30. CATALINA

THIRTY

catalina

I whimpered, tipping my head back. I didn’t need this right now.

I took a deep breath and licked my lips.

“Come on. Don’t fail me now.”

Saphire Estate was far and at the speeds I traveled, I was pushing my old van. Why did Tobias drive so fast? He was the most careful, yet speedy, driver I’d ever seen. The way he wove through streets was like a professional.

I pressed on the gas and wove my way into the light traffic, multiple cars behind the shiny Mercedes.

It was weird how hearing that they didn’t want to endanger me made me want to risk myself. My fingers flexed on the steering wheel. My lungs were pretty tight, but I was waiting until I got closer to use the medication. I didn’t want to overdo it.

I reached down and gripped the handle to lower the window. It may not be anytime soon, but whenever I got the chance, I was purchasing a car without this crap manual lever that seemed to get stuck with every second turn. My arm burned with the effort I had to exert.

The me from a month ago wouldn’t have believed I would be here, willingly placing myself in danger because of vampires.

Maybe it was foolhardy. Okay, there was no ‘maybe’ about it, but Tobias would be there, I’d be safe. Even if he didn’t know I followed him.

I got off the next exit and followed him up the mountain. The paved street led into a sharp incline and I followed it as I got higher and higher. Weaving around more curves as I got farther from the main road.

There were no lamps to guide the way as the streets became more lined with tall thin trees. I kept my distance from Tobias, and turned off my headlights, driving slow as I followed well behind the Mercedes. Minutes after driving in the same environment with horrifying thoughts of something popping out at me, I finally curved to the left where he’d disappeared.

My poor van creaked as it went up the winding drive. An estate sat far in the distance. My wheels bounced over the speed bump as I crossed two wide opened gates.

Expensive cars lined the front of the home, including Tobias’s car. The large windows were lit with bright yellow light, spilling into the darkness. I pulled over to the side of the house, behind a sports car, and shut off the van. I slid the keys into the vizor. With all these fancy cars around, no one would steal my beat up one. I squinted, focusing on the striking lean figure climbing up the steps of the house. Tobias disappeared inside.

Hurrying out of the car, I slammed the door shut and stepped over the curb. My heels sank into the plush moist grass and I grimaced, inching back onto the asphalt. I’d worn a risqué outfit since I was supposed to be a blood-whore, but it was my only outfit that cost more than my laptop. Spears of light illuminated the lawn from the mansion as I wove my way to the front. Fortunately, the front remained empty, and classical music floated out, increasing in volume the closer I got to the wide open door. Still no Tobias.

I nibbled on my lower lip as I swept my gaze across the landscape, trying to figure out which direction I should go search.

There didn’t seem to be any entrances to the sides. But since the front was open and no one was there...

Okay, screw it. He was probably already inside.

My heels clicked on the steps as I climbed up them. Fortunately there were only a handful, so I wasn’t a panting mess by the time I got to the top. I pulled out the inhaler from the front of my dress where I’d nestled it next to my boob and took a puff before securing it back.

Lungs full, I stepped into the hall. No one turned in my direction as I inched fully inside. The place was like a crystal palace. The teardrop shapes adorning the large chandelier was something I’d only ever seen on television. Candles were all that illuminated the inside. Everybody was dressed in elaborate gowns of all cuts and furs or suits.

Yet, here I was dressed in a gold, skintight dress.

Someone slammed into my arm and I grunted at the force, stumbling back. I sucked in a breath and scooted away as the vampire stormed past, their attention on something over my shoulder. The man strutted directly up to a woman standing in the corner of the room. Her eyes glazed as she stared out into the sea of people. When he stepped in front of her, her blank eyes brightened and she smiled wide, lifting her arms.

I was about to get all soft at the sight but then I noted all the raw bites lining her throat. She couldn’t be happier though, as she arched her neck and he sank his fangs into her. A smile flitted over her mouth and she sank into him.

My stomach soured and the ball in my gut grew. Steps clicked behind me and I slipped between the door and two vampires chatting it up in Spanish. They were talking about the massacres they’d executed in Spain . . . yeah, let me get away from this pair .

I really shouldn’t have forgotten my phone in the car.

Turning down the hallway, it opened to even more space where vampires mingled. The music was lowered in here and chatter fell over the room. Seduction charged the room and it felt like an orgy could break out at any moment. The throuple in the corner were already halfway there.

My eyes widened on a human male beside a vampire standing to my left. He smiled over at him and his eyes glazed as he pressed closer.

“Not right now, babe,” the vampire said casually and returned to his conversation with another vampire that looked to be about fifteen. I shivered and my stomach soured.

There were so many vampires, but where was Tobias?

Yep, couldn’t do it. I needed to get back to the van. I licked my lips and studied my route with the least vamps, but I didn’t have many options. If one grabbed me and started sucking my blood...

I shivered, slinking behind a curtain and tipping my head back, breathing deeply. Get a hold of yourself, Cat. It wasn’t like I didn’t know what I was getting into, but I was in over my head. My fingers curved into the raspy curtain material.

A particularly high-pitched laugh brought my attention to the left. I clocked Calliope perched on a couch and surrounded by a small crowd.

My fingers tightened on the material. To leave or to talk to her. If I went up to her right now, I ran the chance of her just ending me then and there, but if I managed to find Ren, imagine how relieved the guys would be?—

I squeaked as a hand gripped the back of my neck.

“Why are you looking at my sire so intently, my dear?” My yelp cut off when he slapped his palm over my mouth. I looked up at the pale vampire, his curly hair falling over his forehead. The smile was deceptively approachable.

“Oh, n-no reason.” Very convincing. His eyes swept down my body and he took in my outfit.

“I don’t believe you belong here.” His smile became deadly and he shoved me forward by the neck. I stumbled about five times. A few vampires looked over derisively, but they continued with what they were doing after the disgusted expression, like vampires dragging humans around were a normal thing.

Calliope looked up along with her companions and her eyebrows lifted. Curly Hair brought me to a stop, and pushed on my shoulder. I thumped onto my knees with a wince.

“Crimson Coven human.” I straightened my spine and tipped my chin up, going for false bravado.

“Calliope.” Some of the vampires surrounding her gasped and she smiled.

“You have guts.” Calliope brushed her hair back and smiled at me. “Or, you’re just stupid.” A woman sat beside her, spine straight as she smiled cheerfully. “Everyone leave.”

The three vampires she’d been talking to dispersed quickly and the one holding my neck tightened his hold before releasing me and melting into the crowd.

“Who’s this, Callie?” The brown-haired girl eyed me wearily. She had a small pixie face and even sitting I could tell she was much smaller in height.

Calliope gripped her chin and kissed her hard.

“Just an intriguing nuisance, Freya.”

The way they looked at each other was kind of sweet. I shook my head and snapped out of my woolgathering.

“Where’s Ren?” I asked low. I couldn’t hide my fear, my words trembled on my question.

“Is this regarding my mistake from decades ago?” Freya pouted and crossed her arms. “I told you, Cal, I wasn’t in my right mind.”

Calliope ruffled Freya’s pin-straight hair and stood, approaching me.

“You have strange tastes if you’re looking for that psychopath, human.” Calliope said, lifting an eyebrow. “If you’re so intrigued with finding him. I’ll take you right to him.” I had to angle my neck to look into Calliope’s face.

She moved like lightning and my socket pinched from suddenly being yanked to my feet.

I scrambled after her. I banged my arm into a vampire and rushed out an apology as I ran to keep up. There was no glance of Tobias anywhere. This was not good. My lungs did not like me right now. She went through an alcove and the music was practically nonexistent as she guided me down a hall. Where was Tobias?

“I’m sorry?—”

Calliope stopped and looked down at me.

“I pity you.” My apology slash plea for freedom stopped mid word.

I pursed my lips. “Why?”

“Because you care for them, but you’ll either end up dead or a blood-whore.”

The words smacked me across the face, and I swallowed hard as the knot in my gut flexed. She kept on her ground-eating pace.

“Why do you think that?” I asked between pants.

“I’m sure they haven’t told you about their bitch?—”

“Imogen?” I interrupted. “Asher told me about her.” Calliope froze in place, and the suddenness jolted me to a stop. She looked down at me, head tilted.

“Interesting.” She pulled a key free from her bra and inserted it into a metal door.

“Is that door silver?”

“Yes it is. The whole room is encased with silver.” She seemed especially proud about this.

“You want to see him so badly. Let’s see how long it takes for him to kill you.” Her smile flashed and she shoved me forward. I stumbled into the dark room, my heart already racing from fear.