Reborn Deceit

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

Rose

Krea Haywood was, to Roses surprise, actually just as Rose had imagined a Guardian-gone-bad-then-good-again would look. Her hair was dyed red—Rose was sure of that, because no ones natural hair color was that red—and hung down to the middle of her back. Her eyes were the darkest brown Rose had ever seen, and her face held the delicate features of a woman; slim, pointed nose, oval face, high cheekbones, softly shaped chin. She was beautiful, and Rose felt painstakingly plain standing next to her.

With dark smoky eye shadow, black eyeliner that winged out on the side and violet painted nails, she resembled a teenager going through a goth phase. But, the ripped jeans, deep v-neck form fitting t-shirt and hefty cleavage was a clear reminder that this wasn't a teenager, but rather an extremely badass Guardian woman.

Rose also felt really taken aback when Krea took Damian into a hug that spoke of a long and shared history.

"Damian Nikolaidis, it's been a long time." Krea purred, and Damian had taken her into a hug with a genuine smile on his face. Rose had to swallow the bile in her throat. "I have to admit, I was quite surprised when I got your call."

When Damian stepped back out of her arms, Kreas gaze landed on Rose. Rose hated to admit that she now eyed the redhead as competition. After last night, and the countless times her and Damian had rolled around in bed, Rose now thought of him as hers. And she'd be damned if some tall, skinny, and incredibly beautiful woman was going to swoop in and change that.

Roses claws were out, and she was ready for a fight.

"And you must be Rose." Krea didn't try to take Rose into a hug; she didn't even try to shake her hand. She just stood at the threshold of her townhouse, eyeing Rose over, her gaze sweeping her from head to toe, and Rose had to fight back a glare in return.

"The one and only." And don't you forget it.

Rose surprised herself at her own hostility. But, after the things Damian made her feel last night, it was normal to feel like she had to stake her claim on him, right? Oh god, she was turning into one of those girls.

"Oh, come on in, you two. No point in standing out in the cold." Krea stepped aside and, with Damians hand on her lower back escorting her in, Rose stepped through the threshold and into the room.

The foyer was long and narrow, and the walls and ceiling were painted a pristine white. A large chandelier hung from the ceiling, and large framed paintings hung on the left wall, while a large mirror, with a dark table, sat on the right. A door to the left led to what looked like a formal sitting area, while the door to the right led to a dining room and kitchen. Just from the entrance, the place looked small, but it was immaculate.

"Go ahead and take a seat." Krea said, motioning to the sitting room on the left. "I'll bring us some tea."

"Coffee, please. If you have any." Damian spoke up, a quick glance at Rose letting her know that he somehow knew of her hatred for tea.

"Coffee, of course." Kreas tone was bitter, and the accusatory glance at Rose let her know that she was somehow inconveniencing their host. "I'll be just a minute."

With his hand reconnecting with her lower back, Damian ushered Rose into the sitting room.

This room was, just like the entranceway, cleaned to perfection and appeared to be decorated by a professional. The wall to the left was actually not a wall at all, but a large black painted bookshelf that was filled to the brim with more books than Rose could imagine. She refused to admit just how much she was drawn to it. A curtain was pulled over the window that sat on the wall opposite them, and a small fireplace was burning away on the wall to their right. Soft white armchairs with mauve decorative pillows sat in front of the bookshelf, a large reading lamp between them. An oversized wooden desk sat in front of the window, covered with so many decorations that Rose was certain it was never actually used to do work.