Page 17 of Clarity
Mama sucked her teeth. “Tenacious child. We are talking about such a short time… I know you think every idea in your head is possible, but?—
“Hey!” Roseline’s voice pulled our attention to the kitchen doorway.
“What is it, dear?” Clerie asked.
“Uh… there’s a sexy ass vampire downstairs.”
Of course there is.
All eyes came to me and I shrugged. “What do you want me to say?”
“Literally anything,” Roseline quipped. “I was being nosy. How did he know to find you here?”
“He followed me,” I answered, heading for the front door. “From Blackwood.”
“From Blackwood?!” Mama exclaimed. “So you’ve met him already?”
A brief flash of being bent over the airplane sink with his thumb in my ass played in my head. “Uh… yeah, we’re familiar.”
“Which is why you think you can save your mother?” Clerie asked. “How will you convince him to?—”
“I won’t have to convince him of anything,” I interrupted. “Again,hefollowedme.He’s already aware of our supposed… fate. I think his brothers probably had to bind their mates first, and that’s done, so… now it’s his turn.”
“So you get to be eternal bedmates with a vampire who’ll look likethatforever,andyou get to save your mother?” Roseline said, pulling my attention to her. She didn’t sound bitter, just…sad.
“I’m sorry, Roseline,” I told her. “If I’d known sooner, if I could’ve done anything, I?—”
“You did enough,” she cut in, shaking her head. “I know how hard you searched for… anything, everything that could help. I’m just… I just wish it was different.”
I nodded. “Me too. If it helps… the vampire is an asshole.”
“Please don’t rub it in,” Roseline replied, grinning at me. “You know you like that.”
“You… might have a point. But only because the dic—” I started, then remembered the older women still in the room with us.
Looking quite scandalized.
“Larivye!”my mother scolded. “I don’t want to hear you speaking this way, and neither would your future mate. What would he think of you?”
I scoffed. “He’s already heard much worse, and is still stalking me, so…”
“You must act ladylike, present yourself with poise, and modesty,” Clerie advised and I laughed.
“Parris Black wants nothing to do with amodest lady,” I said, pulling the door open to head downstairs. “Trust me. With what’s at stake… I’m going to give himexactlywhat he’s looking for.”
* Upstairs - Haitian Creole
* She’s back - Haitian Creole
* Good Evening - Haitian Creole
* She seems different - Haitian Creole
* Relax, mama, please - Haitian Creole
* Did I read this right? - Haitian Creole
* Lord help us - Haitian Creole