Dark Wine at Midnight (A Hill Vampire Novel Book 1)

by Jenna Barwin

  She laughed. “In this dress, I don’t think I could move fast if I wanted to.”

  The dress Karen had picked out was a beautiful shade of silky indigo, nicely complementing her nutmeg skin tone, and it hugged her in all the right places, with a slit up the back at her feet so she could walk, just not easily. Between the tight skirt and high-heeled shoes, she felt constrained. Why did men like their women so off balance and restricted? So they couldn’t run away? Ha. If anything, she wanted to run to Henry, not away from him.

  The doorbell chimed. Instantly, her stomach quivered and she lurched toward the staircase. Gaea laid a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. “Wait here until I call your name.”

  “All right, Gaea, whatever you say. Just go open the door, please.”

  Gaea smiled at her and walked down the staircase. The muffled sound of the front door opening was followed by Henry’s voice, asking for her. She peeked around the corner. Gaea appeared at the base of the stairs.

  “Cerissa, Henry’s here,” Gaea called up to her.

  She rounded the corner of the hall and stopped at the top of the stairs. Henry was standing in the entryway wearing a classic tuxedo with his silky black hair tied back, the crisp white tuxedo shirt accenting his deep caramel skin. Her heart skipped a beat and she began the slow walk down the staircase.

  * * *

  Henry stood transfixed. Cerissa looked like an enticing goddess. She wore her hair high up on her head, with tendrils trailing down her neck. The evening gown showed off her remarkable figure, and her dangling diamond earrings pointed right to her tasty neck, tempting him.

  Not that he needed any coaxing.

  When she made it to the last stair, he reached out for her. “You look beautiful,” he said, bending to kiss her hand, catching the light scent of perfume.

  “Thank you, Henry.”

  “You two make such a lovely couple,” Gaea cooed. “Don’t wait for me. I’ll be along shortly with Dylan. He returned home late, so he’s just now getting ready. We’ll see you two at the dance.”

  Henry escorted Cerissa to the Viper and held open the door. “Your magic chariot awaits.”

  “Thank you, Henry.” She stood by the car door and turned to him. “And thank you for your support last night. Abigale and Marcus asked good questions. I suspect you had something to do with it.”

  He gave an exaggerated bow, sweeping his hand as if tipping a nonexistent hat, and looked up at her, grinning as mischievously as he could. “Certainly you don’t think I planted shills to help you?”

  In reply, she smiled that brilliant smile of hers. A wave of regret followed in the wake of her smile. He hadn’t received Leopold’s permission yet. Leopold’s email said he wasn’t available to talk tonight, but made his terms clear—if Henry wanted to take her blood, he would have to pay the contract price. He had no idea how much—or what—that price would be.

  * * *

  During the drive, Cerissa held his hand whenever he didn’t need to shift gears, her stomach doing more fluttery flip-flops. She was happy to be with him again, yet the closer they got to the country club, the more she dreaded it, dreaded seeing the vampires who didn’t want her here. Last night she’d been determined to go to the dance. She’d proven the project was real, and they had no reason to fight her presence now.

  Then why did she want to be anywhere with Henry but here?

  He parked and opened the door for her. Offering his hand, he pulled her into an embrace and gently kissed her. “I would not want to smear your lipstick,” he said when the kiss ended. “At least, not yet.”

  She smiled and looked away. He sounded so confident and looked so handsome. “Henry, I…” she began, struggling for the right words.

  “What is it, Cerissa?” he asked, raising her hand to his lips.

  “Would you mind if we left the dance early?”

  “You are that eager?”

  Her cheeks flooded with warmth, and she buried her face against his chest. He thinks I’m asking to go back to his place.

  “I mean… I meant…” she stammered. “I’m not exactly the most loved person at the moment…I thought we could make a quick appearance and then go into town….”

  He stepped back, gently releasing her. “Not without an escort.” She looked up at him, and he smiled crookedly. “Cerissa. There are those who fear anything outside our norm. When they come to know you as I have, they will accept you.”

  She took a deep breath and slowly let it out. He was right. She needed him to be. “Okay, let’s do this.”

  The dance was already underway. She entered the country club with her arm in the crook of his, and they walked down the elegant carpeted hallway and through the large double doors into the main ballroom. Talk about déjà vu—three weeks ago I arrived with Zeke guiding me through this room.

  The band was already on stage, the room decorated as a nightclub. Small tables covered with white tablecloths faced the dance floor. An arrangement of candles in cut-glass holders, the jars filled with black sand, sat in the center of each table, with a wreath of flowers surrounding the candles. Streamers and balloons in purple and silver added to the festive motif.

  Heads turned in her direction as they made their way through the partygoers. Some looked curious, but others seemed angry.

  “Henry, they’re watching us,” she whispered.

  He put an arm around her shoulders, pulling her protectively closer. “They watch because I have the most beautiful woman in the room on my arm.”

  That’s not the reason. They stare because they want me gone. Well, too bad. I’m not going anywhere.

  She straightened her spine, trying to project confidence as they walked to the table Karen and Rolf were at. Henry held out a chair for her.

  “You look spectacular,” Karen said.

  “Thanks.” Cerissa accepted the chair Henry offered, placing her small beaded purse on the table next to Karen’s. “You look beautiful too. Forest green is a great color on you.”

  Karen’s long dress was made of soft velvet and had a gathered waist with a low-cut V-neckline. “I’m so glad you made it,” Karen replied. “When I heard the mayor wasn’t going to let you attend the dance, I couldn’t believe it.”

  “Fortunately, we were able to clear up our little misunderstanding quickly.” Leopold had decided to refer to it as a “misunderstanding” rather than charge the mayor with a blatant violation of the treaty. She owed the mayor a little payback. If not silver coins down his shorts, maybe I could sneak some silver powder into his sock drawer. Wouldn’t be hard to do. The hotfoot treatment would serve him right.

  “Cerissa,” Henry said, getting her attention. “May I get you something to drink?”

  “Sure, Cabernet would be fine, thank you.”

  “And Karen, may I bring anything back for you?”

  “I’m good, Henry.” Karen still had half a glass of wine in front of her.

  Rolf had been talking to Frédéric, who was sitting on the other side of him. When Henry left, Rolf turned to her. “You’ve been seeing a lot of Henry.”

  “I enjoy being with him,” she replied, trying to sound friendly.

  “He will not be fooled forever.”

  She sent a wisp of her aura toward him. “Rolf, there’s nothing—”

  “The shootings just happen to coincide with your arrival?” He snorted, his eyes narrowing.

  “There are such things as coincidences. Can’t we start over?”

  His scowl deepened. “Not when I think you’re a threat to the very fabric of our society.”

  “Rolf, I’m not a threat to your community, and I’m not a threat to your relationship with Henry, either.”

  He banged his fist on the table. “I will find out what your real motives are.”

  Karen shushed him. “Rolf, that’s enough,” she said, glancing around as heads turned to look in their direction. “This is a party. Behave yourself.”

  Rolf glowered at Karen, his lips tightly pressed
together, before his cold eyes moved in Cerissa’s direction again.

  “Fucking new blood,” he spat. He pushed back his chair and stomped off. Frédéric, who’d been watching the exchange, raised his eyebrows and took off after Rolf.

  Damn it. My charm hasn’t worked on Rolf before—why should tonight be different? Some people seemed immune to her aura. She wished Rolf wasn’t one of them. “I’m sorry to create a problem between you and Rolf,” she told Karen.

  “Don’t worry about it. He’ll have forgotten in five minutes, or the next time he’s horny, whichever comes first.” Karen gave a light snicker. “He growls, but he’s really quite tame.”

  “I don’t think Rolf would appreciate your characterization,” Henry said.

  Cerissa whipped around in her chair to see him behind her. Why did he have to walk up at that exact moment? She accepted the wineglass he handed her and took a big gulp.

  Karen’s eyes gave him a warning look. “Just stay out of it,” she said. “Rolf was being a jerk and I was telling Cerissa why she shouldn’t take him seriously.”

  “All the same, you should show Rolf the respect he deserves.”

  “And he should show Cerissa some respect.”

  “What did Rolf say to Cerissa?”

  Cerissa couldn’t let her friend carry the burden alone. “Rolf was being insulting, but it doesn’t matter. I ignored him and he went away in a huff.”

  “I’m sorry, Cerissa,” Henry said, sitting down next to her and taking her hand in his. “Rolf can get fixated on something and lose track of his manners.”

  “Just what I was saying,” Karen said, standing up. “I’m going to find him—it’s been long enough to let him stew.” She glided off in the direction Rolf and Frédéric went.

  Cerissa took a sip of her wine. “Henry, why don’t we dance? I’d like to get back into the mood of the party.”

  A slow ballad was playing. Henry led her onto the dance floor and she went into his arms. The touch of his fingers on her shoulder, the gentle way he cupped her hand in his, relaxed her, reminding her of their evening in the park, and his offer. She looked up into his eyes, and his deep, dark browns looked back at her. The dark brown slowly receded until the pupils of his eyes were almost circles of solid black.

  Is he thinking what I’m thinking?

  The band switched to a more upbeat song, and Henry moved them into a modified swing. He was an excellent dancer with a strong lead. With his pitch-black hair neatly tied back, his ponytail swung slightly with each turn. The tuxedo showed off his broad, muscular shoulders and trim waist. Butterflies flitted about in her stomach, her body humming at the thought of touching him more intimately.

  She felt drawn to him in a way she couldn’t explain to herself. Not just her desire to feel him naked against her, but something more, something softer, which caused her heart to feel infinitely fragile.

  Chapter 46

  Tig noted the arrival of Henry and Cerissa. Now, all the founders were at the dance. She positioned herself near the back of the room and watched for trouble. Jayden stood by her side. Things had been a little tense between them since she had criticized him for his blown surveillance. While they got dressed for the dance, he’d suggested they spend time enjoying the party together—a good sign he’d forgiven her.

  Still, she was never truly off duty. Even wearing an evening gown, she had to remain alert for trouble and scanned the crowd. She caught sight of Yacov walking toward her, Shayna at his side.

  “Good evening, my friend,” Yacov said, when he made it past the last table to where she stood. “You’re looking charming tonight. Are you and Jayden enjoying the party?”

  Jayden slipped his hand around Tig’s. “We’re going to. She’s promised to dance a few dances with me before the night is out.”

  “Yes, later,” Tig replied, “after I’m sure all is secure.”

  Yacov smiled at her. “You can’t be on duty all the time. You should relax and have fun.”

  “I’ll relax when our community returns to normal.”

  “I understand, I understand. When you have time, I’d like to hear the results from your investigation of the prison guards.”

  “Now, Yacov,” Shayna cut in, “just as you said, she’s here to have fun, not work. No reason to ask her about the case now.”

  Tig shook her head. “It’s no problem, Shayna. We’ve been watching the prison guards. I’ll tell you if we get any promising leads, but it would help if you gave me your list of suspects.” She’d put off sending the third email reminder, unable to phrase her message politely. “Henry told me you had taken over the task.”

  “You mean I haven’t given those to you yet?” Yacov asked, tugging at his beard. “I emailed those lists to you a week ago. I swore I did.”

  “It’s fine. Just email them to Jayden when you get home tonight.”

  “Of course, my friend, of course. And Shayna is right. I should not have brought it up. To atone for it, I suggest we make our way to the dance floor. Will you join us?”

  * * *

  Cerissa focused on her feet without looking at them, trying to keep up with Henry. He was a master of the mambo. When the song ended, he slipped an arm around her waist, leading her off the dance floor. She wanted to fan herself, and not just from the heat of exertion. The sheer sexiness pouring off him as they danced had lit her fire.

  “Karen and Rolf have returned,” he said. “I want to make sure all is well.”

  From the look on Rolf’s face, his mood had lightened. Perhaps he was going to behave himself in front of Henry. Karen acted like nothing had happened. Cerissa sipped on her wine, glad for the refreshing liquid. Henry and Rolf began discussing winery business. It left her with a few moments to catch her breath and look around.

  The mayor and his crowd were at one table, and Frédéric was now sitting with them. Gaea and Dylan were on the dance floor. Good, they made it. She glanced over to where Blanche was sitting with seven other vampires—probably the “singles” table. No sign of Seaton, Gaea’s problem child.

  “May I have this dance, miss?” she heard Zeke ask from behind her, his voice flat and cold.

  What the hell? She swung around in her chair. His eyes seemed to focus past her on Henry.

  She had no idea how to respond. Human rules said the polite thing was to accept, dance one dance, and return to the person who’d brought her. After how rude he’d been to her last night, she wanted nothing to do with him, but she had no idea what vampire rules were. She was at the party as Leopold’s envoy, not as Henry’s mate—at least, not yet. Did that mean she had to dance with anyone who asked?

  * * *

  Tig spotted the trouble and strode off the dance floor, moving in their direction. She had to stop Zeke before Henry reacted. If violence erupted, the council would be pissed—and not just with those two. They would blame her for not preventing it. She tried to move past the mortal mates who stood in her way, but someone grab her arm. She spun around, ready to act, only to see Yacov.

  “Wait and watch,” he said. “Nothing will happen. Trust Henry.”

  “I can’t take that risk, Founder.” Tig pulled free and began moving again.

  * * *

  Cerissa glanced around the table. Rolf’s face was frozen. Karen shrugged her uncertainty. She couldn’t see Henry; her back was to him because she’d turned to face Zeke. The way Zeke hovered over her, she felt trapped. Surely he wouldn’t attack her at a public event? She quickly stood and backed away, ready to defend herself if necessary, slewing her eyes toward Henry. He didn’t look happy—his fangs were out, his eyes almost solid black. In spite of how he looked, he silently inclined his head as if to say, Go ahead.

  She took a deep breath and relaxed her posture. Okay then. I guess I go. She nodded to Zeke and headed toward the dance floor.

  * * *

  Tig stopped in her tracks. It appeared Yacov was right. The crowd opened up to let Cerissa and Zeke through, and they began to dance. Henry and R
olf stayed behind.

  “Come sit with Shayna and me,” Yacov whispered in her ear. “We’re going to take a break from dancing. Bring Jayden and sit with us. Our table is close to Henry’s. If something happens, you’ll be near, but for now, just watch and let them work it out.”

  She nodded to Yacov, accepting the invitation, and signaled to Jayden. He came over to join them. She walked to Yacov’s table, but her eyes remained glued on Henry and Rolf, who were watching the dance floor like living statues. Karen fled the table for the bar, reminding Tig of a doe who didn’t want to get stuck between two angry bucks.

  She looked back to the dance floor. She still needed to have a talk with Zeke. He was a police officer and should know better than to breach the peace this way—after all, she held her officers to a higher standard than the rest of the Hill, and he knew it. If she had anything to say about it, he’d pay a sizeable penalty for this disturbance.

  * * *

  Henry watched Cerissa slide into Zeke’s arms, and his jealousy felt like a hand squeezing his heart. The abyss didn’t take long before it began taunting him. She’ll never be faithful, it whispered. She’ll never be satisfied with one mate. She will live too long to stay with you for a lifetime. You will have to kill again to protect what’s yours. He stood at the edge of his reason, the dirt under his mental feet giving way.

  “That should never have happened,” Rolf said. “I told you Cerissa’s presence would undermine the Covenant.”

  “Enough. I do not have any claim on her. Yet,” Henry replied, his voice frayed, betraying his true feelings. “I may not like it, but Zeke was within his rights.”

  “He wasn’t. There are no rights here because there are no rules to cover this. Mortals who are not blood-mated to a vampire are forbidden at these dances. We decided it a long time ago.”

  “You mean, I decided it a long time ago. You weren’t part of the community when the decision was made.”

  “Zeke should never have approached her this way,” Rolf said, slashing the air with his hand. “Never. You’re entitled to call him out, just as you did with Nathaniel.”