“It’s not that, it’s just ...” Every suitor had wanted to prove themself not to me but to my father: the founder and leader of the Kilthorne Vampire Hunting Society. They fought for my affections to get to him so that they could join the Society and lavish in the great honor. I had to sit through their dedications to the cause while knowing I was never truly wanted. They didn’t want me. They didn’t love me. I was just a bridge to pass. “Thomas is the only man I’ve met as of yet who is not at all interested in becoming a member. He may be my only option.”
She forced a sympathetic smile. “Love has still yet to bloom.”
I forced my own smile.
She walked over to the target, retrieving my sorry attempts.
“I’m excited to see the new initiations,” she mused. “How many are there?”
“Three.” A fact I should not have known, but I eavesdropped often. Father never told us anything of the Society. Women were kept in the dark due to our delicate constitutions, as he so often said, much to Pari’s dismay. She dreamed of being the first woman initiated. As the hauntings worsened, I took to sleuthing through his office and hiding in dark corners close to their meetings. I had to know what was happening to me, what was happening out there, what was to come of me.
“One of them is to be his new secondhand.”
“An initiation?” Her brow furrowed.
“He must have proved himself well.” I shrugged.
“It should be quite the night then.” She winked. “Let’s work on your aim because this just won’t do. Truly, Charlotte, I worry for you.”
I did too.
CHAPTER TWO
The initiation was held in the gilded ballroom. Floor-to-ceiling arched windows lined one of the walls, now darkened from nightfall. Gold encrusted the ornate moldings around the room, along with the massive paintings depicting Kilthorne’s history. The most recent scenes being the desired downfall of the vampires.
Vampires did not always exist here, but they had always existed in my life.
I was always drawn to one painting in particular—the portal that started it all. I’d often lose myself within the swirling abyss, darker than the deepest depths of the ocean. Tucked away in the Lost Woods, a portal had formed creating a bridge from the underworld to ours. The endless dark was nestled between the trees, and around it like an enchanted frame, millions of crushed rubies glimmered. Even within the painting it was so captivating, so alluring. I had always wanted to see it in person. Society members, my father at the center, waited before the portal with daggers drawn. I couldn’t stop the frown from forming.
Movement beside me caught my attention, and I accepted a glass of champagne from the silver tray with a smile. “Thank you, Benjamin.”
He bowed his head, blonde locks falling across his eyes. “Of course, Miss.”
I let my gaze fall across the ballroom, at the sea of colorful gowns, crisp suits, children darting through the crowd every now and then.
Elsie dressed me in a fitted crimson, silk gown. The sleeves hung slightly off my shoulders and ended at my elbows, where a waterfall of chiffon trailed down past my waist. And, of course, I was not without my signature silver belt and dagger. She styled my hair in cascading curls, one half pinned behind my ear and swooped backbehind my shoulder, the other half billowed down past my breast in rolling waves.
I kept from the crowd, pressed up against the wall, an unsuccessful attempt to remain unseen. But I caught every eye that slipped to me, every eye that lingered on my gray hair, on the dagger at my hip, every sidelong glance. Countless needles skittered beneath my skin; I almost welcomed them to break through, flay me apart, just so I could get away from the lingering eyes.
I stiffened as the needles turned to ice. The blood drained from my face in a painful exit. Something lightly brushed my shoulder, trailing up to the nape of my neck. I stilled, holding my mask of indifference.
Don’t react. Don’t react. Don’t react.
I took a slow breath in, a slow breath out, ignoring the icy hand wrapping around the back of my neck. I swore I heard a distant laugh, a sinister sound. I tried to think of anything but the demon at my side, who I could not see, who was certainly getting bolder. Because as of last night, as I had felt their hand, as I did now, I now knew it was not simply a mischievous spirit of the underworld. It was far worse than that.
When the hauntings first started, it felt like a cautious hand reaching through the veil, not looking for anything particular, perhaps, just curious. But now it felt like something else had come through, or maybe it was just showing its true colors. Dark eyes found me, and they followed me everywhere I went.
Though the demon terrified me, I had never feared for my life. Until now.
“Charlotte!” Pari’s voice pulled me from my inner chaos. The hand disappeared. “You look absolutely ravishing. Thomas is in big trouble.” She winked. Her almond eyes were rimmed with kohl, the smoky line like a creeping shadow.
I forced a wide grin. “You as well.” She wore a stunning, sapphire gown with matching sapphires around her neck. “What about you? Has anyone caught your eye?”
For someone as skilled with a dagger as her and possessed a brute, warrior-like spirit, she was also a hopeless romantic who took any chance to don a beautiful gown. She smirked. “I’m saving my gaze for the initiations.” Her tone dripped with suggestion.
“Of course.” I smiled.
Like Pari, I also enjoyed any chance to wear a beautiful gown and all the lavish trappings of a ball, including the gluttonous displays of food. But as the years passed by, and the rumors continued to grow and spread, I could no longer disappear amongst the celebrations. The eyes were too heavy.
