always be a fashion model,” Jenny said.
“I’m not sure my heart would be in it. I’ve never really been interested in fashion.”
“Are you still planning to audition for the showcase?” Deborah asked.
“I-I don’t know.”
Until Deborah reminded Tori of the showcase, she’d forgotten about it. If she decided to audition, it would have to be without Raven. I should tell him so he has time to get himself another scene partner.
“Deborah and I would have liked to try out, but our classes with SBT will overlap rehearsals,” Jenny said.
Deborah shot Jenny a quelling look, but Tori shook her head. “Please don’t think you have to walk on eggshells around me. I’m looking forward to hearing what it’s like to take class with the company.”
“I’m a little nervous, to be honest,” Jenny said.
“I would be too,” Tori said. “You’ll be dancing with the best of the best. It’s bound to be scary and exhilarating at the same time.”
“Kirstin said she’s been so anxious about it, she stopped eating,” Jenny said.
“That was last week,” Deborah said. “Yesterday, she told me her appetite had returned.”
Tori remembered Raven had killed Kirstin’s imp last week. “Maybe she got rid of whatever’s been bothering her.”
After school, Misty and Tori drove to an exclusive beauty salon in Beverly Hills. Although they were invisible to everyone else but Tori, packs of demons and imps were roaming the palm tree-lined streets. Helpless to do anything, she was obliged to avert her eyes. Her fingers itched to slay a few nevertheless.
“I love shopping in Beverly Hills,” Misty said. “It’s so glamorous.”
Tori had no intention of enlightening her foster mother about the occult denizens of the city. “There’s so much to see, I don’t even know where to look first.”
Inside the salon, she didn’t even flinch when the stylist lopped off nearly a foot of her hair. While Misty got a mani-pedi, Tori had highlights applied. As the stylist was blowing out her locks, he gave her a wink. “You walked in here a junior librarian, and now you’re looking like a cover girl. All your friends will be so envious, they’ll ask for my name!”
As she gazed at her reflection afterward, Tori was pleased with her new look. Misty had been right; she’d needed a change. The style fell just below the shoulders, and her hair’s natural curl gave it movement. Blond highlights lent subtle interest to her chestnut hair, and the layers framed her face beautifully.
To celebrate, Misty took her to a nearby boutique and bought her several new dresses with coordinating shoes. As the saleswoman rang up the purchases, Tori took Misty aside.
“Are you sure about this? I can’t afford to pay you back for a long time.”
“Consider it a gift, then. Or an early birthday present, if you like. I’m getting on in years, and who else do I have to spend money on except for myself?”
Tori gave the woman a hug. “Please tell me what I can do for you.”
Misty laughed. “When the time is right, I’ll think of something.”
Laden with shopping bags, Tori and her foster mother headed for the valet station. After Misty handed the uniformed valet her ticket, a sharp jolt from an earthquake nearly sent the older woman tumbling to the ground. The valet managed to steady her, fortunately, even as the tremor continued. Pedestrians stopped short in their high heels and business casual loafers, waiting for the vibrations to pass. Some people laughed, nervously, and others gasped with fear. The drivers inching past in the street didn’t seem to notice anything was amiss.
When the tremor subsided, the valet darted off to collect Misty’s car. As Tori glanced around, she was puzzled. The demon populace was reacting to the earthquake with unbridled euphoria. Lips pulled back over fangs in hideous smiles, and mocking laughter echoed in her ears. Their malicious exultation frightened her far more than the temblor had.
“I’m not sure my heart would be in it. I’ve never really been interested in fashion.”
“Are you still planning to audition for the showcase?” Deborah asked.
“I-I don’t know.”
Until Deborah reminded Tori of the showcase, she’d forgotten about it. If she decided to audition, it would have to be without Raven. I should tell him so he has time to get himself another scene partner.
“Deborah and I would have liked to try out, but our classes with SBT will overlap rehearsals,” Jenny said.
Deborah shot Jenny a quelling look, but Tori shook her head. “Please don’t think you have to walk on eggshells around me. I’m looking forward to hearing what it’s like to take class with the company.”
“I’m a little nervous, to be honest,” Jenny said.
“I would be too,” Tori said. “You’ll be dancing with the best of the best. It’s bound to be scary and exhilarating at the same time.”
“Kirstin said she’s been so anxious about it, she stopped eating,” Jenny said.
“That was last week,” Deborah said. “Yesterday, she told me her appetite had returned.”
Tori remembered Raven had killed Kirstin’s imp last week. “Maybe she got rid of whatever’s been bothering her.”
After school, Misty and Tori drove to an exclusive beauty salon in Beverly Hills. Although they were invisible to everyone else but Tori, packs of demons and imps were roaming the palm tree-lined streets. Helpless to do anything, she was obliged to avert her eyes. Her fingers itched to slay a few nevertheless.
“I love shopping in Beverly Hills,” Misty said. “It’s so glamorous.”
Tori had no intention of enlightening her foster mother about the occult denizens of the city. “There’s so much to see, I don’t even know where to look first.”
Inside the salon, she didn’t even flinch when the stylist lopped off nearly a foot of her hair. While Misty got a mani-pedi, Tori had highlights applied. As the stylist was blowing out her locks, he gave her a wink. “You walked in here a junior librarian, and now you’re looking like a cover girl. All your friends will be so envious, they’ll ask for my name!”
As she gazed at her reflection afterward, Tori was pleased with her new look. Misty had been right; she’d needed a change. The style fell just below the shoulders, and her hair’s natural curl gave it movement. Blond highlights lent subtle interest to her chestnut hair, and the layers framed her face beautifully.
To celebrate, Misty took her to a nearby boutique and bought her several new dresses with coordinating shoes. As the saleswoman rang up the purchases, Tori took Misty aside.
“Are you sure about this? I can’t afford to pay you back for a long time.”
“Consider it a gift, then. Or an early birthday present, if you like. I’m getting on in years, and who else do I have to spend money on except for myself?”
Tori gave the woman a hug. “Please tell me what I can do for you.”
Misty laughed. “When the time is right, I’ll think of something.”
Laden with shopping bags, Tori and her foster mother headed for the valet station. After Misty handed the uniformed valet her ticket, a sharp jolt from an earthquake nearly sent the older woman tumbling to the ground. The valet managed to steady her, fortunately, even as the tremor continued. Pedestrians stopped short in their high heels and business casual loafers, waiting for the vibrations to pass. Some people laughed, nervously, and others gasped with fear. The drivers inching past in the street didn’t seem to notice anything was amiss.
When the tremor subsided, the valet darted off to collect Misty’s car. As Tori glanced around, she was puzzled. The demon populace was reacting to the earthquake with unbridled euphoria. Lips pulled back over fangs in hideous smiles, and mocking laughter echoed in her ears. Their malicious exultation frightened her far more than the temblor had.
Similar Books
