Page 19 of The Clash of the Damned
Buttoning up my tailored, black suit jacket, I swear I can still smell the potpourri incense the fortune tellers burn hanging on me like a sick necklace. If I could scrub it from my brain, I would. I get it, the fortune tellers have a theme they need to stick to, but can they at least pick something that smells better?
I double check the mirror to fix any stray hairs in my slicked back bun. When that is perfect, I show my teeth to the mirror, making sure my bold red lip hasn’t rubbed off on them. Satisfied, I leave the room to find Dom so we can host our first and last Thanksgiving together. When I see him, I can’t help the smile that lights up my face. I want to memorize everything about him tonight, hold onto the moments before he hates me. “Is everything okay at the office?” he asks as I brush some of his fringe away from his hazel eyes that I could easily get lost in. He looks handsome in his signature three piece, pinstripe suit. Tonight, he’s added a pocket watch to his ensemble. Between the two of us, we look like we stepped out ofThe Godfather, and it’s almost enough to make me laugh.
“The hostess was chattier than I would have liked.” I roll my eyes in mock annoyance with a small grin on my face. “But she assured me that business is booming. Tourists love getting their fortune told on a holiday like this. Everything is perfect, just as it should be,” I respond as he kisses me on my forehead.
“You were gone for a while. I was starting to worry about you. Especially, when I wanted to give you this.” He pulls a black, velvet box out of his pocket, and when he presents the contents of it to me, I’m speechlessat the princess cut engagement ring nestled on the velvet cushion inside. “Solitaire halo cut,” he murmurs, the emotion thick in his voice. “I would have liked to do something more elaborate for your proposal, but I know wearing this in front of our friends means more to you.”
I hold out my hand to him, and he takes that as an invitation to place it on my finger. I’m in awe at how perfectly it fits my hand as I let it sparkle in the dim lighting. “It’s better than anything I could imagine.” I’ve come to care for him despite the lies, and I shove the guilt down, focusing on putting on the best performance of my life. “Shouldn’t everyone be arriving soon?” I ask.
Luca steps out of the shadows, her stiletto heels the only sound against the floor from her movement. With her leather skirt and burgundy lipstick, she’s a modern day version of Dracula. While Dad is usually not helpful, he warned me about her kind specifically. They pretend to be civil, but they’re usually the most vicious. Legends are always borne from something, after all. The Siphoner’s are proof of this. I expect he would be inconvenienced if the Undead were to kill me, as it would mean he needs to do the work in my place.
Luca cocks her head to the side, her voice deceptively sweet, “I wonder if Dom noticed that your accent changes at certain moments, like when your blood pumps harder? Are you nervous about something, Sloane?”
I didn’t make it this far in life to be caught out by something as stupid as blood. Clearing my throat, I respond, “Well, yes, I am nervous. This is mine and Dom’s first Thanksgiving as a couple, and I don’t want to disappoint him.” I give him a shy smile as he beams at my answer. It’s almost enough to break me. His devotion is clear while I’m being deceptive. If I wasn’t going to hell already, I am now. Hastily I add, “I also didn’t realize we hadcompany, and I want to make sure you’re comfortable. Can I offer you some blood, Luca?”
I flag down one of the male, human servers provided to us courtesy of Ryder for tonight. He appears with a tray full of fresh glasses of blood, even though Luca is the only Undead here this evening. When Ryder offered blood directly from the vein as a serving option, I put my foot down. Even I have limits. She takes the offered glass from the server and nods her head in thanks. Game on, bitch.
“Excuse me, I have to help Dom greet the rest of the guests.”
With control over the situation, I join Dom as Sebastian, Giada, and Amelia arrive. Another human server helps with the coats, and I hate that they have to be here. I had hoped the Human Faction’s desire to stay in hiding would have won out, but apparently business deals are more appealing. “Where’s Clark?” I ask, after air kissing Giada in her emerald green dress.
Since meeting Amelia and Sebastian, it’s the first time I’ve felt they were related in their matching black outfits and shared dark looks. Amelia repeats the motion, and internally, I try not to cringe. Then Sebastian does the same before he answers, “Rogue business. And seeing the DA about making certain evidence concerning our existence has disappeared. It’s unfortunate it had to be tonight, but he offered to take it on so we could be here.”
Servers show them to the dining room as we welcome Jude and Jayden. She doesn’t seem entirely comfortable with me, but she does a good job of hiding it while at Jayden’s side. He is a delicious hunk of a man and cleans up beautifully in his suit. Leaning in to hug her, I feel Jude’s curls tickle mycheek. Attempting to make conversation, I’m about to compliment her on her burgundy jumpsuit before Dom interrupts.
“That’s everyone. Let’s move to the dining room and eat.” A startling realization hits me. Neither the twins nor Brooklyn are here.
They know.
I’ve always known this arrangement is temporary, and while I always hope it can be avoided, I’m also prepared for my departure to get ugly. I had hoped I had longer. Pity. I don’t intend to show my hand first; I want to see what they have planned for me, to see if they think they can beat me. I doubt it. I always have the last word. We move to the dining room where no expense has been spared. All the good china is being used, and if I hadn’t researched it, I wouldn’t have known which fork to use. Starters of a harvest salad and baked brie with cranberry sauce are served, paired with a crisp white wine. But nothing out of the ordinary happens. Well, except the obvious bad blood that still hasn’t been resolved between some of our guests.
“Really, Jude, you’re just going to sit there and pretend you love him?” Sebastian demands, forgetting he has an audience. Amelia elbows him, and I find this exchange entertaining.
Giada’s hands travel over Sebastian’s shoulders, and anyone can spot the lust she has for him. “Baby, I’ve got a surprise for you at home…” She coos like we don’t all know this means she wants to fuck.
Jude downs her champagne and signals for another before she responds. “And what, I just have to accept Hollywood Hills over here?” She waves her empty glass in Giada’s direction. I’ve got to give the only human at the table credit; she holds her head high and doesn’t back down. I’ve got a soft spot for the girl, even if she’s a bit dumb, she’s always been polite.
“I’m sorry if I did something–”
“Fuck off, you plastic barbie bitch. No one asked you.”
“Is that necessary–”
Dom clears his throat and tries a different approach with a raised voice as he cuts Sebastian off. “Why don’t we each share what we’re thankful for? Set some good intentions for the year ahead for our empires?”
“I’ll go first,” Jude offers. “I’m thankful I’m finally with a man who loves and respects me and won’t betray me because he doesn’t trust I can think for myself.”
Sebastian groans as the fighting escalates. “I’ll go next!” I offer, trying to help Dom de-escalate the growing tension. “I haven’t had a real Thanksgiving since my mom died, so I’m grateful for all of you.” What I don’t add is I still hate the Rogues for taking her away from me, which is why I will never truly bond with Sebastian or Amelia. Mom died protecting us, specifically me. While Dad’s never admitted it, I think it’s why he is so hard on me. He blames me for her death, the same way I do.
“I’m grateful for my family, and that Sloane is our missing piece.” Dom raises his glass to me, and I smile so hard my cheeks hurt.
“Well I’m grateful for being rid of toxic relationships,” Jude offers as she downs yet another glass of champagne. I’m about to suggest cutting her off when Luca’s temper finally snaps.
“Oh for fucks sake.” Luca raises her hands and locks me into place with her blood manipulation magic I’ve heard so much about. Turning her ire on me, she says, “If you move, I will pull your blood particles out of your body, and that is a very painful way to die, which no Supernatural can survive. Understood?” I nod meekly. Luca doesn’t realize she’s given me the one thing I need to get out of here unscathed. Magic. Her magic feelsdifferent to mine, heavier, like a weighted chain covering my body. But that doesn’t matter, magic is magic, and I have what I need.
Gently lifting my hand to keep the glow hidden, I siphon Luca’s magic in small doses while I pretend to be trapped so I can see what grand plan they have in store for me. “You can’t hold me forever, Luca. What’s the plan?”
Amelia storms forward, impulsive, as she offers, “I can just kill her now, and we can be done with it.”
