Page 52 of Night Wedding
“Right.” She slanted her gaze. “There’s a private little soiree tonight, and I got us an invitation.”
“Where is it?”
“Not far.” She raised her chin. “A few more minutes’ walk and we’ll be there.”
After we headed away from the main road, she led us to a brick building but not to the front door. Instead, she walked to the back where a stairwell led to a door at cellar level.
“What is this?” I asked.
“It’s an auction.” She bit her lower lip. “Plenty of humans and flowing blood.”
I stared down at the worn black door and then back at her. “Are they being killed?”
She brushed my bicep. “No, no, no, they are more than willing to let us feed on them—for a price.” She closed her eyes and her expression turned to one resembling ecstasy. “And even better, they offer more than just their blood.”
“What does that mean?”
“We can take someone back to my hotel with us. To drink from, to play with… Their bodies are ours for the night, and we can do whatever we wish.” A trill laugh escaped her. “Within some bounds, I suppose. We can’t drain them completely.”
I straightened. “Of course not. We won’t hurt anyone—let alone kill them.” I glanced at the brick building. What exactly went on in there? Reluctance rose with unexpected force. I took a step back. Yet, I couldn’t walk away. My fangs itched with the yearning to pierce flesh and savor the warm flow of sweet blood on my tongue.
She pursed her lips. “Even so, if that happens, I’m sure they’ll take care of the cleanup as part of the price.”
Turning back to Diana, I asked, “Is this legal?”
She bit her bottom lip. “Who’s to say what’s legal or not, Diego?”
My throat itched, and I cleared it. “The police. And in this town, the Salem Supernatural Network.”
She huffed and propped her hands on her hips. “Who cares what they think?”
I tore my gaze from the building and stared down at cracks in the concrete. They started as a thick gap but then spread into thinner rivulets. “I don’t want to hurt anyone.” My voice came out lower.
“You worry too much, Diego.” She steepled her fingers and raised them beneath her lip. “After all, everything can be taken care of with the right amount of money and influence. Everyone has a price.”
Chapter 15
Nova
Iwas alone.
It wasn’t a good time for me to be trapped with my thoughts. Lucas and Zoe left, Pandora and Cassandra finished up the potion, and Gianna went to make me tea.
I paced the library. Doubts surfaced no matter how I tried to squash them as they wouldn’t help the situation. Yet each one wormed its way up to my brain like a dark version of whack-a-mole, each one a reminder of how bad Diego’s situation was. If I screwed up the spell, it could make things even worse.
“Stop worrying,” Gianna said as she entered the room holding two mugs.
“How do you know I’m worrying?” I asked and accepted the mug she offered. Warmth seeped into my hand, and I cupped it with both hands while raising the mug closer to my chin. Steam curled up and fanned my face. I detected a hint of bergamot.
“Because it’s spelled all over your face. From the worry line in between your brows to the way you’re chewing your lip like a cat on a toy mouse.” She sat on a plush burgundy armchair. “Besides, anyone in your situation would be concerned if not downright frantic. Don’t worry, it’s going to be okay.”
I sat beside her. “You don’t know that for certain, though, and neither do I. It could be catastrophic. Devastating. And I could be the contributing factor to that outcome.”
“That’s one possibility. You’ll drive yourself crazy if you try to anticipate them all. Instead, sip your tea and let it work its wonders.” She motioned to my mug.
“Yes, thank you.” I blew on the surface, disrupting it with the force of my breath. Then I took a sip. Earl Grey, hot and delicious.
After I took another sip, I faced her. “Would you agree to do this if you were me?”
