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“Let’s find some drinks before Grandmother and the rest of the Coven find us,” Ember said into my ear before she dragged Killian further into the crowd.
I followed behind closely, watching as creatures turned to gawk at her beautiful costume in awe.
My sister looked stunning in her deep red gown, etched with silver and gold fleur de lis with golden feathers adorning the bell sleeves. The overall look gave the impression of a demented Marie Antoinette, emphasizing her hourglass frame. Beside her, Killian glanced around the ballroom with a slightly hunted look. His mask did little to disguise his dark hair and the silvery scar that ran across the left side of his face.
She stopped at the drink table and grabbed a champagne glass bubbling with wine. “Alexei certainly pulled out all the stops tonight. It’s too bad Audra and Isla couldn’t be here.”
“Vampire parties with the Belle sisters certainly bring back memories.” Killian grinned.
Ember rolled her eyes but leaned her head back against his chest. “You were so in love with me that night. And Jade spent a substantial portion of the night seething over the vampires’ obscenely decadent Bacchanal party. Now look at her, working a secretive job inside the mafia prince’s den. Tell me, Jade, is Alexei always so charming?”
Hidden beneath my corset, the Amulet of Davorina pulsed dangerously.
As I had prepared to enter the Vampire Court after the embarrassing display of lust inside Bite, I determined I needed the dark magick to center me. Though dangerous, the talisman made me feel strong when I desperately needed to remain in control of my emotions.
I swept a hand down my hips, calming my racing heartbeat. “Don’t be absurd. He’s not charming, he’s smarmy. A total cad. I would never stoop to the role of his many followers. Certainly not after watching the start of his orgy as we left Bite last night.”
“I remember my penchant for orgies,” she sighed, eyes sparkling with mirth. “Though I must admit there’s something to be said about a male hell-bent on pleasuring you alone, with his vexing shadows as accomplices.”
Killian coughed, a faint tinge of pink along his cheekbone before he hid it.
Usually, I held a certain level of tolerance for Ember’s humor, but tonight my nerves felt frayed. It hadn’t been a surprise seeing Alexei with his admirers. One would have to be blind to not observe the attention the vampire garnered nightly within the city. But as of late, I had noticed a shift in Alexei. A slow progression away from the player performance into something more real.
You see what you want to see, Jade.
“By the way,” Ember murmured, tousling my hair playfully, “are you ever going to explain your newfound bangs, or am I supposed to not acknowledge the first drastic change to your appearance in over ten years?”
I groaned, self-consciously teasing the long bangs that hung across my forehead. “It’s not my fault! That vampire bastard called me a boring shrew, but do geriatrics get spur-of-the-moment bangs? I think not. I can be spontaneous too, damn it.”
Ember blinked at me as if I were a changeling. “There’s a lot to unpack here,” she finally managed, smiling around the lip of her glass. “Starting with your interest to prove the vampire wrong.”
With a choking gulp of champagne, I searched the room for an easy escape. “Actually, I’m not feeling well. Maybe I’ll just head home. I’ve shown my face like a good granddaughter, but I have work tomorrow at Get Hexed. Not to mention another late night for me at the Court,” I reasoned.
“You can’t leave now. It’s not even witching hour yet! Not to mention Grandmother will have your hide for bailing. Surely, one night won’t disrupt your routines, Jade. Just make Alexei give you the night off. It’s the least he can do with keeping you at Court most nights doing Goddess knows what.”
I looked away guiltily. “I’m a mystical guide. You know that.”
“Mhm,” she murmured, not convinced. “Though last night’s debacle is more than enough proof that the city’s been fairly quiet as of late. Settling gambling debts with your level of skill? It’s insane.”
Killian’s hand curved around her waist. “Be nice. You once went on your own rollercoaster journey with responsibility, my love. And if your sister wants to flee back to the safety of your home, then let her escape. I only wish I could do the same.”
Ember smacked him with a betrayed gasp, but there was little heat in the gesture.“What did I do in a past life to end up surrounded by a bunch of downers? This is a masquerade ball, damn it! A night for mystery and scandal. The least you two could do is try to enjoy yourselves for one night.”
Despite myself, I laughed at Killian’s placating expression. Like me, he preferred quiet solitude to a raucous affair, but he dutifully humored Ember whenever she asked it of him.
“Oh, crap.” Ember’s bedroom eyes lowered before they widened with fresh panic. “Gird your loins, Jade, because here comes Grandmother, and she lookspissed. Even more so than usual. I recall clearly the toils of being the family fuck-up, so believe me when I sayitgetsbetter.”
“You certainly have a way with words, sweetheart.” From his shadows, Killian summoned a glass of demon brew, causing nearby partygoers to let out surprised yelps as the foaming pint glass materialized from thin air. He gulped down half the glass just as Grandmother stood before us.
“Jade. Ember. There you girls are. I’ve been looking for you all night. You wouldn’t be avoiding me, would you?” Her voice sounded serene, but her eyes were frosted diamonds, cutting and ice-cold as she gave me a dressing down.
“Of course not, Grandmother. Merely enjoying the party.” Ember smirked, offering a twirl that sent a waft of her bourbon peach scent towards me.
Grandmother's neutral expression dipped into a frown as she beheld Killian's colossal form. “Oh, Killian. You’re here too.”
“Of course he is.” Ember’s eyes narrowed, and she gripped Killian’s jacket as if to stop him from fleeing. Or lashing out with violence. “Not only is he my mate, but he’s also a part of the Council. And since we’re all formally obligated to be here—”
“Witches don’t have mates, so stop prattling it off to anyone who will listen. It’s unbecoming to our people. We’re not so animalistic to find our will toyed with by the gods.”
