Page 19 of Born Reckless

"We are on the farther border of the House of Allaway, but the population of their area is so high, it hardly even matters," Elena says. "We keep them away by keeping everything quiet. Every vampire who enters Chicago does so with the agreement that they will not stir shit. That they will keep their heads down. But most importantly, that they will keep their mouths shut. And Chicago is not just a haven for vampires."

Nope. No. No. No.

I don't know where this is going, but how can there possibly be more?

"Please don't tell me that werewolves are real, too," I blurt. My heart is suddenly racing and my palms feel sweaty.

Mason chuckles and shakes his head. "I have good news for you. There are no werewolves in Chicago."

"But the vampires would not have stayed safe in Chicago if it weren't for… other beings," Elena draws out.

I sit back in my seat, slouching down as far as I can go without ending up on the floor. I press my fingertips into my temples. I don't have a headache, but my brain is past capacity right now.

"The other… residents of Chicago cannot be as easily classified as the vampires," Elena adds. "It's not exactly something I can explain. You will just have to see it for yourself."

I'm trying not to think. I'm trying really, really, hard not to imagine the possibilities. But there are images of ghosts and ghouls running through my brain.

Mason stands from his seat and walks into the kitchen. He pulls a glass cup from the cupboard and fills it with water. "You need to know what to expect when we arrive in Chicago tomorrow. Chicago stays safe because we are very selective in who we allow into the city. You will be interrogated."

I sit up straight at that. "Excuse me?"

Elena stands as well, though she only walks around to the back of her chair. She rests her hands on it. "We have to be careful. They're going to want to know everything about you. Who you know, where your loyalties lie. And you will have to get this… pass, to live in the city."

"Elena's tattoo isn't simply for decoration," Mason says as he raises an eyebrow.

"The tattoo allows me to be tracked," Elena says as she raises her left hand. There, on the outside edge of her hand, stretching down along the outside edge of her pinky, is a line of roses interwoven with vines. "They know when I leave and enter the city."

"And you are okay with this?" I bark. "And who is this… they?"

"The Chicago Night Council," Elena answers. "There are four divisions in Chicago. We might not be ruled by Royals, but we still have a system of order. Mason and I are co-chairs of our division. The other three leaders make up the rest of the Council. We keep track of the comings and goings within the city. We deal with problems when they arise. And we make sure that everyone stays safe within the boundaries of the city. So, yes, I am okay with the tattoo."

I shake my head and stand. I walk from one end of the penthouse to the other. "This is… This is too much, Elena. It was one thing for you to tell me that I'm a vampire, now you're moving me to another city, and you're talking about other creatures and paranormal councils. And you're just expecting me to just… fit in and try to find myself a new normal?"

Elena and Mason exchange a glance. I don't particularly like what I see pass between them.

"We will both vouch for you," Elena says. "But… certain members of the Council are suspicious. They’re going to want more of a reason why we're letting you into the city, other than you’re our friend. We’re going to have to tell them that somebody is trying to come after you. So…"

Once again, Elena glances at her brother.

Mason gives a deep sigh, and I'm pretty sure that’s a glare he is giving his sister. "The cover story is that you're coming to Chicago to be my new bodyguard for a few weeks. You will be living with me, in my penthouse, until you’ve gotten enough control to start your apprenticeship at the hospital."

“Me?” I ask as my brow automatically arches. “I mean, I’ve been in more than my fair share of fights in my life. I’ve knocked more than one person out with a punch. But really?”

“Yes, Juliet, really,” Elena says with an arched brow. “It’s not like you’re going to have to do anything. But we need a cover story.”

I shake my head and turn my whole body away from Mason. Living with him? I can barely keep my eyes off of him. How in the world am I supposed to keep my cool if we’re going to be sharing the same space? If I'm supposed to follow him around all day every day, pretending to be his security detail?

"That's enough," I say as I press my palms into my temples and take a deep breath. My head is swimming. I'm tired, though not physically. "I'm… I'm going to lay down. That's enough for now."

I hear her rather than see when Elena nods. "You're doing good, Juliet. You're taking all of this a hell of a lot calmer than I expected.”

“Sorry, I’ll scream and break stuff later,” I say. My best friend can make me smile, even in the craziest of circumstances.

I hear her chuckle. “Take whatever time you need. Process all of this. We will head back to the airport tonight at sundown. We will be in Chicago an hour after that."

I don't say anything else. I cross the space and open the door to the bedroom. I lock it behind me, which I know is pointless and unneeded. But I need some space. I need some physical space to let my head sort out everything that was just thrown on me.

So, I lie down on the massive bed, and I stare up at the dark ceiling, wondering how in the world this has become my reality.