If anyone was going to be loose lipped about their allegiances or even their grievances against my family, it would be now, while they were getting drunk off their asses.
“I better go look for Xinyi,” Iris began with a small laugh. “She likely got distracted along the way, you know how she likes to talk.”
I nodded and watched her go. It didn’t take long before someone else found me lingering along the sidelines. A hand slid over my lower back as a presence slid around me, sniffing at my hair.
“A gorgeous creature such as yourself shouldn’t be standing here all by herself.” A male vampire with blonde hair brushedhis nose along my shoulder, then up my neck and ear. “I bet you taste like a fine wine, smooth with an oaky finish.”
My hand twitched to put the vampire in his place. I held back just barely and instead turned my head to meet his pale gaze. “I’m spoken for.”
“Lovely,” he laughed, not at all bothered by my words, “we’re all spoken for. It doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun.” His fingers traced down the strap of my dress and across the low neckline.
My teeth ground together. “Remove your hand, or I will remove it for you.”
He chuckled, but then there was a low growl. A large hand wrapped around the vampire’s throat, pulling him away from me.
Tate appeared in front of me, snarling in the vampire’s face. “The lady said no.”
The vampire’s eyes widened at the sight of Tate. His gaze flicked from Tate to somewhere behind me. “S… sorry. I didn’t know.”
Tate shoved him away before turning a goofy grin my direction. “Princess… wow… you…” He rubbed a hand over his jaw, eyes sliding down my body in a way that had my pulse thrumming. “Fuck…”
He cleared his throat and brought his eyes back up to mine.
I found myself laughing. “I don’t think I’ve ever made a man speechless before. I’m not sure if I should be flattered or insulted.”
“Oh, definitely flattered.” Tate visibly swallowed. “Definitely.” His eyes darted away from me toward the crowd as he took shallow breaths. “Drink?”
“Sure, Xinyi was getting me one, but it seems like…” My eyes landed on her and Iris pressed against each other as they swayed back and forth. “Yep, she’s otherwise occupied.”
Tate offered me his hand. I slid mine into his, trying not to focus on the warm feel of his palm enveloping mine.
He led me through the crowd, and I noticed how the crowd parted for him. The vampires knew him, not just as someone who had been here before, but for another reason.
I knew that look. It was the same look that others gave me when I walked through a room. It was a look that was a mixture of envy, respect, and even fear.
Who exactly was Tate?
We stopped before the makeshift bar, where a long-haired tanned man worked the bar. He was in the middle of making a drink for someone, but at the sight of Tate, he put down what he was doing and hurried to where we were.
“What can I get you, Tate?”
“I’ll take a beer and…?” Tate arched a brow at me.
“I don’t really drink.” I ducked my head, not wanting to admit my inexperience.
Alcohol had never really done much for me. My metabolism was too fast. It was just drinking burning liquid without the pleasant buzz that came with it.
“Hmmm, soda? Or water?” Tate offered.
“Water is fine.” I rubbed my hands over the sides of my dress once more, then crossed my arms over my chest. I felt more naked in this room full of supernaturals without my weapons than because of the thin scraps of fabric covering my body.
“Here we go.” Tate held out the cup to me. “Your drink, m’lady.”
“Thanks.” I accepted the cup from him and took a small sip. “So… this is a college party?”
My eyes lingered on a pair of students making out, which quickly morphed into them dry humping on the couch, not caring who was watching. I jerked my gaze away from them, my face heating.
How was I supposed to ask around about the dissent if everyone was too focused on getting drunk or getting fucked?
