Page 50 of Rites of Passage

Mae glanced at him in the mirror. She startled and straightened, her pupils widening. Color stained her cheekbones. Vlad’s body grew hot at what he read in her eyes, the hunger swirling through him turning to full-blown lust.

“You look, er, nice,” she croaked, her gaze nervously sweeping his body.

The black tuxedo with gold accents and matching brogues he wore were a perfect complement to her outfit. It was by a sheer act of will that Vlad managed not storm across the room and take her in his arms. He gave her a beguiling smile instead.

“Thank you. And you look as stunning as I thought you would.”

Mae flushed.

Vlad walked over to her, took the clasps from her fingers, and fastened them. The soft curls dangling from her chignon tickled his skin as he let go of the necklace. He stiffened slightly when he saw the slight tremor in his hands. If Mae noticed, she didn’t say anything.

Their gazes collided in the mirror. Vlad stilled. Mae’s breath caught.

He maintained eye contact and stroked her nape and shoulders with a featherlight touch. Her skin was soft and scorching hot under his fingers. She shivered but didn’t move, her mesmerized stare locked on his reflection.

Vlad skimmed his hands down her bare arms and brushed his body close to hers. “How about we skip the reception?”

Her lips parted when he leaned in and coasted his mouth across her ear lobe. Hunger darkened her eyes. She angled her head instinctively to give him better access.

A faint wheezing reached them. They froze.

Tarang sat to their left, big, blue eyes unblinking and visibly enthralled. Brimstone was grinning next to the tiger, his entire body vibrating with laughter.

Vlad sighed. Mae pursed her lips.

“Am I interrupting?” someone said icily.

Nikolai stood in the doorway of the room. He was wearing a murderous look and a classic, black tuxedo that showcased his powerful frame and long legs. Alastair rustled his wings self-consciously where he perched on Nikolai’s shoulder, his midnight-black feathers almost invisible against the sorcerer’s jacket.

Bryony and her retinue hovered awkwardly behind them, gazes swinging between the incensed sorcerer and Vlad.

Guilt flashed in Mae’s eyes. She moved.

Vlad’s heart sank, instantly missing her closeness.

Nikolai stilled when he finally got a look at Mae. His pupils dilated. Vlad lowered his brows, not liking the heated expression of yearning that dawned in the depths of the sorcerer’s gaze.

“You look…amazing,” Nikolai told Mae grudgingly.

Mae smiled, the tension melting from her face. “You scrub up quite nice yourself.”

Bryony cleared her throat. “Shall we?”

“Before we go, I have some news,” Nikolai said. “Gregory called. He said Agnes remembered something from when she was possessed by the ghoul.”

Mae frowned. “What did she recall?”

“Oscar mentioned the Annual Grand Meeting.” A muscle twitched in Nikolai’s cheek. He indicated the skeleton key next to Hellreaver with a jerk of his head. “Whatever is causing demons to appear in this city must have something to do with the Dark Council and that key.”

Vlad rubbed the back of his head.

“I heard something strange during my meetings this afternoon,” he confessed stiltedly. “The gangs in Philadelphia are all pretty jumpy. Thing is, they can’t pinpoint what’s making them nervous. They just know something isn’t right.”

Mae’s face grew tight. “How good are their instincts?”

Vlad clenched his jaw. “As good as mine.”

CHAPTER23

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