“Oh, and this is Rafe.” She nods, jabbing her finger toward the glorious rogue just behind her.
Same group of rogues the twins were talking about, minus Marco, the one with the Jaguar who doesn’t seem to be here. And even though I’ve no idea what they’re up to, what their agenda could possibly be, if they’re hanging with Roman, the twins have every right to be worried.
Haven heads for the den, eager to introduce Misa and Rafe to her friends, as Roman lags behind, grinning at me.
“I’d almost forgotten how good you can look when you put a little effort behind it.” He smiles, gaze gliding over my turquoise blue dress, hovering at the deep V of the neck, the expanse of bare skin where my amulet should be. “Guess this must be the reason,” he nods, motioning toward Jude. “Since we know it wasn’t for me, and Damen doesn’t seem to be around much these days, does he? What happened, Ever? You forfeit your quest?”
I swallow hard and steady my gaze, taking in the tousled hair, designer board shorts, leather flip-flops, and long-sleeved tee, nothing about him appearing the slightest bit different, and yet we both know it is. That gleam in his eye, his lascivious gaze, his attempt to embarrass me—it’s all just a front, a bit of bravado, trying to save face before he hands over the goods.
“So, you pouring?” He nods toward the punch bowl filled with nonalcoholic sangria. “Or is this a help-yourself situation?” Eyeing the bowl in a way that sets me on edge.
“I don’t think you’d like it.” I shrug, gaze fixed on his when I add, “Not your kind of drink.”
“Good thing I brought my own.” He winks, raising his glass bottle and stopping just shy of his lips, tilting it toward Jude when he says, “Wanna try? Takes the edge off. Guarantee you that.”
Jude squints, entranced by the sparking, pearlescent liquid Roman jiggles before him. And I’m just about to intervene when Romy and Rayne barrel down the stairs, halting when their eyes meet Roman’s, knowing I’m responsible for his being here.
“Well, if it isn’t the Catholic school twins.” Roman smiles, cheeks spread wide as he takes them in. “Love the new look! Especially you—you little punk goddess.” He nods at Rayne, prompting her to turn away as he takes in her short dress, ripped stockings, and black patent-leather Mary Jane shoes.
“Go back upstairs,” I tell them, wanting to get them as far from Roman as I possibly can. “And I’ll—”
About to say that I’ll be there in a minute, when Jude steps in, nudging my arm when he says, “Why don’t I take them home?”
And even though I’m not thrilled with the idea of him going to Damen’s, sure that Damen will like it even less, there’s really nothing else I can do. As long as Roman’s in my house, I’m pretty much stuck here too.
I follow them to the door, Rayne tugging my sleeve, pulling me down to her level when she says, “I don’t know what you’ve done, but something very bad is brewing.”
I look at her, about to refute it, tell her it’s nothing like that, it’s all under control, but she just shakes her head and adds, “Changes are coming. Big changes. And this time, you better choose right.”
forty-five
By the time Jude returns I’m out by the pool, watching the blond, tanned, physically glorious, golden-boy Roman splashing around and inviting everyone to jump in and join him.
“Not a fan?” Jude says, sitting beside me and eyeing me closely.
I frown, watching Haven’s aura light up like the Fourth of July, glowing brighter and brighter as she clings to his back as he dips underwater, having no idea that he isn’t really her date like she thinks. I’m the one who brought him here. He’s bound to me now.
“Is it concern for your friend, or—something else?”
I fidget with the crystal horseshoe bracelet on my wrist, the one Damen gave me that day at the track, turning it around and around, as I narrow my eyes. Wondering what’s taking so long. If the spell truly worked (and I know it did), then why don’t I have the antidote now? Why is he delaying?
“So, the twins—they okay?” I ask, tearing my gaze away from the pool and focusing on Jude.
My eyes meeting his when h
e says, “Damen might’ve been right about the book being too strong for them.”
I press my lips together, hoping Damen doesn’t know I went behind his back and interfered with his lesson plan.
“No worries.” Jude nods, reading my face. “Your secret’s safe. I didn’t even mention it.”
I sigh in relief. “Did you see him—Damen?” I ask, throat tightening, heart clenching, the mere mention of his name turning my insides to mush, imagining how he must’ve felt to find his nemesis of the past several lives, the very same guy I embraced on the beach, standing on his front porch, Romy and Rayne at his side.
“He was out when I got there, and the twins were so freaked I waited ’til he got back. That’s some place he’s got.”
I press my lips together, wondering what he saw, if the twins gave him a tour, if Damen’s special room is restored.
“I think he was surprised to find me watching TV in his den, but once I explained, it went fairly well.”