Heharumphedand then headed back towards the kitchen, while I put on a neutral face and went into the fray.
It was your typical black-tie soiree for the upper echelon of Noctis, and I smiled politely as I held out the tray with perfectpoise and balance, making sure not to interrupt any of their “very important” conversations, like increasing blood tithes, tightening restrictions on non-citizens, and which guest was dressed the worst.
That last one I actually liked overhearing. But it was never who I thought it would be, confirming that my sense of fashion was way different from the rich vampires I was serving.
The first two, however, were especially annoying as a non-cit living in the city. I was exempt from paying the blood tax due to my health, thankfully, but I hated seeing my friends look so tired after they made one of their semi-annual visits to city hall.
The classism was worth it for now, though. Noctis was a means to an end, an end that was thankfully coming soon. I’d moved here seven years ago to attend Umbris University, and was finally graduating in few months with a double-major in business and computer science, adding in magical chemistry as a minor. It was my goal to start my own company after graduating.
Cindralis, my home, was small and struggling. The older witches who ran the place refused to adapt to new technology and changing times, driving younger witches out in search of greener pastures. But as a non-citizen in the neighboring city-states, there was often too much bureaucratic red tape to allow you to open your own business. Freelance work was a real opportunity for talented witches who just needed a little help connecting with potential clients, and my app,Kaldrin, was going to be the place where that happened.
The last blood flute was snatched without a word of thanks, and I gave what was sure to be an ignored bow before slinking away. I’d barely made it halfway back through the room when Jakob showed up with another full tray. “Here, the Premier and council still need their drinks.”
“The Premier?” I squeaked. Nellie may have been more than willing to saddle up next to Victor Corvane, the ruler of Noctisand most powerful vampire in Lundaria, but I certainly wasn’t. I had actually been trying to avoid looking in his direction all evening, which was actually pretty easy. He didn’t walk around and mingle like everyone else; he sat like a king on a throne and let everyone come to him. But whatever gravity drew people into his orbit had the opposite effect on me.
Nellie often joked that I was the most defective omega in existence, since most of our designation loved and sought out the attention of strong alphas. But me? I usually turned tail and ran in the other direction.
I ran my hand absentmindedly on my chest, right over my scar.
I was defective in a lot of ways.
Jakob huffed as he practically shoved the tray at me. “Hurry up, it’s almost time!”
With a deep breath, I nodded resolutely, taking the last of the drinks and turning around to head towards the Premier’s table.
I looked around for Nellie, surprised when I didn’t find her already sitting on his lap. She wasn’t even in his vicinity.
Where did she go? Did someone realize she wasn’t on the list and escort her out? Oh Hecara, if security found out I’d been the one to sneak her in, I’d be out of a job. I couldn’t afford to lose this one—the hours were flexible, the tips were usually generous, and I gotsomuch free food.
Vampires didn’t eat a lot.
My mind snowballed with worst-case scenarios. First, I’d be fired. Then I’d lose my apartment, then I’d get kicked out of school, and then…
“Sage!”
Nellie came up behind me. “Are you giving that to the Premier? Let me do it.”
I froze, not wanting to appear as though I were arguing with a guest. Especially with the Premier’s table in view.
I kept a smile plastered on my face while I spoke from the corner of my mouth. “Nellie, I can’t have you serving anybody if you’re not wearing a uniform.”
“Come on,” she whined, starting to tug on the tray. “It’ll be fine! I need to get closer, but his guards won’t let me through and he hasn’t looked up to see me yet, no matter how many times I walk by!”
I finally let my eyes land on him.
Premier Victor Corvane.
My heart felt like it was cartwheeling in my chest. Vampires were unnaturally beautiful most of the time anyway, but looking at Victor was like looking at the sun, ironically enough. Even seated, you could tell he was tall, his designer tuxedo accentuating his well-built frame. His skin was pale, and his wine-red hair fell in shining waves to his shoulders. Crimson eyes slowly turned towards us, focusing on Nellie as she kept trying to grab the tray from me.
Now my heart beat faster, noticing the subtle way his nostrils flared as he caught her scent. “Okay,” I whispered, still trying to keep my expression pleasant and neutral. “You’ve got his attention; now let me do my job.”
I needed to do this myself, even though the last thing I wanted to do was get any closer to him. The man radiated power, and every cell in my body was warning me that I needed to put more distance between us.
Nellie grunted, pulling a little harder. “Sage, just let—”
She tugged too hard that time, and the tray flew from my hands. Blood splattered all over me and a few of the guests, the glass flutes shattering loudly on the parquet floors.
The whole room stopped talking, as though someone had magically sucked all the noise out, aside from the rattling of the tray as it finally settled.
