Voodoo Kiss (22 page)

A thick haze descended upon my mind as I wandered through the streets for hours. I don't know how I made it back home, only that my father and Marie were already there with a female police officer. Marie was crying against my father's chest as he tried to comfort her. I had never seen so much rage on his face, but the incident still didn't quite register with me. I felt as though I was watching a tragic show on television.

"You must be Sofia," the officer said. I nodded and sat down on the couch. The police officer's face remained dead serious as she continued, "I'll need to ask you a few questions, please."

"It's all your fault," Marie screamed, her face contorted in agony, palms pressed against her chest as she sobbed. "If it weren't for you, she'd still be alive."

"Shush." My father drew Marie to his chest, but I could see the reproach in his eyes. They thought me responsible for Theo's death, and somehow I felt as though they were right. She must've followed me to that club and if it were not for my performance, she would still be here.

***

Still sitting on Cass's couch cradling my baby sister Theo in my arms, I wiped the tears from my eyes as I listened to Theo's story.

She said I had barely left her parents' house when the phone rang. The club manager called to inform me the scout would arrive half an hour early and I would have to hurry to make it. Theo immediately called my cell number only to hear it ring where I had left it on the breakfast table in the hall. Unsure how else to reach me, she called a taxi from my cell phone, told her parents she'd be going to bed early and sneaked out of the house.

She arrived at the club before me and since she was underage and they wouldn't let her wait inside, she thought it best to wait near the car park until I arrived. She had been freezing in the cold for a few minutes when movement caught her attention. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Derrick, Gael's brother, behind her. She wasn't scared because we had spent many days in Central Park together, and she trusted him. Before she could turn around, his palm clamped around her mouth, muffling her startled yelp.

Theo recounted how she kicked and tried to break free from his iron lock when he dragged her behind a car and thrust a knife into her chest several times. The excruciating pain cut off her air support. Blood poured out of her, gathering in a puddle on the ground and making her dizzy. She raised her gaze to meet his dark eyes.

"Theo?" He kneeled beside her and gathered her in his arms. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know. I thought—"

In the dim light of a streetlamp she could hear the gurgling sound in her throat. She opened her mouth to speak and spit out a warm, thick liquid. A dark figure grabbed Derrick's arm and tried to pull him away from her, muttering something she didn't understand. Derrick dropped her limp body to the ground together with the knife. She knew she was dying, but it wasn't right. Her time shouldn't have come yet. Anger rose inside her. Pushing up on her elbows, Theo's gaze focused on Derrick. She picked up the knife and, with her last might, she plunged it into his neck before darkness descended upon her. Derrick's scream for help pierced her eardrum a moment before he was dragged away. The image before her eyes became blurry, then dissipated into nothing. As a sense of peace washed over her, Theo dropped back onto the asphalt. Pitch black gathered around her, enveloping her a spilt second later, and she let go of life willingly, happy to have avenged her death.

The door opened and closed with a soft click. My arms were still wrapped around Theo's shivering body; a sob escaped my throat even though I had long depleted all tears.

"I'm so sorry,"
Thrain's
voice whispered in my ear. His hand wrapped around my shoulders to help me up. I didn't want to leave my sister, but I knew my time with her was probably up. As I peered up at
Thrain
, I could see the moisture glistening in his eyes, as if he had been crying with me. "Ready to go?" he asked.

I shook my head. "I'll never be."

He wrapped his arm around my waist and shot Theo a smile. "I know, but we'll take good care of her." The thought comforted me for all of three seconds.

"Gael's brother, Derrick, killed her," I said.

"I know." His voice was so gentle, it broke my heart. I felt tears pricking my eyes again.
Thrain
squeezed my hand. "I'm sorry, I've been instructed to take you home. Take your time saying goodbye. I'll wait outside."

I nodded and grabbed Theo in a tight hug again, whispering words of comfort I needed just as much. Even though I had discovered how she had died and who the killer was, I wished I also knew his motive.

Derrick had died of a heart attack at around the same time as Theo—or so Gael's family said. I had felt sorry for them, but I no longer did. Whatever fate befell him, he deserved it. I hoped he rotted in Hell this very instant.

It took me a while to peel myself away from Theo and say goodbye to her and Cass's father, who hugged me before sending me back through the portal into the real world. My work was done, and yet Amber and Aidan insisted I spend some time with them in Scotland before returning to New York. Immediate solitude would've been my first choice but my Russian roots prohibited me from snubbing hospitality, particularly since these people were my friends now, and they meant well.

When we arrived back at Aidan's mansion, night had already descended upon the Scottish Highlands. I wasn't hungry so I excused myself and went to bed early, eager to hide under the blanket and be alone with my thoughts and pain. I took a quick shower and slipped into a pair of Amber's flannel PJs, ready to switch off the lights, when a knock on the door jolted me out of my thoughts.

"Are you decent?"
Thrain's
voice made my heart pick up in speed.

"Yep. Come in." I smiled as he entered and wiggled a bottle of wine and two glasses in the air.

"You don't need to talk if you don't want to. Just pay me company." His gorgeous smile revealed shiny, white teeth.

"Can't be on your own, huh?" I asked, patting the bed beside me.

"I'm a bit embarrassed to admit it, but darkness scares me." He poured us a glass of wine and handed me one. I took it from his outstretched hand but didn't drink. Surprisingly, he didn't insist. Not even when I placed the glass on the bedside table.

"Or you're trying to get me drunk." My gaze wandered over the tight shirt that enveloped his sculpted chest. His rolled up sleeves revealed strong forearms with smooth, tan skin. My fingers brushed his hand and moved up his arm as I inched closer, stopping just as our lips were about to meet. I could see the hunger in his striking green gaze. In his mind, he was probably undressing me this instant. I had dated other guys but never felt such a strong need to get close to someone.

"Kiss me." My voice was barely more than a whisper. His lips lowered onto mine, his hand moved to my back to press me against him. A soft moan escaped my throat as his scent invaded my nostrils. My hands moved up his chest to the back of his head to pull him closer into our kiss. I savored his taste, got lost in it, forgetting the pain inside me. It felt so good, and I knew he felt the same way. He understood me because we were the same, maybe not one and the same being but bonded through something beyond our understanding. This guy I would never let go.

He pulled away, ending our kiss too soon. I moaned in protest. He lowered me on my back, regret visible in his heated gaze.

"Don't stop," I whispered.

"Another time." His finger pressed against my lips. "Please don't insist. I'm having a hard time keeping my hands off of you."

That I wanted to see. I giggled and pinched his side, then wrapped my naked legs around his waist to draw him close.

"You didn't just do that," he said, grinning. His eyes twinkled as he lowered himself on top of me for another kiss. This time it was slower, deeper, making me want to trail my hand down his naked chest to explore the tattoo he kept hidden. Kissing me deeply, his hands moved down my abdomen to my thighs, lingering there.

"I don't think this is a good idea,"
Thrain
said, pulling back a bit.

"What?" I pulled him closer again, my mouth searching his. I could feel his hot breath grazing my skin. He nibbled on the spot right at the bottom of my neck that connected with my shoulder, making me shivered.

"Actually, I came to talk," he said, hoarsely.

"Figured that much." I smiled because, when a guy says he wants to talk, it usually means he either wants more but tries to control himself, or he's about to dump the girl. I was pretty sure it was option one and ran my fingers through his hair to draw him close. But he sat up and put a few more inches between us.

"We really need to talk about this." His grave tone betrayed resolution. Now, that wasn't good news. I moistened my lips. Panic washed over me. I had been dumped before and had done my fair share of dumping, but somehow in this instance it mattered. Maybe I had too much emotional baggage and he couldn't handle it. I knew I shouldn't have cried in front of him. According to a magazine article I recently read, most men were put off by tears.

I crossed my legs and pulled my shirt down to cover my naked skin. "Okay. Spill."

He regarded me for a long time, his eyes darting about, never quite focusing on my gaze. "You said you wanted to return home." I nodded. My heart sank in my chest as I waited for him to continue. "I told you my job makes it almost impossible to be in one place for a long time. I don't know how this will work out."

There it was—the dumping I hadn't seen coming. The guy was giving me the boot an hour after I had learned about my sister's mysterious death. Rage pulsed through me. I wished I didn't care, but I did. After all, he was the one who said we'd always together.
Lies,
my mind screamed. "No worries. I'll be busy with my music career anyway," I heard myself say. My voice was steady and nonchalant, betraying none of the turmoil I felt inside.

Frowning,
Thrain
shook his head. "That's not what I meant, Sofia. I want this, but we'll need to figure something out. I don't want you to be all alone in New York with me popping in and out of your life every few days. That's not a relationship."

I took a deep breath as relief washed over me. Funny how a few words from this guy could change my mood in an instant.

"We'll figure something out," I said, wrapping my arms around him. "Let's not think about it now. We have plenty of time left."

He hesitated, then gave into my embrace, lowering his lips onto mine. I lay back and pulled him on top of me as I let his mouth explore mine. My hands trailed down his stomach, sliding underneath his shirt to take it off. I touched the outline of his tattoo that covered most of his chest. His skin felt like silk under my exploring fingers. Half naked, he was more gorgeous than I ever imagined.

"You're so beautiful," he whispered as his hands moved under my shirt. I closed my eyes to enjoy his expert touch. As much as my music career mattered to me, if being with him meant giving it up I'd let it go gladly. I had lost my sister over my career already; I wouldn't let it happen twice.

Thrain
didn't stay the night. At some point I woke up and patted the sheet to find he had left. Had it been a mistake to get closer to him? Did he now think I was easy to get? Too late for that, I figured, angry with myself for not even giving him a bit of a chase. Disappointed, I punched the pillow and stood up to pull the curtains, which I forgot to draw.

The moon stood high on the horizon, bathing the woods stretching over the hills in a glowing hue. It was so pretty and quiet, so different to the usual New York view of illuminated skyscrapers and dark asphalt streets. I decided I might not get to see something this spectacular any time soon and left the curtains open after all. Even though Amber's flannel PJs were the warmest I had ever had, I grabbed my sweater from the back of the chair and put it on, then returned to my cozy bed, ready to catch some much needed snooze, with or without
Thrain
sleeping beside me.

Pulling my cover up to my chin, I barely closed my eyes when the door opened and footsteps thudded across the carpet, stopping next to my side of the bed. I snuggled under the blanket and smiled because he hadn't left after all. Maybe he just needed to use the restroom, or woke him, forcing him to get a midnight snack. Even demons had to eat every now and then. When he continued to hover there, I groaned inwardly. Granted, love was a grand thing, making one all fluffy and warm, but his staring was slowly starting to make me feel uncomfortable. Besides, I needed someone to keep me warm and cozy. I pushed the covers aside whispering, "Come on already." He didn't budge.

The strange feeling in the pit of my stomach intensified. Something wasn't right, so I opened my eyes. The moonlight falling in through the high bay window caught on something shiny. And then I realized what it was: a knife. My eyes widened as I rolled to the other side of the bed a moment before the blade cut open my pillow. Jumping up from the bed, I dashed for the door when he gripped my hair and pulled me back. The pain rippling through my scalp was excruciating.

"
Thrain
, you're hurting me," I screamed. I couldn't believe he had turned all psycho on me. Yelping, I kicked hard, hitting the guy right where it hurt the most, then stood and took off down the hall and stairs. A groan and thuds echoed not far behind me, but I didn't turn. My fear kept me running.