“We have to stop this at all costs,” Riley says. “Truebloods have gotten better in modern times. Blood banks are a thing now, and more and more Truebloods are using them. Even my coven used one. A lot of covens are trending in the right direction. Right now is the best time humans and vampires have had living in the same world, and that has to keep going.”
“You didn't feel that way before.” I look at Riley over my shoulder, and he's right there, nuzzling me with his lips barely over my ear. Gone is that close distance.
Has something changed between us since the Originator tried to make the three of us fight? A mountain has lifted from me since that scene at the lake. Maybe I'll never know if my earlier episodes were mine to own, but I'll take this. We know what's going on now. That means we can face reality and fight it.
“So,” I ask. “I should probably take a fresh look after the Originator saw the redhead at the lake. Can you help me figure out a new disguise?”
CHAPTER EIGHT
So, we have a few goals during our weekend stay at Shacklesburg.
One, train. Adopt a fresh look, again, so I can waltz back into the coven as a new Nightside that Riley found and wants to have as a new servant.
Two, keep looking for Dad. Lily's helping with that, as she's already caught wind of unusual credit card activity in this town. However, that could be anyone.
And three, make it look as if poor Olivia fled back to Chicago. I'm glad for Lily and whatever help she can find online, but it means being separated from my phone from now on.
“At least the Originator can't control people online,” Riley says as the two of us walk away from the Oceanside hotel that evening, hand in hand. The sun has already dropped out of the sky, leaving a pale orange glow on the horizon, and the sky is shifting from dark purple to a deep bluish-black. The stars are out tonight, and the air has lost what little heat it gathered during the day. But the walk down the long, rocky beach is satisfying, and it's helping me blow off steam. “Lily thinks you should take that homeless girl look since the story will be that I found you wandering around this town. Homeless Nightsides exist, and they're often on the move, so the story will check out.”
“I hope it does,” I say. “It'll still tip off whoever the killer is that you left with Olivia and came back with some other girl.” I focus not on the redhead this time, but on a girl with dyed black hair, growing out lighter roots. She's wearing cheap makeup, like she's trying to hide herself, and a pair of those jeans you can buy holey. I add a faded sweater to the image with a kitten on the front. Beggars can't be choosers. Oh, and tennis shoes that are on the verge of falling apart. Then as Riley walks, facing the empty beach ahead and the cold ocean lapping against the shore, I project the image of that girl walking beside him, grasping his hand.
“Hello,” I say, thinking of a voice higher than mine. “Sir, do you have any change?”
Riley jumps and looks right at me. “Who are you?” he asks in shock before splitting a grin.
I've caught him off guard again. I’m getting good. “So, did I do it?”
Riley stops and blinks. “You've got talent. I see a girl with dyed black hair and a kitten sweater. I can see you if I focus, because I know it’s a disguise, but it really worked on me for a second. What should your name be? Pick one.”
“Sarah? No, too old-fashioned. I could be a Miranda or something less common,” I say. “Yeah. I'll go with that. My name's Miranda, and I think I'm going crazy because I have a craving for blood that started just a month ago, and I fled home after I tried to attack my brother in my sleep. I'm horrified and I don't know what's wrong with me, and you saw the opportunity to bring in another servant into the coven. And since I'm new, I don't know how to use my powers.” I let go of his hand and shrug.
Riley scratches his chin. “You know, I think that story will work. The High Council won't want to see any powerful Nightsides that can go against me at the Convening. But new ones I can mold? Yes. Definitely. And better yet, you can sit back and try to see who the actual killer is before we get there.”
I let the image slip away and I become Olivia again. Riley blinks as my influence comes off. “Great. That's our best chance. It's not perfect, because someone will suspect me of being Olivia when we go back to the mansion. But the High Council might not expect me.”
“It's not a guarantee, but it's the best plan we have,” Riley says. “We have three weeks to find the killer.”
“And Dominic,” I whisper, eyeing the beach ahead.
Shacklesburg has fewer people than Moon's Peak. This beach lacks the footprints that the one near the Derp House has, and I get the sense that most people don't walk this far when they're staying at the Oceanside hotel. All I can see are trees, gravel, sand, and lapping waves. Riley and I walk back, holding hands after I scan the area and make sure that no one's watching. At least there are plenty of woods out here for hunting, since Riley will need to do that before I do.
We find Lily sprawled out on the bed when we get back to the room, and I update her on my progress. “Any signs of life?” I ask.
She taps the computer screen. “Well, you're on your way to Chicago right now via a bus,
