Go back upstairs, I tell them, wanting to get them as far from Roman as I possibly can. And Ill
About to say that Ill be there in a minute, when Jude steps in, nudging my arm when he says, Why dont I take them home?
And even though Im not thrilled with the idea of him going to Damens, sure that Damen will like it even less, theres really nothing else I can do. As long as Romans in my house, Im pretty much stuck here too.
I follow them to the door, Rayne tugging my sleeve, pulling me down to her level when she says, I dont know what youve done, but something very bad is brewing.
I look at her, about to refute it, tell her its nothing like that, its all under control, but she just shakes her head and adds, Changes are coming. Big changes. And this time, you better choose right.
CHAPTER 45
By the time Jude returns Im out by the pool, watching the blond, tanned, physically glorious, golden-boy Roman splashing around and inviting everyone to jump in and join him.
Not a fan? Jude says, sitting beside me and eyeing me closely.
I frown, watching Havens aura light up like the Fourth of July, glowing brighter and brighter as she clings to his back as he dips underwater, having no idea that he isnt really her date like she thinks. Im the one who brought him here. Hes bound to me now.
Is it concern for your friend, orsomething else?
I fidget with the crystal horseshoe bracelet on my wrist, the one Damen gave me that day at the track, turning it around and around, as I narrow my eyes. Wondering whats taking so long. If the spell truly worked (and I know it did), then why dont I have the antidote now? Why is he delaying?
So, the twinsthey okay? I ask, tearing my gaze away from the pool and focusing on Jude.
My eyes meeting his when he says, Damen mightve been right about the book being too strong for them.
I press my lips together, hoping Damen doesnt know I went behind his back and interfered with his lesson plan.
No worries. Jude nods, reading my face. Your secrets safe. I didnt even mention it.
I sigh in relief. Did you see himDamen? I ask, throat tightening, heart clenching, the mere mention of his name turning my insides to mush, imagining how he mustve felt to find his nemesis of the past several lives, the very same guy I embraced on the beach, standing on his front porch, Romy and Rayne at his side.
He was out when I got there, and the twins were so freaked I waited til he got back. Thats some place hes got.
I press my lips together, wondering what he saw, if the twins gave him a tour, if Damens special room is restored.
I think he was surprised to find me watching TV in his den, but once I explained, it went fairly well.
Fairly? I raise my brow.
He shrugs, looking at me, gaze so direct, so open, its like a lovers embrace.
Prompting me to turn away, voice shaky, unsteady when I say, So how did you explain it?
His cool breath on my cheek as he leans in and whispers, I told him I found them at the shuttle stop and decided to give them a ride. No harm done, right?
I take a deep breath and focus on Roman, watching as he hoists Haven onto his shoulders so she can dogfight with Miles. Splashing and playing, and, on the surface anyway, engaging in nothing but good clean fununtil Roman turns, and time seems to stop. His eyes meeting mine, gleaming, mocking, as though he knows what Ive done. And before I can blink hes back to playing again, making me question if I really did see what I thought.
No. No harm done, I say, a terrible ache invading my gut, wondering just what it is that Ive started.
CHAPTER 46
After Miless third failed attempt to get me to dive in, he finally gets out, moving toward me as he says, Hey, what gives? I know you got your bikini onI can see the straps! Laughing when he pulls me off the lounge chair and hugs me tightly to him, whispering, Have I ever told you how much I love you, Ever? Have I? Ever, Ever?
I shake my head and pull away, glancing at Holt just behind him, rolling his eyes and tugging on Miless arm, trying to convince him to leave me alone and quit dripping on me.
But Miles wont have it, hes got something to say and wont stop til its done. Throwing a wet arm around my shoulder as he leans all over me and slurs, Im shlo shlerious, Ever. Before you came to this schoolit was just me and Haven. But thenfrom the moment you shlowed up at our tableit became me and Haven and you. He looks at me, head bobbing, struggling to focus, as he grips me tighter and fights to keep his balance.
Wowthats reallydeep. I glance at Holt, the two of us stifling a laugh as we each wrap an arm around Miles and lead him into the kitchen for some coffee. Getting him settled at the breakfast bar just as Haven and her three immortal friends come in.
You guys leaving? I squint, seeing theyre back in their clothes, wet towels in their hands.
Haven nods. Misa and Rafe have to work tomorrow, and Roman and I have an appointment.
I look at Roman, holding his gaze. How can he be leaving when he hasnt given me what I want? Hasnt even begun to grovel, beg, and ask my forgiveness like I visualized?
How can he be leaving when it goes against my plan?
I follow them to the door, heart racing as I take in the tilt of his chin, the gleam in his gaze, and I know its not good. Somethings gone wrong. Terribly wrong. Even though I cast the spell exactly like the book said, from the look in his eyes, and the curl of his lips, its clear the goddess and queen have both failed me.
Where are you going? I squint, trying to peer into his energy but not getting anywhere.
Haven looks at me, brow raised, smile on her face as Roman throws his arm around her shoulder and says, Private party. But theres room for you, Ever. Maybe you can stop by a little later, you know, when youre done here.
My eyes meet his, holding his gaze until I break away and focus on Haven again. And even though I promised I wouldnt do it, I peer right through her aura and into her mind, eager to see whats lurking in there, whats really going on, but not getting very far before Im stopped, run up against a brick wall someones placed in my path.
You all right? Roman asks, squinting at me, as he opens the door. You look a littlepeaked.
I take a deep breath and narrow my gaze, about to say something more when Jude comes up and says, Someone just hurled on the rug.
And even though my attentions only pulled for a moment, its still long enough for them to exit. Roman glancing over his shoulder, looking at me when he says, Sorry to bail on you, Ever. Though Im sure well meet later.
CHAPTER 47
I was expecting it to be Miles, but it turns out hes fine. Helping to mop up the mess as he smiles and says, And thats what you call acting. Viva Firenze! He pumps his fist in the air.
So really, youre fine? I hand him a clean towel, feeling bad for making him go through the motions when as soon as everyone leaves, Ill just make it vanish and manifest a new one. Youre not drunk?
Not at all! But the point is, you thought I was.
I shrug. The slurring, the loss of balanceall the signs were present and accounted for.
He rolls up the towel, about to hand it to me when Jude appears by my side and takes it instead. Laundry? he asks, brow raised.
But I just shake my head and point toward the trash, looking at Miles as I ask, So who did it, who brought the booze?
Oh, no. He shakes his head and holds up his hands. Im sorry to break it to you, Ever, but this little get-together you orga nized, is also whats known as a party. And even if you dont serve it, itll still find its way in. Youll get no information from me. He clamps his lips shut, pulling the imaginary zipper that seals them, before adding, I say you just ditch this old thing. He points at the rug. Seriously, Ill help roll it up. All we have to do is move the furniture around and Sabine wont even notice its gone.
But I just shake my head, this vomit-covered rug is the least of my concerns now that Romans no longer playing along. Taking Haven on some mysterious appointment I cant seem to crack, and what was that bit about us meeting up later? Was that a reference to the binding spellorsomething else?
Miles leans in to hug me, gathering me into his arms and giving me a really tight squeeze when he says, Thanks for the party, Ever. And even though I dont know whats going on between you and Damen, I have one thing to say and I hope youll listen and take me seriously. Ready? He quirks his brow and pulls away.
I shrug. My mind preoccupied, in some other place.
You deserve to be happy. He nods, gaze intense, focused on mine. And if Jude makes you happy, then you shouldnt feel bad about that. He waits, waits for me to respond in some way, but when I dont he adds, Partys pretty much over once someone hurls, right? So were gonna bolt. But well get together before Florence, okay?
I nod, watching as he and his friends all head for the door, calling, Hey, Miles, did Haven or Roman mention where theyre going?
Miles looks at me, brows merged when he says, Fortune-teller.
I squint, stomach sinking though Ive no idea why.
Remember the other day when she wanted to book one?
I nod.
She mentioned it to Roman and he arranged a private reading.
Thislate? I look to my wrist to confirm the time though Im not wearing my watch.
But Miles just shrugs and heads for the car, making me wonder if I should head out too. Try to catch up with Roman and Haven and make sure shes okay. But when I try to tune in to her energy again, I dont get very far. In fact, I dont get anything at all.
About to try again when Jude comes up and says, You really need to ditch that rug. Smells awful.
I nod, distracted, unsure what to do.
You know what helps?
Coffee grounds, I mumble, remembering how my mom used it once when Buttercup ate something bad and got sick in Rileys room.
Well, yeah, that, but I was thinking more like getting away from the stench. Always works for me.
I look at him, his face lighting into a smile.
Seriously. He slips his arm through mine and leads me outside. Whats the point of going to all that trouble, going all out with the decorations and food, doing all that you can for your friends going-away pool party, when you spend the entire night on the sidelines, watching, observing, but not once diving in?
I look away. The party was for Miles, not me.
Still. Jude shakes his head, gazing at me in a way that sends a flood of calm through my system. Youre looking a little stressed, and you know what kills stress, dont you? I glance at him, seeing him smile when he says, Bubbles.
Bubbles?
He points at the spa. Bubbles. Face serious, gaze fixed on mine.
I take a deep breath and look at the Jacuzzi, warm, welcoming, and yes, bubbling too. Watching as Jude grabs some towels and sets them by the edge, and figuring Ive got nothing to lose, that it just might help clear my head enough to come up with a new plan, I turn my back and yank off my dress. A silly bout of modesty since Ill be half naked soon, but still, facing him would feel too much like undressing.
Too much like the girl in the painting.
He heads for the edge and dips a toe in, eyes going wide in such a way that I cant help but laugh.
You sure about this? I wrap my arms around my waist like Im cold, when really Im just trying to fend off his gaze. Seeing the way his aura sparks and flames as he takes me in, the way his cheeks flush when he quickly looks away.
Definitely. He nods, voice thick, rough, watching as I step into the Jacuzzi, at first wincing against the hot water then slowly easing in. Immersed in heat and bubbles, thinking this may be my smartest move yet.
I close my eyes and lean back, muscles loosening, relaxing, when Jude says, Got room for one more?
I squint, watching as he removes his shirt, taking in his expanse of chest, defined abs, trunks that hang low on his hips, making my way back up past his dimples and all the way to his eyes, two aqua pools Ive known through the years. Watching as he moves forward, just about to step in when he remembers his phone in his pocket and drops it onto the towel.
Whose decision was this? He laughs, cringing against the steam and heat as he sits down beside me and stretches his legs, his foot accidentally landing on mine and letting it rest for a moment before pulling away. Yeah, this is the life, he says, tilting his head back and closing his eyes, then peeking at me when he adds, Please tell me you use this all the time, that you dont just forget its here til someone coaxes you in.
Is that whats happening? Im being coaxed?
He smiles, that relaxed, easy grin lifting his face and lighting his eyes. Seems like you needed a little convincing. I dont know if youve noticed, but you can be a little intense.
I swallow hard, wanting to look away, look anywhere but at him, but unable to leave his gaze.
Not that theres anything wrong with thatbeing intense that is
His gaze deepens, boring into mine, luring me closer like a fish on his line, his face looming so near I close my eyes to meet it. Tired of fighting, tired of repeatedly pushing him away. Assuring myself its only a kiss. Judes kiss. Bastiaans kiss. Hoping itll tell me, once and for all, if Damens fears are in any way real.
His wave of calm energy comforting, tempering, as his lips part and his hand finds my knee, leaning toward each other, mouths about to merge when his ringing phone breaks our trance.
He pulls away, annoyance stamped on his face. Should I get it?
Im off duty. I shrug. Youre psychic, you tell me.
He stands, turning toward his towel as I take in his form, the squared shoulders, the sharp V of his waist, stopping when I catch a glimpse of something at the small of his back. Something round, dark, barely discernible, but still
He turns, facing me again, brows merged, hand over his other ear, when he says, Hello? and then, Who?
Smiling at me and shaking his head, but its too late.