She scowls. “Boots. With heels. Totally different.” Ava smirks at me, and I try to keep a blank expression on my face. I figure I fail when Raechel gives me an irritated, “Never mind. Now, go get dressed.”
“Why? I don’t have a mate to impress.”
Raechel studies my face for a moment. “Okay. But it’s still fun to dress up.”
“Yeah, I’m good, but thanks.” I hand the clothes back to her.
Raechel gives me a look that makes me think she sees more than she lets on. “Trust me on this, from one soul sister to another.”
Shock runs through me. “Soul sister?”
“Yeah. Souls that are bound together because of their painful pasts.” She turns to Ava and gives her a gentle smile. “Ava’s onetoo.” When she turns back to me, there’s an intensity there that was absent before. “But those pasts don’t define us.”
“I’m a vampire, Raechel.”
“I don’t care what you are. Our pasts don’t define us. We are more than a summation of our past mistakes, regrets, and certainly the things we had no control over. You are human, and that means you are worthy of love.” Her words strike at the very core of who I am so deeply, I can almost feel them piercing me. “And believe me, you are not the only one with a sordid past. All you need is a good man like my Max to love you and see past all the bad stuff.”
I try to speak, but the words get clogged in my throat for some reason. “Right,” I finally manage to get out. It was supposed to sound sarcastic, but I’m not sure that’s how it came out. Not liking the focus on myself or the unwanted emotion I’m feeling, I say the first thing that pops into my mind. “Every guy loves a woman with fangs.”
My comment doesn’t faze Raechel in the least. “The right one will.”
And just like that, I’m done with this conversation. I yank the clothes from her hands, needing something to focus on. I stride into the bathroom and close the door behind me. I don’t think about the fact that my hands are shaky, and there’s an odd lump in my throat. I don’t think about what it would be like to be one of them. A normal human with a mate who thinks I’m the world. I don’t think about the clothes I’m putting on. I can’t think, or the bubble of indifference I’ve carefully crafted around myself over the past few years will pop. And I have no idea what would happen after that. I stride out of the bathroom without ever looking in the mirror. I never do.Why should tonight be any different? “How’s this?”
Raechel and Ava both turn to me. Ava’s eyes widen, and Raechel grins slowly. “I knew you had a body under all thosebaggy shirts.” I frown and glance down at myself, wondering what exactly I’m even wearing. I frown at the black pants. “Are these...leather?”
Raechel nods. “They’re the best. They’re butter soft and smooth and look sexy as all get out, especially with legs as long as yours. But they’re non-restrictive. I fight in them all the time, and I’m really picky about what I wear to fight in.” She continues as if she’s describing what I’m wearing to an audience of designers. “The black tank top is silk and loose, but it won’t get in the way of your movements. Lastly, the black leather jacket is yours. I found it on the floor, and it goes perfectly with your outfit.”
“I feel like I’m dressing up to a stereotype here.” When they all just stare at me, I add, “All black? Vampire?”
“I think you look sexy,” Ava says with a shrug.
“Yep. Do you have red lipstick?” Raechel asks.
“I do.” It’s a weird thing to have, but I do have lipstick. The vampires always made sure I had cosmetics and clothes and other nice things. Well, actually, I’m pretty sure it was Rizo. I’m pretty sure he wanted to buy my loyalty. I pull the lipstick out of my top drawer, put it on, and then drop it back in my drawer. I see my mascara and eye shadow, and make quick work of adding those as well. If I’m going to do this, I might as well go all out. When I shut the drawer and turn around, both girls are staring at me with wide eyes. “What?” I snap a little harsher than I mean to.
“You did all that without looking in a mirror,” Ava points out, like it’s some crazy feat.
“Seriously. Skills, Girl. Hashtag goals,” Raechel adds.
I don’t tell them that I rarely look at myself in mirrors, if possible. “Ready?”
“Yes. Let’s go,” Raechel says, rubbing her hands together excitedly.
“You do realize you’re going to be fighting her in the ring in like just a little bit, right?” Ava asks Raechel dryly.
“Yes, and I’m totally going to take her down. But won’t we look good doing it?” I shake my head.
“See?” Ava says as we leave the room. “Unhinged.”
If I were the type of person to laugh, I would, especially when Raechel calls out from behind us, “And don’t forget it!”
We head out into the living room and stop. Ava legit squeals next to me. “Sam! Rose!”
“What?” Raechel calls out from behind me and nearly bowls me over to get to them. I notice Sage is here as well.
“What are you doing here?” Ava asks after lots of hugs and squeals.
“We came to see our girl fight,” Rose says with a soft smile.
