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Parker sighs. “I think we’re good.” He nods to his two enforcers, gesturing for them to head out. They both look back at me, but the less rude one stops when he reaches the door. “Henry really cares about you, you know. You should give him a second chance to prove himself.”
I want to laugh—no way in hell is that happening—but I don’t want to piss off another vampire by rejecting his sire, so I shrug noncommittally and look away. Parker waits until I meet his gaze again before he follows his enforcers out. “Please call me when you’re feeling better,” he murmurs, then leaves.
Once he’s gone, I shiver. “Henry’s not going to stop obsessing over me. If his vampires are going to start going crazy because of it, I might have to quit the club.”
Terrance stops pacing the hall and storms back into the room to glare at me.“No.”
“He’s right,” Wulf says, crossing his arms and frowning at me. “You don’t run. You never run. They will chase. You stay, and you pretend like they don’t terrify you.”
“That’s not enough,” Nick says. His eyes fall on mine. “Those guys were right. You need to get over your fear of vampires. Maybe your fear is justified, but it’s also tempting to all predators—which most underworlders are. If you’re going to be a part of this world now, Nora, you can’t fear it anymore. Find a way. Hate them, fine. But get over your fear.”
Great. How am I supposed to do that? I’m making headway with most underworld species, but it seems like every vampire I meet tries to kill me. They’re the monsters that murdered my mother in front of me when I was six. It’s hard to let go of a lifetime of nightmares and fear.
“I’ll host a party!” Cecile blurts, seemingly out of nowhere. “A party for Nora.” The smile she gives me is both sincere and full of wicked delight. I’m pretty sure I have another meddler on my hands. As if my werewolf boss isn’t enough.
“I’ll invite lots of decent vampire friends of mine for you to get to know. There are some wonderful ones out there, Nora. If you meet a few who aren’t assholes, like Henry, you’ll learn to love them as much as you like the rest of us.”
“Aparty?Full ofvampires?” I groan and close my eyes as I sink back into the pillows behind my head. “I must be really out of it right now, because I can’t believe I’m about to say yes to that.”
Cecile claps her hands. “Yay! Don’t you worry about a thing, darling. I’ll keep it small, with an exclusive guest list.”
“I better be invited,” Nick says. He’s smiling now, as if he approves of this plan.
“Gorgeous, darling, it wouldn’t be a party without you,” Cecile purrs, making the man shiver when she runs a finger up his arm. I get the feeling she only affects him because he lets her, but she’s definitely stirring feelings in him now. He closes his eyes and lets out a long, satisfied breath. “All right, enough of this.” He looks at me. “Go home and get some sleep. Lots of sleep and protein. Enzo worked a miracle, but you’re still really low on blood. Rest for a week. I’m not kidding. A full week. At least.”
I roll my eyes. “Yes, Mother.”
He winks, then turns his fierce gaze back to Cecile. “And you. Keep the guest list small, and have Nora in mind when you plan it. She needs this.”
“Of course!” Cecile chirps. “It’ll be like the good old days back in England. It’ll be a coming-out party for Nora into underworld society. I’ll only invite the best of the best.”
“Small!” Terrance orders, while I groan again.
I’m in trouble. Someone has unleashed a monster.
Terrance, Cecile, and Wulfall go back to work. They’d kicked everyone out—or maybe everyone ran screaming when the body parts started flying—but everything still needs to be closed out and cleaned up. I don’t envy them that job. The vampires took the remains of their dead clan member away, but the blood left behind has to be… Ugh. Nasty. Hopefully magic will be involved.
“You got her?” Nick asks Oliver, referring to me. “I’ve got to head out. Got to go babysit some stupid Washington yahoo about some demon business.”
I smirk. He soundsthrilledabout that.
Oliver nods and gives me a grin. “Yeah. I’ll get her in bed. Don’t worry.”
I choke on a laugh, and Nick snorts. Oliver has to think back on his words, and then he chuckles and shakes his head. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Better not be,” Nick teases. “At least not for a week. Then I say go for it.”
I groan. “Oh, shut up, Nick.”
“Nora. I’ve told you a hundred times. It’s Gorgeous. GORGEOUS. Not Nick.”
I smile a big, toothy grin. “You got it, Nick.”
Nick rolls his eyes and heads out the door, grumbling about beautiful smartass women. I laugh to myself and then call him back. I’ve got one last question for him before he leaves. “Hey, Gorgeous?” I humor him just this once.
He spins around, giving me a sly grin. “Yes, beautiful?”
I groan internally. He’s incorrigible. “Does the FUA keep old records?”
