Page 237 of Halfblood Deceived

Aella sucked in a breath as her shoulders and spine tingled with warmth. Her eyes immediately landed on a familiar, tall male with raven hair. He had just come through the double doors. Flanked by Gabby—easily identifiable by her belly—and Lex. His face turned up toward Aella at once, as if pulled by a magnet, when she was halfway down the staircase.

His black mask didn’t hide those arresting jade eyes full of surprise and something scorching hot. Zeydan’s gaze went from her face to her feet once, twice, and again. His throat bobbed.

Aella bit her lip to stifle a giggle.

She practically floated down to the last step, standing right in front of Zeydan. She was barely aware of Kamilla letting her go, noticing only with her peripheral vision Gabby’s surprised expression.

“Goddess, Aella,” Zeydan breathed out. “You look utterly gorgeous.”

Aella grinned. “Thank you. You look gorgeous, too.”

He wore a black suit with a crisp white shirt and a red tie. The cut was perfect, stressing his broad shoulders and that lean, athletic, powerful physique. Aella’s mouth watered.

Zeydan offered his hand to her.

Aella took it, fully expecting the jolt of sizzling energy traveling up her arm, cinching around her center, but she still lost a breath. Zeydan inhaled deeply, just as affected. A thrill coursed through Aella’s system. Just then, she noticed Zeydan’s nails were painted black.

He noticed her exam and half smiled. “Luce said it would complement my outfit.”

“Luce was right,” Aella said.

A feminine giggle broke through her fog of swoon. She turned to see Gabby grinning. The vampiress looked lovely in a light blue dress that made her velvety dark skin glow. Her hair was braided across her head and decorated with white flowers. She looked like a nymph instead of a vampire.

“You look sexy as Hell, Aella,” Gabby said.

Aella bit her lip. “Thank you, Gabby. You look beautiful.”

“She so does,” Lex said with a sigh. His amber eyes went liquid as he looked at his wife. He smiled at Aella. “You look fantastic, honey.”

“Thank you,” Aella said.

Kamilla gave Aella’s forearm a gentle squeeze and drifted away toward a tall male who called her name.

Aella descended fully, wrapping her arm around Zeydan’s.

“Be still, my heart,” said a familiar male voice.

Aella grinned at Evan as he approached and took her free hand—she had her small bag hanging from her shoulder. Evan kissed her knuckles. He was clad in a white suit that fitted his lean, athletic physique and made him look very handsome. His mask was rainbow-colored.

“If I were 5% less gay, I’d give you some healthy competition, mate,” Evan said to Zeydan with a saucy wink.

She barely held back a startled snort. Gabby didn’t.

“Lucky me,” Zeydan drawled, narrowing his eyes at Evan in warning, but he was smiling.

“Very fucking lucky,” Evan agreed. He let go of Aella’s hand but flanked her as they all made their way toward the ballroom.

Aella gasped. She knew she looked like a tourist, but she couldn’t help it.

The massive room had chandeliers with lights shaped like candles that provided dim, mysterious lighting. A thin layer of fog that didn’t feel damp or cold blanketed the floor. Black drapes covered the massive windows. About a third of the first floor was occupied by half-full tables. The rest was taken over by the dance floor. At the far end of the room, on top of a marble platform, was the band. The music they played was haunting, sensual, timeless, and ancient at once. Aella looked up toward the mezzanine where people sat at more tables, drinking and talking, flirting and admiring the music.

The decor managed to be gothic but modern. Spooky to fit the occasion, but strangely welcoming.

Evan squeezed Aella’s hand in parting and drifted toward a tall male with dark, short hair standing in the shadow of a massive column.

“Our table is up there,” Zeydan said, tilting his head toward the mezzanine. “Do you want to go sit, or do you want to dance?”

Aella bit her lip. Nobody was dancing yet, and she didn’t want to draw attention to herself.

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