Toby texted back immediately. “We’re going to have a doozy of a light show in the next thirty-six hours, give or take. Looks like you’re about to be super busy, because I’m calling it for a ball.”
“Nice. I’ll let Zander know. Are you ready to give a time yet?”
“Still a window, earliest the ball should start is around 4 pm tomorrow, but possibly as late as 8 pm.”
“Excellent. It’s so nice having you onsite.”
Spence gave a telepathic knock, and Zander answered immediately.Yes, Dearest?
Toby’s calling for an aurora ball to start between four and eight tomorrow evening.
Give me five minutes and I’ll make a decision.
This close to the Versailles Carnivale, they might push the scheduled ball out a few days, or Zander might decide to do it sooner and hold it in the Aurora Ballroom, or to have the two balls close together.
Spence used the restroom and was headed to the flock’s common rooms to check on Felix when Zander let him know to move forward with planning this ball, and he’d decide for sure on the timing of the Versailles Carnivale after talking tothe managers of the costumers and makeup artists he’d be flying in.
I’m handling some flock details, and then I’ll get started.
He was pleased to see Felix in an alcove, studying. It made it easier to start up a conversation this way, rather than knocking on his door.
He pulled a chair close and said, “You had a rough session in the lupanar early this morning.”
Felix saved his work and met Spence’s gaze. “Yeah. Lucien’s always more than one expects, but I’m fine.” He shook his head and sat back. “When will Emmy be strong enough to come back? She seemed fine at the … I mean, she’s weak, but … Is there something ya’ll aren’t telling us? It troubles me that she’s still sick enough to have to be down there.”
“As far as I know, she’s healing as expected. She’s still weak, and technically, she could probably return, since we took her below to get her close to a bathroom, originally, but Zander…” Spence shrugged. “She’s his best friend’s daughter, and he’s being super-careful with her health.”
But Felix hadn’t been changing the conversation, he’d been telling Spence he needed his friend. “Are you in the middle of something important? I can call her up here, or she can meet you in your room.”
Felix shook his head. “She’s deep into working on her bunnies project, and taking advantage of the privacy she gets downstairs while she has it. I don’t want to risk interrupting that.”
“And if she knew you needed a friend and had that attitude, how would she feel?”
He tilted his head. “Annoyed.”
Spence nodded. “I’ll check in with her and let her know you could probably use some friend time, when she gets a chance. Do you want to make any changes to the wording on your price sheet?”
Felix shook his head. “No, but thanks for asking. I really wish we could list the vampires we don’t want to have sex with or feed while here, like we can at home.”
“Who would be on it?”
“Probably just Lucien. Someone fed from me during one of the chaotic frenzies who just had evil vibes, but I have no idea of a name, or even a face, which I figure means they blurred it or something.”
Spence frowned. “I don’t recall seeing that reported.”
“Because I didn’t. What was I going to say? Some mystery guy, or maybe gal, seemed evil and gave me the heebies, but I have no idea who it was?”
“Yes, that exactly. Shortly after the fact, we could go through memories of those around you to find out who it was, and then reprimand them for erasing your memory of who they are, if that’s what happened.”
When Spence left the flock’s floor, he telepathed Zander with a request for him to go through that part of Felix’s memories and see if he could figure out what happened, and then he went to his little cubicle upstairs, pulled up his list of everything that must be done to prepare for an AuroraBall, and got started. First step was notifying the kitchen, second was notifying the gown team, so they could bring all the gowns from the town to the silo. Then came setup, security, and a zillion other details.
Chapter 4
Zander stepped into his suite with lists, strategies, and contingencies on his mind, but every careful plan scattered when he saw Emerald adjusting his boy’s tie.
The gown was iridescent green, shimmering with each movement as if she’d been dipped in liquid emeralds. The bodice fit her like a corset, emphasizing generous curves despite her weight loss. Her breasts rose from the neckline in a display of unapologetic beauty, as arresting as it was breathtaking. The skirt fell to tea-length, crinolines giving it volume and movement, perfect for dancing, and it showed off the exquisite sexier-than-fuck heels, darker green with the same iridescence.
She hadn’t weighed much to start with, and the seventeen pounds she’d lost had put her into dangerous territory. She’d gained a little back, but nowhere nearenough. He knew Spence had called the tailor in for extensive alterations, and the man had worked a miracle. Even too thin, she was magnificent.
