I need to stay, to demonstrate strength, even if I don’t feel like partying. So I find myself on my throne, watching the celebrations from on high.
Alin is in a far corner of the lounge, talking intensely with one of the independent witches. He took it very seriously when I asked him to explore the opportunity for us to start producing glow. It’s adorable, really. He’s excited at the prospect of leading such an important initiative.
Kai is here, too, trying to be sneaky in a corner with their merman lover, their fangs deep in his throat as they drink his salty seablood. I can practically see their enormous engagement ring on their finger. I’m going to have to handle that situation soon, especially if there’s a conflict brewing. But I also need Kai loyal and ready to fight. It won’t be worth it if I nip their romance in the bud, but make them resentful of me and create a potential risk.
But I know that if the dolphin shifters find out how much time that merman is spending in our mansion, they’ll become paranoid. You would think dolphins would be more easygoing, but ever since the Artemis witches captured their dock several years ago, they’ve been extremely territorial, and they hate sharing with the more powerful mermaids.
I’ll have to tread carefully.
Finally, I spot Murad, spread out comfortably on one of the loungechairs in his booth to the side of the lounge. I’m surprised to see a familiar figure with a warm, wide smile. It’s Eloise, her long eyelashes fluttering as she giggles at something that Murad is saying.
Do they have some sort of contest with each other? See who can participate in the most inconvenient relationship? Are theytryingto irritate me on purpose?
Frustrated, I snap my fingers at a nearby server.
“You,” I demand. “Get me another bottle, immediately.”
She hurries over to the bar at the end of the lounge, and comes back quickly with a bottle and a wineglass on her tray. Before she can serve it, I snatch the bottle and pull out the cork with my fang.
The blood is extremely sweet, with a strange, tangy aftertaste.
I wrinkle my nose at her. “What type of blood is this?”
“Um…it’s mermaid blood…” she stutters nervously.
“JesusChrist,” I hiss, glaring at the bottle, which I now see has a shimmering shell on the label.
“I’m sorry, sir,” says the server.
I wave my hand dismissively, and she hurries away. Everyone else is giving me a wide berth. Grouchily, I sink into my throne, taking another swig of seablood.
It’s actually not terrible, once you get used to it. In a matter of a minute, I’ve downed most of the bottle.
I must be distracted, because I don’t even hear the telltale, hummingbird flutter of her heart as she approaches. Instead, a tiny cough alerts me to her presence beside my throne.
Paige.
Tonight, her black hair is down, flowing around her shoulders in waves. She wears a flowery dress, with cutouts around her bodice, and a pretty gold necklace.
She looks up at me shyly, her cheeks rosy, her brown eyes soft and submissive.
They tug at something inside me. An urgent, insistent need.
“Good evening,” I say to her.
“Hello,” she replies, fiddling with her necklace. Humans are always moving. Their bodies always humming, teeming with energy. “I…I didn’t see you here last night.”
“I had some business to attend to,” I reply, grimly.
“Oh,” she says, genuine concern in her eyes. “Was it about the other vampire? I heard she was staked.”
“She was.” My voice is hard, but where it might have scared another breather away, she actually leans in closer.
“I’m so sorry. That must have been difficult.”
She’s so strange. I regard her curiously as I take another swig of blood.
“I thought I would come see…if you need me again tonight,” she continues. Her pulse quickens slightly, likely because she’s fantasizing about all of the things I could need her for. But while I would love to trade this distilled mermaid swill for her delectable, fresh blood, I’ve been feeding from her far too often lately. It would be wise to allow her a few nights to replenish.
