Beautiful Monster 2 (Beautiful Monster #2)(14)
Author: Bella Forrest

The second she placed her hand in mine, I could feel it. A pain went through my heart as I compared her to Porsche’s strength but I continued my act.

“Porsche was a rebel Shield, it’s true. Shields are nature’s way of bringing balance to the universe. Porsche’s kind was outraged by her murder, and has agreed, for the first time in history, to collaborate with us to make sure Selene is dead.” I took a deep breath, leading Sarah to Nina. “But just in case they change their minds, it’s ok, we have a Shield of our own, a Shield who didn’t even know she existed until she came to me.” I placed Sarah’s hands in Nina’s tiny ones.

The change was almost instant, but for one so tiny and weak as Nina, I had expected that. That’s why I chose her, for the most theatrical value.

Nina gasped, her eyes opening wide. After a few short gasps, she began to breathe normally again, and I knew even in the back row, they could see the color coming back into her cheeks. She closed her eyes, smiling for the first time since I met her. Sarah seemed receptive to this, giving the tiny vampire a huge smile back. Finally, Nina’s eyes fluttered open and she turned to the small crowd.

“It’s amazing!”

One by one, Sarah walked through the crowd on her own, letting them touch her for themselves. If they had never felt a Shield before, and it was likely they hadn’t, then they would be impressed by her. If they had though, my bluff was called because they would know she was weak.

Amy came to my side, leaning against my arm as she watched Sarah bring the vampires such joy.

“Good job,” she whispered and kissed me on the cheek. “But next time, choreograph your crowd better. Stage looks messy.”

I laughed, kissing her back. “Aye aye. Maybe that senior thesis should be in directing?”

“Thought about it,” she answered. “But I love acting too much.”

“A woman after my own heart,” I said, as Sarah connected at last with Connor.

“It is spectacular,” he said, meeting both her eyes as both their hands clasped each other’s. “You truly are quite a remarkable woman.”

“Thank you.” Sarah blushed and I raised an eyebrow. Sarah was not normally a girl to blush. Beside Connor, Isabelle stood up a little straighter.

“You really think this is going to work?” Amy asked.

I exhaled. “I don’t know. But it’s all I’ve got.”

“It’ll work,” she said, lightly rubbing my back. “It will.”

I nodded and then pulled apart from her as Sarah came back from the throngs of the dead.

“The forms you have are admission forms. I suggest each of you fill them out, unless you actually have an arts expertise, in which case, you can fill out a staff form. I’ll enroll you or hire you, and you’ll be here the whole time. Selene is smart, and she will be watching, I know she will. However, what I’m counting on is the fact that she’s turned hundreds of vampires, and can’t remember who and what are hers anymore. For some of you, it’s easy, if she’s your grand-sire or farther removed. The others must be more careful. Classes only take place during the day, and if you choose to feed at night, you must leave this town to do so. You will have to be discreet, more discreet than you’ve ever been. And if you find cravings take you, Amy is a wonderful appetite killer. And Sarah can help you.”

With the girls on either side, I looked back at the crowd. They still looked doubtful, but more confident than when I had entered.

“Ok?” I asked, and finally got some positive responses. “Alright. Let’s do this.”

I handed out pens and let them fill out the forms.

“What about the actual Shields?” Sarah asked, as the three of us formed a huddle.

I shook my head. “I can’t trust them. I know they want Selene dead, and I’ll trust that they will do that. So they will be informed of the date and time of the show, and be seated around her to weaken her. Hopefully, it will be enough. And unnoticeable.”

“Won’t that weaken your vampires too?” Sarah asked.

I took a deep breath. “There’s one favor I must ask of them. And you. There’s a spell, called a binding spell. Performed on a vampire, it binds them to a Shield’s chemistry, to their spirit. It can only be done once, and when completed, it makes the vampire resistant to all other types of magic, yet still retains their powers. It’s usually only done by force by vampires who wanted to enslave Shields. Obviously it is very rarely done willingly.”

“It’s now time to go,” I told Amy. “Soon it’ll be sunset and untempting or not, you don’t want to be down here with the rest when that happens. You too, Sarah.”

“But I can get stronger, right?” Sarah asked. “I can train.”

I nodded. “You can, of course, you can learn. It’s like a muscle. There are limits for everyone, but I don’t think we’ve come anywhere near reaching your full potential. Now, girls, I really need you to go.”

“I wish you could come with me,” Amy whispered, her breath hot in my ear.

I almost groaned, wishing we weren’t around so many people so I could respond the way I wanted to. Instead, I kissed her on the mouth, my tongue darting in and out.

“Me too,” I muttered, and then, with all the willpower I had left, pulled away. “Now go.”

Amy took Sarah’s hand, and the two turned to leave. I turned back to the vampires, knowing that the sun would set soon. It was time to get our night started.

Chapter 7: Amy

“Is it working?”

“No.” Liam gritted his teeth, glaring at both of us as if we did something wrong.

It was sunset, a few days after our group discussion, and we were down in the basement, with Sarah, trying to fight off his transformation. Her hand was wrapped around his left wrist, and my hand was wrapped around his right wrist, staving off temptation with the smell of my untempting blood. He had assured me that between my blood and his control, Sarah wouldn’t be in any danger. Still, watching him fight it, I didn’t believe that.

“Are you sure?” I looked at my watch, rubbing his back gently as he spasmed in pain. “You usually have fangs by now.”

“Well, it doesn’t feel like it’s working,” he grunted.

Sarah raised an eyebrow.

“What happened when the other Shield touched you? Porsche?”

“Nothing,” Liam replied. “Literally, nothing. I stayed human.”