Not good.
“Asher, it’s been too long,” my mother coos. She attempts to reach forward to smooth my lapel, but my hand flies up and traps her wrist before she can make contact.
She drops her hand with a sniff and tilts her nose into the air, doing her best to look down on me despite her shorter stature. Chadwick is still smirking, thinking he’s won the imaginary competition between us, until Raya adjusts her weight on her feet.
All three sets of eyes snap to where I have her tucked slightly behind me, and I stiffen. I know I can’t do anything here in public. I can’t cause a scene or attack them, and it would be best if they didn’t realize how much Raya means to me. Despite knowing this, it’s nearly impossible to feign nonchalance, to force myself to step aside and introduce her.
Chadwick’s gaze rakes her from head to toe with a smarmy thirst in his eyes, and it’s all I can do not to bare my fangs at him. My father’s glare could melt iron, and my mother sneers down at her with another pointed sniff.
“What is ashifterdoing here, Asher?” she asks, turning her attention back to me with disapproval and disgust lining her eyes. “I was under the impression this was a human agency.”
Raya butts in before I can respond.
“Apparently, I work for you now,” she says, tipping her chin up and holding my mother’s gaze.
My heart flutters with pride at her bravery before it turns to anger. The look my parents exchange says they’ll be doing something about that. Much as I don’t want her fired, that would be the least of her concerns when it comes to this family.
“She’s here with me,” I say, putting my arm around Raya and pulling her protectively into my side.
My mother’s nose wrinkles like she smells something foul.
“Now, son,” my dad starts, and I already know where this lecture is going. I heard it so many times as a teenager: how important it is that I make a good match with an old-blooded, “respectable” vampire family.
Before he can continue, I raise a hand between us and interrupt.
“No, I don’t want to hear it.”
My father glowers at the interruption, but Raya is the one who speaks next. She extricates herself from my hold and turns to speak to me, apparently having had enough of my family already. I don’t blame her.
“I’m going to go freshen up. Meet you by the entrance?” she says, and I nod, watching her walk away toward the side exit leading to the restrooms.
“Now, Asher,” my dad reclaims my attention. “You’ve had your fun, but you’ve been playing around for long enough?—”
I snort, interrupting again, and relishing my father’s darkening complexion. Sure, I can’t start anything here, but neither can he.
“That is enough,” he hisses, leaning into my space. “Behave yourself, son.”
“I’m not your son.” I cross my arms over my chest.
My mother takes over, and my eyes meet her icy gaze.
“You’ve had your freedom, it’s time to take your place by our side.”
At that, my eyes dart to my cousin on the other side of my father, curious how he’ll take that declaration… only he’s not there. I narrow my eyes as my mother continues.
“We have a good match lined up for you, and now that this deal has gone through, we’re ready to promote you to the top of the company. You need to sign a few things, rejoin the family, and everything will be as it should be.”
My eyes flick between my parents, takingin their stone faces. For some reason, my heart is pounding, and a sense of dread is filling my chest. What my parents are saying is nothing new. I’ve gotten used to tuning them out and ignoring their demands, so why is it hitting me harder this time?
I absentmindedly rub the heel of my palm into my chest, pursing my lips as my mother keeps talking even though I’m no longer listening.
I scan the crowd, looking past my parents at the exit to see if Raya is ready for me yet. She’s not there, and I don’t see her among any of the groups of coworkers I’d expect her to chat with. My eyes flick back to my parents.
“Are you even listening to your mother?” My father’s voice is dangerously low, and I know I’m pushing my luck.
“Yes,” I say, “I’ll think about it.”
I can’t ignore the fear and adrenaline crawling up my spine. Something’s wrong, and I’ll say anything I need to say to get away from them right now.
