Something Bolder (Book Two)

XXXIII. Taunt

Giorga and I arrived back at the castle shortly before sunset. We walked briskly through the lobby, where Anita was tied up on the phone, and headed straight for my bedroom.

We ended up driving around Florence all day while I did some Christmas shopping and Giorga had arms full of bags from various well known retailers. I offered to carry some of the bags but Giorga took her job very seriously and insisted that she carry them - it was her first day, after all. I was marginally concerned about how she teetered on her heels under the weight of the gifts but I allowed her to help, anyway.

I wanted to get back to my room quickly before we ran into anyone; I didn't want to risk ruining the surprise. Yeah, I had beef with practically everyone in the coven, but it was the holidays. I was dead set on enjoying my Christmas, no matter what.

We were making good progress along the corridors, our footsteps echoing as we hustled along, when I heard Aro's voice drift out into the hall from one of the chambers as we passed. That wasn't unusual, of course. What concerned me was the cluster of dark robes I saw as we passed by the open doorway. Unfortunately, we must have walked by right at the end of a team meeting.

I nudged Giorga and began to walk faster, determined to keep the gifts a surprise, and she quickly followed suit. We'd only managed to walk a few paces, however, before we were stopped.

"Well, well. Look who it is," Jane said loudly, her voice high and brittle.

Giorga and I turned around reluctantly. We were greeted by the sight of all of the higher ranking members of the guard filing out of the chamber and pooling into the hall.

I quickly glanced around at the familiar faces; Alec, Felix, Demetri, Chelsea, Santiago, Renata

And the few unfamiliar ones: a soft, petite woman with a dark pixie cut, and a tall, icy blonde.

I could identify the blonde as Heidi - how could I ever forget? Because I could tell who Heidi was, it was safe for me to assume that the last vampire was Corin. I hadn't seen her much, since she seemed to spend most of her time with the leader's wives. I remembered that her gift was addictive contentment, which made the intentional choice of pairing her with the wives...seem shady, to put in nicely.

Of course, every last one of them promptly stopped to watch Jane harass me with an array of expressions that ranged from mild interest to pure boredom.

'Ah, yes. Let's enjoy Violet, the coven's wildly entertaining side show,' I thought wearily.

After spending a good amount of time contemplating what I should do about Jane, I decided that for the time being the best way to deal with her was to not reward her poor behavior with a reaction. All she ever wanted was to get a rise out of me, and I was getting really tired of constantly winning the title of Freak of the Week because of the way I responded to her.

"Hi, Jane," I said politely. Yet again, I truly - in my heart of hearts - didn't want any trouble.

"How are you liking your new maid?" Jane asked with a sweet, malicious smile as she strolled closer.

"Actually, I'm not--" Giorga started.

"Giorga. Don't," I said, cutting her off quickly.

Jane gave her a cold, flat look.

"I'm not a maid," Giorga corrected Jane anyway.

And Jane promptly stalked up to us and snapped her neck.

The shopping bags crashed on the ground as Giorga crumpled to the floor.

Great. A dead assistant and broken gifts.

Merry freakin' Christmas.

I didn't sigh. I didn't make a face, nor did I utter a word.

I just collected my shopping bags, carefully stepped over Giorga's body, and continued on my way.

"Hey!" Jane said shrilly once it occurred to her that I wasn't going to react.

I kept my face blank as I turned back around; everyone still watched on.

"Don't you have anything to say?" Jane demanded.

I looked down at poor Giorga, then back at Jane.

"You might want to clean that up before she evacuates her bowels all over the floor," I said.

Jane blinked at me, clearly unsatisfied with my answer. Then an evil little grin spread across her face before she turned towards the rest of the group.

"Demetri. Clean this up," Jane ordered, her voice tinkling with amusement.

Bait. She was still baiting me.

Of course, I wanted to stick up for Demetri. We were cool. But, that's what Jane wanted and I wasn't about to give it to her.

He was a big boy, anyway. He could throw a body out.

I readjusted my armful of bags and began tottering down the hall again.

"Here. Let me help you with your bags," Alec offered, disrupting whatever jab Jane had locked and loaded for me next.

"I'd rather strangle myself with a line of tinsel," I said flatly as I continued to shuffle along my way. He easily caught up with me and matched my sluggish pace just as I turned a corner.

"I've been meaning to talk to you, actually," Alec insisted.

Oh, God. Afton was right after all.

"I'm busy," I insisted. "I have to wrap these gifts before tomorrow all by myself."

"Gifts?"

"Don't worry about it. What do you want?"

"I wanted to talk to you about the ball tomorrow," Alec said, placing his hand on my elbow and forcing me to come to a stop.

I looked up at him wearily, waiting to get whatever this was over with.

"I know you and I aren't...together right now. But, I was the one who invited you to the ball and it doesn't seem right for me to let you go alone," he said.

"Oh. I'm fine. Don't worry about it," I said before trying to continue heading back to my room.

"It's just--" Alec said, reaching out and stopping me again. "I still care about you deeply. That hasn't changed. And I know you're upset with me right now, but I intend on winning back your heart."

I stared at him blankly. I had no idea how to respond to that.

"I'm still very much in love with you. Nothing is going to change that," he professed.

"Erm. Thank you," I said amiably. "But I already have a date for tomorrow."

Alec's face crumpled.

"It's very kind of you to think of me," I added in an attempt to soften the blow.

"Of course," he said, quickly collecting himself. "Anything for you."

"I should go," I said suddenly. "I gotta work on these gifts."

"Right," Alec nodded and finally stepped out of my way.

"I'll see you around," I said with an awkward smile, readjusting my bags again. "Merry Christmas."