Page 12 of The Vampire Curse
She drapes herself on his arm. She could be his wife, but there is a coldness to her stare, and his posture has stiffened, so I don't think things are quite so simple between them.
“You are right, how intolerably rude of me,” he says without the slightest shred of sincerity. “Lady Valmont, this is Della Moore.”
The red jewels that adorn her glint like dark drops of fresh blood against her pale skin. Della extends her hand as if she expects me to kiss her knuckles? Yeah, that is not going to happen.
“It is good to meet you, Mrs. Moore,” I say, ignoring her hand.
Lawrence’s mouth ticks up at the corners. Della looks insulted. For a second, I think I’ve messed up and they all know the truth. But Alaric doesn't give any corrective hints. No looks, no words, no gestures, or warnings.
Before I can dwell on it, Lawrence leads her away. The short-haired vampire approaches. He still wears an expression that borders on contemplating taking my blood, even with Alaric at my side.
“Good evening, lady,” he says. “I am Victor Conners.”
We exchange greetings and speak about the view of the grounds. All the while, Victor watches me with his unwavering brown eyes.
A shiver works its way down my spine. Perhaps it’s because he doesn’t blink often enough, or maybe it’s an emptiness in his eyes, or how he intentionally shows me his fangs each time he smiles or speaks.
I drink another glass of wine during the time we talk.
By the time he leaves, my shoulders and back ache from the tension that's been building since I walked into the room.
The woman with the tray walks by. Alaric goes to wave her off, but I take another glass before she moves out of reach.
There is only one vampire that has yet to approach. He talks to Lawrence and Della near the fire. He hasn’t looked in my direction since the moment I walked in.
Alaric and I sit on the settee behind us and he pulls me to his side. I try to relax as best as I can—which is nearly impossible with this cursed corset squeezing me. So, I focus on the glass in my hand. My cheeks are warm, and a buzz fills my head. Even my body tingles in a strange but not unpleasant way.
“Are you not hungry tonight, Alaric?” a voice like warm velvet croons from the side.
I freeze before looking up into the emerald eyes of the one vampire I have yet to meet.
“You have not had a single drop of blood tonight, and yet your pet is right here.” Unlike the others, he does not introduce himself, nor does he speak to me, though his gaze doesn't leave my face. “She looks about ready to fly away… like a little bird,” he muses quietly, more to himself.
I dislike the way he sayslittle bird. His expression reminds me of a cat ready to pounce. His eyes linger on my neck as if he can see the vein, pulsing, under the necklace.
I can’t think straight. I don’t know what to say or do… I can barely remember how to breathe. He is trying to force Alaric to feed on me right here.
Against my will, my heart races. The vampire cants his head to the side, listening, a pleased smile forming.
I tip my head back and finish my third glass—or is it my fourth? Or…
Alaric’s hand glides down my waist to my hip, then he pulls me tighter into his side. He dips his head and nips gently at my jaw. His fangs brush my skin, eliciting a sigh.
“I have had my fill earlier today,” he says, not taking his eyes off me.
He doesn’t insist on the two of us introducing ourselves. Instead, he keeps his undivided attention on me until we are alone again.
Alaric’s hand comes up to cup my cheek and turns me to face him. And then he kisses me, and everything falls away, everything except the feel of his mouth on mine. He breaks away to nip at my ear.
Softly, he whispers, “I think the drink has gone to your head, perhaps it is time for you to retire.”
I nod, understanding his meaning. He helps me to stand. He remains in place as I walk out of the room, my legs surprisingly steady even though my head swims from all the wine.
That wasn’t so bad after all.
Chapter Five
Clara