“Because I told the rest of the monster mafia I’d dealt with the rogue vampire in our midst.”
“But you didn’t.”
“He is my brother.” I feel the muscle jumping in my jaw which it hasn’t for years, decades even. “My options were limited as to how I could manage him.”
Attila makes himself scarce, and I lead Lucy through to one of the quieter galleries. At least here I can see all the exits.
Lucy says nothing, only moves between the cases within the room, looking at the artefacts. I tap my toe on the ground, wishing for the information only Attila can get and needing this evening to be over.
Despite how beautiful my consort looks and the admiring glances she has been receiving, this is not a place I want tolinger. Damek must have a reason for breaking our pact so swiftly, and until I know what it is, I want Lucy safe.
Not that I’m going to risk telling her. I doubt my stakey little female is going to accept she needs shielding from Damek and his progeny.
Lucy has been stood next to a display case for some time, and as I can see the reception is still filling up, I make my way over to her, wrapping my arm around her waist.
“Something caught your eye,galambom?”
“What is this?” She is gazing into the case at a bejeweled cross, the sight of which sends chills through me.
“It is exactly what you think it is,” I respond.
Lucy looks at me. “Not the cross, vampire. I know those are mere irritants. I mean the item next to it.”
I turn my gaze to the gold ankh adjacent to the cross. It is enameled in the style of the Egyptian kings, but it is not Egyptian. What radiates from it is something different, something from beyond the veil. It is much, much older than mankind.
“I’m not sure.”
“I need it,” she says. “I don’t know why, but I do.”
She lifts up her skirt and delves underneath, pulling out a small pouch and emptying out a set of lock picks.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going to take it.”
I am impressed with her criminality, although I expect it’s something she was taught long ago. In no time, the case is open, and she’s reaching for the ankh.
“Wait.” I grab hold of her wrist. “Let me.”
I reach down past her and gently lift the ankh. My cold flesh ensures no heat is registered within the cabinet to set off the alarms.
“You’ve done this before.” She grins at me, her cheeks slightly flushed.
“I can assure you, I have never needed to steal anything before. I’ve always had the funds to buy it,” I respond, swiftly closing the case and handing her the ankh which she secretes under her dress along with the lock picking equipment.
Something I’m going to have to discuss with her later…
“What?” she asks as she straightens up and one of the gallery guides walks into the room.
Lucy sashays past me, her skirts swishing.
“Do you always go equipped?” I ask, feeling my pants tighten, and in this evening wear, it’s going to be one hundred percent noticeable.
“I said I couldn’t get a stake in this dress. I never said I couldn’t get anything else,” she replies as she reaches the doorway through into the main reception.
Her eyes twinkle in the dim lights, a smile plays over her red lips, and my mark stands out on her neck like a sign to everyone.
Lucy is beautiful, deadly to vampires, and she is mine.
