Faye threw back her head and laughed.“I think you and I are going to be fabulous friends.”
“I’d like that.Now, do you know how I find my seat?”
“The room is divided into sections, and you’re in the pre-thrall section.That’s not the actual name but it’s what we all call it.Right this way.”
As they made their way, Faye kept stopping to introduce her.
“This is my new BFF Adalyn.Aka The Unicorn.”
There were a lot of oohs and aahs, plus everyone wishing her congratulations.Of all the scenarios she’d imagined, Adalyn had never thought she’d meet so many nice people.That being said, she saw the hate-filled gaze of the woman from earlier watching her.She was beautiful in a cold, calculating way.Elegant up-do, graceful neck, flawless skin.An hourglass figure and jewels dripping everywhere.Which she thought was a little overkill.
When they finally found where she was supposed to sit, Adalyn gave Faye a grateful smile.“I really appreciate you helping me.”
“Anytime.Us best friends forever gotta stick together.Will you be attending the Gathering Ball tonight?”
“Yes.”
Faye smiled.“Lovely.”
“Um, before you go ...there is a woman near the window that keeps staring at me,” Adalyn whispered to Faye.“Do you know who she is?”
Faye casually looked around the room.“Oh, her.That’s Elgene.She’s a grade-A bitch.”
“I’m not sure what I’ve done to her, but apparently it was something.”
“Well, that’s because your vamp used to be her vamp.”
That shocked her and she couldn’t help but look at Elgene, who sneered.“He told me that he almost had a thrall, but her greed turned him off.”
“Yep, that’s her, all right.I heard, right after Lord Huntley dumped her ass, she latched onto the first filthy rich vamp who gave her diamonds.And I’m sure she’s made his life miserable ever since.Don’t pay her any mind.”
“Kind of hard when she’s glaring at me.”
“Well, just keep in mind, she has to fuck an old vamp dick, and you get a mighty Highlander.See you tonight, friend.”With a small wave, she melted into the crowd.
Adalyn smiled at the two women and three men who were already seated.They greeted her with smiles as they talked amongst each other, but before she sat, her arm was grabbed.She turned her head and saw that Elgene gripped her with long, spiked fingernails.One yank and the claws would scrape her skin.
“We need to talk.”
When Elgene tried to pull her away, Adalyn fought it.“Let me go.”
“Do you really want everyone to hear how you’re being played?”
Adalyn tried to figure out what she meant without looking like she was trying to figure out what she meant.
“Yeah, I thought that would get your attention,” Elgene derided.“He won’t ever love you, and you know why?Because he loves me.He will always love me.”
For a moment, Adalyn had doubts, but as soon as Elgene stated that, all credibility was lost.“We both know that, if he really loved you, you’d be his thrall instead of me.”
“You honestly think you’ll make it to the ceremony?”
Adalyn jerked back like she’d been slapped.“Are you threatening me?”
“You’re smarter than I gave you credit for.”
“You need to let go of my arm and return to whatever rock you crawled out from.”
Elgene sunk her nails deeper.“How dare—”
