Hotblood (28 page)

“
Snowy, how is your brother? Has he gotten his cast off yet?” My mother kept Snowy occupied for the rest of the trip, and I wasn’t sure if I should be grateful or not. We went to a few stores with my mother, which Snowy seemed to enjoy, but then she left us in the mall while she went to a suit place.

“
Finally,” Snowy said as soon as my mother was out of earshot.

“
What?” I looked at a store that had interesting blown glass in the window trying to ignore Snowy’s expression.

“
How did you end up on the Ferris wheel with Lewis?”

I grimaced as the memory of Valerie plastered to Smoke filled my mind. I didn’t really like Smoke, but to be abandoned by him for her was not something that made me happy. “He was behind me in line. It was inevitable since the Ferris wheels are for two people, and so, we just… what?” Snowy was laughing.

“
I heard that you kissed him.”

I opened my mouth then shut it. “It was only on the cheek and you hear too much,” I said as I turned into a shop with her behind me, still laughing.

“
So? What happened?” she asked checking out a dress.

“
Nothing. I don’t know.” I couldn’t help smiling like an idiot. “It was nice. When I tripped he kind of caught me, and I leaned up, and…” I shrugged and turned away trying to hide the blush.

“
Wow. Does he smell nice?”

I rolled my eyes. To me everyone smelled nice. “Yeah. Like…” I closed my eyes trying to remember. “Warm and a little bit spicy, but sweet.”

I opened my eyes and Snowy was looking at me sadly. I asked her about clothes and the topic of Lewis was dropped. It made me wonder how long it would take Snowy to forget what Devlin was like.

After half an hour with Snowy, I accepted that shopping was not my calling in life. “Snowy, I’m going to wait outside. I think if I see one more pink polo I’m going to go berserk.”

Snowy held one up to her, and looked in the mirror. “Why? I think I’m going to get one.”

I shook my head and made my way out the door. My head still hurt. I found a bench and sat with my eyes closed. I’m not sure how long I sat there when I heard someone.

“
Hey there, do you need the kiss of life to revive you, or what?”

I opened my eyes, and saw Smoke with Ash beside him. “The kiss of what?”

“
You know, sleeping princess, and all that.”

“
What would that make you, the prince? Good to know.”

He sat down next to me. “Sorry about last night. I hope everything was okay with you, but that girl, she’s insane man. I didn’t even know what hit me. I mean she wouldn’t let go of me.”

“
Lucky you,” I muttered and shut my eyes.

“
It wasn’t fun Dari. You’re fun. She’s completely vapidly tenacious. I’m not her type, why she’d latch onto me I have no idea. Anyway, I’m really sorry to have left you alone.”

I sat up, realizing that he wasn’t going to quit. “It’s fine Smoke. I can handle being alone in the high school parking lot. It’s not like it was a date or anything.”

He got a funny look on his face. “Sure.”

“
What are you doing in the city? It seems like quite a coincidence.”

“
They have a cutlery store, and actually deal in some pretty fine pieces,” he explained holding up a long bag. “It’s a sword,” he said with a shrug. “Now we are going to go check out an art show by a former resident of Sanders. I thought it was great to stumble on you because you might be very interested in your dad’s show.”

“
Who?”

He grinned at me, his freckles sharp contrast to his pale skin. “Your dad.”

“
Oh! Where is it?” I asked him standing up. Seeing my dad’s paintings would give me a boost I could really use.

“
Where do you think you’re going?” Snowy asked in a snotty voice.

“
Snowy, my dad’s art show is in town. Come on. We don’t have to meet my mother until twelve thirty.”

“
We told her we’d stay here, and I’m not finished shopping.”

I scowled at her. There was no way she really needed another pink polo. “All right. I’ll come back here when I’m done, or you could tell my mother and she can pick me up so I can be there longer.” I smiled, delighted that I’d worked everything out so nicely.

“
You’re going with these guys?” She asked and I realized I still didn’t know where the gallery was.

“
Of course,” Smoke broke in. “My car’s really close.”

“
Let’s go then,” I said and started walking with Smoke.

Snowy sighed, and I found her beside me. “Don’t smile at me,” she snapped. “I can’t let you wander around the city with these lump heads.” I wasn’t bothered by her snarl, or her multiple glares at Smoke’s back. It was enough that we were getting out of there. On the street we walked until we came to a rusted brown station wagon.

Smoke opened the passenger door for me. I was about to slide in when Snowy grabbed onto my elbow. “This is a bad idea,” she muttered, but I shook her off.

“
It’s just a gallery. We’ll be back in no time.” As we drove off, Smoke clipped the meter with his passenger mirror. I giggled but Snowy rolled her eyes.

“
Dari, I hope you realize the sacrifices I’m making for you.”

“
Sheesh, you didn’t have to come Snow. Do you have to kill it for everyone?”

“
I’m so sorry Bob. Did I ask you?”

“
Since when do you ask anyone, Signelda?”

That shut her up until we got to the gallery. I didn’t look at her, I couldn’t risk laughing at her, and then she’d never forgive me. Snowy’s name didn’t go over well with her.

Smoke found a parking spot, and we walked up the steps of an old grand building. “This is an art gallery?” For some reason I’d expected something more modern and glassy. We passed a guy in a suit coming down the stairs talking on his cell phone, but he got a funny look on his face, and pushed some buttons, then shook it a little. I didn’t understand why people tried to use technology; it always broke.

“
It’s awesome. Come on,” Smoke said, and took the steps two at a time. I hurried after him. I walked past the pillars, and slowed down. This wasn’t the kind of building you could take lightly.

“
Oh, let’s get this over with,” Snowy said and passed me. I walked through the open door and froze. Hanging on the wall of the airy foyer was a painting, only that couldn’t be simple paint. I felt like the swirling colors were moving, and reaching towards me, pulling me closer and closer. With every step I took I felt stronger, better, full of a peace I couldn’t remember ever feeling before. It was powerful, emotional, and violent, but somehow there was an underlying tenderness.

Time stopped as I stood, lost in the swirling purple and crimson.

“
It’s incredible isn’t it?” I jumped and looked over at the speaker. He was taller than I was, medium build, with a sensitive mouth. “When I see that painting I want to burn something.”

I blinked and took a step away from him. His face showed confusion for a moment before he smiled at me. “You aren’t the typical Hotblood are you? That’s a very successful line for most Hot girls I meet here.”

“
Sorry. Burning stuff does nothing for me.” I edged away from him, and glanced again at the painting meaning to give it one last look before I left, but I was captured by it. I stared at it and his words sank in. I looked at him, he was standing staring at it again. “Hot girls are always attracted to this painting?”

He smiled and turned to me slowly. “Of course. It’s an Axel, one of the few not locked behind doors. They have powerful magic that captivates. If you can sense it, but don’t feel destructive then you must be very special.”

“
Oh.” I took another step back. “Special is not a compliment.” I turned away but was stopped by the piece of paper he held in front of my face. I took it and looked at him sharply.

He only smiled and turned walking out the doors. I shoved the paper in my bag shaking off the oddness of the encounter. I hurried to a room where Smoke was looking irritated while Snowy laid into him. He looked relieved to see me.

“
Hey, where were you?” I looked around at the paintings, and didn’t answer him. This was powerful in a completely different way. I could feel my father’s presence in every painting, in every intentional brushstroke. There was the lake, the ravine. They were all landscapes, and while they were beautiful, and wonderful, I had to admit it was a slight letdown after the painting in the foyer. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. How could a painting give me such a strong physical reaction? Of course it must be my Hotblood soul like the stranger had said.

“
We’ve got to leave if we’re going to make it on time,” Snowy said relieved and linked her arm with mine. “This whole art thing has been so fun, but honestly, we’ve got to go.” She didn’t sound exactly sad about it.

“
You’re right. Well Dari, what did you think?” Smoke asked.

“
It’s great. Thanks for humoring me, Snowy.”

She rolled her eyes “Yeah, yeah, no problem. Let’s get out of here.”

This time I noticed the other paintings in the foyer. I was careful not to look directly at the amazing one; I had to get going. I noticed a guy behind a counter, and couldn’t help walking towards him, dragging Snowy after me. I could see the painting out of the corner of my eye, and it seemed to reach out to me.

“
Excuse me.”

He looked up at me with droopy-lidded eyes. “Yes?”

I felt stupid, but I couldn’t leave without asking. “Is that painting for sale?”

He didn’t bother glancing where I pointed. “Name please.”

“
Dariana Sanders.”

“
Dariana, what are you doing?” Snowy whispered.

The man looked at me, and his eyes opened wider as he took in my features. “One moment.” He turned and went to the phone. I waited while he dialed, shifting. Snowy’s disapproval was nearly audible.

Smoke and Ash were waiting with me, but Smoke was looking around at the paintings. He didn’t seem in a hurry.

When the man returned he had a slip of paper that he placed on the counter and slid towards me. I read the number, and pulled out my mother’s credit card.

“
Dari, you can’t spend that kind of money,” Snowy hissed, but my mother had been very clear about money not being an issue on this trip. I gave the man a smile, while he looked back at me, a puzzle on his face until his features smoothed. He made another phone call and we waited while someone in overalls came in with a ladder. The painting was off the wall, and carefully wrapped then he handed it to me along with a receipt.

“
Enjoy,” the man said, and turned back to the telephone. I could barely balance the thing, but I refused Smoke’s offer of assistance. I’d never wanted something so much, and I could feel the weight of it in my arms, like it was more than frame and canvas. At the car Smoke opened the back door, and I climbed in the rear, careful not to bump the corners. I couldn’t help giggling. I had finally found something on this trip that felt like me.

“
That is the weirdest painting. It’s creepy,” Snowy said, glancing back at me. “Don’t look at me like I insulted you.” She turned around, and I realized I felt protective of the painting. It was just a thing.

Smoke dropped us off on the street by the parking lot where my mother had left her car, where we were going to meet her. I thanked them, but I couldn’t wave with my arms full of painting. I wasn’t going to put it down for any reason. As we walked across the warm pavement, the painting seemed to get heavier with every step. I was sweating by the time we reached my mother’s large dark car.

“
What is that?” My mother stepped out of the car, and I stared at the long leg, encased in dark stockings, with some kind of texture, a tight crimson skirt, and jacket, that matched the color of her lipstick. It was shocking to see her like that. She wasn’t just beautiful: she was stunning.

“
Dariana bought a painting,” Snowy said lamely.

“
At the mall?” she asked sounding skeptical.

“
I met some friends from school and they told me they were going to dad’s show. I went with them and I couldn’t resist a painting.” I kept my explanation to the point as I stood under my beautiful burden.

“
You bought one of your father’s paintings?”

That hadn’t even occurred to me. “No, there was a different painter that I wanted. I don’t think dad’s paintings are for sale.” I wasn’t sure if my painting had been for sale either.

“
Hmmm.” She said, and unlocked the trunk. I felt like my arms were going to float up they felt so light after carrying that load. Even so, I felt anxious as I saw it disappear when my mother shut the trunk.

We went to a fancy place for lunch and my mother got the kind of looks that made me feel like a weed. Did she have to be so stunning? I was the duck between two swans. I focused on the food and didn’t try to break into their charming conversation.

Afterwards my mother drove us around until we came to an underground parking lot. “You’re going to like this,” she said to me.

I glanced at her. It was the first time she’d spoken to me directly since she’d seen me with the painting. An hour later I had to agree with her. She’d taken us to a spa. I fell asleep during a facial with the steam clouding up my mind, accentuating the peace I’d felt when I’d taken the painting in my arms. My dreams were strange, the steam becoming dark, the taste sweet, and when I opened my eyes, I had to blink a few times before I recognized the bamboo flooring and rough textured cream linen.