Rachel. Get your car back? Trent asked cheerfully. How did the FIB meeting go? Did Edden tell you the undead are asleep? No wonder its a mess out there.
His voice had been loud enough for Jenks to hear, way over by the fridge, and by Ellasbeths thinly hidden anger, I figured she could hear it, too. Car is in the carport, thanks. Edden told me about the undead. Im waiting to hear back from David about those Free Vampires, but I need to talk to you about something Ivy pieced together if you have the time.
Nows good, he said, and I glanced at Ellasbeth as she flipped her strawlike hair from her face. It looked fake next to Trents and Lucys transparent blond, and I knew it bothered her.
Id rather tell you in person, I said, holding the womans eyes. Ah, Ellasbeth is standing in my kitchen.
Ellasbeth lurched into motion, her thin hand reaching. Give me the phone.
Jenks darted down and away, coming to a sword-swinging halt by my ear. My pulse jumped, and Ivy jerked at the sudden smack of adrenaline. Excuse me! I am not your employee, I said, and she dropped back, shocked when she realized Jenks had scored on her and her knuckle was bleeding from a small scratch.
I backed up to put more space between us, phone at my ear. Lucys voice was in the background, her words simple but clear, but on the chance Trent didnt want Ellasbeth to know where they were, I simply said, She wants to know where the girls are.
I backed up to put more space between us, phone at my ear. Lucys voice was in the background, her words simple but clear, but on the chance Trent didnt want Ellasbeth to know where they were, I simply said, She wants to know where the girls are.
His sigh was a long exhalation. Im sorry. Ill be there in fifteen minutes.
I glanced at the clock on the stove. It took longer than that for me to get out to his estate. Really?
Quen didnt pack anything when she threatened to keep them, and they outgrew everything I have. We went shopping. The Hollows has had fewer misfires.
My smile was unstoppable as I imagined the two of them handling the girls with grace, both of them proficient daddies. Fifteen. See you then.
Pleased at the chance to see the girls, I clicked off and shoved my phone into my back pocket. My smile faded as I realized everyone was staring at me. My finger was wound around a strand of hair. I didnt remember having done that, and I untangled it, embarrassed. What?
Jenks hummed his wings, and I didnt like that knowing look he and Ivy were sharing.
Ellasbeth shifted her shoulders, clearly uncomfortable for having crashed our church, but not willing to sit down until invited. I wanted to talk to him, she said, temper frayed.
Well, he didnt want to talk to you. I barely breathed the words, but I knew she heard me. And lower your voice. Not everyone sleeps in four-hour naps. You want to sit down? Hell be here in fifteen minutes.
Ellasbeth looked at my chair pulled up to Ivys, then edged around it to sit at the far end of the table by the fridge. No one ever sat there, and she looked stiff. Im sorry for bursting in on you. I was understandably distressed.
Distressed? I glanced at the mostly full coffeepot. And that makes it okay? I thought, and Ivy shook her head, bringing up her computers screen now that Ellasbeth couldnt see it. No doubt, I said, getting a mug from the cupboard.
Yes, but if you dont start treating me with respect
I set the empty cup beside her, leaning in to cut her words off. That big honking engagement ring was still on her finger, catching the light like Jenkss wings. Who in hell does she think she is? Ill start treating you with respect as soon as you give it, missy.
She called her missy, Jenks said, and Ivy raised a finger to high-five him.
I pushed back, letting her breathe again. You walked into my house uninvited. Threatened my roommate.
I did not! she huffed, indignant as she looked at Ivy.
I was talking about Jenks. You reneged on your agreement with Trent, and if he wanted to talk to you, he wouldve answered your calls. Hes on his way here, and youre welcome to stay until he gets here because I heard the cabdriver dump your luggage and drive off right after you got out.
Long face becoming longer, she sat stiffly, making me wonder if she was going to cry. I was trying to be calm, not only because it looked good but because an easily unbalanced vampire was sleeping in the next room over and Ellasbeth was kicking out enough anger to wake the dead.
Now, would you like some coffee while you wait?
Yes, thank you. Her voice was softer, not subdued, but it had lost that I-sneeze-sunshine lilt she had. Ive been up for hours.
Welcome to the club. I took the pot to her and filled her mug. She made sure I saw that ring again, and Ivy quietly went back to work.
Actually, Im glad to have this time with you, Ellasbeth said, and I leaned back against the counter. May I be frank?
You can be Frank, Paul, or Simon, I dont care, I thought, and Jenks snickered as he sat at the window where he could watch his kids as he sharpened his sword. He knew the joke. I wish you would.
Ellasbeth eyed Ivy across the table. Alone?
Ivys eyes met mine, and I sighed. Sure. Garden okay?
Again she looked at Ivy, as if wondering why the woman wasnt leaving. Grimacing, Ellasbeth stood. Thats fine. Heels clacking and purse held tight to herself, she set her mug down and headed out, already knowing the way. Shed been here once before to pick up Lucy when Id rescued her from KuSox.
Jenks landed on my shoulder as I went to follow. You want me to keep an eye on you?
No. Yes. I hesitated. Id likely be more vocal in my opinions if we were out of the church and away from Nina. Eye, yes. Ears, no.
He flew backward, out of my way. Youre no fun.
Ivy took the pen from between her teeth. Be nice, she said, and I smiled, then hustled to catch the screen door before it slammed.
Ellasbeth was already outside, her cream heels looking odd in the sun-starved grass that eked out a living under the big tree. Her nose was wrinkled, and I could hear pixies in the branches. I hoped to God that they wouldnt start dropping things on us. Okay, shoot, I said, as I came down the stairs, and she turned to me, that ring of hers sparkling even in the dim light.
Id like to ask you to stop confusing Trent.
Tired, I sat down at the picnic table, the wood still slightly damp from the last rain. No problem. Id missed a chip, and I flicked it off me.
Stop being so flippant, she said, frowning. Im not blind. Youre confusing him. Making this harder than it needs to be.
For who? You or him? Ellasbeth, Trent and I already had this talk. And then we went on a date. As long as Quen is making the trek out to your place every three months, Im going to be doing security while hes gone. I know hes going to marry you, and quite frankly, I cant stomach the idea of being a mistress even if I did like him that way. Liar, liar, pants on fire. So as long as Quen keeps leaving, Im the one for the job. And it is a job.
She was eyeing me looking for lies, her hat shading her face where it shone hot and full on mine. Then youre not . . .
Guilt tugged at me. Want was not an action. Im not sleeping with him, no. Damn fine kiss, though. Never have. My gut hurt, and I looked out over the graveyard. The grass was long and needed cutting. Everything was going to hell with Jenkss kids leaving.
Thank you, she said, appearing to take that on faith.
Reclining against the damp wood, I looked at her. But if I find out youre not treating him right, Ill make your life miserable.
Her expression blanked, and I wondered if she was trying to figure out if it was a joke. Above us, the eavesdropping pixies shot out of the trees, arrowing for the chimney and vanishing down it as if someone had shouted Honey!
From inside, Ivys voice rose, Nina! No!
I stood as the torn leaves drifted over us. You had to wake her up, I said bitterly, then strode to the steps. Ivy might need some help. Stay out here! I told Ellasbeth. Youre too angry to be around her right now.
Rache! Jenks shouted from inside, and I took the stairs two at a time.
I yanked open the back door, reeling as the vampire pheromones hit me like a wall. My hand clamped to my neck and I staggered through the living room, hand on the archway to look into the kitchen. Ivy had Nina pinned front-first to the wall, Ninas head turned to me as Ivy wrenched the womans arm up behind her. There was a huge knife in Ninas hand, and I felt myself pale. Both womens eyes were black, and Ivy looked scared that she might hurt Nina.
Its okay, Nina. Breathe, she said as she struggled to keep Nina unmoving. Look at me. Im not angry. Breathe.
Morgan, Nina snarled, a heavy intelligence glittering in her eyes. Tell Tamwood to let me go.
Its Felix, Jenks said, and I pushed up from the archway and edged inside. My pulse pounded. The elegant, young Hispanic woman with her face pressed into the wall struggled, and Ivy slipped a foot between hers, ready to pull her down. I could see the sick master vampire in Ninas stance, belligerent and angry that Ivy, a living vampire, had managed to best him, even if he was in the body of a weaker, inexperienced woman. It had been weeks since the master vampire had taken Nina over. But how? All the undead vampires were sleeping!
Let me go. I can help! Nina shouted, the domination in her voice coming out in a frustrated howl. She wiggled again, and Ivy yanked her foot out from under her. They both hit the floor, chairs sliding out of the way as they fought for control of the knife.
Im sane, I tell you! I need Nina! Nina screamed as Ivy got the knife. With a backward flip of the wrist, she flung it into the wall where it stuck, quivering. Let me go! I am cognizant. Im not ill!
Tears fell freely from Ivy as she pinned Nina to the floor. Fight him, Nina. You can do this. You can! Youre stronger than him, and it pisses him off that you know it!
Get off! she howled. Im no longer ill! I can help, but only if Im in Nina!
Hair falling to hide her face, Ivy leaned low over her. I love you, Nina. Dont believe him. He lies. He cant hurt you if you push him out. Ill keep him away. I promise. I promise. Just get him out!