Free Blood Sacrifice (The Blood Sisters Book 3) by Jill Cooper Page B

God.
That’s disgusting.”
    “You’ll
get used to it.” Vain poured Hannah
another drink, this one she mixed with ice to take the edge off.
    This
time Hannah took a smaller sip through her dainty pursed lips. She wasn’t
crying as hard now. Vain stroked her hair back. Beneath the bird’s nest of hair,
Hannah was as beautiful as ever, but to lose Kevin like that…the girl was going
to have to earn her keep. One way or another.
    Vain
kissed Hannah’s cheek and allowed her lips to linger, taking in the young
girl’s sweet scent. “I have a special perfume for you. It’ll make you feel much
better.” She retrieved a small glass bottle from the bar. “Smells of roses.”
Roses mixed with a powerful magic. Just the kind that Vain liked to keep on
hand for just these situations.
    A
drop on Hannah’s wrists and a smidge behind her ears.
    “Kevin
is dead because of you. A pig of a man, maybe, but an important pig.” Vain
stroked Hannah’s quivering chin. The young lady’s eyes cast down to the floor.
“Had I known how much trouble you would be, it’s possible I would’ve let you rot
with Vaughn.”
    Hannah’s
eyes widened with fear. Good, that was exactly what Vain needed to see.
    “But
with his death, I see opportunity. A way to seize what is mine, without having
to barter with the devil,” Vain said. “So, since you opened the door for this,
I’ll give you one more chance to show me your worth. Show me you’re not dead
weight. I won’t tolerate those who don’t help themselves, Hannah.”
    She
nodded and her eyes lowered to avoid Vain’s gaze. “I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to
cause trouble, but I’ll do anything I can to help you. Anything.”
    Good,
so far Hannah was playing her part. “If word got out that clients died here,
what do you think that’d do to business? We have to show our clients that we
won’t tolerate girls who lash out. Don’t we?” She gripped Hannah’s chin and
pulled her dagger free with her other hand.
    Hannah
quivered and shook, but it was Duncan who spoke up. “Leave her alone, Jessica.
Leave Meg alone.” Hannah’s face flashed with confusion and Vain could only assume what she was thinking.
    Vain smiled. “You see, you can be useful. He
thinks you’re his dead sister, and, while I’m going to Vegas, you’re going to
stay here and play the part. Take care of him. Dose him with magic and cement
in his brain his hatred from Jessica Blood. Do I make myself clear?”
    Hannah
nodded. “Anything. I’ll do anything.” Her arms hugged around her body as if to
protect herself. “Just tell me what to do.”
    But
from Vain, there would be no protection. Hannah was as vulnerable as a newborn
lamb. “Good, girl.” Vain slipped a tube of lip gloss from the inside of her
glove. The contents were translucent, but shimmered like glitter. “Every ten
minutes apply this to him. Make him believe you’re Meg. Her ghost. Make him
believe Jessica Blood killed him. You want revenge, child. Lay it on thick.”
    The
thicker the better because Jessica was coming. Soon, she would reach her end
and once Vain stole the curse of Lourdes from Amanda, they’d finally get to
meet.
    In
the underworld.
     

Chapter Eleven: Amanda
     
    The
sky was bright blue and only the fluffiest of clouds drifted across the
landscape. Behind the postcard-ready tranquil beauty, a gray darkness hid. It
swirled behind the neon flashing lights and the stream of all-you-can-eat
buffets. Tourists with happy smiles, ready to bet their fortune at the promise
of a better future.
    Vegas,
baby. Ready or not, Amanda was here and read to work.
    For
her part, Jessica bit into a chili cheese dog. “Hmm, this is so good. I don’t
think they make hot dogs like this anywhere else.” Cheese—though Amanda guessed
there was very little actual cheese product—oozed out onto her leather coat.
    Jessica
didn’t seem to mind. She only scooped it up with her finger and slurped it off.
“What?”
    Amanda
was staring. She