Deceived (31 page)

“Party’s over, what’s the plan?” I said, holding up my hands. If I had to name one good thing out my fight with Aiden, it was that I was full of anger and ready to direct it at Ian
Despereaux
. I wanted a fight, an outlet for my rage.
That’s what you get for dating a vampire,
I thought. My love life wasn’t like the fairytales my mother use to read to me. There wasn’t a prince riding in on his white horse to save me, nor was there the kind of
love that was all sunshine and rainbows. Real love was chock-full of problems, and sometimes the prince turned out to be a vampire who killed your kind.

“Aaron will help you get in contact with Ian. Patrick will assign the stakeout points and the vampires have called in their own reinforcements. I guess they don’t trust us,” Holly
snorted
like it was the silliest thing.

“
The
extra vampires are here
to help us with Ian
. I’ve learned he’s been dabbling in magic for a while now. Plus, he’s old enough that his strength and speed paired with magic will make him a difficult target to catch—even for us.”

Aaron’s admittance that he’d have trouble with Ian was refreshing. A lot of leaders wouldn’t admit such a weakness openly. Holly rolled her eyes, leaned into Patrick and whispered something. Aaron ignored her and walked up to me.

“Let’s go in here so you can concentrate.” He slid an arm around my back and guided me into the living room. With one look from Aaron, the people occupying the couches hightailed it out of the room.

“You said you’ve never tried to contact Ian, correct?”

I nodded.

“It’s fairly simple. You two have shared blood, and there’s always power in blood. All you have to do is concentrate on him and think something. He should pick up on the thought right away, but make sure you don’t think about the plan to capture him. We don’t want to tip him off.”

“Okay.” Inhaling deeply, I released it at a slow and steady pace as I pictured Ian. “What am I supposed to tell him?

Aaron thought for a moment. Movement to the right caught my gaze. Alana stood next to Aiden in the kitchen, a fake smile plastered across her cherry red lips as she laughed at something he said. Aiden’s arms were crossed over his chest and although his body seemed tense, a grin dimpled his cheeks. Why the hell were they so chummy?

“Tell him you want to meet with him in Flora to talk about an idea you have. Pretend like you’ve given up on breaking the bond and want to embrace it. There is power in being b
onded to a power vampire, Gwen. It could offer you protection from any threats. If anyone was to harm you they’d have to deal with a vampire. And Ian isn’t just any vampire, he’s old enough to be considered a threat and able to produce magic, no one would want him as an enemy.”
Aaron quirked his eyebrow
in question.

“Don’t worry, I’m not interested in having Ian as my bodyguard or being bonded to him,” I told him. “I want to be rid of him as much as the VC does.”

“Very good,” Aaron said. “Make sure you keep your thoughts genuine. Any nervousness and Ian will know something is up.”

Well that was easier said than done. How was I supposed to keep my thoughts devoid of any emotion?
I nodded at Aaron. I closed my eyes so I wouldn’t be distracted. Ian’s face appeared as I concentrated on him.

Ian? I need to talk to you.
I sent the thought out into the universe and hoped Ian would hear it. When he didn’t respond, I
thought about
our last encounter and focused on the details. His blonde hair was cut close to his head. His blue eyes were mischievous and full of malice. He wasn’t tall, but he wasn’t short either. He had the build of a runner—thin and lean. I remembered the way his accent sounded and the fear in me whenever he was close.

You rang?”
Ian’s voice sounded in my head
. My visual concentration worked.

I want to meet with you.

Hmm, I’ve been waiting to hear those words, little witch.
His voice grew huskier. I tried not to feel repulsed.

Well, I guess tonight is your lucky night. Meet me in Flora?
I made my voice flirtatious and hoped he didn’t see through it.

Why the change of heart?

I squashed the panic at his suspicion down as hard as I could. 
You were right about Aiden. He can’t break the bond without killing himself and he won’t do that. I’ve decided to embrace it rather than fight it. 
I laced the words in my head with real anger, so Ian would think I was contacting him out of spite for Aiden.

So, your knight
s
s
hining armor turned out to be tarnished? I’m not surprised. He told you about the plan, didn’t he? It was my idea, but he agreed you’ll be stronger than she is. You’ll be our savior, little witch.

I was momentarily speechless, even my mind was blank. My eyes popped open and searched for Aiden. He was still in the kitchen, leaning against the counter and staring back at me. When he saw my expression he stepped forward, but I shook my head. I didn’t know what to say to him or what Ian was talking about. Had Aiden been in contact with him? Who was the “she” Ian kept talking about, and what did they plan on me doing that would exceed her abilities? I couldn’t trust anyone, not even Aiden. It was almost more than I could stand.  My mind reeled with horrible thoughts while my chest compressed like a vice grip had a hold of my lungs. Dropping my head, I sucked in large amounts of air, but it was no use; I was having a panic attack.

“Are you alright, Gwen?” Aaron placed a hand on my back, and I flinched.

“What
’s wrong with her?” Aiden asked as he came into the room.

He hasn’t told you.
Ian snorted.
That’s not a surprise
either
, Aiden likes his secrets.

Shut up!”
I couldn’t deal with Ian’s smug remarks or lies. They had to be lies. Once again my heart and brain were at war with each other. The fact Aiden just finished telling me he’d killed a witch and kept it from me was not a point in his favor.

Don’t shoot the messenger. I’m sorry I was the one to burst your bubble, but don’t you think you deserve to know the truth no matter if it hurts?

What is the truth, Ian? All you’ve told me is I’m part of
some
plan that you and Aiden cooked up. What’s the plan? And who is the other woman?

“Gwen?” Aiden placed his hand under my chin and tried to lift my head. I couldn’t stand for him to touch me. Jumping up, I paced the room with my hands fisted at my side. My magic revved up and looked for a place to be directed. If Aiden wasn’t careful, it’d be him I’d shoot.

“Don’t touch me,” I told him.

“What did Ian say?” If I needed to know the truth in Ian’s words, then the answer was in the way Aiden asked me that question. His voice was nervous and his eyes were wide with worry. He was afraid I learned the secret, not angry about Ian upsetting me. The answer I needed now was what plan had they cooked up.

Ian ag
reed to meet with me at 1:00a.m
. I kept my distance from everyone for the rest of the
night. My apartment was
crowded
.
I needed room to breathe and think, so I went to Willow Park.  Ian didn’t tell me what the plan was telepathically because he wanted to tell me face to face. It didn’t matter how he told me so long as I found out. I had the sneaking suspicion Aiden already thought I knew. His eyes darted around the room like he was waiting for an attack, and when he’d look at me,
his eyes showcased worry.

The setting of the park was so peaceful. Tiny white flurries danced through the midnight air like a winter wonderland ballet. I tried to focus on the beauty, but the ugliness inside my head ruined the tranquility. I should have
drew
Aiden aside and asked him to explain, but what if I didn’t like what he had to say? Scratch that—I knew I wouldn’t like what he had to say. A girl could only take so many disappointments in one day. I was warned about
the possibilities that
my spirit walker abilities
could drive me insane
, but so far Aiden was the closest to putting me in a room with padded walls. Love was complicated and tricky. Love with a vampire was dangerous and thrilling. Up until now our relationship had been thrilling. I still didn’t think Aiden was a danger to me, but he was a danger to my heart. Maybe I needed to give up on men altogether.  Fiona gave me a hot pink vibrator, Romeo, for my last birthday, since my love life was pathetic.
Maybe I’d start a relationship with Romeo, so I would have to worry about jerks lying to me.

“Want some company?
”

“Not particularly.”

Dorian ignored me and sat down on the bench.
He
stuffed
his hands
in his leather coat, and stared at the darkened forest.

Rolling my eyes, I drew my focus back to the playful flurries. We sat in silence for a while before Dorian spoke.

“You want to talk about it?” His voice was low and filled with genuine interest.

“No.” I knew
he
was interested in me,
even if that interest was just for a one night stand.
But
guys like that can’t offer helpful advice when it comes to relationship troubles.

Dorian didn’t
press
, he stayed quiet until I couldn’t stand it anymore. I needed to bitch to someone and since Fiona wasn’t here, Dorian would have to do. “Are all men lying pricks?”

Dorian
swiveled his head to look at me, a grin lifting one side of his mouth up.

“I’m serious. Every man I’ve had the displeasure of meeting has screwed me over. Maybe I should switch teams,” I laughed.

“Before you start chasing the ladies, I think I deserve a chance,” Dorian smiled and cocked a brow. 

I shook my head, can’t talk to an interested man about your love life. One way or another it always turns to them being able to please you the way the other losers couldn’t.

“Fuck off,” I scoffed. Just like a man to step up to the plate while you were striking out with another.

“What did Mr. Wonderful do that has you in such a hissy fit?” Dorian snorted.

“Not that it’s any of
your
business, but I don’t actually know. Ian didn’t tell me the details.”
I wasn’t going to tell him about the witch Aiden killed. I didn’t need the lecture.
A breeze slapped against my numbed face causing my eyes to water. I wasn’t sure how long I’d been sitting out in the cold.

“You just took Ian at his word, without consulting with Aiden? From what I hear, Ian
Despereaux
isn’t trustworthy, yet you believed whatever he told you without questioning it? Doesn’t seem too smart if you want my opinion.”

“I don’t,” I said through my trembling teeth. I knew there were two sides to every story, and the side I was hearing was from a man I planned to kill, but I already learned one of Aiden’s secrets tonight, I wasn’t ready to hear anymore.

The hour between now and when Ian showed up was supposed to calm me down so I could have clarity and focus. So far, all I managed to do was rile myself up
even more. I hoped when the time came to kill Ian, the extra boost of anger I’d dredge up from overthinking would aid me in a victory. One way or another, I’d kill Ian tonight, even if he took me down with him.

The vampires and witches hid amongst the trees ready to ambush the final culprit in the brew distribution.
My eyes scanned the edge of the forest. My hour was up, and Ian would be showing up any minute. All of the lessons Dorian and
Kye
taught me flowed through my mind as I shuffled through which one would come in handy.
My magic tingled just under my skin, ready for anything. Ian was the last person on the earth I wanted to see again
but I was anxious to end this.
I couldn’t help but fidget as I waited for him to pop up. This time was going to be different. This time I wouldn’t be restricted by the dreaming world.
This time I would fight back.
Would I even be a threat to Ian? I sure as hell hoped so.