“Taking a bet?” Jack interrupted. Ashley glanced around before nodding and disappearing amidst the crowd.
“What? Did I miss something?” Conrad glanced around, his vision panning the surroundings until his sight rested on her warm aura. He froze, his heart lurching as she saw her grasp the back of the vampire’s head, pulling him down into a sensual kiss. In that instant, it was as if his world turned to grey. He watched as the figure’s arms wrapped around her possessively, his slender fingers threading themselves in her hair in the same way he had longed to. He glanced away, a hand to his chest as he struggled to breathe and kept his vision anywhere but there as the seconds seems to stretch into hours. “Bathroom?” he questioned weakly, as his wandering gaze encountered Tess, earning him a curious look.
“Just over there.” She gestured towards an alcove to the left of the stairs that led down from the screens they had just exited.
“Thanks.” His legs could barely move him quickly enough through the crowd. The door swung shut with silent swish. Breathlessly, he placed his hands in the sink, breathing deeply before scooping his palms beneath the tap, trying to wash away the disappointment he knew he had no right to feel with the ice-cold water. He had spent so much time with the small group that he had failed to consider Ashley might have a boyfriend. The realisation struck him harder than he had expected. It should have been a relief that she was taken, as now he had another reason to deny what his soul cried for. A reason not to ask if she would consider sharing dessert again one evening, alone—an invitation that had been on the tip of his tongue more times than he could count. It was a blessing she worked so much that the opportunity had never arisen, that she was in another’s arms. It would save him the hurt that was sure to follow this detestable infatuation. Yet the pain of seeing her in arms that weren’t his felt far worse than any past betrayal.
He thought he had settled for admiring her, for refusing the yearnings and protecting himself, but the image of her kissing that vampire plagued him. Why did his heart and his other-self keep insisting they could make it work despite the fact she was only human? He felt as if he lived in a state of consent contradiction, needing her so desperately he would risk anything, while needing to protect himself from the rejection that was sure to follow. Massaging his chest slightly, he tried to return his breathing to normal. He should be happy, relieved. So why did he feel that the very breath had been stolen from his lungs? He glared at himself in the tarnished mirror, startling as he realised he was not alone.
“You okay?” Jack stood watching him, a look of genuine concern etched deeply into his brow.
“Yeah, just a little light-headed. I think the heat in there got to me.” Conrad dipped his hands in the water again, allowing its freshness to wash over him as he attempted to gather himself, guard his treacherous emotions.
“Tell me about it. I know it’s still officially winter for a few days yet, but it was like a sauna.” Jack fanned himself, blowing out an uncomfortable breath before coming to stand with him beside the sink.
“So, is Ashley’s boyfriend coming tonight?” he ventured, using the paper towel to cover the disappointment he knew was visible.
“Sorry?”
“The guy she was with a moment ago.”
As a look of realisation crossed Jack’s face, Conrad realised, in that moment, that his friend had seen right through him. Perhaps it was the slight tremble in his voice that had given him away, or the telling look he hadn’t managed to conceal.
“Oh, you…” He glanced towards the door, as if his vision could penetrate the barrier to focus upon their friend.
“Please don’t say anything.”
Jack pushed a hand through his hair, flustered, fidgeting slightly as his gaze turned to meet Conrad’s directly. “Look, Ashley… well, it’s… complicated.”
“What about her isn’t?” He forced a smile. If there was one word he could have used to sum her up, that would have been it, if only for the reason that she made him feel so confused. She was his complication, one he couldn’t seem to work past.
“You’re still coming back with us, right?” Jack must have sensed his hesitation, his discomfort.
“I—”
“Please. There’s some things she needs to tell you, important things that have no place beyond our circle. Just give her—”
“Jack, Conrad, you guys in there?” Tess’s panicked voice echoed alongside the pounding on the door. “Jack, get out here now. Ash collapsed!”
Conrad’s heart began to pound. His feet seemed frozen in place but all he wanted to do was to run to her.
“Shit.” Jack glanced towards Conrad. “I gotta—” he gestured towards the door. “Damn it,” he cursed, dashing from the bathroom. It was a few moments before he could follow, and he froze again as he saw her, his beautiful source of anguish. She sat upon the vibrant carpet, her skin deathly pale, her gaze fixed blankly ahead while Tess fussed around her, stroking her hair, speaking softly while Jack attempted to dispel the crowd.
“It’s okay, she’s my sister,” Jack announced, his arms
