarreling with me route. “I knew you wouldn’t understand and you’d take it the wrong way.”
“Trent, I’m not a dumbass, so don’t treat me like one.” I started past him.
He grasped my upper arm, stopping me. “I did it for your own good. I didn’t want to see you get hurt.”
I laughed and it was a caustic sound. “That’s a good one. I’m up to my neck in the same crap you are.” I yanked my arm out of his grip.
“Well, let’s give it another shot, then.”
“You aren’t serious?” I asked with a slight facetious laugh, before the smile fell off my face. “Let me rephrase that … have you lost your fucking mind?”
Trent shook his head. “No, Jolie, you don’t understand.”
“I think I understand perfectly well,” I snapped, my gaze settling on Trent’s table and the discomfort in Anne’s face as she awaited his return. “How would Anne feel about that?”
“It’s not like that between us.”
I frowned, feeling I was close to my boiling point. “Do you really expect me to believe that?”
Before he had a chance to respond, Rand appeared.
“Is everything okay, Jolie?” he asked, stepping close to me. The feel of his warm hand on my lower back provided me with the comfort and strength I needed. Well, and some excited hormones, which I guess I didn’t need …
“Yes, Trent was just saying hello, but he has to get back to his table now,” I answered, my lips tight. I glared at Trent so he’d understand I was serious. There was no way I’d ever consider getting back together with him. I wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.
Trent frowned. “Actually, we were in the midst of a private conversation.”
Even though I imagined Rand wouldn’t take that as his exit cue, I grabbed his hand to ensure he’d stay. “Trent, I have nothing more to say to you, so either you go or we will.”
Trent gritted his teeth and merely stared at me for a moment, a moment that felt really freaking long. Finally, with a perfunctory nod, he walked away. I took in a deep breath and realized I was still holding Rand’s hand. His grip was strong, sure. I didn’t want to let go. I squeezed his fingers to show my appreciation and then forced myself to drop his hand.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine. Thanks for checking on me.”
Rand quirked a brow and frowned. “I hope he wasn’t doing what I thought he was?”
I couldn’t keep the wry laugh from my lips. “Well, I’m not sure what you thought he was doing, but he just asked me to get back together with him as if he’d never dumped me in the first place.” I shook my head. Men.
“Well, he came to his senses and realized the mistake he’d made … you did say no?”
“Did I say no?” I scoffed. “Of course I said no!”
My attention fell to our table and it occurred to me that Gwynn was sitting especially close to Ryder. I wondered if Rand had noticed it as well and if it bothered him. He didn’t seem upset—he seemed the same levelheaded Rand he always was.
“Seems that Gwynn is quite taken with Ryder,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant.
Rand turned his attention from me to Gwynn who was now leaning in to whisper something in Ryder’s ear. “It follows that she would be. There’s a very special bond between vampires when one turns the other.”
I nodded. “Does it bother you?”
Rand laughed and furrowed his brows. “Why would it bother me?”
I shrugged, confused. “I thought you and Gwynn were …”
Rand frowned. “Whatever gave you that idea?”
“Well, you’ve been in London quite a bit and …” my voice trailed as I tried to think of the reasons I’d thought he and Gwynn were an item. It didn’t help that he was considering me with complete amusement. “W … well, that’s what Christa said.”
“I’ve been in London making plans with Gwynn for this evening and we’ve been meeting to chart our progress with our own union …”
I sighed, not in the mood for long-winded explanations. “It’s none of my business anyway. I was just concerned that if you were d … dating her or maybe you weren’t dating her but …”
Rand grabbed hold of my shoulders and forced me to look at him. “I am not and never have dated Gwynn, Jolie. She’s not my type.”
I couldn’t meet his gaze as I wondered what his type was. “Oh.” Gwynn was blond, I was blond …
“Were you on your way to the powder room?” he asked.
Ah yes, the restroom.
I nodded and he turned my shoulders in the direction of the ladies’ room and gave me a friendly shove forward. With a chuckle, he returned to the table.
I hurried to the restroom so I could catch my breath. I must have sounded like a stuttering moron. Even though I was embarrassed, I couldn’t help the happiness that welled up within me. I stared at my reflection, noting the flush of color, brought on no doubt by the fact that Rand and Gwynn weren’t an item. Slowly, my lips split into a wide grin.
When I returned to the table, I noticed everyone starting in on their dinners. Christa smiled up at me and I was relieved to have her by my side. I took my place, but nerves and excitement shredded any appetite I might have had. I picked at the vegetables, but just managed to move them around the plate. Giving up on eating anything, I looked about the room at the people who would comprise our union. I wondered how many of them would join us and how many would move on or worse, join Bella.
“When does the bar open?” Ryder asked Rand with a sneer.
Rand didn’t look up from his plate. “I imag
ine after we’ve finished our dinner.”
Ryder pushed his untouched plate away. “I’m done.”
As he stood and moved toward the bar, I noticed how big he was. Talk about a menacing looking person. Even though he was incredibly rude, he did bring back two bottles of wine for the table and upon offering me a glass, I welcomed it wholeheartedly.
“Is anyone teachin’ the witch self-defense?” he asked the table and settled back into his seat.
I wasn’t even aware he was talking about me until Rand glanced at me.
“No, we’ve been focusing on other matters,” he said.
“What do I need self-defense for if I have magic?” I asked.
Ryder leaned back in his seat and eyed me as he took a long and exaggerated gulp of his wine. “Your magic ain’t gonna work on me or any other vampire. If I was attackin’ you, I’d break you in half.”
Shocked by his response, I said nothing, but looked at Rand for reassurance.
Rand smiled at my reaction. “You have a valid point.”
Not exactly the reassurance I wanted.
Ryder nodded. “I could teach her self-defense.”
“No,” I blurted and everyone regarded me with surprise. There was no way in hell I wanted anything more to do with this horrid creature. “I meant, I have tutors who could teach me.”
“What, the fairies?” Ryder snorted. “I eat fairies for dinner.”
Shocked, I said nothing and turned to face Rand, but the jerk was actually smiling!
“Ryder is a self-defense expert,” Rand said, as if in explanation to why he was wearing that damned smile.
It was Gwynn’s turn to argue the idea. “Yes, but he’s going to be busy working with me on the unionizing efforts. I’m certain someone else can train the witch.”
While I didn’t appreciate being referred to as “the witch,” I agreed with her one hundred percent. “I really wouldn’t want to be a hindrance,” I started.
“If you’re so important, I can make time to train you,” Ryder responded.
I really wanted to say that I wasn’t important but just dropped my head and faced the pile of food before me. God, I was so pissed off. And what bothered me most was that Rand seemed to champion the idea. Could this night get any worse?