Page 19 of Blades of Obsession

“I just got word that Blade’s gone. Why didn’t you tell me earlier? We have to move quickly before he gets back.”

“Uh…” I haven’t spoken to my dad since he yelled at me, and now he’s not even calling to apologize. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, when has he ever apologized before?

“I’m taking you to someone’s house tomorrow. He has the power to stop Blade. I’ll pick you up in the morning, dress nice.”

“Okay.” I hang up, and Skye hums loudly, one of those exaggerated noises clearly meant to get my attention. “What was that for?” I ask, turning to her.

“Are you sure you want to go through with that?”

“What do you mean?”

“Were you not present in the conversation we just had? Rich, hot, popular. I thought you were going to go for it. It’ll sure get those bullies off your back. Plus, it’s practically the only way I can see myself being with Rhett. So youhaveto do it.” She pouts, her face scrunching up and her bottom lip poking out.

“I-I mean, I have to go with my dad tomorrow. He’ll make me.”

“Or you could call Blade and tell him your dad’s plan. That might ruin it.”

My eyes widen a tad bit. “Skye, I... I can’t do that. My dad might get hurt.”

She lets out an exasperated huff, then turns in her bed to face the wall, yanking the covers over her head. Her sudden, dramatic reaction catches me off guard—she didn’t even bother to put her nail polish away.

I sigh, tidying up my nail supplies and lying down with my feet dangling off the bed. So much for a relaxing spa day.

I just hope everything works out for the best tomorrow.

•••

It’s the next afternoon—we’re late—parked in my dad’s black Mustang outside a large, three-story mansion about an hour from campus. My dad studies me closely, he can tell the signs of my nerves acting up: my foot tapping on the car floor, my hands repeatedly smoothing over the silk fabric of my dress.

In just the past week, I’ve stumbled upon a group of criminals, learned my dad is one of them, and to top it off, some crazy guy is trying to force me to be with him. And now, here I am, outside a Victorian-style mansion guarded by scary-looking men holding even scarier-looking guns. Some of the guns are nearly as tall as I am.

I’m half expecting bats to swoop down and bite me with a disease while a piano riff plays in the distance. Or maybe I just watch too many horror movies. That last one with the old mansion was—

Damn it, I’m overthinking.

“Amelia, calm down. Everything will be fine.” Yeah, to him. This stuff is usual to him, it’s all new to me. “I’m glad he had time in his schedule today to meet with us. Usually, it takes a while to even get him on the phone.”

“Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“Yes.” His gaze drops to my neck, lingering on the necklace, and his expression hardens into a scowl. Or maybe he’s looking at the bite mark that still wants to show itself, despite the layers of makeup I tried to cover it with. I still can’t believe Blade did that in front of my dad. And then had the nerve to do my hair after? I mean, it did turn out kinda cute… but still!

“And take that thing off your neck,” he says with a sour face. I take it off, and he adds, “Don’t tell him you’re here about that fucker. Don’t even mention Blade’s name. Just get it in writing that whoever is bothering you has to stay away. The way the hierarchy works, he’ll have to do it.”

I smile and nod, trying to push my nerves to the back. Even though I don’t like the sound of this. One of the armed guards leads us to an in-home elevator, stopping at the top floor.

Here we are—no turning back now.

They leave my dad waiting in the hallway as I step into an office suite behind frosted glass doors. It’s fancy, but a little outdated, much like the outside of the house. Behind the large desk sits a man in his late fifties, with salt-and-pepper hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and anI run this placeaura to him.

He gestures towards a blonde woman in her thirties typing in the corner. “This is Cindy. She’s here to record everything that is said. You may sit.” I take a seat, and he dives right in. “So, you’re having trouble with someone from the Serpents bothering you, huh?”

The Serpents.So that’s the name of the group. Fitting, since they’re probably all conniving snakes.

“Yes, sir.”

He chuckles lightly, like this kind of complaint happens often for him. “Tell me a little about it.”

“Um, well… He just approached me, actually,forcedme to see him at a party. That’s when he told me I had to be with him. I went to my dad for help, but he wouldn’t back down, so my dad thought it’d be best for you to intervene.”

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