Vampire Debt - Supernatural Battle (Vampire Towers #2) - Kelly St. Clare Page 0,96
her clothes and make fun of where she’d bought them. I’d nearly stabbed Harriet Gregorian with the scissors when I’d discovered them. She had Fred to thank for her life.
Tommy was a mess for months after. What teen girl wants to be naked in front of anyone? But it was more than that. Tommy never felt like she belonged in my world, and their actions had hammered on the cracks and left her so fragile.
“You didn’t,” I said. We rarely spoke about this. The memories of that night hurt her even now. Everyone carried a scar or two from childhood—kids could be fucking mean while figuring out who they were—but Tommy carried a larger scar than most.
My friend smiled. “She pulled me aside while you were trying to find out how to reunite Destiny’s Child for a private concert on your fifteenth birthday—”
I’d settled for my second choice.
“—and said I better stop moping and toughen up because the world liked to beat everyone with bags of shit regardless of whether they were poor or rich.” She tilted her chin. “Everyone smells the same, Tommy. People like Harriet Gregorian may have enough money to cover their stench, but they never learn to accept who they are without disguise. You, my dear, have dignity. And so you are already rich in a way they can never replicate.”
Only the slight hiss of steam filling the room disturbed the calm.
“I never knew,” I murmured. “I wondered why you started smiling again.”
“There you have it. She also said that if she caught my eyes on the floor one more time, she’d half my father’s wages.”
My lips twitched. “That sounds more like her.” I took a full breath, exhaling loudly. “Agatha Le Spyre.”
Tommy grinned at the ceiling, reaching out to take my hand. “Agatha Le Spyre.”
21
“We look fucking good,” I announced as we arrived back at the estate. Laurel and the others would be close behind, but I’d demanded that Fred drive Tommy and me to the spa and back tonight. “We need to do something. Maybe a nice dinner?”
I trailed off, noting Tommy’s lack of enthusiasm.
“What’s up?” I nudged her.
“Uh, well I kind of have plans. He texted this morning,” she mumbled.
Oh.
“Right. Sorry, yes. I shouldn’t have assumed you were free.”
She searched my face. “Basil—”
“No, really. It’s okay. Of course you want to hang with the guy you looove.”
Tommy rolled her eyes. “Stop it.”
I made kissing noises until she punched me on the shoulder.
“Go show him how fucking hot you look,” I grumbled.
She did look hot with beach waves in her chin-length chestnut hair, and a subtle purple eyeshadow, which deepened the shade of her incredible eyes. She was a fun-sized man-killer, and with the lethal outfit I was going to force her into, Theodore better recognise how lucky he was.
“What will you do tonight?” she asked, chewing her red lip.
“Stop it, you’ll rub off your lip colour. And don’t ask hard questions.” I whacked her leg and hustled out of the car so she couldn’t get me back.
Rosie bobbed a curtsey at the entrance. “Miss Tommy, Miss Le Spyre, you both look beautiful. Will you take tea before dinner?”
“Did you not hear me declare a backward day, Rosie?” I answered. “Breakfast is to be dinner. Dessert is to be tea! Must I always repeat myself?”
“As you say, Miss Le Spyre.” She bobbed again.
I grinned as she left.
“You’re so mean,” Tommy said.
Chuckling, I waved a hand as we traipsed up the stairs. “Rich people must have whims.” Plus, Rosie fell for zero percent of my grand declarations these days. It only encouraged me.
Tommy snorted. “You’re so full of shit.”
“At least I’m full of something,” I answered darkly.
She studied me. “Why don’t you go get some then? Why are you waiting around for this guy who we’ve established is a total dickwad?”
We hadn’t. She had. And he was.
But only when I said it.
My rebellion with Rhys had shown me that course of action was no longer open to me. I couldn’t just go to a club and bring some guy home. Not as things currently stood.
I stared at Tommy but couldn’t think of a way to convey my sentiments around the compulsion.
She searched my face and tapped her temple. I nodded, and she threw me a sad look.
“Need an outfit for tonight?” I said, forcing cheer.
Flinging open my clothing room, I dragged her in.
Indecision warred on her face. “I dunno…”
“Let me live through you,” I whined. “I’d let you live through me.”