Chapter 6
6
R ory helped me change into the black off-shoulder gown I’d picked out earlier and bound my hair into a simple knot at the nape of my neck. We were both quiet as she helped me get ready, each of us lost in our own thoughts. Her delicate hands trembled slightly as she worked on my hair, betraying her nervousness about tonight.
“I’ll let Master Henry know you’re ready,” she said, lowering her hands from my head and clasping them in front of her. The corners of her mouth were turned down when I faced her, meeting her worried gaze. She didn’t try to feign a smile as she swallowed and said, “Ezra and I will be helping during dinner tonight, so I’ll see you again soon.”
Her words didn’t bring me comfort. On the contrary, they made my heart turn over with dread. I had the strongest urge to hide the siblings away for the duration of the ball and make sure they didn’t come near it.
With a heavy sigh, I nodded, and Rory slipped out of the door. I knew there was no way to avoid the ball, but I wasn’t ready for it. I doubted anything could have prepared me for tonight. In an attempt to calm my nerves, I took a deep breath, finding my center. After regaining some composure, I put on my necklace, letting the locket fall to my chest, and strapped the dagger to my thigh, making sure it was concealed under the skirt of my dress. The silky material of the gown molded to my body, but the outline of the weapon was not visible, which was a relief. I would have had to choose a different dress before I would forgo bringing my dagger.
I wasn’t foolish enough to think the weapon would do me any good in a room full of vampires. I knew I wouldn’t be able to prevail. My hope was to at least put up a small fight before being torn to shreds by fatally sharp teeth and claws.
A shudder of trepidation rolled down my spine as I turned back to the mirror. My face had become ashen, and my lips were pressed into a thin line, their color almost white. I truly didn’t know what to expect tonight, and the feeling was more than disconcerting.
A knock sounded on the door, and all my muscles tensed because I knew it was Henry here to collect me for the ball. The Lord walked in a moment later, and I turned from the mirror to face him. He was wearing all black; the color a striking contrast against his pale skin, making the deep blue of his eyes stand out. His dark hair was combed back from his face, and his features were taut as if the Lord was on edge. The line of his lips was firm like mine, making me wonder if he was not looking forward to the ball.
“Good evening, Sophie,” Henry said in his deep voice, appraising me from head to toe.
His blue eyes were assessing as they roamed over me, flickering over the strands of hair left down to frame my face and lingering where the locket rested on my chest.
“Good evening,” I managed to say.
Every sense I had honed over the last year heightened the moment the vampire stepped into the room. I couldn’t forget for a second that I was in the presence of a predator.
“You look lovely,” the Lord said low.
I cringed at his words and couldn’t bring myself to thank him for the compliment.
Uncomfortable silence stretched for a few seconds until Henry asked, “Did you have a good day? Rory told me you went to the park.”
“We did.” I inclined my head. “I think everyone had a good day. Despite how it started.”
Henry’s brows knitted in a frown. “Yes. What happened this morning was…unfortunate. I’m glad you were able to hold your own against Eleanor and that no one got hurt.”
“Do you think she will heed your advice and return to her old life?”
“I hope so,” the Lord replied, shadows creeping into his eyes.
“Does it bother you? Eleanor’s attachment to you?” I asked, recalling Henry’s reaction to Eleanor’s presence at the mansion earlier. He had seemed conflicted, and there had been something akin to sorrow in his eyes.
“What bothers me is that she was put in that situation. We pluck humans from their lives for a year and then expect them to go back as if nothing happened. It is harder for some than most.”
The way the Lord spoke sounded almost as if he didn’t approve of the concept of the Selection.
Puzzled by his answer, I tilted my head to the side, studying his face.
“You care about her?”
“Enough to only wish her the best. She served her purpose. There is no reason for her to still cling to this…life.”
“What about Rory? Do you care about her, too? She said you took her and Ezra in?” I asked, curiosity getting the best of me. The Lord’s actions and behavior were not what I had expected from a vampire.
“I do care about her and Ezra, and I did take them in. It seemed like the best decision at the time, but sometimes I find myself wondering if it truly was,” Henry said, running a hand over his jaw as if lost in thought. “Sometimes I wonder if they would be safer with humans instead of living here.”
“Especially on evenings like tonight?” I surmised, thinking about my own reservations about having the siblings at the ball.
“Yes,” Henry admitted, once again surprising me with his candor. “About tonight…” His stormy blue eyes met mine. “I must apologize in advance for what you might witness or experience at the ball.”
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I stared at the Lord. He was apologizing for tonight? He was not at all what I’d expected, but I knew better than to let my guard down. If he didn’t condone the other clans’ behavior at the ball, he could choose not to host it, and if he didn’t agree with the Selection, he could change that, too. Or, at least, try to. Perhaps he was just saying these things to lull me into a false sense of security around him. My eyes narrowed with suspicion at the Lord before I noticed a flat, black box in his hand.
“This is for you,” Henry said, following my gaze.
He opened the box to reveal a string of diamonds, and my breath caught. I’d never seen anything so beautiful, and I couldn’t even imagine how much the necklace was worth.
“I am not taking off the locket,” I stated, my tone flat.
My simple necklace did not go with my gown, but I couldn’t bear the thought of parting with it. As silly as it sounded, I felt like it offered some kind of protection. As if by wearing it, I carried my mother’s strength and wisdom with me.
Henry’s jaw tightened as his gaze dropped to the locket.
“What is so special about it?” He sounded agitated, closing the jewelry box with a click and depositing it on top of my vanity.
“It holds a miniature portrait of my mother,” I told him, seeing no reason to lie.
Sympathy filled his eyes as he said low, “I’m sorry about what happened to her.”
My lips parted slightly, and it took me a moment to form a reply because I was so taken aback.
“I’m sorry about Vincent,” I finally said. “I’ve heard he was like a father to you.”
Everyone knew the Duvals were not related to each other by blood but had chosen to form a family-like bond. Vincent had been the father figure, while Henry and Isabelle were like brother and sister. I wasn’t sure if vampires regarded familial ties with the same importance as humans did. Did they mourn their loved ones? Or did they carry on as if nothing happened because loss was just a part of their eternal life?
“I did consider him my father. Taking over the clan after his death has not been easy,” Henry said. Not much was known about Vincent’s disappearance. I knew he had gone missing around the same time my mother had died. He’d been presumed dead, and Henry had become the new leader of the Duval clan. “A year later, I still have to keep proving myself to the others,” the Lord continued. “That is why it’s so important that no one knows about our arrangement. I cannot show any weakness.”
“I understand,” I told him, turning back to the mirror.
My gaze landed on my neck, and a thought occurred to me.
Frowning, I glanced at Henry. “Will the others think it’s odd that I don’t have any bite marks?”
Henry’s chin dipped, and his eyes turned darker as they fixed on my exposed neck.
I shivered at the intensity of his stare.
Quickly closing the distance between us, he came to stand behind me, a cool presence at my back.
“No. They will assume I give you my blood to heal the wounds. I don’t have to give you bite marks,” he paused, one side of his mouth turning up. “Unless, of course, you’re curious.”
His tone was almost teasing as he reached up as if to touch me.
Meeting his gaze in the vanity mirror, I scowled at him.
“I’m not,” I assured him coldly.
He smirked but lowered his hand.
“I will have to touch you tonight,” he pointed out. “You are my vassal. You will have to act as such.” He arched one dark brow.
“So, act like you own me?” I snapped.
“In the eyes of the others, I do own you for a year,” Henry said calmly.
I bristled at his words but then schooled my features. It was in my best interest to play the role tonight so I could remain on the estate.
“I understand,” I said again, gritting my teeth.
I told myself I was committed to my mission and hoped I wouldn’t do anything foolish to jeopardize it. I could not allow my emotions to get the best of me like I had last night.
“Ready?” Henry asked, stepping away from me.
A soft sigh of relief left me because there was now some distance between us. The Lord stopped on his way to the door and half turned as I took one small step toward him.
“Are you wearing your dagger?” he asked, his gaze dropping to my thigh.
His mouth was taut, and his eyes were wary when they met mine again.
“I am,” I replied, unsure of what would happen next. If he asked me to take it off, I’d refuse.
“Good,” he said, surprising me. “Try not to pull it out unless you absolutely have to.”
“Will I have to?” I asked, my scowl increasing as unease curled its way down my spine.
“I don’t think so, but it is good you have a weapon and know how to use it.”
There was a faint note of approval in his tone, but I had to admit it was disheartening he was so relaxed about letting me have the dagger. Because that meant he truly didn’t see me as a threat.
“Shall we?” Henry asked, and I hesitantly curled my arm around his.
The coolness emanating from him made my breath hitch and my skin prickle.
“Try to look more relaxed,” he murmured as we left my bedroom and strolled to the ballroom. “The others need to believe you are comfortable around me.”
“They need to believe that I let you feed from me,” I clarified under my breath.
“Among other things,” he said quietly, and I glanced at him, appalled.
Cheeks heating, I quickly looked away. The relationship between a vassal and a vampire was not expected to be sexual, but I’d heard most of them were. I’d also heard that having a vampire feed from you could be an intense experience. Wren had confirmed as much this morning. A tiny part of me was curious about it, but I was more terrified than intrigued.
Anxiety flooded my system the moment we entered the ballroom. The night had descended, and all the heavy curtains were open, revealing the darkness outside. Henry untucked my arm from his and placed his hand on the center of my back, guiding me deeper into the crowd that had already filled the large space. His touch bothered me, but I knew better than to pull away. I was just here to play a role. All I had to do was pretend for a few hours and act as his vassal.
My skin prickled with awareness as all the heads in the room turned to us. All conversation ceased for a brief moment before resuming again. I caught a few curious glances in our direction as Henry and I stopped in the middle of the ballroom, not far from Isabelle and Wren.
The other vassal looked dashing in a pale-blue shirt that matched his eyes. He appeared a bit nervous, but the smile he flashed me when he noticed me was easy, and I had to admire his composure. Isabelle also smiled at me, her fangs peeking through her crimson-painted lips. She wore a revealing gown made of ivory-hued silk that hugged her slender form, pooling by her feet on the floor. Her hair was twisted up, with a few tight curls framing her heart-shaped face.
When a servant came by with a tray of champagne glasses, Henry took one and offered it to me. Grateful for something to occupy my hands to conceal their trembling, I accepted the drink and took a sip, trying to be subtle as I looked around the room.
Distinguishing vampires from their vassals was easy. It wasn’t just their preternatural stillness. They had a certain air of superiority about them. They knew they were apex predators and carried themselves as if they owned this world, and humans were nothing more than pets.
A wave of anger swept through me at the thought. My dagger scorched the skin of my thigh, begging me to reach for it. My hands spasmed around the champagne glass, and I gritted my teeth, fighting the pull of my weapon. I was in a room full of vampires. Was I going to go on a killing spree? I almost laughed at the absurdity of the idea.
“Are you alright?” Henry asked low, inclining his head closer to me.
I almost jerked away at his proximity but held myself still, willing the tense muscles of my shoulders and neck to relax.
Before I could reply, one of the vampires glided over to us. He was tall and thin, with a sheet of jet-black hair that fell below his shoulders to his trimmed waist. I’d seen his portrait before when researching the clans, but I couldn’t recall his name.
“This must be your new vassal,” the vampire said in a smooth, rich voice.
His features were arrogant and relaxed as he took a drink from his glass.
Henry stiffened beside me, and his hand flexed where it was resting on my back.
“Yes, this is Sophie,” he said, his tone cold. “Sophie, this is Everett Stern, the clan leader in the Southern region.”
I gave a curt nod as I met Stern’s gaze. His eyes were so dark, they appeared bottomless, and I had to suppress a shudder as I stared into the twin pools of blackness. The Lord from the South smirked and began appraising me, tapping his index finger on his chin. My skin crawled as his fathomless eyes roamed over every inch of my body. When his perusal was finally over, those eerie eyes met mine again. The blackness in them was like thick, viscous liquid, pulling me in and drowning me, robbing me of my breath. I dared a peek at Henry, but his stoic, silent presence by my side only heightened my anxiety. He was clearly uneasy around Stern, and that was very unsettling.
“You are exquisite, Sophie,” Stern purred, and I instantly hated how my name sounded on his lips.
“Thank you, my Lord,” I murmured, my stomach twisting with revulsion.
He turned to Henry. “You have made an excellent choice. Perhaps we could trade.”
My grip tightened on the delicate stem of the champagne glass in my hand. Did the vampires do that? Trade their vassals as if we were some kind of a commodity?
“No, thanks,” Henry bit out, his tone openly hostile. “I am not interested in children.”
So Stern was the one who took children as his vassals. Bile rose in my throat as a feeling of disgust slithered across my skin.
There was another smirk on Stern’s well-formed mouth.
“My vassal is almost seventeen this time. However, I do prefer them to be much younger. It’s as if you can taste the innocence in their blood.”
All color drained from my face, and I thought I was going to be sick. When my eyes darted to Henry, the look of revulsion on his face mirrored my own.
“Do not give me that look.” Stern chuckled. “If you want to get all judgmental, Moreau over there did not return his vassal again this year.” The Lord nodded at another vampire in the room—a burly one with a rough-hewn face, sable hair, and brown eyes.
Cold to my very core, I drew in a shallow breath, my chest painfully tight. When I swayed on my feet, Henry held me in place with his hand still on my back. His upper lip curled at Stern’s words, revealing one gleaming sharp fang.
“That is not supposed to happen,” he bit out, pinning Moreau with a stare.
When Moreau noticed his glare, he smirked arrogantly and lifted his glass, demonstrating the behavior of someone who knew there would be little to no consequences for his actions. I clenched my teeth to prevent myself from doing something foolish, like trying to stake him.
“Yes, well. We are vampires. It is in our nature.” Stern lifted a shoulder nonchalantly.
“This Empire is founded on a delicate balance,” Henry repeated the words he’d spoken to me last night.
“It was founded on one, yes, but perhaps it is time for a change,” the other Lord said.
“What change?” Henry narrowed his eyes as my breath got stuck in my throat.
“A change where we vampires take what we want.”