Page 19 of A Dream of Stars and Curses

‘You said I’ll be safe as long as I’m with you’—I ignore the heat that creeps into my cheeks—‘but do we have a plan should we get separated?’

His eyes darken like I’m in immediate danger already. Not gonna lie, it does things to me.

‘I won’t let that happen.’

‘You won’t be the only vampire there. Isn’t it possible that your friend has told some of his other guests about me? Isn’t it possible that some of them might want to...’ I can’t say kill me. My bravery is wavering as it is, but I’ll need to face the possibility sooner or later. ‘Will I still be safe if you lose sight of me for a moment?’

Leverett hesitates. ‘No. Which is why I told you to stay with me.’ His eyes soften again when no one jumps out of the storage room to kidnap me. ‘I understand if you don’t want to go. There is a certain risk involved, I won’t hide it. Doing so would only put you in more danger.’

‘I do want to go.’ The last thing I want is for him to think that I don’t want to spend all of my time with him. ‘But I also think we should have a backup plan. Just in case.’

He nods. ‘There are several things I can do should we become separated. I would smell your fear, for one—my friend’s estate isn’t so large that I would lose all sense of where you are. I will also remain tuned in to your heartbeat. If you call me, I will come. In short, I will know if you’re scared. My friend and his husband will also keep an eye on you.’

I blush again. Despite my reason for this visit, I realise I do feel safe with him. Leverett won’t let anything happen to me—I know this beyond a doubt.

I raise an eyebrow. ‘That sounds exhausting.’

He chuckles, and my legs go weak. It’s a good thing I’m sitting already or I’d be clinging to the counter—or worse, to him. It’d be difficult to explain that away.

‘I don’t do it all the time. I have more than enough practice to tune it out, but I think on this occasion, I’ll feel better knowing exactly where you are.’

My mouth goes dry. Is that a hungry look he gives me or am I going mad? Probably going mad. And anyway, wouldn’t it be a thirsty look, since vampires drink blood? Not that he does, and not that—

I make myself take a deep breath. Get your shit together, Esta.

I nod slowly, not sure if I want to meet his eyes—which, to me, seem way too intense right now—or if I should look at the floor or what.

‘Th-thank you,’ I mumble. I’m not convinced it sounds like words. ‘Is there anything I can do besides calling your name?’

He thinks for a moment. ‘I believe there are various protection spells you can use, though I’ve never had use for them myself. Vampires don’t use magic in the same way other Veiled or witches do.’

I cock my head. ‘But you do use magic?’

This seems like a safer subject.

Leverett gives me a grin, vanishes in a cloud of fog... and my heart misses a beat when he reappears right behind me. So close I can feel his warmth on my skin—his surprising warmth. Just goes to show how little I know about vampires. If he leans in just a little, I’ll feel his breath on me, too, and then this is too close to my dream.

‘I imagine some Veiled might consider this magic, don’t you?’

But I’m completely lost for words. I don’t know how to handle this. Is he flirting with me or is this wishful thinking? No, of course he’s not. He’s a several-hundred-year-old vampire. He’s having fun toying with the naïve human. Sure, he doesn’t drink blood and I don’t think he’d ever hunt me for that, but his natural instinct is probably still there, isn’t it? That’s plausible. That’s what this is. Didn’t he say before that he just wanted to see how I’d react?

‘Yes, I... I suppose they might.’

I resist the urge to turn my head. What if I do and it brings my nose within an inch of his? I’m barely breathing as it is.

His presence at my back disappears. I blink, and he’s sitting opposite me again. I didn’t see him turn into fog again, but I like that I felt the difference. I’m either very good at sensing my surroundings, or I know him well enough now to know when he’s there.

Or maybe, says a voice that sounds like a strange combination of Mischief and Bonnie, maybe it’s because you’re fated to be together.

I resist the urge to snort at the idea. I’d shake my head to clear it, but I’m worried I’d pass out.

‘I’ll ask Kate,’ I say. ‘Maybe there’s something easy she can teach me.’

Although, to be honest, I doubt any novice magic would do anything to impress a centuries-old Veiled, and I bet some of them are older than that. Whatever magic Kate might teach me before the event, it’s unlikely to be strong enough. But it might amuse them before they tear me to pieces, so at least one of us would be laughing, I guess.

‘Do you feel better now?’ he asks. ‘Or is there anything else I can do to put your mind at ease? Allow me to repeat again that it’s alright if you’ve changed your mind. We have no obligation to go.’

I start to nod, but...

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