‘Reassigned?’ I don’t care if Mistral ordered it. I thought he was my personal guard.
‘Just something that needed sorting out.’ He moves closer. ‘I missed you,’ he says, his voice lower.
I stare at him. It’s as though the entire ballroom is revolving around us, like we’re at the eye of the storm. ‘I’m glad you’re back.’
He moves closer again, so I have to lift my chin to look at him. It feels like electricity sparks between us. If he touches me… Somebody bumps into me and I blink.
Kyle’s eyes widen and he steps back. ‘Can I get you anything, my lady?’ His hands are clasped behind his back, but there’s a gleam in his eye.
‘Actually, I was just about to go back to my room.’
He raises an eyebrow. ‘Shall I escort you?’
I nod, finding it hard to breathe. ‘Yes. I just need to let my parents know I’m leaving.’
He steps aside, though he’s still close enough I have to brush against him as I walk past. I spot my mother, dancing with my father, and make a beeline for them. I touch my mother’s arm. She turns, pulling my father to a stop.
‘Um, I’m tired and it’s almost dawn, so I might go to my room. I’ll come back down later, if that’s all right?’
My mother’s cheeks are flushed, her onyx eyes sparkling. My father looks well, too, colour on his high cheekbones. Good. They’ve been drinking.
‘Of course,’ my mother says. ‘Off you go.’ She caresses my cheek, languorous and smiling.
‘Take care of her,’ my father says, nodding to Kyle, who is just behind me. I daren’t look at him.
‘Good evening.’ I curtsey to them both then leave the ballroom, taking the quickest route possible through the crowd, leaving the glitter and blood behind. The straps of my sandals are cutting into my feet, and I can’t wait to take them off. I can’t wait to be alone with Kyle, either. He follows me, two paces behind as we pass beneath the gleaming Halloween tree, lights swaying gently. The silk of my skirt slides against my legs, my cheeks heating up as we ascend the stairs. Upstairs, the hallway is dark and deserted. I stop. There’s a bench against the wall, padded silk and carved wood. I sit down.
Kyle stops too. ‘Are we still going to your room?’
I blush at how that sounds. ‘Just a sec,’ I wave my hand. ‘I need to take off these damn shoes.’
He laughs. I take one off, kicking it under the bench.
There’s a burst of laughter and two guests emerge from the room opposite, a blood dancer between them, her wrist to the mouth of the male vampire. All three glitter like fireflies in the dark. ‘Oops, sorry!’ the female vampire giggles. ‘Don’t let us stop you.’
‘Raven have the best dancers,’ says the male, removing his mouth from the girl’s wrist. His lips gleam dark with her blood. ‘Don’t know what they put in them to make them taste so damn delicious. She looks a real treat, young man, you enjoy,’ he goes on, clapping Kyle on the shoulder. ‘Make the most of Halloween.’
All three laugh again, their heads going back. They disappear down the hallway, the blood dancer stumbling. My mouth has dropped open. The club was one thing, but this… I’ve been dancing all night, been talking to my parents, making the rounds. I am literally wearing the Raven crest, in diamonds. Anyone with eyes should know who I am, surely?
‘What the fuck? I’m in my own house and they think?—’
‘Don’t worry about them.’ Kyle slants his silver gaze my way. He’s leaning against the wall, his arms folded. I try not to stare at the muscles visible through his guard’s uniform, the lean hips, the long legs. ‘Idiots, obviously. And drunk. I reckon that dancer had something extra added.’
‘But my parents don’t?—’
‘Your parents might not. Your guests are another matter. It’s easy to do.’ He comes closer, bending as though to sit next to me. I gaze up at him, my mouth dry with anticipation.
Then he straightens, standing to attention. Another vampire appears, his shirt collar undone, bowtie hanging loose. There are a couple of blood spots on his shirt. I guess he’s been feeding as well. What the hell is with all these people wandering about up here? ‘The ballroom this way?’ he slurs.
‘Er, yes, sir. To the end of the hallway, then down the stairs and left. You can’t miss it.’ Kyle holds out his hand. With a burst of speed, the vampire flashes along the hallway.
I bend to take off my other shoe. The buckle is stiff and I struggle with it for a second, until it comes open.
And the sharp metal slices the pad of my thumb, drawing blood.
Shit.
Kyle’s head turns, silver eyes wide. ‘Emelia?’
