Red-Headed Stepchild

“You’re no fun,” he said. “Okay, we’ll start with one.”



Just as quickly as it began, I found myself standing upright again. Vertigo rushed through my head and I swayed right into Adam. He reached to steady me, but I pushed away and sat on the edge of the bed. The room spun for a moment as my equilibrium returned. The lightheadedness passed quickly, replaced by embarrassment. I took that and twisted it into anger, an emotion I felt more comfortable with.



“You asshole!” I said, standing again.



Adam’s shit-eating grin did nothing to bank the fire in my belly. “You deserved it after that cheap shot. My ass is still sore.”



“Good!”



“Seriously, Sabina? You might want to look into some anger management classes. You’re awfully touchy.”



“Touchy!” I took a menacing step toward him. He didn’t move, just looked at me with a challenge in his eyes. I paused, realizing he’d been trying to get a rise out of me all along. Not wanting to give him any further satisfaction, I clenched my fists and forced myself to calm down. I counted to ten. He was still grinning. I took two cleansing breaths. He cocked an eyebrow. That did it.



“Fine! You win. Are you happy?”



“Yep.”



I stalked out of the room, embarrassed by my lack of control. I’d given my opponent the upper hand the minute I lost my temper. It was a rookie mistake, and I knew better.



Vinca and Giguhl were curled on the couch watching Oprah when I stormed out. Their eyes widened, seeing me in full fang. “Did you kill him?” Giguhl asked.



Vinca nudged the cat and pointed behind me. Adam strolled into the room, looking like he didn’t have a care in the world. He smiled at my roommates before winking at me. I clenched my fists, knowing he was trying to goad me into embarrassing myself in front of my friends.



“Wait a second,” Vinca said. “What’s going on here?”



“Nothing,” I said. “Adam’s leaving.” Two sets of eyes moved from me to Adam, as if watching a tennis match.



Adam looked at his wrist. “Actually, I don’t have to be anywhere for a while. Anyone want to order pizza?”



“I do!”



“I do.”



“No!” I said, staring down the two betrayers on the couch.



“That’s three against one, Sabina. Sucks to be you.” The cat grinned at me, which looked just as odd as it sounds. Just for that, I silently vowed to hide all his catnip.



“Fine,” I said. “I’m going out.”



Adam raised an eyebrow, which was as good as calling me a coward. “Before you go, what time do you want me here tomorrow?”



I eyed him with suspicion. “For what?”



“To begin your magic lessons, of course.”



“Magic lessons?” Giguhl perked up. The hope on his face made me bite back the retort I’d been about to toss. I narrowed my eyes at Adam. He’d just set me up. Again.



“Be here at dusk. You’ll have thirty minutes before we need to go to the temple for our first strategy meeting.” I expected him to argue at the short time I’d given him. Instead, he smiled.



“Okay,” he said with a shrug. He then dismissed me, turning to my friends. “How about pepperoni?”



As they debated the merits of anchovies, I turned to the door. Part of me hoped one of them would try to convince me to stay. How had Adam worked his way into the group so quickly? And how did I end up feeling like an outsider just as fast?



I grabbed my coat from the chair and opened the door. With a final glance over my shoulder, I saw the three of them laughing. Vinca stared at Adam with obvious sexual interest, while Giguhl looked like he had a serious case of hero worship.



I stalked out into the night, slamming the door behind me. Their laughter carried through the wood, following me through the courtyard.



Screw them, I thought. This was why I didn’t believe in friendship. You couldn’t trust anyone to be loyal for the long haul. An image of David’s face flashed in my head.



Nope, you couldn’t trust anyone. I was proof of that.



I returned two hours later, my cheeks warm despite the cool night air. The recent infusion of fresh blood, courtesy of a mugger who’d been stalking women in a local park, did wonders for my mood. I always did get a little bitchy when my reserves ran low. At least, that’s what I told myself as I thought about the scene I’d made earlier in front of Adam.



While I was out, I had some time to think about how to handle the fact I’d botched Clovis’s assassination. I knew Lavinia was waiting for my call. There’d be hell to pay when I didn’t check in. My only hope at this point was to try again the next night. After my training session with Adam, we’d head over to the temple to plan the attack. After the meeting, I’d ask Clovis to meet in private about some detail of the plan. That’s when I’d do it. Sure, it meant taking an extra day, but I hoped the Dominae would overlook that in light of my success. Until then, I just had to avoid my cell phone.



Vinca and Giguhl looked like they hadn’t moved from the couch since I’d left. A pizza box sat on the table in front of them, the lid open to reveal a few discarded crusts and one greasy piece of pizza. Looked like Giguhl won the great anchovy debate after all.



“Hey guys,” I said. My eyes scanned the place for signs of Adam. Only the faint scent of sandalwood remained.



Giguhl, who lay with his distended, fleshy belly in the air, didn’t move his eyes from the screen but managed to raise a paw in greeting. Vinca jerked at the sound of my voice. “Hey, Sabina. I didn’t hear you come in.”



“What are you watching?” I craned my neck to see the TV, but Vinca clicked it off with the remote. Giguhl protested but she ignored him.



“Just some ridiculous mortal movie,” she said. Her pink cheeks made me suspicious.



“Which one?”



“I don’t remember the title,” she said, suddenly very interested in a piece of lint on her pants.



“Oh, shut up,” Giguhl said. “It was The Lord of the Rings.” He stood slowly and stretched, his alarmingly large belly wobbling as he did so.



Vinca’s eyes shot to mine. I grinned at her. “Don’t be embarrassed. That elf was hot.”



A giggle escaped her. “Damn straight.”



“My favorite is that Sauron,” Giguhl said. “That dude knows from evil.”



Vinca shot him a glance and shook her head. “So, where did you head off to in such a hurry?”



“Just grabbed some dinner,” I said. “Needed some fresh air.”



She lifted an eyebrow. “Hmm, I wonder why? Wouldn’t have to do with a certain sexy hexy, would it?”



“If you mean the annoying asshole who was here earlier, yes.”



Vinca and Giguhl traded a glance and then looked at me. “Please,” Giguhl said. “You’re so hot for that mancy you’re about to spontaneously combust.”



I ignored them both and went to the kitchen to grab a drink. Vinca followed me. “Do you want to talk about it?”



I popped the top to a soda and shook my head. “Nope. Nothing to talk about.”



“So you aren’t mad I was flirting with him?”



I hopped up on the counter and took a long swallow. The bubbles burned a path down my throat. “You were flirting with him? Hmm, didn’t notice.”



“Really? I must be losing my touch. After you left, I was throwing some of my best moves out there. He didn’t even seem to notice, so I finally gave up.”



“Maybe he’s gay,” I said. Who was I kidding? The male fairly reeked of heterosexuality—the kind that made a female’s naughty bits tingle.



Vinca snorted. “Right. That’s why he was sporting wood when you came out of the bedroom.”



I choked on my drink, sputtering. “What?”



“Oh come on, Sabina. When you two walked out of there you looked guilty and he looked about ready to explode. It’s so obvious you’re into him.”



“Please. I am not.” And I meant it. I wasn’t exactly one to giggle and fawn over a guy just because he had a nice face and an amazing ass. Besides, Adam was a mage. I didn’t even want to think about the Freudian ramifications of being interested in a mage. After all, it had worked out so well for my mother. Not to mention, I could barely fit into the same room as Adam’s ego. That guy had a serious attitude problem.



Vinca leaned into the counter, eyeing me. “Whatever you say. But I predict you two will do the deed before the next full moon.”



I rolled my eyes. Thus far, Vinca’s prophecy skills left a lot to be desired. Of course, this time it worked in my favor since there was no way I was going to do the nasty with that pompous, arrogant mage.



“Good thing you’re not a gambler. I hate taking money from innocents,” I said.



“We’ll see,” she said. We were quiet for a moment, the only sound in the apartment was Giguhl’s snores echoing from the living room. When she finally spoke again, Vinca was more serious. “I want to help with the rescue mission.”



I’d been mid-sip again, but managed to swallow before I answered. “No way.”



“Come on, Sabina. You know you could use me in case anyone got hurt.”



“It’s too dangerous,” I said.



“Adam said he didn’t think it’d be a problem.”



My teeth automatically clenched. “Adam isn’t in charge.”



“Stop it,” she said, her voice taking on a steely tone I’d never heard from her. “Have you considered how to disarm the security without setting off the alarms?”



I cut her off, knowing where she was going with that. Members of the faery races were well known for being able to alter electromagnetic currents, which would come in handy with the security cameras and alarms around the vineyard complex. Still, I couldn’t risk it. Especially since I didn’t plan on being involved with the rescue. If I wasn’t there, I couldn’t protect her.