Page 11 of The Vampire Court

Demon shit. This is a town of vampires, and Alaric has dressed me up as one of them. A shiver crawls down my spine.

“Alaric,” I say barely above a whisper.

He takes my arm and tucks me into his side, placing a kiss on my cheek. “You do not have to hide here.”

Inside the theater, the crowd gathers in the corners and along the walls. Alaric leads us to our seats. I sit on the inside next to a man who looks a few years older than Alaric.

We take our seats. I ignore the man on my other side, but the weight of his stare is intense, demanding my attention. I swivel my head and meet his gaze. He watches me with unabashed curiosity, grinning and showing his fangs. He scents the air, probably to gauge if I am human or not.

A low growl issues from my other side. Alaric covers my hand with his and squeezes. The vampire’s eyes widen, and he dips his chin then looks straight ahead.

I lean into Alaric angling my body toward him just as the lights dim. The curtain raises, and the music starts. A single woman enters onto the stage, twirling and dancing. When the music picks up, more performers join her.

I find it hard to concentrate and keep looking to Alaric.

“Relax, my dear Clara, enjoy the show,” he whispers into my ear.

I startle, turning my face toward him. He’s leaning in so close that our noses nearly touch. I inhale sharply as his warm breath tickles over my cheek.

He smiles then returns to watch the dancers. His thumb draws circles on the inside of my wrist. It’s a simple touch, almost as if he doesn’t realize he’s doing it, but it feels intimate. I pull my hand from his without resistance and tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. His hand remains in place, landing on my upper thigh, his thumb never ceasing the slow movements, sending my mind to dark and delicious places.

Pretend… pretend the mark is complete.I close my eyes and swallow thickly. We are more than allies—we are friends.

But the absentminded way he touches me distracts me from the performance. All I can think about is his touch and how I want to feel his hands and lips on my heated skin.

Light fills the auditorium, and clapping replaces the sound of music. Some remain in their seats while others rise to make their way to the aisles.

My mouth is dry. I suddenly feel claustrophobic. It’s too crowded in here. I jump to my feet.

“What’s wrong?” Alaric cants his head.

“I just need some air,” I say quickly and make my way past him and hurry toward the lobby.

It’s no better out here. Theatergoers crowd the space. I have to push past several people to reach the back. I make my way down the dim, back hall to the room with the open door and close it behind me.

My heart gallops against my ribs. The damned mark is demanding, urging me to seek out the final one. And the casual way Alaric touched my thigh and caressed my hand isn’t helping matters.

I inhale deeply and push away from the door, crossing toward the sink. Turning on the water, I let it run over my hands then press them to my cheeks and neck to cool my skin.

I grab a small hand towel to pat my face dry.

I’m getting worked up over something so small. Alaric is good, almost too good. No one would doubt his part in this charade. I know this is all an act, and yet, a simple touch of his hand has me flustered.

I lean on the counter, glaring at my reflection, then hang my head. My hair slips over my shoulders and forms a curtain around my face. I have to do better.

Demons and saints, Clara, you signed up for this. Get over yourself and play your part,I scold inwardly.

With that, I straighten my spine and lift my chin, determined. I walk out of the room, ready to return to Alaric.

Nearing the corner to the lobby, I pass a group of four vampires. I keep my chin down, not meeting their gaze. The last thing I need right now is to piss off a random vampire. They could kill me before he could reach me, even with his ability to move inhumanly fast.

The closest vampire clips my shoulder with hers. I hit the wall hard enough to bruise. My arm aches. I clamp a hand over the spot where she collided with me and turn to glare back at the group. Two women, a blonde and a redhead accompanied by three men. The redhead pauses briefly but doesn’t look over her shoulder.

The stinging on my arm hasn’t lessened. Something warm and sticky seeps between my fingers. Slowly, I peel my hand back, revealing a deep cut.

Well, fuck.

I barely have time to contemplate what this means before a snarl jerks my attention up. A vampire stands inches before me, seeming to have come from thin air.