Hunger (Damnation Book 1)

Chapter 23 - Sign on the Dotted Line

The next few days at school fly by and before I know it, it's Friday. Pulling Randall aside in the cafeteria, I ask, "Hey, I know this is last minute, but my dad is throwing this big party tomorrow and I need a date. Want to come? Make it a little less boring?"

I trail my fingers down his chest, letting my power trickle into him. Randall's eyes glaze over and he clears his throat. "Yeah, that sounds good."

Letting out a little giggle, I kiss him on the cheek and say, "Great. It's black tie, so be sure to dress nice."

I start to head out the door but Randall pulls me back, "Where are you going?"

"Home. There are a lot of things I have to help my father with," I say. "See you tomorrow. Nine o'clock sharp."

At the house, people are buzzing about everywhere. There are professional cleaners and decorators. Daddy is really not sparing any expense this year. It's the annual mascaraed ball and he's really let the decorator take it to the extreme. The ballroom is being transformed into Venice before my very eyes. There are lanterns creating a dim look as well as a lot of draped velvet to add to the mystery. Oh, this could actually be fun, you know if I cared. All it is really is a pissing match of demons and Nephilim alike, trying to show off who has had the better year. I go upstairs to find a guy waiting in my room. Gil is talking to him. "Hey, brother, what are you doing?" I ask, walking up to join them, a little pissed. I was kind of hoping to get a nap in.

"I thought you would like Brad, here, to give you a massage," Gil tells me.

"How nice," I say, my voice flat. I just wanted to get some sleep, but I suppose a nice massage will help make falling asleep easier. That's only if I can handle it.

"Come on, baby sister. You need to get comfortable with your body again. A safe and simple massage can help. If it gets to be too much, just take a break," he says after pulling me aside.

Brad motions to the table set up in the sunny part of the room. Without a care, I begin to undress to get ready for the massage. Having changed in front of Gabriel more times than I care to remember, being naked in front of strangers doesn't bother me anymore. Brad clears his throat and I smile at his discomfort. I lie down on my stomach and he throws a towel over my unmentionable area.

At first, I am so tense just from his nearness. I take a few deep breaths and focus on the party in my head. I keep running lines and moves I can put on Rand to get him to give me his soul. Soon, his touch is just something in the background. Then, his fingers turn magical. I've been so tense since I've returned. I didn't know how much stress I hold in my back until he begins to push the knots out. I can't stop the moaning and groaning escaping my lips. I can also feel the desire rising in my masseuse. I smile into the pillow. His hands keep dipping dangerously low and I can feel his wanting rise. Now I get why Gil got Brad for me; someone to help me get back in the swing of things before I'm forced to take another's soul. He keeps touching me, switching between deep strokes and feather light touches until I am putty in his arms. Yes, this is way better than sleep.

The day of the party, I get my make-up done and let the hairstylist control my curls into soft waves for once. Her touch hardly bothers me at all. She ties my mask on and helps me into my red Jessica Rabbit dress. I tie my heel straps up my leg so they will show when I walk through the slit in the skirt. I adjust the dress to make the sweetheart neckline look absolutely enticing. This is my night and I will own that ballroom. I have to get things back to normal. If not, I don't know what I will do. This is it, my test, and I will pass.