Page 10 of Until the Heart Stops
His laugh was as boisterous as the rest of him. “Ah, yes, Gabrielle said she had a fantastic time here this evening with you and the Vyenur.”
My stomach clenched as I began to unroll the scroll.
Mademoiselle Searah,
Words cannot express the distress I feel that you would view yourself in such a way—even if it is through the lens of these gifts. I am a male of means, a male who knows better than most what your sacrifices over the years have meant. Though I cannot begin to understand what your life experience has been (and I will spare you the typical speech of an immortal on what the years can do to an individual) allow me to say this:
You deserve the world, Mademoiselle Searah. I just happen to be someone who can give it to you. Call it patronage, call it anything you’d like, but it is not blackmail or a bid for power over you or any other nefarious tactic you might imagine.
You said you do not know what I want—I want you to tell me whatyouwant. I want to provide for you. I want you to feel cherished, to know with each gift I send it is my way of showing you that you matter.You do not need me to tell you how powerful you are, you can feel it running through your veins. But I am here to tell you how worthy you are.
So tell me, my darling, what do you need?
Chapter 4
The hum of voices around me was like the buzz of insects, the image made even more real by the splendor that accompanied it.
Those in attendance at Eamon’s ball were jeweled beetles skittering here and there, fine silks and gemstones fluttering in the winter breeze. His estate was on the edge of Oylen near the swamplands, barely out of reach of the Covenant more due to the owner of the estate than geography. But his grand mansion was the height of opulence with its marble halls and gilded columns, lit with so many candles the light and smoke almost hurt my eyes. Music poured out from the ballroom, the quartet placed within an alcove to magnify the sound until one would think they were in every corner.
I ran a hand down the threadbare gown I reserved for such occasions. Eamon invited me almost every month, but I only accepted the invitation twice a year. This sort of celebration was too much after a time and I found I could enjoy myself on the rare occasions I came, but not too often. Adrienne, however, joined him almost monthly, likea flower pinned in his jacket. She was here already within the mansion. I knew if I waited on the outskirts she would find me eventually.
The gown had been my mother’s and a few years ago we’d tailored it for me, since I was a bit bustier than she had been. I could still remember those nights when she would leave the house in it to come to this ball as well, the slide of the dark red silk against my palms as she passed me in our townhome. Now it made my throat ache to wear it, especially because when I looked in the mirror, it felt as if she was staring back at me without a word.
“There you are!” Adrienne called, sliding through the crowd spilling into the ballroom.
Her gown was exceptional, as I’d known it would be. Eamon had told me about it before he’d left on his last trip. The sapphire silk caught the blue of her eyes and made her peach complexion even more lovely.
Around us vampires eyed her speculatively. They knew she was a staple on Eamon’s arm and a few guessed she was his blood giver in the den, though it was never confirmed publicly. Even here on the edges of the Covenant we could not openly speak of what we did. But they gave her a wide berth all the same out of respect for their host.
“You wore the necklace!” Her excitement was palpable and obviously increased by the wine passed out in ornate chalices to the humans in attendance.
I touched the ruby that brushed the valley of my breasts. It had seemed a waste not to wear it, especially with how it complemented the gown. Before I could reply, she grabbed me by the arm and drew me further into the melee toward the dais where Eamon stood looking out over the crowd.
His golden skin gleamed in the light, ochre eyes fixedon Adrienne with a soft smile on his lips. I wondered if she could see how in love with her he was or if she was still in denial.
“Lilith.” He beamed, taking a step down the dais toward us with outstretched arms.
I gave him a small curtsey, pressing three fingers to my mouth. “Thank you for your hospitality, my lord.”
His lips were soft against my brow, followed by the press of his thumb to the spot. Vampires were steeped in ancient custom and this was no different—the action was a sign to all those in attendance that I was welcomed as a member of his household and therefore under his protection.
“There are a few friends I’d like you to meet,” he began, holding out his hand toward a group of males on the other end of the dais.
A wave of tension rolled through the crowd, conversation dying out alongside the music. Eamon took a step higher on the dais while Adrienne and I turned. People were moving off to the sides, creating an aisle for the newcomers who had garnered so much attention.
There in the doorway stood Callum, flanked on either side by Henry and Gabrielle.
A tense silence followed. Henry winked at a few who gaped openly, while Gabrielle appeared to note the crystals hanging from the chandelier. Callum, however, looked only at Eamon, and took the first step toward the dais. As one the crowd moved another step back, a few bowing or curtsying while others glared with open hostility. But none spoke as he approached, Henry and Gabrielle only a half step behind.
“Lords and Lady Auguste,” Eamon greeted warmly with a dip of his chin. “Your presence honors me.”
Callum did not smile, but he did raise three fingers tohis lips. “I apologize for the sensation our arrival has caused, Uncle.”
Uncle. I frowned. Familial relations between vampires were confusing to say the least. Fledglings most often referred to their maker as parent and any subsequent fledglings as siblings, save for those ancient times when a vampire changed a human lover. It made sense there would be other types of relations between them, but I could not imagine who it was who had sired Callum that he would refer to Eamon in such a way.
The elder vampire’s smile did not waver as he leaned down, brushing his lips to Callum’s brow just as he did mine, followed by the touch of his thumb. “No need for apologies,” he murmured.
Callum took a step back as Henry and Gabrielle moved forward to receive the same treatment. His gaze flicked from Adrienne to me before falling to the ruby around my throat. Gray eyes hardened into stone and a muscle clenched in his jaw. Did he know this necklace had been a gift—or even who it was who had sent it?
