He stills, his hand between my thighs, his mouth on my throat. I’m panting, trembling with desire. He pulls back, straightening my clothes, smoothing his hair.
‘Perhaps we can continue in the house?’ Invitation growls in every word.
I hesitate. I don’t know why I’m holding back.
‘No?’ He nods, once. ‘I forget, you think differently here about sex. Very well, my Raven. I shall respect your parents’ home, and you. I’m sure I can find someone else to help me out for tonight.’ He puts his fingers to his lips and licks them, grinning, his fangs dropped. Fingers that, just a moment ago, were on my most intimate flesh. ‘Delicious. Just as I thought.’
Then he’s gone, a streak of black in the night. I sag against the fence, my hand to my chest. What the hell just happened?
I’ve managed to regain my composure by the time I get back to the house. Which is good as I enter the foyer to see Joaquin, Selene and the rest of his entourage. They all turn their heads as I enter. Selene grins, wiping the corners of her mouth. God and darkness.
Joaquin comes to me, taking my hand, kissing each of my knuckles in turn.
‘What’s there to do for fun around here?’
‘For fun?’ It’s difficult to concentrate when his tongue flickers across my skin, his gaze liquid on mine. ‘Um, there are books and games in the library. There’s the ballroom. The Costume Room.’
Joaquin raises an eyebrow. ‘That’s it? Books and clothing? I wish to take you out, my Raven, not play dress-up. Unless you’re into that, of course.’ A wicked smile, a ripple of laughter from the group.
‘There’s a nightclub near here,’ I say, feeling strangled. ‘It’s pretty good.’
Joaquin’s face lights up, breathtaking beauty. ‘Now that, my darling, sounds much more my scene. Can we go there?’
‘Y-yes, of course. I just need to arrange it.’ I manage to extricate myself, pulling my phone from my pocket. ‘I’ll call Ira, the owner, and let him know we’re coming.’
‘VIP, I hope? Does he have good food?’
‘He usually has a selection.’ I try not to think about the caged humans behind Ira’s bar. ‘Free range, mostly. Plus, we can take a dancer if you prefer.’
‘I think we’ve drunk our fill of your dancers.’ He grins, revealing dropped fangs. ‘Besides, I like to try local flavours whenever I’m somewhere new.’
Thank darkness Ira picks up. I turn away from Joaquin. ‘Ira, it’s Emelia.’
‘I know who it is.’ There’s a smile in Ira’s voice. ‘What can I do for you?’
‘I have … that is, we have guests, and we’d like to come to the club. Tonight.’
‘Raven are always welcome. I’ll reserve a table for you.’
‘Thank you. There will be eight of us, I think.’
A short while later we’re in a couple of cars, heading towards Dark Haven. We pull up outside the Dome, our drivers opening the doors. The line of patrons waiting outside whip out their phones, taking photographs, gasping and calling out. I’m sure I’ll be all over social media in a matter of minutes. So different from the last time I was here. For a lot of reasons.
I lead Joaquin and his entourage inside. I haven’t been here since that night with Kyle, when we danced and drank, and he carried me home through the flickering dark.
‘Are you all right?’ Joaquin’s hand is at the small of my back. I lean into his strength, finding I need it. I also need wine.
‘Lady Raven?’ A female vampire, clad in skintight leather, her red hair piled high, comes over. ‘This way, please. My name is Ilona, and I’ll be looking after you this evening. Anything you need, just ask.’
‘Ilona,’ Joaquin purrs, his dark gaze wandering over her lush curves. Jealousy stabs me. ‘I believe we would like to drink. Wine, for my darling, and your best dancers for the rest of us.’
‘Of course.’ Ilona is all eyelashes and pouty lips as she leads us to a booth on the edge of the circular dance floor, her body an undulating invitation. I clutch Joaquin’s arm and try not to glare. He just laughs, running the tip of his tongue up my cheek, following it with a kiss. Gods.
We squeeze into the booth, Joaquin curving his body protectively around mine. I put my legs over his lap, my arm around his neck, our mouths so close together. Oh yes, I can do this. I can take this handsome prince for my own, for my realm. Maybe he’s right. Maybe there is more vampire in me than I thought. It’s time for me to explore this side of myself, too. And Joaquin is the perfect companion with whom to do so.
And, as I drink wine and laugh, as Joaquin’s hands stroke my thighs, play with the edge of my skirt, graze the underside of my breasts, as his followers gyrate on the dance floor, blood on their mouths, I let myself sink into darkness. I put warmth and light out of my mind, turn towards the cool of night. I think of Varin holding his sword, the idea of balance. I’ve shown the world my human side. I wonder what they’ll think of my vampire side, whatever that is.
I tilt my head as Joaquin runs his mouth along my throat, looking up at the reflection in the mirror fragments embedded in the domed ceiling. A circular dancefloor, curving booths in red leather around the edge of it, as though we’re in a flower. And me, draped across Joaquin, his hands on me like he owns me.
