Gavin pulled her closer and leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Chloe.”
Her pulse pounded. “Yes?”
“It’s time.”
That’s right. She wasn’t just fighting off an unwise attraction to a dangerous immortal creature, she was supposed to be working too. “What do we do?”
“Just follow me.”
He waltzed them to the edge of the dance floor, his eyes locked on her, steering them away from the crowd. He put his hand on her cheek and leaned closer.
“Follow me,” he whispered. “Keep your eyes on mine. Let them think you’re enthralled.”
Not too difficult.
Her heart was pounding and her breath was short. It wasn’t from the dance. When her knee wasn’t bothering her, Chloe could dance all night. She kept her eyes on Gavin’s, warm brown the color of dark chocolate, and allowed him to lead her to the edge of the room. She could hear whispers around them, but she didn’t look away.
Mesmerized, she barely noticed when Gavin led her down a dark hallway. Her hand was in his, and his arm was around her waist. They walked side by side, past dark figures obscured by shadows.
“Look at me,” he whispered. “Look only at me.”
Chloe didn’t want to look away. In the back of her mind, she recognized the sounds filling the hallway.
Vampires were feeding.
And it was pretty clear the humans they were feeding from liked it a lot.
The flush on her cheeks wasn’t from embarrassment. Gavin’s eyes dropped to her mouth. His hand gripped her waist and they kept walking. The darkness deepened. The shadows grew. Dim electric lights gave way to candles. She could smell the beeswax and smoke.
“Look at me,” Gavin whispered. “Say nothing.”
They paused, and Chloe kept her eyes on Gavin even when a tall woman approached them. Her hand was raised, but Gavin spoke to her in a language Chloe didn’t recognize. German? Dutch, maybe? Gavin passed the woman something in his palm, and then they were moving again.
“Going right,” he whispered. “Clever Chloe. You’re doing so well.”
“Where—”
“Here.” He gently pushed Chloe against a wall—no, it was a door—and blocked her body from the rest of the hallway. “Give me just a moment, and we’ll be away from the others.”
Gavin was so close his shoulders blocked the light. The hallway. The darkness pressed in on her, and she was trapped. Chloe’s heart began to pound, instinct bucking against her earlier calm. Her head swam, and she could feel her panic rising. “Gavin—”
“Oh damn,” he growled in a low voice. “Damn it and damn him.”
Chloe breathed carefully in and out. She knew Ben trusted Gavin, but what if he was wrong? What if—
“Chloe?” He bent down and pressed his cheek to hers, whispering low in her ear. “I’m sorry. Calm now. Breathe in and out. You’re doing so well. I know that bastard hurt you, but I want you to listen to me, dove, you have nothing to fear.”
Goose bumps rose along her neck and crawled down her shoulders to her arms. A warm sense of comfort filled her mind.
“You have nothing to fear,” Gavin said again, reaching behind her. He had something in his palm.
Chloe could feel his lips brush her cheek. The top of her ear. From the front, it appeared he was embracing her, but Chloe could feel him fiddling with something behind her. It was the doorknob, and Chloe realized through the spell that had fallen over her that Gavin was picking the lock.
“What are you doing to me?” Her head swam, but the panic had been pushed back. She had the distinct urge to press into Gavin and take his warmth against her skin. Her arms rose, her hands sliding up his firm back. “What is this?”
“I’ll explain— Fucking hell.”
His breath was on her neck. Chloe turned her face and pressed her lips to his cheek.
“Chloe”—his voice was strained—“you need to stop.”
She didn’t want to stop. She pulled away from his cheek, seeking his mouth. She wanted to taste him. Bite the lips that tempted her. She pressed her body into his and felt his reaction. Felt his leg press between her thighs, holding her against the door. She was burning for him.
“Chloe, please,” Gavin said with a groan. “You’re going to hate me.”
Of course she wouldn’t. If he would just give her his mouth…
Gavin’s hands worked faster. She heard a click, then in one motion, he pushed the door open and swung her into the room beyond, shutting the door and plunging them into darkness.
“Stop.” He jerked away from her mouth.
Chloe blinked, but she still couldn’t see a thing. Gavin flicked a lighter and illuminated the room. It looked like a library. He released Chloe and swept his arm around the room, stopping when he saw a candelabra on a side table. He picked it up and lit the candles before he flicked his lighter closed and slipped it into his pocket.
Whatever strange spell had fallen over her dissipated. Embarrassment burned her cheeks red. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what I was thinking back there.”
“You have nothing to apologize for,” he said roughly.
“What was that?” Suspicion warred with the growing trust she’d felt earlier in the evening when he’d held her and danced with her. When she’d followed him down a dark hall with confidence. “Was that the magic Ben warned me about?”
Gavin turned to her with a grim expression on his face. “That was a lack of foresight on my part, and I apologize. I didn’t anticipate your reaction to being confined like that, and I should have.”
“What did you do to me?”
He opened his mouth, closed it. “You were panicking,” he said slowly. “If you’d panicked before I got us away from the guards, everything would have been ruined and we both would have been exposed.”
“I was panicking because—”
“I closed you in. Gave you no exit. I know, and I am sorry, Chloe.”
He didn’t sound that sorry. And the fact that he’d read her so easily pissed her off. “Did you use magic on me?”
“It’s not magic.”
She crossed her arms.
“I used a touch of amnis to calm you,” Gavin said. “So you would not panic and give us away.”
“And so I’d be a little more welcome to hooking up with you, huh?” Anger warred with embarrassment. She’d been kissing his neck. Rubbing against his body like a cat in heat.
He narrowed his eyes. “One, I do not ‘hook up’ with women. In fact, I detest that term. Two, I used amnis to calm your unconscious physical reaction, the one triggered by your past experience. Amnis does not create feelings. Everything you did in that hallway, you wanted to do, dove. Doona fool yourself.”
She turned away, looking around the room. She didn’t want to think about wanting Gavin. It was too soon. He was a bad choice.
He was a vampire, for heaven’s sake! He probably looked at her like she was food.
“Where are we?” She walked toward the center of the room.
The arrogant look on Gavin’s face told Chloe he knew she was changing the subject but he’d allow it. He followed her with the candelabra lifted high.
“We’re in the study of Rothman House,” he said. “The hallway leading to the ballroom runs along these outer rooms, which can all be used for guests.” Gavin opened another door and led her into a room with a large billiard table in the center.
“How do you know this?” Chloe asked.
“I found old blueprints.” Gavin paused in the middle of the billiard room.
“You found them?”
“More or less. They were quite old, so they will not be accurate. But it will give me a place to start.” There were two doors to choose from. He closed his eyes, frowned, then opened them before he reached for the doorknob of the door on the right.
Peeking through the doorway, Chloe saw another, narrower, hall. Gavin turned right and walked to the end of the stairwell, then he opened a door on the left and
walked through. There was a narrow staircase leading into more darkness. Gavin reached out, took Chloe’s hand, and stepped down.
17
Ben watched Chloe and Gavin disappear into a dark hallway where Ben knew vampires would be feeding. He gripped the stem of his champagne glass, reminding himself that this was the plan. Everything was going according to plan.
“Mr. Vecchio,” crooned a nearby guest. “You must introduce us to your friend.”
Ben turned to see Emilie standing near a vampire couple. Emilie looked confused but not suspicious, so Ben smiled and walked over. The female vampire’s accent was eastern European and Ben thought she was an earth vampire, but that was all. He’d met her last year but couldn’t remember her name. The male was Ennis O’Brien, Cormac O’Brien’s problematic little brother. He was tall and thinner than his brother, with dark Irish looks and the vivid green eyes shared by most of his clan.
Ben turned on the charm. “This gorgeous woman is Emilie Mandel.” He tucked her arm into his. “A brilliant designer and good friend of mine. We didn’t meet in school though.” The mention of school, combined with a meaningful look at the vampires, let them both know Emilie was not aware of the other world she was visiting.
“She looks delightful,” the female said, batting her eyes at Ben. “Emilie, my name is Natia. Ben is just too polite to tell you he can’t remember.”
“Of course I did,” Ben said. “Emilie, I met Natia at the symphony last year when my uncle and aunt were visiting New York.” That much was true.
Emilie smiled. “That sounds lovely. My grandmother loves the symphony, but we never go. I should take her this year.”
“Ennis,” Ben said. “Good to see you. This is a wonderful event. Did you and Cormac both sponsor it?”
“My idea.” Ennis spoke in the haughty accent of New York society, which he’d been cultivating for a hundred years. “Making Cormac entertain is like pulling teeth. He’s not as cognizant of our family’s social responsibilities as I am.”
Social responsibilities like lining your pockets? Ben didn’t know how, but he’d bet that Ennis was making money on this gala. Ennis didn’t participate in anything without looking for a cut.
Ben took another sip of champagne and caught Natia’s eyes locked on Emilie’s neck. He cleared his throat to catch Natia’s attention while Emilie made conversation with Ennis about the art hanging around the gala. Ben gave Natia a reproachful shake of the head. The vampire smiled and winked.
All part of the game, her expression said. “Emilie, how did you and Benjamin meet? He’s quite the celebrity tonight. Everyone in our little scene knows his uncle, but most only know Ben by reputation. He’s never come to one of our parties before.”
And I doubt I’ll make a habit of it. Ben put his arm around Emilie. “She saw me on the street a few weeks ago and took pity on me. I bribed her with gala tickets so she’d keep seeing me.”
Emilie said, “I kept him for pity, but he’s also very decorative.” She winked and smoothed his collar. “Not many men own custom tuxedos anymore. He’s the perfect accessory with this dress. The designer in me approves.”
“I have to keep my game up when my date wears vintage Chanel.”
“See?” Emilie turned to Natia. “He knows vintage Chanel. How could I not keep him?”
The clutch of vampires and their human companions twittered with laughter. Ben could hear the predatory mirth behind it, but Emilie was amused.
“Benjamin, she’s delightful,” Natia said. “Emilie, feel free to examine my dress in detail.” The vampire glanced at Ben. “It belonged to my grandmother originally. She had it made in France.”
Ben had no doubt that Natia was the original owner, but Emilie and the vampire happily started chatting about their favorite places to shop in Paris.
“Mr. Vecchio”—Ennis lifted his champagne and sipped it—“have you visited Paris recently?”
“Not lately.” Not since his uncle’s only ally in Marseilles had been killed for smuggling vampire drugs. Immortal politics in France were… complicated.
“I heard your name when I was there,” Ennis continued.
“Oh?”
“It seems you’re building quite the reputation in the…” Ennis glanced at Emilie. “Art-collecting world. Who knows? We might have cause to work together in the future.”
Oh that I should be so lucky. Ben locked his eyes on Ennis. “My partner and I have a varied clientele. I wouldn’t want to commit to anything without talking to her, of course. You know Tenzin, don’t you?”
Was it Ben’s imagination, or did Ennis look nervous?
“Of course,” he demurred. “Of course.”
Moments after that, Ennis drifted into the crowd.
The gala had been subdued so far. It was a mix of humans from the art world—curators Ben recognized from the Met and MoMA, gallery owners, and a few artists—and vampires connected to the O’Briens and those visiting who needed to be impressed. The gala consisted of dinner followed by dancing. Ben could see the champagne working its magic, and buzzed humans put vampires on the prowl. The dancing was getting more risqué. The jokes louder. The predatory glances lingered longer. Some of the more conventional humans had already left.
If Ben and Tenzin hadn’t needed to wait for Chloe and Gavin to search the house, he’d leave with Emilie before things got stranger, but he didn’t have that luxury. He had to remain visible until they returned. Ben’s absence would be suspicious if anything went wrong.
He searched the ballroom for Tenzin but didn’t see her.
Typical.
Ben turned to Emilie. “Do you mind if I—”
“What did I miss?” Tenzin asked, appearing at his side. It had to have been as abrupt to Emilie as it was for Ben.
Emilie looked around. “Where did you—?”
“I needed to find a drink,” Tenzin said. “I was… parched.”
Ben lifted an eyebrow, but Tenzin’s eyes were wide and innocent. A sure sign she’d been causing trouble.
Parched? Had she been drinking from strange humans? That wasn’t typical, but Ben didn’t want to examine the burning sensation he felt in his belly when he thought about Tenzin feeding, so he shoved it back.
“Did you say hello to Cormac so I don’t have to?” Ben asked under his breath.
“Yes, but you should save a dance for Novia.”
“Already planning on it.” He heard the music change and turned to Emilie, but a human trailing after Natia had already asked Emilie to dance. She gave Ben a little wave as she wandered off.
The band had switched from classical dances to big band as the gala went on.
“Did you see them leave?” Tenzin asked in Mandarin.
“I did. Did Gavin tell you how he—”
“He liberated a copy of the blueprints for the building after he received the invitation,” Tenzin said.
“Such a responsible thief.”
“Isn’t he?” Tenzin continued to scan the room. “It was a good idea bringing him in to this.”
“Yes.”
“He might be useful in the future. He’s trying to be more honest, but honesty bores him. Bored vampires are dangerous.”
Ben nodded and smiled at an older vampire connected to the O’Brien clan. “I’ve noticed that.”
The band finished the Duke Ellington standard they’d been playing and slid into the familiar notes of “La Vie en rose.” Turning to Tenzin with a smile, Ben held out a hand.
She narrowed her eyes. “It’s an Édith Piaf song.”
“It’s Louis.”
“It is…” Tenzin trailed off when she heard the familiar trumpet solo. “Fine.”
Ben smiled and took her hand, putting his hand at her waist, finally touching the purple silk that had taunted him all night. He swung her onto the dance floor where couples were pressed together, swaying to the music. Ben saw Emilie across the dance floor in the arms of an older gentleman Ben recognized from the European paintings collect
ion at the Met.
“She’s having a nice time,” Tenzin said.
“I think so.” He sank into the song, relishing the brush of Tenzin’s legs against his as they moved. She was an ornery dancer, letting him lead with just enough resistance that he knew it was her choice—always her choice—to let him guide them around the dance floor. Every now and then, when they’d dance alone, she floated off the floor and he’d spin her out like a top while she laughed and laughed and laughed.
“Do you like my hair?” Tenzin said, her head cocked to the side like an inquisitive cat.
“I don’t know yet.” He pulled a strand from her forehead and ran it between his fingers. “I like to see it long when you fly.” He ran his fingers along the velvet hair at her nape where the stylist had shorn it close to her skull. “I like this. But I’ll miss your braids.”
“Hmm.” She looked up. “It’s just hair. It grows.”
“Slowly.”
“Are you planning on going somewhere?”
He lifted an eyebrow. “That’s always the question, isn’t it?”
The knot in the pit of Chloe’s stomach didn’t ease. She followed Gavin as he explored the richly appointed rooms of Rothman House. She couldn’t figure out what it was. A house? A club? As far as she could tell, the rooms weren’t laid out with any rhyme or reason.
Narrow, mazelike hallways twisted from studies to servant quarters to cozy dining rooms to music rooms. There were more entertaining spaces than bedrooms. In fact, they’d only run across three bedrooms in the whole mansion. And there was not a single window. Chloe tried not to let it creep her out.
“Gavin?” she whispered.
“Hmm?”
“Do we have any idea what we’re looking for?”
He cast an annoyed look over his shoulder. “A very large painting in a very large house.”
“Oh.” She started walking the length of the wood-paneled room they were searching.
“Stop walking,” Gavin said. “Wait in the corner by the door.”
Chloe bristled. “Why?”
“Because when you walk, you make noise. We don’t want to make noise. Also, in the event we’re interrupted and we have to pretend to be lovers who’ve scampered away from the crowd, I can move like this”—in a blink, Gavin was beside her, looking down with unearthly focus—“and you cannot. So stay still.”
Midnight Labyrinth: An Elemental Legacy Novel Page 19