Chapter Fifteen - Part Three

“I know that I’m off to a bad start, but I don’t want to continue that legacy, Addy. I’d rather break the cycle.”

“Hey hon – that wine in your hand? You need to drink up. Seriously – chug.”

“Trust me, getting drunk won’t solve my problems.”

“True, but it can at least take the sting away.”

Of course I had told Addy about what Ethan and I had discovered about Paris, but I hadn’t let either of them in on my real fear. Of course I felt absolutely sick to think that my own mother could have been involved with my father’s death. But what shook me even worse was what his blood on her hands might truly mean – that she had never loved him, and that he had been alone their entire marriage. That cut me deep, deeper than anything.

But even so, I drained the last of my wine, setting the empty glass on the table a little too hard. I looked down when I heard the clink of empty drink on the table, and that was when I noticed my clutch, temporarily forgotten. But I failed to recall when I had left it lying open…

“Oh. My god.” I said, feeling my heart rate immediately skyrocket. Dangerously faint, I grabbed the clutch to find that it still held my driver’s license, debit card, and a few large bills. But the amulet – the most important item in my world – was gone.

Gone.

“Oh no.” I said in a low, wretched voice, dumping out the contents of my small purse upon the table. “Please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, don’t do this to me now…”

But somehow, someway it was done. The amulet was gone. It was missing, no longer in the place that I so dearly wished it would again be. My stomach was gone and in its place was something heavy, yet hollow at the same time, but it was much less effective compared to the paralyzing disquiet that had settled over me.

“Addy, it’s gone,” I whispered, dropping the clutch on the table with fingers that had gone limp. “The amulet – it’s really gone.”

“Oh god, you mean you actually brought that thing with you?”

“I had to,” I said, with rising panic. “Tidus thought it would be safer with me…”

“Naomi, that amulet is dangerous in the wrong hands. Hell, it’s dangerous in any hands. If someone takes it out of the box and puts it on…”

“I know, I know,” I moaned, shooting her another miserable look as I picked up the clutch once more and scanned its empty innards, knowing all the while that it was futile. Frantic, I thought back to all of the previous things that I had done in the past hour, from receiving the ring, to placing it securely in my clutch, and then arriving at the gala.

I looked around us at the chattering mass of dressed up socialites, scanning hard, as if somehow I might have been able to pick out a culprit from the crowd. And all I could do, (besides brainstorming on how to go about getting it back) was wonder how exactly it could have been stolen from right beneath my nose…

Beneath my nose…

With a sudden thought, I glanced down at the table again, as realization began to dawn.

“That. Sneaky. Cow.” I said with a bitter smile. I turned the clutch over in my hands, angry but also, strangely, impressed.

“Um, just to be clear, which cow is it that we’re referring to?” Addy said, waving a hand in front of my face. “Because, honestly, there are a lot.”

“Eve,” I said. “Eve took the ring! She must have gone through my purse when I wasn’t looking – I can’t believe I was so stupid…”

“Naomi, we have to get that thing back. Because as much as I totally despise Eve, if she puts that thing on, she’s toast. And so’s Ethan, come to think of it.”

Of course there was no mistaking that Eve still had feelings for Ethan. Otherwise, she wouldn’t go through all the trouble to see him hurt and suffering. But revenge this sweet could be such a temperamental thing. After all, there were no guarantees of success when you were in the business of misery. Which is why you have a back-up plan, which is clearly what Eve had already discovered.

“Don’t worry, I’ll get it back.” I said, and grit my teeth. “Whatever it takes…”

*  *  *

I spent the rest of that evening glued to Ethan’s side, smiling hard and making small talk while pretending that a giant vortex hadn’t just been opened up beneath the feet of my life. But the more time I spent in Harbor, the more natural that lying became. And the closer midnight approached, the more Ethan noticed my significant mood change, and proceeded to ask me what was wrong – several times. But of course I couldn’t tell him. Spilling my guts about a ring that had been stolen by his vindictive ex-girlfriend who planned on using it to ruin his relationship with his father? Well, that obviously wasn’t a safe conversation to have with my Champion – even in a room crowded full of witnesses. So no matter how much he begged, bullied, and cajoled, I kept my mouth shut.

“Ethan, there are some things that I’d just prefer keeping to myself.” I said, annoyed and frustrated, after had pulled me to the hidden alcove by the bathrooms. “Do you really think that because we have this bond I’m automatically inclined to spill every detail of my life to you?”

“Hey, whether you like it or not, I’m still your Champion. I’m supposed to look out for you, Naomi – it’s in the job description, remember? And correct me if I’m wrong, but somewhere between the time we showed up tonight and now, you’ve been scared about something – I can feel it. And I just want to know why. I’m worried about you, damnit – is that so wrong?”

“Let me handle it, please.” I told him. “It’s my problem. Not yours.”

For a moment, Ethan looked as if he wouldn’t back down. But instead he sighed.

“Fine. You’re right. I’ll let you handle it yourself.”

“Thank you.” I said, holding back a sigh of relief. “And actually, I’m gonna go solve that problem right now. I’m sorry, I’m not trying to ditch you –”

“Yeah, well, the Gala’s ending anyway.” Ethan replied, disappointed. “I’ll just catch a ride with Addy.”

I watched Ethan go, wanting to call after him and at least apologize again, but the internal clock within me began ticking down loudly, reminding me of the task at hand. But on my way out, I remembered to stop at the donation table and write a check for a hefty enough sum. Somehow, it seemed to offset the balance of the future transgressions I might engender. Well, so I told myself, anyway.

Meanwhile, Charles and Kimber had taken positions on either side of the country club’s entrance. The guests had begun to slowly file through the front doors, shaking the hands of their host and hostess as they went, giving air kisses after they gushed about having had such a great time. I caught Addy’s eye as she made her way towards the exit with Collin, towing Ethan in their wake. But it was a close walk to the bridge from the country club. I could find my way alone.

Surreptitiously, I headed to the fire exit doors in the back, pushing through them and breaking free into the night air. I hadn’t realized how warm it had been back inside the club, but I noticed it now. And while standing on the back steps, I looked up to the stars which were backed by the tip of a hidden, yellow crescent in the sky. Temporarily, I was swallowed by the beauty and the coldness of the night.

So when I heard the clicking sound of a camera’s shutter, and perceived the cherry end of a cigarette in the dark, I was effectively startled.

“Beautiful,”

He stepped forward from the shadows of the building, and I could see him now much better for the light. Immediately, he struck me as the reporter type – and probably the same one that had taken pictures of my grandparents.

Whoever he was, he looked nice in his suit, which was simple and black. His tie was already loosened, and he had the sleeves rolled up, with a jacket nowhere to be seen. And his dress shoes were nice despite the scuff marks. His hair was dark and short, but long enough on the top that he could put some gel to it to form a faux hawk, like he had tonight. From my vantage point, I saw that he stood below me looking upwards, like a man admiring a painting.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “But did you just take my picture?”

“You mean for the Herald?” The stranger asked, indicating his camera after he’d had one last drag. He flicked the butt and stubbed it out, looking up at me again with renewed interest. “Of course. You’re Naomi Noble, right? The only daughter of Jack and Paris Noble, not to mention the new heiress of a billion dollar estate. Must be nice.”

“Some parts, maybe. Who are you?”

“Chandler - Chandler Sloane. I’m a reporter for the Harbor’s Herald? Look, I’m sorry to come across like a creep, but I’ve been sitting on a story for a few weeks now, wondering if I should even attempt to approach you for a picture to go with it. But the perfect opportunity kinda just fell into my lap. I couldn’t really pass that up. Hope you don’t mind…”

“Pshh. Please.” I said with a mock scoff. “Getting my picture taken by a random reporter who probably has some scathing story waiting in the wings? I’m not afraid.”

“And she jokes,” Chandler replied, with a laugh that was light and friendly. “Beauty and a sense of humor to match – nice. Ethan Raines is a lucky guy.”

“Not that lucky,”

“Well, could’ve fooled me. You two make a very cute-looking couple.”

The male in him was flirting, but the reporter in him was digging, I knew. Charmed was out of the question – wary is what I needed to be.

“Brown eyes, dimples, and such a cute smile, but no wedding ring.” I observed aloud. “Mid-to late-twenties, smoker of both the legal and illegal variety, and tonight you really indulged on the liquor. Vodka. Classy.”

At times, the wolf’s finer senses could come in very handily.

“So, do you like it?” I continued, still casual but no longer joking. “Being dissected, examined?”

I stepped forward and Chandler was walking toward me. Like a gentleman, he took my hand and guided me down the last cement steps to the sidewalk.

“Nice,” he said, with a smile. “Especially for a girl who’s spent the majority of her life separated from the rest of her Pack. But that doesn’t seem to have affected your skills at all. You’re pretty sharp, Naomi Noble.”

“Yes, that is true. But the question remains: what are you, Chandler?” I asked, something I should have queried from the very beginning when I first noticed that foreign, Supernatural scent. I looked down, suddenly aware that my hand was still in his.

“I’m a friend,” he promised, in a low, soothing voice. Gently, he trailed two fingers lightly across the back of my hand, letting them travel to my wrist and then back down again in the same, mild fashion. I stood, momentarily transfixed by a sudden feeling of intense, befuddling warmth. The relaxing kind – like how you’d feel after your very first kiss.

The kind of kiss you could have with a stranger, who had awfully full and soft-looking lips for a boy…

“Or at least I could be, Naomi…”

“What is that pretty blue light?” I asked, feeling amorous but giddy too, and subsequently stumbling.

Wait, am I imagining this? Why do I feel this way? I thought dimly, having just enough time to again recall the electric blue light that had tumbled from the tips of his fingers when our skin touched. But he had caught me when I stumbled, and then there had been more of the blue light from his hands, and my reasoning skills again began to fade.

“Interesting,” he said, faltering in his hand-stroking, and it was suddenly like a spell had been lifted. “No one’s ever seen the blue light before. Well, apart from me anyway –”

“Wait, are you a Succubus?” I said, seizing that opportunity to snatch my hand from his. “I thought Succubuses were only supposed to be women.”

“Actually, that would be Succubi – suck you bye – not Succubuses. And honestly, I have no idea who started that stupid rumor that we’re all women. I mean, come on, do I look like a chick to you?”

“Who cares what you look like, you jerk? What I’m concerned about is the fact that we just met, and already you’re trying to use your sex power to drain me. I should totally beat you up for that…”

Chandler gave me a look that was more than merely disgruntled. He actually dared to look offended, as if my accusation had just inflicted mortal harm on his soul.

“First of all, in order to ‘drain you’, we would have to be having actual sex. And even then, I’d have to lose control first – something I haven’t done in a really long.”

Sure, I was irritated about the blue light and I held the usual guardedness reserved for Supernaturals I didn’t know. But looking in Chandler’s face, I knew he had really meant no harm. He was forward, sure, and a bit presumptuous maybe. But, was I really any better?

“What I did just now, with the light, it isn’t dangerous.” Chandler assured. “Well, not really anyway. It just makes you feel good, loose…”

Oh, trust me. I knew what that meant.

“Well,” I said, and haughtily cleared my throat. “Even so, it was incredibly rude. And besides if it’s an interview or a picture you want, then how about just asking next time?”

“Um, because I’m a Succubus?” Chandler replied, honest but properly shamefaced at least.

“Right. I’m outta here.” I said, and turned in the direction of the park.

“Hey. Hey, wait!” Chandler darted around me, waylaying my attempt to leave.

“What?”

“I’m sorry. You’re right – it was offensive and I apologize.”