Dancing With Raven (The Young Shakespeareans Series) (30 page)

Chase’s presence at Blackfriars sent Felicia into a state of confusion. Perhaps it was unfair, but she saw him as a constant reminder of her grandfather’s treachery. On the other hand, she found him utterly attractive. Although the physical contact she’d had with him had largely been playacting for Oliver’s benefit, the sensations Chase had aroused within her had been real. Obviously, the sentiment was one-sided, since he’d made no effort to seek her out since his arrival. She felt his eyes on her from time to time, but nothing much could be read into that. For all she knew, the man regarded her as he would an interesting insect.

Feeling the effects of the smoke, Felicia went directly to her room to change her clothes and wash her face. As she brushed bits of ash from her hair, her gaze fell on one of the small photographs she’d positioned on her dresser. It was a picture taken of her and Nicholai just before one of their last competitions. She stared at Nicholai’s features, so reminiscent of the young vampire she’d seen at Oliver’s house the previous evening. If only she could have had a better look, surely she would have seen the differences between them. It occurred to her perhaps Chase had met that particular vampire, either at a club or at Oliver’s house on some other occasion.

With the photograph in hand, she left her room, walked to the men’s wing of the house, and knocked on Chase’s door. A deep voice answered from within. “Hang on.”

The door opened, somewhat abruptly, to reveal a soaking wet Chase, clad only in a towel. Felicia’s jaw dropped. “Oh, I’m so sorry.” She backed away, stumbling on the edge of the carpet running the length of the hall. “I’ll come back later.”

“Wait a minute while I get dressed.”

He shut the door. Humiliated beyond belief, Felicia covered her face with her hand.
I should have waited to speak with him after lunch instead of barging into his room!
Underneath the embarrassment, however, was a deep appreciation for the man’s body. His skin was a uniform tan color, and beautifully smooth.
He probably thinks I tried to catch a glimpse of him half-naked on purpose.

When Chase reappeared, he’d donned jeans and a t-shirt. The fabric of the shirt clung to his torso in spots, as if he hadn’t toweled off all the moisture from his shower. A fresh wave of guilt made her wince. “Again, I’m awfully sorry to have disturbed you.”

“I thought you were Fletcher or Raven, otherwise I wouldn’t have answered the door in a towel.” Chase threw his door open wide. “Come on in.”

Felicia followed him into the room, desperately hoping her brother wouldn’t pass by and give her a hard time.

“What can I do for you?” Chase asked.

“Oh, um…I saw a vampire last night at Oliver’s mansion who reminded me very much of someone I once knew.” She thrust the photo into his hands. “Have you ever happened to meet him?”

Chase examined the image. “This is a very pretty picture of you.”

“Thank you. The boy standing next to me is Nicholai.”

A slow nod. “I know who you mean now. I see the resemblance, but I’ve never spoken with this kid.” As he gave her back the photograph, his gaze was cool. “I’m sorry, but I can’t hook you two up.”

“I didn’t want to ‘hook up’ with him!”

“Women who party with vamps usually get bitten sooner or later, Felicia. Some of them want to be turned, hoping to hold onto or regain their youth. My advice to you is to stick with the living.”

“Who said I wanted to party with vamps? You must have a very low opinion of me.”

As she brushed past, he caught her arm. “I apologize if I read the situation wrong. And I don’t have a low opinion of you at all.”

His unguarded expression made her anger evaporate, and something like electricity filled the air between them. Seconds ticked by as she held his gaze, wishing desperately he would kiss her. Instead, the moment passed and his hand dropped to his side. She hid her disappointment.

“You’ve a funny way of showing it,” she murmured as she left the room.

At lunch, Tori noticed Chase was looking everywhere but at Felicia, and vice versa.
Have those two had an argument?
In addition, he seemed extremely ill at ease.
Maybe if I can get him to talk, it would help.

“Chase, your accent is barely noticeable,” she said. “Did you study abroad?”

“My father was educated in England, and my mother was a translator. They both spoke excellent English. Also, I attended an International school in Tokyo, so I grew up with British and American kids.”

“Are there a great many demons in Tokyo?”

“Yes, but most left and went to Fukushima when the cores melted. Demons are attracted by disasters. They feed on misery.”

Kirsten’s sour face flashed into Tori’s mind. She’d mistakenly thought the girl was unhappy because of her imp, but she’d been almost as nasty after it had been slain. Kirsten was a miserable person, and if she refused to change, no doubt another imp would find its way onto her shoulder in the near future.

“Do you have any brothers or sisters?” Felicia asked.

“None.”

“Girlfriend?”

He peered at her. “No.”

“Why not?”

“Why don’t you have a boyfriend?” he shot back.

“I’m…difficult.”

For the first time, Tori heard Chase laugh—a genuine, relaxed sound of appreciation.

“Well, I’m difficult too,” he said finally.

Felicia’s gaze dropped to her plate. “That’s one thing we have in common.”

“Um…Mr. Cassidy, I noticed you’re installing security cameras,” Tori said. “I’m wondering if a few anti-demon runes wouldn’t be beneficial as well? Mr. Mime uses one at his store and it’s very effective at keeping demons out.”

“That’s a good idea,” Ian said.

“You knew Mime was a warlock?” Raven asked Tori.

“I hadn’t thought of him as a warlock, exactly, but I knew he works magic. He uses a glamour spell on Cody, for example, to make him appear human. I’m puzzled about something. I’ve heard you Shakespeareans talk about the shadow world and the underworld. Is there a difference?”

“The shadow world refers to demons, vampires, werewolves, and other unnatural creatures that exist here on Earth,” Ian replied. “The underworld is a completely different dimension entirely. Hell, as people commonly think of it, is in the underworld, but the entire underworld isn’t Hell. Actual knowledge of the underworld is sketchy, however, because few humans ever return to tell us about it.”

Tori’s gaze flickered briefly to Raven. “I don’t doubt Mime’s abilities, Mr. Cassidy, but this underworld portal idea seems extreme. It’s possible the demons will leave the city on their own after the Apocalypse fails to materialize. There’s no reason for you to sacrifice yourself.”

“There are examples throughout mythology of beings who have returned from the underworld unscathed,” Ian said.

“Hermes,” Fletcher said. “Orpheus. Heracles.”

“Persephone,” Felicia said.

“Odin and Baldr,” Chase said. “Izanagi and Izanami.”

“Gilgamesh,” Ian said. “Osiris.”

“Those are all
mythical
persons!” Raven exclaimed. “There has to be another way to exorcise the city without you becoming a suicidal Pied Piper to the denizens.”

“I will grant you this much; the portal will be a last resort,” Ian said.

“I’d like to hear you say it’s off the table,” Raven said.

“I can’t tell you that right now, lad,” Ian said. “I’m sorry.”

Raven’s eyebrows drew together, but he made no response. Tori wished she could say something to make him feel better, but she knew her words would be empty. At this point, they were all in uncharted territory and there were no such things as absolutes.

The afternoon was devoted to whatever homework assignments had been posted on the school website. After hammering out a sheet of math problems, Tori grew restless. She sent her foster mother a text message from her cell phone, but didn’t expect an immediate reply. Misty’s flight from LAX took her to Washington, D.C., where she had an even longer flight to Rio.
I probably won’t hear from her until tomorrow.
Setting an English essay aside for the moment, Tori donned tights and a leotard, pulled on a pair of shorts, and brought a battered but comfortable pair of toe shoes down to the gym. During her previous tour of Blackfriars, she’d noticed the sprung-wood flooring, with a ballet barre mounted to a mirrored wall at one end. It made a perfect dance studio, and since she would be missing her Samba and pointe classes that day, she was in dire need of exercise.

The gym was unoccupied. Tori began at the barre, paying particular attention to working her entire foot in first through fifth positions. It felt wonderful to stretch out the tension in her muscles. When she was warmed up, she moved away from the barre and worked on combinations.

Reflected movement in the mirror made her hesitate.
Raven’s here
. He wore sweatpants over his narrow hips, running shoes, and a close-fitting sleeveless t-shirt that showed off his musculature to perfection. Although she was full from lunch, suddenly she felt hungry.

“Don’t stop,” he said. “What you’re doing is beautiful.”

She beckoned him over. “Take off your shoes and come here. I can use a strong pair of hands.”

His expression was dubious, but he did as she asked. She directed him where and how to put his hands to support her in a
penché
and then in a series of
pirouettes
.

“Now rest your hands on my waist, walk in a circle, turning me as I stay
en pointe
,” she said, her leg in attitude.

Albeit awkwardly, he complied.

“See, we’re dancing together,” she said. “You’re a marvelous partner.”

“You’re dancing. I’m just a prop.”

Unable to resist the temptation, Tori danced around him in a seductive, teasing fashion.

He grinned. “Oh what I wouldn’t give for seven veils right now.”

“I think you’d look silly in seven veils,” she joked. “I’d rather see you in a pair of black tights.”

He chuckled. “I came down here in a rather foul mood, but you’ve distracted me admirably.”

“Good.” She performed a
pas de bourrée couru
, gliding toward him
en pointe
across the floor. When she was on her toes, her mouth lined up perfectly with his, so she gave him a kiss.

“I love dancing with you, Raven.”

“If you’re up to it, I’ll show you how to kickbox after dinner tonight. With those legs of yours, you’ll be lethal.”

“What makes you think that?”

He slid his hands around her waist and growled in her ear like a tiger. “Because you’re killing me, girl.”

Chapter Eighteen

Pas de Deux

M
ISTY
F
INALLY
R
ETURNED
Tori’s text message, letting her know she’d arrived in Rio safely. With that worry put to rest, Tori treasured the next few days off from school. Blackfriars became a cocoon, a refuge from the chaos raging in Los Angeles. Fires continued to blaze across the city, but at least they were contained. As promised, Raven showed Tori how to kickbox. He expressed amazement at the ease with which she picked up the various kicking techniques, but Felicia, who was acting as his assistant, sniffed in disdain.