26. Dani

It was nearly midnight by the time Marco and I loaded up the last of my belongings into his truck. It was a little easier this time around considering I haven't really had the chance, or felt comfortable enough, to unpack anything and settle in since the last move. After learning that this was actually Catalina's apartment, perhaps that was for the best.

Ashe, to her credit, stayed out of our way for most of the night.

“That the last of it?”

I nod. As Marco lifts the tailgate my eyes sweep up the length of the building. “Has she always been this way?”

He follows my stare, frowning at the silhouette of a woman leaning up against the balcony nineteen stories up. She raises a bottle to her lips as a puff of smoke circles her head and his scowl deepens. “She's gotten worse.”

“She told me once that alcohol helps 'tame the beast', that she drinks to hold back her anger.” I feel my shoulders sag as I say the words aloud. Is it because of me? Of the situation I've put her in? The danger I've put us all in?

“It does, but it's not the only reason.” Marco meets my gaze, concern smoothing over the worry lines in his forehead. “Maybe it's better if we don't talk about this.”

“No, Marco. I want to know. For God's sake, I'm soulbound to her and I feel—” The words catch in my throat and, frustrated, I lower my head. What exactly did I feel?

We've shared a few moments here and there, stolen several glances when we thought the other wasn't looking, but that's been the extent of it. It's not like we sat down and had a roundtable discussion on whatever this weird attraction was between us—at least, the fascination on my end. I still wasn't sure if she felt anything at all for me, and not knowing was driving me crazy.

With a sigh I wring my hands, absently tracing the pad of my thumb over the cool metal of Ashe's ring. The sapphire band sparkles under the lights of the visitor's parking lot, winking up at me with unspoken promises.

'Do you even know what it is you control?'

I gnash my teeth against Catalina's words. “I want to know what it is I'm dealing with.”

The bear drags a hand over his face with a guttural groan. “Dani . . .”

“Ashe won't talk to me, Marco, and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with all of this right now. Now, you said I could trust you and I do. So please, trust me.”

He stares at me for a long moment, weighing my pleas against the knowledge that he carefully withheld. Finally, he relents. “Ashe has lived a long life, and that kind of living doesn't go by without leaving scars. She's been alone for most of it—”

I scoff. “Alone? Marco, she's shared her bed with Catalina almost every night since I moved in!” I couldn't even think about how often they were together before I accidentally entered her life without my stomach knotting. I didn't want to think about it at all if I could help it.

“I told you, they have history. But I never said it was a good history.”

My brow furrows. “Does she have something on her?”

It was the only thing that made sense as to why Ashe would put up with that devil in the first place. This could just be wishful thinking on my part, but in every one of their interactions that I had the displeasure of observing it looked to me as if Ashe was merely tolerating the vampire.

God, I hope that was true.

Marco shakes his head. “I don't know the details of their relationship, but I know it runs deep and involves Nadia.”

“Nadia?” Oh, joy. The woman that we were supposed to drive four hours to see tomorrow in some blinded sense of hope that she could remove this soul ring without killing me. Of course she would be connected to Catalina. “Who is she?”

“Someone that Ashe holds very dear to her. It's a little complicated for me to try and explain right now, but it's because of Nadia that Ashe joined the Reapers.”

'I'm tired, Dani. I'm so tired.'

The memory of a vulnerable redhead nearly in tears as she sat on my bed replays in my mind and my throat tightens. Marco had once mentioned that favors were like currency in their supernatural world. He owes Ashe his life and his loyalty to her thus far has been unwavering. Was it that much of a stretch to think that Ashe owed more to these two women? To the point that she would join the very organization that turned her into the monster that she fears she is?

“That's so fucked up.”

Marco snorts in agreement. “Ashe is nothing if not protective and, though I know she tries to hide it, what she does for the Tribunal really does bother her.” But as quickly as it came the humor fled from his eyes and a shadow fell over his features. “That's not all, though. That's not the only reason her drinking's gotten worse lately.”

There was more? What could possibly be worse than being forced to kill people to keep someone else safe?

He takes a deep breath, his burly chest rising and falling as he rubs the back of his neck. His shoulders grow rigid and I swallow my apprehension, forcing myself to wait patiently as he musters up the courage to shed light on another one of Ashe's metaphorical demons.

After a long pause, Marco finally breaks the tension. “Despite having Catalina and Nadia in her life, Ashe has for the most part been on her own. She's not good with affection and she's never had to look after someone or had someone tend to her the way I know you do. Not since Emelie.”

That name. I've heard Catalina say it once before. Ashe's reaction had been less than favorable; in fact, she had looked damn near ready to kill the vampire just for mentioning it.

“She almost never talks about her,” Marco says, taking my silence as his cue to continue. “But from the way Ashe described her to me once, I imagine when she looks at you it's like seeing a ghost.”

I picture this Emelie person to be the heartbreaker for Ashe that Monica was for me and it feels like the ground just gave way beneath my feet. I remember the agony of that loss, the sensation of my heart being ripped out of my chest as the woman I loved packed up her things and walked out of the life we shared without so much as a glance back, and I would never want to be reminded of that pain again. Is that what I am to Ashe? A walking reminder of her loss? Her pain? Is this why she's created so much distance between us?

“Have you ever met her?”

“No. That was, ah, well before my time. But I know the memory of Emelie's death still haunts her. I guess drowning those memories in liquor was how she's coped with the guilt all these years. She was getting better at dealing with it until—”

“Until I stumbled into her life.” I struggle to swallow the lump that had formed in my throat. So, I remind Ashe of a dead girl. Was Emelie only a friend? A lover? How many significant women does Ashe have in her life?

Marco winces, no doubt picking up on my mounting anxiety. “Dani, please don't take it the wrong way.”

“How else am I supposed to take it?” I don't know why I'm snapping at him, or why I'm even angry at this revelation, but before I can stop myself I snap again. “Dammit, Marco, why would you tell me that!”

“Ashe cares for you, okay? Trust me on that. She might deny it but I sense the change in her when you're around. Besides, you asked to know what you're dealing with so that's why I'm telling you this.”

Hot air whistles through my nose as I slump against his truck. He's right. Maybe I'm just overreacting. Emelie could be an old friend, or a sister. Marco never said what her relationship was with Ashe. I could be blowing this way out of proportion. It wouldn't be the first time that I've jumped to conclusions, although all signs were pointing to 'ex-lover' rather than 'dear little sister'.

Despite the lack of clarification a sense of uneasiness hits me and, nervously, I comb my fingers through my hair. I needed to know. “Did she love her?”

“I'm sure she did, once. But Emelie is her past.” His eyes soften as he places a gentle hand on my shoulder. “I think it's time she stops living in it and starts looking at what's right in front of her.”

Even though the gesture feels empty, I can't help but return his smile. “You're really pushing for this, aren't you?”

“I told you that you'd be good for her and she might be good for you, too. Besides, my instincts are never wrong.”

I wish I could share in his confidence.

“Come on,” he says with a pat. “Let's get inside before Ashe comes looking for us.”

I push off from the truck with a groan. I wasn't looking forward to whatever came next.

As we make our way across the parking lot and back to the building's entrance, a sudden searing pain pierces my temple like an ice pick to the brain. It takes my breath away and, reflexively, I double over. I can feel Marco's hands around me and I think he's calling my name, but as the pain intensifies all I can hear is an incessant ringing in my ears.

Darkness encroaches on the edges of my vision as I press my hands against my head, trying desperately to drown out the buzzing, but the sharp pain stabs me again and I crumble to my knees. The rhythmic beating of drums pounds in the background as the darkness consumes me and I black out.

When I come to, I'm no longer standing in the parking lot of Ashe—no, Catalina's—apartment complex. To my surprise, I'm not even inside the building.

I'm in a night club.

And I'm wearing a dress.

“Rosie!”

Rosie?

I try to turn my head, eager to see the bubbly blonde amidst the blur of faces in the crowd, but my body doesn't obey. Actually, it doesn't feel like my body at all. It felt strange, like my movements were not my own.

I involuntarily spin around, blonde hair whipping across my face as I meet the cold gray gaze of a tall dark-haired man. An unsolicited laugh tickles my throat and I watch as arms that aren't mine wrap themselves around his waist.

“You ready to get out of here, tiger?”

That was not my voice, and that would definitely not be my choice of words, yet they giggle from my lips all the same. I can taste the tequila on my tongue, even though I haven't consumed a single drop of alcohol tonight, and I feel the urge to vomit.

If only I could.

“Yeah. It's getting late, babe.” He grins lasciviously, eyes flashing red with lust as he takes my hand and leads me off the dance floor. “And I'm starving.”

I still don't like his vibe.

Despite my inner protests, my body follows him willingly and fear grips my mind as I realize that I was Rose. I don't know how it happened, or how it was even possible, but I was somehow inside her body, seeing everything through her eyes. Like I was a silent observer, a passenger walking in her shoes. Or, in this case, open-toed heels.

Was I dreaming again?

No, I've had my fair share of strange dreams before. This felt different. It felt real.

What the hell is going on?

My head spins as I reluctantly climb into her date's luxury sports car and it's not long after he peels out of the parking lot before my hands are all over him. Jesus Christ, Rose gets handsy when she's drunk.

Headlights and illuminated skyscrapers whiz by as Rose's suitor—what was his name again? James?—speeds down the highway. We exchange laughter and careless whispers as he weaves in and out of traffic, seemingly driving with no destination in mind as Rose continues to paw at his tailored suit. I can feel her desire as if it were my own and a wave of nausea hits me again.

I feel dizzy by the time we park.

“Now,” James says as he switches off the ignition and turns in my direction. “Shall we pick up where we left off last week, my little rosebud? I've been dying to taste you again.” His eyes regard me with an unearthly hunger and my panic increases tenfold as I realize that they are the same blood-red color that Catalina's eyes turned when she charmed that man at the café, but Rose is oblivious to the danger as she leans in to kiss him.

No! I scream, but my cries fall on deaf ears as we exit the vehicle and walk into the woods. My lips stretch into a wide, carefree grin despite the turmoil that seizes my mind. She was not dressed appropriately for a midnight hike, but I couldn't shake the thought that she was dressed perfectly as a midnight snack for a soul-sucking vampire. Rose, get out of here!

“Did you have to bring me to the fucking woods this time?” Rose huffs as James leads us deeper into the treeline. “Why can't we go back to your place instead?”

Yes! Question his motives, get your ass out of here!

But as I lean my back against a nearby tree, blonde hair cascading over my shoulder as I hike one leg up and run my hands against the trunk behind me, any inkling of hope dies in my chest. I know this stance, this primal craving. Rose was enjoying this.

She has no idea what he's capable of!

James smirks as he places his hands on either side of me, blocking any feasible exit. Judging from the lust swirling in my gut, though, I don't think Rose had any plans of running away.

“Because it's secluded and I don't want to share you with the rest of my family. And, out here, you can scream as loud as you want.”

Rose moans in ecstasy as he sinks his fangs into my neck. The pain from the sting quickly dissolves as pleasure swells in my abdomen and shivers up my spine.

No, this is wrong!

James lifts my dress up past my thigh as my hands fiddle with the zipper of his trousers and he presses his body against mine in earnest. All I can think about is how the bark from the tree is biting into my skin, but Rose is completely under his charm. His lips find my mouth and with one quick thrust he grips my hips and inhales deeply, swallowing my cry. Just as my breath leaves my body, darkness clouds my vision and I feel myself falling into oblivion.

“Dani?”

I blink open my eyes with a start, my body convulsing as I gasp on a desperate impulse to fill my lungs with air.

“Woah, woah. Easy!”

Rough pleather sticks to the sweat on my skin and as my eyes adjust I realize that I'm back in the apartment. Large hands are holding me down as a bushy face looms over me, green eyes wide with concern.

“Marco?”

The bear nods. “Are you okay?”

No, I'm not okay! What the hell was that? With a groan I push myself into a sitting position on the couch. My head was pounding and the faintest taste of tequila still lingered on my lips. “Wh-what happened?”

“You fainted.”

I shift my attention to Ashe, who was standing against the wall with her arms crossed. Her brow is furrowed, mimicking the concern that Marco harbored, but she kept her distance. I wish she wouldn't keep doing that.

“Fainted?” I echo her words, mulling over the countless rational explanations that could easily explain what I had just experienced, but I found no comfort in them. None of it came close to describing what I saw, or what I felt. “No.” I shake my head. “No, I was awake the whole time. I was in the parking lot with Marco and then I was just . . . somewhere else.”

Ashe is towering over me before I can blink. I resist the urge to jump as she stares down at me, her hazel hues burning with uncertainty. Finally, she asks, “Were you riftwalking?”

“Was I what?”

“It's a strong form of soul magic and can take years for a witch to master before they're able to project their soul outside of their body like that, but it's dangerous and—” She narrows her eyes and I see her fists clench at her side. “Dani, if you're a witch then you need to tell me now!”

“What? No! No, I'm not a freaking witch! And I wasn't astral protecting or whatever. I was there! It wasn't like watching a movie or-or having a dream. I was seeing everything happen as if it was happening to me. I felt everything! It's like I was walking in someone else's body. I was—” Fragments from my vision snap themselves back together like puzzle pieces in my mind and panic wells up in my chest.

Oh my God.

“Rose.” Without thinking, and possibly to keep the room from spinning, I latch onto Ashe's arm. Her muscles tense at the contact but she doesn't pull away, and with a shaky breath I lift my chin. I was sure she could see the fear behind my eyes. My heart might just explode from the stress of it all. “Ashe, she's in trouble! Her date's a freaking vampire and he's going to kill her!”

The redhead glances hesitantly at Marco. A knowing look flickers in her eyes, as if she were holding back a secret, before she finally sighs and lowers her head. “He's legally allowed to feed on her. We can't interfere—”

“You knew?”

“I smelled the vampire's scent on her when we first met,” Marco admits behind me. I can hear the guilt weighing in his voice as he adds, “I don't like it any more than you do but, as long as he doesn't attract attention, there's nothing we can do without drawing attention to ourselves.”

My grip on Ashe's arm tightens as my heart beats wildly in my chest, but she doesn't flinch. “You both knew and you didn't say anything?”

“I'm sorry, Dani. I really am.”

“You weren't supposed to find out.” Ashe grimaces, and I knew I would get no such apology from her. “But we have our own problems to deal with and we need to get moving.” She looks over at Marco and begins talking with him, but I was no longer listening.

I was furious.

My best friend, the one person who I wanted to keep away from all of this supernatural bullshit so badly that I was willing to risk our friendship for her safety, was in danger and they were just going to sit here and let her die?

'She's bound to do whatever you tell her to.' Catalina's words echo in my mind and my jaw tightens. I never had any intentions of testing the vampire's theory, but Rose needed my help! I couldn't save her on my own and I would never forgive myself if I didn't at least try.

My stomach knots as I suck air in through my teeth. Then, with a determined sigh, I glare up at the redhead and do the one thing I swore I would never do to her.

I command her.

-------------

A/N: What the what just happened?! Baby Dani, what are you? And what are you about to do? At least Rose is back (you thought I forgot about her vampire date, didn't you?), but she sure knows how to pick them! Buckle up, Reapers, we're in for a wild ride.

I think we've been on this journey long enough to ask this, and I'm genuinely curious. So let me know which character is your favorite and why in the comments. I'd love to hear your answers!

As always, thank you so much for reading! Please don't forget to vote. Your enthusiasm for the story makes it all worthwhile :)