Page 12 of Hollow House
A touch to my shoulder startled me, and I nearly jumped out of my skin. Why was I still so on edge, even inside, seeing how normal the party actually was?
I turned to find a man a few inches taller watching me. His Armani suit told me he was wealthy, certainly not a local.
“You’re new here,” he observed.
“I am,” I confirmed, not seeing a reason to lie.Many attendees were probably annual invites. It made sense sinceno one from town was ever invited. The guest list appeared extremely curated. If only I could find out exactly who was on that list…
“Would you like a tour of the offerings?” he asked, a dark look in his gaze.
I recoiled from his outstretched hand. I hated the way the question sounded. Felix encouraged me to let loose, to possibly hook up with someone, but this didn’t seem to be an opportunity I was eager to take.
“No, thank you,” I declined.
He cocked his head, looking me over like I was a mystery to him.“Want another drink?” the man asked.
“No, I am all set,” I assured him.
I needed a different excuse, because the typical polite yet uninterested tone was not working. This guy was persistent.
And not in an asshole type of way. It was more in a way that he wasn’t used to having anyone uninterested in him. His face contorted, trying to make sense of the words coming from my mouth all while trying new ways to ask for my attention.
A presence behind me caught his attention, and as it closed in on us, my entire body tensed. The familiar feeling of being watched returned.I didn’t get a chance for my body to catch up to my mind before my unwanted company opened his mouth.
“She’s yours?”
A look of both horror and surprise flashed across his face, and my heart stopped.
Chapter 7
She was mine.
The second I laid eyes on her, in that tiny little black dress that hugged her hips, I knew I needed a bite. I needed to bend her over a table and take her right there.
The way she walked through the crowd, lost, looking for someone to step in and guide her—it was all the invitation I needed.
I stood from the chair I lounged in, keeping watch. One night a year, I allowed the patrons of Hollow House to give in to their deepest desires. It kept them thankful throughout the year. Obedient.Loyal to one single person: the shadow who watched over them, guided them, provided them a sanctuary from the world that denied us.
She would be next.
I took a step down from the dais the chair sat on, watching her brown hair disappear into the crowd. I’d hunt her down and find out exactly what she desired.
The thought of my cock inside her, stretching her, pushed me down the next step.
She would join us.
Before the night was over, I would make her mine.
Chapter 8
“There you are, love,”a deep voice whispered in my ear, their breath tickling my neck.
My core warmed at the way the word sounded on his lips, and I turned to find the man I spotted earlier behind me. Tattoos covered his body, his dark hair swept perfectly out of place.
His dark suit matched my dress, and I let out a slight sigh of relief that I hadn’t messed up the attire to the extent I thought. His own mask was black, with similar gold detailing to the patterns on my own. Was that on purpose?
“If you’ll excuse us,” he said, nodding to the man who had been vying for my attention.
The other man respectfully backed away and left without another word.
