Page 62 of Seduction in Blood
Her laughter filled the warm night air, making heads turn. The tension drained away. If she kept people's focus on her rather than me, I might survive the evening.
* * *
Devon led me in,his arm wrapped around mine, with Lucas and Simone trailing behind. Sergi followed with a group of singles. His job was to scope out the upper floors, deliver the intel, then remain on the fringes, ready to pull the limo around when it was time to leave. The other driver, Bella, who brought Lucas and Simone, would remain outside, ensuring the vehicles didn't get blocked in. There was nothing worse than having your escape route compromised.
The entrance line took ten minutes, and our group remained silent with the exception of Devon sharing an occasional word with Lucas and Simone. I remained invisible at his side. When we made it to the doors of the ballroom, we were announced to an enormous crowd, who couldn't seem to care less. I silently thanked Anna for the hours of drudgery preparing me for such an event, though it didn't stop the butterflies from returning.
I trotted out my bored expression as if Devon dragged me to one of these every week. If I thought Devon overdressed me, I could stop worrying. Elegance and diamonds dripped from every corner. It was like stepping into a room full of royalty, and I supposed, from the vampire perspective, we were. Aristocracy, Council members, and anyone who was anyone mingled in the richly decorated room.
After the heralding of our names, Lucas and Simone disappeared into the crowd. I stayed close to Devon, chin up, my gaze lowering if anyone spent too much time staring. According to Anna, the ball was not a place for ogling Blood Wards. Decorum was maintained, and Blood Wards were kept under the watchful eyes of their handlers.
For two dreary hours, Devon worked the crowd, greeting obvious friends who weren't at the tea party. They were all surprised to see him at the ball, even more so with a Blood Ward, yet they seemed supportive and genuinely happy to see him. There were several who snubbed him while managing lukewarm greetings, and others who didn't hide behind false flatteries. I marked all of those in the enemy column. While it rankled that I carried no status, being a mere human and all, most ignored me other than a polite greeting and a raised brow of interest. It played into our hands. I had no doubt Devon had expected that. If I was nothing more than interesting wallpaper, like a few other Blood Wards we met, no one would pay me any mind if I were to get lost in the crowd.
We mingled, covering every inch of the first floor, which was widely open to guests. Then we ventured to the second floor, where a sizable open area boasted leather chairs and sofas for private conversations or to rest tired feet—if that ever happened to vamps. I used the opportunity to monitor the security system and bodyguards that patrolled the outer fringes. Everything was exactly as we'd predicted and planned for.
Except for all the touching.
Devon's hands were on me constantly. On my arm, my elbow, and sometimes holding my hand. Whenever a male with lustful eyes wandered by, he placed a protective hand on my ass. I knew why he was doing it, could see other men with their vampiric protective nature keeping their women close. It wouldn't have bothered me so much if I didn't feel a warm tingle course through me each time his hand touched me. And sometimes, I didn't see a reason for his caress, or the need to wrap an arm around my waist and pull me close as he laughed at someone's joke. It felt so natural, so intimate, so provocative. The strangest occurrence was when a vamp, who I later learned was a high-ranking Council member, strolled toward us. Devon pulled me into an alcove and planted a kiss on me, creating sparks that could have singed hair. I don't know how I noted the vamp's disgusted leer as he passed by when waves of desire shook body parts that were best kept dormant.
"Why did you do that? That man stared daggers at the back of your head." My breath rushed out, and I touched my lips, certain Devon had seared them off.
"That was Jacova. High aristocracy and one of the longest-sitting Council members. He considers shifters worse than humans."
"I'm glad there wasn't time for introductions. What was the point of the kiss?"
He gave me his first honest smile of the evening, beyond the ones he gave his friends. "I didn't want to talk to him." Then he whirled me back into the crowd before I could find the right retort. Though I couldn't hold back my grin as I touched my lips again.
We hadn't strayed far when someone called out from behind us. "Devon, where have you been hiding yourself?"
Devon went rigid.
I recognized the smarmy voice and ran a hand down Devon's arm, giving it a gentle squeeze. He relaxed and turned around, sliding an arm around my waist. "Lorenzo."
The asshole was handsome in his dark-silver tux that matched the silver in his hair. I remembered him from the tea party, and his insinuations about adding me to his harem hadn't been forgotten. No one could understand my struggle to not sneer or give him a kick to his solar plexus. Instead, I lowered my gaze like a good little puppet.
"Two surprises in less than a week. First the tea party and now a ball. Although, I suppose it's not against any rules." The man had that not-so-endearing quality of being able to sound like your best friend while belittling you at the same time.
Devon stared into the vamp's haughty gaze. "No. It's not against any rules, as you are so fond of reminding me."
I took a moment to check Lorenzo's date, or possibly wife, but the woman kept her eyes downcast. Lorenzo held onto her elbow with a tight grip. Maybe a Blood Ward of his own.
"As long as you remember your place."
When Devon's muscles tensed, I laid a hand on his arm, drawing the asshole's attention. Probably not the best move, and I groaned when his piercing stare pinned me to a wall. I forced myself to lower my gaze, though I was still considering something more memorable—like a knee to the balls.
"Ah, and your Blood Ward." Lorenzo paused while giving me a more thorough study.
I couldn't help but stare back—he was pissing me off. But I eventually lowered my gaze when Devon pinched my side.
"She could use more taming." His eyes shone with a malice that was strangely offset by his smile. "I'd be happy to trade her for Adele here. It appears yours needs someone with a more forceful hand. Though she'd eventually fit in my stable."
Devon's second pinch made me grimace, and I did my best to turn it into a half-hearted smile. I really needed the vamp to stop leering at me while images of being caged in a basement with nothing but a king-sized bed and handcuffs flashed. Not that I wouldn't try kink, but not with this creep.
"I'll do my best to muddle through." Devon's muscles tightened. "If you'll excuse us, I wouldn't want to tarnish your reputation by taking so much of your time."
Although the words were meant to show respect to an elder, it was obvious by Devon's tone he was dismissing the other man. I only knew it hit the target by the response of his Blood Ward, who gave Lorenzo a quick, worried glance.
Lorenzo's lips thinned, and he gave Devon a tight nod before pushing his way past us, saving some grace.
