Can I trust him? It’s such a loaded question. When it comes to my protection, though? Somehow, there isn’t a doubt in my mind.
Despite what any sane witch would do, I nod, and he gives me a wide grin, his fangs sharp and bright.
“Go put on one of your pink dresses, and make sure your familiar stays asleep,” he says. “This is the last time we will speak plainly till they leave. It’s all just a game,” he says.
“A game, right.”
I take a deep breath, bypassing him in the doorway as I go to my room and do as he said.
What’s another day of me getting tied up in dangerous vampire bullshit?
I change into a maroon summer dress with a tight bodice that flares at my waist along with simple ballet flats. Then I put a slumber charm on Gus, so he shouldn’t wake up as a light tap sounds at my door.
I can do this. I can act like I’m Warin’s little play thing until these vampires leave.
Don’t smack him, don’t be rude to him, just nod and look at him like I don’t have a brain cell in my head. Those are the things I chant to myself as Warin comes to my door.
He’s back in his usual attire, a suit that’s firmly in place, though no gloves. I’m irritated with myself when I can’t stop thinking about his veiny hands or how good his cool palm felt against my lips.
Bad Ember. Very bad.
“You look delicious tonight, darling,” he says and my lips part.
A quick retort is on my tongue, but I lick my lips instead.
“I always aim to please.”
Warin grins at my reply, placing a hand on my waist as he leads me down the stairs and we wait in the foyer.
There are a million questions on my tongue. Who makes up the council? What kind of punishments can they dish out? Are they more powerful than Warin, older than him? Do all the vampires hold an election? Now that would be something.
I keep a long list in my head to ask him later as a sharp thwack of a door knocker hits his front door, sending shivers rolling down my spine.
What if Warin can’t protect me from these people?
“Don’t be nervous, pet,” he says, kissing my hair, before leaving me standing alone by the banister.
I try to slow down my breathing from his quick affection. He said it was a game, but yet he also said he wants me to trust him. It has me questioning how real all of this is.
His smile is a farce as he greets the vampires at the door.
“What a wonderful surprise. Please come in,” he says as five vampires stroll into the foyer.
The five of them are all different in age and looks, minus their attire, which is strangely extremely business casual, like they all just left their day jobs in corporate America. The three men are wearing long sleeve button up shirts and black dress pants, while the two women are wearing modest black dresses with tights and flats.
“What’s the meaning of this impromptu visit?” Warin asks.
The vampire with a pinched expression, her dark hair in a chignon, with minimal makeup on her face arches an eyebrow at his attitude. Her posture is unreal with how straight she stands as she looks down her nose at me.
“War, aren’t you going to invite us in for a drink?” she says, looking me up and down.
Ew, they’re on a nickname basis is my first thought, until I realize that she’s looking at me like I’m the appetizer for the evening.
Oh fuck no, there’s no way I can do this.
“Of course. Samantha, go fetch the AB negative from the warmer, would you?”
“I’ll be right back,” Samantha says in the most docile voice I’ve heard her use.
