Page 34 of The Vampire Curse
“I don’t believe we’ve met,” says the one on the left.
“Isn’t this party fantastic?” the other gushes. “Hugo and Mina Morgan have spared no expense!”
“I am Tessa Fontaine, and this is my sister, Malory,” the one in yellow says.
I peek around them, looking for Xander, but I can’t see through the crowd.
“I don’t believe we’ve seen you at one of these parties before,” Malory says. “Are you from Durford?”
Their chatter draws my attention back to them. I have never had to interact with others in such a formal situation. What little I know about to act in these situations, I've learned in the time I was with Alaric—and most of that was in the last week.
I plaster a practiced smile across my mouth and say, “No, I’m Kathrine’s sister, Clara Valmont.”
The blood drains from their pale faces, making them look ill. Their eyes dart to my neck before returning to my face. It is not the first time people have stared at that particular patch of skin since I’ve entered this room, but none were quite so obvious.
“Oh… oh! I’m—” Malory starts.
“We were on our way to get refreshments,” Tessa interrupts. “You’ll excuse us. We will see you around.” She takes her slack-jawed sister by the arm and practically drags her into the crowd—away from the drinks.
That was…peculiar.
I look around, meeting anyone’s gaze I can manage to catch—a few pause to meet my eye, but never for long. I don't blame them when they look for bite marks. I would too if I was in their shoes. But there is something else in the expressions that I can’t identify.
And right now, understanding what a room full of strangers think about me is the least important thing on my mind. I brush the strangeness aside and continue toward the back.
Making it to the table, I grab a flute filled with a bubbly golden drink and take a sip.
“It’s been a while,” Xander’s familiar voice croons at my side.
Tension tightens my shoulders. I take another sip from my glass, then turn to him—my nerves spike.
Xander is more handsome than I remember. His face is clean shaven and dressed as he is, he seems like a different person than the boy I’ve known for years. Of course, we have only ever spent time together in town and the surrounding areas. Never a formal occasion such as this.
His eyes go wide as he takes me in slowly from head to foot. “You look beautiful,” he says.
And just like that, the warmth and familiarity we’ve always had between us has returned. I don’t need to be flawless, and he doesn’t need to conform to expectations.
“Thank you.”
I feel at ease in his presence, but there is so much that remains unsaid. As though he has the exact same thought, our gazes travel to the woman he arrived with. I open my mouth to ask, but I don’t get the chance.
“There you are, Clara! I see you’ve found Xander.” Kathrine’s voice rings out behind me.
The short moment Xander and I shared is shattered.
Kathrine stops next to me, and seconds later, the woman who has been at Xander’s side all evening, joins us. With each passing second, her presence is more and more unnerving. I want to know who she is, but a part of me fears her innocent face and large doe eyes.
“Xander?” she asks, and even her voice is sweet. She links her arm in his and leans in. “Do you know this woman?”
Xander looks me in the eye. I will him to explain who we are to each other, to tell them our plans. But he remains silent.
Kathrine wraps her arms around my waist, resting her cheek on my shoulder. “They are old friends, they used to work near each other in the market.”
Xander still doesn’t speak. My brows crease. Why isn’t he telling them the truth? My pride stings at his refusal to acknowledge me—to acknowledge us. But then… I’m not speaking up either, and I hadn’t told Kathrine the truth when I had the opportunity.
“Oh!” the blonde exclaims, bouncing on her toes. “You’re the one who was taken by the vampire.” Then she scrunches up her face. “Everyone thought you were dead.”
I’m taken aback by her bluntness. I can’t blame anyone for assuming I would be dead that day or soon after. I would have assumed the same.