Page 70 of Blood that Burns
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
MAGGIE
Law never came to me last night. Well, he came, but he didn’t wake me to talk. When I woke this morning, there was a large garment box on the chest at the foot of the bed with a handwritten note on top.
Sunshine,
Today is going to be one of the hardest days of your life. You’ll see things that I wish I could protect you from. I need you to be ready, which is why I didn’t wake you. We can’t go into this battle unrested. Know that I’ll have your back always, but I need to know you’ll be safe too. In the box are two dresses, sized to fit. It’s important that we blend in for as long as we can. Choose whichever you’ll be most comfortable in. At the bottom is a small blade and a thigh holster. My hope is that you won’t need it, but I have to know you’re able to protect yourself if I can’t get to you or Katina is preoccupied with Ratilda. I’m grateful to Marc for helping you with the skills you need to protect yourself. It’s my greatest fear that I’ll lose you.
My love always,
Law
I read the closing sentence too many times, like an infatuated child longing for the love of someone just out of their reach. My head shakes as I remove the top of the box and gasp.
The first dress is violet taffeta overlaying a skirt of tulle. The strapless bodice is embellished with tiny crystals that cover it from the sweetheart neckline to the waist, where the taffeta ruffles through the middle, gathering into a bowknot at the side. The back of the gown laces up like every wedding dress I ever coveted growing up. It’s stunning.
I place it on the bed and come back to the box and the second dress. It’s far more understated, but no less glamorous. The dress features spaghetti straps and a deeply plunging front adorned with a shimmering belt around the waist. The back is low-cut and the flowing skirt flares out, making it look like something out of a fairytale. The kicker? It’s yellow, although a brighter shade then the drab dress I’ve worn for years.
It’s fitting that I should go into this battle wearing the color in brighter, bolder fashion. I smile thinking of how Law picked this out but placed it second in the box, to give me options in case I refused his first choice, which is obviously the yellow.
There’s not a doubt in my mind that I’m right. I know him.
At the bottom of the box, as promised, lies a dagger, larger than I had assumed it would be. For a moment, I wonder how the heck I’m going to manage to not stab myself, but as I take in the thigh holster, it becomes clear that it will protect me from myself.
After choosing my dress, I take a long, hot shower, allowing the warm water to soothe my tight muscles and the lavender bath bomb to help relax me despite my growing concerns. The closer we get to the auction, the more dread creeps in. How could I not be nervous?
I may not be a weak human, since we shared blood, but Law’s connection with me only goes so far. I have nothing strong enough to protect me from the immortal vampires we are going to be up against, and as much as Law promises to keep me safe, we both know that it’s going to be difficult. He has one task and I have another. Both are equally dangerous, considering the disproportionate advantages he has over me. He’ll be with Julian trying to take down Marcellus, while I’ll be with Marina attempting to rescue the human girls.
The thought of Marcellus has knots forming in my stomach. I’ve heard all about his wrongdoing and I know there’s a side of him that is wicked, but that’s not the man I saw. It’s hard to reconcile the opposing sides of him. Broken and angry? Yes. But I was never shown the harsh side of him. He was nothing but kind and gentle around me.
He always just looked... sad. Like a part of him was missing. Something deep within me connected with that part of him.
After two brisk knocks at the door, it flies open. In walk Katina and Marina, carrying large satchels.
“What’s in the bags?” I ask.
“Beauty supplies. We need to make you two look like vampire royalty.”
Marina winces and I smirk.
I was far more likely to enjoy something like this growing up. Marina has always been content in her own skin, whereas I like to hide my insecurities and misery under layers of pretty dresses and frilly hair bows. It helped me escape our circumstances and the thought that my life could be snuffed out at any time by the monsters that lurked in the shadows.
We all do things to help us cope. Mine were simple beauty routines.
“Oh, come on, Rina. You’re gonna have a great time.”
She scowls at me. “You and I both know that this is torture. Especially with Katina at the helm.”
Katina gasps, looking entirely offended, and I throw my head back and laugh.
The events ahead of us are going to be tough, so for these next few hours, I’m going to try my hardest to enjoy life. I get to spend time with my sister, and for that I’m grateful. No matter what lies ahead.
“All right, Katina, do your magic,” I say, and she beams back at me.
“At least one of you appreciates my skills.”
Marina makes a noise between a snort and choking.