A Job From Hell (Ancient Legends #1)

heart sunk in my chest. “No.”
    She titled her head slowly, her voice
remained soft. “It’s a small price to pay for a second chance in life.”
    I shook my head. “There’s been a
misunderstanding. I wasn’t under the impression I’d be spending the rest of my
life here. I want to go home.”
    “To be with Aidan.” Deidre sighed and
brushed a hand over her dress. “You need to fight it if you don’t want to be
the vampire’s captive for the rest of your life.”
    “I’m not his captive.” I wasn’t. Was I?
    “What do you know about vampires? Nothing
but a few tidbits Aidan’s tossed your way. You are naïve, and he knows it. He
will use that to his advantage.”
    Deidre was laying it thick. “How can you
say that?”
    “Do you enjoy being bitten, hurting until
the pain makes you wish you were dead?”
    “This is all too crazy for me,” I said.
    “You fell for his charm like many others
before you. But Fate has brought you here in your time of trouble. We’re the
beacons of light in the darkness. Think of this world as a lighthouse, and
think of yourself as a ship lost during the storm. We are your refuge providing
guidance and safety. As a mortal, this might take a while to sink in, but Angel
will be at your side to teach you our ways. In time, Aidan’s influence on your
mind will die down.”
    I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat. I
knew I should take Aidan’s side, but something in Deidre’s words rang true.
Ever since entering Aidan’s house I felt different. Past relationships faded
from my mind. I never believed in mind control, but I also never believed in
immortals, magical powers and seeing the dead, and they existed. The Exorcist
kid’s words were starting to make sense. Aidan had kept a lot from me. “Will I
ever get my old life back?”
    Deidre shook her head. “I can’t undo the
kind of mind spell the vampire cast on you. As long as he lives, you won’t find
peace. The only way to protect your mind from him is to keep away. Is there
anything we can get you to make you feel more comfortable?”
    A bottle of Prozac would be perfect. Good
old Valium would do the trick, too. Maybe a padded cell for being nuts enough
to fall in love with a guy who wanted to get a little tipsy from sipping on my
red blood cells every night. I smiled, bitterly. “I’m good. Thanks.”
    “Here’s a small token of my appreciation.”
Deidre stood up from her throne and reached me in a few slow strides, pulling
out a rectangle box wrapped in lace from the sheath of her swords. I stared at
it, hesitating. The only gift I wanted was freedom. So it better be a map out
of this place, a key to the dungeon door, or a pair of red heels I could click together
three times saying, “There’s no place like home.” Anything else was just
worthless stuff.
    “Take it,” Deidre whispered.
    I opened the box and pulled out a large
butterfly-shaped moonstone pendant dangling from a silver necklace.
    “It’s called, Butterfly of Hope. The
butterfly symbolizes a new life. The stone will protect you.” Deidre fastened
it around my neck and took a step back to admire it.
    “It’s beautiful. Thank you.” I wrapped my
hand around the smooth metal. It felt like a warm fire against my skin,
comforting me. I wondered what it really was for.
    “Lead Amber back and ensure she receives a
room worthy of a queen,” Deidre said. “And don’t veil her mind. She shall be
able to find the way back to my chambers.” After walking around for hours
through this maze, I doubted even a GPS system could help me, but I smiled in
response nonetheless.
    “That’s unheard of. The vampire—”
Devon started.
    “I shan’t turn away a soul in need,” Deidre
said, sharply.
    Devon bowed and we left.

 
    ***

 
    “It wasn’t so bad, was it?” Devon asked, as
soon as we were out in the open again.
    “No worse than the time my appendix burst,”
I said.
    Devon turned to face me, smiling. “You’re
funny. I’ve heard all about your ride and the wonderful séance.”
    “Gossip travels fast here. You should get
television.”
    Devon’s gaze remained locked with mine. For
a moment, he seemed to want to say something, but decided against it.
    “I bet Angel’s waiting for me,” I said.
    He nodded, and we walked in silence to the
eating quarters where lunch was served. Angel jumped up from her seat and
hurried over as soon as she saw us enter. Devon said goodbye and disappeared.
    “You took hours. Are you