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Dani nodded, and they took off after Red, who was already talking to a couple by the buffet table. “Perhaps, we’ll make history tonight, and he’ll attend a public event.”
Violet breathed out a laugh. “Hope so.” And she did.
For the first time since arriving in the Bluff, she felt her old confidence in full force. There was some magic in a hot shower, good champagne, and loud music while she tried on outfits for Red. She’d settled on short shorts, inspired by Red’s miniskirt, and one of the backless, crisscross shirts Mikel would probably decide made her ahussy. Her eyes were lined in dark kohl, her lips painted a bloody red, and she couldn’t wait for him to see her.
They got closer to the huge fire, and as promised, it was warm enough there that she didn’t miss her coat.
“Guys, this is Violet,” Red introduced her when they joined the group.
“You’re a queen, and also I hate you,” one of the men she’d been talking to promptly declared. “Mikel Davis. Oh, girl.” He kissed his fingertips, and a smile broke on Violet’s face as she understood.
“An Adonis,” the other guy cut in, and Dani huffed beside her.
“The stench of your thirst is stifling, Etah.”
“Baby, are you jealous?” Red demanded, then there was a flash of movement too fast to follow and they were pressed close, kissing. It took Violet a long second to drag her eyes away.
“Oh, yeah. Get used to that,” one of the men offered with a grimace. “So nice to meet you, boo. I’m Etah and this is my honey, Ryan.” Violet noticed for the first time that like Red, Ryan’s eyes were permanently ringed gold.
“Thanks.” She looked around. “The drums are amazing.”
“Wait until you start the change, they just…sing in your blood; it’s ethereal.”
She nodded. Even now, the beat resonated deep inside her, and maybe it was the alcohol, but she felt looser, lighter. She wished Mikel was there.
“And drinks, madame.” Etah took her elbow and showed her to another long table.
“Champagne fountain?” She picked up a glass and held it under the impressive stream.
“Better,” he said. “Moon water.”
Water was markedly less exciting than alcohol, and it must have shown on her face.
“Well, it’s mixed half and half with vodka so it’s great either way, but after you start your change, this isthe shit.”
She sniffed the liquid in her glass, sipped it, and only tasted liquor.
“What does it do?”
“It’s like tequila without the crazy,” Red supplied from behind her, reaching around her to grab a glass and fill it. “Like shrooms without the trip.”
Violet turned around to eye her friend atthatrevelation.
“Duh, I was in culinary school.” She shrugged. “Oh, and you might get your man a glass, if you want tonight to be the night he makes you an honest woman under this stunning moon.” The last word devolved into a howl, and Violet couldn’t help but be swept up in their enjoyment.
“So, it makes you guys horny?” she guessed when they all stopped laughing.
“It makes usprimal,” Etah told her with a smirk. “But it’ll just get you drunk, for now.”
“Be back, losers, taking my lady a drink,” Red informed them with a wink. Ryan made a gagging noise, and Violet threw her head back and laughed.
“SO, IS TONIGHTthe night?” Red’s lips brushed her ear while she pressed close to ask, their bodies still moving, two amongst dozens of others as they danced in a slow spinning circle, thrumming to the low drumbeat around the fire.
Violet had done drunk, she’d done dancing, but it had never been anything like this. The smooth cobblestones of the square where she’d run for her life were fire-warm under her bare feet, and the drums beat their rhythm inside her like they were part of her blood. “For what?”
“Mating,” Red supplied. Then, she stumbled back into Dani, who caught her by the hair and tugged her head around for a kiss. It didn’t matter. The drums beat on and Violet moved with them.
Mating.
