I pull Luisa back by her sleeve.
“What the hell did you do to that monster?”
“Nothing. Leave it.”
Ping!
“Please, don’t lie to me, Luisa.”
She lets out a long breath. “I made him relive trauma from his human life. Trauma is the worst form of pain, and it stays with you forever."
“But…”
How? All she did was touch him. Then it hits me, and I stumble back as if she’s thrown me to the ground as hard as the Vampire did.
“You’re a fucking Touchmage?” I scream the last two words in her face.
“Saskia, I…” She reaches for me, but the hands I found welcoming back on the beach are nothing but weapons to me now. I need to run. I need to get away from her.
“Don’t touch me,” I scream. “Don’t ever fucking touch me again.”
I don’t stop to look at the expression on her face, or Rafi’s, as I turn into the night and run.
Chapter Nine
I fidget with the train of my ball gown as I wait outside my mother’s office. My throat is still sore from the Vampire’s grip last night, even though Rafi got his hands on some healing serum which he brought around to my apartment. We kept to small talk, neither of us mentioning the attack or my outburst.
My purse begins to vibrate, it’s probably him. The limo hired for Luisa, Rafi, Beatriz and me, to take us to the ball, is scheduled to leave in twenty minutes from MA headquarters, but my mother has demanded I meet her first. Whatever she has to say apparently can’t wait.
I hope my heavy make-up covers up the Vamp hickey — the last thing I need is my mom accusing me of having a Para-sexcapade on my first night in town. It won’t matter if I tell her I was attacked, or if I seek sympathy, she’s the personification of ‘yeah, but what were you wearing?’
Waiting for her is a drag, but I’m happy to avoid Luisa for as long as possible. Hopefully, I can avoid her at the ball too.
I’ve completely wasted my time coming to Spain. The sigils are a dead-end, I’ve already emailed Jackson telling him it’s all a no-go, and I have no way of finding out where Maribel is. For all I know she left of her own accord and there isn’t even a story here.
I need to get back to New York. Disappointing Jackson beats hanging out in ball gowns with Touchmages and waiting to be summoned by my mother like a well-bred MA pup. I walked away from this Witch life years ago.
I knock on my mother’s office door, and she opens it.
“There you are,” she says, looking me up and down as if appraising her investment. “For such an imaginative, talented Witch, Estrella didn't leave much to the imagination this time.”
I suck my stomach in then let it out again. I’m not doing this. I’m not playing her games.
Of course, my mother’s own dress is impeccable; black velvet, tight at the waist and flowing out the back. Her gown, although beautiful, looks so simple compared to the magical creations fashioned by Estrella. The great Solina is clearly too important to be part of such a theatrical parade.
“I have something to tell you,” she says.
That’s right, her oh-so-important “big news.”
“Me first,” I say. “I can’t stay until the end of the equinox celebrations. I know I was supposed to, but I’ve changed my mind. I’m leaving in the morning.”
I brace myself, waiting for the onslaught of anger or list of new tasks she has for me.
“Fickle,” she says, tracing the leather cover on her oak desk. Her cold eyes narrow as she surveys me. “You were always fickle. Why did you come then, Saskia?”
“I was curious.”
I’m ashamed to admit I thought this place would bring me closer to Mikayla. Closer to answers.
My mother sees right through me.
“You think it escapes me that this is the second high-profile MA disappearance in two years? If Maribel isn’t found, I will Ascend to First. I will have direct access to all leading members of the Paranormal communities. Fae politicians, Vampire ring lords, reigning Sirens...Wolf Alphas.” She says the last bit like it’s the dirtiest of all.
“So why didn’t your bestie, Maribel, give you access to all these Para leaders before?”
“Because she thought Mikayla didn’t want to be found.”
“Why the fuck would she think that?” My voice is sharp. I make a vow to punch Maribel in the face if I ever see her again.
“We both hate to admit it…”
“No! Maybe she wanted to leave, but she wouldn’t want to stay missing.”
I’m aware I sound vulnerable. Desperate. But there’s no way my sister would stay away from me for nearly two years of her own accord.
My mother doesn’t answer.
“So, you really think Para leaders will give you more insight into Mikayla's Disappearance?” I ask.
“The Fae know more than most Paras. A Winter Court delegation has been invited to the ball.”
“Why would the Fae know anything?”
“The Fae love gossip, and they trade in favors. This particular delegation is tied to the Paranormal division of The Hague.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning they’re privy to all high-profile Para intel and crime.”
I bite my tongue. I’m a journalist for The Blood Web Chronicle. I’m privy to high-profile Para crime too, yet it’s done nothing to help me find my missing sister.
There’s no story here anymore, but if I help her find Maribel, she’s one step closer to finding Mikayla. Yet…
“What was your super important news?” I ask with a sigh.
“I have a new lover.”
I can’t help it. I laugh in her face. A new lover? So what? I’d already heard rumors, anyway. My mother changes her boyfriends as often as she changes her outfits.
“That’s not news,” I say, heading for the office door.
“This time it’s different,” she replies. “He’s very important.”
“To you or the world?” I ask. “I suppose the big rollers of the world have more chance of catching your eye. Let me guess. You
