"Humans," Mason whispered. "Over in the corner, most likely gossiping about their mates."
"What?"
On closer inspection, the humans looked… different. I couldn't really put my finger on it, but their skin was brighter than mine. Their eyes too. They just appeared extremely healthy.
There were both men and women, which I hadn't expected. Not that men's numbers had never been called. I just hadn't really thought about it much.
The room was decorated in blacks and silvers; long tables lined the walls, piled high with food and champagne.
The curious stares continued, so I clung to Mason like he was my lifeline; that was, until Alex came up beside me and offered a glass of champagne. "They stare because they're curious."
"They always stare at new humans?" I took a sip of the champagne, but it tasted off. I couldn't put my finger on it, but it seemed almost bitter on my tongue.
"No." Alex grinned. "Only you. Because of you who are, and well… you know… the fact that Ethan's your mate and Cassius started a pissing contest over you."
"Alex…" Mason rolled his eyes. "Stop."
"What?" Alex shrugged, and then his blue eyes brightened. "I think I see my conquest for the night."
A wave of heat washed over me; I didn't feel lust this time or anything close to it, just heat. He winked, and then he was moving through the crowd to a tall, dark-haired lady with a black dress slinked around her body.
"Another siren?" I asked.
"Human." Mason nodded. "One of Alex's favorites."
"What?" I stopped him from walking. "Aren't all humans mated?"
"Er…" Mason scratched his head and looked around. "…Ethan really should explain that to you."
"Screw Ethan!" I stomped my foot. "He isn't here. You are."
The air around me crackled with warmth. Ethan.
"Hmm…" Ethan's smooth voice danced across the back of my neck. "Miss me that much, Genesis?"
Slowly, I turned and came face to face with sheer beauty. I couldn't look away even if I tried. His green eyes glowed against his smooth skin; long dark eyelashes fanned across his chiseled cheekbones. He was wearing all black — it should have looked ridiculous — a vampire in all black?
It didn't.
Look ridiculous, that was.
He looked edible.
I stepped away from Mason, not because I wanted to, but because my body couldn't help itself.
"Not every human mates… of course that's been the goal… but we do, at times, make exceptions for some. They want so desperately to be a part of our world that they're willing to do anything to be in it — even if it means they don't mate with an immortal. Getting screwed by one is enough."
"Harsh." Mason coughed.
"You've done your duty, Mason." Ethan looked over my shoulder. "Leave us."
Mason rolled his eyes and walked off.
"His duty?" I repeated.
"Take my arm," Ethan commanded.
"You've ignored me for an entire day, and you want me to take your arm?"
"You're my mate." He said it so simply, so matter-of-factly, that I wanted to punch him across his perfect mouth. "Take my arm, Genesis. You know you want to."
Every cell in my body screamed for me to take his arm and just be done with it, but I didn't want to give in, didn't want to give him the satisfaction.
"How was Cassius?" I asked, ignoring his outstretched arm and glancing away from him so I could gather myself.
"Cranky," Ethan hissed. "Like I'm about to be if you don't follow orders."
"Maybe if you said please," I whispered under my breath, "I'd be more likely to do your bidding."
"I could just kiss you into submission… bend you backward over the buffet table and have my way with you."
Lust surged through me. "I think that's the last thing you want to do."
His lips were suddenly grazing my ear. "Then you clearly don't know me very well."
"Whose fault is that?" My fingers clenched the champagne glass harder as I fought for control over my own body.
"Let's blame Alex." Ethan wrapped his muscled arm around my shoulders. "Now I'm sure in your studies you were told to respect immortals, that you were… nothing compared to us."
"Yes," I croaked.
"Good. So your first lesson is this… humans don't disrespect their mates, regardless of the circumstances. If I asked you to bend over and tie my shoe, I'd expect you to do it with a damn smile on your face."
"You're a jackass," I hissed, trying to pull away from him.
"I'm not actually asking you to tie my shoe, Genesis. I'm just telling you how it is. At a Gathering, there is a certain expectation. We talk, we show off our shiny treasures, and at the end of the night, we part ways, each of us comparing ourselves to one another. Every type of immortal is in attendance tonight. It would be good of you to stay by me, lest one of them trap you in a corner and try to take advantage."