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Donja bit at her lip. “That’s a start. Let’s pay him a visit tomorrow,” but for now, I got bigger problems. Torin’s going to arrive at seven for our first date and that only leaves me a few hours to convince my mom to let me go out with an older guy.”
“A date, are you kidding?”
Makayla’s phone beeped. She grabbed it. “It’s a text from Gage.” Suddenly she raised her head and her eyes were wide.
“You’re not gonna believe this.”
“What?”
“Gage said for me to be ready at seven because we’re doubling with you and Torin.”
“What!”
“He said Torin’s worried about your parents and thinks if it’s a double date, they’ll be less resistant of you dating a strange, older man.”
“He doesn’t look that much older,” Donja smirked, “maybe early to mid-twenties?”
Makayla’s demeanor turned serious. “Donja, this could be a trap and neither of us may ever come back from this date.”
Donja’s brows furrowed. “You think they’re going to kill us? I thought you said Gage loved you.”
“He does but he has no power and serves his Sirun without question. Maybe they have been ordered to just end this, get rid of both of us, no more problems.”
“I can’t believe that. Torin promised me a fix and I must take him at his word. Anyway, if they are going to kill us, better just us and not the entire family. Right?”
“Yeah…right.”
Donja flipped her hair to her back as she headed for the door.
“Where you are going?” Makayla asked.
“To butter up my mom and convince her that I have fallen head over heels in love and believe me, that won’t be easy, she can read me like a book. Wanta come with?”
“Sure,” Makayla said, “but then we gotta get ready, it’s getting late.”
~~~
Hours must have passed with Donja and Makayla, who were both terrified of the haunted bathroom, chatting while Makayla got her bath. Donja then had to wait nigh on a half hour for hot water. “This really sucks,” she complained.
“For real. I hate this bathroom,” Makayla complained, “and this tub…it’s gross.”
“Yeah, I can’t wait to have a new bathroom with a standup shower.” Donja said
“And a new water heater,” Makayla nodded.
After Donja finally got her bath, they retreated to the bedroom for makeup and hair, then spent a full hour trying on clothes. Finally, choosing what to wear, Donja ambled the hallway in a one-piece, low cut burgundy mini. The fabric which clung like second skin shimmered like diamonds and as she marched, her spiked pumps tapped a steady cadence. Just beyond Frankie’s bedroom she leaned into the hall window overlooking the cobblestone drive. A hard knot settled in her gut.
How can this be real? Vampires called Iridescents.
Frankie flashed into her mind.
My God, this Scarface monster kills for sport. He’d kill Frankie in a heartbeat, even my mom.
She exhaled despair. “Torin,” she mumbled under her breath, “I don’t know what your fix is, but I must protect myself as well as my family. Bring it on, Iridescent.” She turned to leave, then paused, and raised a hand to brush back her tresses.
How the hell could the Iridescents and this Council go unnoticed by the public eye? It’s 2017 for Pete’s sake, there’s drones, surveillance, social media, it makes no sense.
She closed her eyes.