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The last few weeks leading up to the gala went by faster than I imagined. Arie never left my side. Mystic had been acting strange and spent most of the time hiding under our bed, but fortunately the scratch down my throat had healed without scarring as I thought it might. My face was plastered on a billboard near the Loop. Its intended effect was to draw Katarina out of the woodwork but we wouldn’t know whether it had worked or not until the night of the gala. And tonight was the night.
Victoria came over to help me get ready. I told her I needed help with my hair and make-up. Usually, I wore my hair twisted in a bun because it frizzed out of control otherwise. I scarfed down some dinner sitting at the breakfast bar with Victoria. There was a knock on the door to the loft. I rose to answer it but Victoria placed a hand on my arm and stopped me in my tracks.
“Wait,” Victoria said. “You’re not expecting anyone.”
I watched as she went to the door and opened it. A man with a bouquet of black roses stood on the other side.
“Flowers for a Miss Ellis,” the man said. “Can you sign here?” He handed Victoria a clipboard and a pen.
Victoria scribbled her signature and took the vase of flowers. She sat them on the kitchen counter and handed me the card that came with them. It read: “Enjoy. I’ll see you tonight.” The roses were beautiful, although I would have thought Arie would send red or white. Except the florist messed up the arrangement or they must have been damaged during delivery because one of the twelve blooms was missing.
“They’re beautiful,” I said.
Victoria shrugged. “You should start getting ready. The car will be here for us in an hour.”
I nodded, and headed upstairs to shower. The strapless black dress hung in the closet. I stepped into the gown and zipped up the side. The full-length mirror in the bathroom revealed a stranger. The rhinestones on the corset bodice sparkled under the vanity lights as did the spider web of rhinestones that draped its bell-like bottom. I clasped my locket around my neck. It wasn’t fancy, but at least it was silver. The fingerless black velvet gloves came up over my elbows.
“You look lovely,” Victoria said in a whisper.
I startled. “I didn’t even hear you come up behind me.”
“Sorry. Here, sit down. I’ll do your hair and make-up.” She pulled out the stool under the vanity counter in the bathroom.
Our eyes met in the mirror. “Tonight it has to end,” I said.
“One way or another, otherwise the Legacy will send someone else to deal with it.”
“Maybe they should have, because I don’t think this is good for Arie.”
“He’ll deal with it.” Victoria twisted my hair up into an elegant design and held my hair in place with rhinestone pins before she set about doing my make-up.
“I’m nervous about tonight.”
Victoria dusted mineral make-up over my face and dusted my cheeks with rouge. “Don’t worry. We’ll both be there.”
I remembered what Rue had told me—that she had seen my death—but there was no turning back now. I had to trust that Victoria and Arie could protect me.
“I hope you’re right.”
She applied my eyeliner and mascara more liberally than I would have liked. “We won’t let her hurt you.”
“I want to believe that everything will be all right.”
Victoria smeared my mouth with lipstick. “Take a breath. You’ll be fine. I promise.”
Somehow I doubted that, but what else was there to say other than ‘everything will be okay’ and just hope for the best, even though I knew deep down it wasn’t true? Rue couldn’t be wrong. Victoria slipped out of her clothes and put on a gown that shimmered silver. She looked like a star that lit up the sky with her pale skin, pale hair, and sparkly silver dress. Then she donned a silver mask with a white feather that covered her eyes. Victoria had told me Tessa loved masquerade balls and planned the gala accordingly. Her cropped hair didn’t need much of anything, but she’d spiked it and put on make-up before dinner. I envied that she didn’t have to do much of anything to maintain her hair, unlike mine. I’d opened my locket, and was staring at my mother’s face smiling back at me when Victoria’s cell phone rang.
She answered it and hung up abruptly. “It’s time.”
I slipped on the black spike heels with ruffled lace that reminded me of a spider web and I very much felt like I was tangled in one now. I dreaded wearing them. Even though I’d practiced walking in them, I was still unsteady on my feet, but at least I was able to walk without falling flat on my face.
A limo waited for us in front of the apartment building and a chauffeur opened the door for us. Arie wanted to do a perimeter sweep and scan for Katarina before the gala. He’d told us to meet him there.
When we arrived at the club it was already filling up with a crowd mix of those who wore glittering gowns and others who wore dark colors. Some wore masks while others carried black fans. Others looked like Goth versions of Glamour magazine models. We pushed our way through the growing crowd and made our way to the elevators. Victoria swiped her key card. When we reached the second level it appeared to be occupied only by vampires, along with the regulars, our human clientele. They were all decked in their finest and I wondered about the age of some of their garments, which appeared yellow rather than white.
Arie sat at the bar.
“Over there,” Victoria said as she gestured toward Arie.
He must have heard her because he turned toward us almost as soon as she spoke. As we made our way to the bar he gave me an appraising look. Arie wore a simple black and white tux which made him stand out among the rest of the crushing bodies vying for the bartender’s attention and a drink.
“You look stunning,” he said when we reached him.
I could feel warmth flood my cheeks. “Thanks.”
“Can I get you a drink?”
“I just want club soda.”
Arie flagged down the busy bartender. “A club soda for the lady and a pint of Puncture.”
The bartender brought us our drinks and we made our way to a table over by the balcony overlooking the club below. A woman wearing a short black dress sat alone at the table. Without acknowledging her, Arie and Victoria sat on either side of her which drew her attention from one of the burlesque acts performing on stage below. Her lips parted and a look of alarm passed over her face before she rose without saying a word to either of them, leaving the table.
“That was a little rude,” I said to Arie before taking her seat after she departed.
Arie said nothing.
Victoria laughed. “How else were we supposed to get a table? This place is already packed.”
The first act was finishing up when Tessa approached our table wearing a green dress that made her eyes stand out. Arie nodded at her in greeting while Victoria focused on the stage.
“Arie, I need you to come with me,” Tessa said.
“Why?”
“The security footage shows a woman that resembles Katarina, but I can’t be certain.”
He arched his eyebrows. “Victoria, I’ll be back. Take care of her.”
Victoria turned. “Of course.”
Arie turned to me and kissed me unexpectedly. The gentle, lingering touch of his lips brushing against mine felt as if he were taking the time to memorize the curve of my mouth before he left. He’d never kissed me in front of anyone else. I think it surprised Tessa and Victoria almost as much as it surprised me. His kiss was long enough that it left a tingling sensation in my stomach but short enough that it left me wanting more. If a kiss could form words I think the one word his kiss could say would be good-bye. It was tender and romantic yet frantic and violent all at once. I didn’t want it to end. And I wasn’t ready when he pulled away and followed Tessa away from our table. My tongue curled behind my teeth. As Victoria watched me I wondered if I’d ever feel our breath blend and our mouths merge as the tangle of his hands caught in my hair, or his fingers trailed down my curves, ever again.
“Damn.” It was all Victoria said and somehow that one expletive fit so well.
“She’s here. I know it. I can feel it. It’s really her.”
“Relax. I’m sure Arie and Tessa will take care of it. She’ll never get up here without a key card.”
The second act took the stage and it was a woman who recited poetry while doing a striptease that we’d booked. I couldn’t focus on her words as her clothes were thrown out into the audience, who howled. I bit my lower lip, waiting for Arie to return. While the audience cheered, she curtsied before leaving the stage. The woman with the suitcase who had auditioned with her vampire boyfriend was the next number.
Where is Arie?
Victoria’s cell phone rang. “Yes?”
She looked over at me. “Okay, I’ll be right there.”
Then she hung up the phone. “I have to go.”
“What? Why?” I asked.
“Tessa’s head of security wants me to meet him in the lobby. I’ll be back. Don’t go anywhere. Like I said, she can’t get to you without a key card.”
“Trust me, I’m not going anywhere unless you tell me to.”
Victoria nodded and left the table. I tried to focus on the performance on stage below but I felt keyed up, anxious, like something bad was about to happen. The lights dimmed and even though I knew it was part of the act, I felt my hands begin to shake. I wished Arie was here and wondered what was taking him so long. Suddenly, I felt my clutch purse in my lap begin to vibrate and realized it was my cell phone.
“Hello?”
“Meet me in the lobby,” Victoria said.
“What? Why? I can barely hear you.”
“But don’t...and you need...hurry.”
“Victoria, I missed half of what you said. I can’t hear you over everyone else.” The packed club made it too difficult to make out her words.
A clicking noise resounded in my ear as she ended the call without further explanation. I couldn’t decide whether I should wait for Arie or just go; surely Victoria wouldn’t tell me to meet her if it wasn’t safe. There had to be a reason. But still...
I decided to call Arie’s cell. He picked up on the first ring. “Holly, where are you?”
“I’m going to meet up with Victoria in the lobby.”
His muffled voice came through the other end but I couldn’t hear a word he was saying over the audience cheering below. With a sigh, I hung up, and tried to text him instead. Damn. Message not sent displayed across the screen and I realized that I had poor reception in the converted warehouse. My gut told me this was a bad idea but I only had one bar for signal strength on my damned phone. I tossed my cell in my clutch and took the elevator down to the lower level. The club had filled up and wall-to-wall people made maneuvering difficult. Finally, I managed my way through the throng and found the lobby relatively quiet.
Toward the entrance a woman sat on a velvet bench talking on her cell phone and her date puffed on a cigarette while watching out the door, which was propped open. It seemed as if he were waiting for someone. I looked around for Victoria. She stood behind the ornate table where they checked people in, and someone in a mask stood behind her. Victoria’s skin stood out like a beacon. It appeared paler than usual, if that were even possible, and resembled freshly fallen snow. Her hyacinth-colored eyes darted like a wild animal’s.
And I knew something was terribly wrong. It’s a trap. The masked figure behind Victoria grasped her head between her hands, giving it a brutal twist. Snap. Her body wilted like a delicate flower to the ground. Her neck was slanted to an impossible angle. I didn’t know if that could kill a vampire, but I didn’t have time to think about it or stick around to find out. Run. A sadistic smile curved the most beautiful mouth I had ever seen—or rather, it would have been beautiful if not for the terrifying look of insanity. Too late. She removed her mask, but even if she hadn’t I would have known it was her. Katarina.
She wore a deep burgundy gown that looked like velvet with a boned corset body that was decorated with red crystals at the top matching the ones in her hair. An ostrich boa lined the neckline. A funny thought occurred to me—that she wore a really appropriate dress for killing someone. I swallowed to keep my burst of hysteria from shattering the silence. I looked to the other end of the lobby but the woman still talked away on her cell phone, utterly oblivious, and I knew she’d be of no help. Her date seemed to have disappeared.
“Did you like your flowers?” she asked with a smile.
“That was you...”
“Who else? Oh, you poor girl. You thought Arie was being romantic. I’m sorry to tell you he’s not the flower type.”
“Why are you doing this? You’ve hurt so many people.”
“I came here for Arie. Every day I’d watch him buy coffee at your stupid little shop. It’s pathetic how he dotes on you.” She flicked a polished finger and reminded me of a cat with her movements, with her feline–like smile.
“You don’t have to do this.”
“Then I watched the two of you at the loft, which was quite convenient after I got rid of your cat.”
“Mystic...that was you when I was in the tub.” And I remembered my dinner at WaterScapes with Arie. He’d mentioned that vampires could shapeshift, and I don’t know why it hadn’t occurred to me that was why my cat had attacked me.
“I could have killed you anytime, but this is more fun. Or it was fun, except now I’m bored. I’ll give you a head start. One, two...”
When she started counting I quickly measured the distance between me and the entrance. I knew I’d never make it to the door when I had to move past her to get to it. My best chance was to find Arie and hope that a club full of people would deter her. I turned, running down the few black marble stairs, back into the club. One of my spike heels fell off as I stumbled down the stairs. Without stopping or turning around I elbowed my way through the crowd as I tried to get to the elevators on the other side.
The audience was applauding as a blonde woman and a vampire returned to the stage, both bowing widely. Then the two earlier acts returned to the stage and the cheering grew louder as there were more bows and rounds of applause. I’d never make it to the elevators. There were just too many bodies pressing together. I felt a hand grab my upper arm. Katarina had me. It would all be over soon. She hissed at me just like a cat.
In a blur she twirled me around and trapped my arms. As she stood behind me I felt her fangs puncture my neck. I heard a guy in the crowd yell, “Hey, look over there. That’s hot.” The space around us cleared as people began to gather around, watching her drain the life out of me. I heard someone else question how this was possible because it seemed so realistic. Another voice answered that anything is possible with stage blood. On that last word, the fang-fakers seemed to focus and took up a chant.
“Blood, blood, blood, blood.” The chant droned on and on.
I could feel the warm trickle of blood as it ran down my neck and chest, soaking my corset bustier. I tried to force myself to scream, to beg for someone to help me, but I felt lightheaded and weak. Panic and fear surged through me. -Holly, I gave you the chance to leave.- Katarina’s voice filled my mind with its telepathic transference. It didn’t matter now.
“No!” I heard Arie just barely above the chanting voices surrounding me.
When I looked up our eyes met and for the first time ever I saw fear etch Arie’s features as he stood on the balcony above. Except now I felt peace and calm wash over me. Arie would be with me in the end. That’s all that mattered. I blinked and he was gone, lost in the throng of people that had overtaken the balcony, watching my demise from above.
Time bent in a blur and I could see Arie now by the elevators but there were still so many people in the way. From out of nowhere two vampires grabbed him and were restraining him as he tried to get to me. One on each side held his arms tight even though he thrashed in their vice-like grip. “Let me go,” he screamed.
Katarina released my neck and the crowd applauded as I crumpled to the floor.
Katarina threw her head back and let out a haughty laugh. “Thanks to Anna and Katalin, you’re mine, little one. Arie can’t save you.”
I felt weak. A flash of blonde hair moved through the crowd. I thought I saw Rue wearing a sad sort of smile. You must remember. Take a deep breath. Then close your eyes and picture what you want. Everyone in the crowd seemed to disappear and all I could hear was Rue.
“The only way to stop the threat is to let light wrap around you and surround yourself in its love. The way to the light is found through darkness.”
I remembered Rue’s words when she came to me in my dream. Inhaling deeply, I closed my eyes and held the locket with my mother’s picture. The locket grew warm in my hand and everything felt fuzzy. Perhaps I was losing consciousness. The warmth grew, traveling up my fingertips, into my hand, and then trailed up my arm until my whole body felt as if I were lying in the sun. Katarina grabbed my shoulder. Then it felt like blood, like new life surging through my veins as if I were drawing something from Katarina. Drawing life from her...
Now.
When I opened my eyes a glow surrounded my body. The crowd was hushed, whispering now, but their words were lost to me. It took every ounce of strength I could muster to push myself up from the floor. Katarina let go of my shoulder. She gasped. I held out my hand, and when my palm made contact with her chest she cried out in pain. It was like she had been burned. I pulled her to me and placed both my hands on her shoulders. The light that covered me like a shroud seemed to transfer to Katarina and her skin began to glow as if it were burning her from the inside out.
It grew brighter and brighter until it shattered Katarina like glass and rained down dust that glowed, dimmed, and then grayed. Silence filled the club. All of a sudden, the crowd was cheering, marveling at the special effects and crazy light show. My knees buckled and I fell to the ground. Everything started to go gray.
“Holly, Holly...”
Arie’s face loomed above me. There was so much blood coming from the wounds in my neck. Did she nick an artery? I didn’t know. It didn’t matter. The world had been a kaleidoscope of bright light when I had touched Katarina but now it turned dull, gray, and as lifeless as I felt that I would be soon enough.
“I’m here now. I love you. I don’t want to lose you. I can’t lose you now.”
His lips pressed mine and I felt sad when he stopped kissing me. It was too short for good-bye. Darkness claimed me. I could feel my eyes roll in my head with a jarring motion. Fading in and out of consciousness—it felt a little like flying. The parking garage faded into the background over Arie’s shoulder. Then I was in a backseat and someone was stroking my hair. I thought I heard someone say, “I don’t know how but she’s turning.”
It was the last thing I remembered before it blurred into gray spots and everything went black.
