Lukas
The gala was being heldat Gotham Hall. It was over seventeen thousand square feet, had seventy-foot ceilings, a gorgeous ornate stained-glass skylight, and best of all, this venue only did one event at a time, which was likely the exact reason the council had chosen it.
“This place is insane!” Sam gawked and spun in a circle, which forced me to make sure he didn’t trip.
“It’s rather beautiful.”
“I’ve never been anywhere like this before.”
“The history of Gotham Hall is that it was built around 1922 as The Greenwich Savings Bank Building. It stayed as it was until the 1980s; then other banks took its place. In 2000, the building was bought, and so Gotham Hall was born.”
“Impressive.” Sam nudged my arm. “You know your history.”
“I have a lot of time on my hands.” I said, but Sam just rolled his eyes.
“It’s amazing, Lukas.” We entered the ballroom, which took up nine thousand square feet of the entire space. It wasenchanting. Overwhelming, I was sure, to those unfamiliar with such things, and for the first time the gala was filled with not just vampires, but humans.
“Lukas Farren.” A deep voice came from behind me.
“Robert, nice to see you.” I eyed his human, a lovely blond woman who seemed almost at home in the opulent room.
“Indeed. May I introduce you to Delaney, my date for the evening.”
“Nice to meet you. This is Sam.”
Of course, Sam shook their hands exuberantly. “Isn’t this venue amazing?”
“It’s quite lovely.” Delaney smiled.
“Have you been seated yet?” Robert asked.
“No, I was about to find our table.”
Robert eyed Sam a few more times and lifted a brow. I was an enigma to the vampire community. I didn’t date; it was widely known I’d checked out a couple of years ago, and Sam was probably not who he’d predicted I’d show up with.
“I’m sure we’ll catch up later. Come, Delaney, let us find our seats.”
The tables surrounded a large dance floor, and buffet stations were against the walls. I approached a female vampire who had a tray of seating cards.
“Good evening, Mr. Farren.” She handed me my card. “You and your guest are at table four.”
“Thank you.”
Sam leaned closer to me and whispered, “You know you’re at a fancy event when there’s one person tasked with simply telling you where to sit.”
It didn’t matter that Sam spoke softly—judging by the amused expressions from vampires I’d passed, they’d heard him.
“I suppose everyone needs purpose,” I answered and guided Sam to our table.
Thankfully, there wasn’t anyone seated there yet. I pulled Sam’s chair out, earning a wide smile from the happy man. Once beside him, I mainly watched him as he absorbed everything around him. We earned a fair amount of attention, whether it was because of Sam’s radiated joy or the fact that I’d actually brought someone, I wasn’t sure.
“Lukas!”
I knew he’d be here, and of course he had a stunning woman on his arm.
“Vincent.” I stood, accepted his hug, and shook his date’s hand.
“This is Amanda.”
