Poison's Kiss (Deadly Beauties 2)

"Soon. We need to find out who is after you. I don't like knowing that spirit was tied to someone else."

Neither do I, but I'm too exhausted to think of who it might be. I never knew I had so many enemies. I dread turning immortal if I've made this many enemies while still a mortal.

"How did you know I was in trouble?" I ask curiously. "And how did the spirit and the blond bitch break through my barrier?"

"I was on my way to meet up with Dray, and then Gage called to tell me he couldn't reach you on your cell. He was going straight to your house, and I told him I'd meet him there. We arrived at the same time, conveniently enough. As for the breaking of your barrier, the spirit was tied to you, granting it access. Had I known we were dealing with Sylvia, I would have cast the protection spell over your house. I'm so sorry I didn't figure it out before-"

"She hurt you. I didn't think you could be hurt."

He laughs as though I'm some naive fool. "My dear girl, I'm not indestruc

tible. I'm just a little tougher than the average magical being. She threw out a binding lash. I haven't dealt with such power since the medieval times. I won't be caught off guard again. In my arrogance, I underestimated the girl."

"How did you know about Gage and me, and why are you so opposed to us?" I blurt out, shifting the conversation dramatically.

Not that it matters now. I don't want to be with a liar who mixed work with pleasure.

He breathes out heavily, not feeling comfortable, and I study his young face as he stares straight ahead. He purses his lips before running a hand through his dark hair.

"It was obvious at the engagement party. I told him to stay away from you completely, simply because I knew he'd fall for you. I saw the two of you when you were dancing. You held a lover's touch. It was all I could do not to rip him to shreds then. Your lie about finding a spell to hide your aura was cute, but I wasn't born yesterday. I was glad you were free from your bond to the night stalker, but I knew there was only one person who would have freed you. Defiant as he is, I suspected he would do something like this the second I told him to stay away."

Great. Gage just found me a convenient way to be rebellious. I suppose I should start looking at him as a stepbrother. It will make it easier to get over him... maybe.

I stare at the ends of my very light blond hair, worried it'll turn back dark if I don't keep a watchful eye. I wish there was an escape for the broken.

Chapter 23

Revelation

I take a steadying breath as I stare at the gallant halls of the light council's not-so-humble abode. The endless massive corridors could leave one confused and lost if they had never been here before.

As a child, I never visited this place - my mother's way of keeping my identity truly safe. Until long after the death of Airis Devall, I never once walked through these halls.

The light that pours through here would leave one believing the sun is actually shining in here at all times. It once seemed so majestic, but now... it seems deceitful.

The light users claim purity, but my eyes have been opened to the truth that almost makes me feel my entire life has been a lie.

I don't know if the person who guided the spirit to me is light or dark, but I know the light isn't as pure and honest as I once thought.

As I round a corner, I see Frankie talking on his cell phone. His blond hair is a little longer these days, as if he's skipped a couple of haircuts. He seems distraught, a little upset even.

As I near, he turns to me, waving as he keeps his voice too low for me to hear. He walks away, turning his back, and I tilt my head curiously when he vaporizes without so much as a hello.

"Nice to see you, too, Frankie," I mumble to myself.

I think this place is toxic. My mother has hardly called me at all since she's been here. Frankie doesn't seem to be the same. He's so frigging rude and distant these days. It almost pisses me off.

I knock on the door to the room my mother stays in when she's here, and it swings open almost immediately. The angelic face of the Great Calypso turns to greet me with a smile that refuses to reach her eyes.

It almost seems as though she's annoyed to see me, but she's masking it with fake warmness. I don't know what has happened to create this rift between us.

"Alyssa, sweet girl. What brings you out here... unannounced?"

I swallow hard, uncertain if I should even tell her now. I need her advice, and I need someone who knows me better than I know myself. But this just all feels so wrong.

"I need my mom," I almost whimper, sounding so juvenile and pathetic as the tears start falling.

Her face softens, though it still doesn't seem genuine. "Come, darling. Let's have a long overdue talk."