Evermore - Alyson Noel [105]
“More like six hundred, you dreadful little troll, six hundred years.” She looks me over and scowls.
Six hundred years? Is she serious?
She rolls her eyes and stands. “You mortals, so dull, so stupid, so predictable, so ordinary. And yet, despite all your obvious defects, you always seem to inspire Damen to feed the hungry, serve mankind, fight poverty, save the whales, stop littering, recycle, meditate for peace, just say no to drugs, alcohol, big spending, and just about everything else that’s worthwhile—one horribly boring altruistic pursuit after another. And for what? Do you ever learn? Hello! Global warming! Apparently not. And yet, and yet, somehow Damen and I always seem to get through it, though it can take far too long to deprogram him, return him to the lusty, hedonistic, greedy, indulgent Damen I know and love. Though believe me, this is just another little detour, and before you know it, we’ll be back on top of the world again.”
She moves toward me, her smile growing wider with each approaching step, slinking around the large granite counter like a Siamese cat. “Quite frankly, Ever, I can’t imagine what it is that you see in him. And I don’t mean what every other female, and let’s face it, most males, see in him. No, I mean, it’s because of Damen that you always seem to suffer. It’s because of Damen that you’re going through all of this now. If only you hadn’t lived through that damn accident.” She shakes her head. “I mean, just when I thought it was safe to leave, just when I was sure you were dead, the next thing I know Damen’s moved to California because, surprise, he brought you back!” She shakes her head again. “You’d think after all of these hundreds of years, I’d have a little more patience. But then, you really do bore me, and clearly that’s not my fault.”
She looks at me but I refuse to respond, I’m still deciphering her words—Drina caused the accident?
She looks at me and rolls her eyes. “Yes, I caused the accident. Why must everything be so spelled out for you?” She shakes her head. “It was I who spooked the deer that ran in front of your car. It was I who knew your father was a sappy, kindhearted fool who’d gladly risk his family’s life to save a deer. Mortals are always so predictable. Especially the earnest ones who try to do good.” She laughs. “Though, in the end, it was almost too easy to be any fun. But make no mistake, Ever, this time Damen’s not here to save you, and I will stick around to get the job done.”
I scan the room, searching for some sort of protection, eyeing the knife rack on the other side of the room, but knowing I’ll never get to it in time. I’m not fast like Damen and Drina. At least I don’t think I am. And there’s no time to find out.
She sighs. “By all means, please, get the knife, see if I care.” She shakes her head and checks her diamond-encrusted watch. “I’d really like to get started though, if you don’t mind. Normally I like to take my time, have a little fun, but, today being Valentine’s Day and all, well, I have plans to dine with my sweetie, just as soon as I’ve eliminated you.” Her eyes are dark and her mouth is twisted, and for the briefest moment, all the evil inside springs right to the surface. But then just as quickly it’s gone again, replaced by a beauty so breathtaking, it’s hard not to stare.
“You know, before you came along, in one of your . . . earlier incarnations, I was his one true love. But then you showed up and tried to steal him away, and it’s been the same old cycle ever since.” She slinks forward, each step silent, quick, until she’s standing directly before me, and I’ve had no time to react. “But now I’m taking him back. And he always comes back, Ever, be clear about that.”
I reach for the bamboo cutting board, thinking I can slam it over her head, but she lunges for me so fast she knocks me off balance and slams my body into the fridge, the blow to my back stealing my breath as I gasp and fumble and fall to the ground. Hearing the thwonk of my head cracking open when it slams against the floor as