Page 54 of The Night Runs Red

I was a million miles away, standing at the edge of a cliff, wondering how I got here. There was a chance Rion was right; maybe the matches had nothing to do with me, and this was simply a fixation my brain conjured to make me feel as though I was doing something.

But what if it wasn't? What if this group had been targeting the Darrow lineage because of the mistakes of our ancestors? Fae and vampyre alike often hated the restrictions binding them to their celestial body. But I didn't know what they stood to gain by our death. There was no way to break the curse. Many had tried before to no avail, wasting their lives for a cure that didn't exist.

I looked into the mirror above my dresser, wiping away the errant tear falling down my cheek. I didn't want to be next. I didn't want to be another life taken by people who wanted to use me.

The sun was setting on the horizon, and soon, night would fall. I could see the outline of the blood-red moon hanging high in the sky, a beacon for the vampyres to emerge, claiming the night as their own. Unease landed on my shoulders, and I wished I'd taken Rion up on his offer to leave. Gods, why didn't I? Because now all I felt was apprehension creep into my mind as each second ticked by. The danger of the evening was imminent, and the acrid taste of fear filled my mouth.

"I made this for you," Rowena said, pulling out two massive garment bags from my closet. She unzipped the one with my name on it, revealing the most beautiful dress I'd ever seen. It was so much sexier than I'd generally go for, but the thought of Rion ripping it off me gave those butterflies of desire a reason to flutter.

"Okay, gross," Rowena mumbled before stripping me bare and shoving me into the contraption. The corseted top consisted of little more than black lace, with a plunging neckline that dropped to my navel. The skirt was full, with a slit that came to mid-thigh, baring my right leg. My breasts were pushed so far up that they were the first thing I could see when I looked down. Both bite marks were on full display. I touched the raised skin, feeling a tingle brought on by the soul-deep possession it represented.

I was his. He was mine. Now, it was time for the whole world to know it.

"And I thought we'd pair it with this," Rowena said, grabbing my attention by dropping a small box into my hands.

I opened the lid and pulled out the gift, eyeing it closely. "Do you think this is necessary? I mean, it's beautiful, don't get me wrong, but isn't it inviting trouble?"

She smiled conspiratorially before taking it from my hands and fastening it in place. "I think you're about to walk into a room full of people who hate you--"

"Well, that was rude."

“And I think you should show them why you are the wife of Rion D'Arcy. Why the curse chose you to stand at his side." She stepped back, eyeing her handy work with pride, then let out a little squeal. "It is perfect!"

The sound of a string quartet striking up in the foyer floated to us, signaling the first guests' arrival. Rowena pushed me down in front of the mirror, running her hands through my copper strands as she thought. "Now, what are we going to do with this hair?"

* * *

The party was in full swing by the time we descended the stairs. She'd braided my hair into a coronet, weaving in strands of metallic red fabric through the plaits. Paired with dark smokey eyes and blood-red lips, I barely recognized myself. For once, I looked like I belonged in this room. Even though I knew any confidence I exuded would come crashing down as I tried to avoid the eyes of curious onlookers.

Rowena grabbed two flutes of champagne as a waiter passed by and handed one to me, which I took eagerly. It would take a lot more alcohol to fake my way through this evening, but it was a start. Rion was nowhere in sight, and I hadn't heard a whisper since our heated moment in the library earlier. We'd even waited for him in my room, Rowena stating he should be there to escort us down. But five minutes turned into ten, which turned into thirty, and we couldn't wait any longer.

"It'll be fine," Rowena murmured. "I know it seems like a lot right now, and it can be really overwhelming, but—"

"But just smile and wave?"

"Exactly," she said, grabbing two more drinks as we discarded our first. "Remember that there isn't a person here who isn't trying to impress someone else. It's all about putting on a show and hoping for the best."

"What about you? Who are you trying to impress?"

"Oh," she said with a laugh. "I'm the exception to the rule. I have everything I could ever want outside these walls, and Rion keeps our mother off my back so I can keep my freedom."

I grinned. "That sounds pretty amazing."

She brought her glass to her lips. "It can be. It's also very lonely."

I was about to ask her more when Jasper approached the two of us with outstretched hands. "Damn," he said, whistling. "You both are visions." His eyes slid down my thigh, where Rowena had fastened the leather knife holster she’d gifted me earlier. Inside was a small dagger with a ruby-red blade. “Expecting trouble?”

Rowena turned and raised an eyebrow. "What'd I tell you? Everyone is kissing ass tonight."

I laughed, my heart jumping as I scanned the room behind Jasper for my husband. When I didn't find him, an ache settled within my chest. I reached up and traced the raised scar over my heart. Jasper tracked the movement, and I quickly moved my fingers to my necklace. "Where's Rion?" I asked, trying to keep the nerves out of my voice.

Jasper took a sip of his whiskey. "Ah, he'll be down shortly. Renwick is currently holding him hostage in his office."

Before I could ask more, Rowena grabbed my hand and dragged me into a lavish ballroom. I'd never been in here before, which was surprising because this room was massive, taking up a substantial portion of the estate. The ceilings seemed to extend to the heavens, a swirling mirage of stars fluttering above our heads. I looked up in awe, realizing this was the closest I'd been to the night sky. I took in a deep breath, swearing I could taste the chilly autumn air on my tongue.

"Rion said you were always staring out the window at night," she said, smiling up at me. "So he wanted to bring the stars to you."

Tears sprang to my eyes, threatening to demolish the masterpiece Rowena had worked so hard to create. Jasper came up and placed a hand on my back in comfort as we all looked up at the twinkling lights dancing above to their own beat.

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