I glance around the bar. People are dancing, blood dancers plying their trade. It’s dark, and the air smells of violets and perfume. ‘I see people having a good time. And I don’t know what your problem is.’
‘Peoplehaving a good time? Or just vampires?’
I look around again. A woman is pressed against one wall, a vampire drinking from her throat. Her eyes are wide, staring at the ceiling, even as she caresses his back. A young man, clad only in tight black trousers, is bent back over a table. Stella and several of her friends are feeding from him at the same time, along his outstretched arms, another girl bent over his stomach, giggling, her mouth red with blood. He’s not laughing.
There are also a lot of Ravenna guards, stationed around the perimeter of the room.
‘Do you see?’ Kyle’s voice is close to my ear.
‘But they’re?—’
‘They’re what?’ I swear his lips touch my ear, shivers running down my spine. Stella glances over and smirks, nudging her friend. I glare at her. I’ve heard about her exploits, what she does with her guards. She has no call to judge me.
‘No one would dare try anything while I’m here,’ I say, sounding more confident than I feel. ‘The guards would take them out instantly. It’s why there are so many here.’ But I’m aware, all of a sudden, of the world beyond, a vast unknown darkness. My parents’ realm. I long for the light.
‘Get over yourself. Nobody knows who you are, except for those pampered idiots over there. No, the guards are here because it’s almost Halloween.’
Get over myself?I pull away, folding my arms. ‘Fine. Tell me what’s so significant about Halloween.’
‘It’s a sensitive time for humans.’
‘Because…?’
‘It’s the anniversary of the Red Rising.’
Well, yeah. That’s another reason we like to celebrate Halloween. I don’t get the connection, though.
‘So, there’s always the chance they might try something,’ he says.
‘Humansmight?’ He must be joking. I know how weak we are.
‘Yeah.’ A line appears between his dark brows. ‘So there are extra guards, just in case.’
‘In case of a… human uprising.’ I find this difficult to believe. ‘Are you messing with me?’ He has to be, surely.
‘I swear on moon and darkness, I’m not.’ He’s still frowning, though. ‘Look around, Emelia. Why is it so hard to believe that humans might not be happy?’
‘But it’s just?—’
‘How things are? Is that what you were about to say?’ His voice is hard, his expression tight. I don’t know why he’s so angry. He’s being completely ridiculous. I don’t know what else to say, though, so I watch the room instead, the ebb and flow of the crowd.
After a few minutes, Kyle speaks again. ‘So, I guess we should dance again. Or something.’ He sounds about as enthusiastic as I feel. All at once I’m tired of it, of him, of the evening, the way it’s anything but a good time. I’m sick of feeling like a burden, somebody else’s problem. It’s exactly why I don’t want to be Raven, and why I’m planning to run away. And I’m sick of Kyle’s attitude.
I finish my wine, putting the glass down. ‘Why don’t you like me?’
‘Why don’t you like me?’
God and darkness, he is the most irritating person I have ever met. I hold back my temper, with an effort. ‘I asked you first. And you’ve been rude to me since we met.’
He shrugs. ‘I never said I don’t likeyou. I don’t like what you stand for, though.’
‘Oh, and what’s?—’
‘Here’s a fresh one.’ A hand grabs my arm, a voice harsh in my ear. Before I can protest I’m pulled into an iron embrace, cool breath on my neck. Then, just as suddenly, I’m free, spinning across the room. ‘Anti-feed! Hey, what sort of establishment is th?—’
There’s a crash. Kyle’s hand is around another vampire’s throat, slamming him into a table. People are turning to look, and I realise I’m alone in the middle of the dance floor. My heart is pounding. Someone, probably Stella, laughs. Heat rises in my neck, my cheeks.
‘Keep your hands to yourself. She is not for feeding!’ Kyle sounds furious. I’m furious too. Howdaresomeone lay hands on me. I step forward but Kyle motions me back with his free arm.
