Page 236 of Halfblood Deceived

Aella took a bracing breath and looked at herself in the massive mirror of the hotel bathroom.

She looked…

She didn’t look like herself.

But she liked it.

Her eyes were mercifully not puffy even after the panic attack she’d had about an hour ago when she almost chickened out. Kamilla had found her on the floor of the empty closet, hyperventilating. The vampire princess had offered to take Aella home, and she’d almost relented. But then her veins had filled with burning rage that oddly helped her stop crying. She couldn’t let her past take away all her happiness. She was tired of listening to that evil voice that called her foul names for wanting freedom and fun. So Aella had stood, showered—careful not to wet her curled hair—and let Kamilla do her makeup.

Now she stood in front of the mirror admiring herself. Her makeup was subtle—mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow, and pink, glossy lipstick. Her hair was loose and gently curled. The focus of attention was the dress.

The sinful red dress looked good on her. It left one shoulder, a sliver of her stomach, and a thigh completely bare. She swallowed hard when she noticed a small stretch of her right breast was also visible. For some reason, it felt more revealing than her half-bare left hip.

Her apprehension was swiftly drowned in a tidal wave of hot anticipation. She couldn’t wait to go down to the ballroom and meet Zeydan.

Her brain provided her with a flashback of the time she’d dressed to seduce Zeydan into a trap. The memory was bittersweet and a tad amusing now that she truly wanted to seduce Zeydan.

Well, seduce might be the wrong word. Aella didn’t know if she was ready to cross more lines tonight. Still, she’d taken one of the contraceptive potions Mari had gifted her for her birthday. Better safe than sorry.

Kamilla entered the bathroom, giving Aella an appraising look. “Goddess. If you were a stranger, I would charm you all night and then take you to my bed.”

Aella’s eyes went wide. A flush covered her freckled cheeks.

Kamilla chuckled. “That’s just the touch of color your face needed.”

“You’re evil. And you look far more beautiful than me,” Aella said.

It was true. Kamilla’s beauty was simply outrageous. Her hair was in a high ponytail and fell in ringlets down her bare back. Even through the mask, her kohl-lined eyes looked sensual and fearsome. She wore a golden, sequined dress with thin straps and a heart-shaped cleavage that left part of her perfect breasts on display. It fitted her athletic but elegantly curvy figure like a second skin. A gap left one long, pale thigh bare.

Aella tried not to compare Kamilla’s toned, slimmer thighs to her thick ones, but she couldn’t quite help it.

Kamilla tutted and went behind Aella to tie the black mask in place. “Chin up, Aella. You are absolutely gorgeous, just the way you are.” She smiled. “It’s a good thing we vampires can’t have heart attacks easily because otherwise, Zeydan would be in serious danger.”

Aella huffed. “I don’t know about that.”

“I do,” Kamilla said. “Ready?”

Aella exhaled. “Ready.”

* * *

Her elegant silver shoes had comfortable 3-inch heels and didn’t hurt her feet. But Aella still clung to Kamilla’s arm for dear life as they descended the marble stairs that led to the lobby of the largest hotel in Darkwood. There were a few dozen people around, some coming down the stairs, others talking in groups and couples, and some heading for the ballroom.

Aella noticed some were staring in her direction and assumed they were only gawking at Kamilla.

Until she heard a few comments.

“Who’s the redhead?” asked a male.

“No idea,” answered a female. “But she looks utterly scrumptious.”

Aella swallowed hard. I bet she wouldn’t say that if she knew I’m a half-gargoyle, Aella mused.

She wore a glamour imprinted on her covered shoulder to keep her aura and scars hidden. And her scent had been altered since receiving the transfusion from Zeydan, Kamilla had told her.

The glamour was for anonymity. She didn’t need the wealthy supernatural community of Darkwood whispering about her being a gargoyle. She just wanted to go to a ball and dance with Zeydan.

And speaking of him…

---