Death be Charmed

by Epstein, Katie

  As I continued to look around, I noticed Marco Perduto standing in the corner. He was talking to another vampire who I hadn’t had introductions to yet. But as the dreadlocked vampire muttered in the newcomer’s ear, the newcomer set his eyes directly on me.

  I stared back a little, trying to remember his features. The vampire’s penetrating eyes were unblinking as he held my gaze from across the room. I was grateful to be wearing the charmed necklace Mayra had given me, as his hypnotic stare was unsettling. But it wouldn’t hurt for the vampire to think that there was no obstruction between us. I continued to hold his gaze as Bernard danced behind me. My eyes were starting to hurt from the contact.

  A vampire always had the ability to both charm and instill fear with their gaze alone. And this vampire wanted me to feel fear. His face was incredibly pale as he wore heavy, black make-up around his eyes. His face-painted look appeared more goth than the Egyptian style Nephthys had been going for. Even from this distance I could see he was a vampire who embraced what he was, and he would have no qualms in being called a monster. I shivered slightly, and Bernard swirled me around to face him.

  “What’s up?” he asked, concerned when he caught sight of my face.

  “I’m fine,” I assured him. “All good. I promise.”

  He looked over my shoulder and anger flared in his eyes. “Come on. Let’s get you a drink.”

  The playacting and dancing was starting to take its toll as the fatigue suddenly hit me from nowhere. The penetrating stare from Mr. Creepy in the corner had unsettled me. It had also been a harsh reminder, however, that we were here to work, not to have fun, and I needed to get my head back in the game.

  “Here,” Bernard said, handing me a glass of champagne.

  “Just this one. Then I think I’d better switch to water.”

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked, putting his hand against my forehead. “Your skin is clammy.”

  “I’m fine. Honestly.” I took his hand to keep up the pretense, but I wanted him to knock it off. I was fine. He didn’t need to go all Mother Hen on me.

  Bernard frowned with concern. He appeared to be fighting an internal battle of how to react to my odd behavior in front of all these prying eyes. He finally decided on smiling, lifting my hand to give it a kiss.

  “Want to find a seat somewhere?” he asked. As he did so, I saw Vienna sitting at one of the tables near the back of the room.

  “Oh look,” I pointed in her direction, “there’s Vienna. Why don’t we go sit with her?”

  Indulging me, Bernard led me across the room.

  Vienna was alone, I noticed. But there were remnants of empty glasses on the table proving she hadn’t been alone all night. It was her choice to isolate herself. Did her guilt from what I felt from the vision have anything to do with that?

  “Do you mind if we sit here for a short while?” I asked from behind her, and Vienna jumped slightly at our approach.

  “Oh, Terra, Bernard! I didn’t see you there. Please, sit down.”

  “Thank you.” I sat down next to her, and Bernard took the seat to my other side. “Are you enjoying this evening?”

  “It’s lovely. A full turnout, too. You are very popular here.”

  “Oh, I doubt it’s me. Bernard is the popular one. But it’s nice to know he has so many friends.”

  Vienna’s eyes seemed to glaze over at the word ‘friend’ so I decided to probe a little. “Are you here with friends?”

  “Me? Oh no. Just a few work colleges and acquaintances. Ramses and Nephthys have done a wonderful job on the decorations.”

  “They have. It’s beautiful. And we’re so very lucky to have such a warm welcome.” I pushed a little further. “Bernard was going to take me for a walk on the outskirts tomorrow. He said there is a lovely place for a picnic at the top of the hill near the rear of Sanguis. Have you heard of it?”

  Vienna’s face paled even more, and the shock on her face was evident. “I haven’t,” she said eventually. “I mean, I have. Of course I have. It’s the Viridi Hill. But I don’t think anyone picnics there. It’s quite dark. And damp. Not very romantic at all. You may be better on the grounds of Osiris. They have some beautiful areas where you can dine outside, and ones where you won’t have to take your own lighting. You should ask Nephthys.”

  “We’ll do that. Thank you for the heads up.”

  She pulled at the hem of her dress. “You’re welcome.”

  “Any other places you could recommend for me to see while I’m here? I’m so excited to see more of this place.” I clapped my hands together with glee. “I know! As Governess you must know so much. You could take us on a tour!”

  She wrung her hands together as if she was trying to find a polite way to say ‘no’, then a shadow cast over her. “Vienna,” a voice said with a hint of venom that couldn’t be missed. Vienna’s back went ramrod straight. “Please introduce me to the guests of honor.”

  “O-of course,” Vienna stammered, and she stood up from her seat without looking at the vampire who had spoken. “This is Terra and Bernard. Guests of Ramses and Nephthys.”

  We both stood to take the hand of the one who’d instilled such fear into Vienna. My hands shook slightly as I realized it was the vampire from my vision staring back at me. I clenched my fist before putting my hand into his. He leaned down to kiss it, giving me a full view of his light blond hair. When he stood back up to full height, I noticed the ring of red in his eyes. Bernard had told me before that many vampires had that color in their irises when they’d recently fed. But due to how often the Courtiers had access to fresh blood, they always had a hint of it in their eyes.

  So this vamp was a Courtier.

  “My name is Florin Thorne,” the vampire introduced himself once he’d shaken Bernard’s hand. “I am of the House of Sanguis. I am pleased to make your acquaintance.”

  “And yours,” Bernard replied with a regal nod. His simple response told me exactly what he thought of Florin.

  Florin held out his hand to Vienna and said, “Vienna, please, will you have the next dance with me?”

  She flinched at the movement, but then instantly put her hand in his. “It would be an honor,” she said in a quiet voice. I found myself reaching out and putting my hand on her arm.

  “Are we still on for our tour tomorrow?” I asked, wanting her to commit before Florin was able to weave even more fear into her. She wouldn’t be able to say no without looking discourteous. I was banking on the fact that her respect for her job was more than her fear of Florin.

  “I will be available at the start of Mid Cycle, if that suits?” she asked quickly, keeping her eyes away from the Courtier.

  “That will be wonderful.” A grateful smile appeared on my face. “I will be sure to tell our hosts how accommodating you have been. They will be happy in knowing that we have someone looking after us while we’re here.”

  I hoped my words were enough to wrap her nice and tight into the agreement before Florin sunk his claws into her. She nodded her head, and Florin led her off toward the dance floor.

  “Would you like another chance to see my dance moves?” Bernard asked.

  “Not really. How about we take the long way back to our room and call it a night instead?”

  He went to reply, a suggestive grin on his face, but we were interrupted before he could say anything.

  “May I please have this dance before you do so?” dulcet tones requested from behind me. Spinning around, I saw Mr. Creepy looking at Bernard as if he’d just laid down some form of gauntlet. I stole a glance at Bernard and saw him struggling over what to say in response.

  “Terra,” Bernard said eventually as if he was trying to restrain his anger, “this is Parris Avar. He is the Head of House for the House of Strix.

  So, it looked like Mr. Creepy was a Head of House. That explained the power emanating from him.

  Remembering what Bernard had told me about the House of Strix, and the way they didn’t hesitate in cutting
down someone publicly, I quickly intervened.

  “I’ll dance with you, Mr. Avar,” I answered before Bernard could stop me. “It would be a honor to do so before we retire for the evening.”

  Parris bowed, his eyes never leaving mine. “The honor is all mine.” He held out his hand, and I took it.

  No vision came. No devastating images penetrated my mind. But his skin was cold, and it felt wrong touching him. My instincts were screaming at me, telling me that by dancing with this vampire would be like dancing with the devil himself.

  Feeling the shivers rush up my spine without warning, I took a deep breath to try and rein in the feeling of dread he was evoking in me. My gift didn’t like him. I didn’t like him, and I wanted to get this dance over with as soon as possible.

  “Your husband seems very reluctant to let you go for a few moments,” Parris said to me as soon as we reached the dance floor.

  “He’s protective of me. That’s all,” I replied, and gratefully we fell into a simple waltz. I didn’t know many graceful moves outside of that.

  “Protective of a wife who is an Enforcer Field Agent?” Parris probed, his eyebrow quirked up in question. It pissed me off that he’d discovered that tidbit about me so fast. And it annoyed me that he’d had the nerve to bring it up in such a way.

  “He’s more protective because of it, Mr. Avar. I’m sure you can understand.”

  “Oh, call me Parris, please. Mr. Avar makes me sound so old.”

  I gave him a terse smile. “You’re a vampire, are you not? Age is merely nothing but a number.”

  He laughed at that, his darkened eyes lighting up. “You’re right about that, I suppose. Old is definitely about your state of mind when you age as slowly as we do.”

  He spun me around, and I was grateful for the breeze that caressed my legs as he did so. Being around him was making me feel threatened, and my body was responding. The more time I held onto him, the more disturbed I was becoming.

  “It was a quick wedding you had, I hear?” he enquired, and it took all I had in me to show him my pearly whites.

  “I made a mistake where Bernard was concerned, and my job has made me realize that we should never take anything or anyone for granted. I figured it was better for us to be together and work out our issues, rather than to let our relationship rot into the ground. I’m lucky I was able to track him down on Earthside and be forgiven for letting him go the first time. He asked me to marry him after that, and neither of us wanted the flounce.” I shrugged my shoulders, trying to act nonchalant as I gave him our rehearsed explanation. “Hence Vegas.”

  “He looks happy,” Parris stated, pleased enough with what I’d just thrown at him. “And he’s landed himself a Sapphire Citizen. How about that?”

  “You’re very well informed about me, Parris,” I said, my eyes challenging. “One would think that I wasn’t trusted to walk upon the lands of Darkwood.”

  “Oh nonsense. You’ve brought a little excitement to all of our lives with your romantic tale, that’s all. Who wouldn’t love that?”

  Remaining silent, I let him lead me around the dance floor. A coldness had settled within me, making me feel like I would never be happy again.

  Hating the darkness that seemed to creep over me, I was extremely relieved when I saw Bernard approaching.

  “May I cut in?” Bernard asked from behind Parris. I caught the grim line of Parris’s lips before he shaded it with a smile.

  He turned to Bernard. “She’s your wife,” he told him, reluctantly letting me go. Bernard pulled me to him and wrapped his arm around my shoulder protectively. Parris bowed to us both, bid us a good evening, then molded back into the crowd.

  “Well that was fun,” I said, feeling like a huge weight had lifted now that Parris was no longer holding me. The vampire was like darkness incarnated.

  Bernard lifted my chin for me to face him. He assessed me as if he was trying to check if I was still in one piece, then he kissed me. The kiss became heated, and I was trying to work out how to play this in a room full of vampires. I know from all I’d seen during the evening that vampires had no problem with personal displays of affection—no problems at all—but it still felt embarrassing.

  “I want to take you upstairs and make you scream,” he said in a lowered voice once he finally gave my lips a reprieve. Not quite sure how to react, my body jumped to attention by the promise in his voice. His eyes drew me in then he slowly leaned down to take hold of my lips once more.

  He kissed me gently, but with possession, and part of me lost myself as my arms wrapped around his neck of their own accord.

  “Let’s call it a night.” His voice was strained as he stroked my arm. Reaching my hand, he entwined his fingers in my own and stared at me with lust-filled eyes. It was as if he was challenging me. To show not only the vampire world that he could affect me so, but to show me, too. He was also taking advantage of the fact I couldn’t tell him to go to hell. Fine. Two could play at that game.

  “I’m not tired.” I leaned in close and lifted a finger to draw circles around his heart. Giving him the same look he’d given me, I bit down onto my lip. He stared back at me through heavily lidded eyes, a slight groan leaving his lips, and I leaned back while doing an internal high five. Ha. I was just as good at this fake seduction thing as he was.

  I was so satisfied with the look on his face that I didn’t notice him going in for the kill. He moved in swiftly and nuzzled my neck in the very place he knew drove me insane. He pulled me closer.

  “You know what happens when you stir the beast,” he said with a husk in his voice that caused tingles to explode all over my body. My body wanted more. And my head was yet to set it on its ass.

  Bernard moved in front of me before I could stop him, scooping up my mouth with his all over again. His tongue slid inside with the kind of masterfulness a vampire like him was sure to have, and I had no choice but to respond.

  A nagging voice at the back of my head told me I wouldn’t have stopped him even without the audience, but I managed to suppress it. There was nothing between me and Bernard. Nothing. But my pulse still raced as he worked my mouth like an expert.

  “Let’s go to bed,” I whispered when I could finally resist those kisses enough to pull away. But I made sure I glared at him all the same. His eyes were humorous and I wanted to kick him for enjoying this. The stupid, pompous, lust bucket.

  “That’s what I was hoping you’d say,” he whispered to me before he put my hand on his arm and led us out of the room.

  Was he trying to work me to a point where I was begging him to take me to bed? Did he think this tactic would work? Well I had a lot more willpower than that. He wouldn’t be smiling when we got back to the bedroom, the arrogant son of a bitch. I was damn well going to make sure of it.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  THE DOOR CLICKED shut and I engaged the stones before turning on Bernard.

  “What the hell is wrong with you?” I shouted. I gave him a punch on his shoulder for my trouble. Not that he would have felt it.

  “What?” he asked with innocence but I could tell he wanted to laugh.

  “You’re an egotistical pig. Kissing me like that. Challenging me. What the hell are you trying to prove?”

  “I thought we’re were putting a show on for everyone?”

  “Not like that,” I waved my hands around as if trying to find the right words. “Not sexy and romantic and shit. You don’t need to do it like that.” He was really trying hard not to laugh now, and I growled with frustration. “You’re a dick.”

  Stomping off toward the closet, I kicked my shoes off. Then he came up behind me, trying to keep a straight face. “Terra. Look, wait.” He pulled me back as I went to head for the bathroom. “I’m just doing what I was told. And newlyweds tend to be all gooey-eyed, unable to keep their hands off each other. I was selling it.”

  “I saw your face. You’re not that good of an actor, Bernard. And you wanted to get a rise out of me. You wante
d to get me all turned inside out so I would come up here and have sex with you. Ugh.” I yanked my arm away. “You’re a frustrating asshole at times. Do you know that?”

  Walking away again didn’t get me very far. This time he pulled me back and lifted me into his arms. He pulled my legs around his waist before I could blink, urging me against the wall. His breathing was labored as he stared me down, and I could see the hunger in him. Not for blood, but for me.

  “Do you really think it would have bothered you so much if you didn’t want this?” he demanded as he pushed himself against me. Almost every rational thought slipped away as confusion spiraled through my head. I didn’t know what to say. Uncertain words froze on the edge of my lips. But then he kissed me.

  He moved in, hard and fast, and my traitorous lips kissed him right back. But I’d been down this road before. This cycle had repeated itself many times. And I knew if it went any further it would destroy anything I could pursue with Cole.

  Maybe I should just do it? The thought whispered in my mind. By putting a nail in the coffin, it would take away the delusion and the risk of me potentially destroying my career once and for all. But like Mayra had told me, I would always regret not going there.

  Oh God. Bernard’s mouth tasted so good.

  Every part of me tingled. My whole body was on fire. But I had to stop. Stupid, stupid body. I had to stop.

  Finally finding the will power to pull away, I pushed at his shoulders. “Stop. Bernard. Stop.”

  His eyes focused on me as if he couldn’t quite understand what I was saying, then he saw my face. “Shit,” he whispered as he reluctantly let my legs fall to the ground. He moved away and leaned against the wall beside me, closing his eyes while his breathing returned to normal. “I should have known not to push.”

  “It’s not your fault,” I said as I touched my swollen lips where he’d kissed me. “It’s not you.”