Singed (The White Rose Vampire Series) book 2

Chapter Three

Hello, Everyone, 

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-XXXX Amanda

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The only hotel in Brockhurst was a large concrete structure boasting turn of the century flare. Most of the rich came there during their stay in the town on their way to the Smoky Mountains or to visit their children in college. All were oblivious to the darkness in the town in the guise of a church.

"Are you okay?" Jonathon asked, his eyebrows drawing together as concern etched over his features.

"I was just thinking how everyone is oblivious to what the church here is really doing," I said, licking my lips as the image of flames surrounding me entered my mind.

Jonathon bit his bottom lip, his green eyes darkening, "You were oblivious at one time too. You need to remember that."

"I do remember that," I said, shaking off the image of being tied to that stake because I needed to keep a level head, "But I'm truly enlightened now...As frightening as that is."

Jonathon reached forward and caressed my cheek like he had so many times before but this time my heart twisted painfully reminding me how easy it was for him to abandon me when I needed him the most.

"I'm frightened too," he said, his voice pained. I wanted to believe him, but I couldn't because he had hurt me so damn much.

I jerked away from him, my stomach twisting as my soul reached for him, but I couldn't let him get close when I still wasn't sure if he would leave again.

He gritted his teeth as I opened the door and got out of the car, putting distance between us. His face was stoic as he moved beside me, walking toward the hotel but as we moved toward the entrance, I froze. The images of fire dancing around me came back full force as I saw the woman who set the flames walk into the hotel.

I gasped as I glanced at Jonathon, my face paling in fear, "Is that-"

But I couldn't finish the question because saying her name would terrify me worse. Instead, Jonathon pulled me against his side, trying to give me comfort as he said the name of the woman who had become a part of my nightmares, "Margaret Harrison."

A tremble worked through me as I realized we needed to find Daniella before Margaret lit the fire beneath another witch's feet.

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"You have to calm down, Izzie," Jonathon said as we stepped closer to the hotel. He stopped, stepping in front of me, "I won't let anything happen to you or Daniella. Trust me, please."

My bottom lip trembled as he peered into my eyes, begging me to believe him and I did. Regardless of how hurt I was by him, I knew he would never let harm come to me or to the rest of the witches bound to his brothers, "I-I'm okay."

"No, you're frightened," he said, softly, "I can feel it. The best thing to do is to find Daniella and convince her to come with us as quickly as possible."

"How do we do that?" I asked, glancing toward the door.

He grasped my chin, forcing me to look at him instead of the place where Margaret had entered the hotel, "Focus on me instead of that evil woman," he said, his eyes remaining on me. When my attention was on him, he continued, "When we walk in the hotel, we will be like any other couple to the staff and the guests. We simply need to avoid Margaret until we find Daniella."

I nodded as he grasped my hand, taking a deep breath as he led me toward the door. Once inside, I glanced around the opulent reception area, taking it in before finding Margaret talking to the receptionist at the desk.

Jonathon tilted his head as we moved past her to the elevators. His eyes narrowed as we waited for the doors to open. It seemed to take forever before the ding sounded announcing the elevator's arrival and the silver panels slid open. Once inside, Jonathon pressed the button for the third floor. Only when the doors shut did I let out the breath I had been holding the whole trip through the lobby.

"Daniella is assigned to the third floor," he said, softly, pulling me against him again and though I knew I should have backed away from him, I didn't because I needed his comfort, "I heard the receptionist tell Margaret."

I nodded as silence followed as I watched the numbers above the door light up with each floor we passed, finally illuminating the three. The door opened and we stepped out onto a carpeted hallway so bright there were no shadows to hide within. Jonathon's brows furrowed as he grabbed my hand again before glancing both ways and leading me down the hall.

We turned a corner almost running into a young woman with long dark hair pulled back in a ponytail. Eyes the same hazel as mine widened as they roamed over my face. Her full lips parted as she blinked, her face flushing in shock.

"I dreamed about you," she said and then, shook her head as if she didn't mean to say the words out loud.

"Daniella?" I said as a frown crossed her face, obviously surprised I knew her name, "My name is-"

"Izzie," she whispered as the ding of the elevator arriving echoed through the air.

"Yes," I said, glancing over my shoulder worried that Margaret would arrive any second, "I know this will sound crazy but we really need to speak to you alone, but this is not the place to do it. If you've had the dreams, you know I'm not dangerous. So, I hope you'll believe me when I tell you that we need to get out of here without using the main elevator?" I said, my voice tumbling over the words as I hoped Daniella wouldn't run in the opposite direction.

Daniella gazed into my eyes and nodded as she led us to a door labeled employees only. When we opened it, we found the elevators the employees used to deliver food and to transport their carts. She pressed the button and almost immediately the doors slid open.

We moved inside but as the doors closed, I could hear someone's arrival. Margaret's face came into view just before the doors sealed shut. The hatred in her eyes was so potent that both Daniella and I flinched. Jonathon's hand tightened around mine.

Daniella turned toward me, her eyes wide, "I hope you have a really good explanation of what's going on because this is some freaky shit."

"I think that's best explained later," I said because I was sure that telling her she was a witch like me and Jonathon was a vampire would frighten her away, "Right now, the only thing I can explain quickly is that woman is dangerous. She meant to hurt you. She means to hurt me. We need to leave this hotel now."

Daniella nodded as the doors opened on the first floor. She took a deep breath as she hesitated and then, followed us out of the hotel leaving everything she knew about her life behind.