“Claude,” a voice says.
He seemed so immune to the earlier whispers and stares, but Claude snaps to sudden attention—his head up, his spine straight. He rises to his feet and turns slowly toward the source.
Benjamin is approaching us with an unfamiliar vampire at his side. It’s the stranger that Claude’s attention is instantly focused on—a tall man with tousled brown waves falling to his broad shoulders. He wears a classic black suit with only a single adornment: a golden snake pinned to his lapel. His face is smooth, expressionless, but when his green eyes flick to mine, it feels as though I’ve been plunged into ice water.
I only breathe when they shift away from me. My throat still feels tight, my heart thumping rapidly. I look at Benjamin, who I realize is standing behind the man instead of directly at his side, with his gaze lowered to the floor. And then to Claude, who still hasn’t moved since this vampire said his name.
“Sire,” Claude murmurs, lowering his head.
“You’re making a spectacle of yourself,” the man says. He flicks his wrist. “Go.”
Claude leaves without a glance back at me, his head still lowered.
My stomach swoops as the man’s attention returns to me. It isn’t the same fluttering feeling that Claude gave me, but an unpleasant, deep twist. His gaze pins me as he moves closer, and I weave my fingers together behind my back to prevent them from trembling.
Benjamin stands beside him, hands clasped behind his back. “Nora. I’d like to introduce you to Lord Ambrose de Vulpe. He sought me out to inquire about your blood.”
I steal a sideways glance at Benjamin. His posture is stiff.He sought me out, he specified. He isn’t giving me an option like he did with Claude, even though he knows of my aversion to the Vulpe court.
The warning is clear: this man is dangerous.
Chapter Eight
Iforce a tight smile, staring at Ambrose’s cheek to give the appearance of politeness without having to look into those eerie eyes. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lord Ambrose.”
“The pleasure is mine,” he says. He takes my hand and lifts it to his mouth. The kiss he grazes against my knuckle is gentle, but his grip is hard enough to hurt. “I heard my wayward fledgling was causing trouble for you.”
Right. Claude called himsire.Benjamin told me that Claude is older and stronger than he appears, and this is the man who created him. If Claude is one hundred and fifty, then… the mere idea of how old Ambrose must be makes me feel lightheaded. “Oh, he wasn’t causing trouble,” I say, my voice trembling. “We were just joking around.”
“Curious.” Ambrose lowers my hand from his lips but doesn’t release it. “Claude is not often prone to humor.”
I’m not sure how to respond, so I say nothing.
“Nor does he often take such an interest in humans,” Ambrose continues after a moment. He’s still holding my hand too tightly; I swear I can feel my bones grind together. “He used to dabble in romantic follies, but it has been a long while. I confess I am curious about why you caught his eye. I had to havea look for myself.” He smiles, a glint of fang. “Or should I say, a taste?”
There’s only one answer I can possibly give. I hold out my free hand to Benjamin, and he delivers my blood card. I present it to Ambrose, smiling silently because I’m afraid that a quake in my voice will betray me.
After a cursory glance at my tasting notes, he signs his name under my next slot. He hands the fan to Benjamin rather than returning it to me, and then grabs my hand without waiting for me to offer. His fingers are shockingly cold and strong as they encircle my wrist. He pulls me to a seat on a nearby couch.
“May I?” he asks, as if he isn’t already holding me in a viselike grip. His expression is smooth, his posture casual; it doesn’t seem like he’s intending to hurt me, but rather that he’s oblivious to the fact he might be. Such strength paired with such indifference strikes instinctive terror deep within me.
But I swallow it down, even as my heart thuds in my ears. I resist the urge to look at Benjamin or otherwise falter. Ambrose has already signed my card; asking is just a courtesy, and I don’t want to cause a scene or a scandal by backing out for no reason. It’s just a bite, and my past ones have been quite pleasant. Surely this can’t be too bad, even though something about this vampire sets my teeth on edge.
“Of course,” I say through a fake smile.
His fangs sink into me not a half second later, and I bite my lip to suppress a yelp. Ithurtsin a way other bites haven’t, and there’s an uncomfortable pulling sensation that makes me feel dizzy. It doesn’t last long, but as he pulls away, it leaves me lightheaded.
“Mm.” Ambrose licks his lips, looking thoughtful, and shrugs. “Not as sweet as I prefer.” He directs the words at Benjamin instead of me. “I must admit I don’t see what the fuss is about.”
Benjamin smiles stiffly. “We all have our tastes.”
Ambrose walks away without another word, leaving me bleeding on the chaise. Teeth gritted, I press my hand to the wound until Benjamin sits beside me and heals it with a touch of his blood. But even as the puncture marks on my wrist seal, bruises darken around them where Ambrose’s fingers gripped me.
“Are you alright?” Benjamin asks.
I nod. “It was… unpleasant, but I’m fine.” I brush hair out of my face and let out a breath, then look up at Benjamin. “What in the world just happened?”
He’s watching the crowd where Ambrose disappeared, his brows pulled together in a troubled expression. “I’m not certain,” he says. “But I’m quite sure we don’t want to end up involved in whatever it is.” He looks back at me. “At least it seems to have gotten rid of your unwanted suitor.”
