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  "Screwing you over?" I laughed. "See, that's why we need to set straight a few clichés about Hell. I'm helping you because I want Dallas to focus on our relationship rather than worry about your safety all the time."

  She nodded. "Fair enough. I didn't know he was that worried. We would've never told him anything if his own life wasn't at stake."

  "Does he know you're a vampire?"

  Peering at me, she barely blinked. "What gave me away?"

  "Call it intuition." Amber nodded as if impressed. "So, answer the question, did you spill to your brother?"

  "Dallas knows I can talk to the dead, but I might have left out a few tiny details." She avoided my gaze.

  "Like being a blood sucker."

  A glint of anger flashed in her eyes. "I don't drink blood. I—"

  Grinning, I held up a hand. "I'm kidding. I was there to witness the ritual, remember? And I certainly broke every rule." Like stealing the book from right under everyone's nose. Apart from Aidan, no one even saw me. That still had me giggling a few weeks later. Taking stuff every now and then was the easiest and most harmless way to please my fallen angel nature.

  "Thanks for not telling Dallas about any of that. He would've freaked. I only mentioned my gift—" she raised her brows "—or should I say 'curse' because he wouldn't leave it alone. He knew something was wrong and I cracked under the pressure. You don't know Dallas. He won't let up until he has the truth in his hands."

  I could only hope he wouldn't find out 'my truth' then. Inching closer, I soaked up the various emotional undercurrents wafting from her. "But you didn't tell him about me. Why?"

  She shrugged. "That's your job."

  I nodded. "Thanks for understanding."

  "Never said I did." She sighed. "You're helping us, so I'm going to return the favour because I'd rather not owe you. What is it you want me to do?"

  "Well—" I ran a hand through my unruly hair. "I was thinking of a reality show to increase Hell's popularity."

  Amber snorted. "A television reality show? You mean one that's full of drama and mayhem? You want more people down here?"

  "The reason's more delicate." I hesitated, hoping she wouldn't persist, but the prying personality trait must run in Dallas's family.

  "As you can see, I have all day," Amber said.

  I wasn't comfortable talking about Dad's affairs, but I feared if I didn't open up I'd never get to sorting out my other issues. "You must promise you won't tell anyone." I waited until Amber nodded, then continued, "Dad wants Mum back."

  "Wait, I thought your mother was dead."

  "Just because she's in Heaven doesn't mean she's dead." I rolled my eyes. "She's an angel." Amber cocked a brow. I held up a hand to stop any more questions. "I was hoping you could help me host a it."

  She stared at me, amused. "You mean something like Big Brother?"

  I cringed. "More like a mixture between a talk and a family reunion show."

  "Sounds great." She glanced at the door as though she was expecting another visitor. I only now realised Aidan wasn't here.

  "Where's Aidan?" I asked, frowning. "You're supposed to stay inside."

  "He needed to stretch his legs."

  She's lying. I didn't need Kinky to tell me that.

  I know where he is, Pinky said. Snooping around the place. He's looking for something, but I don't know what.

  I freed my mind as I dove into Amber's head, searching for whatever secret she was trying to hide. But whatever her intentions were, she fought to keep them out of her consciousness. "If you have questions, you could just ask," I said.

  "You'd better not get involved, Cass."

  As in, mind your own business. Compared to the other layers of Hell, Distros was a small place. If Theo didn't know what Aidan was up to, someone else would. I smiled and changed the subject. "Are you up for raising the dead?" Amber shot me a surprised look. I shrugged.

  "What? You need practice, I need someone who has enough presence to divert the attention from me. It's a win-win situation for both of us."

  "Who will see it?"

  "A local network will be broadcasting it." I didn't tell her that my plan included intercepting every single TV station in the world so everyone with a TV set would watch the show.

  If she knew, she might just get her fangs all in a twist. Kinky laughed at his own joke. Fangs. Get it?

  I bit my lip hard so I wouldn't join in the hysteria.

  "Aidan wouldn’t be happy," Amber said.

  I shrugged. "Then don't tell him."

  "I can't do it." She moistened her lips, averting her gaze. Guilt could be a terrible weapon, and I was all for using it.

  "We have a strict no-vampires rule in Hell. Dad doesn’t know you're here, but it's only a matter of time until he finds out."

  She peered at me, frowning. "You think he'll kick us out?"

  I tilted my head, raising my brows meaningfully. "That, or worse. You're not safe out there, and you know it. Now if you were to help out Dad, he might be more inclined to let you stay here until you've sorted out your issues."

  "You don't understand. The one who's chasing us won't give up so easily. It might never be over."

  "Layla will eventually get bored of you stealing her boyfriend," I said. What was one missing vampire from an entire harem? The truth was, if Amber didn't unknowingly enter a paranormal race and win the necromancer ability, she wouldn't have the entire Lore court hunting her.

  "I didn't steal him," Amber hissed. "He never dated her. It's more of a fatal attraction—something like, 'if I can't have him, no one can.'

  Anyway, I'm not talking about Layla."

  I raised my brows. "Who else is stronger than Aidan?"

  "The one who turned him," Amber whispered.

  "Rebecca?" I laughed. Yet another of Aidan's jealous exes. The guy sure knew how to pick them. "She's stuck in vampire limbo." I knew that because I saw her through the eyes of Dad's winged demons aka gatekeepers. Amber entered the Otherworld to retrieve Layla's spell book so Aidan could perform a ritual that would help him live without a need for blood or constant darkness. Rebecca almost killed Amber before Aidan turned his beloved to save her life, or so I figured. But, of course, I might miss a few pieces of the puzzle.

  Rebecca should still be dead, burned to the bone by Dad's demons.

  Amber shook her head. "She found a way out, and now she's hell-bent on revenge. If that crazy psychopath can't get to us, then she'll try for her next target. Somebody we care about. Somebody who's mortal and easy to kill."

  "Dallas," I whispered.

  "Yes," said Amber.

  My heart dropped. "No! She'll never touch him. Not while I'm alive. I won't let her. I know a few tricks to keep that psycho away."

  My nails dig into my palms until my skin burned. "I don't believe it.

  How is she still alive? None of this makes sense. She died in that fire."

  "Aidan believes she didn't."

  Losing Dallas scared me to death, but I needed to keep a clear head here. Aidan was wrong. "It must be someone else because Dad's demons turned her into roast beef."

  "You're probably right. We don't know." Amber grabbed my hand and leaned closer, her gaze connecting with mine. "That's why we need to stay here until Aidan finds out what's going on."

  "Then you'd better put the necromancer in you to good use." I paused and squeezed her hand. "Dallas's natural charm must run in the family. You'll be an instant hit with viewers."

  Her laugher rang through the air like a chime. "I like your style."

  "Do we have a deal?"

  She shook my outstretched hand. "Deal."

  I spent another five minutes engaged in small talk, then left with the promise to send someone over tomorrow so she could work on her script. Of course she had to have a cocky comeback line.

  "I thought reality shows were unscripted."

  "You don't really believe that? Reality is an illusion. Do you watch The Hills? Trust me, all reality shows are scr
ipted...and some very, very bad." I knew because I had stalked most of these so-called stars, but Amber needn't know that.

  "Hmm. Guess you learn something new everyday." Taking me by surprise, she leaned to air-kiss me on the cheek. I waved goodbye and shut the door. Had I just tamed the dragon and she was about to welcome me into the family? Maybe Dallas was the charming one, but it seemed like I wasn't bad either.

  Theo's house was situated on the other side of Distros. I didn't want to waste my time walking through the woods, so I programmed her name into my phone and beamed myself on her porch.

  She was sitting on the cold wooden floor again, her blonde hair swaying in the wind.

  "Hello," I said, taking two hesitant steps, lest I scare her.

  She looked up, confused, and for a moment I doubted she remembered me. Then a tiny flame of recognition flickered in her pale, blue eyes.

  "Cass," she whispered, holding out her hand.

  I grabbed it tight and sat down next to her. "Listen, there's something you need to do for me." She nodded, so I continued, "I know a necromancer who can reach your sister, but you'll have to trust me."

  Her eyes threatened to pop out of their sockets. "Are we running away from here?"

  I shook my head. "Let's just say, we're on temporary leave."

  "I'm in," she said, taking me by surprise.

  "You don't want to know what's involved?"

  She smiled. "I prayed for a chance to warn Sofia before dying.

  You don't look like us, so you must be one of the guards, or maybe you're my guardian angel. I don't care. I'd do anything to have my last wish fulfilled."

  "Thank you." I pressed her skinny body to my chest whispering,

  "If you do a good job your sister will be safe."

  What are you doing? Pinky hissed. You can't promise that because you're not allowed to intervene.

  I smiled at the naïve, little angel sitting on my shoulder. One day I'd be running this place, making my own rules. I might as well start now.

  Chapter 19 – Deadly

  Aunt Patricia lived in a picturesque village situated in the snow covered Swiss Alps. I wished I could just beam ourselves up there instead of freezing in the gondola riding up at the speed of a snail.

  Dallas's arms were wrapped around my waist, pulling me against him, making my body tingle at being so close to him. He leaned forward and brushed my cheek, his breath building mist clouds as he spoke. "I'm so glad we get to do this together. It's so romantic."

  "Me too, babe." I rolled my eyes, thankful he couldn't see me since my back was pressed against his chest. Who in their right mind would find running around in the cold with a red, runny nose and purple fingers romantic? Why couldn't Patricia inherit a cocktail bar in Hawaii, or a five-star luxury hotel in the Caribbean instead of a bakery in a place that wasn't even on Google Maps? The only thing I wanted to do with him in this cold was snuggling together under the covers and feeding each other chocolate. We hadn't had a private moment ever since arriving in Hell. But with Dad around, I wasn't even sure I wanted one.

  Sighing, I turned to face Dallas. "Patricia's a nice girl, but she's a little strange."

  "In what way?"

  I stared at the golden speckles in his eyes. He glanced at me attentively, as though he truly listened, and brushed a stray lock out of my eyes. Something, like electromagnetic waves, pulsated between us. "Well." I moistened my lips. "She doesn't leave the house very often."

  "So she isn't into socialising." Dallas shrugged. "Big deal. Not everyone's a party animal."

  I could live with his explanation, except that it was time to stop creating more secrets between us. He'd have to know the truth eventually, so I might as well start tossing little morsels his way. "It's not just that."

  He leaned into me and kissed my lips gently. "Don't worry, babe.

  We all have one or two eccentric family members. I won't judge."

  How could I possibly explain I had a whole bunch of them?

  Patricia was the least of my worries. I couldn't wait until he met Aunt Krista.

  "Just remember that when you meet the rest of my family," I muttered.

  The sun hid behind heavy, grey clouds. The gondola finally came to a halt and we stepped out, sinking into a thick blanket of snow that reached up to my hip. We were surrounded by white. Even the whitewashed walls blended in with the snow-covered mountains in the distance.

  Groaning, I trudged forward, my arms shovelling the snow aside, as we moved forward to reach the tiny village stretching against the darkening sky. It'd be easier if I just melted my way through, but that'd probably freak Dallas out big time, so I had no choice than to keep torturing my aching muscles until we reached what looked like a paved street. I thought fighting our way through the snow was the worst that could happen, until I slipped on the thick ice, almost landing on my butt.

  "What a great workout, huh?" Dallas laughed. How could he be so high-spirited when I was getting grumpier by the minute?

  "I'm loving every minute of it," I mumbled.

  How can Patricia stand this teeth-clattering, brain-numbing cold? Kinky said, shivering in his black robe. Staring up at the impenetrable structure with four towers and all natural stone, reminding me of a miniature of a medieval church or castle, I wondered about the same thing. Let's just say I was thankful she inherited the darn place and not I. If I were bound to this part of the world I doubted I'd ever leave the warmth of my bed, let alone prepare hot buns for hungry folks at five o'clock in the morning.

  "Is that it?" Dallas pointed at a high chimney with white fumes snaking in the wind.

  I nodded and quickened my pace, eager to slip my numb feet into a pair of fluffy slippers, preferably the ones you can warm up in a microwave oven. The slippery path led us right to Patricia's red painted front door. The windowpanes hung open. White curtains with tiny red hearts peeked from behind. A large wooden pane above the door advertised 'Magic Cupcakes'. I hoped they were magic indeed because I was starving.

  I grabbed the brass knock shaped in the form of a doughnut and knocked as Dallas rubbed his gloved hands, probably looking forward to a mug of hot chocolate just as much as I was.

  "Coming," Patricia called from inside a moment before the door burst open and she stood in the doorway, clad in a long medieval dress with a golden cord wrapped around her chubby waist. The dark green colour complemented her red hair and emerald eyes.

  "Looks like the house isn't the only thing trapped in the Middle Ages." I smiled and stepped in.

  Patricia wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug. "I've missed you, Grumpy."

  "Patty, this is my fiancé, Dallas." I pointed behind me. For a moment, Patricia stood frozen to the spot, eyes wide. The milky skin on her smooth forehead creased into a thin line.

  "Nice to meet you," Dallas said, holding out his hand.

  "So that's why you're here. For a moment I was inclined to believe you'd brace the snow outside to see me. " Cupping his hand, she turned to face me. A wide grin replaced her frown. "You need our blessing."

  I rolled my eyes, playfully. "Don't be ridiculous. Obviously, I'm old enough to do what I want. So Dad told you."

  She shook her head. "Nope. He said revealing the big secret would take away the surprise factor, and where's the fun in that?"

  I bet he was watching us through his third eye or phone or whatever he used to spy on others nowadays, laughing his head off.

  Once my mission was over he'd see I was capable of as much manipulation as he. Maybe even more so since I was about to trick my own family who was probably expecting it already.

  "You look so much alike, it's uncanny," Dallas said.

  "We did before I inherited this place." Patricia pointed at her round hips and growing bust. "You're probably wondering whether I fell into a bag of chocolate croissants and had to eat my way out."

  "I couldn't blame your comfort eating. You're probably just stressed. What with all the baking." I shivered at the thoug
ht of all the washing up at the crack of dawn.

  "It's not just the baking." She rolled her eyes. "It gets kind of lonely in here with Prince Rasputin as my only company."

  "Who’s Prince Rasputin?" Dallas whispered.

  Grinning, I pointed at the black Persian cat behind Patricia. He was lying on the rug in front of the hearth, tummy up, legs and arms spread to the side.

  Dallas nodded and returned my smile.

  "You look great," I said. "I'd kill for your curves."

  She winked. "No need to do something that drastic. I'll just bake you a mean batch of chocolate truffle cupcakes. Come on in. Your luggage's just—"

  "Arrived with the courier service. They're fast, aren't they?" I shot her a meaningful glance, lest she give away one of Dad's demons brought over our travel bags.

  "Yep." She smiled. "And they're so cheap. A real bargain."

  I motioned Dallas to take off his jacket, then closed the door behind him.

  "This is nice," he said, peering around.

  "I guess, if one's into bricks and medieval towers," Patricia said.

  "Actually, it's not that bad, or so I thought until I realised I can't ever leave."

  "There's no one else to feed the village," I explained to Dallas.

  He nodded sympathetically.

  "Surely, people can cook for themselves at home," Dallas said.

  I inclined my head. "You'd be surprised."

  "Please, have a seat. I'll get you something to eat." Patricia pointed at a velvet sofa in the colour of rusty leaves, then disappeared into the adjoining kitchen. I peered at the thick carpets covering most of the wall and the heavy, dark furniture. This stuff must be worth a fortune on eBay.

  "I'll be right back," I said before hurrying after Patty. I found her leaning over a kitchen counter, arranging warm muffins on a silver tray. The aroma of cinnamon and cardamom invaded my nostrils. My stomach made an unladylike sound.

  "He's mortal, isn't he?" Patricia asked. "I can smell his scent from a mile away."

  I nodded. "He's also the one."