Echo (The Soul Seekers #2)(74)
“Anyway—” Xotichl prods, wisely steering the topic away from all things Cade. “What was the second question?”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Lita shrugs, still mired in deep disappointment over the lack of cute boys in this town. “I was going to ask what other famous people Daire might’ve kissed, but after hearing about Will Harner, I think it can wait…” Her gaze veers toward my dresser, and a moment later, she’s jumping to her feet, retrieving the picture of Django in the silver frame. “Who’s this hottie?” she asks.
“That’s my dad,” I say, breaking into laughter when I see the appalled look on her face.
“Clearly I’m in need of a boyfriend.” She replaces the photo, shuddering with shame over her mistake. “Or at the very least, a date. Lusting after people’s dads is really a bad sign, isn’t it?”
“He was sixteen in the picture. So it’s entirely age appropriate,” I tell her. “Besides, I think he’d be flattered.”
She makes a gagging face, reluctant to even contemplate such a thing. Then she grabs hold of my sleeve and drags me off the bed. “C’mon,” she says. “Get dressed, we’re going out.”
“Where?”
“The Rabbit Hole.” Xotichl grins. “Where else?”
“That’s why we’re here.” Lita leads me to stand before my closet. “It’s an Enchantment tradition to go there on Christmas Eve and stay until just after midnight.”
“Does every holiday revolve around the Rabbit Hole?” My gaze shifts between them, failing to share what I really think: That this is all working out perfectly, as though it’s meant to be. First I’ll go to the Rabbit Hole, then I’ll find a way to slip free from my friends and get to the vortex, and finally I’ll deal with Cade once and for all.
“Pretty much.” Xotichl shrugs, as Lita starts riffling through my clothes. Choosing one of the new tops Jennika gave me that I haven’t yet worn.
“Wear this.” She tosses it to me. “And do your hair curly like you did at my party. You looked really pretty that night.”
“I can never replicate that look. My mom’s the one with mad makeover skills, not me.”
“Maybe so,” Lita says. “But what you forget is that your mom taught me a few tricks. And after a lot of practice, I’m getting pretty good. So go on, get changed, and then meet me in your bathroom. You have an appointment with a curling iron and some serious eyeliner.”
thirty-nine
Dace
After stopping by my apartment and changing into jeans and a sweater, I head for the Rabbit Hole. Intending to collect the paycheck they owe me before I head into the Lowerworld for a final round with Cade.
Or at least that’s the lie I tell myself.
Truth is, I’m also hoping to see Daire.
Hoping Lita and Xotichl will invite her to take part in the Enchantment Christmas Eve tradition.
The brief time we spent together via the raven left me longing for more. And while I tell myself I’ll be satisfied with a glimpse, just a quick look before I go on my way—the second I see her heading for the entrance with her hair shiny and curled, her eyes bright and happy as she walks alongside Lita and Xotichl, it’s clear a mere glance will never suffice.
I want to share the space where she stands—breathe the same air.
I want to feel her in my arms—surrender to the very sweetness of her.
She enters the club with her friends while I force myself to stay put—ensuring my entrance lapses well behind hers.
As sweet as it was, her visit via the raven was not without risk. Until I make good on my plan, there’s no point in chasing her. No point in strengthening Cade any more than we have.
Still, that doesn’t stop my eyes from greedily devouring every square inch, the whispered mantra of soon playing at the edge of my lips.
Soon we’ll be together.
Soon she’ll stand alongside me.
When enough time has passed, I breeze past the bouncer, refusing that ridiculous red coyote stamp he tries to mark on my flesh, and head into the club. Bypassing the bar where everyone gathers, I make for the offices in back where I stand before Leandro’s closed door. Fist raised and ready to knock, when I hear a pair of angry voices seeping through the wood.
I press my ear to the jamb, in order to better eavesdrop on Leandro berating Cade in a way I’ve never heard.
“I get back in town to find this?”
A hand strikes hard on a desk.
Leandro’s hand.
Leandro’s desk.
“What the hell are you doing? Are you out of your freaking mind?”
“If you’ll just let me explain—” Cade’s voice pitches high, but Leandro’s unmoved by his tone.
“Explain what? That you’re single-handedly destroying our wealth? Risking everything I’ve worked my entire life to accumulate?”
“But that’s the thing—this tourmaline…” Cade starts, not getting very far before Leandro cuts in.
“You think I don’t know about the tourmaline? What the hell is wrong with you? We’ve been hoarding it for years—how do you think those mines got there? Every time we breach the Lowerworld, we take what we can and stash it away for future sale. Its rarity is what drives its price. It’s the philosophy behind any nonessential luxury item. You overprice it well beyond its value—release it in very limited supply—and before you know it, everyone is clamoring for a piece. Believing they can exalt themselves merely by owning the very thing everyone wants but few can claim. But now you come along and ignorantly flood the tourmaline market—effectively driving down the price and nearly gutting our wealth! Do you have any idea the kind of damage you’ve done?”