Page 43 of Ouch! My Vampire Doms Don't Sparkle
I feel like an asshole, stereotyping an entire…race?Species?…like this.But somehow, when I see a person with their mouth closed, I can now guess whether or not they’re a vampire, and by the time they open their mouth again, I am usually correct in my guess.
Xander’s hand is warm on my elbow as he steers me through the crowded hall.He greets several people, never introducing me even though their curious gazes linger on me.Several of the vampires outright stare at the bite mark on my neck.It takes all of my self-control to keep from covering it with my hand.
“This is a sweet little one you’ve brought, Alexander,” a woman says in a sultry tone as we walk past.
“She is indeed,” Xander says.
She looks between us.“You have not bound her as your amant.Does that mean you’ve brought her to share?”
Grinning, Xander leans toward her and says, “I’ll find you later, Sienna.You bring your snack, I’ll bring mine.”
He’s lying.He has to be lying.Because he wouldn’t do that, would he?I know he doesn’t want me around, but that…that’s a step too far.Will would never allow it.Where is Will, anyway?
Sienna’s laughter sounds like tinkling wind chimes behind us as Xander drags me forward.
“Shh,” Xander says, tugging me closer to his side.“Don’t make a fuss.You’re going to hear and see things that you won’t like.Please remain calm, and quiet.”
“But—”
“Vampire politics, mouse,” he says as we enter a small ballroom.
If I thought the entry hall was crowded, this is even worse.The lighting is dim, the room illuminated solely by a glittering chandelier that looks to be draped in real candles.The ballroom isn’t set up for dancing.It isn’t set up for a banquet, either.Strangely, it’s filled with couches and loveseats, plush chairs.
“Where did all of these people come from?”I whisper to Xander.“If they’re vampires, and they’re in your territory—”
“Gaius invited them,” Xander says.“No one will question it, even though this is technically Will’s and my city.”
The balls on this Gaius dude.Wow.He must be very strong in order to carry all that audacity around with him.I ask, “Where is he—have you seen him?And where’s Will?”
Xander turns us so that I’m facing the side of the room.“Gaius is there, in the gray suit.Green shirt.”
I carefully examine the man Xander pointed out.His mouth is hidden behind a thick brown beard, and his eyes are cold.Even as he’s speaking to the blond man next to him, he looks around the room as if sizing up competition or finding someone else who will better help him achieve his aims.
“Do we need to go talk to him?”I ask.I hate that I don’t know the rules here.At home in Altera, I could attend any function, and the etiquette and formalities were practically blended into my blood.But here, I don’t know who I am or exactly what my standing is.Even if I completely understood the spoken and unspoken rules of the hierarchy and where everyone lands on it, I wouldn’t know how to interact with the different levels.
“Eventually,” Xander says.“First, we will mingle.”
Mingling.I can do that.Except I’m not supposed to speak unless someone speaks to me.So I’m here to, what, look pretty?
I guess so, based on how Xander parades me through the room.I keep my eyes out for Will, but I don’t see him.Every time Gaius Black comes into my line of sight, I quickly look away.Maybe it’ll be enough that Xander brought me here, and I won’t actually need to meet him.
But while Xander exchanges pleasantries with a silver-haired vampire who looks at me like he wishes I was his next meal, a rich, deep voice calls, “Alexander,” from across the room.
It’s Gaius Black.He gestures Xander toward him.
Next to me, Xander stiffens.Perhaps not enough that Gaius would notice.ButIfeel it.
After an apologetic look to the silver-haired vampire, Xander loops his arm with mine and places his hand over my hand, keeping me in place.My heart feels like a lead ball in my chest as Xander walks us toward Gaius with a faint, secretive smile on his face.That smile is a show, a performance, just like everything else in this room.
A couple of large men move to the side of a large couch as we walk past.
And there he is.Will.He’d been hidden behind the men he was talking to.Now, no one stands between us.
He’s several feet away, but I can see him clearly.
His smile and posture are easy, carefree.
But those beautiful blue eyes are full of fury.
