Page 86 of You’re So Vein

“It’s of no concern to me what Komal thinks,” I say.

Hannah snorts.

I glare at her.

Reginald and Hannah sing along to the music at the top of their lungs as we rocket our way through narrow country lanes. Trepidation itches along my stomach lining as we pull up to the Sanctus gates, and not all of it due to Reginald’s driving. Last time I came here, I made a fool of myself. This time, Komal is here. And no matter how I feel about her, I still want to be voted mayor.

The gates swing open, and we speed inside.

I’ve been beyond the gates of Sanctus Estate only once before, for the variety show. Although I’ve seen all the blueprints and mock-ups, I’ve never properly explored this place where Hannah and I are to live. My throat closes over as we roll past neat rows of townhouses and then a block of executive treehouses – their glass-clad exteriors reflecting the waning moon and the shadowed trees.

That vampires can live together like this, in beautiful homes, free of the stifling rules of court.

Of course, there are no playgrounds, unlike a human neighbourhood. No signs of children Hannah’s age, because she is the only one of her kind. And all the greenery is manicured, pruned back until it’s no longer wild but sculptural, not like the gardens we’ve grown in the woods.

Sadness washes over me. Even here, in this community, Hannah would be an outsider.

If we’re ever allowed to live here.

If it’s ever safe for us.

Reginald slams on the brakes, nearly sending my teeth sinking into Hannah’s seat. The three of us slide out, Winnie’s wobbly legs needing to be steadied by Alaric. With a smile and a wave, Hannah leaves with Reginald, and I anxiously follow Alaric and Winnie into Sanctus House.

We’re led by a series of Thralls through a boisterous downstairs bar to a private elevator, which takes us up to Gideon’s invite-only Sanctus Club. The doors slide open, and even though the room is filled with people, my eyes immediately fall on Komal.

As if they could ever look anywhere else.

She stands by the bar in a circle of her Nevermore Coven friends. She’s wearing her signature red – this time a gown that hugs her generous hips before flaring out into a beaded hem. The beading sparkles beneath the glitzy lights. One half of her face is covered with a glittery red mask, the edge flaring out into a butterfly wing, leaving one eye free.

Of course, she would arrive before me. She’d want any advantage she could get.

She’s on your side. Even if she wins, she’ll do everything she can for Hannah.

I want to believe it, but I’m so used to relying on myself that I can’t let go of the fear. If I’m wrong about Komal, Hannah will be the one who suffers.

Gideon rushes over, dressed as a minotaur and holding sloshing goblets of blood, which he thrusts at Alaric and me. “There you are. I need you both to babysit Dante while I rescue my darling Arabella from Irene’s clutches. The Empress of the Archives is currently boring her to rage, and if I don’t get over there soon, Arabella is going to ask her to come down to the basement to sample her cask of Amontillado.”

Alaric knocks back his blood. “I can’t. I have plans to stand in the corner and admire the cornices. I’m thinking of taking up plaster moulding.”

“You are not,” Winnie growls as Alaric drags her away. “Sorry, Gideon, good luck!”

Gideon turns to me, but I shake my head. “I’m not speaking to Dante.”

“You’re worse than Alaric.” Gideon throws up his hands. “Why do you have to be so stubborn?”

“This isn’t stubbornness. I’m simply looking out for you. If I have to converse with that man, this party will end in a bloodbath, and not in a fun way.”

“Argh, fine.” Gideon turns back towards the party. “I’ll deal with him, the way I deal with everything around here.”

None of the Nevermore Coven has seen me yet. I duck behind a group of Upyr recounting their favourite civil wars and lean against the bar. I’m far enough away to be subtle, while my vampiric hearing can pick up every word.

“… something,” Celeste is saying. “We have to keep our ears open for any clues that could lead us to the husker. Especially look out for anyone in Dusk Court.”

“I know we’re focusing on Lilac, but I still think Durant is suspicious,” says Beth.

“I’m telling you, it’s not him,” Komal insists. Her voice hums in my ears like a sonnet.

“You’re just saying that because you like him,” Mina teases.