Cyprian smiles back, his teeth glittering in the candlelight. “Please, allow me to escort you.”
I swallow as I take his hand, silently thankful for my elbow-length gloves because I don’t think my palms have ever been this sweaty.
He pulls me effortlessly into the crowd, weaving and skirting past the couples who are deeply captivated by the enchanting music. My head begins to swim and the marble floor no longer feels solid beneath my feet. It feels like I’m wading through cotton candy. Nothing feels creepy anymore; the ambience feels soft and light. Like I could float away without a care in the world. A bubble of laughter climbs up my chest as I stumble a little.
We’re in front of the champagne in the blink of an eye. Cyprian grabs a flute filled with fizzy golden liquid from the table and hands it to me, watching my every move like a viper waiting to strike.
“I must admit, your presence has piqued the curiosity of our people. But after your… dazzling performance with my son earlier today, I no longer wonder why Knox has decided to break his vow for you.”
I should feel embarrassed or annoyed at his comment, but I just laugh and sip more champagne. Any decent witty comeback I might have is trapped behind the fluffy clouds in my mind. It doesn’t even hurt to think about how Knox is obsessed with me only because of this damn bond. Everything is muted. Everything except joy, like the way it feels to cuddle a puppy.
When was the last time I hadn’t felt so weighed down, either by the lifelong burden of avenging my mother, or from being fated to a vampire? Is this what regular people experience?
My cheeks ache from smiling, but I can’t drop my expression. I don’t think I like being so out of control, but I can see whyeveryone here makes a conscious choice to go along with it. It’s just easier to give in.
“Speaking of your son, where is Knox?” I finally manage to ask.
“Ah, the guest of honor finally graces us with her presence.”
Damon’s voice is like a cold bucket of water as my body screams “stranger danger.” The mental fog finally lifts, and everything negative I’ve ever felt comes crashing down like an anvil.
Well, it was nice while it lasted.
Raised voices drift over the crowd towards me and the familiar pull of the bond ignites deep in my chest. I relax, knowing that Knox is here, knowing he’s close. My attention drifts from Damon, still waiting for an answer, to search over the heads of the crowd. Near the stairs, I spot Knox and Blondie exchanging harsh words, neither of them wearing a mask. My feet move on their own, leading me away from Cyprian and Damon. Partygoers dance and twirl around me. Between the swirl of sequins and lace, I see Knox pinch the bridge of his nose in frustration as Celeste reaches out and places a delicate hand on his shoulder.
“You need to find me an answer. Make it a priority,” Knox says. I’m close enough to hear them without revealing myself, so I stop moving and watch. The bond focuses on Celeste’s hand; it doesn’t like her touching him with such familiarity.
“I can’t do anything until we’re back underground,” she replies. “Resources here are limited, so you need to be patient.” The bond doesn’t like that either. More secrets, more lies.
“They are a funny pair, those two.” Damon’s breath hot against my ear makes me jump. Any other time, I would have turned around and punched him in the face for startling me. Police training at its finest. But now? I feel like I’m glued to the floor, my eyes trained on Knox and Celeste, watching and waiting for something to happen between the two of them. For Knox tofinally show me his true self and make me look like the biggest idiot in here.
“They were passionate lovers once; I even thought they might have been mates at one point,” Damon muses.
My spine stiffens as images of Knox and Celeste entangled together float through my mind.
“Isn’t it interesting that the moment you walk in and he’s no longer a tormented, pampered prince, she takes a renewed interest in his feelings?”
Poison. Damon’s words feel like poison taking root as rage starts to boil my blood. I know he’s baiting me, wanting me to cause a scene or admit that…No. I can’t reveal anything that might lead him to discover the truth about me and Knox. That something other than physical attraction binds us together. It takes all of my strength, but I finally peel my focus away from Knox and Celeste and give Damon my full attention.
I don’t bother to hide my eyeroll. Of course he’s dressed as a peacock. Long tail feathers fan out beautifully and every blue and gold thread twinkles in the dim lighting. I’d admire the costume and the effort it must have taken to make itifit was on anyone other thanhim. I school my face into boredom as I look him up and down.
“Can I help you with something?” I quip, taking a big gulp of champagne and turning my attention back to the crowd. Damon’s eyes narrow. I don’t have to be a genius to understand he’s desperately trying to figure me out, to see if his petty little comments have gotten under my skin. Then his face switches, quicker than a blink, into the cocky vampire I’m used to seeing.
“So feisty tonight, Danni. Like Cyprian said, we’re all simply… curious about you.” He gestures to the room with his glass in hand. I notice he’s not drinking champagne like everyone else. His flute is almost filled to the brim with blood. A soberingreminder of why I’m here and what I came to do… and that I’m here also as a captive.
“You’re mistaken if you think I could ever begin to understand my master’s thoughts and feelings. Despite what everyone here thinks, it’s not that deep. He chose me as his Familiar. That’s all there is to it. Shouldn’t you all be bending the knee and kissing my feet for saving the magic around here?”
I don’t know where my little speech comes from. Liquid courage from the alcohol and the lasting effects of the magical lullaby, maybe?
Having heard my rant, Cyprian bursts into laughter as he approaches us, and Damon stiffens at his presence. I smirk, not bothering to hide my pleasure at the fact that I’m winning over Knox’s dad so easily. At least one of my conquests this evening is going according to plan. Perhaps if I push a little more, Cyprian might be more open to giving me information. Hope bubbles in my chest at the sound of his deep laughter. He could be a good ally.
“Cyprian, I believe you owe me a dance,” I chime, offering him a broad smile, which he laps up like an old dog that hasn’t been given a belly rub in a while.
Without a backwards glance at Damon, I follow him into the swarms of people.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not sure I know the steps,” I mutter to him nervously.
“Don’t worry, just follow my lead.”
