Dark Light (The Dark Light Series)(111)

“Whatever everyone else is eating is fine with me,” I respond munching on a piece of bacon. I go to prepare my herbal tea when I notice the container isn’t where I left it. “Hey, has anyone seen a little plastic container with some tea leaves in it?” I call out.

“Oh that?” Aurora says. “I didn’t realize that was yours. It didn’t smell fresh so I assumed it was left here. I poured them down the disposal, thinking it could possibly be drugs or something. Sorry!”

There are no words. I just see red. Bright, blood red.

I nod slowly and turn on my heel to head back to my room. Hushed voices behind me question what my problem could be. Before I let my temper get the best of me, I click the door shut and block out the world. If Aurora knows what’s good for her, she will stay the hell away from me.

**********

“So do you think she did it on purpose?” Morgan whispers. We’re at a spa on Main Street, and while I was hoping for a relaxing afternoon, Jared insisted Aurora join us for some girl time.

“I don’t know. I wouldn’t put it past her,” I whisper back.

Aurora is in one of the treatment rooms getting a body scrub. Too bad they can’t scrub that fake smile off her face. Ugh, I really wish I could stop harping on her and just enjoy my massage.

“Feeling any better?” I ask, trying to change the subject.

“A little. Thanks for that last night. I really did not want to go back to sleep.” I wish I could tell Morgan that I felt the same way after my own nightmare, and then waking up to find someone in my room. But that would only scare her more than she already is.

After our massages, pedicures, manicures and facials, I feel a lot better, though Aurora’s presence keeps me from relaxing completely. She insists on treating us to lunch as an apology for discarding my herbs and I reluctantly agree.

“Ms. Winters, your visit today has been taken care of,” the front desk receptionist responds handing me back my debit card. I had been internally cringing in expectation of the damage displayed at the register.

“Huh?” I reply dumbfounded.

“Your treatments have already been paid for,” she clarifies.

“By whom?” There must be some mistake.

“Mr. Dorian Skotos, ma’am.”

My eyes widen with shock but it pales in comparison to Aurora’s look of sheer disbelief. I don’t dwell on it though; I’m too excited at the prospect of seeing Dorian.

“He came here?” I ask the receptionist, barely containing my joy.

“No ma’am. He called with his information.”

I try to mask my disappointment with a shrug and a smile, thanking the receptionist before exiting. Aurora leads us to a popular sushi bar nearby. She is just bursting with glee at the fact that she gets to order in Japanese for us. If it weren’t for the fact that we’re sitting close enough to see the chef preparing our maki and sashimi, I’d think she would have instructed him to poison me.

“So I’m assuming you and Dorian are doing well, Gabriella?” Aurora asks as the waitress brings us our sake.

“We’re fine,” I respond.

“Oh, Dorian… So restless. It’s so hard for him to settle down with anyone. I’m sure Jared told you about our history, that is if Dorian hadn’t informed you already,” she smiles sweetly.

I pick up my little cup of sake and down it. I’m going to need more if I am to get through this lunch with Aurora without bloodshed. “Yes, I know about that.” I’m not sure what else I should say to her. Dorian hasn’t exactly been as forthcoming when it comes to that or any other part of his past.

“So you know that we practically grew up together. Shared many firsts together.” The waitress has arrived with our large platter of sushi and Aurora helps herself to a piece of spicy tuna roll. “I just want you to know that what we had is all in the past. I am with Jared now and I really care for him. I know it hasn’t been long but I truly feel like he and I have something special.”

Is this bitch serious?

I look over at Morgan who shrugs her shoulders as if she could hear my unspoken question and continues to enjoy her salmon sashimi. Then I gaze back at Aurora, who is still smiling like an idiot, oblivious of the storm already brewing behind my hazel eyes.

“Aurora, whatever is going on with you and Jared is your business. His happiness is all I care about. And if it’s you that makes him happy, so be it. As far as Dorian goes, I would hope you would show us the same courtesy.” I flash her a sweet smile of my own and take another drink of sake.

Aurora finishes chewing her sushi roll slowly. “Oh, I didn’t mean it like that. I just thought I could warn you about him. He’s never going to commit. I didn’t want you to get hurt like I did,” she says meekly.