is Khristos having him follow me? Or is Trace doing it on his own?
I need answers, and no one’s going to deter me from them.
The sheets are tossed aside as I climb out of bed. The floor is cool under my feet as I cross the room to enter the hallway. I need to talk to Trace. I'm silent as I make my through the mansion and down to the lower level. Everything is dark, and I have to flip on light switches. I find the gym empty, so’s the theater and billiards room. I find a few more doors, but they are shut, and I'm not sure what's behind them.
I hadn't looked at the clock, but I can sense it's late. I'll have to track down Trace tomorrow.
***
I'm just coming out of the shower the following morning when I hear my cell phone ringing. I clutch the fluffy towel to me as I hurry over to snatch it off my dresser. It's Kramer. I quickly answer it.
“Miss Vauss, I have some bad news,” he tells me.
My heart literally skips a beat. Has something happened to my mom? “What is it?” I ask as steadily as I can while bracing myself for the worst.
“I can no longer take your case.”
“Why?” I sputter as I walk over to my bed and sit down, feeling incredulous. How can this be happening again?
“I've changed my mind. Stop by sometime this week, and I'll reimburse you the full amount you paid. Sorry I couldn't help,” he says curtly before hanging up.
I'm left sitting there with stunned amazement. What just happened? And just like that, it truly dawns on me just how messed up my life is. My so-called uncle is having me followed, and he knows what I've been up to. He was behind Sheffield dropping my case, and I'm betting he got to Kramer as well. Of course, he had. If Trace has been following me, then he'd likely seen me go to Kramer. I guess I hadn't been as sneaky as I’d thought after all. I can't handle all these secrets anymore, and now that I know Khristos doesn't want me to find my mom, I'm ready to explode.
After I change in record time, I quickly run a comb through my wet hair before going down to the kitchen. Adelaide is there, preparing breakfast. “Have you seen Khristos?” I demand without giving her my usual friendly morning greeting. I’m being rude, but I’ve seriously had it with these people.
Adelaide looks up at me with surprise, and she sets a large spoon down next to the frying pan that has something sizzling in it. “What's wrong, honey?” Her tone is concerned, and her clear blue eyes search mine intently.
“Everything. Is he in the mansion or not?” I can feel myself getting worked up, and my temples begin to ache and throb. Another headache?
“Sit down, Livvy,” she says calmly as she walks towards me.
“I don't want to sit down, Addie,” I say flatly. “I'm sick of all the lies.” Oh, God. That knife is back, and it's stabbing mercilessly at my temple. I clutch my head, gasping with pain. “Why won't it stop?” I ask desperately to no one in particular. What's wrong with me? Am I going insane? Or is it a tumor? Am I dying?
“Calm down. The more emotional you are, the more you use up your energy, and the worse it'll get,” I hear Adelaide order as she touches my shoulder.
I flinch, backing away from her as my hands drop. I glare through pain filled eyes. “You're in on it,” I accuse with sudden certainty. “You all are. None of you are what you seem.” The pain intensifies, and I gag as nausea hits. My knees buckle, and I hit the hard floor. I can’t help but hunch over as I cradle my head desperately.
“Khristos!” I hear Adelaide yell.
I feel her gentle hands on my back, but I can't concentrate on what she's saying. All I’m aware of is the pain. It rolls over me mercilessly, and I feel like I’m dying. Strong, unfamiliar arms replace hers and they wrap around me. “Easy, Livvy. It'll go away shortly,” Khristos tells me calmly. My entire body stiffens up. He's the last person I want comfort from. But as he speaks, I find myself listening in and focusing on him. “Damn it, Adelaide. It's too early for another one,” he growls.
“She's upset, and her emotions are draining what's left of her energy. She