The attendees sparkled in ornate tiaras and arresting cufflinks, and waterfall necklaces of real pearls and diamonds. Their costumes were glamorous, dripping with gems, silk, lace, and cascading feathers. Few people wore color, most of the party-goers dressed in the customary Yule tones of gold, white, black, and silver, and it made Layla and her date stand out. As she glanced around, she saw Arron and Celia near a table with Charlie, all wearing blue to stand out also. Nearby, Luke nodded as he received a martini, dressed in a forest green and black tux that made his Irish colors stunning.
As their gazes connected, Luke’s eyes widened, and Layla halted on Dusk’s arm. Suddenly, she felt jealousy rip from Luke like a lance. It struck Layla’s shield as if driving for her heart and she gasped, feeling a spasm in her chest. Dusk stiffened and Layla felt a flow of crystal-power spike from him, slamming up between her and Luke. Staggering as if Dusk had shoved him with power, Luke’s entire body shuddered, his bloodstone pendant whirling. His breath was fast and Layla saw an intense energy spark in Luke’s eyes like a flash of lightning before it was washed away, as his cheeks flamed with embarrassment and frustration.
But Layla knew what she’d felt. Her lips fell open as she realized what was happening to Luke. Magic. Somehow, her Dragon’s attack in the fall had given Luke magic, and the bloodstone pendant was not protecting him – it was containing him. A talisman to prevent Luke from using his newly opened magic, like Layla’s Moroccan cuff had once been.
Layla’s head whirled, and Dusk glanced at her as if he knew what she was thinking. Somehow, Luke had magic now, and Dusk had known. Leading her through the throng, around couples waltzing across the silver-diamond floor, Dusk didn’t say anything, merely escorted Layla to the gilded diamond stage where the orchestra played. Even though it was early, everyone was already inebriated, and Layla felt magic press her on all sides as people laughed raucously behind silver fans.
It only increased her stunned disorientation, and as the music concluded and people began crowding the stage at Layla’s arrival, she saw the Associate Hotel Head standing on the left of the stage with the Madame. Quindici was resplendent in a white tux with gold lapels, and blinked in surprise at Layla’s crimson attire as Dusk led her over. The Vampire’s grave-cool energy followed them as they approached, his onyx eyes pinning Layla. All of a sudden, Layla could feel the echo of his kiss from earlier in his office, as if those dark eyes watching her called up the memory. She felt a press of fang at her lips and all at once her breath was higher, faster. But as they watched each other, Quindici gave only a subtle nod, then beckoned Layla and Dusk into their group with a cordial gesture of his hand.
Standing with them, Ms. Lulu Duvall lifted an eyebrow at Layla’s gown as she and Dusk arrived, but inclined her head graciously, her corkscrewing gazelle-antlers twined with golden torques set with diamonds tonight. The same graced her slim upper arms and wrists, her body with its lower gazelle-half sleek and elegantly naked as usual. But though Ms. Duvall was demure, Layla felt the penetrating notice of those fawn-brown eyes as Dusk escorted Layla up, their new Hotel Head giving Layla shivers. But her concerns were doused as Madame Etienne Voulouer – dressed in a fabulous gold zebra-striped gown with a starched lace collar and an old Hollywood tiara – beamed at Layla and opened her arms.
“Layla! You are radiant, darling!” Gathering Layla in and kissing both her cheeks, the Madame squeezed Layla’s hands with a reassuring smile. Quiet enough to not be overheard, she whispered at Layla’s ear next, “Have no fear. Your friends are here for you.”
As Madame Voulouer stepped back, Layla blinked, wondering what in blazes was going to happen as she watched people push closer for the auction. White and gold auction paddles with crimson numbers were in numerous hands, but as Dusk smoothed his fingers over hers, giving a calming rumble, Layla understood he somehow had everything in hand – and the Madame was in on it.
As her gaze passed over people at the front, seeing familiar faces, Layla’s tension eased further. Standing right before the stage was the teensy bee-fae Head Clothier Amalia DuFane, dressed in an ornate gown of black lace made of woven filaments. Beaming at Layla, she gave a buzzing wave with her paddle. Head Bartender and interim Head Courtier Rake André was with her, his yoga-lean body dressed in a sleek suit of Tibetan tan and gold silk tonight. Rake gave Layla a pleased smile from his beautiful green eyes, and even from a distance she felt his calming breath ease into her lips from his slow, meditative exhalation. Standing with Rake and Amalia, the stout old Fumerole Clan First Valdo Chermour sipped a martini, dressed in a classic black tux to complement his scaly brick-red skin. Built like a squat boulder, Valdo raised his martini, grinning and emitting a voluminous laugh as Layla’s glance found him.
Relief filled Layla, and glancing around, she saw more welcome faces – like the startlingly sexy Rhennic Erdhelm standing with Rikyava and her uncle King Huttr Erdhelm. The enormous Viking King of the Blood Dragons with his dragon-shaven mane of a mohawk was dressed in his usual black tux with a massive white polar bear pelt chained around his shoulders. Standing beside him was Rikyava, dressed in a luminous silver gown that showed off the most of her buxom Swedish curves and long blonde hair.
But dressed in a white tux with a storm-blue sash slung over it, Rhennic had medals of valor clipped to his breast tonight. His bright blond hair was gladiator-cut, his short beard neat. Strong and towering like his father but elegantly trim, Rhennic looked far more stunning than when Layla had met him before. As he caught her looking, he gave a lift of one straight blond eyebrow, his vivid lavender eyes arresting her. A storm wind flavored with heather and lavender caressed her and Rhennic laughed in his musical baritone; a subtle, sexy sound that shivered Layla all the way across the hall.
Just the same as when he had once mate-tasted her.
But even as Layla’s Dragon came to eager attention inside her to be touched by Rhennic’s power again, Layla spied Luke and her housemates standing beside Rikyava. Holding paddles, they all cheered drunkenly, except Luke. Layla could feel the daggers of Luke’s new magic seeking her as his emerald eyes burned with fury. She shivered and Dusk smoothed his hand over hers. Layla felt Dusk firm his barrier between her and her ex – Luke’s sudden ability to wield magic a mystery to be dealt with some other night.
But there was no more time to scan the crowd as the Madame took center stage. Giving Layla’s hand a squeeze with a tight smile, Dusk didn’t kiss Layla as he took his leave, only held her with his suddenly pained eyes. Layla could only imagine what he was feeling, having his woman be auctioned off right in front of him tonight. Spotlights were cast down upon Layla and the Madame as a round of clapping began – which the Madame indulged like old Hollywood royalty, raising her hands until the clapping eased.
“Friends!” Madame Voulouer called out in her purring alto. “Welcome to the Red Letter Hotel Paris’ annual Yule Ball! Tonight, we bear witness to a very special event – a new Courtesan to induct into our ranks! Though such a thing is rare, tonight’s debut is far more rare than most. Tonight, we introduce a young woman who has not only been a Concierge here, but is the only Partner our dear Head Courtier Reginald Durant has taken in the past fifty years! In addition, she hails from a nearly extinct Lineage, the famed Royal Dragon Binds. Please allow me to introduce to you our very own, our dear and beloved, Ms. Layla Price!”
Thunderous applause surged through the crowd. As Layla sank into the proper curtsey in the scorching spotlights, she heard her human friends cheer like they were at a UW football game. It made her smile as she stood tall, as elegantly as Reginald had drilled into her these past months. As the applause quieted, the Madame commenced with a dossier of Layla’s life – how she’d been raised human, how her magic had only opened recently. How she’d become a Concierge and how she was becoming a strong Bind, training not only in the bedroom arts but also the martial ones. All of Layla’s positive qualities were lauded, and none of her tense escapades these past months were mentioned.
When the dossier was finished, the Madame concluded with, “Now, ladies and gentlemen of the Twilight Realm and Human world, we open the bidding for Ms. Price’s debut Assignation. Because of her Lineage’s rarity and her status as our Head Courtier’s only protégé this past fifty years, we shall open the bidding at one million human Euros. Let the auction begin.”
With another wave of applause, the auction suddenly opened. The Madame stepped aside for an auctioneer, a tall man in a classic black tux with russet feathers cresting from his head. Clutching an old-fashioned silver microphone in his taloned hand, he spoke into it rapidly with a chirruping speech – and paddles were suddenly flashing in the crowd.
Layla’s heart raced as a spike of adrenaline surged through her that the auction was finally happening. As bids began, she saw old Valdo flag the auctioneer right away, a darkly competitive glint in the Fumarole’s eyes. Others flashed paddles; Dusk at the front with Amalia and Rake, Rikyava’s cousin Rhennic flashing his paddle with a sexy smile. Arron and Celia, then Luke. Quindici DaPonti flashed his paddle with dark calm, the savvy businessman driving up the price for the Hotel’s benefit, Layla was almost certain.
And then Ms. Lulu Duvall.
Layla blinked at that one, and Dusk glowered at the French Faunus as Layla heard the auctioneer sayten million Euros.More paddles flashed in the hands of strangers, and suddenly the auctioneer was sayingtwenty million Euros.Layla let out a breath, steadying herself. Reginald had prepared her for this, but all the same the bidding was shocking. Valdo Chermour flashed his paddle again and so did Rhennic, the two sharing a cordially competitive lift of drinks. Amalia, then Rake. Layla’s human friends had dropped out of the race now, watching with eager eyes, though Luke glowered. Quindici raised his paddle again and Dusk was fast on his heels, his sapphire eyes murderous.
Thirty million Euros.Layla drew deep breaths, trying to not lock her knees and faint under the lights, or let her magic surge at the tension in the ballroom. For it was tense, many lesser players now dropped out of the race with shakes of their heads, the bidding down to a few key hotshots. Valdo flashed his paddle again, but with a wry laugh, Rhennic Erdhelm gave up, saluting Valdo with his drink and giving an apologetic smile to Layla. Quindici was not done, nor was Lulu Duvall. Dusk raised his paddle once more, but beside him, Amalia gave up with a buzzing laugh and so did Rake.
Suddenly, Layla realized it was down to four. The auctioneer returned to Valdo, who raised his paddle with a fierce nod. Quindici was next, though Lulu Duvall finally bowed out with a gracious shake of her antlers, and something inside Layla breathed in relief. Dusk grit his teeth, but waved his paddle again.
The bidding kept on until Layla heardfifty million Euros.As the auctioneer came around to Quindici again, he was suddenly out. With a tight smile that flashed fang, he bowed elegantly to Layla. Layla had thought the business-savvy Vampire had just been in to earn the Hotel more money, but as he put his paddle aside, she saw a subtly furious look in his onyx eyes. Quindici had actually wanted to win Layla tonight, but his business sensibilities outweighed his passions, and he wasn’t about to bid more than he could afford.
But Dusk and Valdo would, and Layla watched them now. They were technically friends; it had been Dusk who’d introduced Layla to the old Fumarole when she had begun as a Concierge. But as the bidding drove up past seventy million, Dusk and Valdo scowling at each other with a dark fury, Layla felt rumbles issuing from both of them, shuddering the chandeliers in the hall. Crystal Dragons and Fumeroles were famous for causing earthquakes with their magic, and Layla was suddenly concerned their bidding war was going to cause an actual eruption between them.
But as the bidding hit one hundred million Euros, Dusk suddenly looked bleak. He glanced to Layla, a horrible loss in his sapphire eyes. As if the auction had reached in and ripped out his heart, he hitched a hard breath and set his paddle aside on a table. Holding Layla’s gaze with a wretched agony, he shook his head.
Dusk was out.
The auctioneer glanced to Valdo. With a dark grin, the old Fumarole flashed his paddle.
One hundred million Euros.
CHAPTER 5 – RUMI
