Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 142050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 710(@200wpm)___ 568(@250wpm)___ 474(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 710(@200wpm)___ 568(@250wpm)___ 474(@300wpm)
“Meeting me?”
“Yes.”
“You’re at a transition in your life?” Valentina reached out and put her hand on Lyric’s shoulder. “Tell me. What’s going on.”
A sizzle of energy passed between them, the earnest compassion coming with a charge that made it feel of vital importance.
The stuff of destiny.
“I want…”
She thought of Allhan, and the way Uncle Vishous had looked at her with respect, the kind that was fully adult, shared between equals. She wanted to be seen like that again, by the ones who mattered. She did not want to be on the roof while others—
“Fight.”
As the word was spoken on a loud-and-clear, Lyric came back to attention. “I’m… sorry?”
“You must learn to fight,” the woman said in a voice that didn’t carry. “You have been beautiful all your life, but that’s not who you are meant to be. Fight.”
The moment stretched out between them.
Until it reached some terminal point of elasticity and snapped back into place.
Valentina laughed easily as she removed her hand. “I just have that instinct about you. And I’m never wrong about these things. You might say… I have a second sight. Is it time for some postable pictures now?”
The question was posed with a casual inflection, but it was an order nonetheless, and people responded as such, rushing forward even though they ultimately didn’t do anything. It was only the photographer who’d been working the main event who was needed, and as soon as he appeared, Valentina stepped in close.
The woman looked over. “Do you have a brother?”
Lyric’s brows popped. “Yes—yes, I do.”
“You know, sometimes those of shared blood can be tremendous resources.” Valentina gave her a little squeeze. “Of course, that’s not always the case. But, I don’t know, something tells me he might be able to help you—smile.”
The flashbulb went off a number of times in a row, leaving bald spots in her vision.
“And now,” the beautiful woman said, “if you don’t mind, I’d love you to go with Jenny. There are a number of VIPs with big followings who’d just die to get your picture with them? It’ll be good for you because they’ll cross-promote your brand and socials.”
In a daze, Lyric nodded. And then remembered. “Oh, but what about—”
“Your friend can stay here. It’s no problem whatsoever.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
As Lyric was led off, Dev stayed right where he was. Funny, he hadn’t had any kind of concrete plan coming here, just vague ideas that were noble in theory, utterly ridiculous in practice. Listening to that speech had been time well spent, however. As the words had drifted around and fed and watered the assembled acolytes, he had clarified things.
So yes, he knew what he wanted now.
“Would you like to wait in my dressing room?” the demon asked him with a wide, winning smile. “It’s very loud in here. Come on, I’ll show you the way.”
Even though the door with the gold star on it was only about ten feet away.
“Give us a minute.” As Devina—oops, sorry, Valentina—spoke to her staff and reps, she took his arm in a light grip. “I have to take care of our guest and get him settled.”
Aware that jealous eyes were locking on him, Dev allowed himself to be steered through that special door, and then, for the first time in a decade…
He was alone with his mother.
As she closed them in, she leaned back against the panel.
When there was only silence, he went for a wander over to the dressing table. A mirror, with rows of lights running up both sides, was perched over a tabletop scattered with compacts, wands, pencils, and potions. He picked up a perfume bottle.
Poison. By Dior.
“I know it’s you,” she said in a soft voice. “I can’t see you… but a mother knows.”
Pivoting back around, he held up the fragrance. “I didn’t know you could still get this.”
“There is nothing I can’t get.”
He laughed with a hard edge as he put the bottle down. “That is not true.”
“Anything material, that is—” Her voice broke. “Will you not let me see you properly? It has been… so long.”
“What about all your hangers-on out there. Don’t you need to get back to them?”
“They can wait. Forever.”
When he turned around, he released the lock on his essence—and he had to admit, she was a good actress. The demon let out a choked gasp and slapped a hand over her mouth. As tears flooded those gorgeous black eyes, she rushed forward—
Dev shoved his palm out. “Give it a rest. I know who you are, so just like the bullshit you’re peddling to all those humans isn’t necessary or interesting in the slightest, neither is any kind of sloppy reunion here.”
“Must you be so cruel.”
Now he laughed honestly. “Coming from you? That’s rich. And spare me the acting. Let’s get real, Mom.”
Her face tightened into a mask. But her voice remained level. “Why did you bring a vampire here.”