Chapter 12
Viktor left me to find Declan and let him know what was going on. I was glad someone knew, because I was still confused. I’d recently learned I was a witch, but I held angel and demon blood as well. So that made me part of some stupid prophecy and I was meant to be with someone else, or something else. Laying there on my bed, I couldn’t help but wish things were like they were before I knew anything. I had to do something before I went crazy here waiting for someone to call or walk through that door. So I got creative.
I found myself looking
in the mirror in my bathroom. I started mixing powders and chemicals together like it was nothing. The next thing I knew, I was piling the contents onto my hair. This time I didn’t do just a certain amount, I did my whole head. I bleached my whole head back to my blonde color. It took a while, but I had nothing but time. After I was finished rinsing out all of the bleach, I wrapped my hair in a deep conditioner so that my hair wouldn’t fall out.
While I treated my hair
, I went through my closet looking for tonight’s attire. When I had it all picked out, I heard a knock at the door. Taking caution to Viktor’s words, I actually looked through the peep hole. It was Jared. I honestly didn’t care what he thought, but seeing me like this wasn’t what I wanted. So from behind the door I yelled, “What do you want?”
“Come on
, Sloane, let me in,” Jared answered back.
“I’m not exactly dressed,” I
said.
“Like you’
re fully clothed at work anyway?” OK, he had a point.
I unlocked the
door and he did a double check. I shot him a glare that meant
don’t ask
and
don’t tease
. He held his hands up in surrender and I let him in. He sat on the couch and I tightened my robe.
“What is it?”
I asked.
“I did a little dig
ging on your boyfriend. How much has he told you about himself?” He sat there with a smirk.
“If you know something
, then spill it, Jared.” I sat in the chair across from him and crossed my legs, which he eyed so desperately. So I hurried and covered them up.
“You
already know he’s a fallen, but do you know how high up in the ranks he is? We all have the same boss, but has he ever told you where he fell in the line up?” He took pride in the fact that he knew more than I did. He shook his head and smiled. “He’s second in command, Sloane. I’m not here to rub it in your face. I’m truly worried about what he wants from you.”
“I can take care of myself,
Jared,” I said very coyly. “I’ve been doing it for a very long time now. But thank you for your concern.”
Jared scooted to the edge of my couch and took a dee
p breath before he spoke again. I hated to see him like this. Jared was a pain in the ass, but I liked him. On some other level, if my life wasn’t so damn complicated, we would make a great couple. Minus the whole Imp thing, of course.
“Sloane, I know the prophecy
just like everyone else does. We all knew it was you. When I say we, I mean everyone at the club. We tried our best to protect you and to keep you shielded from them.” He looked as if he surrendered to defeat.
“Wait
, I don’t understand. You knew this whole time and you said nothing?” I asked.
“We had an idea.
Mindy knew right off, but I thought you were just another witch on the block.” He shrugged his shoulders.
“Mindy knows
, so it’s safe to say Dale does too. That would explain a lot.” My thoughts jumped to the night I almost snapped Rick’s neck. Dale stopped me before I gave in.
“She has always been so sure of you and Dale pretty much follows her lead on things
like this because of her gift. She’s never been wrong. I guess I just didn’t want it to be you because of how much I care for you.” He held his hand up to stop me from saying anything. “Just let me say this and I will leave. I love you, Sloane. I know you don’t love me, but it’s just how I feel. Those girls are there to fill the void. I don’t want anything to happen to you no matter who you choose to be with. I just want you to make sure you are making the right decision, that’s all. Because once it’s made, you can never go back.” He stood up and walked over to me, kissing the top of my head. “I’m always here for you, Sloane. But if he hurts you, I will make him regret it.” Jared smiled and let himself out. Just as he opened the door to leave, Viktor stood on the other side.
“Speak of the devil.” H
e turned to look at me and smiled. “Or not.” He moved past Viktor and left the building.
“What was Jared doing here
?” Viktor asked as he shut the door. “And what’s up with your hair?”
“Never
mind my hair, we need to talk.” I started to rub my forehead like I had a headache.
“What’s going on?”
He looked almost scared.
“Viktor
, please tell me that you aren’t keeping anything from me. I mean, you would tell me if you were, right?” I couldn’t meet his eyes. For some reason it scared the hell out of me.
“Sloane
, I left for a couple hours to find your ex. You knew that already.” He eyed me.
“OK
, but if there is something, this is your final warning. I want the truth.” I left him sitting there as I walked to the bathroom getting ready to shower. As I went to shut the door, Viktor stopped me.
“How did we go wrong so fast?
Did Jared say something to upset you?”
“Jared say
s a lot of things. I guess we will have to see if what he say is true.” I went to shut the door again and he wouldn’t let the door budge.
“Then tell me what he said.”
He was mad now.
“There’s no reason.
You said there was nothing to tell. So excuse me while I get ready for work tonight.” With that, he finally let me close the door.
I made
sure I took a long hot shower. I planned on letting him stew over everything. I realized that things had happened fast, but lies were something I wouldn’t tolerate from anyone. To me, if you withheld information, it was still a lie.
I draped the towel around me and wrapped my hair up as well
. Viktor remained in the living room to give me my space, I imagined. I replaced the towel with my robe and went through the routine of getting ready for work. It was weird seeing the blonde hair back. I hadn’t worn my natural color in years and I was surprised it still looked good. Shay would be pleased for sure. After I was finished putting on all my makeup and tending to my hair, I emerged from the bathroom.
Viktor caught sight of me and I could
’ve sworn he forgot to breathe. I hid my smile. He jumped up and walked into my bedroom area as I got dressed. As I shimmied into my skirt and my tube top, I felt a hand pull on a strand of hair.
“What made you want to change your hair? I thought the black was sexy.”
“I don’t know. Just thought it was time for a change.” I sat on the bed as I slipped on my shoes.
“You look like you did in your old photos.” I sensed a hint of jealousy in his voice.
“Is that a bad thing?” I asked.
“No
, I just think it’s odd that you changed it.” There it was.
I couldn’t
help but laugh at this moment. He was jealous. I was going to have too much fun with this tonight. I knew there was something he was hiding and if he wanted to play games, I’d just have to show him how to play.
“Time for work.”
I popped off the bed and walked over to grab my coat and purse. “Are you coming?” I glanced over my shoulder as he stood there watching me. “So when are we to expect Declan?”
I could see the fire
brewing in his eyes. Viktor wanted to unleash something that resembled fury. I smiled to myself in triumph.
Serves him right,
I thought to myself.
“I’m sur
e he will pop up at some point. He can’t seem to stay away as it is. I can’t imagine why.” He walked past me and through the door as I held it open.
We made it all the way
to the club without speaking. Well, without me speaking at least. His comments went something like, “Do you think that skirt is short enough? There’s no way you are going to bend over in that. Do you feel a draft yet?” I just kept quiet and walked faster before my blood pressure got any higher. As soon as I got to the club, I sat my stuff on the bar and walked over to Jared’s office.
“I will
be just a minute,” I told Viktor, leaving him standing there by himself as I closed the door.
“Um
, can I help you with something?” Jared asked.
“No
, just killing time,” I said as I sat on his couch.
“Ah
, I get it. He didn’t tell you, did he?” Jared reclined in his office chair and propped his feet up on the desk.
“No
, and I know he’s aware that I know. So why doesn’t he just come clean?” I threw my hands up in the air.
“On
ly two reasons I can think of. Either he’s scared you will leave or he has other plans.”
“Ja
red, I don’t want any of this. To hell with everyone else. I just want to live a normal life and be happy for a change. Is that too much to ask for?” I was on the verge of tears and feeling sorry for myself.
“I know you do.
That’s why we allowed regular people, or humans, to come in here. Not so we can recruit, but the more humans you are around the less likely they would find you.” He was trying to explain and I held up my hand to stop him.
“Not that I’m not thankful
, but I really can’t deal with anything else right now. At the moment, I have a boyfriend that is pissed because I dyed my hair back to blonde and he thinks it has something to do with my ex. Then there’s you and other creepy men coming around.” I laid my head back and jerked back up when Jared shot up out of his chair.
“What creepy men?”
“Well, just one name: Simon. Why do you ask?” Jared’s face went white when I said the name.
“Sloane
, listen to me. Stay away from Simon.” Jared was actually scared.
“Who is
...?” There was a knock at the door.
“Yea
h, I’m in a meeting.” Jared yelled, and the door was forced open. Little splinters fell off the door casing. It was Viktor.
“Well
, I’d hate to interrupt.” Viktor was being an ass.
“I g
uess that’s my cue.” I got up and walked out to the bar to grab my things with Viktor hot on my trail.
“What
is your problem?” Viktor said through gritted teeth as he snatched my arm. I stared down at his hand on my arm. “You have been acting weird all day and now you are purposely trying to piss me off by using Jared. Why don’t you grow up and say what’s on your mind.” Yeah, he was mad and he pissed me off in the process.
“Do you really want to know what my deal is
, Mr. Number-Two-In-Charge? I will tell you.” I yanked my arm back and rounded my shoulders. Now Jared and everyone else were watching. “The fact that you never told me still makes it a lie and I gave you the opportunity to tell me, but you failed! You failed to realize that I don’t need you or anyone else. I’ve done fine all by myself. I’ve grown accustomed to being alone, and to be honest, that’s how I
like
it!” There—the big finish. I turned to walk away, but Shay and Declan stood there with their arms crossed. “Don’t look at me like that. You need to get ready for work,” I told Shay, ignoring Declan.
“Are you the boss now?”
Shay asked, laughing.
“Yea
h, actually, I am. Since we are all being honest at the moment, let’s get it all out.” Here it was. The breakdown that had been coming for years now. “I’m the owner of this place. You are all
“my”
employees and I know about each and every one of you.” I pointed as I turned around. Jared tried to get me to stop. “No! You all need to know.” I turned to look at Shay, who looked astonished by my words. “I’m a witch.” I waited for Shay’s reaction, but nothing came.
“You own this place?”
Shay stepped closer to me.
“Did you hear what I said Shay? I’m a witch!” I started hyperventilating.
“My boyfriend is a fallen angel that is second in command for everything bad and my ex is a damn angel. Well, not a damned angel but a good angel.” I paused to look around at Mindy, Dale and Jared. “And Jared is an Imp and they are a succubus and an incubus. Why aren’t you freaking out like me right now?”
“
I think I need a drink
.”
Shay went behind the bar and began pouring her a shot one after another. I walked to the bar to stand in front of her. “Wow a witch, and the rest of you are something, too?” She was breathing hard and fast.