Page 134 of Vampires of Eden

“Your highness.” A uniformed waiter carrying a gleaming silver tray filled with champagne flutes bows his dark head and dips the platter in offering. Not wanting to be impolite, I take hold of a stem.

“Thank you.”

“It’s my pleasure,” he winks a heather-gray eye, smiles, then walks away.

Scanning the room from my elevated position atop the stairs, I flare my senses out to find Nadya, Sebastian and unfortunately, Ashwin. The three of them are huddled in the opposite corner, so I make my way across the room.

I’m stopped multiple times on my journey to accept and offer greetings. I take a raincheck on four invitations to dance and nod politely in acknowledgement more times than I can count before I finally make it to my destination.

“Where the hell haveyoubeen?” Sebastian scrutinizes me with his red-brown eyes. His nose is upturned in displeasure.

“I’m not that late,” I say, rolling my shoulders, careful not to spill my champagne. I don’t want to mention Oliver’s visit. Especially not in front of Ashwin, who briefly scowls at me before turning her attention back toward the dance floor.

“I meant generally speaking,” Sebastian retorts. “You haven’t shown up to anything within the past week! What are you being so secretive about? It’s time to fess up already.”

I blink, taken aback by his immediate call out. Casually, I bring my glass to my lips. “I’m honored that you’ve noticed my absence.”

“Of course we noticed,” Ashwin says coldly while looking out over the crowd. “The air was suddenly much more breathable withoutGolden Boyaround to soak up everyone’s attention.”

“What I think we’re all trying and failing to say,” Nadya smiles, gently touching her shoulder to mine, “is that we’ve missed you. Is everything alright?”

After taking a long sip, I nod. Unexpectedly, I remember Danny’s last message about drinking only when I’m with him. I stifle a grin. I can handle champagne—at least one glass, anyway.

Shit. I meant to text him back before I left the house.

“Everything is good,” I assure her. “I’m working on a proposal for the Royal Board’s next quarterly meeting, among other projects. I’ve been busy.” I shrug. This feels generally true.

How would they react to my situation with Danny if I disclosed it? Ashwin hates everything that I do, indiscriminately. But I like to think of Nadya and Sebastian as open-minded and progressive vampires. That they might accept Daniel and my feelings for him.

“What ‘other projects’ Aleksey?” Sebastian pushes. “This is what I’m talking about.Secretive. We’ve been friends our whole lives and you’ve never been like this—vanishing for days on end and not talking to us. It’s super weird.”

“I’ll bet he’s still sitting at home and pouting over being dumped by Oliver,” Ashwin chides. “Pathetic. Move on already.”

Good God. With friends like these who needs enemies? I have not missed this hostile atmosphere. At all.

Wanting to shake off the tension, I finish the rest of my champagne in one long sip. I’ve barely pulled the glass from my lips when the waiter with gray eyes is suddenly in front of me again, smiling warmly and bowing as he presents a replenished tray of champagne flutes.

“Would you like another, your highness?”

“No, he doesn’t want another,” Sebastian barks, making the servant stiffen in surprise. “Is he the only one that you see standing here? Why are you hovering around us like a thirsty mosquito? Direct your attention elsewhere. Be gone.”

The servant glances at me, hesitates, then bows deeply. “Myapologies, your grace.” He stalks off and across the room, disappearing into the crowd of vampires bathed in colorful lights.

“Bas—what the hell is your problem?” I ask, completely shocked by his unusual behavior. “Have you been spending too much time with Ashwin? Is she rubbing off on you?”

“Ha-ha,” Ashwin snarks.

“Could be?” Sebastian counters. “It’s not like you’re around anymore. You don’t show up to events. You don’t call to hang out at all. Nadya’s been busy shadowing and training with her mother. I guess this is what happens when I’m left alone with a feral animal.”

“Hey.”

“Fine,” I say, ignoring Ashwin’s gripe. “But take that up with me. Don’t be a dick to the innocent first-gen serving us drinks. Misdirected anger much?”

“Fuck him.” Sebastian flicks his free hand in dismissal and the rings on his fingers glint in the spectral light. “He was gawking like you were a blood lollipop that he wanted to suck. He’s obviously forgotten his place and needed a reminder. Weirdo.”

I open my mouth, then close it.

Forgotten his place? Is he fucking serious?