Daughter of Blood and Nightmares

10: No Can Do, Sweetheart

The following days blend into each other. No single thing distinguishes one day from the next. They run together into one long, boring day, sleepless night. Not a single person brings up Phoebe killing Seraphina or me inadvertently killing strangers.

But that all changes when I'm jolted awake by Winston's loud, harsh voice demanding something from someone, which is pretty typical behavior for her and I can't help but to be thankful that she's not screaming at me.

I leap off my bed and make a dash for the door, surprisingly finding it unlocked. The hall is lined with girls all peering over the railing enjoying the show. A murmur of their gossiping fills the hall. Addison is further down, she chews on her bottom lip, Gina beside her.

"What's going on?" I whisper to her as I linger behind the two. "Did another girl die? Did Phoebe do it?"

Gina gives a quiet 'no' as Addison's wide eyes go back to staring through the balcony railing trying to get a glimpse of what's happening downstairs. "Phoebe's still in her room apparently unamused by what's going on."

"Then what's going on?"

"All I know is that there's men here demanding someone." Addison's face cringes with horror as she thinks about all the possibilities of why strangers were here asking for one of us.

Are they good? Are they bad? Do they want to hurt us or hire us?

"Who are they demanding?" My voice is shaky as I ask.

Addison stares everywhere, but at me. The floor, the ceiling, back down at Winston. But Gina, shy but very blunt Gina says, "you." She's freaking out at the possibility of me getting hauled away.

Except it isn't a possibility. This is the day I've been dreading. It was bound to happen. Someone would finally track me down and haul me away. Preferably to my death, because God only knows how long I've been trying to secede in accomplishing that.

The slam of the door startles me and all eyes go to Winston. Her eyes immediately land on me as she crooks her finger in summons, coldly saying my number. Nineteen.

"This can't be good." Addison blurts out.

"Settle down." I hiss as I proceed to the staircase. I don't stop until I come to stand in front of Winston, a cross between an unsurprised and annoyed look on her face. "You want to speak with me?" I say.

"There are people here specifically asking for you. You wouldn't happen to know why...would you?"

My heart slams against my chest. "Noooooo?" Now, it's my turn to look anywhere else besides Winston's cold blue eyes. "Well...maybe." It comes out more as a question than a statement of my innocence.

She raises her eyebrows in acknowledgement. "What trouble did you get into at the market?"

I shrug my shoulders not wanting to admit anything, but with those icy blues staring down at me, I have no choice. "I may have flicked a demon off and slammed into some guys I probably shouldn't have. That was completely accidental though...the demon was fully my fault."

"They claim to have known your...father."

I don't know what comes over me, but I march to the door and throw it open to demand that they leave because I will not be going with them. I knew those two were trouble. I knew I recognized that mark on their hands.

A gust of wind rushes me as the door flies open. My mouth snaps open to start an argument, but quickly clenches shut when my eyes land smack dab on Oliver. The semi-charming guy we ran into at the market. Of course they didn't send anyone else. They must love the idea of flaunting my mess up in my face.