Page 45 of The Second Sight
“Indeed.” I played along, even more curious.
“History repeating itself. We all know how that ended.” She giggled.
I pretended to know what she was talking about. Who did I look like? What history was she referencing? There was so much I didn’t know.
“Yeah, we do.” I said, amazed at how easy it was to fool this vampire. “She, oh my, I forgot her name.”
“Basirah Kamalee Crackstone.”
A flash of an image crashed into my head. Two male vampires were hastily removing a large painting from its place of prominence. Four hands worked with careful efficiency. Their movement was quick. As they turned to carry it away, I caught a glimpse of the canvas. It was a portrait of me in clothing from another time. My face was turned slightly toward the viewer.
My breath caught in my throat. My body overheated. Though I’d seen only a flash of the painting before it disappeared into a fiery ball of flames, that brief glimpse was enough. That wasn’t me but a woman who had my face. My exact face. The clothing was different, something from perhaps the late 1800s or early 1900s. Her hair was styled differently, but the resemblance was uncanny. It seemed impossible. Yet I had seen it in my waking vision.
“Yes, Basirah.” I said, fighting through my imagination, to rejoin the conversation. Basirah Kamalee Crackstone. I had memorized the name immediately. She had Seven’s last name. Seven had never mentioned anyone named Basirah to me. I thought back to our conversations, trying to recall if he’d ever hinted at someone from his past, someone I might resemble. Nothing came to mind.
“I never met her. I wasn’t a vampire that long ago, but everyone in this coven knows how special Basirah was to Master. He’s only had one wife in all his years.”
Wife? What the fuck? “Yes, I heard of their special connection.” I lied trying to stay in a conversation I wished to flee from.
“You look just like the paintings. You look like twins. The only differences are subtle. When you entered, we were all staring because of the resemblance, not just because you’re human.”
“I thought so.” I placed a smile on my lips to cover my true feelings. Clearly, this Basirah was significant enough thatmy resemblance to her caused this level of reaction among the coven.
I glanced toward the door to Seven’s office. He was now standing with Lily in the doorway. They’d moved closer to me and the redhead vampire called Charlie. We both stood as they approached.
“Charlie, what are you doing?” Seven’s eyes were glaring at the redhead vampire.
“Master, I’m just keeping your human company.”
“That’s not your job.”
“I know, but she was alone.” She explained.
“Leave us.” He shooed her away with a glare.
“Yes, Master.” Charlie scurried away from us at lightning speed.
When Charlie was gone, Seven and Lily’s eyes rested on me.
“Did she bother you?”
“No, no, she was fine.”
“Huh, I find her annoying.” Lily chimed in.
“No, she just introduced herself. She was nice.”
“Kasinda, since my brother has chosen to claim you as his mate, I have to claim you as my sister.”
I watched as Lily took the few steps to wrap me in an uncomfortable embrace. The hug was over so fast I didn’t have a chance to reciprocate, if that was what I was going to do. I was speechless.
“That’s enough excitement for today. I’m going to take you back to my room.” Seven said. I couldn’t wait to leave this underground hideout.
Seven took my hand and led me in a different direction from where we came. This time we were standing at the elevator doors, and I was happy I didn’t have to climb up the staircase that led us upstairs.
We stepped into the elevator together. We were away from the eyes and ears of the coven. Seven pulled me to a stop. His hands cupped my face, tilting it up to meet his gaze. His soft eyes were intense.
“You belong to me now,” he whispered, his voice low and intimate. “I will protect you from anything, including my own kind if necessary.”
