19
Romy
Makeup bag in hand, cover-up job complete on my wrist and neck, heels dangling from my fingertips, and the lingerie I’m to wear on parade draped over my arm, I make my way down the stairs of this giant, moody mansion for the final time.
As instructed, my bags are packed and waiting in my room, ready for transport to the destination of my vampire’s choosing when the bonding is complete, and everything I might need for the next twelve hours is in hand.
My lips tremble slightly, and my legs shake even in the ballet flats I somehow snuck past my mother and into my bag, but inside, I’m feeling remarkably calm.
Because my whole being feels complete in ways I can’t describe, and because of the bond or love or…I don’t know, something else that’s far more intense and undefinable with words…I trust Cal with my entire being.
My life. My future. My safety. It’s all in his hands, and surprisingly, that’s reassuring.
When he says he’s going to get us out of this before I’m in the back of a dark van on my way to Blood Island with some dude named Vlad, I believe him.
For my sanity, at least, I have to.
“Hey, Romy,” Hillary says, catching up to me on a jog halfway down the stairs. She looks beautiful, of course, and because of the change in schedule that kept us locked away in our rooms all morning, I haven’t had a chance to talk to her since last night.
“Hey, Hillary,” I greet. “You excited?”
Her chin jerks back into her chest, and her eyes widen just slightly as she considers me in between watching her step. “You seem…weird.”
“What do you mean?”
She laughs, but it’s not the funny kind. “Are you kidding? With all your humdrum stuff for the past two days, I thought you’d be freaking out.”
I shrug. “I thought I would be too. But I don’t know. Maybe it’s just that I’m out of time or something, so I might as well go with it.”
When she guffaws, I turn to look at her. She does look more nervous than usual, her cheeks flushed rosy-red like she’s been hanging out in a sauna for a little while.
“Why?” I ask her, my voice soft. “Are you freaking out now?”
“Uh, yeah ,” she hisses. “This getup I’m supposed to wear seems five times smaller than when I picked it out, and I’m supposed to be sold to a vampire tonight. Then they locked us in our rooms all morning and afternoon, and I haven’t seen the sun in two days. Of course, I’m freaking out!”
Rearranging all the shit I’m carrying to my right side, I put my left arm around her and pull her toward me in a half hug. Her body quivers against mine.
I know it’s messed up, but it’s the best thing I’ve felt in a while.
Hillary being scared is normal. Hillary being scared means it’s going to be a hell of a lot easier to convince her to run whenever Cal gives me the sign.
Her being scared means she’s probably not the only one, and the more of these women who catch wind of reality before shit hits the fan, the better.
My parents never let me do team sports, but tonight, I see myself acting as a captain of sorts.
“You just stick with me, okay?” I squeeze her shoulder once more. “We’ll take care of each other. We still have a few hours to hang out and get ready, and we’ll do some relaxation techniques.”
She scrunches up her nose. “You know relaxation techniques?”
“Oh yeah,” I lie. “Tons of them.”
“Okay.” She lets out a deep breath. “Relaxation sounds like a good plan.”
“You bet. We’ll even rope some of the other girls in if they’re not too preoccupied with all the beauty stuff,” I say, offering a reassuring smile.
She smiles back, but it doesn’t quite meet her eyes. “Sounds like a plan, Romy.”
“By the way…the guy I was telling you about two nights ago?” I ask, hoping a little bit of gossip will bring her some comfort too. Still, there are ears everywhere, so I’m cautious not to say his name aloud or to give any other details about knowing him.
Hillary glances to both sides with just her eyes. “Yeah?”
“Well, I think you talked to him last night. Just picture the nicest guy you spoke with…brown hair, blue eyes.”
“Oh my God! Him ?”
I nod. I can see the appreciation dancing through her eyes, but I don’t blame her. I can’t blame her. I had the whole thing last night—the real Calloway Slater deal—and he deserves every ounce of fantasy he gets.
The reality is that much better.
“Yes!” I agree excitedly. “He’s always been dreamy. Quiet. Kind. Steady. Even when we were kids.”
“Do you think he’s going to bid on you tonight?” she asks then, piecing together a puzzle. It’s not exactly the right puzzle, but it’s close, and with the amount of information she has, it’s impressive. “Is that why you’re so calm?”
“Is there someone you have your eye on?” I ask instead of answering, letting her go through the ballroom door first and then following.
The large space is filled with mirrors and vanities, and women cheer and fight for spots with the best lighting ahead of us. It’s all civil, but nerves are firing all over the place in the background of their excitement, I can tell.
“I…well, no.” Hillary shrugs. “I don’t even want to say a name. Because I did think a couple of the men were nice and very cute, but I don’t want to set myself up for disappointment if it’s not one of them in the end.”
I nod. “That’s smart.”
It won’t be necessary when Cal somehow puts a stop to everything, but it’s smart, nonetheless.
“Come on. Let’s go over on the far side. I see a couple of vanities together,” I suggest. “I can help you with your makeup.”
“Okay,” she agrees. “That would be great.”
I wave for her to follow me and hustle to the far side of the room for the remaining two seats together. They’re in a little bit of a shadow from the chandelier, but I’m not concerned with the lighting.
As Hillary gets settled in her spot and I unpack my cosmetic bag, I do a little mental reach-out toward Cal.
I know he’s going to be super busy today—and that, ideally, I should distract him as little as possible, but given that I haven’t talked to him since he left the meeting with his uncle, I’m feeling a little antsy for contact and connection.
You free for a minute?
His voice is in my mind in an instant. Always free for you, Romy. Always. Some times may be more ideal than others on occasion, but never unavailable.
I smother a smile and a laugh, knowing if I start cackling for no reason, Hillary will become concerned. Right. Good to know. We just got down to the ballroom to get ready, and I guess I’m just missing you.
And maybe a little nervous?
No. I mean, yes. But not really. I’m feeling really confident in your ability to, like, knight in shining armor this whole thing, I guess.
Good. Because I have a plan, sweetheart. It may take longer than you’d like, and you may very well have to go onstage for the bid. But I promise, you won’t be going home with anyone but me. And none of these women will be going home with any of these men either.
I appreciate his confidence, but…I can’t deny one thing has my nerves taking a nosedive. I’m going to have to go onstage?
Trust me, Romy, I fucking hate it too, but it’s the way it has to be. Now, I need you to listen really carefully, okay? Because I need you to follow these instructions like your life depends on it.
Okay, I respond and shut my eyes for a brief moment so I can fully focus on his next words.
If anything gets scary, you gather the women and get them outside.
Cal’s voice is direct and matter-of-fact as it fills my head.
Go south, to the far tree line. There’s a road two miles through the woods, and a bright light that shines from the streetlamp.
Follow that light, no matter what. It’s easy to get turned around in the woods if you don’t have a guide point.
Okay, Cal. I got it, I say, though neither of us can deny my mood is much more hesitant.
Two other women will find you—Kylie and Blair, he adds. They’re my brothers’ mates. They will help bring you to me in a safe place.
Cal?
Yeah, baby?
I can’t deny I’m getting a little scared now.
Don’t be, my love. You are so incredibly brave. You’ve been stronger than I ever thought possible. And soon, all of this will be over.
Soon all of this will be over.
I take his words to heart and repeat them in my mind several times over.
But when I steal a glance at Hillary, I don’t miss the way her lips tremble as she applies a fresh coat of lipstick.
And I push down my fear and focus on making damn sure I get her—and all of the other women—out of this god-awful fucked-up place before they become someone’s property.