Gypsy Designs Ch. 15

"I thought maybe one day of not having to think about anything more stressful than lights and glass ornaments, would be a nice break for her since she obviously worries about me," she said spinning on her heel to grab her bag.

"Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to my room," she emphasized. "I'm going to soak in the tub and get ready for tonight. Don't you even think about invading my space," she said turning to pin him with a glaring stare. Nodding to Claire and Cameron she stalked from the room, brushing past Lucinda who was leaning against the doorway smiling.

"I honestly think I need to thank that human for letting me see the real you," she laughed when Caydn growled at her before standing, slamming his chair back to the table and walking out the door.

Claire glared at the tall woman she thought of as a daughter; turning to Cameron she knew by the smile on his face he was totally enjoying the chaos swirling through the air. Shaking her head, she started sorting the mountains of bags some of the men had brought in from the SUV after they'd arrived. Turning silently she walked toward the library with an assortment of items they'd purchased.

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Turning in front of the full length mirror, she couldn't help but smile, wondering what Caydn's reaction would be to her outfit. She'd decided as soon as the plans were being made, she was going to make sure she wore something she could move in if the need arose.

Smoothing the rich velvet tunic over her slender hips, she chuckled, seeing the hem of it flirting with the rounded curve of her ass. Glancing at her ankle boots, she wished again they'd had them with a lower heel, but the color was such an exact match to the velvet she couldn't resist.

Gypsy slipped a large stack of gold bracelets over each hand, gathering them along her wrists before reaching for the waterfall chain necklace lying on her dresser.

"It's open," she said knowing Sophie would knock and not just walk in.

Sophie smiled seeing her niece. "Let me help you with that," she said stepping behind her to secure the gold chain necklace. "I came up to tell you everyone's already downstairs," she said quietly, checking the clasp one last time unnecessarily.

"I know you don't like this Sophie," Gypsy said turning to meet the older woman's eyes. "But I can't keep living like this, waiting for the next shoe to fall. It makes me crazy knowing everyone's lives have been turned upside down because of the crazy side of my family," she laughed, forcing a smile from the woman.

"All I need is the leather jacket I bought to match the boots," she giggled when Sophie rolled her eyes. "I can't go out not being trendy can I?"

Sophie couldn't help but smile, even though she knew the bravado was for her benefit. "I'd say it looks almost like you're planning on going out wearing tights, having forgotten the skirt to cover your behind," she sighed seeing Gypsy's long legs encased in the skin tight leggings.

"Now I'm going to go busy myself in the library while all of you leave, so I don't have to see it or know when," she said giving her niece a quick hug.

Grabbing her jacket and the matching clutch, she hesitated, taking a deep breath before walking out of her room.

Stopping at the top of the stairs she immediately saw Lucien leaning against the archway to the study. His expression one of thunderous murder, it wasn't hard to notice he was dressed all in black making the effect even more daunting.

Knowing Gypsy was there, he looked up. Shaking his head he didn't know if he should growl or laugh when he saw the body forming pants she was wearing, knowing it would send Caydn into a jealous protective rage.

Walking down the stairs she wasn't surprised when everyone began filing out of the study, waiting for her to come down.

"Okay I'm not sure if it's going to look like I'm arriving with some branch of the mafia, or my own secret service," she forced a chuckle seeing everyone all in black.

Glancing at Lucinda, she noticed she was wearing form fitting pants, show casing her long legs to the fullest. "At least I'm not going to feel out of place not dressed in a skirt that took bolts of fabric to make," she smiled when Lucinda winked at her, approving of her choice of slacks over a dress.

"When facing uncertainty, mobility's the only way to go," Lucinda laughed despite the frowns sent her way.

"We're not 'uncertain' about anything," Caydn snarled as he walked from the study. Stopping, he glared at Gypsy. "Could you've found anything more attention getting than those?" he snapped, his eyes traveling over the toned muscle accented by the outfit.

"I could've gone for gold lamiae, but I thought that'd be more for a disco gathering," she said, starting to walk past him, only to be brought up short when he grabbed her arm firmly.

She stood there meeting his eyes while they stared at one another in silence. Her mind was vacant of his; she refused to admit that disturbed her.

"I want you to remember you're not to get that fine ass of yours more than three foot from any of us, if that," he snarled through clenched teeth, his fangs showing slightly.

She could feel the tight rein he held on himself, a rush of warmth filled her, knowing it was his concern for her, causing such mental chaos.

"I take it that's your way of saying you appreciate the outfit," she chuckled when he frowned. "I remember, don't think I'm walking into this like a sacrificial lamb," she said quickly reaching out to grab his hand that had clenched into a fist.

"I want nothing more than to come back home after tonight. Then we can try and figure out how abnormal our life's going to be," she said softly, her voice fading, when his mind opened and she was swamped with his feelings for her. Her eyes filled with tears, shaking her head refusing to allow them to fall.

"This is where I want to be, and you're who I want to spend it with," she whispered, "I love you."

"Let's head out," Lucinda said stepping back into the hallway. "The hairball and his entourage have arrived," she laughed. "I think we need to seriously think about buying vehicles other than black. We are going to look like the mob arriving," she shook her head at the thought.

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Grace Cavanaugh all but accosted Gypsy, when she walked into the large banquet hall used to host the event. Pasting a smile on her face, she nodded at Caydn when he motioned to Dominic's man who would be shadowing her.

Gypsy was glad she'd chosen slacks after having spent the better part of the last hour being shuffled from one group of chattering people to another. She seriously doubted she could've handled the confines of a skirt, and keeping herself together at the pace Grace had set for them.

"I can't tell you how many requests we've had to start a premium silent auction for the dress you donated," Grace said with a laugh. "This'll be one of the best events we've had. The money will do wonders for the children's' society."

"Mrs. Cavanaugh I'm glad I could help," she forced a smile, taking a glass of flat champagne, from the waiter who'd stopped next to them. "I'm going to find Caydn and our table before the auction gets started," she said noticing the auctioneer setting up at the podium.

Breathing a sigh of relief, she escaped when a woman rushed up to grab Grace's arm. Smiling weakly at the man following her, she handed her untouched glass to the next waiter she passed on her way across the room to where Caydn and Dominic, stood talking to Cameron.

Standing beside Caydn, she listened as Dominic filled them in on people entering the large room as the auction was about to begin.

"I think Christian would benefit from discussing business with him," Dominic was saying when a slender woman appeared in front of their group.

"I should've known you'd find some way of holing up in a corner with a group of stodgy men, discussing work Dominic," she almost whined, stepping forward she laid her hand on Dominic's chest, toying with the buttons of his shirt.

"Pricilla, let me assure you, there's nothing stodgy about these men," he said sharply, stepping back to avoid contact. Grabbing her hand, he moved her back slightly. "I think I see your date looking for you. I suggest you go find him before the lights dim," he said releasing her wrist.

"But you of all people should know how well I see in the dark," she said turning with a deep rumbling purr, before walking toward the slender young man waiting a few yards away.

Gypsy shook her head, not sure if she wanted to ask or pretend she'd heard nothing.

"Was it my imagination or did she just purr?" she found herself asking before she realized it.

Cameron laughed, slapping Dominic on the back. "It looks like you're attracting even the feline branch of the species," he smiled at the tall dark haired man frowned, glancing over his shoulder to find Lucinda standing there.

"You know I've always heard when a man can't find a real woman, they always have to settle for playing with a little 'pussy'," she said glaring at Dominic before turning to smile at a man who'd been following her like a lost puppy.

"It wasn't your imagination Gypsy, I can't say if she's leopard or maybe cheetah though," Cameron said watching his daughter send her suitor off on some obscure chore for her.

Dominic almost growled, seeing Lucinda's actions also. Turning back to Gypsy he shook his head. "She's Were also, but of the feline branch obviously. I can speak from experience, felines are as fickle in Were form as they are in the domestic," he laughed seeing Lucinda spin to glare at him. "They can be fun to pet and play with but you never know when to trust their affection or motives."

"Heaven only knows when speaking of the drooling, wet smelly canine species, you'll never hear anything but disparaging remarks about those they feel are their lesser," she snapped quickly. "It amazes me you don't find those of us from the darker side to be beneath you also."

"If you're offering to take the position 'beneath me', I can assure you I won't be turning down your kind and generous offer," Dominic said, flashing a wolfish smile.

Lucien walked up, his eyes snapping fire at the verbal combatants. "We've other issues at hand other then if the two of you're going to play 'how much is that wolf in the window'," he snarled. "I wish they'd get this over with. I've not been able to find a trace of either of them and that makes me instinctively nervous," he admitted, shoving his long hair back over his shoulder.

Dominic motioned toward the large table reserved for them as the lights dimmed signaling everyone to their seats for the auction to begin.

She didn't think her face would recover from the never ending smiling she'd been doing since the auction had ended, the lights coming back up. Her dress had been the highest bid on item that evening, bringing in an astonishing sixty five thousand dollars for the charity.

Thankfully Claire and Sophie had reminded her to take some business cards, while they'd been shopping that morning. She laughed when Claire had handed her the extra stack she'd scooped up before leaving the house.

Stiffening slightly she felt the hair on the back of her neck prickle as thoughts whispered through her mind. Glancing toward Caydn she saw Lucien had stepped up beside him, having sensed it also.

"If you'll excuse us ladies," Caydn said reaching for her hand. "We've had a long day and I think with this weather we'll be heading home," he said, turning and pulling Gypsy against his side.

Taking a deep breath she met Lucinda's eyes and heard her calming words chanting in her mind. 'Casual, we have to act casual'. With a nod she looked around seeing a large group of men, almost fading into the shadows, all alert and ever watchful as they proceeded toward the door.

A few other attendees were also leaving. A heavy icy rain had begun falling, making everyone rush to get in their cars as the valets brought them to the curb. Looking around she didn't notice anyone out of the ordinary, until a small man near the edge of the parking lot caught her eye.

The man stood very still watching she and the large group carefully, his gaze never moving when another man stepped from the branches that surrounded the small area where they waited.

Caydn didn't have to turn to know exactly where they stood; he was able to see the vision through her eyes. Lucien had been right, Damone smelled overwhelmingly of death. The scent of a newly turned vampire left to rot if its own instincts of survival didn't kick in.

Gypsy looked quickly at Caydn sensing the extra voices in his mind. She sorted rapidly through his memories and found the answer. As she'd bathed and relaxed earlier in the evening they'd gathered, all sharing blood from one another creating the internal bond and link with each other.

Her attention was draw back to the men when Damone stepped forward. His eyes flashed over the group surrounding her, as if in dismissal he lifted his hand in a small flourished gesture.

Dominic stiffened, the low growl from his men increasing in volume with each step the two men took.

"My men can't see them anymore," he explained, his voice a deep growl. "They can smell them but there's no visual."

Lucien chuckled, "He's grown up enough to learn to create an aura that's shielding them from your sight," he explained. "I would've been more impressed if he'd made it complete, blocking even their scent. I seriously doubt though anything could cover the stench radiating from either of them."

Cameron noticed some of the guests hesitate when Lucien's voice boomed across the area. Pulling from within himself he enveloped the entire area within an aura, preventing those not involved to be spared the knowledge and potential trauma.

Gypsy looked from Damone to Barton, her breath caught in her throat when she saw the gaunt emaciated look of the once physically dominating man. Meeting his eyes she saw the uncontrolled ferret like movement of his pupils as if he was trying to watch everyone at the same time, his hand wiping the rain from his face every few minutes.

"It looks as if you don't treat your pets, or should I say snacks, very well do you?" Lucien said having already seen the shape Barton was in before the men had walked forward.

"Your creator really should've discussed you feeding habits it looks like," he laughed taunting the man intentionally. "You smell of disease along with rot."

Damone simply looked away from Lucien, his eyes meeting Gypsy's. "I feel as though I've been given a large compliment. So many of the strong and powerful have arrived in order to attempt to stop me," he said with a lopsided smile, wiping the foaming spittle that gathering in the corners of his mouth, absently with the back of his hand.

"I should thank you for keeping her in such fine shape for me even if you've turned her into the devils whore," he chuckled erratically, casually reaching down to rub his hand over the obvious bulge in the front of his filthy pants. "I think with some of the changes that I've made, I myself can indulge in a taste before repenting to god above for my sins. He'll understand when I hand her over as an explanation for my temptation," he babbled for a few minutes lost in the lust that filled his eyes.

"I wouldn't puff your chest out to much Damone," Gypsy said, hoping her voice sounded steadier out loud than it felt. "It happens to be the holidays. Friends and family have a tendency of spending time together. Not that you'd know much about that." She took a deep steadying breath to prevent the shudder that almost made her body convulse with the way his beady eyes were moving over her. She'd intentionally ignored his sexual comments, trying to keep his focus on his original plans.

Damone laughed loudly, grinning when he saw some of Dominic's men stiffen. "It would seem you've begun to think you're beyond my reach simply because you managed to survive the last spell," he said with a knowing smile. "But tell me dear Gabriella, how many men did it take you having to ride, before it wore off? Did you spread yourself for the entire city, begging each man to service you like the wanton whore you've become?"

Caydn growled deep in his chest, locking eyes with Damone, when he turned. "What makes you think you had enough power to even create a rash?" he laughed, his fangs revealed when he smiled.

"Your reaction first off, is enough evidence to let me know I was successful, in turning your little slut into a withering begging whore," he laughed angrily, that anyone should doubt him. "What was it like to watch all the men she begged to slam their cocks into her, as she screamed for more? Begged them to fuck her until she drained one and the next in line stepped up to repeat the performance?" he asked, spittle gathering along the corners of his mouth even more, giving him the appearance of a rapidly enraging rabid dog.

"I needed you Gabriella," Barton said, his voice weak. "When the devil took my Evelyn from me, I needed you to step up and take her place. You could've been my little girl as Evelyn had been all her life," he said his mind obviously beginning to wander, his thinning hair, plastered to his head as the rain got harder.

"With the gift you have, we could've been unstoppable. In the board room and even in the bedroom you could've made sure I was taken care of, just like your mother did. She was such a good little girl," he giggled insanely before falling silent.

Gypsy fought back the bile threatening to erupt from her stomach hearing those words. Her life had been a living hell and all of it was created and controlled by this man and his incestuous daughter, her mother.

Stepping forward she found Lucinda holding her arm tightly. "Let go of me Luc," she snapped. "It's about time someone ripped that sick black heart from him so it never touches anyone or anything again," she yelled in anger and disgust.

"There's no need for that Gabriella. I'll have no need for him once I finish off this group; he's beyond carrying how his life ends. I intend to drain him now that he's signed everything over to me to control once he's gone," Damone chuckled at her shock.

"I'd intended to possibly keep you around for my own amusement, but it's obvious you've spread yourself for this pack of devils hounds and I hadn't originally relished the thought of sloppy hundredths as the case would be," he said flippantly, seeing her cheeks flush dark red with anger.

"I've watched you grow from a young girl into an exquisite looking woman. There was a time I had thought of keeping you for myself. You see Barton gained my involvement years ago telling me of this 'gift' you possessed. I have to admit, it peaked my interest. But after seeing you during our last encounter I knew I'd have to be persuaded to stick my cock anywhere near your tainted flesh. Though seeing you now in all your whorish glory has changed my mind," Damone said licking his lips lewdly, staring at her.

"Now I am tiring of all of this, so I suggest you come with me willingly Gabriella if you care as you claim about these soulless devils. Nothing you can do will be able to stop me from destroying them, but I will make it easier and not make you have to watch as each withers and dies," he said stepping forward, his hand reaching beneath the rain soaked coat he wore, to show what appeared to be a small replica of an ancient sword.

Hearing the unified growl that arose when he drew the blade he laughed. "I see they're at least educated a small bit. If they only knew the spell that had been cast into the blade they'd be abandoning you as I speak."

Lucien chuckled, raising one brow. "You think to stand and threaten us with one small blade and the idea that you're able to be spell it into something far more powerful than we could stand?" he asked in amazement.