Page 89 of The Vampire's Mercy

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I shuffled in my seat, the woman still staring at me, the light of a chandelier highlighting the freckles on her fair, pinkish face.

Vaughn noticed. “What is it, Sarah?”

She blinked, facing him. “I’m so entranced by this elf.”

He laughed. “Aren’t we all?”

From the corner of my eye, I saw the king lean forward. “His name is Paris Raine.”

She extended a hand to me. “Nice to meet you. I’m Sarah Hirst.”

I looked to the king, his face unreadable. “Can I shake it?”

“Of course.”

I took her hand. “Nice to meet you, too.”

“Ask me to dance.”

I froze. Her lips hadn’t moved. I’d been watching her, and those jammy red lips hadn’t moved.

“I’m talking in your head, Paris. Don’t react. Ask me to dance. I have to talk to you.”

Whoa.

Rather than faff about wondering if this was really happening, I asked her to dance.

“Would that be alright with you, Your Majesty?” she asked.

He smiled warmly at her. “It’s a ball, isn’t it?”

“I’m so delighted!” she proclaimed.

Vaughn didn’t seem too happy, the grin on his face cracking.

I slapped on my game face and stood up. Luckily, I could dance. I’d always been a good mover, my sister the awkward one.

Pearl…

I’m sorry I’m here, sis.

I took charge, leading Sarah down the stairs into the throng. Bodies moved out of our way, giving us space.

“Can you hear me if I think?”I tried.

“Yes.”

Glancing over to the throne, the two vampires watched our every move.

I led the dance, moving in perfect step with her.“Who are you?”

“A messenger. This is a spell.”

“No shit. How did you get past all the security?”

I spun her.

“The mages are always finding new ways of slipping through the nets,”she answered, then started speaking out loud about the glorious night.

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