Titanium (Amber trilogy Book 2) Page 8

  Drake got up. He might be check, but not checkmated. “I will find a way. Oh, and something else. I owe Benedict a painting from Lancaster’s private collection. A piece he refuses to sell. I have to find a way to get that painting without stealing it.”

  “What’s the painting called?”

  He recalled his bizarre meeting with the mental phoenix. “It’s from some painter called Bouguereau about Dante.” He didn’t know much about art and hoped this was enough information for Gregor to go on.

  Gregor’s lips, however, turned into a thin line. “Retrieving something from Matteo Lancaster’s private collection is nearly impossible.”

  “Make it possible.”

  “You don’t understand,” Gregor sputtered. “He is the–”

  “Yeah, yeah, he’s as much of a tightwad concerning his art as Scrooge McDuck. Don’t care. Find a way to get that painting from him.”

  In the meantime he was going to find a way to keep his queen.

  TWELVE

  When Amber opened her eyes she seemed to be staring into a white fog. Again. Maybe having being awake had been a dream. Her heart starting pounding. Or maybe she’d woken up in the hospital again. Her heart rate slowed down when she realized she was looking through the white curtains of her canopy bed. She vaguely remembered Drake putting her to bed the night before, telling her he’d stop by later.

  She sat up and took in her new surroundings. The room didn’t look anything like her old one. There were no movie posters on the walls. Everything, from the walls to the furniture, the desk and the couch in the corner, was in a beige close to white. It was as if she lay in a big bucket of whipped cream. There was a stack of boxes in a corner near the window. Drake must have brought them over sometime during the night.

  How had it come to this? How could she just lose a year of her life, wake up, and discover she had lost everything? She started to choke up and pressed her mouth onto her sleeve to muffle her sobs. When she felt strong enough she got up to explore her new room. It had been a few years since she’d freely walked around in Meg’s house. Her grandmother’s taste was a kitsch color explosion. Basically everything but this serene white canvas. On the ottoman next to her bed she found her sweater and jeans. She opened the door next to the sink, which appeared to be the entrance to a walk-in-closet. She sauntered along row after row of clothes with the price tags still on them. Judging by the Italian design labels Matteo was either loaded or owned a designer store. Pinky would kill for these outfits. Her stomach turned to ice when she thought about her best friend. Drake hadn’t mentioned her and after the news about her family she hadn’t dared to ask. She couldn’t handle any more devastating news.

  After she grabbed a red jumper and some black jeans, she went into the bathroom. She took a quick shower, got dressed, and knew she couldn’t postpone the moment she dreaded any longer. She opened the door and walked into the corridor. Right before she reached the top of the stairs, another door opened. A girl with curly red hair stepped out. She black wore leather pants and a black tee with the text “Over my dead body.” The girl reminded her of someone, but she couldn’t quite place it. Perhaps she was someone else she was yet to remember?

  The girl stopped when she saw her. A beat later she had pushed Amber against the wall, holding a knife at her throat. Her green, cat-like eyes had a dangerous glint in them. “Who sent you, suka?” she asked, her body language aggressive and threatening

  Amber nervously peeked downstairs, but the entry hall and living room were abandoned. She balled her fists and blood started pounding in her ears, fuel for the fire in her veins.

  Out of nowhere a man appeared next to the girl. The blinding yellow track suit that hurt her eyes wasn’t the strangest thing he was wearing. No, it was the hamster in his hands. “Ah, there you are! Put that knife away, Faey,” he chastised the girl while giving Amber a wink.

  Faey let her go and stepped aside, but kept looking threatening. Amber had a feeling this might be her default stance.

  The hamster guy bowed over her hand. “Benedict Costa de la Fuente, Rome, during His Holiness, may he burn in hell, Pope Boniface VIII,” he introduced himself. “Welcome into the family, Amber Anne O’Neill Lancaster Crassus. It’s always good to have new blood to add to the family tree. Don’t you think, Lola?”

  Amber looked over his shoulder, but there was no one there. Maybe he was speaking to the hamster. “Um, hi.”

  “So you’re Matteo’s promesi,” Faey said, her disdain palpable, while tucking her knife into her combat boots. “Poor Matteo. Chained to a little flame instead of a blazing fire and, of course, too noble to cast you aside.” She returned to her room, slamming the door behind her.

  Benedict ignored the dramatic exit, his eyes checking Amber out. “If I hadn’t already had Lola, the only woman for me, and my eyes on a delicious draconi… Well, we’ll never know, will we?” he said as he led her down the stairs. “Since you pretty much ruined the living room yesterday, we are going to Matteo’s office downstairs.”

  “It was an accident,” she quickly explained, while following him. At least he seemed non-threatening.

  Benedict opened a door for her. “Of course it was. All baby phoenixes are bound to burn down a building at least once. That’s how the Great Fire of London started a few centuries back. Not that we will ever acknowledge that, of course. Can you imagine the liability suits?”

  Luckily he didn’t seem to expect an answer. The first thing she saw, when he opened the door to Meg’s former office, was Matteo behind a desk. Then a shriek followed.

  “Amber!”

  The couch in front of the desk was occupied by Pinky, Cally, and her brother Ian. Pinky’s shout still echoed in her ears when her friend jumped up to her and gave her a hug. She opened her mouth, but it felt as if something had lodged in her throat.

  “Drake called,” Ian explained. “I’m so glad you’re back with us, sis.” She got enveloped in another hug. He gave her a worried look and Amber realized she was crying.

  Matteo was at her side in a jiff, giving her a handkerchief, made of black silk. Of course.

  Benedict put his hamster on the windowsill. “Your promesi needs company, Matteo! Lots of company. No, a party. We will party like it’s 1999. I will throw a ball to celebrate her inflaming.”

  Ian growled. “A party while we’re still in mourning? Are you bloody daft?”

  Pinky pointed at the door. “Out.”

  She didn’t have to say that again. Matteo was already pulling Benedict out of the room, closing the door behind them.

  Amber dropped onto the couch. “They’re dead.” The magnitude of what had happened was slowly sinking in.

  “I’m so sorry,” Pinky said, holding her hand, then quickly releasing it. “Sorry. Not a good time to hold your hand right now.”

  “I don’t think I can have visions anymore. I haven’t had one since I woke up.” Maybe it was because she was part phoenix now. Of course, she didn’t know for sure. She hardly recognized her own life anymore.

  Ian let out a deep sigh, sounding tired. “Maybe something good came of your coma after all.”

  “No worries. I’ll have you updated on your comatose year in no time,” Pinky said. She handed Amber a cupcake as she started talking.

  Amber wasn’t surprised to hear Jimmy had left for the film academy and Cally and Benn were still together. “You’ve cut your hair into a bob. It looks good on you.” Apparently Logan wasn’t the only one with a new hairdo.

  Keep it cool. Keep it casual.

  Pinky beamed. “It was time for a new look. One that screams: ‘I’m the intern you want!.’ First impressions are just as important in law firms as in the fashion business.”

  Amber grabbed another cupcake. “Law school? You?”

  “I know I’m only one year in but I already have a pretty good idea what specialty I’m going to choose.”

  Amazing. She’d always imagined Pinky working in fashion, advising people how to dress. Not in
court wearing a black robe and a wig. Her gaze landed on Cally, who had been quiet. But that’s how she was, serene as they came. “So, what’s new with you?”

  If possible, Cally beamed even more than Pinky. “I got engaged.”

  And the surprises kept on coming. She put her cupcake away and hugged her friend, congratulating her. “So, when’s the engagement party?”

  “We already had one. Sorry. I wanted to wait until you were with us again, but, um, Benn pointed out that could happen between now and never.” She sounded apologetic.

  ‘He was right, of course,” Amber said, waving away her apology.

  “But the wedding’s in about six months,” Cally added. “Pinky and you are my bridesmaids.”

  She just had to ask. “That soon, huh?”

  “When you know, you know. Besides–” another look filled with pity “–if there’s one thing I’ve learned from you, it’s that life is short.”

  How nice to be an example for others, while my own life is in shambles.

  “You’re right. When you know, you know. I wish I knew more. I’m not even sure where I’ll be sleeping tonight.”

  “You can stay with me and Seth,” Ian said. “It’ll be tight but we’ll manage.”

  “You should stay here,” Pinky said resolutely. “Also, Ian’s place is tiny.” Ian and Pinky exchanged a look.

  “What’s going on?”

  “There have been some issues with the Council about you staying here,” Pinky explained. “Part of them felt you should leave Somerset. They feared you would go off like a nuclear bomb and level the town. The dryads voted against this plan, of course; the dragons, not so much. Up until a few days ago, Kincaid was the biggest supporter of the ‘send Amber away’ camp. However, for some reason he’s changed his mind, but dragons are fickle. You shouldn’t frolic around town until it is sorted out that, counter to what some believe, you are not a danger to society. According to the Phoenix Codex-those are the laws you now fall under—promesis are regarded as a unit. This means that the Council can’t banish you from Somerset as long as your promesi Matteo Lancaster resides here. Well, unless say, like, you murdered someone. Though according to the Codex that would be okay, as long as you were discreet and you were to murder an inferi.” She pulled a face. “It’s revolting how they consider humans as insignificant cattle.”

  Amber wrapped her arms around her knees. “Sometimes I almost forget that I’m a phoenix.”

  “It must have been a shock to find that out,” Pinky said. “Any idea about who your biological father is?”

  Sadly, she did. “I met him. Don’t want to talk about him.” Ever.

  Pinky seemed to understand and let it go. Her phone chimed and she grabbed it from her purse. “Sorry. Have to go. I have an assignment due Monday. You look tired. We’ll talk when you’re feeling better, okay?”

  “See you,” Cally said, after which her friends left.

  “So, what have you been doing the past year?” she asked her brother, when the silence between them started to get uncomfortable.

  “Oh, this and that.”

  Could he be any more vague? Something was off about him. It broke her heart to see him without his usual joie de vivre. “Ian…”

  “Don’t fret. I’m fine. My shift starts in an hour. Call me if you need anything. We should… catch up soon. Love you, sis.”

  One last hug and he dashed away. She didn’t have the heart to tell him she didn’t have a phone.

  THIRTEEN

  Amber sank down by her father’s grave. Somerset’s cemetery had a handful of visitors and one staff member who was trimming the bushes this afternoon. She touched the cold stone and reminisced about the last time she’d heard her father’s voice. He’d been yelling at her grandmother and she had discovered that he wasn’t her biological father. The rage and betrayal she had felt back then was indescribable. She had been so furious she had been about to leave Somerset altogether. She wished she could look at his grave without feeling betrayed.

  Her father had loved her, but it didn’t change the fact that he’d lied to her her entire life. And Bryan. She couldn’t even think about her elder brother without a wave of pain wrenching through her. This was her life now, without the rocks of her existence.

  The sun had nearly disappeared when she recognized a figure standing over the grave of Nurse Croft. Seth Croft stood at the grave of his mother, laying flowers on it.

  She got on her feet and walked over to him. “Hi, um, Seth?”

  He spun around, looking startled. “Amber… I didn’t know… Ian didn’t tell me you were out of the hospital.”

  Of course, hardly anybody knew yet, which made this conversation a bit awkward. “I was just released. This is actually the first time I went outside.” She hadn’t told Matteo. Telling him she was leaving the house seemed too much as if she was asking for his permission. It could give him the wrong idea.

  “It must hurt, knowing you weren’t even around when it happened. I know what that feels like.”

  “I’m sorry for your loss.” Without giving it any thought she reached out to him, but he recoiled like most supes who knew about her visions did. A year ago that rejection would have hurt; now she merely smiled. “I can’t see anything anymore.” She cringed. “I mean, of course I can see. But the visions are gone.” Must be one of the perks of changing into another supernatural race.

  “My mother has mentioned your visions,” he said.

  “She helped me with my migraines after another vision,” Amber admitted. “I don’t know how I would have survived college without her.”

  “She helped a lot of people. It’s not fair that decent people die and the bad ones get away with that.”

  “No, it’s not,” Amber replied softly.

  His chin jutted towards the graves of her father and brother. “That’s not fair either.”

  When she could no longer hold back the tears, she closed her eyes. It was as if a dam inside her burst, ready to flood the world if she spoke or moved an inch. Seth gave her a pat on the back. When she had finally pulled herself together and opened her eyes, he was gone.

  The sun had almost disappeared and the cemetery was nearly abandoned. Some time later she saw Drake walking her way, carrying flowers.

  “I thought I might find you here.”

  She was touched when he gave her a bouquet. “Thanks. I hadn’t thought of it.”

  “Are you crying?” he asked in a tone of a man fearing female tears.

  “No.” What possible reason could she have to cry? Well, except for the fact that her life had turned out to be a big lie, she lost a year of said life, and her brother and father had passed away. Oh, and she’d discovered she was a phoenix. Must happen to everyone. “It’s just teardrops.”

  His thumb caressed her cheek. “Warm rain,” he said softly.

  “I’ve been standing here for a few hours and still don’t know what to say,” she admitted.

  He grabbed her hand. “You don’t have to say anything right now. It will come to you.”

  “I missed their funeral and… I just don’t have any words. I can’t even think about Bryan without wanting to scream. And my dad… it feels as if I have to tell him how much I will miss him. His voice when he got all worked up after watching the news and all the misery in the world. The light in his eyes when he talked about my mum. His comforting scent when he gave me a hug after I had another one of my nightmares. I feel all of that, but those aren’t the only things I feel.” The bitterness in her voice scared her.

  “You’re mad at him,” Drake guessed. “Angry because they died and left you behind. Anger because you didn’t have the chance to say good bye.”

  “It feels like… betrayal to say that out loud. All of this also feels unreal, like I’m still caught in one of my nightmares.”

  “Not to mention the fact that the last memory of your dad is probably a bad one. Bad memories have a tendency to stick longer and overshadow the good ones. The night you
… died, you were pretty upset. You were about to tell me something when we got surrounded by goblins. Judging by how things ended I can guess what it was.”

  “I’d just discovered that my father wasn’t my biological father. You know what this means. My mother had an affair during their marriage.”

  A muscle jumped in his jaw and his eyes turned dark. “With Crassus.”

  She let go of his hand. “How does that make you feel? Knowing that the man who tortured you is my father?”

  His eyes turned back into the green she fell in love with. “Blood doesn’t make you family. No one knows that better than me. I’m the last to hold the sins of your parents against you. My dad was a drunk who ended up under a bus. And the woman who gave birth to me abandoned me the day after I was born. Whatever mistakes your parents made, at least you know they loved you.”

  Oddly, feeling him compare his shitty parents to hers did make her feel better. “You’re right. They did love me.” Her father had always shielded her from the dark side of the supernatural community, just as her brothers had. But those days were over now. She had to find her own way.

  Drake took a phone from his pocket and gave it to her. “My number is on speed dial. If Lancaster gives you a hard time, call me. I have to take care of a few things, but I’ll… drop you off at his house first.” He obviously had a hard time with that.

  She knew her living under Matteo’s roof could put a strain on their relationship, which was still so new. Still, he was dealing remarkably well with it. Probably better than she would’ve done in his place. “It’s only logical that I stay with him. Since my flammable nature manifested, I’m a road hazard,” she joked.