Chapter Two
Later on that night, Jasmine Abilene found herself waiting for her cousin to arrive for a night out. She was standing alone on the corner of a street, arms wrapped around herself tightly while a single heeled leather boot tapped on the pavement impatiently.
Callysta was late yet again. Surprise surprise. Jasmine looked at her watch and raised her eyebrows. It was only 10:15pm and they were supposed to meet at ten o'clock. Fifteen minutes was quite good really.
She was staring down the street when her senses detected someone sidling towards her. She turned slowly, casting a long and frosty glance at the man that stood by her. He was middle aged and wore a large coat and scarf that failed to disguise his disgusting beer gut.
He smiled a little; slightly uncertain but perverse enough to keep hoping she was a hooker for hire. Jasmine did not return the smile.
"So…do you spit or swallow?" He asked with a wink and a lurid grin. Jasmine was shocked. Sure she was wearing leather knee high boots and a short skirt but you couldn't see the skirt because of her coat. She'd gone light on the make up and her hair wasn't bleached and permed. Then she stopped in mid thought as a single word entered her mind.
Dinner.
She smiled slightly then, a smile that didn't quite change the cold expression in her eyes but it was enough encouragement for the man who was looking pretty excited. She crooked a finger at him and began walking round a corner and into an alley. She knew he was following eagerly behind her and she was disgusted.
Vermin
, she thought with distaste, they have no sense of honour.She spun on her heel to face the man who was unbuttoning his coat, his fingers fumbling because of the cold. She managed to not throw up at the sight of his balding face with that repulsive sweaty sheen to it.
"Well?" He asked with a smile, still working at his buttons with grim determination.
"Well what?" she returned in irritation, trying to hide her impatience.
The man stared at this girl with her blonde hair and pretty blue eyes. She was like a Barbie. No she was better than a Barbie because this girl was real. Real and ready to work. He couldn't hide his excitement.
"Do you spit or swallow?" the man asked patiently, smiling triumphantly as he managed to undo the final button on his coat. He took a step towards her and then another. Her eyes narrowed, she didn't like his confidence at all.
"Neither," she said softly with a gleam in her eye. "I bite."
Before he could fathom what she meant by that, she had swiftly moved forward to hold him from the neck and push him back into the opposite wall. He felt the coldness of the stones seep through his clothing and he shivered.
Then, the girl was pushing his chin up roughly and yanking it to the side. She moved her head forward in a blink and he felt a stabbing pain on his neck. It was the last thing he felt.
Jasmine stepped back and let the body fall to a heap on the ground. By pure accident, it fell right into a muddy puddle. She paused to consider the figure then shrugged, wiping her mouth with her scarf and retracting her canines.
When she rounded the corner again, she saw Callysta's proud profile turned up to look at an overhead plane. Her cousin sensed her presence immediately and turned to regard Jasmine impassively through those startling eyes. Then she smiled.
"Dinner Jasmine?" she inquired with a raised brow.
Jasmine shrugged elegant shoulders and tightened her scarf around her neck, pulling it tight with a quick snap that indicated what she had done to her victim. Then she buttoned her coat and laughed.
Callysta shook her head with a smile. "Come on," she called over her shoulder as she began walking down the footpath. "Trissa Weryn is having a party and we're on the guest list."
"Of course," Jasmine remarked as she followed Callysta's slim figure. She wrinkled a dainty nose as dirty water splashed onto her shoe. Her expensively gorgeous Gucci shoe. She was tempted to stop and wipe it clean but she glanced up and saw Callysta would probably keep going with out her and she needed to be with her cousin to get into Trissa's party.
Trissa and Jasmine did not getting along that well. In fact, they didn't get along at all and it was only due to Callysta that they even saw each other. Trissa and Callysta got along pretty well and since Jasmine was Callysta's best friend, there wasn't much the other girl could do.
Callysta had slowed down minutely, waiting for Jasmine to catch up. The blond girl quickened her pace until she drew in line with her friend. "Have we got far?" she asked.
Callysta pulled off her leather gloves and shook her head; sending mahogany locks in mid air. "No, her place is just down there," she said, nodding in the general direction of 'down the street'. Jasmine was relieved that she wouldn't have to keep up with her cousin's usual vigorous pace.
"Come on," Callysta called over her shoulder. "There looks like there's heaps of people here already!" She went through the huge, wrought iron gate that had been left open and wove her way through new, shiny cars that lined the massive driveway. Garden lamps shone onto the polished chrome of the cars and sent off twisted reflections into the night.
Callysta bounded up the steps to the door and pressed the doorbell. The camera that was lodged in the corner blinked furiously for a moment before the door swung open and a dark, olive skinned girl with reddish hair revealed herself.
She was smiling broadly with a drink in one hand and the other thrown in the air in delight. "Lyss!" she cried. "I'm so glad you made it! The place is going off."
Callysta laughed. "Yeah, you can tell." She stepped inside and shrugged her coat off. Trissa Weryn caught sight of Jasmine's petite form behind her friend. Their eyes met and clashed. Trissa glared at the blond girl. Jasmine wriggled her fingers by her face in a mock wave with a fake plastic smile to match. Nissa bared her teeth. Jasmine responded with a raised unimpressed eyebrow.
"Who's here?" Callysta asked Trissa after placing her coat along with heaps of others on the coat hooks. "Anyone interesting?"
Trissa tore her eyes away from Jasmine's unsmiling face and her eyes cleared as they settled on Callysta. Something about Callysta Abilene got to nearly everyone that met her. They either loved her or they hated her and there was no in between.
She made life long friends that were loyal to the end or deadly enemies that loathed her with a passion. She had found a friend in Trissa. They had made years ago when Callysta and her had been thrown together at a nightclub. They had been in the alley feeding off some human or other when the police had approached them. This had resulted in a frantic run across rooftops and up and down fire escapes and lots of fun on their behalf.
Trissa knew that Callysta could be trusted to help her with anything so she respected her and liked her freely. But there was something about her cousin, Jasmine Abilene that got to her.
She realized Callysta was waiting expectantly for a reply. "Lyss, everyone interesting is here," she laughed. She threw an arm out and gestured down the hall. "Just have a walk around and you'll find out."
Callysta laughed. "I don't know how you managed it in only two days," she said. "I only found out about it a few hours ago."
Trissa shrugged. "Well, only the best people had time to hear it about so we won't get any gatecrashers. And what can I say? I happen to be a pro at this kind of thing."
"After ruining at least five couches and the carpet in nearly every room I should hope so," Callysta returned wryly. "Where are the drinks?"
"Just through there. You'll find them easy enough. Just follow the trail of drunken idiots."
"Ta, Triss," Callysta said. "Are you coming in with us?"
"Nah," Trissa replied, meeting Jasmine's eyes once again over Callysta's shoulder. "I'll see you later on. Have fun."
Callysta shrugged and walked down the hall. As she opened the door to the main room, the music alone caused her to step back. It was loud and raucous and she was surprised anyone could hear themselves think. Then, it didn't look as if many of the people in here were capable of thinking. Already, nearly all of them had approached a stage known as 'drunken stupor'.
"Whoa," Jasmine breathed as she stepped in behind Callysta. "Have these people even had the 'drinking sensibly' talk?"
"I could say the same thing to you. I happen to recall last weekend vividly but I doubt you would even with a detailed account. And believe me, some thing you don't want to remember."
Jasmine decided that Callysta was probably right there so she didn't pursue the subject. She weaved her way through the swarming mass and went through to another room. She turned to see that Callysta was following reluctantly with a disgusted look on her face.
Jasmine saw that this room seemed to be a lot more civilised. No one was falling on the ground or throwing up and that was a pretty good sign. People lounged on the sofas and some sat on the floor with drinks in their hands and sometimes a cigarette in the other.
They were all talking together casually and laughter filled the air.
"This is more us," she said to Callysta. "See anyone? Oh hang on! I do. I'll be back in a tick."
She bounded off to the far corner and left Callysta standing there. She didn't really mind. She saw that Helio had stood and was walking towards her. The guy was a witch with personality and she managed to see him at nearly every party she went to. She had no idea what his surname was or where his family was in the Night World and she had never felt the need to ask.
"Lyss!" he exclaimed. "How are ya?" He wrapped muscled arms around her and squeezed tightly. Callysta coughed. A bit too tightly.
"Super," she answered with a tight grin.
"Here have a drink," he said, pulling out a stollie from somewhere. He opened it with one hand and handed it to her graciously. "How did you manage to get Jasmine in here?" he asked with a grin. "Triss vowed that she would never set foot in this house again but then I doubt she would have said anything with you readying yourself for a fight."
Callysta scowled. "I was not 'readying myself for a fight'," she contradicted. "I just acted like a living shield. The glares went over my shoulder thank god. Pure laser beams I'm serious. What's the deal with them two?"
Helio shrugged lanky shoulders. "Dunno. They never really liked each other did they? Though, you've got admire their persistance. They've hated each other for three years now. That's got to use up a lot of energy. Speaking of which, how much energy are you burning in hating Reck?"
Callysta scowled fiercely. "Come on Helio! The guy left us in the lurch with concerts and gigs written all over the calendar! And he went running to Daybreak for gods' sake!"
"You never would have thought it'd happen to Reck would you?" Helio mused.
"Well, I didn't. We used to kill the idiots before he left," Callysta's voice was annoyed.
"After Blaise went with Daybreak, I realized anyone could," Helio said, nodding sadly.
"Blaise?" Callysta repeated. "As in Blaise Harman? "
"Do you know her?" Helio's eyes were as excited as his voice as they turned to her. Funny, she thought. Helio didn't strike her like the stalker type but then you never knew.
"Kind of," Callysta replied hesitantly as her mind flashed back to a time that had existed years ago. She been at one of her parent's stupid parties filled with power hungry Night Worlders when she had seen Blaise. The older girl was looking beautiful in a tight fitting green, silk slip dress that seemed to float and shimmer with every graceful movement she had made. Her black hair had been pinned up elaborately and her make up was perfect.
All this she had noticed at the same time she saw the expression on the girl's face. One would have thought that one would be touched, honoured or even amused that at least seven gorgeous males surrounded her. But not Blaise. The witch stood with ill-concealed impatience and the most bored expression possible on her face.
Callysta had left that room then to do something else and when she came back, she saw Blaise in the same place but this time she stood alone. But something was different. The witch had had a strange look in her eyes. They were bright and sparkling and Callysta remembered being suspicious and rightly so. She had caught a glimpse of orange fire in Blaise's other hand that was held behind her back.
It was then she saw that the men that had surrounded the girl were now close to naked and were fawning all over the older Night Worlders that were at the party, namely her parent's friends that included some of the council members and associates.
Callysta had marched over and grabbed Blaise's arm, twisted it and pushed her fingers shut so that the orange fire was distinguished.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Blaise had hissed angrily. "Let go bitch!"
"The question is 'what were you doing?" Callysta returned in equal tones. "Those guys could be dead tomorrow because of you. You know what the elders do when they get pissed off."
"Do you want to know what I do when I'm pissed off?" Blaise demanded. Suddenly an orange glow surrounded her and Callysta withdrew her hand sharply. It had been burnt. "Now you can piss off thank you dahling."
Callysta had shaken her head. "No such luck witch," she had hissed. "You're in my domain now sweetheart and you're just about to get escorted out." She smiled coldly. "And aren't you lucky? Guess who your escort is."
Blaise was not at all amused. Her face was drawn tightly and her eyes were cool and dangerous. She didn't balk as Callysta grabbed her arm roughly, most likely bruising it, and pushing her towards the hallway that led to the door. Callysta remembered feeling surprised at her acquiesce
"Callysta! What do you think you're doing?" Her father had demanded at the entranceway to the hall. "Blaise are you alright? She hasn't hurt you has she?"
"No, Mr Abilene," Blaise purred sweetly. "I'm okay I think. Just a bruise, it's quite small really." She twisted the arm that Callysta had released in surprise and twisted it to show Callysta's father. There was a bruise that was much larger than Callysta could ever have caused. "See? It's tiny really."
Callysta's father did not agree. "Blaise darling, go into the kitchen and I'll get Ramona to sort you out. Callysta," his voice turned grave. "Stay here."
Blaise nodded coyly and moved past Callysta's father. Her eyes turned to narrow at Callysta and she smiled a small, smug and gratified smile that made Callysta's blood burn.
Her father had yelled at her and accused her of trying to sabotage his plans for securing a council seat. She had been informed in a voice far from the controlled one she was familiar with, that Blaise was also Blaise Harman, one of the last Harmans left and a girl with powerful connections and whose family were strong and prominent in the Night World council.
Callysta had left after that and hadn't seen Blaise since but the mention of her name was enough to make her sick and disgusted at the memory.
She blinked back into reality to see Helio's eyes waiting patiently for a response. "Yeah, I met her once," she revealed reluctantly. "It was a while ago."
"Isn't she gorgeous?" Helio said dreamily, looking up at some point in the air above them. "She's just-" he threw his hands up in the air with frustration, "Indescribable."
Callysta took a large gulp of her drink quickly followed with another. "Mmm hmm," she murmured unbelievingly.
"She was like a walking model of perfection," Helio continued in a love sick voice.
"She's a walking example of a bitch," someone butted in behind them. A hand reached forward to clamp onto Helio's shoulder, nearly knocking him forward. "And I'm not talking about dogs because that was one thing I have to admit she was not."
The speaker was a tall, dark haired guy who could have been eligible for model of the year in nearly any country. He was taller than herself and was lean but muscular. The hand on Helio's shoulder slapped the other guy's back. A bit too rigorously by the look on Helio's face.
The golden eyes were unsettling as they stared unwaveringly at her own. His perfectly sculpted face was expressionless save for the sarcastic twist of his mouth. Callysta refused to look away first and soon the silence that generated between them got unbearably uncomfortable for Helio, who had been standing a little uncertainly at their silent war.
He coughed. "Uh, Brooks, this is Callysta Abilene."
Brooks looked at her for one last moment before turning back to Helio. "Macy's out front. She's not feeling too good so I'm giving her a lift home. Are you alright for a ride?" Brooks voice was clear and filled with an air of authority and command that Callysta guessed he had been born with. The expression on his face however when he spoke to Helio about Macy gave her the impression he wasn't dropping her home because she was 'sick'.
Helio drew the same conclusion because he nodded hurriedly. "Yeah, I'll be fine."
"Thank little bro," Brooks grinned suddenly. He slapped Helio's back again.
"You're brothers?" Callysta asked in disbelief. They looked nothing alike. They wouldn't have even passed as relations of any kind.
"Half," Helio amended. "Mum was a -"
"Mum was a slut." Brooks voice was suddenly cold and his golden eyes remote. "Literally. But on a sidenote," he smiled again though it didn't reach his eyes. "Hope you have a good night." He addressed this to Helio and once again studiously ignored her. She glared fiercely at his retreating figure.
Helio coughed. "So how are you?" he asked in an obvious attempt at changing the conversation.
Callysta stared at him. "That thing is your brother?"
Helio looked away. "Yeah. I only met him a year ago. He used to live in England for a while then he came over here to work for the council. He's okay once you get to know him," he added, as if trying to reassure himself just as much as her.
"He's working for the council? What does he do?" She was surprised she hadn't heard of him. Usually, she heard things through her parents and it was unusual that word hadn't gotten to her. If he had been sent from England then he must be pretty damn good.
"He does a bit of private work," Helio mumbled.
His reluctance to speak about the matter explained itself. She figured that he was either a spy or an assassin and Helio wasn't willing to reveal too much even though it didn't seem as though they were particularly close.
She wasn't really wanting to talk to Helio for much longer so when Jasmine bound up to her, gold locks bouncing and eyes sparkling, with a guy attached to each arm, she was relieved. Upon closer inspection it became obvious that the two guys were human.
"Lyss, this is Peter and Alex," Jasmine introduced the two. "We thought you might like to come for a walk outside with us." She winked at Callysta.
Callysta's eyes sparkled and the smile that she directed at the two guys was beautiful yet deadly. They didn't appear to notice, as they were too enraptured with her perfectly sculpted face. Callysta nodded.
"Bye Helio," she said with a backward glance. Helio looked uncomfortable and was eyeing her in a way that made her squirm. It was as if he was judging her for something. She ignored the annoyance and anger that cursed through her.
Someone like Helio had no right at all to ever ever judge someone like her. Because she was an Abilene, her parents were on the council and her family could be traced back to the beginning of time. They deserved respect.