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She hugs me tightly. “Same. You’re my savior.”
I squeeze her back. It wasn’t me who saved her, but Julian.
Throwing on the finishing touches, we are both ready to dance the night away.
“Ready?” I say, taking a look at how beautiful Stacey is tonight.
She nods her head eagerly. “Never been more ready.”
* * *
The hedge witch wasn’t lying. Law has transformed his castle—and no, I’m not exaggerating, it quite possibly is larger than the main estate—into something out of a fairy tale. A large ballroom lined with windows spans the entire backside, overlooking a beautiful wooded lot, adorned with rich, heavy tapestries and set up with tables lining one wall full of every type of appetizer you could think of. Another wall has tables lined with every kind of dessert, from pies to cakes to cookies.
Servers dressed in head-to-toe black walk around with silver trays full of shrimp cocktail and chicken Cordon Bleu. It’s lavish and ostentatious, everything Law promised.
“Brother. I’m so glad you could join us,” Lawrence greets. “I’ve been trying to get him to bring you here since the auction,” he remarks. “He’s intent on keeping you holed up in that gaudy house. I can only imagine the things he’s done with you,” he says with a grin.
Julian smacks him in the stomach, eliciting a grunt.
Stacey and I chuckle.
“Where exactly did you round up all these humans?” Julian asks.
Looking around, I notice that everyone is in fact human. The only vampires in the room, from what I can tell, are Julian and Law.
“Surely you remember how popular I am amongst the people of New Orleans. All I needed to do was send out invitations, and every human with class within a hundred-mile radius was chomping at the bit to show up.”
Julian rolls his eyes. “Yes, of course. Lawrence Bellamy and his aptitude for throwing lavish affairs.” His sarcasm has me smothering a laugh, not wanting to insult our host.
“Ladies, go eat. Enjoy yourselves. No need to stand around Julian for tonight. You’re my guests of honor.” He waves us off.
Stacey grabs my hand, running toward the sweets table. “This is incredible,” she says excitedly. “I’ve never seen so many desserts in one place.”
She begins piling a plate high with every sugary confection available. I can’t help but laugh.
We eat, we dance, and we people-watch.
“I need to use the restroom,” I tell Stacey, hoping she’ll come with me. Instead she simply nods her head, continuing to watch those dancing. I stand and walk toward the hallway, not exactly sure where I’m going. I’m walking down a wide hallway when a girl appears at the end. She’s wearing a yellow dress that matches her golden blond hair, and there’s something haunting about her.Maggie?
My eyes squint, trying to see her more clearly. She turns and walks out of sight. I go to follow her when I hear Julian call out to me.
“Marina. I was looking for you. Will you dance with me?” He bows low, quite the gentleman. I smile, forgetting my entire reason for coming out here, and take my love’s hand.
A waltz of sorts comes on, and I feel embarrassed to admit that I have no idea how to dance properly. Julian laughs. “Very few people today would, Marina. It’s not exactly common anymore. I’ll show you.” He takes my hand, positioning me where I need to be. Leading me gracefully around the dance floor, he spins me about and makes it look easy. With him, I feel like I can do anything.
He brings me closer to him, kissing me on the side of my neck. “I can’t wait to get you out of here,” he groans.
I agree. There’s nothing I want more than to be alone with him.
A commotion toward the front of the room has the music screeching to a halt and Julian and I turning to see what’s going on. All the joy of moments ago rushes out of me in an instant.Shannon.
I gasp. Marcellus has her beside him, collared and... leashed.
“Shannon,” I yell, but Julian holds me back.
Her head doesn’t even turn in my direction. Her eyes remain fixated on something in the corner, dazed and docile.
“Marina, calm down. Let me handle this.”
