Pretty When They Collide (Pretty When She Dies 0.5)(37)

Chapter Fifteen:

Revelations



Cassandra could see the fear in Aimee’s eyes and in her posture. It had been difficult to see the confident woman who had appeared in her dreams struggle for control of her own mind. It was evident from the moment she stepped into the room that the witch was under the thrall of the vampire and fighting it. Now that Aimee was free, it was just as obvious she was still haunted by the vampire who had imprisoned her for so long.

“I’ll be very careful,” Cassandra vowed in a gentle tone. She fought with her own hunger to keep her movements slow and non-threatening. After expending so much of her power invading the house, taking down the guards, then being bound by silver, she was weak and a little shaky.

Though she didn’t want to admit it considering the circumstances, she was terribly drawn to the witch. Every touch they shared only drew her deeper into the rabbit hole she was quickly tumbling down. Blaming her attraction to blondes for her reaction to Aimee was just a way to fool herself. There was something undeniable brewing between her and the witch. It was powerful and beyond anything she had experienced before, but she didn’t dare give in to it. She was here to rescue Aimee, then make sure the witch was able to choose the life she wanted to live, the Assembly be damned.

Tenderly smoothing Aimee’s bronze-colored hair from the curve of her neck, Cassandra took a deep breath before sinking her fangs into the woman’s delicate skin. Immediately, she pushed her own energy into the witch, willing her to feel only pleasure and not pain. Blood, full of life and magic, flooded her mouth, shocking her system with its power. The first swallow poured into her like fire, burning through every inch of her. The second was like swallowing the sun, glowing with power and light. The third was like cool rushing water, filling her mind with images of blooming green things.

In her arms, Aimee trembled, but one hand lifted to rest against Cassandra’s shoulder.

The darkness of her dhamphir nature rose, urging her to keep drinking, then claim the witch, but Cassandra fought her instincts. Even through her body armor, she could feel how soft and delicate the other woman was and it stirred in her the deep need to protect Aimee at all costs. Even from her own bite and touch.

Surprised to find herself shaking, Cassandra withdrew her fangs. Her fingers tangled in Aimee’s hair, she tenderly licked the small punctures closed with her tongue, healing them.

With a soft sigh, Aimee sank against Cassandra, her other hand rising to rest on the dhamphir’s other shoulder. “It didn’t hurt at all.”

Inhaling the sweet scent of Aimee’s hair, Cassandra embraced the woman, holding her gently. “It’s okay now,” she whispered in a breathy voice. Aimee’s blood fed power into Cassandra’s limbs. This time, the darkness the dhamphir fought against after feeding did not bare its fangs. Instead, she felt as though she was filled with the wondrous magic of the night sky.

“Thank you for coming for me,” Aimee said, her voice rough with emotion as she gently drew away from Cassandra. “I was afraid you wouldn’t.”

Shielding her heart with a cocky shrug, Cassandra winked. “Aww, c’mon. After that dream about all that tasty ice cream, how could I not come? You recommended the mint chocolate chip, right?”

The smile that graced Aimee’s face pleased Cassandra. “Definitely.”

Cassandra was startled when Aimee started tugging her heavily embroidered white dress over her head. “Um, whoa, wait...”

Aimee yanked it off and rolled her eyes at Cassandra. “You’re not that irresistible.” Underneath she was wearing a tank top and black stretchy skinny jeans that were rolled up to her knees. Leaning over, she rolled the hems down to her ankles. “I had to wear the dress so Frank wouldn’t get suspicious. I have a bag ready in my room, which is just a door down from this one. I just need a few seconds to grab it and my sneakers.” As she spoke, the witch began tearing open the spell bags that were set around the room. Fishing out amulets and smaller bags, Aimee gave Cassandra the impression that she was gearing up for battle, which she probably was.

“Do you have a better way out of here than how I came in?”

“There’s a balcony past the game room that looks over my garden. We can drop down, scale the wall, and run for it. You did bring a car, right?”

“Absolutely.” Cassandra picked up one of the bags, flinched, and tossed it to Aimee. “What the f*ck is in that?”

“Vervain. Vampires can’t get near the stuff. According to my research, it’ll make you feel a bit...uh...disoriented.”

“It makes me want to hurl,” Cassandra answered, wrinkling her nose at the stench.

Aimee gathered the last of what she wanted from the bags and headed toward the door. “I planted other potions inside the bags to help us get out.”

“You had this all figured out,” Cassandra said, impressed.

“Except for Frank forcing me to drink his blood and re-enforcing the bond last night. I didn’t see that coming. It made today...difficult.” Aimee tucked the bags into the waistband of her jeans and started to tap in the code to open the door.

“You’re free of him now. And once we’re out of here, he’ll never f*ck with you again.” Cassandra fought the desire to take the woman in her arms and soothe her. She had to keep focused on the task at hand. Already her body was vibrating with power, ready to fight, and flee.