He kneeled, but he continued to shake. I had him, but the control was hard to maintain. He was fighting me even though he was on the ground before me.
"Release him, Ember," James said.
I looked at him. I wasn't sure that it was a good idea. I wanted to be far away from Marek when I let him go.
“You passed the test. I will not hurt you.” Marek said through gritted teeth.
I took a deep breath and let go. Marek collapsed to the floor, and I went with him. I didn't realize how much effort I was putting into the hold. When I let it go, my body had had enough. I lay gasping for breath on the floor, and Marek laughed. He laughed!
"You're an asshole," I said, groaning.
“You like assholes,” He said softly.
I looked at him, and he was smiling. I couldn't help but smile back. Dammit, he was becoming my Kryptonite.
James was there a moment later, helping me to my feet and over to the couch. I fell into it and was thankful this was only a lesson. As much as Marek said he would go all out, I think he held back.
"James, thank you," Marek said, dismissing him.
He bowed and left the apartment. I saw the men and women he had standing by when he opened the door. From what I could tell, he took them with him.
“You could have fought harder,” I said to Marek once we were alone.
"Maybe, maybe not," He said, sounding uncertain. "We are evenly matched."
My eyebrows raised in disbelief. A master vampire just admitted that I had an equal amount of power as he had. I didn’t take that lightly.
He stopped fighting the bond at that moment and then rushed over to me. Most of the cuts had healed, but I was super tired and finding it harder to stay awake than I should have.
"You used more power than you ever have before, and I took a lot of blood from you." He said, pulling out his knife.
"I just need to sit for a bit," I said, insisting I was okay.
Like usual, he didn’t listen to me and pressed the point of his knife into his neck. He crouched down in front of me, kneeling between my legs. The symbolism stood out. He was happy to kneel before me. It made me wonder if I really did force him to kneel.
He pulled me forward and brought my face to his neck. I stopped protesting and leaned down, pressing my lips over the first drop of blood. I swallowed the power and savored the caramel flavor. Marek wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me in closer to him. My legs wrapped around his body automatically.
After a few swallows, I felt myself perk up. I was more drained, pun intended than I had realized. I needed to pay more attention to what my opponent was doing. Viktor could drain me before I knew what was happening, and if I was dead, so was my sister. I pulled away from Marek, but he didn't move.
I ran my tongue over my bottom lip, cleaning away the last drop of his blood. Marek watched with hunger in his eyes. It wasn’t a craving for blood.
“Marek,” I whispered.
He pulled me down onto his lap with my legs, straddling him. It was the most intimate we had ever been, and if my breathing was anything to show for it, I was excited. His blood was an aphrodisiac, and I was primed and ready for whatever happened next.
“How do you feel?” He asked.
“Much better,” I said, our faces so close our lips were almost touching.
"I do not want you to do this," He said, leaning his forehead against mine.
I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around him.
"Did you hold back at all earlier?" I asked, referring to the lesson we had just completed.
“No,” He said.
I felt a sharp pain in my chest that wasn’t my own. He was well and truly afraid for me to face Viktor.
"If I don't do this, I lose my sister, and that isn't an option," I said.
“I know,” He said.
“I can do it,” I insisted.
He nodded, but it was clear he didn't like it.
A knock at the door interrupted us. Marek sighed. Then he lifted me off his lap and set me back onto the couch as if I didn't weigh a thing. It made my heart rate speed up, and the corner of his mouth lifted. He paused for a moment after he stood, then walked away to answer the door.
The knock on the door was James. He had news.
“A package was delivered for Ember,” James said.
He brought the box to the kitchen island and motioned me over. It was a large brown box with a lift-off lid. It was huge.
"Is it safe to open?" I asked, approaching the box.
"It's been checked, and no spells or any other dangers have been found," James assured me.
I lifted the lid and saw a card on top of a gorgeous navy colored gown. The card was addressed to me. I opened it and read it aloud.
Master Julien Le Veneur requests your presence to honor his daughter, Sasha Le Veneur coming into society at Nine O’clock this evening.
Your presence is expected in formal attire enclosed.
* One guest is permitted
“Shit!” James exclaimed.
He ran his hands through his hair and looked like something terrible had just happened. The behavior was uncharacteristic of his usual calm.
I looked to Marek for his reaction, and he was the picture of serenity. His emotions were conflicted. He was afraid and yet accepting.
"Why am I being invited to a teenager's coming out party, and why are you so upset about it?" I said, looking first at James and then at Marek.
"This is no teenager's party, Ember. It is the presentation of Master Le Veneur's newest vampire." Marek said in a tone that had me feeling scolded.
“Why am I invited to a vampire party?” I asked.
"Julien is honoring you with the invitation, and you will attend," Marek said, ignoring James.
Marek pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and spoke in Russian to the person who answered. It sounded like he was mostly barking orders. Master vampires were prone to superiority complexes from what I could tell. It was a side effect of a society that honored those with a lot of power above all others.
"Okay, who is my plus one?" I asked, hoping it was Marek.
“I will assign a Guardian of proper rank to accompany you,” Marek said.
I looked at James. I would have assumed he would be the one to accompany me if Marek wasn’t going to do that job.
"Dhampir's aren't accepted at vampire events. We are the vampire's dirty secret, not something worth an invitation." James said.
He looked upset, but his words made sense.
“Why can’t you come?” I asked Marek.
"I cannot be your chaperone," Marek said, holding up his hands when he saw I was about to protest. "I expect I will be attending in my capacity with The Council of Guardians. I attend most new family announcements.”
“Will this be a room filled entirely with vampires?” I asked.
Both James and Marek nodded yes, and my stomach dropped. Navigating the protocols and social norms of a vampire gathering was going to be a significant challenge.
I moved to the couch and sat down hard. The weight of what I was about to walk into had hit me. I would be the only prey within a group of predators. It was madness.
“Ember, you will be an honored guest. There is little danger.” Marek said.
I looked at him and saw his confidence, but underneath there was a sense of discomfort. He wasn't as sure as he wanted me to think he was, and that was what had me scared. If the most powerful vampire I had ever heard of was frightened, I should be too.
"I'm going to need a few things to go with that dress," I announced.
Chapter Sixteen
My stomach flipped a few times as my companion and I approached the mansion. It was a large estate in the Belcaro neighborhood of Denver surrounded by a high brick wall and even higher trees that created a private space within the city. The Tudor home was massive and looking at it all lit up took my breath away. It wasn’t my personal style preference, but it did impress none the less.
The front door was flanked by vines that grew up the height of the structure, softening the brick and making it feel welcoming. I went up the stairs, noticing the guards stationed on either side of the door looked past me as if they didn't find me worth their notice.
Marek had to be insane to trust no harm would come to me while I was here. This coven was loyal to Viktor and had to be in on his plans. Of course, Marek sent one of his best bodyguards to accompany me to the party, so his confidence may have been mostly bluff.
My guard was a high-status vampire and a trusted bodyguard, protecting key members of The Council. He looked as normal as I imagined a vampire could be. His blonde hair was trimmed short above his ears, and his face was pleasing if a little ordinary. I supposed he would blend in well in a crowd if it weren't for his expensive suit.
Caden motioned me forward, where I stepped into the entry vestibule. The ceiling was painted gold, although it could have been real gold, I certainly wouldn't know the difference. I expected there would be someone to take my wrap but quickly remembered that this was a vampire party, so no one else would have the need to wear a jacket.
Caden tugged me forward then motioned to a bench where a maid waited. He helped me remove my fur wrap and handed it off to her. She curtsied and opened a door that looked hidden until she tapped it. She hung up my shawl as Caden led me further into the house.
A spiral staircase took up the center of the room with several doorways leading to other parts of the home. Based on the amount of noise coming from straight ahead, it was clear that was where we were supposed to go. I didn't wait for Caden to follow. I just walked forward with confidence.
One of the tips Marek had given me for tonight was to exude confidence and not let anyone push me around. My power would be apparent to any vampire in the room, and anyone else would figure it out in short order. If I let anyone think I was below them, it would make this night more difficult to survive.
I walked forward and entered a large room with gleaming wooden floors and an intricate coffered ceiling. When I stepped through the doorway, every eye in the room turned my direction.
Caden caught up to me at that moment and put out his arm. I slipped my hand around his elbow and allowed him to lead me further into the room. At his appearance, several of the interested vampires turned their heads back to their own companions. The ones who continued to look, stared at me like I was the most interesting thing they had ever seen.
“You are stunningly beautiful milaya moya,” Marek said in my mind.
I turned to see him standing casually against the far wall. I tried to keep the smile off my face, but I must have failed because he frowned slightly. I worked to make my face blank and looked away. Caden was looking at me when I turned around. He smiled and inclined his head toward a woman who was standing to his right.
She was tall with long black hair and emerald eyes. She wore a dress that matched her eyes. She smiled at me when our eyes met, and I instantly liked her. I matched her smile then looked at Caden.
“Ember, if I may introduce you. This is my sire Sabrina Thorn, master of her coven.” Caden said.
“It is a pleasure,” I smiled. Sabrina inclined her head to me, acknowledging my rank.
“You have made a name for yourself in a short time Madame Summers. Finding you on the arm of my son is a welcome surprise.” Sabrina said with a sly smile.
Her power crackled over my skin, but it didn’t affect me the way that Marek’s power did. Maybe it was because she was female, but I think it was because she wasn’t as powerful. She had more than most of the vampires in the room but nowhere near as powerful as me.
“Sabrina is a master vampire with a large coven. Be careful what you say to her.” Marek broadcasted into my head.
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at Marek. I appreciated the information but didn’t need the warning.
“Thank you, madame. I find your son very pleasing.” I stated politely.
The fact that Caden was part of her family made me nervous. Marek had assured me he was someone we could trust, but I wondered how far that trust would go if tested. Would he protect me over her?
Caden smirked and said, "She is following protocol well, don't you think mother?"
"I wouldn't tease her, Caden. She has more power than most of the vampires in this room combined." Sabrina said, touching his arm.
She curtsied to me before stepping away. Her emerald skirt flared out and rustled pleasantly when she moved. The curtsy was another nod to my rank, and it shocked me enough that I was struck dumb for a moment.
"Shall we mingle?" Caden said, and I nodded.
He led me through the room, introducing me as we went. Each person bowed or curtsied to me or both of us when we moved on. The ranking system was evident, and somehow, I was above all we had met.
We turned to the next group we would meet, and I found that I recognized one of the vampires that stood before me. We hadn't met before, but I had seen him. He was slightly taller than Marek, who stood near him, and his long blonde hair fell just below his shoulders. He was handsome as most vampires were, but he was clearly important based on how others kneeled or bowed before him.
Marek's eyes found mine as Caden and I stopped before their group. He inclined his head slightly to me, showing me to be his equal. The group before him all bowed, including the striking blonde next to him.
"May I present Julien Le Veneur, our host and master of his coven," Caden said with a bow.
I started to curtsy, but Julien took my hand and bowed before me, placing a kiss to my knuckles. It shocked me so much that I didn't know what to do for a moment. Master Le Veneur felt similar in power to me and being a coven master should have tipped his rank higher than mine.
"Your shock is evident, Madame, but your honor is deserved. I can assure you that I do not debase myself without cause." Julien said, smiling.
His voice held a slight French accent that was beautiful. If my romantic interests weren't pulled in another direction, I would be very interested in this man. He was well dressed and looked like he was born to it.
"Then, I thank you, sir. And I compliment you on your beautiful home. I have not seen its equal." I said, smiling back at him.
"And you honor me," Julien said, bowing again. "Your words have not done her justice, Master Volkov. She is a wonder."
Marek smiled at Julien. I felt the pride coming from him and a touch of joy.
“That she is,” Marek agreed.
The smile on his face brought a smile to my lips as well.
“She has delighted everyone she has met this evening,” Caden added.
"You are all too kind," I said, giving Caden a look for laying it on too thick.
"If you will permit me, Madame, I would ask the honor to escort you for the remainder of your introductions," Julien said with bowed head.
Marek inclined his head, indicating his approval. I didn't need it.
"I graciously accept Master Le Veneur," I said.
"Please, call me Julien." He said, reaching out his hand to me.
"Very well, Julien," I said, taking his hand.
He led me away from Marek and Caden, much like Caden had led me around the room before him with my hand on the crook of his elbow.
“I must say that the way you speak my name delights me. Do you speak French?” Julien asked.
“I am sad to say I do not. I wish I did.” I said.
“I’m sure you will in time. Your pronunciation is presque parfaite, nearly perfect.” He said as we walked.
"Merci," I said, remembering the French way of saying thank you.
Julien laughed and said, "You continue to surprise me, Madame. I had not anticipated your wit, and your beauty shines in this gown.”
He motioned to the gift he had given me with my invitation.
“I owe that to you. It fits perfectly. How did you know my size?” I asked curious to know more about this man, well vampire.
"My sire shared a g
reat many things with me, including your size." He said, but he didn't seem pleased.
“And did he ask you to invite me?” I ventured hesitantly.
"You know Viktor does not ask, but it matters not. I am glad to have you on my arm. Every vampire in this room wishes to have the honor. Don't you see the envious eyes?" He motioned with his hand to the others.
What I saw surprised me. Every person who wasn't already engaged in a conversation had their eyes on me. Marek would be displeased that I had been so ignorant.
"I'm sure some of the admiration is for you. They are here to meet your daughter, are they not?" I asked.
"Indeed, but as with any vampire function, this is an opportunity to be seen and impress those above one's rank. If you allow me to continue, I shall do just that." Julien said, smiling.
I inclined my head to him and let him lead me on. He smiled and turned me to see who he wanted to introduce me to next. My breath caught as my eyes landed on the vampire he intended me to see.
"Sire, you honor me with your presence," Julien said, bowing to his maker.
“Julien,” Viktor nodded to his son.
“Votre intention," Julien bowed, motioning toward me.
I could only guess what he was saying, but I was sure it was something I did not like.
“Mon destiné à," Viktor said, bowing to me.
That I understood. With his words, the room went quiet. Every ear in the building was awaiting my reply.
"Are you speaking French to try to confuse me, Viktor?" I said, trying to sound amused.
“Would you prefer Russian moye prednaznacheniye?” Viktor said with one eyebrow raised.
"French is more pleasing to the ear, but the words you speak I suspect are not accurate," I said, turning to walk away.
He reached out and grabbed my hand, attempting to pull me back. I turned back around so quickly that several people gasped at how quickly I moved.
"Touch me again without my permission Viktor, and I will not be so polite," I said, raising my power to push him back and make him let go.
He surprised me by stepping back on his own and raising his hands in surrender. His eyes still held mine, but his physical being had retreated.
Ember's Shadow - Into the Darkness (an Ember Summers novel Book 2) Page 15
