Her footsteps are hesitant as she gives the space a once-over. The cats, on the other hand, claim the bed as their own. “Feel free to anything you can find in the kitchen,” I tack on, deciding the best way for her to relax would be to leave.
“Thank you,” she says when I’m in the doorway. Her eyes hold sadness and an expression of being lost. Keeping my feet firmly planted I nod my head once before leaving her to settle in. The best thing I can do to help right now is get in contact with Europe’s vampire expert Gabe. If anyone will have information about this Master, it will be him.
***
Tess told me she was a Performance Major. I had no idea what that meant until this moment.
The auditorium is dark and a handful of people are littered throughout the front seats. Tess wasn’t lying when she said she had to be on campus at ridiculous hours, and has spent the majority of the last month living here. Twenty-two days. I have seen her for twenty-two consecutive days, each one harder, and easier, than the last.
A high string wale plays over the speakers, holding the single note until it ricochets across the room, drawing attention to the lone figure standing beneath a sharp beam of white light. The slow, graceful movement of the dancer catches my breath in my throat. The ballerina-esque poses and postures Tess takes reminds me of classical ballets where the heroine dies a tragic death, the tune one of mourning.
A normal human’s muscles would strain under the pressure from the holds her body demands, but the power of her forms keeps all eyes fixated. The song stays fluid and steady, the perfect way to showcase this particular talent.
“Thank you, Ms. Wigg, scores will be posted in three days outside my office.”
Tess rises from her final position and exits the stage, making her way to a crammed seat where she collects her belongings. I rise from the back corner to carry her bags.
“You’re a shoe-in for Dache’s showcase,” a short blond squeals, her small hands clasped in excitement.
“Emily,” Tess laughs under her breath, “he’s got hundreds of students. Besides, I have a lot going on right now.”
“But you’re graduating! And you’ve already done it twice. Twice!”
“Exactly. Best to let someone else have my spot if I make the cut at all.”
“Oh you will. And Cece is going to hate you for it.”
Tess glances across the auditorium toward a gaggle of girls. “If she wants it that badly she can have it.”
“You’re a better person than me,” Emily mutters under her breath.
Tess peeks up from stuffing the last of her clothes in a bag as I come to a stop in front of her.
“I thought Caleb was picking me up,” she says, a fine line of perspiration dotting her hairline.
“Caleb went to see our parents for a surprise visit. You’re stuck with me.”
“I’ll see you later, Emily,” Tess waves, following me out of the theater. I take her bags in one hand before opening the door. Several people stop her to briefly chat, her contagious smile spreading to everyone she speaks with. Her shoulders drop incrementally every time she stops, but her tiredness doesn’t affect the kind enthusiasm she shows in listening to others planned performance pieces.
“Parker!” a high-pitched female voice calls from the opposite end of the room. Our heads turn to a blonde woman beelining for our location. It takes me a second to remember her name. Ashley. She chose a scary movie to watch for our date and talked the entire time. “You’re looking great! I can’t believe we haven’t seen each other in, what has it been, a couple of weeks?”
The last time I saw Ashley was the night I met Tess who has gone still beside me. “How are you doing?” Ashley questions, touching my arm and shooting Tess a snide look. My primal instinct is to protect Tess from Ashley, but Tess surprises me by laughing out loud and returning to her conversation with her friend.
Extricating myself from the baby blue nails threatening to dig into my skin from Tess’s blasé attitude toward Ashley’s female alpha challenge, I take a step back which also puts Tess in line of sight. Her eyes crinkle in silent amusement as her friend leaves.
“It’s been a busy time,” I say, hoping it will be enough to satisfy her desire to talk. Grabbing Tess’s hand would probably keep her from saying anything else, and I seriously contemplate it.
“There’s a party tomorrow night out at White Ranch Park. I’d love to see you there.” The invitation was directed solely at me though I’m obviously standing with another person. Her eyes jet back to Tess. “Your friend can come too if she would like.”
“No, thank you,” Tess replies, that mischievous smile still present.
Ashley stands straighter with the erroneous belief that she’s somehow won. “So, what do you say? Meet me there?”
I look to Tess while thinking how to let Ashley down gently. “I’m sorry, but I’m currently seeing someone.”
Tess’s cheeks go pink before she can turn away fast enough and I want to kick myself. I’m trying to stay detached from the bond between us but am struggling. Ashley notices the exchange and tries one more tactic, probably hoping to get me alone tomorrow to change my mind.
“You two could come together,” her bright voice states too cheerily.
Tess looks at Ashley who stands a couple of inches taller than her. “Watching a group of twenty-something-year-olds get drunk and puke everywhere
