The more relaxed and casual I was, the more unsettled they grew.
I scanned the crowd slowly and deliberately, meeting the vampires’ eyes, and even going so far as to let go of Considine so I could lift a glass of blood from a tray offered out by a Drake vampire.
“Thirsty, Considine?” I held the crystal glass out to Considine.
He took it with his free hand and sipped from it while reclaiming my hand. “You’re looking after me? I feel cherished. There are refreshments that will suit your tastes, too.” He drifted toward the tables filled with food and lined with bottles of wine and Champagne.
“That’s unnecessary,” I said.
Considine raised an eyebrow. “You’re sure?”
Aware of the role I was playing, I smiled. “Positive.”
I didn’t want anything because I didn’t want to be holding foodandmy clutch. Holding Considine’s hand was one thing—I could easily pull the dagger from my bust should the need arise. Holding food would require dropping it, which I knew from experience could ruin my footing.
I think our front is firmly established. Time for safety precautions.
I was aware of the vaulted ceilings, elaborate frescoes, and other signs of opulence within the ballroom, but I was most concerned with mentally marking out the best exits. (I’d taken a tour of Drake Hall as soon as I’d arrived today so I could be properly prepared.)
The cloying scent of strong, flowery perfume filled the air. While I saw more than a few nosegays pinned to clothes, I didn’t see any weapons, not even a sword on any of the local vampires.
Killian was serious about his no weapons rule.
No wonder they’re scared of Killian. Each Drake vampire is armed to the teeth. They’d be a nightmare for a typical vampire to face off against.
Ahead of us, vampires flocked to Killian and Hazel, nearly tripping over themselves as they competed for the couple’s attention. The frenzy blocked my view of Hazel since she was so petite, but Killian’s eyebrow twitched in obvious boredom. I suspected this was typical for them.
A couple of vampires timidly approached Vìgì, bowing deeply to the big vampire before introducing themselves.
Considine and I were able to stroll past him as a path magically opened in front of us, revealing the other Dracos children.
Amée and Auberi separated, splitting off. Amée was immediately surrounded by a cluster of female vampires, all of whom curtsied on their approach and bowed their heads when addressing her. Auberi was similarly surrounded by femalevampires, each of which clamored for his attention, which he meticulously and politely gave.
Closer to Considine and myself, Baldwin edged toward the refreshments. Margarida was still with him, but she’d garnered a ring of admirers that followed on their heels. When Baldwin offered Margarida a glass of wine she smiled, and I swear one of her admirers swooned.
So the Dracos are the vampire version of rock stars. Good to know. I figured they’d be respected, but I haven’t seen vampires carry on this much over an entire Family. Usually this behavior is reserved for elders. Though I suppose each of the Dracos children are elders over their own Families…
I hadn’t picked Margarida and Auberi as the heartbreakers of the bunch, but they certainly played their parts well while the rest of the Dracos Family felt more elegantly removed.
And yet, despite vampire’s society desperation, a ring of space persisted around Considine and me.
They were watching us. It was undeniable. The vampires craned their necks and I could tell a few were even balancing on their toes, straining to get a look at us, but whenever Considine or I looked in their direction, they immediately lowered their eyes and bowed. None of them pushed close or approached us. They just…watched.
This is very different from their treatment of the Dracos. Is it because I’m a slayer? No, it couldn’t be. Who would be afraid of me when I’m hand in hand with Considine Maledictus?
“I apologize, we’re in for a bore of an evening,” Considine said, his voice clear thanks to the ring of silence around us. “Lots of bowing and scraping combined with superfluous words and babbling. Far less exciting than a typical night for us.”
I guess that’s my cue to follow up?
“How disappointing,” I said. “Though I suppose it’s no worse than our usual paperwork.” I blinked when I spotted afamiliar face in the crowd—Clarence, wearing a modern suit and standing on the edge of the room.
I would have called out to him, but when he met my gaze he bowed deeply, and disappeared from view as vampires filled in empty spaces to keep the room around us.
“Ahh, yes,” Considine said, drawing me back into the conversation. “Speaking of work, was it really necessary to volunteer me as Orrin’s zookeeper?”
Now? You want to discuss work…now?
I almost stopped walking for a moment, but that would have ruined the effect I was going for, so I managed to keep strolling. “You have a spare bedroom,” I said. “But you’re right. I should have asked you first. I apologize.”
