Page 7 of Blood Ties (City of Blood #1)

Bash

Sitting straight up in bed, ice blue eyes and wild brown curls haunt my thoughts.

The way those eyes watched me through the mirror in that bathroom.

The slight flush to her cheeks as she made eye contact with me across the bar.

The little curls that stuck to her temples and neck in the warmth of the room.

The golden tone of her skin, a sexy smattering of freckles across her nose, reflecting the pulsing lights in the darkened room.

The curve of her waist, her grabbable hips taunt me in my memory.

The thought of her thick, soft-looking thighs causes a tightening low in my abdomen.

I shouldn't have even been there. I definitely should not have been in that bathroom with that woman. I honestly don’t know what I was thinking.

I can’t help but wonder about her now that her face is seared into my memory.

“Bash!” A loud banging comes from my door. “Let us in, Baaash–it’s your birthday!” Followed by more banging.

“Alright, come in, come in.” I call out to the terrors outside my door. I pull the sheet that has fallen to my waist up a little higher, the blanket covering my lap, as my cousins throw the door open.

“Bash, I can’t believe you're still in bed—it's been moon-rise for almost an hour. It's going to start soon. Father said the entertainment is going to be amazing—they brought humans! Bash, come on!” Aurora almost screeches as she tries to pull my blankets off.

“Aura let go, I’m not dressed! Let me get ready. I’ll meet you outside in 20 minutes.” They disappear in a flurry of lace and silk, and slam the door behind them.

Climbing out of bed, letting the blankets fall away, I walk into my attached en-suite and go right to the shower.

Stepping under the freezing spray, not patient enough to wait for it to warm up, I lean my head on the wall.

Birthday parties for a 477th birthday seem so…

absurd, honestly. My family will be looking for me to find a mate and sire my own family soon.

At that thought, the eyes are back. I groan as the, finally, warm water runs over my back and down my legs.

Why can’t I get her eyes out of my head?

Focus, Bash. The party, the family—this is important.

Stop thinking about human women— a human woman.

I run my hand down my face before following the water’s path down my chest. I grab my hard cock, tipping my head back, and give an impatient tug on my shaft.

“Fuck,” I hiss through my teeth as I pick up speed, sliding my fist up and down my length until I feel an orgasm starting to build.

Leaning my head on the wall again and feeling the water on my back, I stroke faster and faster.

I grit my teeth. Eyes closed and her face in my mind, I push myself to the edge before pulling back.

My skin tingles as I imagine how it would feel to wrap her legs around my waist and push into her in this shower.

How it would feel to sink my teeth into her neck and her blood flow across my lips.

Imagining myself thrusting into her, I pump my cock, my orgasm barreling forward before I roar through the release and take a labored breath, slowing my strokes to finish.

Breaths heavy, I rinse myself, and try to rid my mind of her memory as the water washes it all away.

Almost 500 years old and jerking off in the shower like an adolescent.

She probably hasn’t spared me a single thought. Pathetic.

Finishing my shower quickly, I dry off and dress.

Black pants, a custom tailored black shirt, and black polished shoes complete my outfit.

Running my hands through my hair to fluff it a bit, I take a look in the mirror and decide this will do.

The all black ensemble really feeds the creature of darkness stereotype, but I shrug and embrace it.

Aura and Lessa are waiting at the bottom of the stairs to my loft in their party dresses—Aura in a gown of the deepest blue, embellished with what seems like millions of tiny crystals and a large skirt.

Black hair flowing down her back like smoke, she looks like a princess of the night.

Lessa has gone a completely different direction with a tight fitting, silk, sheath-style, floor length gown in blood-red, and her blond hair is curled and pinned like a crown.

“Beautiful as always cousins,” I tell them as I extend both elbows for them to take, escorting them to the party.

“Principe Sebastien Malvani, Alessandra Malvani, and Aurora Malvani,” announces the master of ceremonies as he gives me a nod and leads us into the cathedral.

All of the catholic adornments have been removed, and tonight, a dance floor has been added.

There is security scattered around all the entrances with doormen checking invitations.

The strictly invite-only party is the event of the year for vampire society in Ville de Sang.

Multi colored lights bounce off the frescoes that adorn the ceilings, making the religious icons appear to writhe to the beat of the music.

Jesus looks down on me from the pulpit and scantily clad human dancers swing from ribbons affixed to the balconies.

A full bar is set where the confessionals used to be, complete with alcohol and warm blood on tap.

Human donors also dance provocatively along the walls, available for blood or other services.

Re Marcus sits upon the Nocturnal Throne, a giant gaudy gold chair, on the altar.

A golden crown dripping with rubies sat upon his brow. I make my way over and sketch a bow.

“Zio. This is….what did the girls call this again?” I ask, quirking a brow as I look around.

“Oh, Uncle now, is it? Yesterday it was Marcus being yelled at me,” he says. “I believe the invitations said, ‘The Eternal Night Bash’,” he bellows boisterously into the large space.

“Heavens save us,” I say with a grin.

“I don’t think they will, Nipote. Have a happy birthday, Sebastien.

Me, your uncles, and your mother will only be here for a few hours—then you can enjoy your real celebration with the young people.

” He gives me a knowing smile, saluting me with his glass.

Wandering the room, a glass of whiskey in my hand, I take in all the gorgeous otherworldly women gyrating on the dance floor.

I make eye contact with a few, making promises for later.

I don’t need her—she is just a human who works at a bar.

I’m not sure why I spend any time even thinking of her.

Making my way over to human blood donors, I find a woman with brown wavy hair, rich brown skin, and delightful curves.

“Neck, now.” I growl at her, turning her to face the wall so I can only see her hair and the curve of her neck.

My gums tingling as my fangs descend, aching for blood, I slide them into her jugular and pull deeply.

She allows a small moan to escape and I wrap an arm around her waist to pull her tight against my body as my other hand holds her hip.

She moans again, encouraged by the reaction she can feel in my body as I feed on her.

I withdraw my fangs and lick my lips before running my tongue up the side of her neck to slow the blood flow. She lets out a little shiver.

I fantasize about the sight of a curly brown-haired girl on her knees for me.

I could have this woman relieve the ache I feel but I don’t.

It makes me feel alive to yearn. The next few hours pass in a blur of whiskey, dirty dancing, and birthday wishes.

Right before midnight, the lights brighten slightly as my mother and uncle climb the stairs to the pulpit.

“Friends, family, humans—thank you sincerely for attending this most joyous of birthdays for my nephew and heir, Sebastien!” Sounds of clapping and whistles fill the air as Marcus pauses for the noise to die down.

“We are so happy we have a place to call home, here, in Ville de Sang, and love all of you for being here and supporting the Malvani family. Raise your glass in a toast to Sebastien.”

“Alla salute e alla felicity! Buon compleanno! Happy Birthday, Bash!” my mother adds to the toasts as soon as Marcus finishes speaking. Everyone has their glasses in the air for a salute when the clocks strike midnight and the bells toll across the City of Blood.

“We will now leave you to your party. Good night!” Marcus says as a farewell before heading toward the door to the council chamber, followed by my mother, uncles, and aunts.

“Re Marcus! Re Marcus! Long live, Re Marcus!” The chorus of shouts is deafening.

As soon as the door closes behind the elders, the lights dim until we are swathed in shadows.

Couches, lounges, large tables, and daybeds are moved into places all around the dance floor.

A large gilded cage with human women inside is wheeled into the center of the space.

A woman inside makes eye contact with me—I assume she is attempting to lure me in but her eyes are lifeless, unfocused.

The lingerie-clad women dance and simulate sex from inside their cage as partygoers begin to find places to sit and lie around the room.

The music gets lower and sultrier, and people begin removing clothes.

Naked men and women lay on the large tables, presenting themselves as a feast, available for any sort of feasting.

Couples begin fucking in twos and threes and more.

There is a full orgy happening on the far side of the church.