Chapter 50
CHAPTER FIFTY
Bellamy
Last night was perfect. Bellamy was still riding a high.
The whole night felt like a mutual apology—an understanding and a promise all at the same time.
The way Vesper had touched her, looked at her, the love in her eyes…
Ves hadn’t said anything. Of course she hadn’t, but Bellamy could wait just a little bit longer after that.
They hadn’t gotten to sleep until the early hours of the morning, and now it was closing in on the afternoon. She’d barely even complained about the fucking fruit bars being their breakfast again. Everything between her and Ves was just… Well, they were good. Good enough, at least. She was happy.
Nothing could dampen her spirits now. She had Vesper back, and whatever was coming, they’d face it together.
Vesper gave her a relaxed kiss before dragging herself out of bed. She was anxious for news on their situation. Vesper never had been able to sit still, to enjoy the calm like Bellamy could. She watched her shuffle around, grabbing clothes.
It was almost pathetic how badly Bellamy wanted to feel those lithe hands around her throat again, already wanted those fingers back inside her, expertly stroking her until she begged for it to stop.
She sighed, and Vesper shot her a look, as if she could read her mind. She smirked.
“Get up, Bel.”
Maybe Ves would punish her if she didn’t listen. Bellamy cozied back into bed, pulling the covers further up despite the warmth in their room. Vesper rolled her eyes but didn’t return.
Around the third time Vesper snapped at her to get up, she finally relented. She didn’t want to leave their perfect bubble—the loving touches and warm embrace. She knew Vesper wouldn’t do that in front of anyone else. Not yet.
Bellamy groaned when she got up. She brushed her teeth, tended her curls, touched up her mascara and eyeliner, then decided she’d stay in the clothes she’d slept in. It wasn’t anything bad, but it was a statement to everyone: Vesper was hers, so back the fuck off.
Vesper eyed her in the stolen V-neck and boxers and chuckled. “That’s what you’re wearing?” she asked with a little smirk.
“Yes.” Bellamy jutted her chin out, a challenge in her eyes.
“All right. Let’s see if Cedar’s back.”
She followed Vesper out of the room, waiting behind her while she knocked. A muffled “come in” came from the other side. Immediately, Vesper had to dodge out of the way as a bundle of socks came flying at her head—a vastly different reception than she’d gotten the day before.
Bellamy covered her mouth in an attempt to hide her laughter.
“Hey! It’s me!” Vesper exclaimed, catching a second bundle thrown her way. Bellamy stayed planted out of the line of fire.
“I know!” Cypress yelled back. “Did you know only the working rooms are soundproof?”
Oops. She couldn’t say she was sorry about that. Cypress was way too attached to Vesper. She needed to understand that Vesper wasn’t hers. Better sooner than later. Even though Bellamy didn’t think they’d been that loud.
“Sorry,” Vesper muttered, rubbing the back of her now bright-red neck. Bellamy smirked. She fucking loved seeing Ves squirm.
Vesper cleared her throat awkwardly. “So, um, did Cedar mention when she might get back?”
“Why? So she can be next?” Cypress yelled again.
Bellamy laughed, saving Ves from a reply by finally butting in. “Don’t worry, Cypress,” she purred with all the sweetness she could muster. “Vesper’s not allowed to fuck Cedar anymore.”
Vesper whipped her head around, eyes wide and mouthed, “whose side are you on?” right before another bundle of socks came flying her way.
“Anymore?” the kid screeched, tears filling her eyes. Shit, she cried a lot. Bellamy couldn’t tell if it was genuine or if she was just manipulating Ves. Either way, she didn’t fucking like when Vesper immediately tried to comfort her.
“Don’t be like that. Come here,” Vesper shushed her gently and took a step forward, opening her arms for Cypress to curl into.
Unsurprisingly, she did, in fact, let Vesper comfort her.
Bellamy rolled her eyes, gritting her teeth while Vesper murmured gentle platitudes and reassurances against Cypress’s hair.
Despite having decided not to hold this little crush against Cypress, she still couldn’t help wanting to rip the girl's hair out. It wasn’t fair to Cypress though.
The girl clearly loved Vesper. Bellamy had to try to not let it bother her.
She cleared her throat, interrupting their moment and glared at Vesper, who shrugged like she was an innocent bystander in all this.
“When’s your sister coming back?” Bellamy snapped, only a little frustrated with herself for not being able to keep her tone in check. Cypress gave her a look and tightened her hold on Vesper.
“I don’t know,” Cypress shot back, matching Bellamy’s tone. She almost smiled. She might be able to like this one after all. The girl had fire. Then, a light chuckle sounded behind her, and her skin crawled with recognition.
“Jealousy never did look good on you,” Cedar hissed, low enough only Bellamy could hear it as she pushed past her into the room. “Did V fuck up again, Cy?” Cedar asked, with all the sad gentleness Bellamy had never known her to possess.
Cedar’s entry marked the end of her somewhat good mood. She’d never like that bitch, and there was no reason to pretend. Vesper had to hate her by now too, right?
“You didn’t tell me either, so really, it was both of you that fucked up,” Cypress stated matter-of-factly, shooting another quick glare at Bellamy. Bellamy did not hold back her laugh this time. Yeah, she would be able to like this kid—eventually.
“Bel helpfully mentioned that we used to, uh,” Vesper stopped short. She shrugged, one arm still around Cypress.
Bellamy, however, had no qualms about censoring herself. Cypress could hear it again. She was an adult after all, as she seemed so keen on reminding Ves.
“Fuck,” Bellamy offered brightly, a fake smile plastered on her face. “Used to,” she added when Cedar narrowed her eyes at her. Bellamy pushed past them and plopped down on one of the chairs, tucking her feet under her. “Just give us the updates, Cedar.”
Cedar rolled her eyes. She perched on the edge of the bed. She patted the spot next to her for Cypress to join when Ves finally nudged her away.
“It’s not great,” Cedar started tentatively—exactly how Bellamy thought she would.
She didn’t know what the fuck Ves expected Cedar to be able to do anyway.
“I’ve not really gotten to anyone who is in a position to dig up much.
The Embunuh definitely know you two have gone to ground, and they’re searching pretty hard.
Can’t say if it’s because of the job or something else.
But one of my contacts has people infiltrating.
They’ll try and see if they can find anything, but it’ll take a while. ”
“Great,” Bellamy grumbled, glancing at Vesper. “So, we’re fucking stuck here. Are we confined to our rooms? What’d she do the last nine years?”
Cypress shot her a dagger-filled look before standing up and digging around in her dresser.
She threw two Ilusi veils at Bellamy, similar to the ones Cedar had gotten for the trip over, except much nicer quality.
“Put these on or go out with any of the Illusionists. Leave with one of the girls and you’ll look like a client. ”
Bellamy frowned, rubbing the thin fabric between her fingers.
It was way more comfortable than the suffocating shit they wore on the way over.
A proper Ilusi veil. It would cover her hair and face.
No doubt it was imbedded with illusion magic.
She didn’t know how many Illusionists worked at the Downstairs, but Vesper’s go-to would be Mazz.
Not that she was jealous, but Ves could use some separation from the girls.
“Did you come up with this?” she asked Cypress, skeptically. Cypress shook her head and jutted a thumb at Vesper, who just shrugged.
“Didn’t think it’d be much of a life if she was stuck inside all the time. We won’t have to be escorted everywhere like she is, but I don’t think it’s a great idea for us to venture out much, especially if Cedar’s intel is right and they’re searching for us.”
Cypress perked up as if she’d just had the most brilliant idea. “Does this mean you can take me out, Vessie?”
Vesper gave her an easy smile. “Yeah, I guess I could.”
Cypress squealed with delight. Bellamy worried the girl might launch herself at Vesper again, but surprisingly, she stayed put, doing a stupid little happy dance instead. “I want you to take me to the gardens! I always loved them when I was younger,” Cypress sighed happily.
“I can take you to the gardens,” Cedar grumbled, arms crossed over her chest. Bellamy laughed and earned herself another glare.
Before either of them could escalate the situation, Vesper interjected. “Are you going to hide out here too, then?” she asked Cedar.
“I think I’m actually gonna try to go back. According to a few of the people I spoke with, no one thinks I’ve betrayed them. They just think I’m missing, and you two took out the guys I came with. Might help to get more information if I can get back in there.”
“That’d be great. Think you can pick up a few things for us while you’re out?” Vesper asked. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for Bel and I to risk leaving quite yet.”
“But we can leave, right? The veils will hide us completely,” Bellamy argued, pouting.
Vesper hesitated. “Just be careful, Bel,” she murmured. The worried look on her face made Bellamy’s heart swell. She wouldn’t leave without Vesper anyway.
“Let me know what you want, and I’ll see what I can do,” Cedar said, interrupting them before she turned to Cypress to ask if she wanted to go to some ice cream place they apparently frequented as children.
Bellamy looked at Vesper, who nodded and made some excuse about needing to see Mazz, which allowed them to slip out without argument. She didn’t know if it was real or not, but she sure as shit wasn’t about to let Ves talk to any of the whores alone ever again, so she followed.