I studied him for a moment longer. “But now we’re partners.”
“Yes.” Considine gave me the side eye. “Partners.”
Margarida and Baldwin entered next as a very unlikely pair, but when Margarida paused in the halo of the bright ballroom lights to wave to me, it occurred to me they were an excellent duo in that they’d be able to cover for each other’s weaknesses.
I adjusted my hold on my clutch so I could unclasp it easier in case of an emergency.My daggers are easily reachable, but I should choose which finger to prick if I need blood…though that would be a last resort since it would put all the Drake and Dracos vampires in danger, too.
“You are gorgeous, Jade,” Considine said, shaming me from my work thoughts.
I smiled up at him. “Thank you. Slayers are taught how to dress up nice as part of our training.”
Considine’s rich, throaty laugh was almost a caress. “Although your gown is beautiful, I wasn’t referring to it in this case, but to you.”
“Oh,” I said. “Um…thank you?”
Ahead of us, Vìgì set his massive shoulders, then strode into the light of the ballroom like a warrior going forth to conquer.
“Your eyes are particularly magnetic tonight,” Considine continued. “But I will confess to being taken with your red hair. It has a richness to it that cannot be described.”
“Is this really something we should be discussing two seconds before we enter a ballroom full of vampires?” I asked.
“Yes. Because we can, since we’re both competent and prepared, so we should.” Considine leaned in and kissed me on the temple. “If I have learned anything over my long life, it’sthat every moment is precious if the right people are present. Ready?”
“Ready,” I repeated back to him.
Together, hand in hand, we left the dimness of the antechamber and entered the ballroom.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-ONE
Jade
It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the higher level of light.
The ballroom was filled with vampires, each dressed in clothes and styles from a wild array of centuries and cultures ranging from Vietnamese Áo dài—a tunic worn with silk pants—to heavily stylized American pioneer dresses made with cotton calico fabrics.
Killian had given in to the vampire love of drama for the night, so while the ballroom was brightly lit, it used lights that imitated the flickering of candles.
The soft lighting made the polished marble floor gleam like a still lake and glowed on the rims of the crystal glasses that were filled with blood and set out on tables manned by suit-clad Drake vampires.
Three steps into the room, and a hush stifled all conversation until the whispers began.
“Considine Maledictus—”
“The feared elder still breathes?”
“Is that his slayer?”
“Don’t look too long—you might displease him!”
Following the intimidation plan, Considine was all darkness for the moment. His smile was edged with danger, just big enough to reveal the tips of his elongated fang teeth, and the deadly way he moved was more like Ruin than the Considine I’d come to know.
I should probably try to match his energy, but it’s not like I can just whip out my dagger. As a slayer, I can’t be intimidating in the same way. But what would vampires find most intimidating from a slayer?
When I glanced at a cluster of vampires watching us with widened eyes, the answer struck me.
I smiled, giving the vampires a lazy but relaxed grin while I copied Considine’s slower pace, moving with a kind of languid elegance I’d seen Binx unconsciously move with.
