Page 106 of It All Started with a Bite

“Between the two of them, I’m pretty sure they’ll browbeat anyone who gets in their way,” Caroline said drily.

I scanned the ballroom. “I don’t see our hosts.”

“It’s standard protocol to wait until all the guests are gathered before making an entrance,” Samuel explained.

A familiar voice rose behind us.

“I’m glad you came.”

33

Trap

I turnedto find Lauren and Beatrice approaching with their mother. Lauren wore a black dress that would have looked more appropriate at a heavy metal concert. Beatrice was in a pink taffeta confection and filming everything with her phone.

Victoria stared, surprised. “You’re still in town?”

“We were planning to leave yesterday, but Priscilla insisted we stay for the ball,” Danielle explained. Her mouth pressed to a thin line as she studied her youngest. “Beatrice, what did we discuss?”

“But, Mother, my followers will love this!” Beatrice protested.

Danielle scowled. “Give me the phone.”

Beatrice reluctantly handed over her cell.

Hugh’s face had glazed over at the sight of Beatrice in her dress. Samuel elbowed him sharply in the ribs.

Before I could decipher what that was about, I spotted the Council of Elders entering the ballroom. Martha and Felicity detached themselves from the group and came over.

“Has anyone seen Camilla?” Martha asked curiously.

Victoria shook her head. “We just got here.”

“Did you know the Holts were planning to hold a ball?” Caroline asked Martha and Felicity.

The pair exchanged a guarded look.

“It was news to us,” Felicity admitted quietly.

“Judging from the rest of the Holt pack, it was news to them too,” Martha said shrewdly.

I followed her gaze to a group of werewolves standing near the dais. Several were talking in low voices, their expressions strangely tense. The rest forced diplomatic smiles on their faces as they greeted guests.

Didi’s voice suddenly crackled in my ear. “Your three o’clock. Those four waiters behind that ficus. They’re mercenaries.”

I picked a couple of champagne flutes from a passing server and turned to hand one to Samuel. The suspects appeared in my line of sight.

“You see them?” Samuel murmured, taking a leisurely sip of his drink.

“Yes.”

“Is there something going on?” Lauren’s puzzled gaze swung between us.

I hesitated and looked at the Hawthornes.

“It wouldn’t hurt to have more allies if things go south,” Caroline said with a shrug.

Kent nodded beside her.

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