Chapter 37 #2
Tonight, I was to play the role of his pet and secret weapon. I felt a bit like a game piece. Someone he wanted to flaunt, a way to show off his power. The irony wasn’t lost on me. Had I known nothing about him, I’d have scorned this. A few months ago, I’d have been disgusted.
But I wasn’t.
We were at war. Laurent had alliances to keep, new ones to forge, and a message for those who would stand against him. With me, he was the most powerful vampire in the city. But only because my blood made him so.
Thus, I was also a warning.
There would be people here tonight who wanted me for themselves.
The idea of being coveted for my blood took on new meaning as yearning gazes trailed over my body.
They almost felt like fingers, clutching at me as I passed by.
Nearly everyone here was either a vampire or a pet—witches, fae, shifters, and humans alike.
Laurent had explained that every vampire had a unique scent.
Those from individual houses carried the same familial blood and would have underlying scents that identified what house they came from or if they were independent.
Their pets would also carry such scents to warn others away.
“This way,” Laurent said, leading me up the entry stairs and into the mansion. His face was expressionless. I didn’t expect that to change—not tonight.
“Laurent Sarkas!” A woman smiled as we presented ourselves to the hosts. “It is an honor to have your presence with us this evening.” She didn’t sound all that honored.
“Natasha.” Laurent gave a respectful bow of his head. He did not reach out and shake hands. That was not the vampire way. They were too attuned to scent and didn’t mix or mingle. “Val, Yergoff.”
I took in the three vampires before me. Natasha was breathtaking.
Her golden blond hair was perfectly styled into a chignon at the base of her neck.
Her skin dripped with diamonds. The silver gown hugging her body had the same fine make as mine.
I noticed that she took me in as much as I did her, though her eyes were calculative and honed from too many lifetimes of experience.
“This must be your exquisite pet,” she crooned. Laurent stiffened minutely. Not enough for anyone to notice. I only felt it from the way he held me close. “Well, aren’t you going to introduce us?” she pouted.
“This is my amplifier, Miss Lily Shaw.” I didn’t miss that he used the word amplifier instead of pet.
“Miss Shaw,” Val drawled. The rake of his gaze over my body showed how little he saw me as a person rather than a thing. I suspected I ought to get used to the feel of his eyes. His wouldn’t be the first to devour me in such a way.
“What a shame that amplifiers have all but disappeared from the world,” Natasha mused.
“I suspect you’ll wait for the perfect moment to use this one.
Have you told her yet, of her fate?” It was a statement meant to stir up discord.
I forced myself to think of my time with the witches, to feel fear as the memories of their torture washed over me and changed my scent.
A satisfied smile spread across Natasha’s lips.
“Oh, you poor, poor creature. How can he treat you so?”
Perfect. Let them think I was some terrified little girl who’d just learned Laurent planned to drain me dry.
“Well,” Yergoff huffed, his voice filled with amusement, “we won’t keep you. Enjoy the party.”
Just like that, we were dismissed. As we made our way, Zola leaned in close and said, “What a dangerous game you’re playing, Lily. I like you more and more with each passing day.”
“Enough, Zola,” Laurent barked. It wouldn’t do for his rivals to know I had intentionally misled them. They would spread the news that Laurent was the biggest asshole who walked the earth, stealing an amplifier and failing to tell her what would become of her the moment he drained her dry.
Classical music grew louder as we made our way toward the ballroom. The manor was already crowded, but people saw us coming and stepped aside. Being the leader of a great house carried significant clout. Especially when that leader was feared.
Above the entry doors, words were carved in Italian. “What does it say?” I asked.
“It’s their family motto. It means, ‘Secrets are eternal.’”
We entered the ballroom and I took a moment to hide my surprise.
It was stunning. Hundreds of electric candles flickered in chandeliers overhead.
Floral garlands with real flowers covered the walls in shades of red and green, and hung like streamers.
Couples already littered the dance floor, swept up in a waltz.
“Do you dance, little flower?” Laurent turned to me, a hopeful gleam in his eyes.
“Only when asked by a certain handsome vampire.” I hadn’t complemented him on how he looked tonight.
Not yet, anyway. But he did look spectacular.
His moonlight hair was half up, half down, pulled back at the nape of his neck.
A few stray pieces framed his face. His perfectly tailored tux hugged every muscle.
He had a midnight blue pocket square that matched my gown, and a bow at his neck of the same color.
Truthfully, it had been hard to look anywhere but him.
“Handsome, you say? Well then, let us dance.”
He led me to the edge of the floor and waited for the next song to begin. This was a faster waltz. He took me into his arms and then swept me into the flow of dancers. I surrendered to him, matching his every step flawlessly, never missing a beat. His eyes widened.
A smug sense of satisfaction pulled at my lips but I schooled my expression.
“Impressive. Where did you learn to dance so well?”
“Zola and Catina have been sneaking private lessons with me since we arrived in Anoth.”
“Remind me to thank them later,” he murmured, sweeping me around until I was near breathless.
We danced song after song until my feet ached.
Only then did Laurent reluctantly part with me, allowing Hassan, Vittorio, and Zola each a turn.
Otherwise, we remained glued together. I found myself smiling, laughing even.
It was easy to forget that I’d had my own life before this.
That there were times when I’d been severely unhappy—more often than not.
But here, as the music twisted around me where I was safe in Laurent’s arms, there was just this.
Happiness. Contentment. I liked how things had turned out, this new life of luxury and purpose I’d been thrust into.
It would take time to grow accustomed to the extravagance of it, but Laurent was right.
I deserved it after all I’d been through.
We were just getting ready to depart for the evening when I caught a glimpse of blue-green eyes.
It was a haunting gaze, one that was hard to forget.
The moment I saw it, he vanished and I was left frowning.
I didn’t speak his name aloud, though I was tempted to whisper it.
This was the second time I’d caught sight of a vampire who was supposed to be dead.
My stomach twisted with dread, for it no longer seemed like a coincidence.
Laurent’s past was coming back to haunt us.