Page 22 of Poison's Kiss
Sweetie?She knows I hate that term of endearment. It's what the night stalker called me before sinking his teeth into my flesh when I was seventeen.
Once again, I'm expecting her to focus solely on me, and that's too selfish. With all she's had going on, it's fine if she slips up and calls me the wrong name.
"I know I will. It's just, now I'm bonded to him apparently, since he was my first."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I completely forgot about that."
I guess Frankie already told her. Great. She had better not mention socks.
"Next time I'll be a little more careful and definitely more suspicious," I add, still not showing her the pain I'm in.
I literally found a room full of immortally crafted toys - a dark dungeon full of tainted proof - and I overlooked it. How stupid am I?
"Next time just use your mark, dear. That's what it's for."
I stop speaking at that moment. She knows I can't do that.
Before I can pipe up, a woman cloaked in white walks in and tugs at her blond strands of hair as she crosses through the path of roses.
"Calypso, you're needed in the chambers now. Sorry to interrupt."
Mom smiles at her, a gracious, completely fake smile I've never seen her use before. Then she turns to me with that same phony smile.
"I love you, sweetie. I'll talk to you later."
With that, she's gone, vaporized into thin air.
Frankie is nowhere to be seen, but he wouldn't believe me if I told him. Instead of searching for him, I run full speed out of the council headquarters. I never slow down as I head to Gage’s car.
I pound on the hotelroom, and Gage swings the door open, catching me as I almost collapse.
"What the hell, Alyssa?"
"It's not her, Gage. It's not my mom."
"What?" His confusion is genuine as he helps me into the room. He wraps me up in his arms as he pulls me into his lap, and we both fall to the sofa. "Why are you saying she's not your mom?"
"She called mesweetie. Twice. I've told you before why I'd break your face if you ever called me that."
He seems confused by this. Apparently, that's not enough proof. "O...kay. Alyssa, your mom just went through a traumatic ordeal. It's going to take a while-"
"She told me I should have shown Kane my mark. Other than me, three people know that it's deadly to a human. You, my father, and my mother. This imposter didn't know that or she wouldn't have said it."
This time I've got his attention.
"Alright, but that's obviously not something you can take to the council."
"I know it's flimsy at best, but I swear something's wrong. My mother would never say that. She was there when I killed that guy."
I shiver as the memories flood back to me, and then I banish them with the small chant Mom taught me long ago.
He tightens his lips, seeming uncertain about whether or not he should say anything else.
"Okay, so you think a changer is there in her place?"
"No, she vaporized, so it has to be a witch or warlock."
He starts to shake his head, and I realize he doesn’t believe me at all.
