Cursed by Fire (Blood & Magic Book 1) (12 page)

“What I meant was that she lied. She’s a harpy, it’s in her nature, and you fell for it. I’m sure she got a kick out of you struggling with all of these packages,” I said, indicating the large pile beside me.

A flush crept up his neck and for a moment, I felt bad for the guy. “It’s okay,” I said, pulling some cash from my jean pocket and handing it to him. “It happens to the best of us.”

With that I shut the door. Picking up the packages from the floor I moved them to my room before delving into their contents. I wasn’t really one for dressing up but as I lifted the lid on one of the gift boxes, exposing a luxurious red dress, I had to appreciate its beauty. Pulling it out displayed yards of supple fabric. The dress was beautifully draped and sported a high slit and a low cut back. I set the dress aside and moved to open the rest of the packages. The bags contained various undergarments, a backless red bra with matching underwear and a garter belt to boot. I shook my head as I pulled each scrap of lace from its package. Undergarments were not something Inarus needed to be purchasing for me. I pictured him in a lingerie shop, picking out articles of clothing and a blush crept up my face.

One of the boxes held a pair of strappy heels in a gold metallic color. They were beautiful and the perfect size. I wondered how Inarus guessed my size, and then figured he’d likely looked when he helped me remove my boots at his apartment after the attack. The final box was small. Lifting the lid, I found a note inside, resting atop a velvet pouch. I opened it.

I figured you’d feel more comfortable with a weapon. This should match better than your daggers and leather sheath.

-Inarus

Curious now I pulled out the velvet pouch. Inside was a three-inch silver blade with a finger grip handle. It was shaped like a spearhead but sharper and significantly smoother. Under it was a small black band with a thin slit for the blade to rest in. I smiled as I held each item in my hands. He seemed to have thought of everything.

Quickly undressing, I opted to wear my own underwear but threw on the provided bra and strapped the thin black sheath and blade to the outside of my right thigh.

Slipping into the dress, I sighed at the feel of the lush fabric caressing my skin. Turning, I looked in the mirror above my dresser. The dress hugged my body as if it had been tailored for my shape alone. The halter neckline gave the dress a modest look but when I turned around, my fully exposed back gave the dress sex appeal that no amount of cleavage could have achieved. I’d never seen myself look so, put together. The blade was hidden perfectly within the dress’ floor-length folds but the high slit provided easy access should I need it.

I chose to put my hair in a high knot above my head, exposing the column of my neck in what I hoped to be an attractive fashion. I dabbed a touch of makeup on my face to cover the bruises lingering, keeping things light with just a touch of mascara, blush, and lip gloss that I hoped would detract from the remaining crack in my lip.

It wasn’t long before I heard a knock at the door and quickly slipped into the provided shoes before answering.

Inarus greeted me in a black suit with a black undershirt and vest. He was striking and it took me several moments to gain my composure.

“You look stunning,” he told me, holding his arm out.

“You do too,” I blurted out.

I inwardly cringed. A wide grin spread across his face. I couldn’t believe I’d said that.

“I meant thank you,” I said, placing my hand in the crook of his arm. With my free hand, I locked the door behind me and followed Inarus down the stairs, feeling like a teenager on her first date. Let the embarrassment begin.

O
n our way to the gala James had called. He had no leads regarding our case or my attack. I hadn’t expected him to find anything but the confirmation was still a disappointment. I assured him I was feeling better and was taking the night off to rest. He didn’t need to know I was out with Inarus. Knowing James he’d show up uninvited had he been aware, his protective streak taking over.

After an hour-long drive we arrived in Newport and pulled up to a beautiful manor. White pillars framed the doorway and shrubs of varying sizes flanked the aisle leading to the wide double-door entrance. Wrapped in windows, light bled into the night. The manor was situated on a hilltop near Diamond Lake and had a direct sight line to the water. The view was breathtaking.

Inarus exited the car and went around to open the door for me. He held out his arm and I placed my hand in the crook of his elbow once again, allowing him to lead me inside. When we walked in, a hostess greeted us and Inarus handed the woman his invitation. She smiled politely as she matched the name on the invitation with her list and then ushered us in.

Our venue was beautiful on the outside but inside, it was magnificent. Marble floors went on endlessly throughout. The walls were painted a soft grey and chandeliers dotted the ceiling illuminating the entire space in a warm, ethereal glow. Inarus led me farther inside as though he were familiar with the place. Past the entry and through a wide hall, we made our way into what appeared to be a banquet room. The lights were dimmer than in the entryway we’d just left, casting faint shadows along the walls. Tables were spread throughout with eight chairs situated around each of them. The room was bustling with activity. Finely dressed men and woman with glasses of champagne in their hands greeted one another and casually held conversations. On the far side of the room was a small stage and podium currently unoccupied.

Inarus guided me to a table on our left with his palm resting on the small of my back. He pulled out my chair and I took a seat, grateful for the opportunity to rest my feet. The shoes he’d provided were beautiful, but were a killer to walk in. I’d barely made my way through the room before my feet began to ache. His hand brushed my hip as he helped to scoot my chair in closer and small tingles ran up my spine. Gah, what was wrong with me?

I muttered curses under my breath as he excused himself to grab a few drinks, giving me the chance to take in my surroundings and catch my breath. His proximity was getting to me and the casual touches were heightening my nerves. Every time he placed his hand on the small of my back or reached for my hand to guide me, goose bumps would break out across my skin. I wondered if he noticed my reaction to him. God I hoped not. How humiliating would that be? I’d never been made to feel so on edge before just by the presence of a man. I rubbed my arms and casually glanced around the room.

Voices to my right caught my attention and I found myself staring at a couple in a heated conversation. The man’s face was red in anger and the woman was frantically wiping moisture from her eyes as he spoke to her in an abrupt tone. I strained to hear what they were saying but only caught bits of pieces before the man stood to leave the table. When he rose from his seat, I got a better view of the woman and was shocked by recognition. Jessica Blackmore sat two tables away from me as her husband stalked off toward the French doors leading outside. I watched as she waved over a waiter, taking a glass of champagne from his serving tray. It took Jessica a matter of seconds to down the glass before she took another from the same server’s tray. She downed the second just like the first.

I stared in surprise, unsure what I was witnessing. Jessica was visibly upset and I wondered what the cause was. What had she and Patrick Blackmore been arguing about? Did it have to do with Daniel?

When Jessica rose from her seat and headed towards the ladies’ room I made an impulsive move and followed her. Tonight may have started off as a social event but was quickly turning into a lead I had to follow. She grabbed more champagne on her way, retrieving two glasses this time from a server that crossed her path. Downing the first in her hand she placed the empty glass on a side table as she entered what I assumed was the ladies’ room.

I glanced around, making sure no one else had noticed me and then slipped through the door behind Jessica.

When I entered the bathroom, three stalls greeted me. The first two were wide open, displaying their vacancy. The third was closed and I could just make out Jessica’s plum-colored heels beneath the door. I went to the sink and busied myself washing my hands in an attempt to appear casual when she came out.

When the toilet flushed and the door opened, I looked up in the mirror and watched Jessica’s reflection stumble forward, glass of champagne still in hand. She hadn’t noticed yet that she wasn’t alone and when she looked up, her glazed expression locking on mine, she dropped her glass and the sound of it shattering echoed in the room.

“What are you doing here?” she slurred. She stepped over the shattered remains of glass, her heels crunching into the debris as she came closer. I turned on the faucet, washing my hands again while she glared at me in the mirror. I ignored her. Reaching to the right I retrieved a paper towel and dried my hands. Jessica stood, her foot tapping expectantly as I finished.

“I’m on a date,” I told her. I tossed the paper towel in the nearby waste bin and turned to face her, my expression nonchalant. Jessica’s eyes narrowed, her gaze accusing. I kept my expression casual and waited for her to crack. Women like Jessica wanted people to feel sorry for them and right now, she was a mess. Mascara ran down her cheeks, the black streaks marring her near-perfect skin. If I gave her enough time, she’d tell me what I wanted to know all on her own.

“You...you just think you’re so much better don’t you? Like you’re blessed or something because you can…,” she waved her hands in the air, “do things, well you’re not.”

Yep, like clockwork, she cracked. I almost smiled before I digested what she was actually saying.

“Jessica, what are you talking about?” I was beginning to wonder if following her in here was such a good idea. The alcohol was clearly having an effect on her coherency.

“Oh, don’t play dumb. You’re better than that Ms. Naveed. I can tell you’re one of them, that glow you have to your eyes. I’m not stupid. I’ve been around enough of your kind to know.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Jessica laughs. “God, how dumb do you think I am? You’re at their damn event. You’re a Psyker but you know what, I’m on to you guys’ little game. You may have my husband fooled but not me. You all say you’re human, like the rest of us. That you’re here to help us make things the way they were before but you’re no better. No better than every other non-human abomination that has plagued our world since the Awakening.”

Her prejudice had me taken aback. Her son was one of these non-human abominations she was referring to.

“Jessica,” I said in a calming tone. “I’m a human just like you. I think maybe you’ve had a little too much to drink.”

“Don’t judge me,” she slurred. “You even look like her, you know that. That stupid bitch Viola. She took everything from me.”

Before I could stop her, Jessica slammed her fist into the mirror. The glass splintered in a web-like pattern and Jessica slammed her fist into it again, small pieces breaking away clattering to the countertop and floor. I grabbed her hand before she was able to hit the mirror again, rivulets of blood dripping down her forearm from her injured hand.

“Jessica stop!”

“She took everything. Everything.” She was sobbing now, clutching her bloodied hand to her chest, the crimson liquid staining her dress. I hastily grabbed paper towels, shoving a wad in her hand to staunch the flow of blood.

Jessica jerked away from me. Her tears gone in a flash and only anger left behind.

“Don’t touch me,” she all but snarled. “I don’t need help from the likes of you. Tell Viola she can rot. I won’t allow her to ruin my life any longer.”

With that she stormed out of the restroom, leaving me standing in the middle of the room perplexed. I didn’t know where to even begin deciphering what had just happened.

Taking a deep breath I pulled out my phone from my small clutch and sent Mike a quick message asking that he look into an organization called PsyShade and a woman connected to it by the name of Viola. He didn’t immediately respond but I knew he’d get the message. I then sent James a similar message. Two heads on this were better than one. Seconds later he responded and I knew I was in trouble. So much for having him convinced that I was taking the night off. I sent a non-committal message letting him know I’d come up with a lead but was still taking things easy and not to worry.

Tucking my phone away, I exited the ladies’ room running into a wall of solid flesh. Inarus steadied me with a hand on my elbow and a smile in his eyes. “We have to stop meeting this way,” he said.

A slight heat crept up my cheeks and I turned away to hide the blush.

“I was wondering where you’d gone off to,” he said.

“Sorry, just made a quick trip to the ladies’ room.”

He handed me a glass of champagne and I took a cautious sip. Having seen its effects on Jessica, I decided to take it easy on the alcohol this evening.

I scanned the room looking to see if she was still around but she was nowhere to be seen. Inarus led me back to our table and we took our seats.

“I’m glad you came with me this evening,” he said.

I smiled. “Me too.”

Before either of us could say another word, the lights in the room dimmed further, grabbing everyone’s attention.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” a voice called. I searched the podium and saw a woman, brightly lit, on the stage. The spotlight was so bright that it was difficult to see what she looked like aside from the floor-length emerald dress she wore and the fall of rich brown hair cascading around her shoulders.

“Thank you all for joining us this evening. I wanted to take a moment to welcome you. We will have dinner served shortly but until then, please mingle.”

She exited to the right of the stage. Something about her was oddly familiar. I craned my neck over the sea of guests in an effort to get a better look but each time I got a clear line of sight, her back would be towards me as she greeted a guest.

“What are you looking at?” Inarus asked.

“Oh, that woman,” I said. “She looked familiar but I can’t get a good look at her. Do you know her?”

He nods. “Her name is Viola Reynolds, she’s on the council for the Humans Unite Corporation.”

“The what?” I ask. Since when was there a Humans Unite Corporation? Just the thought of it made me shiver with past thoughts of the KKK and other prejudice groups. Viola, the very woman Jessica was so upset with.

Inarus let out a laugh. “If you could see the look on your face,” he says. “It isn’t some anti-paranormal group if that is what you’re thinking. The HUC is just an organization that looks out for human rights and their safety. The human population is at a bit of a disadvantage don’t you think?”

I mulled that over for a moment.

“I suppose,” I said, reluctantly. There was something about it that just didn’t sit well. Call me paranoid but anytime in our history when a large group of united individuals assembled, shit typically hit the fan. My skin itched knowing that there was more to it. But I decided not to prod. If I attacked him with questions now, he’d clam up. Better to let him believe it wasn’t a big concern of mine. If he got comfortable with me and was convinced I thought they were a benefit to the community, perhaps he’d share more information. Information freely given was always more telling than when pried out of someone.

Inarus and I ate dinner, laughing and joking about inconsequential topics. He introduced me to a few patrons and I smiled politely and shook their hands. A part of me felt like I was their entertainment. Everyone eyeing me as though I were a prize. It was uncomfortable to say the least.

The buzzing that persisted whenever Inarus was around had lessened, though I could just have been growing used to it. I wondered if there were others like us in the room. I assumed there were and was surprised that the buzzing didn’t overwhelm me. My experiences with Psykers aside from Inarus were nil and while I had a decent handle on my abilities, having the opportunity to speak with someone who shared my pyrokinesis and had mastered it, or at the very least maintained control over it, would be useful.

“Come, follow me,” Inarus said, leading me away from the couple we’d been speaking to. “I want to introduce you to someone.”

I nodded and followed along like a good date. My feet were aching and I was ready for the night to end. Fancy dinners were not really my thing but I figured I could meet one more person before calling it a night.

Wading our way through the crowd, offering a smile and casual hello along our way, we approached a woman and a man. The woman’s back was to us but I recognized her dress and the fall of brown hair. Viola was laughing at something the man said and her laugh inspired a smile on my face. We were about ten yards away when she turned to say something to an approaching woman and I froze.