“I followed you to the gallery. When the owner went to the bathroom, I locked him in, shifted and came out. You told me all about your exhibition under a pseudonym. I knew Rose was there at the same time so I suggested she text you for old time's sake. Of course I’ve also had photographers everywhere I’ve needed
them, like at the hotel where Jayden met Gabby. She was easy to convince to come and play her part. Amazing what the promise of a healthy pay check does when you’re desperate.”
“But she said she had loads of money from her husband who passed.”
“All lies, darling. Her husband ditched her when she had an affair. Pre-nup meant she got nothing. Never has been able to keep her thighs together that one. Gosh, I’ve quite felt like you, Serena. This must be what it’s like being a showbiz journalist, trailing everyone to find their failings and exploit them.”
“So you tailed me to AA?” Smith asked.
“Yes, and then at the next session I shapeshifted into one of the members who’d not turned up. A hidden camera on my jacket did the rest. I’ve had so much fun. It’s just a shame you found me out already.”
My gaze went quickly to Leonie who was looking more confused than ever. “I’ll explain after.” I told her and she nodded her head.
Cynthia’s chilled gaze returned to my own face. “Now you have them all. Four billionaires and everyone thinks Serena is amazing. Oh Serena can do no wrong because no one knows she was a journalist, do they? But thanks to Leonie having a heart-to-heart with me while I was pretending to be you, I know everything about how you ended up here. And I’ve found someone from your past willing to divulge all. Your ex. I’m not going to stop until I ruin you all.”
My father stood and began a chant.
“Cleansing threads travel through your mind,
Your wicked deceptions I now bind.
Your treacherous shifting disappear from thee,
As I will, so it shall be.”
“What’s happening?” Cynthia looked at my father as his eyes went white. She tried to escape her seat but appeared stuck in place.
And then she sat there looking at us all with the disdain back on her face.
“What did you do?” She spat out at my father whose eyes had returned to normal. He had what looked like a dried animal tongue in his hand, along with some herbs.
“I made you mortal.” He said with a smile. “Sorry but I was bored of your monologue. I’m also mortal and my time on earth is ticking. I really don’t want to waste precious minutes listening to your crap.”
Cynthia’s face drained of all its color. A pained expression took over.
“Change me back, you bastard. Wait until I tell my father what you did. Your mortal time will be through. He’ll kill you.”
“Oh, Cynthia.” Carter said, moving nearer and dropping closer to her. He stared into her eyes. “Do you remember how you couldn’t be put under compulsion as a shapeshifter…?”
She screamed. “Nooooooo.”
“Cynthia Delaware, when you leave here you will remember nothing about us…”
“Can you teach my warlock that spell for her father and brother?” Smith’s dad asked and he and Vern began a private conversation away from the rest of us.
Cynthia had left with the suggestion that she wanted to move to England to begin a career as a Z-list celebrity. She’d wanted to be a reality star, so she could have her wish, just somewhere far away from us. Smith’s father said Morgan had enough contacts to make a stint on a reality show over there happen and that her father and brother would be moving out there too once they were ‘fixed’.
“So what now?” Carter asked. “Are you coming home?”
“Yes.” I nodded. “After I’ve spoken with Leonie.”
“You all get on home.” He told the others. “I’m going to find a meeting and I’ll be home later.”
Everyone left leaving Leonie and myself alone.
I explained about us being vampires. I wanted no more secrets from her. It was going to take time for the news to sink in. I knew she’d need to go back to her hotel room and think about it all. I explained that Ted knew about us, if she wanted to discuss it with another human.
“Leonie, I’m so damn sorry. All I do is apologize to you. I don’t expect your forgiveness this time. I’ll leave you alone here in Carbon Beach. We’ll still pay your expenses until you get sorted.”