Chapter Thirty-Nine

Ferris was waiting for me by Fitz’s SUV, tux and all. He had been staring at his feet until I popped up. He smiled when he saw me. “You look great, Mama Bear.”

“Thanks. You too. You look all grown up.” I fake cried and hugged him ‘til he grunted in pain. “Sorry.” I dropped him.

“S’okay. A bear hug from Mama is always welcomed.”

I never told him how much I loved that nickname for me. I was far from anyone’s mother, but it always made me feel good to hear him say that. It made me feel like I was doing something right. Like he was okay with this lot in life even though he missed out on a much better one with his real mom. I could see how badly he wanted one. If it comforted him to see me as his, then I was more than okay with that.

“Aww, your bowtie.” I started futzing with it to get the thing perfect on him.

“A bit nerdy, but I like it. Pepper tied it for me since I didn’t know how to. Handy girl, she is.”

“Yeah, she’s pretty great.” And crushing hard on you. Every time I thought about it, I got paranoid. As cute as they would be together, she was only fourteen, and she wasn’t very stable. I didn’t know how she would react to being in a relationship, but she was good at adjusting to new and stressful things.

Ferris looked me over again. “You’re so red tonight. It really works on you. Good thing Fitz didn’t see you. That bastard would be doing his best to get under your skirt.”

“As usual.” I rolled my eyes and got in the driver’s side.

“I’ve never really seen him like this,” Ferris said as he buckled up. “I know he’s a skirt chaser, but he doesn’t seem the type to keep going after a girl who keeps turning him down.”

“Maybe he likes a challenge.”

I heard him take a deep breath as I started driving. “Or maybe he likes you.”

“Ferris, he wants me to believe that. I’m surprised you do too.” If Ferris was falling for the game, that was a bad sign. Or one that said Fitz was very good at his game.

“It’s better than him just wanting to sleep with you. Isn’t it better if— by some magical chance —he became a little more human and developed actual feelings for you?”

Yes. “But he didn’t.” His mantra was that he wasn’t a good man. He didn’t get attached to people and when he did, they hurt him. Like my mom and his dad. He would probably never be able to trust anyone ever again thanks to them. I’d never forgive my mother for that one.

“You don’t know that.”

“Am I supposed to hope for it? That a bad, bad man stumbled into love with me? I can’t be with him. Ever.”

His eyebrows furrowed. “Why?”

I scoffed. “Why? What do you mean why? You know everything he’s done to me, us. And you know more about him than I do. You should know better than most why it wouldn’t be right.”

“I know what I told you before. There’s no black and white. I think that people can surprise you if you give them a chance. I don’t like that guy at all, but if he loves you, and wants to take care of you, then he’s fine by me.”

I didn’t know what made him believe this was all okay. If I changed my mind, and wanted Fitz like he claimed he wanted me.

“Doesn’t it make me a little pathetic if I give in to him?” It felt pathetic every time he touched me, and I realized how much I liked when he did it.

“Depends. Do you want him? Think, and really try to figure that out. I know he’s done awful things in the past, but try and think about how he’s been lately. Specifically, after the first time he got you out of the base. Going by all I’ve heard, it started then.”

I did as he asked. First off, three weeks of waiting, but he needed to get things together before he left. It would be stupid to believe that what happened wasn’t part of a plan considering how it ended. Next, he started telling me every chance he got that he wanted to keep me. It sounded like it was a possessive thing, but he might not have known how to put it any other way. If I was giving him the benefit of the doubt, then I’d say it was a sweet effort. For the last couple days, he’d been fine. Always trying to touch me, but that wasn’t something he seemed to have control over. So the conclusion I came to— as terrifying as it was —was that this Fitz, the one I’d been with since I escaped again, I liked him.

This was so not good.

Ferris and I got to the venue, and were met with a valet. Or we would have been if I didn’t find a way around. I didn’t want a stranger to have my car somewhere just in case we needed a fast exit.

The building was an impressive size, only looking bigger by the amount of formally dressed people walking in.

“Jesus,” Ferris said in my ear. “This is like a party at Wayne Manor. Stick close, there’s a storm coming.” He looked around us.

Stone steps led up to the inside of the building, and dozens of people walked up them. Ferris helped me get to the top, so I wouldn’t die a miserable death.

“Can you guys hear us?” I heard Juliet in my ear. “We just went online.”

“I can here you,” I said. Then Ferris said something similar to Pepper. He took my hand, and we walked up to the front door. I readied my invite, and handed it to the man at the door. He greeted us, and we went inside to the ballroom.

The room was massive, like I thought it would be. There was a large stage against the wall, but the black, billowy curtains were drawn. I looked at the marble floor, and I watched the people dance to the boring music.

At least we looked like we fit right in. There were gowns and pieces of jewelry that looked like they cost more than the house and both cars put together. It was intimidating to have to try and be one of these people for the night. I grew up poor and sheltered from the world.

Ferris’s eyes went right to the giant food table. From his earpiece, I heard Pepper say, “They have shrimp. And breadsticks. AND CAKE!”

“Do you want me to bring you back some, Peppy?” he asked.

Oh dear, that girl was in trouble. I was surprised she wasn’t panting.

“Um. Sure. Thank you,” she said, and Ferris got a dopey smile on his face.

I smirked at him, and we went to the table together. He kept glancing at me and then looking away. “What?”

I mouthed it since I knew they were listening. I hoped that they wouldn’t tell what I was doing. I pointed to him, drew a heart in the air with my fingers, and shook a peppershaker.

His eyes widened. “Do not.”

“Do so.”

“Do so,” Juliet added in my ear.

“Juliet agrees with me.” I stuck my tongue out. “Have fun getting her some shrimp.” I kissed his cheek, and he dramatically wiped the little lipstick mark away.

I decided that I needed to try and do…something, so I wandered off, and started looking for someone who might be able to give me information.

“Look to your left,” Juliet said. “There’s a man there, alone. He looks older so all you need to do is jiggle a little, and you’ll have him.”

I laughed quietly as I heard Fitz say, “Um, no. She won’t be doing that.”

“She needs to use what God gave her if we’re gonna save those demons and get Dawnie,” Juliet sighed. “Get over it.”

“I will do no such thing. Don’t encourage her to flirt with strangers.”

“What’s it to you? You’re not fucking her.”

“I could be.”

“No you couldn’t,” I said as softly as I could.

“Please, Sugar. You want me.”

I rolled my eyes, and started walking to the man. He didn’t notice me yet, but he would.

“Look what you did,” Fitz sighed. “If that man lays a hand on my mate—”

“Whoa,” I said. “Hold up, cowboy. I’m not your mate and you sure as hell aren’t mine.”

“Mate?” I heard Phin cough in the background, but no one talked to him. “Cuz that Link thing? No way.”

“Don’t touch him, Willow,” Fitz growled.

“Touch him, Willow. Do it—”

I heard a loud cracking sound followed by Pepper and Phin yelling variants of, “You snapped her neck!”

“Calm down,” Fitz said, “She’ll be awake in an hour. I’m taking over your mic, Sugar.”

He snapped her neck…to take her spot…this is why I wasn’t sleeping with him.

I walked up to the lonely man, and held my hand out. “Hello, I’m Iris Allen. I just wanted to say I love your tie. It’s my favorite shade of purple.”

The man smiled, and his eyes crinkled. “Thank you, dear. I’m Brian Chen. Very nice to meet you.” He shook my hand. “Are you in the business of buying? You look so young.”

“I would buy.” I smiled warmly. “I look young for my age.”

He nodded in understanding. “I see. Do you have a specific name in mind? Wouldn’t want to get into a bidding war with such a sweet girl.”

Bidding? Is that how they did it? “Oh, no. I’m just looking for something that catches my eye.”

“Your first time here?”

“It is. My husband and I were invited.”

“The first is always exciting. Do I know your husband?”

“Barry? I doubt it. He’s…” I looked around, and saw Ferris shoving shrimp into his pockets. “Not here at the moment. He must be off talking.”

Brian nodded. “Then I suppose I’ll need to apologize for stealing his wife’s first dance. Shall we?” He held his arm out for me.

“Walk away, Sugar, and I’ll reward you greatly. You’ve not yet seen all my tongue can do.”

“Stop, or I’ll kick you,” my brother threatened.

“Worth it,” Fitz decided.

I took Brian’s arm, and he led me to the dance floor while Fitz cursed. I was in the middle of the room when we stopped. Brian put his hand on my lower back, and grabbed my other hand. Fitz was growling into the headset, and I was trying not to laugh.

Just above us was a skylight that cast moonlight over the dance floor, making us look almost blue. It was eerie, but kind of beautiful in a strange way. It made me think of ghosts, the way we all looked transparent.

“I heard that the hybrid is up for sale.” The man smiled, and my blood ran cold.

“What?” was all I could say.

“Have you not heard of her? I suppose that isn’t surprising. She was only a whisper for so long. Many that do know about her, don’t know if she’s more than fiction.”

“Play it cool, Willow,” Fitz said. “Be very careful.”

I tried to speak with a steady voice. “Hybrid of what?”

“Vampire and demon. One and only of her kind. Most buyers after her want to try and make another with her. Those babies would fetch a pretty penny.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t worry,” Fitz told me. “Nothing will ever touch you with me around. Do you understand? You belong to me and no one else, and that means that I’ll kill anyone who tries to oppose.”

I smiled at the floor, and my stomach fluttered. I couldn’t deny the fact that it was somewhat pleasurable hearing Fitz claim me so aggressive and protectively. I think I’m in trouble.

“Something wrong?” Brian asked.

“No.” I shook my head. “Just a little lost in thought.”

I kept dancing, and Fitz kept making threats. I was trying not to laugh, but I know I was smiling.

“So, what were you interested in?” I asked Brain, trying to get more information.

“I’m looking for a tracker. I have a few men to find. Debts, you know.”

I nodded through the panic. He wanted Dawnie. I couldn’t let that happen. I didn’t know her, but she didn’t deserve to be a slave. She should get to go back home.

“Yeah.” I nodded. “One of those would be useful.”

“That or a spirit speaker. I’d love one of those.” He smiled. “So much I could do.”

We kept chatting, but he wasn’t giving me anything I could use. No locations of these people, or the base of operations. I couldn’t come out and ask. I needed to be careful.

I heard a pounding in my earpiece followed by a slurring man yelling. “I WAN A CHACO TACO, PLEASE!”

“What? Go away,” Fitz yelled back at him.

“But I have a dollar! Why aren ya playing the music? Always with the music! Do do do do do do la la la la. Come on!”

I heard the door slide open and Pepper said, “Keith? What the hell are you doing here?”

“You know this guy?” Fitz sighed.

“SANDWICHES!” the man shouted. “I go back, and I see da blonde and redhead again. They talking bout fae. What’s fae?”

“I don’t know, Keith,” Pepper said. “But we don’t have ice cream. You need to leave.”

“Bu…bu…but,” he cried. “My tire lady wen home and I’m all ba meh self. I just wan ice cream.”

I heard Fitz sigh again. “Here’s fifty bucks. There’s a store just a block away. Go bug them.”

“Th-thank you, tall man. I hope ya get good stuff in life. Now I get ice cream and then I find mah tire lady. Then my other peoplez. My orphans! Where you go?”

The door closed and I heard Phin say, “Who was that?”

“Just a random guy,” Pepper told him.

Another couple minutes went by where Brian was giving me nothing. Thankfully, Ferris tapped me on the shoulder. “Can I cut in? I’d love a dance with my wife.”

“Of course. Nice to meet you, Iris.”

“Thank you. You too, Brian.”

He gave my hand to Ferris, and walked on to his next victim. Ferris put his hands on my hips, and I put my arms around his neck as best I could. He was a tall boy.

“You smell like shrimp, Barry,” I said to my fake husband.

“Cuz my pockets are full of them. Cake in one and shrimp in the other.”

I laughed. “Did you find out anything useful?”

“I just got talking to an old lady about what a great party, and how every year there are more and more interesting specimen. Whatever that means. You?”

“That man I was talking to wants Dawnie. And me.”

Ferris’s eyes popped open. “What? How?”

“The hybrid is a legend according to him. A bunch of people know I might exist, but they think I’m a fairy tale. I guess that’s not such a bad thing. He said people wanna make a bunch of babies with me to see what comes out.”

He smiled. “And you only wanna make babies with Fitz.”

I kicked him while Fitz laughed in my ear. “I would love to get you pregnant, Sugar.”

“Never gonna happen.”

Ferris shrugged. “It might with this nasty crush you’re nursing.”

“Ferris!” I smacked his head. “What the hell is wrong with you? Cone of Silence!”

“What’s that?” Fitz said. “Someone has a crush?”

“No,” I growled. “I don’t have a crush on you.”

Ferris eyed me and I thought about kicking him again. Even if I did have a crush on Fitz, he didn’t need to know that. He would only use it to trick me into make out sessions that I tried so hard to make him think I hate.

“Sure you don’t.” Fitz had to be smiling.

I ignored him, and went back to dancing with Ferris, and he went back to staring at the food table. I could tell he wanted nothing more than to go back to it, so I actively stopped him. Revenge for what he said. The kid was pushing, and I wish I knew why. Last time I checked, he was bitter about the whole Fitz being called his father’s son thing.

A man came by with champagne, and when Ferris reached for one, I slapped his hand away. “You’re driving, remember?” I eyed him.

He rolled his eyes. “One wouldn’t hurt.”

“No. But I’d hurt you.”

“Mmm,” Fitz said in my ear. The waiter walked away from what he probably thought would be a lover’s spat.

I looked around, and most of the people were on the dance floor. I couldn’t see any opportunities to try and sneak in some conversation. Maybe when the song was over, Ferris and I could split up. We just needed to find one person that could give us what we needed. Shouldn’t be too hard in a room of five hundred people.

The lights above us flickered on and off about ten times, and I thought that the electrical wires were causing it. No one else seemed thrown by this development, but they all looked up reflexively at the cause. All eight chandeliers flickered again and again before staying on.

“That was strange,” Ferris commented. “You think they skipped a bill?”

An older lady near us leaned over. “Oh, that’s the ten-minute warning, honey. Best get yourself ready before the fun begins.” She smiled and walked off with her husband.

Ferris and I looked at each other, and he looked back at the people. “Warning for what? Are we about to swap keys?”

I couldn’t make myself laugh. “I don’t know, but I really don’t like it. What do we do?”

He shrugged. “Guess we can’t keep dancing.”

The crowd was shifting in the ballroom. People were starting to stand around the stage, facing it. The music stopped, and more people were moving in from other parts of the room. Conversation was nothing above a low murmur and the lights were turned up.

“Sugar,” Fitz said in a tone that worried me. “Get out of there right now.”

“What? Why?”

Pepper cut in. “I can see the whole room, guys. Back stage. They just came in. I… I don’t know what to do.”

“We can’t leave,” Ferris said. “We need to find out where the demons are being kept.”

Fitz was the one to talk. “Just did.”

The curtains were slowly pulled apart and up, leaving them ruffled at the top of the stage. When my eyes moved back down, I had to hold back a gasp of shock and guilt.

“Oh no…” Ferris whispered at my side. If I were able, I’d be saying the exact same thing.