Cruel Stakes: Vampires & Vices No. 2, page 16
I squeeze his hand. “You promise you’d help me, remember?” I whisper. We haven’t spoken of it again since arriving, not since he took me out into the garden and demanded I keep my mouth shut. When he takes me to the catacombs to turn me, I will be saved the next day, pulled from the grave before I can turn. I’ll be free to run away. It’s not the life I would choose but it’s better than becoming a permanent fixture in this court. I’m still not sure what will happen after that, but with Adrian’s venom also in my human veins, I’m hoping it will be enough to keep me one step ahead of Brisa.
He squeezes my hand back and nods once.
I know I shouldn’t, I know it’s completely foolish, that he’s tricked me time and again, but I think this time he’s being honest.
“I trust you,” I say. “Please don’t hurt me again.”
He stops abruptly, turns, and stares into my eyes. There is nobody else in the hall save for a few guards down at the far end. He doesn’t speak or frown or smile. Nothing. His expression is unreadable, eyes hooded in shadows behind his Venetian mask as he takes me in. I’m certain he wants to say something, but the moment passes without a word. My heart skitters for reasons I can’t name.
Chapter 25
The ballroom is decorated in a gothic style with dark red roses and black candles dripping long rivers of wax. Gauzy black fabric has been draped across the ceiling so that only the center crystal chandelier hangs down. The candles burn softly, the shrouded light creating an air of mystery to the event. It’s perfect for Halloween, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to enjoy myself tonight. I’m way too nervous. Adrian runs a thumb along the edge of my wrists, as if he can sense my emotions and wants me to relax. Trepidation is probably written all over my face despite the mask.
We mingle with the other guests for a few minutes, and I turn on my charm as best I can despite the nerves.
“You look lovely tonight, Evangeline,” Katerina says. She’s on Magnus’s arm and they’re also a matching set––dressed in peacock colors with feathered masks. They’ve warmed up to me a little in my time here, but I still think they’d rather it be Kelly on Adrian’s arm tonight. They begin to talk with Adrian and my mind wanders.
“Did you hear? There are only three princes left,” someone whispers behind me. I make a point to listen.
“I heard that it was a rumor. Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. Someone’s been killing them off. That’s why Brisa brought all her courtesans here. The princes, too, of course.”
“To protect us or investigate us?”
“Both.”
I never turn around to see who’s talking. I don’t need to. If it’s gossip among the courtesans then everyone will know. I’d foolishly assumed they already did––Adrian did. I wonder if this will change things. I imagined myself to be a bit of a detective when I arrived here, thinking I’d uncover things of my own, but that proved impossible. Is Sebestian creepy as heck and possibly the killer? Sure. But it could be Tate and whatever organization he’s with, or it could be Magnus and Katerina. Or anyone else for that matter. What worries me the most is eventually he or she or they will get to Adrian. I won’t survive without him.
Eventually, the crowd separates and quiets as Brisa sweeps into the room. She’s ruthlessly beautiful in an emerald colored gown that’s cut low to show off her supple curves, but that’s not what’s so eye-catching about her costume. A long green snake is wrapped over her shoulders and around her arms. It curls into its master, body slithering as it inspects us with beady eyes. My stomach clenches when she walks toward us, and I instinctively step back. Snakes are so not my thing.
“A devil and an angel,” Brisa greets us with a coy smile. “How fitting.”
“And let me guess, Medusa?” Adrian bows.
“Well, I couldn’t fasten snakes to my hair, so I decided this would have to do.” She winks playfully. “But you’d better stay back, Evangeline. The snake is venomous and deadly to humans.”
My stomach coils. Her pet eyes me like I’m either a threat or a treat, and I take another step back. “At least your eyes can’t turn me to stone,” I joke shakily.
She grins. “Don’t be so certain that I’m not a gorgon and a vampire.”
It’s a good thing gorgons are a myth because if she were both, she’d be unstoppable. She’s already unstoppable. She ends the conversation by walking away, going to the front of the room, and clears her throat to speak. The chatter dies off as the guests take notice. Everyone turns to their queen.
“Welcome, my lovelies. I’d like to make a toast,” she purrs and opens her arms wide.
The human servants enter at once, streaming through us in a line with trays of champagne flutes and hors d'oeuvres for the humans. Aside from a few regular glasses for the fledglings, the drinks are dark red from the blood mixed in. We take the drinks, and I grimace at the outfits the waitstaff are wearing. They’re dressed in black overcoats with plague doctor masks, the creepy bird beaks strapped over their mouths and noses. Their wide brimmed hats cast shadows over their eyes, making it hard to distinguish any identifying features. I thank the man who serves me a drink, but he doesn’t respond. I sigh and take a tentative sip. The carbonation burns my throat as it goes down.
“As many of you know by now, someone is after me.” Brisa’s voice sharpens. “So let’s toast to the demise of my enemies, especially the pretenders of my own court.”
She raises her glass, and we do the same, some with more enthusiasm than others. She’s just watered the distrust among us. The seeds were planted long ago, but tonight, things have shifted in a matter of a few words. There are only three princes left and by now everyone must know. The rest of the vampires here have other titles modeled after the French courts of old, but they’re not tied so closely to Brisa as Adrian, Sebastian, and Magnus. As a human, I’m nothing, and I’m okay with that. Except for Sebastian’s, not a lot of eyes have been on me during my time here. They see me as Adrian’s newest accessory and nothing more.
“Now, have fun,” she coos, “or I’ll think you don’t like me.”
The orchestra strikes up, and people move into formation, some on the dance floor, others to the edges of the room to mingle. It may be dressed differently, but it’s like every other night, and I’m weary. I don’t want to party. I don’t want to gossip. I don’t want to pretend that I’m happy here for another moment. It’s been weeks, and nothing has happened. We’re all stuck here in an endless loop, like snowflakes being tossed about in a snowglobe.
“Come on,” Adrian whispers, taking my hand. “You know what to do.”
And it’s true. I’ve learned the dances by now. We begin the group waltz, and the champagne settles in my blood, making me feel lighter. I’m passed from Adrian, to other vampires, and even another human fledgling. It’s a little more fun than some of the other dances, and I try to enjoy myself. But the music gathers speed. This hasn’t happened before. Faster and faster, until I’m being tossed about like a ragdoll. Someone brushes up against my wings and they tug on my shoulder blade.
I cry out as Sebastian pulls me into his steel-like arms. He’s dressed in gray and wearing a wolf mask that covers the left side of his handsome face. “Let me help you,” he says roughly, then he dances with me so fast that my feet catch and I trip over the hem of my dress. He picks me up after I hit the marble floor. “Sometimes I forget how klutzy humans can be.” He laughs as if this is all a game.
“Your costume is perfect, by the way,” I bite back. My knees ache, and I long to sit down. I look around for Adrian, but his back is to me as he dances with another woman. “Adr––”
Sebastian’s hand clasps over my mouth as he continues to dance with me. Round and round we go. My hands itch for a stake so I can end him, but I haven’t touched a stake since I left New Orleans. “Don’t think such awful things.” He laughs in my face. “You claim to want to be a part of this court, don’t you? Adrian’s little angel.”
My eyes go wide. Does he know what I’m thinking? Since he’s a prince, he’s got to be old. Adrian told me Brisa made all her princes centuries ago and hasn’t turned anyone else since. She surrounded herself with men she could trust. It was a strategic move on her part not to make any vampire princesses. She didn’t want anyone who could compete with her beauty. What does she think of the female vampires in her bloodlines? What does she think of me?
“That’s enough.” Adrian appears beside us, and we blessedly stop dancing. The other dancers have no trouble continuing around us. Adrian’s mouth is drawn into a thin line as he glares at Sebastian, anger radiating from him. “I’ll take my date back now.”
Sebastian releases me easily, as if this were all a fun joke. “You really are a bore sometimes, Adrianos. All that Greek study did you no good if you ask me.”
“Nobody asked you,” Adrian bites back.
Greek study? I’m keenly interested in Adrian’s past but after his confessions of killing his wife and unborn child, I haven’t asked him anything. From what I learned in school, the ancient Greek people were really into philosophy and arts, so it must have something to do with that. Maybe one day he’ll tell me all about his life before immortality.
“If you care about her so much, why aren’t you more affectionate with her?” Sebastian questions. “Maybe Evangeline wants to dance with other men.”
“I don’t,” I’m quick to say.
Adrian continues to glare. “I have nothing to prove to you.”
“Don’t you?” Sebastian’s mocking tone dissolves into one of accusation. “Because everyone is wondering what’s going on with you, Adrian. You rarely take on any prodigies and you recently lost your only child.”
“Don’t talk about Kelly!” Adrian roars.
“And now, you’re here with this new girl, and you’re dragging your feet. Turn her already. You can turn her at any moment. Brisa told me she gave you permission the first night you arrived. So what are you waiting for?”
I blink at them, my chest tightening. Adrian’s been protecting me, but in doing so he’s also keeping me here in an endless loop. If he’d go through with our plan, I could be free by now.
“Oh, she doesn’t know . . .” Sebastian laughs. “Well, it sounds like you have some explaining to do, brother.” He pats Adrian on the shoulder and then strides away, taking another human dance partner. He whispers into her ear, and she laughs, her cheeks becoming pink. I turn back to Adrian and blink up at him.
“Is this true?”
He doesn’t say anything, which says everything I need to know. I turn and stride away.
Chapter 26
I’m done with this party. I wish I could be done with him and this palace and the stupid little room we share. I wish I’d never walked into that casino. I wish I’d never met Adrian. I wish none of this had ever happened.
I run back to the room, attempting to slam the door behind me, but Adrain catches it. “You have to go back to the party,” he hisses to my back. “Brisa wants us all to be there.”
His voice aches like it’s painful for him to disobey her. I know it is. And yet, he’s here. I wonder what kind of order she gave. Was it a command or a request?
“I’m risking everything to follow you here,” he goes on, “don’t you see that I care for you?”
I turn to face him. “All I see is a liar in a mask.”
He rips his mask off and tosses it to the floor. “I shouldn’t be in here, but I am, with you.”
“Tell me why.”
He grabs my hand and tugs, shaking his head. “It doesn’t matter right now. We have to go back.”
“Leave me alone! I’m not under Brisa’s or your command,” I growl. “You can’t make me do a damn thing.”
“Why do you have to be such a pain in the ass?” He changes direction, stalking toward me.
“It takes one to know one.”
He pushes me up against the edge of the four-poster bed. My back presses into the pillar of wood, but I hardly notice it because every part of me lights up. The venom in my blood sparks to life, and I can feel, see, and sense everything. And it’s all directed toward Adrian like he’s the storm on the horizon. The electricity between us is unmistakable. It draws my breath from my body, and I try to look away.
“Look at me,” he whispers. He takes my face into his cold hand and turns me to face him. His fingers wrap around my jaw, featherlight. His thumb tilts my head upward to look at him. “What is it about you that draws me to you?”
My lips part, but I don’t know what to say. It’s the same for me, and I hate and love it equally. It’s an enjoyable pain, and I’m sick for liking it.
“My winning personality and kickass combat skills?” I respond. “Or maybe it’s my wit. Or maybe it’s because I’m an innocent little virginal angel. I know how you like my blood.”
“You’re insufferable.” His blue eyes wrinkle at the sides, anger dissipating.
“Don’t do that.” I press my hands to his chest and try to push him back. He doesn’t move. It’s like pushing into a stone statue.
“Don’t do what?”
“Flirt with me,” I growl. “Play with my heart. Lead me on. Lie to me. Hurt me.”
I don’t know what I expect him to do. Apologize? Pout? Weave more lies? He does none of those things.
“I don’t take orders from you,” he says, eyes darkening.
“So what will you do, huh?” My hands press into his chest again. “Go back to your little party?”
“Brisa can wait.” His voice is clipped.
“Like how you waited to let me go free?”
He grabs my wrists, wrenching my hands away and pushing me back against the post even harder. He holds my arms above my head and inches close, like a predator about to pounce on his prey. His body comes closer still, until it’s flush against mine, until I can feel every muscle. I can sense something in him fighting off Brisa’s instructions to enjoy the party. He should be there, but he wants to be here, and that changes things.
My body betrays me, longing pooling low in my stomach. Everything buzzes––my skin is alive with his presence. His cedar and bergamot scent wraps around me, and I breathe him in. He shifts his hands so that he’s only got one holding my arms above my head. This time, I don’t fight him. His other hand trails down my arm, fingertips feathering around my shoulder, up my neck, and around the back of my head. I shiver as he unties my mask. The second it falls to the floor and his fingers claw into my hair, I forget everything.
I know what’s happening. None of this takes me by surprise, not as it should. Not even for a second. The moment his lips claim mine, I finally admit that I’ve been waiting for this moment for months.
It’s inevitable.
And wrong.
And so, so right.
The kiss is not tender. It’s demanding and claiming and exploring.
We move right for the bed, and things progress quickly. I let it. I want it. We continue on a brazen path until it’s time to lose my virginity. Not only will it keep me safer around the other vampires, but I’m tired of waiting for this to happen. I need it. My mind is ready. My body is pleading. And my heart is wanting––wanting this to work, wanting it to be real, for him to feel everything I’m feeling right now.
And I’m scared as hell.
But not for the reasons I thought I would be. The physical act itself is inevitable. I’m a grown woman, and this is a natural part of growing up. No, that’s not what scares me. It’s everything else, it’s what will change between us, it’s my own emotions, and especially his. I’m foolishly opening myself to be vulnerable with someone who could ruin me with his coldness. He can have me and just as easily destroy me. But despite all that, I still want this with him.
My hands tug at his layers of clothing, eager to get the last of them off. When there’s nothing between his body and mine, he stops for a moment, staring down at me. He’s frozen, and I don’t know how he does it because I’m burning up. Something unreadable flashes in his eyes, and then it’s gone as quick as a falling star. “Are you sure?” he asks, searching my face.
I laugh. “You’re the one who said I needed to take care of it.”
He growls a little. “I’m sorry for that. I was thinking of your safety among my coven and not your feelings as a human woman.”
I nuzzle into him, kissing along his collarbone. I speak between kisses. “Wow, I never thought I’d see the day that Adrianos Teresi would apologize.”
“Don’t get used to it.” He laughs back and then descends on me, kissing down my collarbone this time.
It sends another bolt of electricity down my spine, and I arch into him, ready for more. “Yes, this is what I want.”
His kisses continue for long agonizing minutes, some gentle and others not. Emotions flood my body, and I don’t know if my heart can take another second. I try to cloud them over, to focus on the physical motions only, but my feelings for Adrian shine through with the force of the sun. There’s nothing I can do to stop my falling for him, not falling––jumping. I’m doing this to myself. He may have gotten me here, but this moment is my choice and one I’d choose a thousand times over. When I told him I wanted this, I meant it. To not have this moment would hurt too much, would rip me open and leave me for dead.
Adrian takes his time, and it’s evident he’s done this countless times before. Maybe I’m like every other woman who’s been in his bed, but I tell myself that can’t be true. I break away for a moment to gaze at him. I want to see into his eyes, hoping I’ll find something real there. An answer to a question I’ve been asking my whole life. Why does he have to be the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen? As evil as she is, I can’t blame Brisa for picking him because anyone would want him. His blue eyes are hooded with desire, as if it’s killing him to hold back, as if this is tormenting him as much as it is me.
“The power you hold over me,” he whispers low, “it’s . . . ” His voice trails off. He doesn’t have a word for it. It’s perhaps the most relatable thing he’s ever said, and he didn’t actually say anything.
