by Eloisa Clark
“Are you two drunk?” Niko asked, unable to hide his shock.
Scott shook his head, pointing at Niko.
“No, definitely not.” He said and then laughed, “Maybe a little bit.”
“I haven’t been this drunk since I drank dry a sailor on leave.” Odette said before covering her mouth with her hand.
“I shouldn’t have said that.” She held her finger to her pursed lips and shushed them.
“Forget I said that.”
“I can’t believe you two would get drunk when you know we could be attacked at any moment.” Juliet scolded.
Fiona, who had been silent until then, hiccupped loudly.
“Fiona!” Niko and Juliet exclaimed simultaneously.
“What?” She said.
“You said it yourself before. Dere are sentries all over and a magical trap in place. We’re stickin’ togeder, surrounded by fifty oder supernatural beins’ an’ ‘umans from ‘de village. We’re safe as ‘ouses.”
“Why the hell did you say that?” Scott asked, his eyes opening wide.
“Wha?” Fiona asked.
“Everyone knows that’s what the next person to die says right before they get killed in the movies.” Scott said, looking around him quickly.
Fiona rolled her eyes.
“I doubt anyone’ll get me while I’m surrounded by you lot.”
“Good point, well made.” Scott replied before addressing Juliet.
“And speaking of good points, you were right about adding the Vivaldi to a dubstep track. I thought you were crazy when you told me what you were doing. But that was a ripper track.” Odette’s attention focussed on Juliet as well.
“Was that your music playing?” She asked, her eyes widening and a hint of a smile at odds with her uniform stoicism.
Juliet nodded and Niko took the opportunity to gloat about Juliet’s accomplishment even if he knew it made her uncomfortable.
“Can you believe her, in the midst of everything that’s going on, she was able mix her own bootleg.”
“It’s no big deal, anyone can do it.” She said, reaching into her pocket.
“It’s this app I’ve got, here I can show you.”
Niko watched as Juliet tried without much success to show Odette how to mix tracks. Odette’s nose turned up at the sight of the smart phone, but she watched silently, her lips pursing with curiosity.
Scott approached Niko and brushed against him, slipping something into his hand. He looked down and was surprised to see a handful of multicoloured lollipops. He raised an eyebrow at Scott.
“I call them ‘High Spirits’.” He said, laughing at his pun.
“One of these bad boys ‘ith the equivalent of about ten shots of Clair de Lune, without any of the dizzineth’ or slurred speech.” He said, lisping occasionally.
“Maybe you should have one then.” Niko suggested with a laugh as he patted his friends back, who in returned hugged him.
Juliet looked at them both and smiled.
“This is nice.” Scott said. “
Why couldn’t it be like this all the time. Instead of some stupid Vamp ruining everything.” Scott said. Odette looked up; her brow creased in disapproval.
“Sorry, Sorry!” He went over to Odette and pulled her into a hug and kissed her cheek even as she tried to gently pry him off her.
“You know I love you, Odette. You’re one of the good ones. I’m sorry if I offended you.” He tried to kiss her again, but she placed her hand on his lips instead and forced him to back up.
Scott laughed and moved on to Fiona, grabbing her around the waist and spinning her around in circles.
“You know I love you too, don’t you Fifi?”
He put her down before she could even reply and attacked Juliet next, bending her over into a low dip and planting a kiss on her lips.
Niko nearly convulsed at the sight of another man kissing his girl, even if he knew it was just playing. But before he could pull Scott off Juliet, he’d released her and had his hands around Niko’s head, pulling him into a kiss.
“Dude what the fuck?” He said, pushing him away gently.
“Any of us could be next. Don’t you want to make sure the people you care about know how you feel about them?” Scott came back in for another hug and Niko let him. He was a crazy, drunk son-of-a-bitch but he had a point.
He pulled Scott with him towards the others and stretched out his arms, gesturing for them to all gather in. He pulled them all into a group hug, Odette scrunched up her face, but the others smiled.
“Scott’s right you guys. Even if Eric is gone for good and nothing else happens, there’s no way to know how long any of us has got. We made a vow back in August, but I’m making a new one tonight. I pledge myself to you. No matter what happens, you will always have my protection, my loyalty and my friendship.”
He said the words and he meant them. Raising his voice to be heard over the party, he yelled; “Omne Enim Votum”.
Not only did the others respond with equal conviction, but the entire Livingstone crowd echoed back his call.
Chapter Thirty-Five
“You want me to do what?” Juliet knew she hadn’t misheard the doctor, but she wanted him to repeat himself anyway, so insane was his suggestion that she wondered if he was actually losing it.
“I want you to contact your father and ask him to attend the Debutante’s Ball.” He said again.
Yes, definitely what she’d thought he’d said and definitely the stupidest thing she’d ever heard. The idea of having her father come to a castle full of non-humans was the last thing she would ever consider.
So many questions came to mind, not last of which was whether the doctor had forgotten to take his medication.
“Can I ask why?” She settled on one of the more pressing questions instead.
“The Debutante’s Ball is a right-of-passage within the Otherworld. The event is an opportunity to introduce new members of our community to a society that has the potential to shape the future of its members. It is one of the greatest advantages to coming to Livingstone and without it, you and the other guests here would be indefinitely disadvantaged. The Ball must go ahead as scheduled. Through his connection to you, your father is now just as much a member of that community as you are, human or otherwise.” He stretched his neck before continuing.
“Furthermore, it’s been weeks since the incident over Christmas and we’ve had no sign of Eric or had any other incidents since. We need to ‘up the anti’, so to speak. And thirdly, not that it’s any of your concern, but there are rumours circulating across the Otherworld. Rumours that undermine the security of not only this house but also other establishments like it. We need to bring the factions together in a sign of strength and that includes humans.”
Juliet’s eyebrows rose and she let out a long breath.
“I wouldn’t ask this of you Juliet, if I wasn’t one hundred percent certain that we could protect everyone involved.” He said, his eyes softening in sympathy.
“You also aren’t the only one I’m asking this of. As we speak, an email is going out to the families of our other guests, inviting them to attend.”
“Then why are you asking me to do this personally?” She asked, not understanding the need for a private meeting.
“Because I have one other favour to ask of you.” He said. Juliet held her breath as she waited for the other shoe to drop.
“I’d like to have you perform at the ball.” Juliet’s eyes bulged as she nearly choked on her own shock. Definitely not what she had expected him to ask.
Before she could answer, Doctor Livingstone explained.
“I have a few reasons for this request. The first is that you are an extremely talented musician, and such a performance would be befitted the event.” Juliet stifled a smile, unable to feel flattered when she knew he wasn’t finished.
“The second reason is that I have a suspicion that your music might somehow be linked to the murders. It’s a leap I know, but so far we
have three instances where a death has occurred within a short time of you playing your violin.”
Juliet shook her head.
“But I play every morning and nearly every night. There’s no way it’s linked.”
“Don’t you see? It’s different from when you simply practise to when you actually perform. Even when you were in the woods on your own, you were letting out an intense emotional reaction, were you not? Can you honestly tell me that you don’t play differently when you are practising compared to when you are performing?”
Juliet exhaled slowly and closed her eyes. She had to admit he could be right, so much more of her heart went into a performance, and the night in the woods had been a performance, just a private one.
She nodded and slumped in her chair.
“Very good. Thank you, Miss Vassilios.” Doctor Livingstone leaned back from his desk with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
AS JULIET STOOD in front of the mirror and gazed upon her reflection, she put the finishing touches on her make-up and tried to calm her nerves with several deep breaths.
When Niko found out that his parents had accepted their invitation to the ball, he’d grown quiet. Juliet suspected that he was just as nervous about her meeting his parents as she was about introducing him to her father. Was she supposed to introduce him as her boyfriend? Was that what they were now, boyfriend and girlfriend? Why did they even need a label for what they were? If she was honest with herself, she had to admit that things had changed between them since Christmas. Their relationship had become more solidified, they spent nearly all of their free time together and she was enjoying taking things slowly.
But she knew her father was unlikely to approve of him or their relationship. He had always emphasized the importance of putting her musical career before romantic interests. She knew what he would say, that she was right on the cusp of getting on her path again and Niko was a distraction. The problem was, she agreed, but how could she explain to her father that she had no intention of giving up her dreams and this thing with Niko was only temporary. He was hardly likely to approve of a casual affair.
With a sigh, Juliet smoothed her hands down the sides of the gown that was on loan to her, courtesy of Livingstone. She took one last deep breath before squaring her shoulders. Showtime, she thought to herself and made her way to her door and the festivities beyond.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Niko checked his watch for the third time in five minutes and took another look at the staircase, which failed to relieve his tension. The doors to the main hall had opened ten minutes ago and Juliet had promised him they would go in together.
Scott and Fiona stood by his side arguing about something, their bickering a constant noise that was beginning to annoy him. He must have let it show, because Scott asked him a question, bringing him back in to the conversation that had completely lost his attention from the moment it had begun.
“Sorry, what?” He asked as they stared blankly back at him. Knowing smiles formed on their faces as they both looked toward the staircase and their sweating friend.
“We’ll just meet you inside Niko.” Scott said, and offered his arm to Fiona who smiled towards the staircase at Niko’s back before leaving.
He turned to see what had caught her attention and his mouth fell open at the vision in blue. He quickly closed his mouth and clenched his jaw to stop himself from growling in an instinctive need to warn all men in the vicinity away from his woman.
Juliet smiled as their eyes met and began to descend the stairs. Niko resisted the urge to run up them, grab her around the waist and carry her back up to his room where he would promptly release her from that incredibly sexy dress and devour every inch of her body, starting with the leg that was currently playing peek-a-boo from the almost waist-high slit in the full skirt. Or maybe he would start with her delicately painted toes which were wrapped in golden strappy heels that both terrified him with a vision of her tripping and falling down the stairs and tortured him with an image of those pointed heels digging into his thighs as he shoved himself deep inside of her.
He was surprised by his newly acquired foot-fetish, but quickly dismissed the notion. It wasn’t the footwear that was making him crazy with lust, it was Juliet. He had a Juliet-Fetish, if such a thing was possible.
Niko reached out to take her hand at the same moment that Juliet reached for his. He stroked his thumb along the ridge of her knuckles and watched roses bloom on her cheeks as he kissed the delicate skin. It was a little bit cheesy and completely old fashioned, but something about the way Juliet looked when she blushed made Niko want to pull out every trick in the book.
“You look … incredible” He said.
“Thank you.” She barely whispered in response, “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
Her eyes roamed over him from tie to toes and he saw the approval behind the smoky lashes. He felt his demon purr with satisfaction.
Niko led them into the hall and couldn’t help but be impressed with the extravagance with which it was decorated. Thousands of small lights and white linin drapery hung from the ceiling and walls. Lush, green maple trees were arranged throughout the space, making it feel like a magical garden. Juliet was clearly impressed; her mouth had fallen open and Niko had to stifle the urge to claim it with his own. He managed to rein in his desire by promising himself that he would be kissing her later tonight and her lips were worth the wait.
Juliet’s grip on his arm tightened for a moment as one of the guests raised a hand in a slight wave at Juliet. She looked at Niko and smiled tightly before beginning to walk towards the man.
He’d been forewarned that he’d be introduced to her father tonight and Niko assumed this must be him, although he saw almost no resemblance. His dark hair was speckled with silver at the temples and he was noticeably tanned. His face was adorned with two or three days of regrowth and he was considerably tall, taller even than Niko himself which was saying something.
He thought it strange that he couldn’t quite guess how old he was, he could pass as easily for thirty as he could fifty. Juliet let go of Niko’s hand to embrace her father in a hug that seemed somewhat forced. She kissed both of his cheeks and greeted him in Greek before turning her attention back to Niko.
“Papa, this is Nikolai Dmitriyev. Niko, this is my father Peter Vassilios” She said.
The man faced him then and his eyes widened before a smile quickly replaced the look of surprise he’d let slip. Niko extended his hand which he shook it firmly. It was a brief exchange, but Niko was able to get the measure of him. Peter’s grip was firm but not too tight to cause discomfort. This told Niko that he was either not threatened by him, or that he was holding back to maintain civility.
Before they had a chance to have a conversation, a woman appeared and practically threw herself into Juliet’s arms, kissing her on the cheeks and greeting her in something akin to Spanish. Juliet hugged her back, laughing as her eyes widened in surprise.
“Juliet, cara you look so beautiful. It’s so good to see you.” The woman said, holding her at a distance and looking over her face and dress.
Juliet smiled and looked at her father, “Did you invite her, Papa?”
Peter cleared his throat, looking from Niko to the woman before nodding with a smile and looking away.
Juliet’s eyebrow furrowed and Niko assumed she was holding back from interrogating him further. She turned to him, still holding onto the woman.
“Niko, this is my friend Beatriz.” She said, “Bea this is Niko.”
The woman’s eyebrows shot up, she looked at Juliet and smiled and then held out her hand to shake Niko’s.
She had a small hand that felt warm, her grasp was surprisingly firm for someone who looked so delicate. She was undeniably beautiful; her dark hair and eyes matched her exotic accent. She looked about twenty-five and from the feel of her mind, she was definitely human. But there seemed to be something else about her that sparked his interest. He couldn�
�t quite put his finger on it. Now that he thought about it, there was something off about Peter as well. It was something that reminded him of when Fiona used magic, it puzzled him that he couldn’t quite work out what was going on but decided to leave it alone, for now.
“Shall I get everyone a drink?” He asked and received three nods.
He gave Juliet’s hand a small squeeze before taking his leave. Returning only a few moments later with four carefully grasped champagne glasses, Niko cursed and became instantly tense as he noticed that there were now two more people with the group. He’d been worried about how he would introduce Juliet to his parents for weeks, and now it seemed the problem had taken care of itself.
“Nikolai, there you are!" He smiled through clenched teeth at the sound of his mother’s shrill voice. He handed out the drinks, noticing Peter’s smile falter before he took the glass.
“Hello Mother.” He replied as he kissed both her cheeks before shaking his father’s hand. He resisted the urge to wince as his knuckles protested at the crush of Victor Dmitriyev’s excessive grip.
“Sweetheart, why did you never mention that the brilliant Peter Vassilios was going to be here tonight?” she reprimanded.
“I’m sorry mother, I didn’t realise you knew of him.”
“Oh Nikolai, you naughty boy. You know how much we love the symphony. We’ve seen the Maestro conduct no less than four times.” She boasted.
“Five, dear. Don’t forget that time in Vienna” Victor said, taking hold of his wife’s hand and kissing the back of it.
“Oh yes, you’re right, but that was years ago.”
“But what are you doing here? I always assumed you were human. Although, now it seems perfectly silly to ever have assumed someone as talented as you could be a mere mortal.” She laughed at what she seemed to think was her own cleverness, oblivious to the awkward tension.
Juliet’s eyes went to Peter as she bit her lip, but it was Peter who broke the tension.
“You were correct in your original assumption, Mrs Dmitriyev. I am human. I hope you won’t hold that against me.” He smiled carefully.