Bite Me (Shadow Guild: Vampire Bride Book 1), page 5
Both, it seemed.
“Help yourself.” Drakon gestured to the food.
The maid had removed the silver dome, revealing the most incredible spread of salads and sandwiches I’d ever seen. There were at least six desserts that all looked divine, half of them chocolate.
I ignored Drakon as I went to the table and filled my plate, then retreated to the far side of the train. I’d need to avoid him as much as possible on this journey, that was for damned sure. But it didn't seem to matter how hard I ignored him or how good the food was—nothing could distract me from the feeling of his gaze.
He watched me the entire way to our destination. There was disdain there, and dislike…but interest, too.
And maybe a bit of heat?
Nah. I was madder than a bag of raccoons. He felt nothing but hate for me. And if what I saw when I’d touched him really happened, I couldn’t blame him.
The train rumbled along as the sun set behind the rolling hills, finally pulling to a stop in front of a tiny train station that was similar to the one from which we’d embarked. I rose and grabbed my bag, following Drakon to the exit. We climbed down onto the platform along with four other people who had been in different cars. He nodded to them, but I studied them carefully, hoping one would easily provide the info that I could hand over to Drakon.
But that was just part of my problem. I still needed to prove that I was innocent, and I had no idea how the hell I was going to accomplish that.
6
Mac
* * *
“This way.” Drakon nodded toward the path that climbed up a gradual hill behind the station.
I followed him up the narrow drive, which was lit by old iron lamps. The scent of the sea filled the air, along with the sound of crashing waves. Cool wind whipped my hair back from my face, and I couldn’t help but feel the strangest sense of familiarity.
But I’d never been there before—I’d swear to it.
I definitely didn’t recognize the massive house that sat perched on the small cliff, its gray shingled façade staring out at the dark ocean beyond.
Despite the fact that our small group walked close together, no one spoke. Every now and again, I felt a suspicious gaze on my back, and it was clear that the guests were going to consider each other enemies until the weekend was over. One of them had probably sent the demon to our train car. But which one? And would they try it again?
As we stopped at the main door, I studied my companions: two women and two men, all of them dressed nicely but not too formally. Wealth and intelligence radiated from them, but I couldn’t get much hint of their magic. Keeping it close to the vest, apparently.
When the door creaked open to reveal a dour butler, I was pierced with a stab of homesickness. I had a bit of a contentious relationship with Jeeves, the butler at the Witches’ Guild tower, and this guy reminded me of him.
Fates, how I wanted to get this over with and return to my life.
He bowed and stepped aside, holding open the door. Drakon and I entered first, and I took in the massive marble foyer with its high ceiling and sparkling chandeliers. The house appeared even larger on the inside than it had on the outside, and our footsteps echoed on the tile.
A fleet of men in dark suits appeared, taking our bags and hurrying up the sweeping staircase. As they ascended in a row, a woman came down. Though her impeccable hair and makeup made it difficult to guess her age, I’d have pegged her at about fifty. She wore a short red dress with her dark hair piled high on her head, along with stilettos that put her over six feet tall. I wasn’t usually into heels, but when I wore them, I went for ones with height. I liked towering over other people.
I glanced at Drakon, wondering what he thought of her. I could read nothing on his face, however, except vague interest. But I knew he was very interested in this weekend. He was just an exceptional actor.
“Welcome.” A wide smile creased her face as she joined us on the main level. Her gaze landed on me for a moment too long, and I shifted uncomfortably. “I am Valerie, the Master of Ceremonies for this week end. You are here just in time for dinner. We can all get acquainted there.”
There was a murmur of greeting in return, and our group followed her to a massive dining room. A huge table filled the space, its gleaming wooden surface surrounded by twenty chairs. Crystal and fine china glinted on the table, but it was the other diners who intrigued me. They were all dressed similarly to our cohort—moderately casual clothes in fine fabrics. This group screamed money. But then, I shouldn’t be surprised. Drakon seemed like the type to be connected to wealth and power.
“This way,” he murmured, leading me toward the middle of the table. He sat next to an older woman with a glorious snow-white updo, and I snagged the seat beside him. There was no one at my other side yet, and I took the chance to get a feel for the crowd.
Beauty and wealth, suspicion and power.
This was so not my scene. Frankly, I’d have been more comfortable among the serving staff.
It was impossible to get a good read on anyone else sitting at the table—my gift really required touch to get a feel for others—but my job had made me good at reading people, and I’d be able to tell if anyone had an undue interest in Drakon. Of course, I reasoned, what came across as undue interest could also be physical attraction. Even though I hated him, I couldn’t deny the lethal beauty that he exuded. Not only that, but his aura of power was compelling as hell.
I shifted away from him, wanting to get as many inches of space as a I could.
A shadow appeared over my shoulder, and a man took the open chair beside me. He was handsome and dark haired, with a charming smile and an impeccable suit.
“It seems that I’ve got the luckiest seat at the table,” he said as he sat.
“I believe that honor belongs to me.” I smiled, feeling like the biggest phony as I tried to be charming. I was generally terrible at acting, but being my usual self probably wasn’t going to fly here.
The man looked past me at Drakon, his eyes lighting with interest. “Hmm. You might just be right.” He held out a hand. “I’m Ben Torres.”
“Mac.” I took his hand, grateful for an opportunity to use my magic.
As we shook, I tried to use my seer power on him. A few vague images popped into my head, along with the sense that he was a man who liked to be in the know. Most importantly, I sensed no ill will toward Drakon.
“Just Mac?” he asked.
“Just Mac.” No way I was giving these people my last name.
“Well, just Mac, how did you get tangled up with the oldest, most powerful vampire in the world?”
“Lucky, I guess.” I smiled, going for genuine and hoping it came out that way.
As the meal was served, I chatted with Ben, finding him charming and intelligent. Whenever I got a chance, I grilled him about the other members of the party. He seemed to know most of them—or to know of them, at least.
During the second course, Drakon got up and followed one of the waiters through the servants’ entrance. Most people didn’t seem to notice, but I frowned as I watched him go.
“Getting his real dinner, I presume,” Ben murmured.
I grimaced. “Do you think the waiter is willing?”
“Maybe, maybe not. Drakon wouldn’t kill him, though. At least, not while he’s part of the competition.”
“Good point.” It would surely get us kicked out. Still, I shivered and turned my attention back to the table. I had a job to do, and I was going to do it. “What do you know about that one?” I whispered, nodding toward a man who sat across the table but several places down. “He seems a bit shady.”
Everyone had locked down their signatures, even the man who had caught my eye, but his magic was so powerful that it was impossible not to get a hint of it—and damn, did it stink. His magic reeked of burning refuse, a foul scent that made it clear he was as evil as they came. With his slicked-back blond hair and pretty-boy features, he looked like a young serial killer from a late-night movie. Just sitting at the same table as him made me itch.
Ben grimaced. “Stay away from him. Sebastian Waverly is as soulless as a demon. I once saw him tear the throat out of a bartender for getting his order wrong.”
I blinked, shocked. “That’s murder.”
“He wouldn’t do it in a place with proper rules—not in Guild City or Magic Side. He’s too clever for that. But when he’s got the chance to do something despicable, he takes it.”
“They’d let someone like him into the society?”
Ben gave a low laugh. “They’d consider him an asset. He’s loyal to no one but himself, but if they can buy his cooperation with information, he’ll be a powerful ally.”
Shit. I did not want to spend the weekend with these people.
After meeting Drakon, I hadn’t thought there could be anyone more dangerous. I was wrong. Drakon was the most powerful supernatural here, but he wasn’t completely evil. I could sense the faintest bit of goodness in him, unlike Sebastian Waverley.
Finally, Drakon returned to the table. I stole a peek at him and noticed him run a thumb over his lips. “Did you kill that waiter?” I whispered.
“Do you really care?”
“Yes,” I hissed.
“Then don’t ask.”
Shock iced my spine, and I glared at him, my heart pounding in my ears. As I reached a shaky hand toward my wine glass, I caught sight of the waiter he’d followed. The man had two small puncture wounds near his neck but looked all right. Mostly.
A tiny sigh of relief escaped me. “Why’d you make me think you killed him?”
He shrugged.
“Whatever.” I turned my attention back to the crowd.
Throughout the meal, I felt the eyes of the other guests on me. A few of them lingered longer than normal—Valerie’s, especially. It was the strangest feeling, a heavy weight of speculation, perhaps, or knowledge. I sneaked covert glances at her, finding her staring at me twice.
What the hell was her deal? Did she have the hots for Drakon and wonder what I was doing with him?
You can have him, lady.
But it seemed to be more than that. A few people showed more than a casual interest in Drakon, and a few showed too much interest in me. That was unexpected. It made me tug at my ponytail, then clench a fist in annoyance. I really needed to get over that tic.
Near the end of the meal, Drakon leaned close. “Have you learned anything useful?”
“Give me a minute, pal. It takes time to get information.”
“You don’t have much time. Get to work with that seer power and find out who here is a threat to me. Who’s hiding something.”
I glared at him. If he was going to be so pushy, I’d lie. I didn’t care if he actually found what he was looking for. Hell, I didn’t even know what it was. I just needed to buy enough time to prove my innocence or let Eve come up with the potion that would erase me from his memory.
I shot a glance at Sebastian Waverly. Merely looking at him made me shudder. When his reptilian eyes met mine, it felt like evil shot right into my soul.
Yep. That guy was bad news.
As the dessert course was brought out, Valerie stood from her spot at the head of the table. An expectant hush fell over the crowd, and we turned to her. No one touched their dessert.
“Welcome!” She beamed. “I would like to take this opportunity to officially begin the weekend festivities. We are so pleased that you could join us for this auspicious occasion. It’s not often that we admit new members to our society, and we look forward to inducting some of you at the end of the weekend.”
Ben shot me a look. “Those of us that survive, that is.”
So he knew the deal, too. They all did.
What the hell was so great about this secret society that it was worth possibly dying for? Who cared about secrets that much?
Stupid question. There were a lot of people who cared about secrets. They were often the stepping-stones to power and wealth.
“I am sure you are all aware of the dangers involved,” Valerie continued. “There will be two competitions this weekend, and those of you who survive will be invited into our little group.”
These people were mad.
I shot a glance at Drakon, who watched Valerie with careful consideration. He’d kill me if I weren’t here, so this was my better shot. But hell, if I survived, I didn’t want to end up as a member of this weird organization. Somehow, Drakon had got me into these tryouts, and I needed to get myself out.
Finally, Valerie came to the end of her speech and gestured to the plates of cake in front of us. “Please, don’t wait on your dessert.”
The hair on the back of my neck stood up. There was something about her voice that rubbed me the wrong way. She’d been a bit weird all night, but not this kind of weird. And there was something about the way she looked at the cake.
“Don’t eat it,” I murmured. “Not yet.”
Drakon shot me a quick glance. “You sense it, too?”
I nodded. “Let’s wait until she eats.”
Next to me, Ben picked up his fork, but I kicked him under the table. “Wait.”
He shot me a look. “What?”
“Just wait until Valerie eats.”
Most people at the table weren’t touching their cake, but an older white-haired man at the end took a big bite of his. A moment later, he choked and fell to the floor, his hands grasping his throat.
“Poison,” Drakon murmured.
Valerie watched with cold eyes as the people surrounding his seat tried to revive him.
A young woman with red hair stood up, her eyes wide. “He’s dead!”
Valerie nodded. “The rest of the table noticed that something was amiss, but he was not as clever as you. We can’t have stupid people joining.” She nodded to the footmen, who came out and unceremoniously hauled the corpse through the room.
A cold chill washed over me.
“I owe you one,” Ben murmured.
“Yeah.” This place was full of psychos. I glared at Drakon. Maybe I should have tried to kill him back at my place. This weekend, I’d need to do whatever it took to stay alive.
7
Drakon
* * *
The crowd became more jovial when a fresh dessert was brought out and the meal continued, as if the death of the old man had broken the ice. My stomach turned at the sight of them.
I’d spent my life doing things that people considered terrible, but there was something about Valerie's little show that didn’t sit well with me. Normally, I wouldn’t have even registered what had happened as anything other than a matter of course. But I’d been able to feel Mac’s horror, and it had rubbed off on me.
Unacceptable.
A thousand years of life had been bearable only because I felt no emotion about things like this. I couldn’t let one random woman influence me that way.
Fortunately, the meal was over. I needed whatever space I could get.
One of these people knew where Dorian was. This weekend, I would find out who. I had reason to believe that they weren’t actually interested in my friend. Rather, he was bait, meant to catch me. Why, I didn’t know, but I’d find out.
Then I’d kill whoever was to blame. Slowly.
Mac stood, and I looked at her, unable to help myself. It had been nearly impossible to keep my eyes off of her this entire time. The familiar anger simmered within me, along with curiosity.
I joined her, striding ahead to lead the way to our rooms. As she followed, I could feel her gaze burning into my back. Irritation, definitely. Anger, yes. No doubt she despised me for bringing her here. That was fine.
The woman that I’d sat next to was already one of the members of the organization. Once I’d assured her that Mac was my assistant and nothing else, she’d instructed the butler to place our rooms next to hers. I knew what she wanted. Perhaps she would get it.
She wasn’t the one who had taken Dorian, however. I could feel that right away.
“This is insane,” Mac muttered as we strode up the stairs to the second level.
I had to agree with her. All of this secrecy and ceremony around what should be a simple business venture was ridiculous.
“Don’t you feel something in the air here?” she asked. “The whole place is full of it. Deceit and danger.”
“I feel it.” The society was probably quite proud of it, but I loathed groups like this. Operating in shadow with rituals and hierarchy—what a waste of time.
We reached the rooms at the end of the hall, and I pushed open a door. Mac’s bag sat at the end of the bed. “This is you.”
“Are you next door?”
“I should be.” I turned to her. “What did you discover tonight?”
“I don’t think it’s Ben Torres, the man I was sitting next to. There were a few other people that showed an unusual interest in you, though. Staring more than normal, that kind of thing. I’ll check them out more tomorrow.”
“That’s all you learned?” I arched a brow. “You’re supposed to be an incredible seer.”
“I am.” She glared at me, her lips pinched. “My gift usually requires touch, but I can tell you right now that Sebastian Waverly is particularly suspicious. He’s a prospective member, but I think he’s got an in with the current members. Not all is as it seems there.”
My mind flashed back to the slender, reptilian-looking figure who had sat at the other end of the table. He was a foul specimen of a man, but he was the sort to stay out of my way. In my thousand years, I’d learned how to judge people. Sebastian Waverly would kick the weaker when no one was looking, but he’d never dare approach someone as powerful as me. He was a rat who stuck to the shadows.
“You’re sure?” I asked.
She nodded. “He has an undue interest in you, that’s for sure. I could feel it from where I sat.”
Hmm. We’d see. “We’ll need more than that, but it’s a start.”
“Is that all?”
“It is. I will collect you in the morning. The first challenge begins at eight.”
