Chapter Twelve
Leilah’s people stand security at the front doors of The Boulevard. A woman in business attire nods at us as we pass the reception desk. The hotel already seems different. Less dusty and decrepit. More alive despite many of the inhabitants being the undead.
Down in the subbasement level, the speakeasy is full to overflowing. A song by Billie Eilish pumps out of the sound system and waiters mingle carrying trays. There’s a choice between a martini glass of blood or a flute of champagne. All of the glasses are crystal, of course—vampires love luxe. This is a party the likes of which I have never seen. All manner of clothing is on show. Top hat and tails, a kimono, a lace gown, and a sari.
A pair of amber eyes watch me from the back of the room. Neither human nor vampire.
Henry nods to a person wearing a tall white wig and a wide ornate dress. “He’ll be wanting to hand out cake later. You know, one day Pierre will acknowledge that the French Revolution did, in fact, happen. This is the problem with many of our kind. They get stuck and time moves on without them.”
Leilah holds court near the bar with Margaret at her side. And over by the door to the back room is a selection of green velvet couches. There sits Lucas. His gaze captures mine as soon as I’m in view, and all of the good and sensible reasons regarding why I should stay away go straight out the window. Not that there are any windows down here.
In an act of sheer bravery, and to give my self-doubt a kick in the pants, I wore the hottest dress on offer from Henry’s selection. It is fire. A black gown with shoestring straps, a bodice that makes the most of my cleavage, and a full skirt with a split showing a lot of leg. My hair is in a sleek bun, and there’s a pair of sky-high stiletto heels on my feet. I even broke out the diamond earrings he gave me for the evening.
When Lucas stands and holds out a hand to me, I can maybe admit I dressed up for a few reasons. To get this reaction from him, being one of them. To have him look at me like nothing else matters.
I was wrong. Sleeping in a different bedroom didn’t change a thing. We seem to be on more of a collision course than ever. His grip is firm but gentle as he leads me to sit at his side. Not a word is spoken. There’s this strange accord between us. He wants me with him and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. That’s the truth of the matter.
He’s wearing another of those perfectly fitted black suits with a matching button-down with his hair slicked back. It’s a dark and dangerous sort of beauty. Nothing close to what I ever imagined for myself.
“So you are besotted with your newborn. If Samuel hadn’t told me, I never would have believed it,” says Rose, seated nearby with her husband. “Ripping off Archie’s head makes sense to me now.”
Samuel smiles knowingly and holds his mate’s hand.
“He challenged me,” says Lucas.
“Mm.”
“You know how it is, Rose.” Lucas passes me one of the martini glasses full of blood. “Skye here has been helping me adjust to this new century. That’s all.”
“Bullshit,” she says in a voice not much above a whisper. “Your scent is all over her, and the way you watch her…I honestly didn’t think you were capable of the finer feelings. But I understand why you would wish to downplay it. We’ll talk of it no more.”
I scowl. “It’s not like I didn’t shower.”
Lucas doesn’t respond. He, instead, turns to Henry and grimaces. “I asked you to dress presentably tonight.”
“This is an Alexander McQueen graffiti suit, Father,” says Henry. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that.”
Benedict joins Nicholas leaning against a wall nearby. Together they stand, talking quietly and watching the crowd. Nicholas is in black boots, pants, and a button-down with the sleeves rolled back. He doesn’t bother to hide the pistol he wears in a shoulder holster. I am not ashamed to say I am wary of the man.
And all the while we’re being watched. By vampires and humans and who knows what else. The weight of their gazes is a lot. I honestly don’t know how Lucas and Rose tolerate it—being the focus of attention everywhere they go.
“Ming and Lucia were unable to attend,” says Lucas. “But Javier dropped by earlier.”
Henry nods. “Not surprising, given what’s going on.”
“What’s going on?” I ask.
“A lot of vampires are entering the city. Some with connections to hostile families from other areas,” says Samuel. “Trying to keep track of them all is next to impossible.”
“You mean Lev’s people?”
“Among others.” Henry stares out at the crowd. “His sire was very unhappy at his failure to take L.A.”
“He hasn’t moved on from that yet?”
Rose smiles. “A few decades isn’t so long for some.”
“What happens next?” I ask, taking a sip of my drink.
“We wait,” says Lucas. “There’s been no further sign of my brother. But Nicholas will leave us soon to continue hunting. It’s his job to flush him out.”
I just nod.
“Who’s the werewolf?” asks Henry.
Samuel runs his tongue over his teeth. “He’s here representing several packs. Most notably from the mountains in the north and the desert to the west.”
“Is that the owner of the amber eyes?” I ask. “That dude is huge.”
“The wolves want to see how we handle things,” says Lucas. “If Lev has let go of the idea of trying to take L.A., or if violence in the streets is about to escalate again.”
“Would they get involved if it did?” I ask
“I don’t know.” Lucas rests his arm along the back of the couch. He soon frowns when he realizes he can’t play with my hair because it’s tied back in a bun. But he settles for toying with the zip on the back of my dress. Because of course, he does. “And I don’t enjoy not knowing.”
“I hate waiting,” I say to no one in particular.
“It’s the worst part of politics,” agrees Samuel.
“You’re a man of action.” Rose plays with her ruby pendant. “But you know I reward your patience.”
“That you do, my love.”
“Oh, God,” sighs Henry dramatically. “Is this what I have to look forward to? Watching Father and Skye be all cutesy and making kissy faces at each other for centuries?”
“Shut up, Henry,” says Lucas without any heat.
“I heard a rumor that a faction of the wolves has expressed an interest in settling in the canyons,” reports Samuel.
“Is that so?” asks Lucas.
All of a sudden, Henry’s eyes widen, and he announces loudly, “Zofia, what a surprise!”
Nothing less than a goddess emerges from the crowd. Though, not an actual goddess. Long brown hair, white skin, pale blue eyes, and bone structure like a sculptor had a hand in her creation.
And Rose, Samuel, and Henry are suddenly behaving decidedly odd. Looking between me, Lucas, and the new arrival with a bit too much interest. I have such a bad feeling about all of this suddenly.
“Luca,” says Zofia in a husky voice. “It’s been a minute.”
“Indeed, it has been. How are you?”
“I’d be just perfect if you’d dance with me?” Her smile is both sensual and inviting. Even I want to dance with her. Dammit.
“Of course.” Lucas turns to me and says, “Back soon.”
My answering smile is as weak as can be. But it doesn’t matter, because he’s already gone. He holds up a hand to signal to someone, and immediately the music is changed. They hold each other close and sway on the spot to a song by Ella Fitzgerald. The whispered conversation they have is interspersed with affectionate looks and ready smiles. It’s obvious they know each other very well indeed.
I knew he had a history. And a long one at that. Guess I didn’t quite consider what it would be like to come face to face with the same. Zofia appears to be about a decade older than me, gorgeous and graceful. Anyone would forgive me for having a moment. He did, however, say he’d be back soon.
“Zofia and Lucas are old friends,” explains Rose with a sympathetic expression.
Henry, however, is not happy. “The truth, little sister, is that they were fuckbuddies from around the time we arrived in California to when Father decided to take his nap. Not quite a century.”
“Huh. That’s a long time.” My smile is small. “And to think he told me he was a virgin. I can’t believe he’d lie to me about something like that.”
Samuel’s laughter is soft and low. “Skye, did I ever tell you about the first time I took my lovely wife here out on a date? There I am, trying desperately to impress her, and we run into her ex. No less than a crown prince destined for the throne.”
“Only of a very small country. It hardly mattered at all.” Rose winks at me.
“I asked her why she didn’t want to be a queen, and she told me…”
Rose’s gaze is full of warmth. “Crowns are uncomfortable as fuck.”
“That’s true, actually.” Henry smiles despite himself. “Father has collected a couple over the years. A tiara isn’t too bad; though, they can pinch. But a full-on, gold-and-gemstone-laden crown…ugh. Such a headache, and the strain it puts on one’s neck.”
“I’m sure you looked stunning just the same.”
“Thank you, Rose. I did.” Henry turns back to watch the only couple dancing in the club. “Last I heard, Zofia had settled in Poland. I wonder what she’s doing here.”
Samuel shakes his head. “I don’t know.”
Henry gives me a long look. “Try not to worry, sweetie. Father might be a monster, but he is not a cheater.”
“We don’t have that sort of relationship, Henry.”
He doesn’t bother to reply.
“How are you all doing over here?” asks Leilah, sweeping in and sitting by my side. She watches Lucas and Zofia dancing for a minute. Then gives me a reassuring smile.
“Appease my curiosity, Leilah,” says Rose. “Why haven’t you broken off and become head of your own family?”
“Why spend my own money when I can use the old man’s?”
Henry laughs.
“This place, for instance.” She waves her hand at the room. “It will take many millions to renovate it to my exacting standards. And while Lucas will be paying the bill, I’ll be the one in charge and reaping much of the rewards. Of course, I share this information with you so honestly and openly because not only are you a dear friend to our family, but doubtless your mate has already been whispering in your ear about it.”
Rose’s smile is coy. “He whispers in my ear about a good many things.”
I swear Samuel blushes.
“If the old man ever cut the purse strings or we began to disagree, then we might have a problem,” says Leilah.
“That’s never going to happen.” Henry shakes his head. “You’re the only one of his children inclined to sire more vampires and train them to be useful. It’s why he made you heir.”
“Mm.” Leilah flips her hair back over one shoulder. The woman is the epitome of glamor. Her being heir is news to me. She seems a smart choice, however. “It’s good to have company, little brother. One day you might find a human you would prefer not to live without.”
“Doubtful,” says Henry.
The way I resist the urge to watch Lucas with all my might…someone should give me a medal. Or at least a cookie.
“Are you expecting a rush on turning newborns now that the rules are lifted?” asks Henry.
“That’s happened?” I ask in surprise.
Rose nods. “I don’t necessarily believe there’ll be a rush. Most of our kind have seen how much easier and less complicated life is with fewer of us around. But we’ll see. Reactions to us decreasing the patrolling of the city is a bigger concern.”
“It pays to be cautious, and the creatures in L.A. know that. No one wants another cull.” Henry sighs. “Is it true two bodies were found drained of blood and left in public spaces this morning?”
Samuel’s lips thin in irritation. “Yes. Long Beach and Pasadena.”
“Hopefully just a few foolish vampires acting out,” says Rose. “They’re being hunted as we speak. But I understand some of the parties celebrating the easing of the rules were quite rowdy.”
“We’ll find them. Sooner or later.”
Henry throws a leg over the arm of the chair and says nothing.
I take another sip of blood. Not sure where they get the good stuff from, but it tastes so much better than my usual fare from plastic bags. “This world is so complicated.”
“Feeling overwhelmed?” asks Leilah. “Give yourself time. It’s a lot to adjust to.”
And Lucas and Zofia dance on. She throws her head back and laughs and ugh. I can’t do this. Not with all of these people watching me from the crowd. Having all of these emotions about him in the first place is discombobulating as fuck. I rise from my seat with my clutch in hand and say, “Back in a moment.”
“Where are you going,” asks Henry, who has already jumped to his feet.
“Just to check my makeup.”
“I did your makeup. It’s flawless. What are you insinuating?”
I think calm thoughts and smile. “Henry, be calm. I just need a moment.”
“All of these nosy assholes watching all the time,” says Leilah. “I don’t blame you for wanting a break. Lucas and the Woodsman legend was bad enough before he went into hiding for seventy years. Now it’s out of control.”
Henry grunts. “You’re not going to hide away and cry, are you? Father doesn’t like it when you cry. But he especially doesn’t like you crying on your own.”
“No, I’m not going to cry,” I say.
Henry just gives me a look. I have no idea what it means.
“Human girls go to bathrooms in groups, I’m told,” says Leilah. “Would you like some company?”
“I’m fine. But thank you.”
She nods and searches the crowd for Margaret. Her partner stands at the bar with a glass of scotch or similar in her hand. And the look they share…I want that. The open affection and support they show each other. To go through life together as they do. It’s a beautiful idea. Though, I don’t know how practical it is, since my current crush is dancing with his ex-hookup who looks like a supermodel.
Eh. Whatever. As my mother once told me, you can’t control what other people do, you can only control how you react to same.
“I’ll walk you to the door,” says Henry, in an unusually no-nonsense tone.
Benedict watches us go. Nicholas seems to have disappeared. Guess he’s gone hunting.
In a dark hallway off to the side is the bathroom. A pack of giggling humans stumble out and hurry past me. Though, one bares his neck in what I assume is a tease. He should really be more careful. My control is getting better each night. But it’s still not great. The familiar sound of their blood rushing through their veins, the warmth of their bodies, and the scent of them is all right there, making my mouth water.
Henry snaps his teeth playfully at the group. I hustle my ass into the bathroom and ignore them as best I can. To think that less than a week ago, I was one of them. A real live mortal girl with a beating heart and working lungs and all the rest. Now I am this magical, messed-up thing. Who knew being undead came with such a complicated romantic life?
Henry was right, my makeup is flawless. I touch up my nude lipstick just the same. The music from the bar is reduced to a muted thump in here. Whoever built this place put in some seriously thick walls. To have no one near me waiting or watching for a moment is exactly what I wanted. I stretch my neck and roll my shoulders. Just generally trying to decompress. Sometimes you need some space and silence. Along with the administration of a healthy dose of self-respect.
The woman in the mirror is fire. I’ve never looked so good in my life. And if Lucas doesn’t appreciate that fact, then he can go fuck himself. Honestly.
A loud thud comes from out in the hallway, making me jump. It almost sounds like some sort of skirmish is taking place. Then I hear a faint scraping noise behind me, someone moving or something. But it’s too late to so much as turn because the whole world goes dark.