“Yes. We’ve been … reconnecting nicely,” Cristobal says with a smirk.
“I have to tell you, I never thought I’d see the day. An Esçhete cavorting with a vampire? It’s downright scandalous,” Hal purrs. “I’m still trying to figure out if you’re mad or a genius.”
I shrug. “I’m a woman making the most of her life. Same as anyone.”
She laughs darkly. “Oh, we both know you could never be that. We’ve all known you were intended for some form of greatness.”
“And here I thought I’d dispelled those nasty rumors when I left. They’re a terrible thing, expectations. Like weights around ankles, they drag you down. You always leave someone disappointed because people are never the same in real life as they are on paper or in imagination.”
“Yes, I know that feeling well,” Hal says softly.
A moment of understanding passes between us. There’s a downside to coming from one of the prominent witch families. We are marked from the moment we’re born. Destined to carry on a tradition and purpose bigger than ourselves.
“I think they’re bonding. How human,” Blazh says amused.
The words drive home the differences between him and Cristobal.
“They do love their sentiments.” Cristobal trails his fingers down my back, grounding me. The affection coming through our link steadies and reassures me.
Blazh turns the heavy weight of his gaze on us. “You two go powder your nose while we talk.”
“Of course,” Hal replies automatically. It makes me wonder about their relationship.
I turn to Cristobal.
“Oh, you’ve trained her well, my friend.”
I clench my jaw, and Cristobal runs his thumb across my cheek. “Stop on the way back and get a drink from the bar, relax, and catch up.”
I nod and stand. Unsure of the protocol, I opt to ignore Blazh as Haljoins me and we walk toward the bar.
“I am glad to see you again, Lou,” Hal says. I turn to meet her gaze at the bar. Her face softens, and I catch flashes of the girl I grew up with. “I’ll tell you a secret. I always liked you. Growing up you were kind, funny, and humble. For that reason, I’ll let you know things have changed while you were gone.”
There’s a hidden message thrown into those words I can’t decipher. Is it a warning or a threat?
“You’d do well to watch your back, and keep your eyes open.”
I want to ask her to explain, but here too many eyes and ears are focused on us. “I will. How have you been?”
“Better than ever. I know you were surprised to see me here with Blazh. It’s not what I pictured for my future when I was younger. But I have something I never did before.”
“What’s that?”
“The power to make my own decisions.”
The words aren’t what I expected. The confusion must show because she smirks. “Whatever happens next is because of choices I made. No more being a cog in the wheel, or a chess piece waiting to be played.”
With furrowed brow, I shake my head. “Did you think you were before?”
She gives a casual shrug of her shoulder. “How could I not be? You left, so you must relate to a point.”
“Yes, but—”
“I was the good girl who seemed perfectly content with her lot in life? This is exactly why I had to leave.” Her eyes blaze with anger I can’t understand. “Enough about the family history. Let’s order those drinks.”
I want to hate my time, but as I raise my hands above my head and dance with Hal on the floor I’m having fun. I laugh as the drinks lower my inhibitions, and I relax for the first time since the move. I’m not getting bad vibes off Hal. She’s intense, flirting with the darker side of things, but not completely corrupt. Unless she hides it very well. Cristobal will fill me in on what Blazh had to say later. Right now, I want to enjoy this moment while it lasts.
“So, you and Cris?” She bumps her hip into mine in time to the music, a catchy pop song.