The woman’s eyes went wide, and she started to smile, baring her fangs at me. I shook my head and stepped forward, wrapping a hand tightly around Scout’s arm. I tugged her back behind me protectively.
“No, it’s not.”
31
“Fleck! Jonathon! Get him!” The woman, who I thought was Ginata, the Seven Sin of Gluttony, shouted. I spun my head around just in time to see two of her lovers the size of Arsenio come out from doors I hadn’t noticed before. They looked at their girlfriend in the pool and followed where she was pointing, right at Desi. They stopped and pivoted, turning on him and Elvie.
“I don’t know who you are, but this isn’t going to end well for you.” Ludovica, the Seven Sin of Sloth, put her arm out to stop them. Fleck grabbed her and twisted until she let out a small gasp and bent over. I clutched the towel tightly to my chest and stared in horror.It was then that I saw his eyes.
He was human.
I glanced at Desi. His eye twitched, but he wasn’t interfering. That gave me some kind of reassurance.
You don’t want to mess with the Seven Sins.
Desi put his arm around me and urged me back. “You might want to go,” he muttered through clenched teeth.
“I can’t leave you here. If she’s not Ginata,” I paused, trying to collect all of my thoughts. “Then who is she?”
His focus shifted from Ludovica to the woman in the water. Her red eyes were large, and her smile even bigger as she watched her boyfriend hurt the smaller vampire. She ran her manicured hands over the water and cocked her head in amusement.
“Who I am is none of your damn business.” She turned to us and grinned, straightening to expose her breasts further. Did she think that would entice Desi?
He’s mine.
Ludovica let out another small cry. We all turned. “Desiderio, get her out of here,” she whimpered.
“I’m staying.” I shook my head.
“You’re naked.” He turned his head. “Go.”
“I’m not leaving you,” I protested.
“Why now?” he snapped. “You’ve had no problem with that before.” He spun around. “Will you just fucking go?”
I blinked rapidly. Reflexively, my hand went to the necklace he’d given me months ago. I lookedtowardthe ceiling, feeling the blood tears coming. No, this was ridiculous. The sooner I left, the sooner I could return. I turned and ran from the room. Thankfully, I was able to remember exactly where the locker rooms were. I hurried in and flew to my bag, tugged the drawstrings open, and my stomach dropped. I pulled out my dress, but that was the only thing left in there. Someone had taken my bra, panties, socks, shoes, and coat. Everything! My wallet with all my money, Ludovica’s phone— it was all gone.
I dropped the towel and pulled the dress over my head and down my body. Whatever, I had to get back to Desi. I ran back just in time to see the fake Ginata out of the bath and reach for Desi.
She was faster than Desi or me. She thrust her hand into his throat and squeezed. Her pale knuckles went whiter as she tightened her grip. Desi’s eyes went wide, and blood rushed to his face as she continued to crush his windpipe.
She dug her nails into his skin, and tiny red dots began to form under her fingers.
“Stop!” I cried out. She turned her head to me and then laughed.
“Oh, was that supposed to do something? Please, no one cares about this poor vampire. He’s more inconvenience than anything.”
Desi’s muscles were tight as he struggled. He looked down at her and then grinned. I watched as he lifted his knee slowly. His eyes flicked from her to me. It hit me then.
Keep her talking.
“They just want me. Right? Magdalena?”
“That’s right. You’re the important one. He won’t be missed.”
She was too focused on me to pay attention to anything else. Perfect.
My excitement fell when she turned her head back to Desi. She raised her other hand and reached for his cheek. “What a shame. You are so pretty. I wish we hadn’t met this way,” she sighed.
