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Despite no window and no sunlight, the candlelight on the dining table flickered, casting shadows from the hundreds of crystals hanging from the chandelier, bathing the room in ethereal light.
“Welcome and have a seat wherever you like.” Abacus gestured, seated at a rectangular table for six, he looked small next to Victus.
Victus didn’t bother to glance my way. With an elbow propped on the armrest and a fist under his chin, he looked like his thoughts were a world away as the candlelight highlighted his perfectly sculpted face. Wearing a velvet black tunic with gold trim on the sleeves and pants, he looked like a beautiful painting, one I had seen before but couldn’t remember where.
I moved closer, but I didn’t take a seat. Enamored by his beauty, my heart screamed I knew him. My mind insisted he held some kind of vamp seduction over me. If the rumors were true and vampires possessed such power, then why didn’t I have the same sensation toward Abacus or Markane?
“You look absolutely beautiful and divine in that white dress.” Abacus winked at me. “Get it? Divine like the angel?” He socked Victus’s arm when he continued to ignore him.
I had no idea what I looked like, but I didn’t dress to impress. Abacus could shove his compliment up his ass.
Victus let out an annoyed grunt. “Divine is a made-up word by the god of feathered beings to make them appear superior.”
“I agree with you, but we can talk as I’m fed.” Abacus rubbed his hands together and smacked his lips. “Where’s my food?”
Victus glanced at the door. “Where is Markane? He called for a damn meeting and he’s late.”
When his eyes finally met mine, he paused. I could have sworn he shuddered a quick breath, but I could be wrong. “Why are you still standing? Abacus asked you to take a seat. It’s rare he asks anyone. You should be flattered.”
“Flattered?” I dug my nails on the top rail of the chair across from Abacus. “I’m not a part of this savage family.”
Air whipped at lightning speed. The crystals on the chandelier clanked against each other and chimed, and the candlelight flickered and almost went out. My body lifted with fingers coiled around my neck.
Victus drew my face closer to his and his dark eyes turned crimson, the veins by his eyes throbbing. “Don’t ever use that word in my presence. Do you understand?”
“Your people in the stadium acted as such.” My words came out strangled.
Victus’s eyes widened and his pupils constricted, the color rapidly changing back to its original warm brown as if he was taking in my words. Just as I tried to reach into my pocket for the syringe, he pulled out a chair across from him, shoved me down, and pushed in the chair to lock me in place.
I could have sworn he pressed his face to my hair and inhaled. Why was he always smelling me or staring at my dark strands?
“See, that wasn’t so hard,” Abacus said with a sweet tone, then his voice turned deadly. “Where’s my food?”
As if on cue, the door swung open and three human male servants entered with large trays—roasted chicken, carrots, and potatoes on fine dining plates. Then the one with gray hair set large goblets of red liquid in front of Victus and Abacus.
When the servants left, Abacus grabbed a drumstick and took a bite. “Mmmm …” He sighed with satisfaction with his eyes closed.
I furrowed my brow. “I didn’t know vampires could eat human food.”
Abacus took another bite and said with a mouthful, “I enjoy eating and I like the taste, but it doesn’t give us the necessary nutrients.”
“So, am I here to watch you eat?” I leaned back and sighed with annoyance.
“Do you want some?” Abacus lifted the drumstick already half eaten.
I crossed my arms on the table. “You would share with me?”
“No.” He licked his fingers. “Nobody touches my food. Not even Markane.”
As if on cue, the door swung open and Markane strutted in with his arms around two female humans. One blonde, and the other brunette.
“Did someone say my name, Small?” Markane grinned, enjoying his attention.
“Don’t call me that,” Abacus hissed with a mouthful.
Victus gulped half of his drink and the goblet thumped hard on the table. “What took you so long?”
“I was catching my dinner.” He pulled up chairs for the ladies like a perfect gentleman, but a gentleman he was not. His eyes met mine across the table. “You’ve cleaned up, feathered bitch. So nice of you to join us. And you have nothing to eat. My brothers did not offer you any?”
