Something Bolder (Book Two)

XL. Reconciliation

I didn't know what to do with myself without someone to cling to, so I wandered to the edge of the room and tried to keep my eye out for someone I knew.

I knew it would be a difficult task, however, because the room was full and the guests were rapidly getting rowdier and rowdier. Three different people stumbled into me on my way off of the dance floor, which made me seriously wonder what those servers were pouring in those glasses.

As if on cue, a server appeared and all but forced a large glass of white wine in my hands. I took it for the sake of keeping the servers off of my back, but I had no intention of drinking it. I didn't think it was drugged, per se, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something strange was happening. I also didn't want to accidentally get swept away in the rambunctious crowd.

I decided the best thing I could do was make the most of my time by continuing to track down my targets. I felt better that I'd been able to get a clear view of the first one - at least I'd have a detailed description for Demetri after the fact, if I didn't see him again. I needed to focus my efforts on finding the second vampire, the one who killed my father.

I deftly traded my full glass of wine with a woman who's glass was half empty in order to appear like my guard was lowered. The woman didn't mind. I was sure she promptly forgot that I existed as soon as her back turned.

I circled the vast room slowly, taking my time to survey the crowd. It took a while and required quite a bit of effort on my part, but, sure enough, I found the last vampire. He was burly, gruff and had tightly cut sandy brown hair.

I had no idea how I was going to kill a man that big, but that was a problem for another time. I needed to find Demetri so I could fill him in and finally get the hell out of there. I had more than my fill of decadent dances for the next hundred years.

Fortunately, it didn't take me long to locate him.

Unfortunately, he wasn't alone.

My heart dropped as I looked on from the opposite side of the room. I saw Demetri enjoying a very lively conversation with Heidi.

'Of all people!' I pouted.

It wasn't like I could stomp over there and snatch him away, either. That would make me look totally desperate, especially because our newly minted "relationship" was less than two hours old. And it wasn't like I could explain to him why I really wanted her head on a platter - that it had nothing to do with him.

There was literally no way I could intervene without looking salty as hell.

The anger I felt when I looked at Heidi tasted different than the anger I harbored for the other two murderers. It was pathetic, and I hated that I cared.

Demetri and I weren't really together.

We hadn't done anything particularly intimate together.

Really, he was free to do whatever he liked.

Not that that stopped the insidious pang of resentment I felt as I watched them, standing close - too close - talking and laughing and having a grand old time.

"Has he grown bored of you already?" a disturbing, familiar voice said from over my shoulder.

"You have a lot of nerve approaching me," I said dryly, averting my eyes from Demetri and Heidi and turning my attention to Jane.

"And you have a lot of nerve showing up here with that hussy in tow, but here we all are," Jane said. "Not that it's serving you well," she added with a snicker.

"No, seriously. You must have balls the size of planets to talk to me after everything you've done," I said sourly.

"Everything I've done," she said, barking out a laugh.

"Why are you even talking to me?" I demanded. "Have you alienated so many people in your own coven that you don't have anyone else to talk to?"

"This is my home. I refuse to live in fear," she stated. "Especially fear of a human."

"If only you would extend the same courtesy to everyone else," I muttered, giving her a dark look.

"I warned you about him," Jane said, ignoring my comment. "I told you to ditch Demetri and now look at you."

"As if," I said emphatically. "He asked me to come with him. I didn't even want to come. In fact, I actively still wish I were in bed."

"He and Heidi have history, you know," she said smugly. "It's not a huge surprise that he's going back to her. Again. But so soon? Oh, my god! I could just die!" she exclaimed before letting out a peal of laughter.

"History?" I asked begrudgingly. I regret asking as soon as the word left my mouth.

"Well, nothing romantic," Jane giggled cruelly. "I guess he had to find someone with more...stamina."

I rolled my eyes at her. Even if she wasn't blowing things way out of proportion, which I highly doubted, the center of my grief with Heidi was from a much darker place than frivolous envy.

"She doesn't need sleep, either," Jane continued, trying her damndest to rub salt into my wounds. "And she's not nearly as moody as you, either."

"Whatever," I shrugged. What else was there to say?

"You've got some steep competition," she cackled. "I mean, look at her."

"Eh. She's not my type," I said coolly.

"And how's that?"

"I'm not into blondes," I said before giving her a wide, mocking grin.

"I am so sure," Jane said - though she did actually smile at my joke.

"And I'm not jealous," I said defensively. "Demetri and I aren't that serious yet."

"Yet?"

"Is it so hard to believe that men are genuinely attracted to me?" I prodded with a light, playful smile.

"Hm," Jane said, looking me up and down. "Perhaps not. Although it's still unclear to me why my brother and Demetri are so fond of you."

I was surprised. That sounded almost like a genuine inquiry opposed to a jab at me.

"What can I say?" I sighed dramatically before giving her a teasing smile. "I can't help it. I have them falling down like dominos."

Jane laughed out loud. In a nice way.

"Are you going to go do something about those two?" she asked with a bit more seriousness. "Or do I need to?"

"No," I sighed. "He can do whatever he wants. Plus, I don't want to look desperate."

"Hm," Jane hummed as she cast another look at Demetri and Heidi, who were still yukking it up on the other side of the room.

I dejectedly watched, as well. I wanted to throw myself a pity party, but I hadn't technically experienced anything to deserve one.

Then, to my immense surprise, Heidi seized up for a moment before crumpling to the ground.

"Jane!" I hissed. "What th--?"

Demetri looked over and immediately caught us staring.

'So much for not looking desperate!' I thought manically as my cheeks burned. I was completely mortified.

"What?" Jane asked, turning back to me with a sweet smile. "I hate it when other people hurt you - only I'm allowed to do that."

"You are such a menace," I growled as Demetri began to walk towards us with a troubled look on his face. "And, I think you just ruined my entire life."