Page 24 of Addicted in Blood
Was this what the earlier headaches were trying to tell me?Devon, the beast, or some strange combination of them had been trying to reach me in their dreams.
At some point, I crawled out of the tub and stripped the towels from the rack, wrapping my body and hair before lumbering back to the bed, where I pulled myself into a fetal position.I didn’t want to face the dream again, but I had no choice.This was why I was in New Orleans.
The dream was eerily reminiscent of the one where Devon had killed Sorrento.Except this time, I was in Devon’s head, or more accurately, the beast’s.I couldn’t know for sure.Since I’d never dreamwalked with anyone else, it was my best guess.That and the deer carcass.
I grimaced and raced for the bathroom, the towel around my body falling, and I almost tripped, catching myself on the wall.I squeezed way too much yet not enough toothpaste on a brush and scrubbed for five minutes until the last taste of dead deer was gone.
I moped back to bed and tugged the covers over my head, crying myself back to sleep until the muffled sound of my cell phone woke me.
I blinked and glanced at the clock on the nightstand.Three p.m.I winced at my stiff limbs and fumbled for the phone, grabbing it on the third attempt.
I didn’t bother checking the caller ID.I didn’t have the strength.
“Hello.”My voice crackled, hoarse and thirsty.
“Cressa?”
I almost cried with relief when I heard Ginger’s voice.“It’s me.”
“You sound awful.Have you been out drinking?”
“I wish.”I leaned against the pillows.“At least I’d have an excuse for this headache.”
“A migraine?You’ve never gotten them before.Are you eating and drinking water?”
“No, and yes, and stop mothering me.”I was fairly certain the dead deer didn’t count as a meal.
“Touchy.I woke you from a nap.”
“Sorry.We got in really late, then got up too early for no reason.I’m hungover from no sleep.”
“Is that all it is?”
I was far from understanding the dream and nowhere near ready to talk about it.“I haven’t eaten since this morning.”
“That explains it.”Her tone didn’t sound like she bought my story, and I could have hugged her for not pressing.“Has Sergi told you the news?”
“Something about Devon?”Maybe that would explain the dream.
“I’m sorry.No.”Her voice had dropped to a whisper then brightened.“The Council agreed with the succession law.Lyra’s our temporary House leader.Word from Lucas is that Lorenzo was completely shocked to see her and was raging pissed at the Council’s decision, though even he couldn’t argue against it.House Trelane will live another day.”
“That’s good.”Mustering up enthusiasm wasn’t in the cards.“What about Devon?”
Ginger’s delayed response told me everything I needed to know.“The Council gave us one week to bring him in before they send the Eliminators to find him.”
A shortened deadline and almost a full day spent here with nothing to show for it.“Thanks for letting me know.I need to meet Sergi in an hour.Let me catch up with you tomorrow.”
“I suggest something from room service before meeting Sergi with that mood.”
I snorted.“You’re not wrong.”
After hanging up, I called room service for a pot of coffee and a beignet.If sugar and coffee didn’t pull me out of my fugue state, nothing would.
An hour later, fully caffeinated and the plate licked clean of every sprinkle of powdered sugar, I was dressed to kill.Hopefully, that wasn’t a premonition of tonight’s events.I went with black flowing pants with deep pockets and a sleeveless turquoise crop top.I added simple diamond studs Devon had given me and the House Trelane bracelet.
Sergi waited at the bar, and when I approached, he noticed the bracelet.His smile was warm and genuine.
“A nice touch.”He kissed my cheek.“Shall we sit for a minute?I have news from home.”
