Page 44 of Vampire Visions

Jack came out of the closet, completely dressed, cradling my gown in his arms. “I unzipped it before I took it off the hanger. Now, we can either slip it over your head or you can step into it.”

“Just lay it on the floor and I’ll step in-”

“Bitch,” Jack interrupted me, “I am not laying black velvet on the floor when those damned dogs have been in here. You’ll have hair all over this work of art.”

“They don’t shed, Jack. You know that.”

“No, I don’t. Look.” He picked a piece of hair off his tux jacket. “What is this?”

I rolled my eyes. “Hair.”

Jack tapped his foot impatiently. “Uh-huh. And?”

“They aren’t dogs, Jack. They’re hellhounds.” I threw my arms out, irritated that we were having this conversation yet again. “We’ve been over this like a thousand times. They can’t shed because they don’t actually have fur. It’s just a glamor that makes them look like dogs. It’s fake!” Sighing, I examined the strand of hair he held between his fingers. “That hair is too long to be dog hair, anyway. It’s probably yours.”

“Let's just get you dressed, Sweetheart.” York stepped in to take my gown from Jack, a grin on his face as he watched us squabble. “You’re the only one who isn’t ready, and we need to go over the plan for tonight again before we leave.”

Jack and York bunched the skirt of my gown up, bending so I could step in it. I slid the thick straps up my shoulders as they dropped the bottom to let it pool around my bare feet. Before York zipped up the back, I finagled my panties down. When they hit the floor, I stepped out of them, kicking them to the side of my bed. Jack walked to the dresser, grabbing my black stilettos off the top, and handed them to York.

“How long is it going to take you to do your hair and makeup?” York asked me, one dark eyebrow raised as he surveyed my tangled hair. “I’ll tell the guys you're almost done.”

“No need,” I informed him with a smirk. “I’m ready.”

“You’re gonna do your snappy thing before we even make it to the living room, aren’t you?” York asked, bending down once again, this time to help me put my shoes on.

I was already ahead of him, snapping my fingers as I slid my left foot into the shoe he had offered. After getting my right shoe on, I turned to appraise my hair and makeup in the mirror. My smokey eye shadow had a touch of red in it. My lips were stained with a matte, blood red lipstick, a few shades darker than my vivid red nails. My silver curls fell loosely around my shoulders, teased to add volume. It’ll do.

“I wish we didn’t have to leave,” York rumbled in my ear, his hands squeezing my hips possessively.

I leaned into him, wishing the same, but knowing it was tonight or never. It was time to take the bitch out. And Kadence didn’t know what was coming for her. I was as ready as I’d ever be, determination sweeping through me. Rolling my shoulders back, I grabbed York’s hand, leading him out of my room and down the hall.

It sounded like Vaughn and Palmer were in the kitchen with Jack, Grim, and my parents. Novak, Briggs, and Stone were all in the living room, sipping dark liquor from heavy, crystal glasses. Eagerly chatting away, they didn’t notice my entrance at first.

Stone, mid-sip, eyed me from over the rim of his glass. His eyes blazed a line of fire down my body, and he bit at the center of his plump lower lip. Briggs reached down to adjust himself with a devious grin on his face. I wondered if all I needed was a fancy gown and mounds of cleavage to break the shifter’s resolve.

Novak, though, had the best reaction. He cleared his throat and blinked, speechless and entranced. Turning those glowing golden orbs on me, his gaze heated my blood, causing me to flush. He tossed the rest of his drink into his mouth as York spoke up.

“Your date for tonight, Novak.” The druid flourished his hand like he was showcasing my body. “The Druid Princess.”

After the initial shock wore off, Novak sidled up to me and spoke in French. The cadence of his words would have had me worked up and ready to drag him to my bedroom, but his subject had the opposite effect. “York told me what the bastard from the bar did to you. When I find him, I’m going to kill him.” His face was carefully neutral.

I sighed, a sad smile playing on my lips, and responded in his native language. “It was a long time ago, Novak.” I placed my hand on his arm, feeling his tense muscles. “I won’t tell you not to do it, because I’d love to do it myself, but please don’t break Vampyre laws to get it done.”

“We... what she said,” Briggs agreed with narrowed eyes, not quite aware of what we were saying but sensing Novak’s mood.

“What are you talking about?” Vaughn whispered from behind Novak, seriousness making his eyes fade from their natural icy blue to near white. He’d understood us, but I didn’t care to have this conversation while my Dad and Papi were within earshot.

“What?” Briggs questioned Vaughn, still unaware. Vaughn glared at him.

“Did you just agree to a Sloane and Novak plan?” Stone shook his head at Briggs.

“No,” Vaughn told Briggs and Stone. “They weren’t really making a plan.” His eyes drifted back to mine, followed by Briggs and Stone. “Novak threatened someone’s life, and Sloane told him not to break the laws of Vampyre. What happened, Sloane?”

“It’s about the guy from last night, isn’t it?” Briggs rubbed his chin, a thoughtful expression on his rugged face. “Something was off about him.”

“You really don’t know when to keep your mouth shut, do you?” I asked York, and he just shrugged unapologetically.

“I told Novak, hoping he could bait him into a fight. I’m not going to apologize for that.” He cocked his head to the right, both brows furrowed, irritation pulsing through our bond. “I’ll point him out to all the guys. I want him dead, by one hand or another. I don’t care who does it.”