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Stephen’s million-dollar smile returned. “Yes, this is Melli. Melli, meet Lady Gabriella, Head of House Haven.”
At first glance, Melli was ordinary compared to her glowing vampire mate. Dark brown hair with tinges of red was pulled into a high ponytail. A strand of silver hair on the left side was almost hidden from the way the hair was tied. Tall and lean, her head reached passed Stephen’s shoulders. Her face was pretty, but not beautiful or striking in ways that would turn anyone’s head.
But her eyes snagged Felix’s attention. They were silver and seemed to glow. Felix felt himself falling down a bright tunnel before he snatched his gaze away. She wasn’t human, but he did not know what she was. She was not a shifter, or a witch, or the rare fae that visited their dimension.
Whatever she was, the Chinese vamps wanted her, so much so they had kidnapped her decades ago. Stephen had chased her across the ocean and had almost instigated an international war with the Chinese until Alistair had put a stop to it and banned the Chinese from entering the States.
Too bad. Felix had looked forward to it. And he hadn’t been the only one. War and chaos entertained his race, especially an inter-continental one. It would’ve been the first of its kind.
“So nice to meet you,” Gabby’s excited words drew him back to the present. “Please call me Gabby.” She turned to Stephen. “I cannot believe you’re mated. When did it happen?”
“About fifty years ago,” Stephen said. “How are you finding the new world?”
When Melli looked confused, Gabby explained, “I was asleep for the last four centuries.”
“Gabby,” Melli muttered to herself. “Oh, you’re that Gabby!”
“I guess my reputation precedes me.”
The distance on Melli’s expression melted and a genuine smile appeared, transforming her face from ordinary to striking. “Stephen has told me so much about you. I can’t believe you two stole a Spanish ship filled with gold!”
Felix’s brows rose. He hadn’t heard this story. Twin spots of color appeared on Gabby’s cheeks as Stephen laughed. Felix clenched his fists as another pang of jealousy hit him. Stupid. Gabby had lived her life in the New World before Felix had ever considered moving here.
“Ah, those were the good times. I wish Maria was here.”
Gabby’s smile was one of pure happiness, which Felix hadn’t seen since the years leading to her departure. “I hope he’s told you better things than that.”
An old camaraderie returned between Gabby and Stephen. Felix resisted the urge to pull Gabby back against his chest, scrape his fangs over her throat and stake his claim. Stephen had a mate, for God’s sake. From the way Melli leaned into Stephen and the gentle but possessive way Stephen’s arm was slung over her shoulder, they were deeply in love.
Nothing like the wide gulf between Felix and Gabby existed between those two.
“Don’t worry.” Stephen nuzzled the top of Melli’s head. “Your reputation is safe with me.”
It was in the next moment of silence when Melli looked at Felix. “And you’re Felix, Gabby’s mate.” The polite tone told Felix she had some knowledge of Gabby and his history.
“Yes, it’s nice to meet you.” Without missing a beat, Felix continued, “I saw the vampires from the Chinese Houses. Do you know them?”
Stephen and Melli tensed. Stephen straightened, his eyes flashing a darker blue as the easygoing nature disappeared and the vampire beneath showed. A cold aura enveloped Melli, and a faint blue glow surrounded her.
“No,” Stephen’s reply came out in a growl. “We don’t know them, but we know their leader in China. My advice? Stay away from them.”
“My worry is they won’t stay away from us,” Felix said.
“You worry too much.” Before Gabby could say anything else, their attention was drawn to the dais, where the orchestra had stopped playing.
Alistair had made his way to the stage. Standing at six-foot nine, the Vampire King towered over most people. If you walked past him on the street, an ancient survival instinct, would make you give him a wide berth. One couldn’t ignore the raw and unfathomable power emanating from him, one that made you want to flee and worship at his feet at the same time. He was the First Vampire and could impose his will on any vampire. If every single vampire in this room rushed Alistair all at once, he could stop them without breaking a sweat.
For the Gala, their King wore a tailored tuxedo that hugged his powerful frame. He lifted the glass of blood wine and tapped it lightly with a spoon. The ringing reverberated through the hall and people slowly quieted down. “Good evening.” Alistair’s deep voice rang out across the room. There was no ignoring the compelling voice. Humans, even with their C2 implant, which prevented vampires from reading their thoughts, focused their attention on him.
“Welcome to the first human and vampire Gathering. I am grateful many of you accepted my invitation. Humans and vampires have had a sometimes uneasy but fruitful relationship in the last century. I have the highest hopes the next few days will strengthen the relationship between our two races.” Alistair smiled without a hint of fang. “But that is all for tomorrow. For tonight, please relax and enjoy.”The orchestra struck up their music once again after a few seconds of polite applause.
“Looks like you’re not the only one with romantic problems.” At Stephen’s teasing tone, they all followed his gaze to Julian stalking across the hall like he was on a warpath. Humans and vampires alike scuttled out of his way.
Felix traced Julian’s path to the staircase, where a beautiful young woman descended the stairs wearing a gorgeous and thin sapphire silk dress. Leah, Julian’s mate. Felix’s lips curved in amusement.
He’d met the woman yesterday, a human with a backbone and a strong sense of right and wrong. He wondered how Julian had convinced Leah to allow his request to room together with Gabby when she’d been dead set against it initially.
Gabby let out a soft gasp. “Is he…? To that woman?”
