Chapter 29
Twenty-Nine
VAUGHN
I’m up as soon as the sun sets despite not going to sleep until past noon. I stayed up texting Sophie. I might be a bit tired now, but I have zero regrets. She has me wrapped around her finger, which is crazy because I just met her. It makes me wonder if we’re mates, like Saxon and Aurora.
It wouldn’t matter to me if we were. I’m just glad that I don’t have to hide that I like her. After last night, everyone knows.
I don’t think that dating Sophie would still be an issue until I come down for a quick snack and find the High Witch waiting for me in the living room. She’s sitting rigidly in a chair, watching the flames in the fireplace.
“Oh… good evening, ma’am. I wasn’t expecting your visit.”
She looks at me, blasting me with a cold and disapproving stare. “Hello, Vaughn.”
Shit. And here I thought I was out of all the doghouses. I didn’t even think I could get in trouble with her.
Why the hell didn’t Gerard warn me she was waiting for me?
As if I summoned the man with my mind, he joins us in the living room, carrying a tray with a tea set. “Oh, Vaughn, I didn’t realize you were awake.”
“Just came down.”
“Can I get you anything?”
The idea of drinking blood in front of Isadora is less than appealing. “No, I’m good. Thanks.”
Gerard brings the tea to our guest while I take a seat on the couch opposite hers and wait. She thanks the man, and only after she takes a sip of her tea does she return her attention to me. “You had quite the adventure last night.”
I wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans, swallowing hard. “You can say that.”
“You also failed to mention that you met someone else in the catacombs of Bloodstone on the evening you saw the specter.”
“Yeah, I did leave that part out.” I rub the back of my neck. “Were you able to trap the ghost again?”
“Yes, for now. The wards are weak, and I can’t reinforce them without Solomon. I want to know exactly what happened.”
I let out a heavy sigh. No point trying to hide the truth now. “I was following Niko when the ghost found me. She tried to hurt me, but then Sophie appeared and saved my as—I mean, she saved me.”
“So you don’t know what she was doing in the catacombs before you met the specter?”
“No.”
Isadora stands suddenly. “Well… I’d like to have a chat with the girl. Bring her to my house in an hour.”
“Uh… all right. I’ll try.”
The High Witch levels me with a hard stare. “Don’t try, Vaughn. Do it.”
SOPHIE
Despite everything, I wake up in the best of moods.
I made plans to see Vaughn tonight that hopefully will be stress free.
I’m giddy, which is a novelty for me. During my entire existence, I felt dead inside, unable to feel any emotion besides anger.
Vaughn managed to change that in the course of an evening.
I could spend hours dwelling on the marvels of it and not come up with an explanation.
Instead, I use my time to get ready for our first official date under the watchful eye of Tish, who appointed herself as my stylist.
She told me which pieces of clothing to take out of the closet and lay down on the bed, and now she’s moving shit around for the optimum combination.
“Vaughn will be here any minute. I need to get dressed.”
“It’s your first date with Mr. Cutie. The outfit needs to be perfect.”
“I don’t think he cares about what I wear.”
Tish gives me a droll stare. “Trust me, Soph. All guys care.”
“How about that black skirt with the cropped top?”
“It’s cute, but all black, though. Isn’t it a bit goth?”
“I like it. Why are you so invested in what I wear anyway?”
“Do you even have to ask?” There’s a tone of hurt in her voice, making me feel guilty.
“You miss being able to wear pretty clothes.” I sit next to her on the bed. “I’ll start looking again for a way to undo your hex. I promise.”
“You can’t promise that. You’ve been tasked with ending a war that’s been going on for centuries. You have a lot on your plate.”
“I can still find the time to help you.” I try to pet her head, but she leaps out of my reach.
The doorbell rings, making me jump to my feet. “Shit. That must be Vaughn, and I’m still in my underwear.”
“I’m sure he won’t mind,” Tish teases. “I can make myself scarce for a couple of hours if you want me to.”
Excitement and fear mingle together. I want to spend time alone with Vaughn, but I’m afraid the intimacy will trigger another panic attack. My phone pings with a text message, and upon checking it, I confirm it’s Vaughn standing outside my door.
VAUGHN: I’m here.
I reply quickly.
Give me a sec.
I put on my robe, then rush out of my room to open the door for him. At least my hair and makeup are done.
“Hi,” I say, out of breath.
His eyes turn rounder, and then he blushes. “Hi. Am I too early?”
“No, not all. I’m running a bit behind. Come on in.” I open the door wider for him to enter, and when I close it again, I don’t move from the spot. My pulse is racing, and I’m shaking a little.
Vaughn spins around with his hands in his pockets, looking a little uncomfortable. “Uh… I can wait in the car if you prefer.”
“Oh, no. I won’t be long. Promise. You can take a seat.” I point at the couch.
“All right.”
“Oh my God. What happened to you two?” Tish chimes in. I didn’t even notice she had joined us in the living room.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“It’s painful to watch.” She looks at Vaughn. “Dude, kiss her already. She wants you to do it.”
My face bursts into flames. “Tish!”
Vaughn’s lips twitch upward. “It’s okay, Soph. I was planning to do it. But you can get dressed first.”
A strange warmth spreads across my chest. That’s why he kept himself at arm’s length. He didn’t want to make me uncomfortable by getting into my personal space while I’m only wearing underwear under my robe.
I shorten the distance between us and wrap my arms around his waist, tilting my chin up so I can maintain eye contact. “You can kiss me now.”
He gives me a lopsided grin, then cups my cheek. “As you wish.”
He leans in, and I close my eyes right before our lips touch. His kiss is gentle and sweet, but as devastating to my senses as if he had claimed my mouth more passionately. I melt against his body as our tongues explore unhurriedly.
With a sigh, Vaughn eases off, breaking the kiss. His eyes are hooded now and burning with desire. “Hi again.” He smiles lazily.
I return the smile. “I should get dressed.”
“Right.”
I step away from him or I won’t get anything done. “Where are we going tonight?”
His easygoing expression changes in the blink of an eye, guilt replacing the yearning in his stare. “I wanted to take you to the movies, but there’s been a change of plans.”
I hug myself. Whatever the change is, I sense Vaughn isn’t happy about it. “Where are we going?”
“To see the High Witch.”
Shit. I can guess what she wants with me, and I’m so not keen on having that conversation. “Must we?”
Vaughn flattens his lips. “She didn’t give me a choice. It’s about the specter you saved me from in the catacombs.”
My throat tightens. That’s what I feared. “What about it?”
“The wards keeping the specter trapped have weakened, and she doesn’t know why.”
I close my eyes for a second. “It’s my fault.”
“Did you try to free the ghost?”
There’s no reproach in his tone, but it doesn’t make me feel better. He deserves the truth, though. “Yes.”
I wait to see the recrimination in his eyes, but all I see is compassion and understanding. It brings tears to mine. “You’re not mad?”
“No. You’d have to do something much worse than that to make me mad, and even so, I don’t think there’s a chance.” He steps into my personal space again. “I’m on your side, no matter what.”
“Even if that means betraying your king?”
His eyes widen, his pupils contracting a little. “Are you after his crown?”
“No, not even if it was given to me freely.”
He kisses my cheek. “Then there’s no betrayal. You do need to get dressed, though. The High Witch scares me, and I don’t want to piss her off more than I already did.”
“Why is she angry with you?”
He rubs the back of his neck, looking sheepish. “Eh… I might have omitted that you were in the catacombs when I told her about the ghost.”
“You did? Why?”
“I didn’t want to get you in trouble.”
Hummingbirds flap their wings inside my chest, giving me euphoria I’ve never experienced before.
“Dang, boy. You got whipped in record time,” Tish pipes up, reminding us that she’s been here the whole time, watching our interaction.
Vaughn glances at her. “You got that right, and I’m not one bit ashamed of it.”
Be still my heart. I’m dangerously close to falling in love with him, and that scares me more than anything I’ve ever faced.