by L.H. Cosway
***
The next day was a complete rush. I took Amanda home, then visited a boutique and grabbed the first decent evening gown I could find. After that, I spent hours wandering around Freemont Park, hoping to find Dad to no avail. I called on my magic, but it didn’t appear to be in the mood to help me out this time.
Evening fell and I finally headed back to Finn’s to get ready for the party. Alvie provided me with the willow branch he’d promised. The plan was for me to enter the party with Ethan, find an opportunity to slip away, then try to locate Rebecca, Pamphrock, and the rest of the captured slayers before allowing Finn and his men in to sneak them all out without tipping off any of the vampires.
Easy, right?
I had a feeling it wasn’t going to be so simple.
Finn had the entire mansion mapped out on his computer, so he knew the most efficient points of entry. It all depended on where the prisoners were being kept. That would determine which point of entry he’d use. Should they run into any vampires, Rita would be on hand with one of her confusion spells.
The plan was pretty airtight, but there was still a constant squeeze in my chest. I hated that I was betraying Ethan, using him to get into the party. When he found out he was going to despise me, and I couldn’t stand losing the look of adoration in his eyes. It certainly wasn’t going to be there after he discovered I’d been working for Finn and Pamphrock this whole time.
The gown I bought was royal blue. The colour had always worked for my hair and skin tone, so it was a no brainer. I styled my hair into loose waves and put on a little more make-up than I normally would. The heavy layer bolstered my confidence somewhat.
Extra thick black eyeliner was my battle armour.
When I went downstairs, everyone was in the living room, alongside several slayers I didn’t recognise.
“Whoa, look at you!” Alvie exclaimed, fanning himself dramatically when he saw me.
“That dress is beautiful,” Rita added.
“Thanks,” I said with a smile. I sensed someone’s attention and realised Finn was gawking at me. We’d spoken earlier, and he’d promised that as soon as we rescued everyone from Whitfield’s mansion, he’d help me continue the search for my dad. With his breaking and entering skills, I’d be able to look in some of the empty houses.
Finn took a step toward me, his eyes running down my body as he handed me a large gold ring with a red ribbon twined through it. “The ribbon belongs to Rebecca and the ring is Pamphrock’s. Rita said you needed something that belonged to them so the branch can lead you.”
“You’ll need to keep them on you,” Rita added. “It’ll strengthen the connection while you search.”
“Got it,” I replied, slotting both items into my small clutch bag. I was to meet Ethan at Crimson since I texted him earlier and lied that Nicki lived on the north side of the river, which meant he couldn’t come to pick me up directly.
Rita placed a hand on each of my shoulders and looked me right in the eye. “Breathe, Tegan, you’re going to be fine. If anything goes wrong call Finn and we’ll come to get you straight away. Also, as Gabriel said, those magical sparks of yours would come in handy.”
“If only I knew how to actually summon them,” I sighed. “But thank you for the reassurance. By the way,” I went on, making sure Finn wasn’t listening. “Ethan wants to know if you’ll come and work for him.” Both her eyebrows shot up. I expected her to say she wasn’t interested, but instead, she wore a contemplative look.
“Seriously?”
“He thinks it’d be useful to have a witch on his payroll.”
Now she smirked. “I bet he does.”
Finn appeared then, grabbing my hand and pulling me out into the hallway. He stood in front of me, crowding me against the wall. I raised my eyebrows in question.
“I’m really sorry you’ve been put in this position,” he said, voice low and apologetic.
“Saving Rebecca is what I’m getting paid for. Besides, it’s not like you’re forcing me. I agreed to do this of my own free will.”
Finn’s shoulders slumped a little. It was the only outward sign of his distress. “It still doesn’t feel right, you going in there. It’s one thing for you to be at the club with Cristescu, but it’s a whole other kettle of fish going to a party where every powerful vampire in the city will be in attendance.” He paused and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m worried about what might happen to you.”
“I’ll be fine,” I whispered, taking his hand and squeezing it. Finn’s eyes locked with mine, and a long moment passed between us.
I nudged him in the shoulder, trying to break the tense vibe. “Anyone would think you actually cared about me,” I teased.
He scowled, his lips twitching as he tried to suppress a grin. “Yeah, well, you’ve grown on me.” A pause as he winked. “Kind of like a fungus you can’t get rid of.”
I laughed and hugged him just as my taxi arrived outside. I heard the driver beep the horn.
“I better go,” I said, stepping back.
“Good luck, Tegan. And remember, if anything goes wrong, I’m only a phone call away.” I grabbed my clutch bag and headed out, my heart in my throat. I’d told Finn I’d be okay, but for all I knew I was possibly walking into the very last party I was ever going to attend.
17.
In the taxi, my phone buzzed with a text from Ethan.
Are you on your way? x
Yes, I’m coming now. I wrote back.
Another message popped up a second later. You will be tonight. I couldn’t help it. Despite the tense situation, his cheeky reply made me snort, laugh, and shiver at the same time.
Very self-assured, Mr Cristescu, but I’ve not yet agreed to stay over. A grin tugged on my lips as I hit the send button.
It barely took a second for his answering message. You’re staying, Miss Stolle.
Wow, he had a bossy streak. Not that I was surprised. I was surprised by the fact that I didn’t exactly dislike it. In a different world, I’d be more than happy to let him boss me around the bedroom.
Ethan was standing next to his car when I arrived at the club. He wore an all-black suit that made his hair seem even more golden. Honestly, my knees went a little weak at the sight of him. He walked to the taxi and opened my door for me, taking my hand to help me out. Hmm, I did enjoy the gentleman side of him. He even paid the driver before escorting me over to his SUV.
“Allow me,” he purred, taking the seat belt and strapping me in.
“Is Delilah going to be at the party?” I asked, wondering how Ethan’s sister was doing. She’d been in quite a state the last time I saw her.
“Yes, she’s coming with Lucas and Dru. We’ll see them there.” Ethan answered, his eyes consuming me from head to toe. “I have half a mind to forego the party and instead take you straight to my place. I don’t feel like sharing your company with anyone else tonight.”
I flushed and looked out the window, guilt nipping at me. He wouldn’t feel the same if he knew my true purpose for attending. I had to keep up the act, even though it killed me to deceive him. I leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “We’ll have lots of time alone later,” I whispered, and his eyes practically scorched me.
I saw it took him great effort to pull away and start the engine. It felt like mere seconds had passed before we were pulling through the foreboding steel gates of the vampire governor’s mansion. What was it with evil supernatural beings and giant mansions? Theodore had one, too. Perhaps large houses provided them with a sense of power and grandeur. Or maybe they simply made up for smaller, um … appendages.
A smartly dressed man took Ethan’s car keys as we emerged from the vehicle. Ethan presented me with his arm, and we entered the house. Another smartly dressed man welcomed us in, and I could already hear the sounds of music and merriment streaming from the room just ahead of us. My anxiety had been on a low simmer, but it quickly progressed to a boil. Ethan must’ve noticed that my pulse was raci
ng way too fast because he tilted his head to look down at me quizzically.
“I’m just nervous,” I told him. “I’ve never been to a party like this before.”
He nodded and smiled softly, pulling me closer to him by putting his arm around my waist, possibly to make me feel more secure. His closeness worked a little to ease some of my panic.
We walked through a large entrance hall with the highest ceilings I’d ever seen. It reminded me a little of a museum because there wasn’t much furniture. Instead, there were lots of sculptures and paintings displayed, as well as an ornate marble staircase. It was cold and unlived in and certainly didn’t feel like a home by any stretch of the imagination.
We went through a hall that led to a massive ballroom, and even though I didn’t admire Whitfield in any way, I had to admit that his party impressed me. No expense had been spared. There was a beautiful dance floor surrounded by over-the-top floral displays. A small orchestra played at the far end of the large room.
The place was so opposite to Crimson it was almost laughable. Sure, Ethan’s club was classy, but it was modern. Whitfield’s party was an affair the likes of Henry VIII would’ve favoured. Well, except for the fact that there was no food. There was, however, a line of humans sitting along the side of the room, all wearing vacant stares that reminded me of Amanda.
Blood donors, I thought.
Ethan led me to the main table where Whitfield, Eliza, and other important-looking vampires were enjoying themselves. Lucas, Delilah, and Dru were there, too. Though Delilah didn’t appear to be having a good time. She looked like she hadn’t slept in days. Eliza’s eyes flashed in annoyance when she spotted me, but I did my best to be brave and not allow her hostility to ruffle my feathers.
I met her gaze steadily, which took every ounce of courage I possessed. She wore a silky purple dress, her caramel hair piled high in an intricate up-do, curls falling and framing her regal face.
Ethan pulled a chair out for me which unfortunately was situated directly across the table from Eliza. Wonderful. My courage was going to have to hold firm for a while longer. I refused to show that bitch a single glimmer of weakness.
“Ethan,” Whitfield greeted merrily. “I see you’ve brought your human companion.” His gaze slithered over me. “My dear, you look positively ravishing.” His eyes were too intense, too full of something I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Patient determination, perhaps? I grew cold at the idea of Whitfield biding his time until Ethan lost interest in me so that he could swoop in and claim me as his own. I sensed he envied Ethan’s possession of me greatly. And hell, if he knew the truth about me, I didn’t think he’d be quite so patient to stake his claim.
“Thank you, sir,” I replied politely, carefully avoiding Eliza’s gaze as she glared daggers at me from across the table. She obviously wasn’t pleased with her father paying me a compliment. Also, she wasn’t at all discreet when she muttered under her breath, “Human whore.”
Some of the vampires at the table heard her, including her father. “Eliza!” he snapped. “Where are your manners?”
“That human shouldn’t be here during your celebration, Father. I apologise for being rude, but it’s the truth.” She sneered at me now, and Ethan’s arm tightened around my waist. I sensed he was doing his best to keep his temper in check.
“Humans are what keep us alive, daughter. You need to learn to respect that,” Whitfield replied, his vigilant eyes taking in the mechanics of the situation. I saw the moment he realised his daughter had a soft spot for Ethan and that was why she was acting like a jealous cow.
“Maybe I should leave,” I whispered.
Ethan gripped my thigh. “You’re not going anywhere.”
“What are you two whispering about?” Eliza hissed.
“I can see this getting old very soon,” Lucas remarked to Dru.
“It got old long before now,” Ethan said cuttingly.
I glanced over at Whitfield, worried that he’d get mad at Lucas and Ethan for being rude about his Eliza, but that wasn’t the case. He sat back in his chair, watching the exchange with a half-amused, half-bored look on his face. Then he caught my eye, and the boredom left his expression entirely. Now he appeared intrigued.
I didn’t look away. Something in me said he’d perceive it as weakness, and the last thing I wanted him to think was that I was weak or an easy conquest.
“Stop talking about me like I’m not even here!” Eliza yelled in a fit of temper. Her fangs were fully descended from her mouth as she stood and grabbed the floral centrepiece before flinging it at Ethan. He moved quickly, pulling both of us out of the way. The vase smashed to the floor, garnering the attention of the whole ballroom.
“Eliza,” Whitfield droned. “That behaviour is not very becoming of a young lady. Please conduct yourself more appropriately. I’m finding your attitude very trying at the moment.”
Immediately, Eliza’s fangs retreated. She primly sat back down in her chair, muttering a quiet, “I apologise, Father.”
One of the workers came and cleaned up the broken vase and scattered flowers, while Ethan retook his seat, this time placing me on his lap. Whitfield cleared his throat and it instantly caused everyone to hush. He stood to address the attendees.
“My people,” he began. “I would like to say a few brief words of thanks for your attendance here tonight. It has been a long and bloody war, but finally victory is ours. We have lost many fine men and women to the battles, but their deaths were not in vain. Each and every one of them contributed to what we have now achieved. The entire city belongs to us, and what remains of the slayers, the dhampirs, and the magical families will be erased from Tribane soon enough.”
Excuse me? I started to panic because what I deduced from Whitfield just now was that he didn’t just want control of the city. He wanted to rid it of all beings that weren’t vampires, which sounded a lot like supernatural ethnic cleansing if you asked me. What right did he have to kill all those who remained on the north side just so that he could rule unchallenged?
My eyes drifted to Delilah, whose face was even paler than usual. I knew exactly what she was wondering. How exactly did she fit into this plan of Whitfield’s? Our gazes met and locked. She saw that I understood her predicament. I wished there was some way for me to communicate with her, to tell her that Whitfield’s victory was not as secure as he believed it was.
“I have many entertainments planned this evening,” Whitfield continued. “I hope they will all contribute to your enjoyment. Now, let us celebrate. For after many long years this city finally belongs to its rightful owners, the vampires.”
The gathering clapped and cheered while the orchestra launched into some cheerful Mozart. I couldn’t bring myself to clap, even though I was supposed to be pretending that I was happy for them. Delilah wasn’t clapping either.
“What about your sister?” I whispered to Ethan.
“What about her?”
I shot him an incredulous look. “You just heard what Whitfield said, right?”
“He wasn’t referring to Delilah. He knows she lives under my protection.”
“Right, so you’re fine with him killing everyone else then? You do know I have friends on the north side? Gabriel is your half-brother, for crying out loud.”
There was a flicker of regret in his eyes as he squeezed my knee, his voice lower than a whisper, “I’m going to talk to Jeremy about his plans, because I don’t entirely agree with them but now isn’t the time to discuss it.”
Something in his expression told me I should shut up, and he was probably right. Whitfield was sitting across the table, and if he caught wind of even a hint of dissent I wasn’t sure how he’d react. I was about to tell Ethan I needed to use the bathroom when Whitfield appeared.
“Ethan, might I ask your lady friend to share a dance with me?” he held out his hand, and I tried not to stare at it like it was covered in horse manure.
“I had hoped Tegan would share her first da
nce with me tonight, Jeremy,” Ethan replied.
“Nonsense, I’ll have her back to you in no time,” Whitfield said with a chuckle. Then, quite abruptly, he grabbed my hand and pulled me to my feet before leading me swiftly to the dance floor.
His grip was cold, and I tried to suppress the unpleasant shiver that ran through my body at his touch. When we were amid the other dancing couples, Whitfield put one arm around my waist, the other holding my hand up, so that we were dancing in an old-fashioned way.
As he began to lead me around the dance floor, I couldn’t help but look into his eyes. It was like staring at a car crash. You wanted to look away, but you just couldn’t. Whitfield’s ancient eyes drew me to him in just the same way.
“You know,” he said, twirling me around and pulling me back, “I have always gotten what I wanted, no matter the price.”
“I can imagine,” I replied, trying not to flinch in terror.
“My friend seems rather attached to you, but I think I can persuade him to give you up, eventually.”
“Why would you want to do that?” I asked, my voice a little shaky.
“Because the promise of your blood is far too alluring,” he answered, his voice caressing me horribly, his breath slithering over my bare neck. “It smells rather—"
“I’m sure you have plenty of blood donors to keep you happy,” I cut him off because I didn’t want to hear the rest.
Whitfield’s grip on my hand tightened, as did his arm around my hip. “Wouldn’t you prefer to belong to the most powerful vampire in the city, rather than to his second in command?”
I’d prefer to belong to my fucking self.
“Power has never been much of a turn on for me. Besides, I like Ethan.” Just to twist the knife, I gazed dreamily over at him where he sat chatting with Lucas. I sensed he was keeping close tabs on me and Whitfield as we danced. “He’s the most beautiful man I have ever laid eyes on.”
Whitfield’s gaze narrowed. A myriad of thoughts flashed across his face, too quickly for me to decipher them.
“Might I cut in?” Ethan’s silky voice suddenly spoke from directly behind me. I breathed a sigh of relief that he’d come to rescue me from Whitfield.
