Fanged Desire (Leyore Coven #3)

Chapter 25

Hunter

The lobby of the hotel was quiet, the kind of eerie stillness that only early morning could bring. I leaned against the wall by the payphone, the cold receiver pressed to my ear. My fingers absently fiddled with the cord as I waited for the line to connect, my thoughts trailing back upstairs to Addison.

Addison, still tangled in the sheets where I left her. Addison, whose warmth had lingered on my skin all night.

I wasn’t proud of how easy it had been to let my guard down with her. Every touch, every breath, felt too right. She was soft where the rest of my life was jagged, and that scared the hell out of me. But I couldn’t let myself dwell on it. Not now.

The line clicked, jolting me back to the present.

“What?” came Caden’s gruff voice, the kind of grumpy edge that told me he’d been up all night for my sake.

“And a good morning to you too,” I crooned, leaning further into the wall. “I need an update. Tell me you’ve found something.”

Caden sighed, and I heard shuffling in the background like he was shifting through hedges. “Don’t get too excited, but I might’ve found a way for you to crash Cathy’s soirée."

I frowned, running a hand through my hair. "I’m sorry – soirée?"

"It’s a masquerade party, I think. They’re busy setting up. Fancy masks, high-class elves. I couldn’t get a good look at what they’re doing, but they’re up to something, no doubt.” I heard more swishing from his end, and then a few muttered curses.

I waited expectantly, before Caden continued, “I scoped it out as much as I could. The security is tighter than a drum, but the masks give you a shot. Disguises might help you blend in, you might even get past the guards.”

“And if we don’t?”

“Then I hope you like getting shot at. Look, Hunter, this place is crawling with elves and it’s only going to get worse. If you’re going to try this, you’d better be damn sure.”

Before I could reply, I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. Addison, standing barefoot in the lobby, rubbing her eyes like she’d just woken up. She spotted me, her face shifting from sleepy confusion to sharp alertness. She mouthed Caden? and I nodded.

“Who’s that?” Caden asked at the other end.

“None of your business,” I said quickly, watching Addison approach. “Anything else I need to know?”

“Just that you’re an idiot for trying this,” Caden muttered dryly. “But what else is new?”

"You’re just full of helpful tips, aren’t you?"

"I live to serve," Caden drawled. "And don’t think I don’t know who you’re doing this for. I hope that woman is worth the risk."

“ All right .” I sighed, rubbing my temple. "We’ll be careful. Thanks, Caden."

"Don’t thank me yet. And if this goes south, don’t call me. I’ve got a toddler teething and a wife who will kill me if I bring supernatural trouble to our doorstep."

I sighed, setting down the receiver and turning to Addison. “Caden’s got intel. Cathy’s mansion is hosting some kind of masquerade party tonight.”

Addison tilted her head and blew a stray strand of hair off her nose. “A masquerade party? Sounds… fun?”

I slipped my hands in my pockets, raising a brow. "You think so? High-class elves with a penchant for stealing humans and hating vampires. A real blast."

Addison rolled her eyes. "Anyway. We should get Ethan."

I faked a laugh, before shooting her a pointed stare. "No."

"Yes." Addison stood her ground. "He’s a stripper. He knows how to charm people. He could be useful."

I groaned, throwing my head back. "Addison, Ethan’s idea of ‘charm’ is flexing his abs and winking at people. He’ll get us caught in five minutes."

"He also has a killer wardrobe, and he’s a massive hit at parties." Addison stepped closer. "And, like it or not, we could use all the help we can get."

I gritted my teeth, muttering a string of curses under my breath before finally conceding. "The guy doesn’t know squat about the supernatural. If he gets us kicked out or killed, it’s on you."

Addison grinned triumphantly. "I can live with that.”

Come nightfall, the three of us were crouched behind a line of trees just outside Cathy’s mansion, the distant glow of lights casting long shadows across the sprawling grounds. Ethan was fussing with his mask, muttering to himself as I adjusted my cuffs, the rich fabric of my stupidly purple suit catching the faint moonlight.

Addison stood nearby in a red dress that practically glowed against the night, the striking color more suited for a ballroom than a break-in. She also reeked of floral perfume, the only solution we could think of to mask her ‘special’ scent.

The two of us had turned up at Ethan’s apartment earlier that day, flustered, bedraggled, and babbling out plans faster than the poor guy could blink. Despite his uncanny ability to get on my nerves, I was grateful for the young blond’s participation. The guy had organized masks, collected outfits, and even rented a car to get us to the estate. As it turned out, Ethan was more useful than I gave him credit for.

“You know,” Ethan whispered, straightening the lapels of his jacket, “for a ragtag group of club cretins, I think we clean up pretty nicely.”

Addison offered a strained smile as she smoothed the fabric of her dress. “You’re still on espionage duty, Ethan. Don’t let the suit go to your head.”

The skinny blond only scoffed. “I know the plan. I’ll offer them a few smiles, pour a few drinks, maybe shake my ass, and they’ll be eating out of my hand.”

“Sure,” I said dryly, tilting my head to make sure my mask fit snugly. “Just don’t oversell it. You don’t want to be the guest of honor at an elf party.”

Ethan froze mid-adjustment. “Wait – what?”

“Oh,” I deadpanned. “Did I forget to mention? The people we’re mingling with tonight are elves.”

His jaw dropped, and he gaped at me like a fish out of water. “You’re messing with me, right?”

“Nope,” I quipped, tweaking my mask and rising to my feet. “Full-on supernatural beings. Taller than you, sharper senses, and some of them might want to rip your head off if you look at them the wrong way. You’ll do great.”

Ethan blinked rapidly, his gaze darting to Addison, who was biting back a grimace. “You knew about this?”

She shrugged, shooting me a condemning glare. “It’s been… a week.”

“Great.” Ethan dragged a hand down his face. “Fantastic. I’m about to crash a party with mythical beings, and nobody thought to give me a heads-up?”

“You’re welcome to sit this one out.” I spoke over my shoulder, already moving toward the edge of the tree line.

Ethan groaned, shaking his head. “You owe me an explanation. Both of you.”

“I’ll fill you in later,” Addison murmured as she adjusted her mask, the deep crimson perfectly matching her dress.

I took a deep breath, scanning the mansion’s entrance. The elves had guards posted at the main gates, but the throng of guests arriving in shimmering gowns and tailored suits gave us plenty of cover. “Remember the plan. Ethan and I will handle the small talk and try to figure out what’s going on. Addison, you slip away when you can and search for Penelope.”

“And if we get caught?” Ethan asked, his voice a touch higher than usual.

“Run,” I said flatly, earning a groan from him and a nervous laugh from Addison.

As we stepped out from the hedges, my eyes wandered back to Addison again. I’d seen her decked out in fishnets and stilettos, seen her comfortable in oversized jeans. Now she was gliding beside me like a fairytale princess, on her way to a masked ball before the stroke of midnight.

Every iteration of Addison was stupefying; I could look at her all day long.

“You’re staring,” she whispered as we approached the crowds massing at the gates.

“Just making sure you’re convincing.” I held her gaze, grateful for the mask veiling my expression. “And don’t trip on that hem. It would ruin the illusion.”

She rolled her eyes, but her smile was undeniable.

Ethan fell into step beside us, his mask slightly askew but his swagger intact. “All right, let’s get this over with. If we survive this, I’m never complaining about my shifts at the club again.”

“Good to hear,” I chimed in, clapping him on the back as we reached the gates. “You’re not so bad, blondie. I hope you live.”

The guards at the gate didn’t look at all suspicious, though one of them wrinkled his nose, most likely at Addison’s stark fragrance. The taller of the two stepped forward, his silver mask gleaming. “Name?”

I didn’t hesitate. “Valerian Dusk.”

The name flowed like honey, pulled from Esmerelde’s memories. I just had to hope it would stick. “And my companions, Gillian and Seraph Mourn. We’ve traveled quite a way to join this little party, and I’d hate for our efforts to go unappreciated.”

Ethan cleared his throat, doing his best to look bored and lofty. “Would be a shame, wouldn’t it?”

The guard glanced between us, before checking his clipboard. His partner remained silent. I noticed the talismans pinned to their lapels and seethed inwardly but forced a smile.

There was a long pause, tension stretching taut in the air, until, finally, the guard stepped aside, waving us in with his clipboard. “Enjoy the evening.”

“Thank you.” I nodded to him, my tone gracious but edged with unnecessary superiority. As we passed through I felt Ethan let out a quiet exhale behind me.

“Seraph Mourn?” he whispered back incredulously. “What kind of name is that?”

“Deal with it, Mr Mourn,” I shot back, stifling a grin as we approached the grand doors of the mansion. The soft hum of music spilled out as the heavy doors opened, revealing a crowd of masked guests fluttering around in extravagant attire.

I turned to Addison, the crimson of her dress glowing under the golden light of the chandeliers overhead. I met her gaze, holding it for a moment longer than necessary.

“You know what to do.”

She nodded, her lips pressed into a determined line. Without another word, she slipped away, disappearing down one of the dimly lit corridors. A lump formed in my throat as I watched her go, a knot of fear tightening in my chest. She was on her own now, but we had a plan. We had to stick to it.

Still, the thought of her wandering these halls alone made my stomach churn. I couldn’t explain it, but I knew – deep in my bones – that I’d sense it if something went wrong. I had to trust that, and trust her.

Ethan and I wove through the crowd, dodging ear-piercing laughter and clinking glasses as we went. The elves were elegant and imposing, the masks only adding to their unsettling nature, accentuating their unusual eyes that gleamed like jewels.

Ethan stuck close to my side, his mask slipping down his nose. I resisted the urge to fix it.

We sidled up to a small group standing near a sparkling tower of champagne glasses. A tall elf with silver hair and a crescent moon mask was speaking animatedly, gesturing with a macaron pinched between her fingers.

“It’s quite an art, really,” the woman chattered, her voice light and musical. “I’ve high hopes for this batch.”

“What batch is that?” I asked casually, shouldering her companion out of the way.

The elf turned to me, her eyes gleaming behind her mask.

“The new humans, of course,” she said with a lilting laugh. “Cathy’s been absolutely meticulous with this selection. I hear the flavor profiles are unparalleled.”

“Flavor profiles?” I repeated, keeping my tone neutral. My smile stayed in place, but my pulse picked up the pace.

“Oh, yes,” another elf chimed in, elbowing me aside as she sidled up to the other woman. “The A-gene makes such a difference. It’s like the difference between a fine vintage and… well, swill.”

A muscle feathered in my jaw, my serene smile frozen on my face despite the sudden ice in my veins. “Right… I can’t believe I haven’t heard of this before. Cathy must be quite the visionary.”

The crescent-masked elf beamed, talking through a bite of macaron. “Oh, she is. This entire endeavor has been her brainchild for decades. A true connoisseur.”

“Decades, you say?” I asked, feigning intrigue. “And all centered around this… A-gene?”

Another elf, one with a golden feathered mask, leaned forward, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “Exactly. The A-gene is rare, almost mythical. It’s like striking gold when you find a human with it. It enhances every aspect of their essence.”

“It’s all about the balance,” the silver-haired elf explained, dabbing crumbs from her mouth with a hankie. “The gene alters their blood, their flesh – it gives them a certain… depth. A richness that’s impossible to replicate.”

“Like a perfectly aged wine,” the feathered elf added with a chuckle. “Except, of course, far more decadent.”

My stomach turned, but I kept my expression serene, as though I was simply another fascinated guest. “And this batch you mentioned… I assume Cathy has outdone herself?”

“Oh, without question,” the silver-haired elf gasped, her excitement palpable. “The selection process was exhaustive. She went to extraordinary lengths to ensure only the finest specimens were chosen.”

Another elf joined in, their voice muffled slightly by their intricate mask. “I heard some have been sourced globally.”

I forced myself to nod, my fingers itching to grab the nearest glass and smash it against the preening elf’s head. “Impressive. And these… specimens? Where are they now?”

The silver-haired elf laughed lightly, a sound that grated against my nerves. “Oh, they’re being prepared as we speak. I imagine the first course will be served shortly.”

“First course?” Ethan’s voice cracked slightly beside me, and I nudged him sharply with my elbow, willing him to keep it together.

“Of course,” the feathered elf said, smirking behind his mask. “It’s not just about the taste; it’s an experience. Cathy ensures the presentation is as exquisite as the cuisine itself.”

I stared at the elf woman, the pieces falling into place with a sickening clarity. They weren’t just capturing humans with the A-gene – they were consuming them.

Beside me, Ethan was rigid. His hand brushed his pocket, discreetly recording the conversation, his face strained but blank even as his eyes darted to mine, wide with burgeoning horror.

“Excuse me,” I said, my voice tight. “I need to fetch a drink.”

The elves nodded, their attention already drifting to the next round of drinks being served. I turned on my heel, grabbing Ethan’s arm and steering him away.

“Humans?” Ethan hissed under his breath, his voice shaking. “Hunter, they’re eating humans. What the hell is this?”

“Keep your voice down,” I muttered, scanning the room for Addison. My pulse pounded in my ears, a new kind of panic surging through me. “We need to find Addison – now. This batch they’re talking about? It could include her sister.”

Ethan’s face went pale under his mask, and he clutched my elbow like it was a lifeline. “You don’t think they…”

“Not yet.” I cut him off, though I wasn’t sure who I was trying to convince. “They haven’t served anything yet. But we need to move, fast.”

Before I could take another step, however, a new voice spoke. A familiar voice – low and cajoling, right in my ear.

“Dear Hunter. What trouble have you gotten yourself into now?”