Page 45 of Blood Ties
“Don’t be jealous. You’re still my girl.”
“I’m not jealous. I’m happy for you. Not that I’m unhappy to see you, but what are you doing here?”
“I’m your stylist for the day.”
My brow knitted together. “I wasn’t aware of that.”
Shawn shrugged. “Grayson hired me. I think he felt bad that you’d have to arrive by yourself. So I’m here to spend the day with you and help you get ready.”
“Okay. You are aware that the thing doesn’t start until after the sunsets. My guess is it’s going to be vampire galore.”
“What do you expect Gabs? Your father,Mister Mac Daddy, the first vampire himself is throwing the damn thing. Plus, I’m here more for moral support. Your first vampire shindig outside of your nest; you must be nervous.”
“Not until you mentioned it. Thanks for that by the way.”
“Sorry.” Shawn hesitated before speaking again. “So coffee?”
I watched him for a moment. I had really missed him the last week and I knew he was trying hard to be there for me. With a nod I stated, “Coffee.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
The room was crowded, bustling with unfamiliar faces. It wasn’t an unusual situation for me. It came with the territory of my chosen profession, but this time felt foreign. Perhaps it was because it was my father’s event. I was the long lost daughter that everyone was hoping to catch a glimpse of like a new animal at the zoo. And like the animal, I was slightly frightened.
I wish Grayson was here already, I thought to myself. I drew comfort from his presence without realizing unless he was no longer there to offer it. He would be along shortly and that was the saving grace holding me together.
Eyes turned inspecting my every move, but I held my head high trying to show no signs of the sinking feeling deep in my stomach. The resemblance between Damien and myself was astonishing, I heard people whisper. Needing some space from all the prying eyes and not so subtle whispers, I headed to the doors that led to the balcony. It wasn’t nearly as large as the one I shared with Grayson, or as luxurious, but it served its purpose to allow me a safe haven to clear my troubled mind. The cool air assaulted my senses cleansing me of my anxiety. It was a drastic difference to the warm air in the swarming room. I was immediately regretting not having a jacket, but I was a vampire. I knew I wouldn’t become ill like a human. The cold just numbed my skin and made it difficult to move my muscles with any decent accuracy.
I leaned against the railing listening to the buzz of the city swimming around me. The cars honking, the tires squealing, the occasional angry driver yelling profanities to a passerby, were the music of the city. Even though some people thought it horrific, or at the very least annoying, the sound let me know I was home.
The rustling of feathers drew me away from the harmonic melody of Manhattan. I looked up into the ominous sky. The light pollution made it a deep hazy gray. It clouded my visions but didn’t stop me from focusing on a large bird approaching rapidly. I watched it with genuine bewilderment. It was winter. Hadn’t all the birds ventured south already? It flapped its wings bringing it closer. I watched it and it looked like it was headed towards me.Impossible.As I stared its true size came into focus. It was huge, far too large to be a standard bird. I began to make out the lines and shape of its figure; the slope of its wings, the chiseled formation of its body. It looked more like a man than a bird. Then recognition hit me.An angel.
Sebastian swooped down landing with a heavenly grace just a few feet from me. He looked at me sheepishly, almost bashful, but my eyes were busy taking in his divine half naked body. “I didn’t think anyone would be out here. I’m sorry if I frightened you.”
“You didn’t,” I lied. Sebastian quirked his eyebrow, suggesting he didn’t believe me. I rolled my eyes. Even angels had that pesky super hearing.
“What are you doing out here anyways? Party’s inside.” He bent down retrieving some clothes that were folded neatly in a pile. They were set away, hidden under a bench so that no one would notice them. His muscles rippled as he moved. I took a moment to openly admire him, but I didn’t look away quickly enough. Sebastian turned to see me shamelessly gawking at him. I blushed and turned away though not before I saw a hint of a grin tug at the corner of his mouth.
“It was too crowded in there. I just needed some air,” I spoke looking out over the rail staring at nothing in particular, just doing my best to avoid looking at Sebastian.
I heard him pause next to me and I couldn’t stop my gaze from seeking him out. He was now wearing a white dress shirt with the top few buttons left undone. My eyes immediately went to his back but I saw no sign of his wings hidden under the shirt. Where had they gone?
“Would you like some company or would you rather be alone with your thoughts?”
I had come outside to escape the crowd, but I liked the idea of company that wasn’t peering and whispering about me. “I wouldn’tmindsomelimitedcompany.”
He smirked at my smart alec comment. “Are the people inside too much for you?”
“How can you tell?”
“Well, you are out here and it is the middle of winter. So unless you’re actually a penguin in disguise, I can only assume you’re trying to get away.”
I watched him for a moment as he looked out over the city. When he turned his gaze to me, I smirked shyly. “They just keep staring at me.”
“No one ever knew Damien had a child. It’s huge news. Angels don’t normally reproduce.”
“But do all those people in there actually know that Damien is an angel. I mean they’re all vampires.”
“It’s true that they don’t know his true lineage or yours for that matter. But it’s more the fact that Damien managed to find someone, mate and have a child that has all the tongues wagging.”
