Page 42 of The Shadows of Excess

“No, only the usual weird,” I replied, trying to brush off my unease. “Did you know Justice used compulsion on me last night?”

That got his full attention. Damon sat up, his expression serious. “Are you sure about that?”

“Yes, I’m positive.”

He ran a hand through his hair. “And here I was, starting to think he might be one of the good ones. I guess old habits die hard for a vamp. Once a fang, always a fang, huh?”

I reached for my duffle bag lying on the floor. “I’m going to take a shower,” I announced, more to myself than to anyone else. It wasn’t only the grime from our encounter at Hanging Rock. I felt a deeper kind of dirtiness. Being compelled had left a stain on my sense of autonomy. Compulsion stripped away my free will, and that realization was unsettling.

As the water cascaded down in the shower, my thoughts churned. I had been developing feelings for Justice, but now doubt clouded those emotions. Were my feelings genuine, or were they another aspect of his vampire persuasion? The idea that my desires could be manipulated made me feel even more violated. I needed to try to cleanse the confusion and betrayal I felt inside.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

I got out of the shower and dried off, trying not to look at my reflection. Having golden eyes scared the crap out of me. I had no idea what was happening.

As I blow-dried my hair, my focus intentionally averted from the mirror, a sudden intensity grew behind my glowing eyes. The hair dryer slipped from my numb fingers, clattering to the floor as I was plunged into a trance-like state.

Whoosh-Whoosh-Whoosh.

Visions flashed before me with dizzying speed, but they were as clear as a bell. There was Lisa, beautiful and powerful, her phoenix by her side, a creature of magnificent fire and grace. Hanging Rock appeared next, its form bathed in an ominous light like it had last night.

Then, the scenery shifted to a secluded two-story cabin nestled deep in the woods at the end of a winding dirt road. Was this where Lisa was hiding? The images continued to cascade. A field of phoenix grass swaying gently, a neglected silent graveyard, each image a place I’d never been.

The visions hit me with the force of a tsunami. I stumbled toward the sink, gripping it for support as I tried to catch my breath. The floor tiles seemed to spin beneath me, and I squeezed my eyes shut in an attempt to steady myself. My stomach churned with nauseating dizziness, and I felt like I was on a never-ending rollercoaster ride.

Damon’s knock on the bathroom door was firm and insistent. “Sawyer, you good in there?” he called. “Talk to me. What’s happening?”

I licked my dry lips. “Give me a minute.” My legs shook, and I sank onto the toilet seat. I rested my face in my hands until I felt like the bathroom had stopped spinning.

The hair dryer was still blowing out hot air. I turned it off and put it back on the sink.

Damon pounded on the door with urgency, his voice firm but tinged with concern. “Sawyer, come on. Don’t make me bust this door down. Let’s not add property damage to our list of problems tonight.”

“Let me get dressed, and I’ll come out.” My weak voice probably wasn’t convincing, but I managed to wiggle into my black T-shirt and pulled on a pair of leggings.

Suddenly, the visions came back again, flashing faster than a strobe light. I groaned as I put my hands on my head.

True to his word, Damon burst through the bathroom door, concern etched deeply on his face. “Sawyer!” He quickly closed the distance between us. He scanned me rapidly, assessing the situation. “Hey, talk to me. What’s going on? You’re scaring the hell out of me here.”

I lifted my head with effort and managed to meet Damon’s gaze. “Visions.” I gasped. “They won’t stop. They’re moving too fast.” My shaky voice trembled as badly as my body.

He put a hand on my shoulder. “Can you walk?”

“Give me a minute.”

Like always, Damon didn’t wait. He scooped me into his arms. I leaned my head against his, squeezing my eyes shut, trying to block out the visions, but they refused to stop.

He carefully lowered me onto the bed and tried to keep his tone light. “How about some water, huh? It’s no miracle cure, but it’s about the only thing I can doctor up without setting the kitchen on fire.”

I draped my arm over my forehead. “I think I’d get sick.”

“Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

Like I had the strength to move.

The door creaked open. I assumed it was Damon returning as soft footsteps neared my bed.

I peeked out from under my arm, and my gaze met Justice’s, who was looking down at me with concern and something unreadable. My eyes narrowed instinctively. “Stay away from me.”

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