Page 78 of A Game of Love and Betrayal

Rule number four: vampires must always remain calm, even in the face of difficulty.

Rule number five: always trust your instincts.

She applied her makeup, the crimson lipstick reminding her of blood as she swiped it across her lips.

Rule number six: let nothing distract you from your goal.

Rule number seven: your Maker always knows best.

Rule number eight: emotions are for mortals, not vampires.

Gathering her hair, Brynleigh allowed some curls to fall halfway down her back before tying the rest in elaborate knots on top of her head.

Rule number nine: never turn your back on your enemy.

Rule number ten: once the game has begun, losing is not an option. The only alternative to winning is death.

Brynleigh stuck one last hairpin in her locks, then grabbed the rose. It was heavy, weighted like a tiara, and she pinned it behind her right ear. Other than that, the only jewelry she wore was the golden necklace. Last of all was the mask. It was crimson, like the gown and rose, and she tied it behind her head.

She stepped back, taking herself in critically before nodding approvingly. There was a certain lethal edge to her appearance that she enjoyed immensely.

Two things were missing.

Brynleigh reached within, drawing on her shadows and wings. The first pooled around her feet, the dark wisps giving her strength. The second hung on her back, the wings symbolizing her vampiric strength and power.

Now, she was ready.

Armed guards were stationed in front of the closed ballroom doors. Their faces were tight, and their eyes dark as they surveyed the hallway.

Brynleigh’s gown swished as she strode towards them. She kept her wings tight against her back and held her head high.

“Miss de la Point,” the guard on the left said. “Welcome.”

Brynleigh smiled demurely, keeping her gaze locked on the closed double doors. Faint musical overtures trickled from the ballroom. “Is it my turn?”

Earlier, the Matron had explained how the Masked Ball would work. Each participant would enter separately so they could be announced. There would be drinks and small bites during the cocktail hour, but the real party would start after the proposals.

“Soon,” he replied.

Heels clicked behind Brynleigh. An aura of wrongness settled around her. It was a warning, a pause before a storm, a moment of peace before danger. The vampire stiffened and turned around as a tall woman drew near.

Even in a mask, Brynleigh recognized Valentina. The fire fae’s floor-length ballgown was so wide that it would barely make it through the door. Pale pink, almost white roses covered the dress from the top of the bodice down to her feet. Valentina’s blue-black hair was in a tight bun, and tendrils floated around her face. Cruel violet eyes peered out from behind a cream mask and narrowed when they landed on the vampire. Red lips twisted into a wicked sneer.

“Well, if it isn’t the fucking leech who stole my fae.” Valentina stalked towards Brynleigh, her eyes flickering with an undisguised threat of violence. “If it weren’t for you, he’d be Choosing me tonight.”

Shadows frothed in Brynleigh’s veins, and her fangs tightened in her gums. Her fists wanted nothing more than to connect with Valentina’s ugly face, but she couldn’t give in to her desire.

The fourth rule played in Brynleigh’s mind. She amended it, adding a clause for awful fire fae with hateful vendettas. Gods, why couldn’t Hallie have been here instead?

Brynleigh had the worst luck.

“Your fae?” Brynleigh tilted her head, forcing her face into a mask of calmness she did not feel inside. “I’m certain I don’t know who you’re talking about.”

Valentina snarled, baring her elongated canines. They were nothing like the fangs within Brynleigh’s mouth, but they were sharp… for a fae. “You undead, whoreish, night-walking grave dweller. You know exactly who I’m talking about.”

Was Valentina so unintelligent that she could not come up with insults unrelated to Brynleigh’s species? How incredibly unoriginal.

“Do I?” Brynleigh picked at non-existent dirt beneath her nails. “Hmm. I’m not sure.”

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