Page 44 of Ouch! My Vampire Doms Don't Sparkle
13
Autumn
Isuck in a breath of surprise, and Xander flicks his gaze to the side.
“Will,” he says in greeting.
Will simply nods.It’s a single movement of his chin, but it reveals so much to me.His anger, his disappointment…his defeat?No, that’s not right.Resignation.
I stare at him as Xander and I walk past, our steps taking us directly to Gaius Black.
This entire night is going to be a shitshow.I’ve been to hundreds of functions, galas, and other fancy parties with Dale and his powerful friends.They were never fun—I always felt hollow afterward, as if I’d been wearing a mask for hours and playing a part in a strange charade.
But this?This is unpleasant on a whole new level.I never should have come.
Will’s expression tells me everything.What has happened tonight sets the stage for so much more.
Xander and I reach Gaius.I’m now face-to-beard with the man.His gray eyes seem even colder as he smiles, flashing his fangs.
“Gaius, thank you for the invitation,” Xander says.
“This must be your plaything,” Gaius says, his pale eyes raking me in a way that makes me want to squirm and hide myself.“You didn’t say it was such a beauty.”
It?Oh, fuck this guy.I know not to open my mouth, though.If he’s hoping to get a rise out of me, he’s going to be disappointed.
A couple of men stand near Gaius.One is a vampire, and I wonder if he’s Gaius’s frerte, Benjamin.He’s tall and lanky, with hooded dark eyes and blond hair that looks like it needs to be washed.He reminds me of Sutton McGrath, one of Dale’s closest friends—if you can say anyone can be called a friend of Dale’s.Sutton isn’t distasteful or outwardly displeasing, but there’s a slimy aspect to him, and this other guy has the same quality or aura.Clarissa and I nicknamed him Slimy Sutton.
The other man is shorter.He seems younger, and he’s human.I would’ve expected to see Gaius’s amant, Freya, but this guy definitely isn’t her.He has a single piercing in his ear, and the other ear’s lobe is torn, like someone once ripped out an earring and it healed wrong.
Gaius stares at my neck.“It appears you couldn’t wait for the banquet, Alexander.Tsk, tsk.Did you spoil your appetite?”
“Not at all, old friend,” Xander says with a hearty laugh that just sounds wrong coming from Xander.“I only took a little nip.”
Gaius still hasn’t looked away from me.I shift from foot to foot, uncomfortable with the attention, and with the cold chips of gray ice that are his eyes.
“James,” Gaius finally says, “would you escort this plaything to the parlor until the banquet?”
“Of course, sir.”James nods and bows to Gaius, then turns to me.“Come along.”
James is objectively handsome with his square jaw and tousled, sandy brown hair.In a room full of sexy vampires, his good looks don’t count for much.The biggest appeal to me is his humanity, though, because it makes him safe.
I send a parting look to Xander, who is focused intently on something Gaius is saying.He ignores my exit.I can’t take it personally.There is more going on here than I will probably ever comprehend.
Will, though, watches after me as I leave with James, his eyes full of fear.I thought I knew why he didn’t want to bring me to this banquet, but I didn’t truly know until now.He’s terrified.No amount of explanations could have made this clearer to me than seeing his face now.
James takes me to a room adjoining the ballroom, where several other humans stand or sit, drinking from delicate champagne flutes or selecting hors d'oeuvres from silver platters displayed throughout the room.I stand still, looking around at the expensive furniture, the oil paintings hung on the walls in gilt frames, the careful—and carefully rich—decor.
Someone nearby calls James’s name.He gives me an apologetic nod.“I’ll be right back.”
“Take your time,” I murmur, because this entire situation is weird as fuck, and I don’t mind taking a minute to get my bearings.
I find a tray of champagne flutes and select a glass.At the first sip, I feel myself relax, the tension easing from my shoulders.
When I start to take another sip, James comes rushing over.He shoots his hand out, cautioning me with a touch to my wrist.
“I wouldn’t,” he says.
I freeze.“Oh.Um, why not?”
