“A little. But they’re like vampires, I suppose. They look like animals, but they’re something unnatural.”
I stiffened, heart stuttering. “Vampires are animals to you?”
Maxwell shrugged as we entered the parlor and claimed a sofa at the back of the room. “Not quite. But they’re a far cry from human.”
“I’d much rather hunt down vampires,” Ambrose said, toothy grin widening. “That would be some real sport.”
“They used to be human once,” I pointed out, shifting in my seat. I didn’t know why I cared what they thought of vampires. Most humans hated my kind. We were their boogeymen. Yet I couldn’t help but take their outlooks personally. “Doesn’t that bother you? They could have been your neighbors.”
“Whatever part of them were our neighbors departed their bodies long ago. Now, they are only inhabited by demons.”
“You don’t believe they think like humans?”
Ambrose blinked, leaning back to run his hands over the drapes that grazed his chair. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe. But they aren’t. They have the memories of humans perhaps, but they have no souls. They act like us to prey upon us. They wear our bodies like one would wear a coat.”
I thought of how I used to simulate breathing to blend in better with humans. I had been so cold and emotionless, feeling little regret after killing. Was that because my soul had vacated my body? Had it been restored by Vrykolakas when I’d become human? Was that the difference between us, why I felt so much now? Or was it because I was getting to know these humans?
A hand on my knee startled me, and I stared back at the concern in Maxwell’s eyes. “It’s that vampire we came across on Old Mill Road, isn’t it? The encounter bothered you.”
“No, it’s nothing of the sort,” I insisted, attempting to blow it off. “I didn’t know her well.”
“Still,” Maxwell said, removing his hand. “I don’t know how I would react if someone I knew was turned. We’re all taught to watch for the signs, and we’re prepared for the eventuality, but I doubt it could truly ready us for a confrontation with a familiar face wanting nothing more than to kill us.”
Ambrose stood abruptly, glancing at his watch. “And that’s the sort of thinking that could get you killed. You can’t hesitate. Knowing that killing a vampire will allow a loved one to meet their eternal rest should be more than enough incentive to perform the act.” He must have seen something in my gaze, for he hesitated. “It’s … unfortunate that the world is so cruel. It forces us to harden our hearts to protect ourselves. But we must be vigilant, or the plague of undead will spread to even more loved ones.” The chime of a clock up the hall roused Ambrose, and he sent an apologetic smile my way. “I apologize. I thought I had more time.”
“I know you’re busy.” I couldn’t very well tell him that I was glad to see him go, given his view on vampires.
Ambrose nodded, mouth tight. His eyes were shrewd as they searched mine. “Save a dance for me tonight.”
A sour mood was taking hold, and a ball seemed like the last thing I wanted to partake in, but I nodded, pushing past my foul disposition. This boy was a means to reclaiming my immortality. I could stomach his company in that pursuit, even if it rankled me how he had commanded me to dance with him, rather than asked. I forced a smile onto my lips, as if the thought of dancing with him had rekindled my joy, like he was the sun of my universe. “Nothing would make me happier.”
Despite myself, I wished Helena was here to counsel me. I missed her company. She was usually good for stroking my ego, but even when she had something to say that I didn’t like, it was comforting. But that had all been an act, hadn’t it? I clearly hadn’t known her as well as I thought I had.
I wanted someone to talk to in frank terms. Even Beezle would have been welcome. But alas, I was alone with my thoughts as I reflected on the boy I was to seduce. He was pleasing to look at, but that was the extent of his charms. And the way he’d spoken about vampires had gotten under my skin. The way Maxwell had spoken of them had as well. If they knew what I’d been, what I still was deep down, would they think me a monster as well? And worse, would they be wrong?
I grabbed a cracker with caviar from a tray as it passed, my third one, and washed it down with champagne. Guests were beginning to flow into the ballroom of Foxglove Abbey, several families from neighboring houses, but no one of import had made their appearance yet. I was anxious to have this night behind me, to put on the show necessary to take one step closer toward my goal.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
I blinked, turning to Cecelia, who sipped daintily from a champagne flute. I hadn’t heard her approach. I needed to be more aware of my surroundings. I was usually sharper than this, but I was becoming distracted. Those damned feelings getting the best of me again.
I gestured to the room at large. “Just observing. It’s an interesting setup.” And it was. The ballroom had one large open area for dancing, with high-topped tables at the periphery. The three walls not connected to the rest of the house had alcoves obscured by large twin pillars, allowing for some privacy in smaller gathering areas. Two of those alcoves were set up with tables and chairs, while the third was occupied by musicians. A pianoforte was played by a pretty blonde girl and accompanied by a string quartet of men. Unfortunately, the girl stumbled over her notes every so often, and with my ear of music, I couldn’t help but wince with each misstep.
“Foxglove Abbey is a lovely house,” Cecelia said with a nod. She looked radiant in a red dress with spikes on her shoulders, but I could tell her confidence had waned with the events of the previous evening. She didn’t seem comfortable in this setting as she sent me a hesitant smile. “Perhaps you would do me the honor of a dance at some point? I would enjoy catching up. I feel like I haven’t seen much of you these past few days.”
I considered. This presented me with an opportunity to ensure she didn’t recover from her humiliation. Doubt would snuff out whatever remaining ambition she had if I played my cards right. “Do you promise not to get mud on my shoes?”
Cecelia’s smile faltered. “That isn’t funny.”
I held up my hands innocently. “It was a stupid joke. I apologize. We’ve all made fools of ourselves now and then, haven’t we? You should put the whole incident behind you. I’m sure Ambrose has. In fact, he had a bit of trouble getting down from his horse, but I don’t think anyone noticed since they were so distracted.” I paused, as if to consider her. “Was that your first time hunting? I know you’re good with a bow, but perhaps that doesn’t translate. Or perhaps you aren’t used to riding?”
“I didn’t just fall off my horse.” Cecelia sighed heavily. “Never mind. It sounds like an excuse.”
“What does? You shouldn’t be embarrassed. Not everyone can be good with horses. Perhaps you got a bad one?”
“It wasn’t the horse.”
I noticed the distress in her eyes, and immediately regretted my teasing. She wasn’t my enemy. Yes, I needed her out of the competition, but I found no pleasure in berating her. Her ego had been bruised enough for now.
