Page 29 of Blood Illusions

“Yes,” I blurted. “I want to get out of these clothes, shower, and grab at least four hours of sleep. Is that too much to ask?”

Damon turned his head and gritted his teeth. “Fine, but not until I make sure this is safe.” He pointed at Justice. “You stay here. Sis, if he makes a wrong move, kill him.”

He stormed from the kitchen and ventured down the hallway.

“Lovely.” Justice folded his arms.

Justice and I remained in the kitchen while Damon searched every inch of the place. Neither of us spoke. I was too damn tired, and I suspected Justice was too damn hurt.

Damon came back. “Okay, it’s safe.”

“Glad to hear it,” Justice grumbled.

Damon didn’t answer him.

I looked at Justice. “Unfortunately, Damon and I didn’t pack any clothes for this trip since we thought we’d be returning home.”

“Not a problem,” Justice replied. “We have clothes here for both men and women in every size. If you follow me, I’ll take you to the storage room, where we also have weapons.”

Damon stood taller. “I didn’t see such a room.”

“That’s because it’s hidden. Follow me.”

Damon slipped in front of me. “Stay close.”

I rolled my eyes. Not that it wasn’t possible, but I really doubted a horde of vampires were hiding in the storage room, ready to attack us.

Justice led us downstairs to a second living room with a built-in bar, a movie screen, a large leather sectional, and a pool table. It made our basement den look like a dorm room. “This is our common area.”

He touched the giant screen, and the wall slid open, revealing a room filled with every medieval weapon you could think of. He opened another door, and it led into a huge walk-in closet. “You’ll find everything you need in there.”

Damon was busy inspecting the weapons, but I was tired, and I wanted out of these damn clothes. Justice was right. I found everything I needed. A long-sleeved black T-shirt, a pair of jeans exactly my size, a bra, and undergarments. It was like the PMC raided a department store and put everything in here.

Damon came up behind me. “Having fun shopping?”

“Yes, I am. What do you have?”

He held out a long rapier. “Justice said I could have it. Why don’t you pick out a new weapon?”

I sighed heavily. “Maybe later, Damon.”

“You’re such a girl. You need to think like a warrior.” He tilted his head. “There’s a crossbow in there with your name on it.”

If I didn’t grab the crossbow, I would never hear the end of it. Damon and Dad had one-track minds, and shopping for clothes wasn’t part of it.

Not wanting to get my new clothes dirty, I put them in a canvas bag I found. I headed out of the walk-in closet and spotted the silver crossbow shimmering in the light. It was beautiful, and I was immediately drawn to it.

Justice approached me. “Do you like it?”

“Yes, it’s beautiful.” Flowering vines and delicate blossoms were engraved in the arms of the crossbow. Each flower was so meticulously detailed and lifelike that it took my breath away. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

He gave me a small smile. “And you won’t. Not in this realm. The bowstring is made from the silk of moonlight butterflies, known for their unbreakable strength and ethereal glow.”

I jerked my head to look at him. “What do you mean?”

“This comes from the Court of Blossoms. It’s a fae weapon. More deadly than any made in the human realm. The frame is carved from the wood of an ancient silverback tree, known for its strength and mystical abilities.”

I took a minute to digest what he was saying. “Realm? You mean like another dimension?”

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