Page 20 of A Vow of Shadow and Blood

“You’ve got an admirer,” Tori teases.

“Apparently so.” We move further into the room, trying not to step on the sea of naked bodies as we go. Red eyes dot every corner, and I wonder how they feel indulging in the kind of blood their makers forbid them from drinking. The most potent blood is always reserved for the most powerful vampires; it’s never wasted on the sired. Given the state of the room tonight, I’m not entirely surprised. I’m pretty sure the vampires in the room are only those owned by the Blackwoods, but what if the sired of other houses get wind of these bloodrings too?

Perhaps they already have. Who knows how far that foolish human woman would go? The question you should be asking is why she is giving them the kind of blood that makes them stronger than the nobles intend.

He’s right. Amabel has many secrets, and who knows how far they stretch.

“Do they have private rooms?” I ask Tori.

She mumbles a quietyes,but her attention is on the lifeless body of a human girl, her naked frame splayed out in the middle of the room, and her glassy eyes fixed on the ceiling. The perfect example of all the things that could go wrong tonight. We need to get out of here and fast.

“Don’t look,” I tell her.

She nods. “The rooms are in the back.”

We move forward, but a grip on my wrist brings me to a halt. I have to fight the urge to knock it away and remember where I am, but my blood bubbles within my veins.

Calm down,I warn Athriel.

I will when he takes his hand off you.

This is all a part of the plan, which you will ruin if you don’t calm down. I can’t lose control in a room full of vampires.

Fine.He huffs, and I feel my blood cool instantly.

Thank you.

I turn to face the male vampire, a wide grin sending creases through his tawny beige skin.

“I’ve not seen you here before.” His words are slurred, and I can tell he has already had way too much blood, but he is exactly the kind of vampire I need.

I cock my head and let the tip of my tongue wet my lips, watching as his eyes follow the movement.

“It’s my first time,” I say innocently, and his grip on my wrist tightens ever so slightly.

He steps closer, his breath fanning my face as he speaks, and it takes everything for me not to step back.

“I can show you the ropes.”

I let out a fake giggle and silently thank the Gods when Tori joins me. She may be stubborn, but there’s never a time when she doesn’t know how to play along with one of my plans.

“I’d like that a lot.”

The corner of his lips pulls up, and I watch as his eyes drop down my body, assessing all the things he can do to me. The vampire is under the impression that I’m his prey, and that is exactly what I want him to think. Though it doesn’t stop the bile from rising to my throat.

He tugs me forward by the wrist, but I shake my head innocently.

“She’s shy,” Tori jumps in. “Perhaps a private room would be better?”

His grin widens at her words.

“And perhaps my friend can join us.” I gesture toward Tori.

“The more the merrier,” he says. He doesn’t hesitate to drag us toward the back of the room. He stumbles along the way but still manages to know where he’s going. We almost reach the door when a plump guy with greasy hair steps in front of us, blocking the way.

“Come on, Dre, you ain’t keeping all the blood whores to yourself, are you?”

I stiffen at the term but remind myself that I’m here for something more important. Willow’s life depends on me keeping my calm.