Darkly Devoted (Book 1, 2, 3)

DB Chapter 16 - Friends . . . Forever

Chapter 16

OTHE ELEVATOR DOORS opened to an apartment about twenty floors up in the sky. Allison had heard Blake refer to his dwellings as his apartment before, but this was far from what she imagined. This apartment was practically a mansion in the sky. When they traveled around Manna City to complete Maglania's tasks, she had often seen where he temporarily resided.

She had never imagined his permanent residence was so grand. As Allison stepped out of the elevator, she immediately came face to face with a tall, stately butler wearing an old, weathered suit. His eyes were hard, and his hair was a snowy white. When he spoke, his tone was sharp even though he greeted both with a half-bow.

"There is a teenage girl here," the butler stated accusatively.

"She's my guest," Blake gestured absently at Allison and walked past the butler without a glance. "Devon, this is Lichtus. If there is anything you need, he is at your service."

"No, Master Th-Oslen, there is another teenage girl here."

"Miss Weisse?" Blake asked with a sigh as though he couldn't believe he was wasting his breath on these trivialities.

"No, not Miss Weisse. A third girl. A guest of Miss Weisse. You left instructions that no one —"

"Enough," Blake snapped. "Let Miss Weisse do what she wants."

"I can go check on Vivienne," Allison immediately added with her hands raised. She could see that Blake was about to lose his temper with his butler. "Go shower, sleep. Drink some blood and throw the rest of those stupid Lumins away."

"I can't. I didn't speak to her last night."

"Do you want to sit down with three teenage girls?" Allison teased. "We outnumber you. You want to listen to us chat about our celebrity crushes while we do our nails?"

"Let me wish her good night."

"While you're covered in blood?" Allison shooed him away. "Do you want to sit and explain to her that it was her Orlin bond that Maglania used against you?  All this happened because of the necklace that she lost? It's better if she doesn't know."

Blake opened his mouth to protest, but she poked him in the chest and shook her head. He didn't have the energy to argue with her, not after binding the Menjure Thread in her neck. Finally, he gave in and stepped back.

"Go." Allison insisted. "I'll make her understand."

Allison spun around and followed Litchus into the lounge area. There was a recessed sitting area that reminded her of a luxury woodland campground. The walls and floor were made of pale-yellow cypress, which felt overwhelmingly light and smooth under her feet. Vivienne was sitting at a small table made from the roots of a hinoki tree.

There was a girl with her. Allison squinted her eyes and tried to remember. The girl was small, with brown hair. She looked vaguely familiar, but Allison couldn't quite remember who she was.

Litchus cleared his throat to announce Allison's arrival, but Vivienne's eyes exploded with joy before he could say a single word. Vivienne raced over and embraced her.

"You're safe. I was so worried," Vivienne whispered. Her relief was genuine.

"Of course I'm safe, you silly goose," Allison laughed awkwardly. "What could happen to me when I have so many Princes to watch over me?"

"Yes, I had two of your Princes, but you have eight more," Vivienne laughed.

"Miss Devon, would you like to be shown to your room?" Litchus interrupted. Vivienne's eyes widened.