18. Chapter Eighteen - Leigh
The pulsating beat of Little Death thrums through my body as I take a sip of my lukewarm cocktail.
Around the expansive private room, Council members—including the new Nebula representatives and Keris—indulge in the night’s revelry.
The pungent scent of alcohol and raucous laughter permeates the air.
I’m surprised Keris accepted my invitation, given Stellan’s scathing article about his last visit here.
Even more surprising is Alden.
Instead of joining his rowdy companions, he’s chosen to sit beside me on the stiff sofa.
His piercing gaze holds a mix of mischief and something more profound that I can’t quite read.
“Not having fun?” Alden asks, his attention drifting to my barely touched drink.
I’ve been nursing the same cocktail since we arrived an hour ago.
The last thing I need is to let my guard down in this den of debauchery.
I want to keep my mind clear while Alden becomes more befuddled with every beverage he consumes.
By staying sober while he becomes increasingly intoxicated, I hope to catch him off guard and make him reveal something truthful.
My gaze drifts past Alden and settles on the door.
Bennett should be here by now.
The luncheon ended hours ago.
I want to know what information he extracted from Janus.
If she’s Stellan’s source, are her actions driven by retribution for the Harborym, or is there something darker at play?
Alden inches closer.
“If you’re not having fun, we could always go back to the palace. Just the two of us.”
I wrinkle my nose.
“Pass.”
Alden laughs.
“I keep trying to be your friend, and your rejection hurts.”
“My friend?” I retort.
“Friends don’t proposition each other.”
Alden sighs.
“Who says I am pretending? Negotiations between us would go much smoother if we were horizontal.”
“Does Tanith care that you’re talking to me like this?”
Alden narrows his eyes.
“Who told you about Tanith?”
A winning smile plays on my lips as his gaze darts across the room to Ravi, who is conversing with the striking redheaded vampire server.
Alden’s glare goes unnoticed by his friend.
I purse my lips in contemplation.
If Ravi and Alden are conspiring against me, why is Alden so surprised that Ravi mentioned Tanith?
Unless I’m right, and Ravi is working against Alden.
He did warn me not to invite him here.
Or maybe Ravi is on my side?
I frown.
The likelihood of Ravi being an ally feels farfetched.
It’s more likely they are both playing me.
“Trust me, Leigh. Tanith doesn’t care what I do.”
“Oh, and why’s that? Did she dump you?” I chide.
“No, she’s dead.”
All air leaves my lungs.
I fumble for words.
“I—I’m so sorry. That was?—”
“Don’t worry about it.” Alden’s attention shifts to Vane as he enters the room behind Desiree, who balances a tray of shots with practiced ease.
I have no clue how she can walk, let alone work in the dress she has on.
It is so tight.
I sit up straighter, beckoning Desiree over, desperate for a distraction from the awkward tension my insensitive prodding has created.
Desi’s dazzling smile captivates the room, drawing in the attention of everyone present.
Well, almost everyone.
The redheaded vampire conversing with Ravi seems to be the only one immune to Desi’s charm, ignoring her.
Alden’s focus shifts to Desi, and the sadness in his gaze transforms into keen interest as he unabashedly appraises her.
His eyes roam over her body like he is surveying a masterpiece, lingering on her breasts.
I find myself chewing the inside of my cheek, understanding that Alden’s flirtatious behavior might be nothing more than a carefully crafted facade to mask his underlying grief.
This revelation leaves a sour taste in my mouth, and I can’t help but question his sincerity.
Vane takes the seat to my left as Desiree hands one of the overflowing shots to Alden, who downs it in one go.
“And what’s your name, gorgeous?” Alden asks my boyfriend’s sister.
I catch Vane’s eye roll as Desiree replies, “Desiree.”
“Desiree, you’ve been working your ass off,” Alden points out.
Desiree blinks in surprise.
“Why don’t you take a seat?” He pats his lap.
Desiree laughs off the offer with grace.
“If I stop working, who will refill your drinks when you get thirsty?” she counters, her voice like velvet.
Alden’s smile turns predatory.
“I am thirsty.”
Desiree shakes her head, her short, glossy black hair swishing with the movement.
“I’m flattered, but I need to get back to work. These drinks won’t serve themselves.”
Alden catches her hand, and Vane tenses on the other side of me.
His muscles coil like a spring, ready to snap.
I glance back at Desiree, who pointedly avoids Vane’s gaze while Alden leers at him from the corner of his eye.
Is he deliberately trying to provoke Vane by using Desiree as a pawn?
It’s a dangerous game, one that could easily escalate.
“When can I see you again?” Alden asks.
“That’s funny. I was going to ask you the same question,” Desiree says mischievously.
“Well, I just got here. We have a few days to get to know each other before Leigh kicks me out. Maybe I can crash with you? Do you live here?”
Desiree toys with her dress’s plunging neckline.
“I do. And you say you just got here, but I thought I saw some paw prints earlier this week in the park. Were they from you?”
Alden shakes his head.
“Can’t say that they were, gorgeous.”
Desiree’s smile falters, hinting at more to her questioning than mere curiosity.
“Desiree, people are waiting for their orders,” the redheaded server calls out.
“That’s my cue,” Desiree announces to Alden.
“I wish you would stay.”
Alden’s appreciative gaze lingers on Desiree’s retreating form as she saunters off.
I tighten my grip on my drink, wishing I could drown him in it.
A glance at Vane reveals he’s doing the same, his glass of blood in danger of shattering under the pressure of his grip.
Something is going on between him and Desiree.
“She’s a pretty girl,” Alden says to Vane once he notices the tension.
“Is she yours?”
“Desiree belongs to no one but herself,” Vane replies.
“How chivalrous. If a girl who looks like that worked for me, I’d lock her up and throw away the key.”
“Is that what you do to women back in Lua—lock them in cages?” I quip, unable to hide my disdain.
“Only if they ask nicely.”
I roll my eyes.
“Brute.”
With a laugh, Alden rises from his seat.
He walks over to Desiree and laughs at something Keris says.
My people are winning him over.
Alden slips his arm around Desiree’s tiny waist, pulling her close to whisper something in her ear.
She responds by biting her lip.
“I’m glad Jaxson isn’t here to see this,” I mutter under my breath as I wave enthusiastically at another of my councilors walking through the door wearing the signature Little Death red mask before taking it off.
“Did he pass along my message?” Vane asks.
He speaks to me, but his eyes watch Alden possessively squeeze Desiree’s hip.
She doesn’t swat him away.
“About Beatrix Marks? I have Pallas looking into her,” I say in a low voice, sipping my watered-down drink.
While I showed Alden around the city, Jaxson informed me about the visiting anti-monarchist.
The news took me by surprise; I’d heard her name before.
She opposes the monarchy and all inherited leadership positions.
While she and others like her haven’t posed a threat, I dislike having her in the city while Alden is here.
“Is she here to jumpstart some sort of protest in light of the blackout?”
“She’s here to meet with someone,” Vane shares while glaring at Desiree.
With each touch and smile she offers Alden and the others, Vane bares his teeth a little more.
“Who?” I urge.
Vane finally tears himself away from Desiree to meet my gaze.
He sighs.
“I didn’t get a name. But I suggest watching your back.”
I frown.
I’d need eyes in the back of my head to do that.
Desiree slips free from the conversation and leaves the room.
Vane stands abruptly.
“It was good seeing you, sweetness.” Vane hurries after Desiree then.
He doesn’t notice the redheaded vampire’s piercing stare as the door closes behind them, sealing them off from her view.
The tension in the room hangs thicker than blood, and I can’t shake the sense that there’s more to this situation than meets the eye.
With Beatrix Marks in the city and the enigmatic figures she’s here to meet, I know I must stay vigilant.
The blackout, Ravi, Alden’s presence, already have me biting my nails.
What other surprises await me in the shadows?