Tegan
I’d say one thing for Nicu Arcos, he really knew how to throw a party. I entered Crimson arm in arm with Ethan. Delilah, Ira, and Lucas were behind us, and all I could see was glittering gold and red confetti as it fell from the ceiling. It was sort of magical how the lights reflected off the confetti, making the entire place seem as though it was sparkling.
The vampires all cheered at Ethan’s arrival, some of them even thrusting bouquets into his arms. If it was anyone else, they might look bewildered, but not Ethan. He took it all in his stride with an urbane smile and genteel words of appreciation.
For a second, I was reminded of the victory march of an ancient Roman general, returning home with the spoils of war. Only I wasn’t sure that holding power in Tribane was a victory so much as a poisoned chalice. I considered the fates of every governor I’d met. Herrington, Pamphrock, and Whitfield had all suffered distinctly gruesome deaths.
A large table had been set up in the VIP section, and Nicu guided us over to be seated. Those who drank liquids other than blood were provided with glasses of champagne, while the vamps sipped what appeared to be red wine, but I was pretty sure it wasn’t.
Our table was a flurry of activity as vampires came and went, all wishing to have private words with Ethan. The two occasions where he showed them what happened to traitors must have made them extra eager to convince him of their loyalty.
I wore a tight black sleeveless dress that was moulded to every curve of my body, courtesy of Delilah. I’d already caught a couple of vampires surreptitiously giving me ‘I vaaant to suck your blood eyes’. It didn’t mean they were going to do it, of course, not when Ethan would tear their heads off for so much as laying a finger on me.
Still, I drew my magic to me as a precautionary measure, just in case any of them decided to act on their instincts. Delilah and Ira were on the dance floor, and I watched as Ira lifted her off the floor and twirled her around as though she weighed nothing. For a big guy like him, she probably didn’t.
A warm hand slid up my thigh, and I turned to see Ethan’s eyes practically glowing as he stared at my cleavage.
Knocking back a sip of champagne, I asked, “Feeling frisky, are we?”
His smile held an erotic promise. “With you, always.”
The next thing I knew he was leaning forward and capturing my mouth with his. His fingers moved farther up my thigh to my underwear, and I gasped when he pressed his palm between my legs. His other hand sank into my hair and gripped the base of my neck, pulling me closer to him.
“Ethan,” I whispered hoarsely. “This is a little public for my taste.”
“Shall we go somewhere private then?”
A tremble went through me. “That would be terribly rude to your guests.”
A waiter walked by and replaced my empty glass of bubbly with a new one, while Ethan’s heated gaze zoned in on my tongue as it snuck out to wet my lips.
“I suppose I’ll just have to get you later then,” he murmured right before Nicu appeared at the table with another old vampire who wanted to be introduced to Ethan.
I took the opportunity to pay a quick visit to the bathroom. After I’d done my business, I was accosted by two lady vamps who oohed and aahed over my dress and my hairstyle, complimenting me endlessly about every little detail of my outfit. I never realised just how much there was to be said about a plain black dress and matching heels, I thought to myself sarcastically.
“You must come shopping with us sometime,” said the blonde one. “I know a little boutique that you’d just love.”
“Oh, yes,” said the other, “and come for book club at my house. We always have small get-togethers on Thursdays, and we’d love if you’d join us.”
On and on they talked, and it finally dawned on me what was going on. They wanted to get in good with Ethan’s girlfriend because getting in good with me was a step closer to getting in good with him. For a brief second, the blonde’s eyes flashed black and her fangs slipped out. She seemed embarrassed as she quickly regained her composure, and her fangs disappeared back inside her mouth.
“I apologise,” she said. “You just smell so good.”
The other one laughed. “I didn’t want to say anything, but I was thinking the exact same thing.”
Suddenly, I didn’t feel all that comfortable being stuck in the ladies’ room with these two, so I hastily made my excuses and left. Sometimes I felt like a pot of honey next to a swarm of hungry flies when I was around vampires. Also, the champagne probably wasn’t such a good idea because I was starting to edge into the realm of ‘too tipsy for a vamp party’. Eager eyes seemed to watch my every move as I made my way through the club.