Immortals And Melodies (Blood And Guitars #2) (18 page)

“He asked my permission, you know,” Antonio said, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Trey?”

Antonio nodded. “Last night at my place. I have to hand it to him. He’s determined.”

Chapter 22

Aurora

WHEN MY DANCE WITH Antonio ended, Trey and the rest of Catalyst took the stage.
Kacie
rushed to my side excitedly and said, “Is he going to serenade you?”

I shrugged, although I had my suspicions. She grabbed my hand, and I smiled and rolled my eyes at her overreaction. Trey stepped up to the microphone, looking directly at me with that killer, half-smile.

“My arm isn’t quite up to playing guitar yet,” he said. “But you didn’t think I was going to let this night pass without singing to you, did you?” I shook my head, smiling up at him. He grinned victoriously, and O’Shea began picking out a familiar melody on an acoustic guitar that I recognized as “Mirage.” Trey had written this song while sitting in my loft at The Waking Moon one night not so long ago. I’d mentioned to him that if I had to pick a favorite song from the new album, “Mirage” would be it. He’d obviously tucked away that little tidbit of information for a time like this.

“I lie awake

These sleepless nights can last forever

I try to take you in.

“I can’t believe

You’re in my arms- and here with me

I pinch myself again.

“Cause I know … it’s worth it

You’re worth- whatever it takes

To make you stay.

“And I’ll show … you over and over

Every day- as long as you’ll stay

With me…”

It was still so surreal, hearing Trey’s voice flow around me, knowing that I’d get to enjoy it for the rest of my life. It was more than anyone could hope for. I tried to imagine how many girls would give their left arm to be in my shoes just then, but the thought overwhelmed me. I clapped as hard as anyone when the song ended, and Trey jumped off of the small stage to greet me. I kissed him, wanting him to know how much it meant to me that he’d gone to so much effort to make this night unforgettable.

Crosstalk took the stage again and played while everyone else joined us on the dance floor. I noticed when Antonio moved closer to the tent doors, but he gave me a reassuring smile from across the way to let me know he was just being cautious. Trey and I danced on and off for the next half hour. During one song, Jonas, Chase and O’Shea all took their turns cutting in on each other for a dance, making me feel like the most popular girl at prom or something. I was grateful to be surrounded by so many people who could make me laugh in an instant. The lead singer of Crosstalk – I still hadn’t learned his name yet – even announced to everyone that Catalyst’s new single had dropped today. Jonas slipped him an iPod with the song on it and he played it over the speakers for all of us. Trey and the rest of the band glowed with excitement and pride at hearing their song on the loud speakers. That was my husband singing a song that was officially being played on radio stations all across the country today. I couldn’t have been more proud of everything he and the band had accomplished.

Aside from the looming threat of the Emissary interrupting the perfect wedding, the rest of the evening went by in a fantastic blur.
Kacie
caught my bouquet, making her even giddier than she had been, if that’s possible. Neon caught my garter when it practically hit him in the face after Trey flicked it over his shoulder, causing everyone to roar with laughter. Poor guy will never hear the end of it. The wedding cake, which was made up of four square tiers alternating from black to white, looked more like a piece of art than a cake. There was intricate lace detail on it and a green, silk ribbon going around each tier. Fresh, white lilies and smaller versions of the green flowers from my bouquet cascaded down one side. It was so spectacular I almost couldn’t bring myself to cut into it. Trey, however, had no such reservations. We cut the first piece together and gave each other a bite while the photographer snapped away on his camera. Then the cake was cut and served. It tasted as good as it looked. Trey took a moment to thank all of our guests on our behalf for attending our impromptu wedding and making it a night to remember. Before I knew it, he and I were waving goodbye and climbing into a limo.

“Where are we going?” I asked as I stared into the rearview mirror at the black Emissary car following us. We’d only been driving for a few minutes, but I could tell already that we weren’t headed toward Trey’s house or mine. I couldn’t imagine what he had planned now.

“Don’t worry. You’ll love it,” Trey added as the driver took a left turn. “We’re here.” The car came to a stop and Trey opened the door and climbed out, holding it for me. I followed, trying not to step on my wedding dress. We were standing in front of a beautiful beach house. The Emissary had the sense to park a good distance away and cut the car’s engine. The driver of our limo pulled away, and I saw that Trey’s silver BMW X5 was parked to the side of the house.

“It’s not just for tonight,” Trey said. “I reserved it for more than a week. It might come in handy in a few days. It’s nice and quiet … and private. I thought it might be a nice place to die.”

I smacked his good shoulder in disapproval of his terrible joke, but he grinned anyway. He stopped me before we reached the steps and picked me up, lifting me into his arms. “Screw my shoulder, we’re doing this right.” I laughed as he took us across the threshold and into the house. He set me down gently, and I glanced around to familiarize myself with the surroundings. We were standing in a great room with bamboo floors. From there, I could glimpse part of the kitchen and a balcony at the back of the house.

“What do you think?” Trey asked.

“It’s a great place not to die,” I said, giving him a wry smile.

“Well, it just so happens I saved the best part for last.” He took my hand and led me down a short hallway, opening the door at the end to reveal a king-sized bed with satin sheets. A fire crackled in the fireplace, and red rose petals were scattered on the bed and the floor around it, their sweet fragrance welcoming us in. “I know today was a little crazy, what with me springing a wedding on you and everything. I just wanted tonight to be ...” He frowned and said, “It’s too much, isn’t it?”

“It’s perfect,” I said as I stepped forward and placed my hand on his chest. “Just like today was perfect.” Trey brushed a strand of hair away from my face and leaned his forehead against mine, his blue eyes blazing. “It was great celebrating with everyone today,” I added. “But I’m more than happy to have you all to myself right now.”

His heart shifted gears, and I reached up, wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him deeply. When our lips met, I was whisked away in the whirl of emotions coming from him. The sensation was more intense than usual, but in that moment, everything was. I let myself get caught up, my own emotions blending seamlessly with his. It was just one more way we’d become one. After all the time I’d spent hiding my secrets from Trey, it was getting easier to open up to him. Trey was mine in every sense of the word, and everything in his kiss told me that I was the only woman he wanted forever. He was breathless when the kiss ended, that half-smile stretching across his perfect lips. I untied his tie, sliding it out of his shirt collar and dropping it on the floor. With a quick nod, he gestured to the open window above the bed and the view of the waxing moon in the sky.

“Just so you know,” he said, his voice low. “I’m totally cool with you reading my mind tonight.”

Chapter 23

Aurora

TREY WAS SOUND ASLEEP when my stomach woke me up at noon the next day. I slipped out of bed without disturbing him and found a pair of my shorts and a tank top in the closet. I dressed and snuck into the kitchen. I checked the fridge and was pleasantly surprised to find a small supply of blood inside. Trey really had thought of everything. I downed a sack, surprised at just how thirsty I was after yesterday’s events. There was no need to feed for real since I’d be taking Trey’s blood in a few days to change him.
The thought of drinking from Trey was strange now. It didn’t matter that I’d wanted to the first night we’d met. He’d become my entire world. I went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth before making my way back into the bedroom. I climbed back into bed and watched Trey sleep. His chest was rising and falling in a perfect, contented rhythm.
 

“Hey,” I said softly, smiling at the way his hair stuck out at every angle. I laid my head down on his chest, snuggling close.

“Good morning.” His voice was rough with sleep. He ran his fingers through my hair and we enjoyed the comfortable silence for a few minutes, his breathing gently rocking me up and down. “You sleep okay?” he asked after a moment.

“Sure. You?” I traced his Catalyst tattoo with my fingernail.

“I crashed hard,” he said. “What time is it anyway?”

“It’s already noon. You’re probably hungry.”

“I’m a guy. I’m always hungry.” I could hear the smile in his tone, and I sat up to look at him. “What about you?” he asked. “You
wanna
grab a bite?” He made a show of lifting his chin and exposing his throat.

I shook my head, and he laughed. I leaned back down, planting a kiss in the center of his chest. His heart jumped right on cue. I smiled and left another kiss on his tattoo. Then I moved up to his neck and felt his breathing quicken as I lowered my lips to his jugular. I planted a slow kiss on that spot, nipping at his skin lightly with my teeth. He stopped breathing for a second and then a deep laugh escaped his lips as he threw his arms around me, pulling me down on the bed next to him. He propped himself up on one elbow and smiled down at me.

“You’re insane,” he said, staring at me fondly.

“Says lunch.” I raised an eyebrow at him and he laughed again, this time bringing his lips to mine in a quick, but determined, kiss.

“I’m going to jump in the shower,” he said.

“I’ll order some lunch,” I offered. “The kind that doesn’t talk, I suppose.” He sat back on the bed and grinned at me as I walked to the bedroom doorway.

The pizza I’d ordered came to the door just minutes after Trey got out of the shower. He was only wearing a pair of jeans when he came into the dining room where I was setting out plates and opening the pizza box.

“You were right about me needing to eat,” he said as he sat down and grabbed a slice. “What’s it like to be changed?” he asked after chewing a bite of pizza.

“From what I’ve heard it’s a little different for everybody.”

“Really? Hmm….”

“Mark has more stories than anyone. Probably because he’s a doctor, and he’s into that kind of thing.”

“What was it like for you?”

I sat down in the chair next to him and said, “I told Antonio that I didn’t really want to know all of the details. I sort of thought that might make it easier, and Antonio agreed that I was probably right.”

Trey looked at me thoughtfully. “Did it?” he asked. “Make it easier, I mean.”

“I think so,” I told him. “I sort of liked that I didn’t have to anticipate every stage of the process. I could just let him do what he needed to do, knowing that I’d get through it and come out on the other side a new version of myself.”

“I like the sound of that,” Trey said. Then he took another bite of pizza and chewed it in silence, mulling over his options. “I think I’m with you there. I don’t need to know all the details. I trust you. That’s enough for me.”

I cringed inside at Trey’s proclamation of trust in me. I was confident that I could change him, or I wouldn’t have planned to do it myself. But I couldn’t shake the unfounded fear in the back of my mind. I reminded myself that I was young, but also exceptionally strong. I could do this. I could change Trey, and we could have the happily ever after we so desperately wanted. I reached over and picked up a slice of pizza, more for something to do than anything. Trey smiled at me as I took a bite, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes.