Page 97

Asher’s arm curled around my hip, and he scooted me close to him toward the other side of the cushion. Jax settled inside and closed the door. I was smushed between the twins again.

“He’s done fighting his desire for you. You forget, Pet, he believes his loyalty should be to Imogen. He’s been fighting that side of himself.” Asher didn’t bother lowering his voice. I rounded to look at Jax, waiting for his explosion at the mention ofher. Except . . . he didn’t.

“I’m not here to fight a memory. That’s losing a battle,” I said it loudly and lifted my chin, eyeing him warningly.

“No one is asking you to compete with anything.” Jax’s response floored me. And left me speechless.

“When we get to Calliope’s event,” Asher murmured near my ear. “I need you to have patience.”

“That’s not suspicious at all.” A long sigh exploded from his lips.

“Trust us.”

“Fine.” I peeked at Jax. “But that one, no, I’m not trusting him.”

Jax flinched, and I was not a bit remorseful.

THIRTY-TWO

catalina

We arrivedat Calliope’s quickly because of Ren’s hectic driving. Fairy lights had been strung around the two columns framing the front door and they glittered with each step through the pathway cutting through Calliope’s front lawn. The backdrop of her mansion consisted of tall pine trees swaying with the chilly breeze.

“Remember to behave accordingly,” Tobias murmured into my hair and pressed his lips to my temple. He brushed my hair over my shoulder. I’d elected to straighten it and so his movement made the tips flutter against my butt.

All the rules mushed in my head, but I understood the gist. Behaving accordingly consisted of keeping my mouth shut and my head down.

Hopefully Petunia wouldn’t be in attendance, she was obnoxious.

I lowered my head and took a few steps back until I trailed behind the vampires.

“It’s a stupid custom,” Asher hissed. I peeked up to find his blue gaze fixed on me.

“You never complained about it.” Ren cupped the back of his neck and forced him to face forward. Ren winked over his shoulder at me.

They had other humans? My stomach dipped. They were ancient, of course, of course . . . The cement steps glittered with each step forward as the little stones embedded within glinted. My heart shouldn’t be hurting from the comment. My jealousy frustrated me to no end, but I couldn’t help how I felt.

I kept my head lowered, following close at Jax’s heels, the one who hung back. It wasn’t lost on me that he’d slowed so I could catch up, but he still stood a bit in front of me. This vampire world wasn’t something I wanted or could change. The hierarchy they lived under seemed an overkill, but I understood it. Nature had a food chain.

My heel caught on the groove of the stair, and I hobbled forward. That was what I got for not paying attention.

I slapped my palm on Asher’s back. The soft fabric of his linen shirt dipped, and his muscle twitched under my touch. He looked over his shoulder at me with a sly grin.

“There’s no need to paw my clothes off, Pet.” My hold on his shirt tugged it down so the collar skewed to the side, exposing the seductive line of his muscled shoulder.

“Ren,” Calliope chirped, illuminated by the light spilling out of her mansion. I yanked my hand away and backed up. His chuckle followed me. He enjoyed my embarrassment. I lifted my foot and stretched my ankle side to side. I’d twisted it with my lack of attention. Walking in heels was as easy as breathing for me, so it better not fail me now.

“Calliope,” Ren responded. She raised on her toes to kiss his cheek. What in the world? They weren’t behaving like one of them had trapped the other for close to a month. Questions bubbled behind my lips, but I clamped them shut.

The clink of glasses and the chatter of people inside spilled out of the home. Ren moved out of the way, allowing me a clear view of the female vampire. Calliope wore a sleek body suit.

Upon entering, every guest surrounding the open foyer looked at Crimson Coven. They posed a striking group. All were tall and each attractive in different ways. Tobias looked every part an aristocrat, Asher and Jaxon looked like striking, intimidating Vikings, and Ren’s wide shoulders and relaxed stature gave him a threatening, unpredictable air.

The vibe felt more upscale than I’d anticipated. I was talking ball gowns. It felt like I’d walked into a Halloween party with a Marie Antoinette theme.

“Enjoy yourselves, Crimson Sires. We have a show and a game later.” She waved her hand in a flourish. “Let me introduce you to the Burrow Sire. He’s in town for the weekend.” Calliope hooked her arm through Ren’s and . . . he followed, weaving through throngs of people. Curiouser and curiouser. Did sharing a Sire bind them in some way?

“Follow Ren,” Tobias’s tone held none of the warmth he always directed at me. He spoke toward me as if I were inconsequential. I slinked after Ren as he strode toward the table hosting various champagne glasses full of red liquid. A vampire woman stood behind the bar. A nose ring glinted in the dull lighting coming from the rounded sconces.