Page 71 of Resurrection
Marcus eats up the space with his long legs, going behind the bar, snatching a bottle and three glasses. Turning to look over his shoulder, he reconsiders, grabbing a fourth one as well. When I was preparing to tell him I don’t like that crap they keep drinking, he drops it in front of the woman, leaving my mouth open with no words coming out. Pouring the amber liquid, he hasn’t moved the bottle away yet when she snatches the glass, gulping it all so quickly she coughs and sputters for a moment.
“More.” Her voice is raw from the hacking, but determination is set on her face.
With a lifted eyebrow, seeming impressed, he fills her glass again before doing the same to the others. Sebastian’s tension is drumming in my chest like a constant beat, and I glance at him. He is staring at the woman as if he can shred her skin with his eyes.
“Okay, what the hell is going on here?” Slapping my fists on my hips, I narrow my eyes on the three of them. “We are wasting time here. She can kill everyone in that hall while we are stupid.”
“She wouldn’t strike carelessly.” Arrogance oozes out of Sebastian, pissing me off. “Not with me and mine.”
“You should’ve reminded her of that after she staked two of your Guardians.” Sarcasm is dripping like honey from my mouth, and he scowls at me.
“Technically, they are your Guardians, too.” Marcus points out, sounding insulted.
“Cazzo!” Andrei snaps at him.
“Stop calling me a dick.” Growling, Marcus takes a step towards Andrei, and I raise my voice before they tear at each other.
“True, but”—lifting a finger in the air, I get their attention away from the fighting— “I’m not surprised by it, nor do I expect anything else from the likes of her.” Matching Sebastian’s scowl, I shove the finger in his face. “Unlike some idiots.”
He snaps his descended fangs at my finger, and I snatch my hand back, making him grin at me. If looks could kill, he would’ve been dead right now. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.
“The plan?” I look at Andrei expectantly.
“Irina will capture April.” I’m confused by his blabbing until he points at the woman. After that, I’m just confused, period. “Don’t you see the resemblance?” His eyebrows hit his hairline.
“No,” I deadpan. “I mean, she has dark hair and dark eyes if that’s what you were going for,” I add helpfully, not wanting him to feel bad that he failed.
“Aha, but wait until I’m done with her.” Shoving his hand in the pockets of his pants, he starts pulling out makeup. “I just need five minutes, and she will be ready.”
Rubbing my forehead, I walk up and down, unable to stand still. “This is stupid. She is human.” Jabbing a finger at the woman, I continue talking to myself. No one pays attention, all three of them watching the woman like they expect her to grow fangs out of nowhere.
When I pass by Sebastian, he grips my arm, pulling me between his parted legs. Wrapping his arms around me, surrounding me in his scent, he tucks my head under his chin. Shuddering under my palms that are pressed on his chest, he sighs.
“I don’t like this.” I hear his deep voice through his chest, snuggling closer to him. “They should not be anywhere near you.”
“I have no intention of letting them do anything. And you’ll come for me, just like I came for you.”
“I’m done,” Andrei says proudly, cutting off whatever Sebastian was going to say.
When Andrei moves away, we all gape at the woman. It’s like staring through a mirror at the past. Before I died and became who I am today. She lacks the tightness of the skin and the allure of the predator the rest of us have, but she definitely resembles me. The old April, I should say. When Andrei gathers her hair in his hands to show off his work, the realization hits me.
“You came the night Khan was in the penthouse.”
I remember this girl from that night. She wore almost no makeup, but still stood out against the group of made-up, almost naked women Andrei had called in to distract him. The one that brought that sheer dress I had to wear. It feels like a lifetime ago.
She nods grimly at me.
“Why are you doing this?” Frowning at Andrei, I can’t help but wonder. “Did you force her to agree?”
“No, he didn’t,” the woman answers. “I agreed on my own.”
“Why?” Prodding, I have to know her reasons.
“Khan killed my sister.” Swallowing thickly, her eyes shimmer with unshed tears for a brief moment. Steel enters her gaze. “I will do anything to see them pay.”
Her words are like a dark cloud over our heads, and I hold her gaze.
“You and I”—at my words, Sebastian tightens his arms around me, grim looks covering Marcus’s and Andrei’s faces— “have a lot in common.” Reaching out, I take her hand, and her icy fingers latch onto me like a lifeline.
