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Her smile faltered, but she didn’t hide her fangs. I lifted my chin, meeting her gaze and daring her to say something more as I flicked my hand at Irving. He gave me a grateful look before rushing off.

“That pet of yours is going to get the wrong idea about where he belongs in this household and society. Those unseasoned miscreants give us a bad name. It’s best not to associate with them on the same level as you would with the Primal Born, darling. They’re no better than the beasts lurking outside our city.” Her tone was pleasant, a stark contrast to the disdainful words. “I say this for your own good.”

Was she really comparing a Turned vampire to a lycan? “I don’t give a shit about where he stands in society. He is a friend, and let’s not forget it is our kind who ruined his life.”

She lowered her voice to hiss, “You ungrateful …” She let the words fall away as if remembering there were others in the vicinity.

I smirked at her despite the cold seeping into my spine again. “Is bitch the word you’re looking for? I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, does it, Mother?” The fact that there were many witnesses lessened the chance of her fully revealing her rotten core. I stepped back into my room and slammed the door in her face. It took me a moment to remember there were two very naked, very confused men in my bed as I fought to steady my breathing.

With a dismissive wave, I said, “Get out.”

I didn’t wait for them to leave before I grabbed my abandoned goblet of blood on my way to the bathroom. The black tiles were cool beneath my feet—a contrast to the red walls that echoed the anger burning in my veins. I downed the contents of the goblet and flung it aside so hard I heard a subtle crack from where it hit the wall.

After tidying myself up with a cloth and fresh water, I return to the bedroom to slip into a clean dress. The black and red lace covered my arms and draped to my calves, complimenting the two-tone black and white of my hair as it cascaded in waves down to the middle of my back.

The sounds of debauchery still bled through the walls, live music encouraging my guests. A smile crawled onto my lips as I slipped into my high heels and stepped out of my bedroom to find two women locked in a passionate embrace against the wall as I walked past. I followed the corridor through the ornate archway of black wood to stand on the balcony.

My fingers wrapped around the intricate banister of twisted metal as I stared down into the main room where vampires—too many to count—were engaged in shameless displays of lust. They took over the expansive carpet and couches, either extravagantly clothed in silk and lace or in varying degrees of undress. A nude trio was nestled together near one of the massive bookcases, one pouring nectar into another’s mouth, the red liquid dribbling down the woman’s neck and over her breasts.

I’d ensured the tables flowed with endless fountains of nectar as well as blood brought in fresh from one of Bellatrix’s trusted vendors. The candles in the chandeliers and hundreds of candelabras around the room held a dance of their own, their flames wavering and casting artful shadows around the room, echoing the writhing bodies. It was beautiful. So much more intriguing than the usually dull and lifeless state of Nygaard Manor.

Music filled the air from the small band assembled in the corner. I was impressed by their dedication to play while the nectar and blood loosened the inhibitions of everyone else around them. I noticed a woman slumped on the chaise, her head lolling over the back edge while a vampire’s fangs were embedded deep in the side of her neck. Another vampire was at her side, bringing the woman’s wrist to her lengthened fangs.

Even from a distance, the unconscious woman’s scent was undeniably human. Winding staircase be damned, I hopped right over the banister and rushed to the chaise before the female vampire could break the human’s skin.

“Don’t you dare,” I said, my commanding tone so much like my mother’s that I momentarily paused. The vampire woman looked up at me, pupils dilated and hunger in her eyes. I knew the look well, but in my house, she was going to have some damn self-control. I was not taking the blame for this.

Behind the human, the man straightened, blood trickling down his chin.

“Where did you find this woman?” As if on cue, she groaned. Alive, thank fuck.

The man leapt over the couch and was in my face in a second. “Who do you think you are?”

I was of average height, and the man towered over me, but I stared right back at him. “You just proved you’re here without an invitation. And you’re either brave or brainless to step into Nygaard Manor with a human and no license. There was plenty of fresh blood provided.” I gestured at the fountains and multiple goblets. “There’s plenty nectar of euphoria as well, if the blood isn’t enough.” The expensive beverage wasn’t an ordinary wine, instead infused with a potion that eliminated hangovers. A highly demanded luxury.

Something changed in his gaze, and as he made to grab me, I snatched his arm and turned my back on him, flipping him over my shoulder. He slammed into the ground, and before he could collect the air I knocked out of him, I nudged him onto his front and shoved my knee into his back. As my hand wrapped around his throat, he went utterly still, whimpering. My nails lengthened to sharp points—an uncontrolled partial shift—as they dug into the tender flesh of his neck. I could rip his throat out from this angle if I wanted to. I pressed and pressed, feeling the warmth of his blood on my skin, until a voice stopped me. I loosened my grasp only slightly.

“It’s because of gluttons like you that we have laws in place to protect humans,” I sneered. “Why we have been feared for centuries.”

“They should fear us,” the man spat. “We are superior. They are nothing.”

I squeezed tighter, and he sputtered as I leaned close and whispered in his ear, “Tell me, oh superior one. How feared do you feel now?”

“Aura!” Irving shouted from above me. I squeezed once more for good measure then stood, dragging the man to his feet. He swayed, blood seeping into his white doublet from the deep gashes across his throat, and I retracted my claws while fighting for composure. My hands trembled with the effort, hot anger coursing through me. For a few seconds, I tracked the blood coloring his clothing—it was mesmerizing.

Snapping myself out of it, I began to haul the glutton across the room. I stepped over various couples in senseless half-dressed inebriation, until I made it to the door and shoved the man down the front steps.

He rolled onto the concrete outside, landing with a satisfying thud. Ignoring his groans, I turned and clapped my bloodied hands. “Thank you all for coming,” I announced.

The music tapered off.

“But it’s time to go.”

Murmurs ran through the room, and only a few people got to their feet.

“Everybody, out!” I shouted.

Dozens of vampires rushed from the manor while I stood at the door to ensure a full exodus.