Never

Chapter 13: A Question For A Question

Winter's POV:

Titas felt so bad about me having a deathmark, he went a little overkill on trying to make it up to me. Kristoff apparently sent him to the house both to keep him safe from getting hypnotized again, and to be a buffer between Thaddeus and I.

It was fine up until he decided what I needed was a party. It was nice and all, but the only person I sort of even liked hanging out with at parties was Selene and she was on the mission with Kristoff.

Everyone else, I got along with for the purpose I needed to, but I wouldn't consider them friends. I wouldn't even consider Selene a friend. Not because I didn't want any, I just had much more important things to focus on. Like what I could find about Dorian in Convington.

That was why when familiar faces of what I considered acquaintances flooded in the house near sunset with lots of booze, I only lasted so long. I did what was socially expected of me. I acted excited to see everyone, made references to inside jokes we picked up on over the years, and as quickly as possible, made my exit and sat outside on the porch with a bottle of bourbon and my music.

And Hugh of course. He was laying on my feet.

Since I didn't have Selene to hang on and watch hit on guys, I texted her to ask how it was going.

Selene: We're still driving. It's far away. How are things with the gorgeous brother?

I glared at the screen and typed my response.

Me: I don't know who you're talking about

Selene: LOL. Ok. You can hate him all you want but you have to admit he's fucking sexy

Me: We have VERY different taste

Selene: LIAR

Me: Seriously? He's a jerk

Selene: A jerk that happens to check all the Winter horniness boxes. Tall? Check. Handsome? Check. Strong? Check. Older? Check. Wears exclusively black and looks pissed off most the time? Check. Admit it, he's exactly your type and it's pissing you off

Me: Vampire? RED FLAG. Asshole? RED FLAG

Selene: Don't pretend you don't sleep with assholes on a regular basis. You like fighting too much to sleep with anyone who isn't an asshole. Can't help but notice you didn't deny he's sexy ;) Just decide if you want him or not before I get back, because I am absolutely shooting my shot if you're not going to

I read her message and scowled, returning my phone to my pocket. Hugh opened one eye to look at me and I shrugged. "What? She's wrong."

His eye shut and that was it. I sighed and stared out across the dark landscape only illuminated by the light of the moon. Kristoff's property was the perfect place to see fireflies. They blinked in and out with their vibrant colors, only here until the weather got colder. When it did, they'd go, the leaves would change, then the colder seasons would come and with them...

"I don't care when winter solstice is. The first day of winter is the first snow," daddy said, carrying me out onto the porch as the sun was rising. He inhaled deeply and grinned. "Smell that, Winnie? That's the smell of snow. I bet money it'll snow tonight. You know what that means?"

I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck. "It's time to pick out our tree."

"And who better to pick out the tree then Winter herself?" he said, poking my nose. "Let's get our boots on, baby. We about to celebrate your season."

I brought my knees to my chest and closed my eyes to ease the stinging. Winter wasn't something I celebrated anymore. I reached for the bottle of bourbon and took a swig. The amber liquid burned down my throat and Hugh lifted his head. I followed his gaze and saw Thaddeus walking down the porch with a phone to his ear.