Chapter 29
twenty-nine
Ivy
Ivy’s last visit to The Silver Sluice felt like a lifetime ago, but this one was significant: it was her first as an Ascendant Vampire.
The main perk was that she now no longer needed Voresta’s protection—and as she’d expected, he had no interest in joining them—so she and Finare were able to celebrate completely uninhibited.
They were seated in the Grove, at a table littered with glasses—in their enthusiasm they’d ordered several shots and cocktails each so they could devote their time to each other without the hassle of replenishing drinks.
“How do you feel now that Leseldh’s bond isn’t wearing you down?” Finare grinned at her.
“Amazing. But also, really pissed off. He manipulated me with the bond.”
“Zeldy is nothing, if not manipulative.” Finare’s tone was sourer than her Nasty Night—a cocktail filled with a pale blue liquid that shimmered in the light.
She grunted in response to Finare’s statement as her eyes swept around the Grove, hoping to see Killian. Ivy lifted one of the shot glasses and devoured a purple-coloured liquid. She shook her head as the burn raced its way down her throat.
“Has he mentioned sealing the Resonance, yet?” The reminder of her supposed Resonance with Leseldh sent a familiar spear of worry through her.
“Yes. He asked at Sabor tonight.”
“What did you say?”
“I said I wanted to settle into being an Ascendant Vampire first. He said he’d give me all the time I need.” Ivy let her worry ring through in her voice, and Finare gave her a sympathetic stare.
“I still think it’s all bullshit. If you ask me, you’ve got nothing to worry about.” Finare shrugged his shoulders as he picked up a shot and threw it back.
“I hope so.” Ivy’s eyes drifted around the room.
“Where’s your birdy tonight?” Finare’s question drew her focus back to him, and she let out a sigh.
“I told him to stay home. He’s just so weird. He came to Sabor with us and just stared at me the entire time. I didn’t know what to do.”
“Hey, the Erath is cool, okay? When I Ascended, all I got was a heightening of my Fae scenting ability. I’d hardly call that a Blood Gift. All that means is that I can smell when people are horny.” Finare shuddered. “It’s disgusting.”
Ivy barked out a laugh in response before her face fell. “Oh, shit—does that mean you’ve smelt me…” She didn’t want to put voice behind the thought.
Finare’s devilish grin told her he knew what she was referring to. He merely winked at her, and she hid her face behind her hands.
“Finare!” she cried out. He burst into mirthful laughter.
As she looked at her Broodmate, she realised just how much she’d missed this. Now that she’d Ascended, she could enjoy it whenever she wanted. Her eyes drifted to search her surroundings again, and this time, Finare noticed.
“Don’t forget, you can always send Ozias to run errands for you. You know, deliver messages, look for people…” His voice trailed off, but his grin remained on his face as he watched Ivy process the suggestion.
“I’m not looking for anyone. I just like this room.” Ivy gestured to her surroundings, but Finare’s grin didn’t budge from his lips.
“You’re a fucking terrible liar, Ivy.”
Ivy lifted her Nasty Night and took a large swallow as she looked at her Broodmate. Finare laughed in response.
“So, what happened with Killian the night you had to make another choice?” Finare looked at her with interest.
“You’ve been dying to ask me that ever since that night, haven’t you?”
Finare simply nodded, his grin returning.
“What makes you think I was with Killian?”
“I could smell your mingled scents on the mezzanine, and you reeked of him when you got home. Stronger than all the other times.” Finare’s reveal made her go a slightly paler shade.
Realising the charade was over, at least with Finare, she divulged an abridged version of events, despite his urging for more info.
“You sneaky little minx. I’m so proud of you.” Finare raised his glass and clinked it against hers, before taking a mouthful.
Ivy let out a chuckle at Finare’s enthusiasm, before taking a sip of her own drink. Silence fell between them and the memories of the night with Killian flooded her mind, intensifying her need to see him. She looked around again and blew out a breath.
“I ran into him at The Succ one night, before your Ascension. He checked in to see how you were doing.” Finare’s playful tone was replaced with a gentler one. Ivy blinked at him in surprise.
“Maybe he lost interest as soon as I Ascended. You know, he doesn’t have a reason to chase me around anymore.” Ivy’s words made her heart twist.
“Don’t stress, sis. He’ll show up.” Finare clapped her on the shoulder, before raising his glass for another mouthful.
But as Ivy cast her eyes around the swirling masses of bodies in the club, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something about Killian’s absence was terribly wrong.