“New. Like a shiny new toy.”
Eww, gross. That would never happen.
A tinkle of a woman’s laughter reached me before I spotted her light hair. There she was—Diana. My breath hitched. She was talking to a younger man, maybe in his early twenties.
Seconds later, Diego walked over holding two glasses. It looked like red wine but probably had blood in it. When he handed one to her and they stood together, my heart shattered, as destructive as if the chandelier had exploded overhead, raining with shards of sharp-edged glass. All my fears played out before me. Diego was with Diana, and they shared this intimate experience.
“Don’t be afraid. What happens here is courtship with a nice fee. Everyone leaves happy—and satisfied.”
I barely took note of the words as I stared at Diego. Diana said something to him, and he nodded. He walked away from her, disappearing into the crowd.
I interrupted Raymond. “I’m super nervous. Would you mind getting me a drink?”
He appeared miffed but said, “Sure.”
This was my chance to slip on over to get to Diego, granted if I could find him. I took a steely breath, hoping it would harden my backbone, and exhaled.
As I walked through the crowd, my arms swung with unnatural stiffness, leaving my gait awkward. It was like I’d forgotten how to coordinate my limbs. Worse were all the eyes, the leering assessment.
I found and caught up to him. “Hi Diego.” My voice came out strangled, and I cleared my throat.
Diego turned around to face me. His eyes narrowed with rampant frustration. “You again?”
“Surprise.” My forced enthusiasm didn’t rub off on him.
He wagged his finger. “I don’t know who you are or why you keep getting in my business but leave me alone.”
I stepped closer and dared to touch his arm. “Diego, please have an open mind. You know me,” I pleaded. “Sebastian and Lucas aren’t messing with you. It’s me. Nova.” I placed my hand on his chest and stared into his eyes, willing for a spark of recognition. “Search inside yourself. I know you recognize me somewhere. She put some kind of magical block on you.” I moved in. “Smell me. You might recognize my scent. You always said how much you loved it.”
He inhaled. The exasperation in his bright blue eyes was replaced with a flicker of confusion bordering on fear.
“Don’t be afraid, Diego. I’m here to help you remember. To break the spell. If you’ll let me.”
Diana stepped beside him and took his arm. “Forget it, witch. You’ve lost. He’s with me. I’m his first and only love. You were nothing but a diversion.”
Holy bats, this vamp knew how to bite at the jugular without even exposing her fangs.
Diego turned to her and blinked. “Wait, I know her?”
Diana wrinkled her nose in disgust. “She’s just a pesky witch who has a crush on you.”
My eyebrows darted up.Pesky witch?
“This is why we need to leave Salem, Diego,” she added. “There are too many intrusions here.”
“You’ve taken enough from him.” I stepped up to Diana. “You’re not tricking him to go anywhere, bitch.”
“What did you call me?” Her eyes flashed venom.
“I thought vamps had keen hearing.”
Diana hissed at me, baring fang. She didn’t look remotely beautiful with that fierce grimace.
Although every part of me wanted to blast her with magic, I forced myself not to move or show fear. Besides, Diego might defend her, and I couldn’t bear fighting my lover.
“Don’t you dare insult me, witch,” Diana spewed. “I’ll claw your heart out and eat it while it’s still pumping blood.” She curled her long talon-like fingers at me.
“Easy,” Diego interrupted, raising his hands between us. “We don’t need to go there.”
