Love Sucks

Placing Bets - Chapter Eighteen

A number of haunting glares and curious gazes chastised Abbi with just one glance. She felt like the prized pig, and Nate was her handler. Fortunately, he had enough grace to lead them away from the main mass of people and onto the edges of the party.

Abbi couldn't remove her eyes from the Subjugates present at this party. She still couldn't breath right, and even though she knew she was safe with Nathaniel, there was nothing to stop her blood from freezing.

Nate cleared his throat and his fingers brushed her cheekbone - most likely trying to get Abbi's attention, but she didn't look at him. Instead, she locked gazes with a child-like girl on the floor, so small and broken.

"Nate ..." Abbi started, her voice thick and heavy.

She didn't have to say anything more, because one of his arms had snaked around her waist, and he enclosed the space between them. Abbi was strapped to his chest, while her hands clasped the edges of his perfectly ironed suit. She laid her cheek against the fine material and squeezed her eyes shut.

"I'm sorry." Nathaniel muttered, but for what, Abigail had no idea. Evangeline had warned her.

Loud and boisterous heels pounded the polished floors, but Nate still didn't remove Abbi from his embrace. Abbi could pick up on the slight swish of skirts, and a tinkling hint of perfume; rather familiar from somewhere.

"Mercy," Nate greeted, his chest humming with his voice. Abbi felt soothed at the feeling.

"Cousin," A cheerful voice, omitting some hidden secrecy, sounded off. Mercy was much too bright, and Abbi longed to read her expression, but Nathaniel still had her in lock-down; against the warmth of his body. "It's so good to see you again, and your little friend."

Abbi now felt defensive; two reasons. One, she was a good two or three inches above Mercy's short height, and the reference to being 'little' was insulting. Two, the way she spoke of Abbi was obviously demeaning, and meant to be hurtful.

Nathaniel heard it too, because he pricked and his fingers tightened on her back, "Abigail is much more than a 'little friend', Mercy." He said slowly, getting a slight intake of breath as an answer. Abbi felt her heart melt at his defense for her. Like a knight in shining crimson. Lifting her head, Abbi offered a timid smile towards Nate - he returned it without hesitation.

"Nathaniel," Mercy hissed, "Could I please speak to you ... alone?"

Abbi heard Nathaniel's blanch, but she could also feel his head nod reluctantly. "If you insist." He allowed, his voice layered in a dramatic frustration.

Mercy sighed heavily, then said, "Thanks." Nathaniel's warmth was stripped away and he stepped from Abbi, reluctantly. She turned to face an exceedingly beautiful Mercy. The other girl was wearing a white dress, intricate with a down of angelic feathers and tight upper body corset. Her corn-silk blond hair was curled to perfection, creating a halo around her pale cheeks, with lips painted bubble-gum pink and eyes highlighted in a gold.

Had she looked so perfect the last time Abbi had seen her?

Nathaniel stepped away from Abigail, although his movements were slow. "Abigail, Love, please excuse my absence, will you be okay by yourself?" He asked.

No. "Yes," She answered quickly, ignoring the sudden elation in Mercy's eyes.

"Just-" He paused, giving her a rueful little smile, "Stay away from the other vampires."

And with that - Nathaniel was being drug away by a suddenly ecstatic Mercy, and pulled deeper into the mass of party-goers until they had disappeared entirely.