Chapter One #2
I crank the water as hot as it will go, desperate for the burn to scrub away the lingering emotions.
At the vanity, I stop and stare at my reflection.
I hate what I see. The girl staring back at me looks hollowed out; every trace of happiness I once had is gone.
My auburn hair hangs dull and lifeless. My smoky grey eyes are shadowed with dark circles—souvenirs from too many sleepless nights.
In a month, it will be the anniversary of Mom’s death.
The nightmares always get worse as the day creeps closer.
I shove away from the mirror, stripping off my clothes, and step under the scalding spray.
The comforting heat melts the invisible scars from my skin.
Unfortunately, it does nothing for the ones I can still see.
I scrub the soap into my scalp until it burns, fingers digging in hard, like I can push the memories away.
My thoughts continue to drift down memory lane to Mom anyway.
Her signature scent, lavender and peonies, that always clung to her skin.
Her long, beautiful hair that fell to her lower back—worn down and flowing unless she was baking.
Her soft, ethereal features that always made her look like she belonged in another world.
Everyone who met her called her a classic beauty.
She was kind to everyone. And had the gentlest singing voice, the kind that made the world feel safer even if it was just a fraction.
Before I realize it, I’m humming You Are My Sunshine under the scalding water.
I wonder if she’d be proud of the woman I’ve become.
A sharp knock on the door shatters the memories, pulling me back to the present. “You good in here?” Lila yells through the door, her voice laced with worry. “It’s been forty minutes. Food’s here and getting cold!
“Yeah, I’m coming. I got lost in my head again.
” I grab the towel and dry off quickly, slipping into an oversized t-shirt and twisting my damp hair up into the towel.
One last glance in the mirror makes me wince.
“Yeah…I’m going to need lots of makeup tonight,” I mutter under my breath, tugging the door open and heading towards the coffee table, where Lila has the food laid out like a feast.
“It’s about damn time,” Lila quips, sliding the steaming container of dumplings towards me.
“I was starting to think you fell asleep in there.” She leans forward, eyes sparkling with mischief.
“So what are we wearing tonight? Are we going for Daddy’s money paid for this, and I’m his princess…
or dark, vampy, I’m cute, but dangerous vibes? ”
Rolling my eyes at her ridiculous option names. “Well, you know my closet is basically all black, red, and dark colors.” I shrug. “So, what do you think?”
“Dark and vampy, it is,” Lila declares, shoving the last bite of food into her mouth. She speaks around it without shame. “Let’s go raid your closet.”
“Eww, Lila, you don’t have to talk with a mouth full.” I laugh as she shrugs and takes off towards my bedroom like a woman on a mission. “I don’t know how you keep this man, you heathen!” I yell after her, following close behind.
After what feels like hours of arguing over options, we finally settle on our outfits.
Lila chooses a blood-red mini dress with delicate black floral lace over silk.
The sleeves flare dramatically at the wrists, giving her an innocent-yet-dangerous look that suits her perfectly.
She pairs it with strappy black heels that tie around her ankles.
I decide on a sleek halter dress. The corset-style bodice laces up the front and plunges low between my breasts.
The skirt flares out in two tiers of ruffles, short enough that it barely covers my ass.
As I’m debating shoes, Lila snatches my six-inch studded lace-up platform boots and hurls them at me.
“Hey!” I snap, barely catching them before they smack me in the chest. “Watch it. You could’ve taken my eye out with those. ”
“I did no such thing,” Lila says innocently, batting her lashes at me.
“Stop acting offended and put them on. We still have to do hair and makeup.” She drops onto the vanity stool and starts digging through my makeup drawer as if she owns it.
“I’m thinking a dark, smoky eye, deep matte red lip, and a high, sleek ponytail for you.
Full vampress vibes.” Lila tilts her lashes at me.
“I’m going with a soft smoky eye with a blood-red lip.
Oh, I’ll curl my hair, too. We’re going to look lethal. ”
I finish lacing up the last boot and glance over at her. “Umm, Lila…what’s this club’s theme exactly?” I ask, suddenly unsure. “Are you sure we’re not going to look stupid?”
“It’s called Dante,” Lila answers without even looking up from her makeup. “Whole vibe is inferno and demons, so no—we’re not going to look stupid. We’ll be the hottest bitches in there.” I watch her for a second, envy twisting in my chest. God, I wish I could be that relaxed.
Lila checks her reflection one last time, then shoves me down into the vanity chair with a satisfied grin.
She brushes my hair into a sleek, razor-sharp high ponytail while I spray it with enough hairspray to survive a hurricane.
Once it’s locked in place, I lean forward and carefully paint on a deep smoky eye with a winged liner so sharp it could cut glass.
I finish with a coat of Maybelline’s Wild Card—a deep, dangerous matte red—smack my lips together and turn to Lila. “Ready?”
“Yes!” Lila squeals. “And our Uber is here just in time!” We quickly gather our purses, double-checking that I have my key card before we head down to the lobby. “Ah, I’m so excited!” Lila gushes as we slide into the back seat of the Uber. “We are going to have the best night!”
“I hope so,” I mutter. “And hopefully your man’s friend isn’t a creep. I really need a night to let loose before the charity auction that Dad has me planning tomorrow.” The second I mention him, Lila grimaces.
“What charity is Wade Hawthorne trying to swindle now?” she asks, checking her lipstick in the compact mirror with a bored flick of her wrist.
“Something to do with a hospital that does some special treatments at no cost,” I say flatly.
“I’m pretty sure it’s just another one of his schemes.
I couldn’t find any legitimate paperwork when I started planning.
” I roll my eyes, the old resentment curling hot and bitter in my chest. All the years I’ve spent cleaning up his messes, smiling for cameras, playing the perfect daughter for a man who never deserved an ounce of my respect.
He raised me, sure. But he was never there.
And when he was…he was never kind. “You’re coming, right?
” I ask, my voice quieter than I want it to be. “I don’t want to go alone.”
“I’ll always be there,” Lila says fiercely.
“Plus, it pisses your dad off when he sees you with me. That alone makes it worth showing up.” She snickers as the car jolts to a stop.
“Let’s get the party started!” Lila bolts out of the backseat like she’s been caged for weeks.
Before I can even push my door open fully, she reaches in and grabs my hand, yanking me out into the night while dragging me behind her with infectious, chaotic energy.
“Slow down, woman!” I laugh as Lila skids to a stop right in front of the bouncer.
“Fallon, party of four,” Lila announces, practically vibrating with excitement. “The guys will be here a little later.” Lila slowly stops bouncing. A wave of nerves washes over her face as the silence stretches.
The bouncer glances down at his list and grunts, “You’re good.
Go ahead.” He unclips the velvet rope and steps aside.
“Have your party text when they get here. They can meet you at the front door.” Lila nods quickly as we step through.
The moment we enter the dark corridor, the outside world disappears.
Deep black walls swallow every scrap of light.
Hidden vents flicker with real flames, casting dancing shadows that make it feel like we’re literally walking through hell.
Gold accents gleam against the blood-red glow, turning the space into something both beautiful and sinister.
I can’t help but stare, completely in awe.
“Over here, missus,” a mousy woman calls from behind the desk, drawing our attention. “If you’d place your hands on the desk, I’ll stamp them.”
Lila and I exchange a confused glance. “What’s the stamp for?” Lila asks, tilting her head.
“Just to mark that you’ve been in,” the attendant explains with a polite smile.
“It’s so if you step outside, you can come back in.
” She motions for our hands. We place them on the desk, and she stamps the back of each with a sleek black design—Lilith wrapped in a ring of fire.
Okay…I guess we aren’t overdressed. “Please enjoy your time at Dante,” she says, gesturing toward the heavy door across the room.