Love at Stake (10 page)

“Even with the masks, surely you can recognize one another.”

A slight smile curved his lips. “It is polite to pretend otherwise. Our society has functioned this way for centuries. Some traditions die hard even in our modern era.”

“Okay,” she said, touching her mask. “I’ll follow your rules tonight.”

He kissed her lips lightly. “Thank you.”

Abbey glanced around the crowded room. “So we just mingle and make pretty?”

“We can do whatever you like. Many of the exhibitions are open for private viewing.”

Her eyes widened. “Awesome.”

His smile was indulgent. “I also need to make my rounds through the room.” He pointed out a tastefully draped table by the far wall. “And make a donation to the cause.”

“You mean you really are raising money for cancer?”

“Why does that surprise you?” he asked, moving her deeper into the crush. “There is a lot of vampire money in health care research. After all, it is in our best interests to keep humans healthy.”

So they were never left scrambling for meals, she realized, feeling rather ambivalent about their generosity.

“Would you like to look at the art first or meet a few people?” he asked.

Before she could open her mouth, a voice cut in. “Will wonders never cease. Lucian Redgrave.”

A gorgeous woman walked up from behind them. A delicate lace mask did nothing to hide her beautiful face. Flaming red hair streamed loose around her shoulders and her emerald dress looked as if it’d been painted onto her slim form. Abbey felt almost underdressed next to her.

“Lisbeth,” Lucian said in greeting, “it has been a while.”

“Ages, darling, ages.” Her green eyes flickered to Abbey, assessing her. “How thoughtful of you to bring your own snacks.”

Abbey gasped in outrage.

“Careful, Lisbeth,” Lucian chastised. “Abbey is my guest this evening.”

The vampire flicked her hair over her shoulder. “How progressive of you.” Effectively ignoring Abbey, the vampire turned her full attention to Lucian. “Tell me, did Sasha insist you join our gathering?”

Lucian smiled. “I promised her to make an appearance.”

“And a donation, no doubt. I’ll let her know you’ve arrived, although she’s rather tied up greeting everyone at the moment.”

“We will enjoy ourselves, then, and try to catch up to her later.”

Lisbeth’s eyes strayed to Abbey again. “Yes, show your pretty mortal around. I wouldn’t recommend leaving her alone, though, darling. There are many tonight who would be more than willing to take advantage of such neglect.”

Abbey had no doubt the woman was among their numbers. “I can handle myself,” she said.

“Oh, yes. A kitten’s claws are so very dangerous.”

Lisbeth’s mocking laugh grated on Abbey’s nerves. “This kitten has liquid silver mace in her purse and a badass vampire on her arm. I think I’ll be fine.”

The woman’s eyes narrowed. “How is it a mortal is your date tonight, Lucian?”

“How is it any of your business?” Abbey answered before Lucian could speak up.

“We have quite a long history together,” Lisbeth said with a smile that was anything but pleasant.

“Ah, you must be one of the old ones then. That explains the wrinkles around your eyes.”

Lisbeth’s hand flew to her face.

“Good to see you again, Lisbeth,” Lucian cut in. “Perhaps we will catch up later.”

With a hand on the small of her back, he steered Abbey away from the scowling woman and deeper into the milling ballroom.

“Is everyone going to be as friendly as her?” Abbey asked, taking care to keep her voice quiet.

“You are a human among vampires. Try not to pick a fight with everyone you meet.”

“This doesn’t seem to be the type of crowd where it’s wise to be viewed as a victim,” she snapped.

Lucian glanced down at her and she saw the amusement in his eyes. “Correct as always. Still, I’d rather not have to fight my way free of this crowd to get you out in one piece.”

As if anyone here posed a credible threat to him
, she thought. Still, she agreed. “I’ll be on my best behavior. Lisbeth just rubbed me the wrong way.”

“And what is the right way?” he purred in her ear.

“Stop that.” She pushed him away, blushing. “You need to be on your best behavior too.”

Lucian threw back his head and laughed, causing the guests around them to stare in amazement.

“You’re causing a scene,” she murmured, self-conscious.

“And we wouldn’t want that, would we?” He smiled down at her. “I knew bringing you would liven up an evening of tedium.”

“I’m not a dancing monkey trained for your convenience,” she grumbled.

“No.” He grazed his lips across her cheek. “You’re an enchanting companion who will take my mind off the double-talk and thinly veiled insults.”

“Are there any good vampires in this place?”

“I’m good,” he whispered. “So very, very good.”

His fingers brushed down her spine in a light caress, making her think of beds and naked skin.

His low chuckle filled her ears. “When we finish here, I’ll show you just how good I can be.”

“Not what I meant,” she said, trying not to let her arousal show.

“Looks like you two are enjoying yourselves.”

A familiar face grinned at them. “Melissa,” Abbey said, honestly pleased to see the other woman. “How nice to see you again.”

“I didn’t know you were coming tonight,” Lucian said, straightening.

Melissa’s smile grew brittle. “I don’t need your permission for everything.”

He sighed. “Of course not. I’m only interfering with Fated Match to save you from yourself. I swear, Melissa, you will thank me for it.”

“Really? Because it seems to be going rather well for you.” She shot Abbey a pointed look.

“It’s not…that is, we’re not…” She trailed off, casting Lucian a pleading look.

“Abbey is none of your concern,” he said. “And our relationship has nothing to do with Fated Match. She’s not my mate.”

Abbey nodded even as the words sliced her. Good enough to screw but not good enough to keep. She forced her smile to remain even and not give any hint of her dismay.

Melissa’s sharp gaze studied her from behind the black lace mask she wore. “Right,” she said, sounding less than convinced.

Deciding they needed a new topic immediately, Abbey changed the subject. “You must enjoy these kinds of events, Melissa. I read about you all the time in the human papers. You’re quite the trendsetter.”

“I like to keep busy,” she said. “When you live forever, it’s so easy to become set in your ways. Wouldn’t you agree, Lucian?”

Lucian rolled his eyes at his ward. “Point taken, pet. I am trying to modernize.”

“Yes.” Melissa looked over him with a critical eye. “I do believe Abbey has outdone herself. You look like a twenty-first-century man.”

“With a few old-fashioned ideas still intact,” he replied.

“Perhaps Abbey can cure you of those as well.” Melissa glanced into the crowd. “But I’m getting sidetracked. I came over to tell you the governor is here. I know you’ve been meaning to meet him and now’s your chance.”

Lucian followed her line of sight and cursed. “I’ve been trying to fit him into my schedule. The man is as slippery as I am.”

“Then you should go,” Abbey said. “We’re here to do business, right?

“I wouldn’t recommend taking Abbey over there,” Melissa said. “The governor has an eye for beautiful mortals and I think it’d be wise to keep her out of his view. Don’t you agree?”

Lucian agreed without hesitation. “I’ll speak to him another time.”

“I’m not going to be the reason you didn’t get your work accomplished,” Abbey said.

“Let me be clear,” Lucian said, turning his full attention to her. “I will ensure your safety tonight. Keeping you in one piece is more important than any work I can get done in this crowd. I’ll make time for him later.”

The words warmed her all the way down to her toes. But even so, she wasn’t going to be a liability to her lover. “I’ll be fine by myself,” she said, patting her purse. “Go do what you need to do.”

“I’ll stay with her,” Melissa offered.

Lucian wavered.

“Look, that’s a good plan,” Abbey said.

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Are you sure? I wouldn’t risk leaving you with anyone else, but I trust Melissa with my life. You will be as safe with her as with me.”

“Go,” Abbey said with a smile. “Do what you need to do.”

Lucian leaned down and touched her cheek gently. “Thank you. I won’t be long.”

She reached up and brushed her thumb over his cheek. “Go take care of your business, Lucian. But hurry back.”

With a slight smile, he leaned in closer and pressed his lips over the pulse in her neck. Without another word, he straightened and left, striding gracefully through the crowd.

Abbey smiled to herself until she noticed she was getting more attention than she was comfortable with. All the vampires in their vicinity seemed to be studying her with undue scrutiny. She turned to Melissa only to find the socialite looking at her with the same interest.

“What?” she demanded. “Did I commit a vampire faux pas or something?”

“Not you,” Melissa said. “But what my sire did just now is a very…intimate symbol among my kind.”

“Huh?”

“You allowed Lucian near your throat without hesitation, even knowing the power of his fangs. Vampires do not expose their throats to each other. We are too vicious, you see, to be trusted with such temptation. Offering or allowing a parting kiss of that nature is a very old, very personal gesture. I believe it was my sire’s way of showing everyone his respect for you.” Melissa’s eyes studied her. “And your trust of him.”

“Everyone is staring.”

“Of course they are. I doubt Lucian has used that parting in anyone’s memory. Come, let’s find an exhibit and keep you away from prying eyes. Any more of this and you will be the talk of the night, not the cancer research.”

Abbey followed gratefully, needing a respite from the crush. She trailed Melissa into the Greek section of the museum and stared at the art with unseeing eyes.

“What are you doing with Lucian?” Melissa asked as she perused the statues around them.

A blush heated her cheeks. “Nothing really.”

The look the socialite shot her was full of amusement. “Is that what mortals are calling sex these days?”

Her blush intensified. Trying to avoid the prying vampire, she stared blindly at the white bust heads surrounding the chamber.

“Come now, Abbey. When you’ve lived as long as I have, you are not squeamish to speak of such things. Do you think I’ve never met one of my sire’s lovers before?”

“It’s not serious. I swear. I’m working hard to find suitable matches to set him up with. We truly want you to join Fated Match and will do whatever we can to satisfy both you and your sire.”

Melissa’s laugh was light. “I’d give up wanting to join Fated Match in a heartbeat if it meant Lucian would find someone who wakes him up to the twenty-first century.”

“It’s not like that,” she protested. “After all, I’m only human.”

The laughter stopped. “Only human,” Melissa said. “Words every one of us in this place could have said at one time or another.”

Abbey hesitated. “Lucian told me never to ask about the transformation. It’s very private.”

“It is,” she agreed. “Vampires do not like to share such information with just anyone. For many, it is a painful memory.”

“Is yours?” The words popped out before she could call them back. “Forgive me. I didn’t mean to pry.”

Melissa walked by her side in silence. Abbey bit her lip as they moved farther away from the crowd. They stepped into the connecting hall with its pale, frozen sculptures and grand, barrel-vaulted ceiling. In any other circumstances, she’d be thrilled to have the opportunity to wander through the ancient art without having to fight her way through tourists to see the exhibits. Now, however, she worried she’d overstepped with her vampire guide.

“That is a time in my life I do not discuss,” Melissa said, breaking the silence.

Abbey snapped her attention back to her companion. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m too nosy for my own good. I didn’t mean to offend.”

“Lucian is right. Our turning is a personal experience we do not share lightly. However, my sire treated you as someone who is important to him.” Melissa’s gaze landed on her. “Which means you are important to me.”

They stepped into the grand White court, the star of the Roman exhibition. Tall marble columns arched up toward the glass-domed ceiling. Moonlight filtered through the panes, illuminating the statues lining the perimeter.

“Do you know what it means to sire someone?” Melissa asked as they wandered toward the fountain in the center of the hall.

Abbey chewed her lip, wondering if she should pursue this line of inquiry. But her curiosity, as always, outweighed her need for tact. “No. I’ve always wondered but our vampire clients are very quiet about it.”

“It’s a bond every bit as important as, say, the mating bond. For every species it’s different but for vampires, a siring bond is for life. I know where Lucian is at all times. I can sense when he needs me and I have an innate desire to please him.”

“Like…” She swallowed hard. “In a sexual way?”

Melissa snorted. “Absolutely not. For some the bond works that way, but Lucian has never been anything but a father to me. Even when I was a human, he was the only father I’d ever known.”

“Has he changed others?”

Melissa shook her head. “Only me.”

“Can I ask why?”

“Because my mother died in his arms and he didn’t want to lose me, too.”

They stopped beside the still fountain, peering down at the coins glittering under the water as Abbey tried to decipher what Melissa was telling her.

“Your mother was a vampire?”

Melissa shook her head. “She lived and died as a mortal.”

Shock sliced through Abbey. Lucian had cared for a human before? Loved one?

“Lucian came into our lives when we had very little,” Melissa said. “I was a child then.”

“And he stayed with you?”

A sad smile crossed Melissa’s lips. “Yes. My mother, Claudette, was a beautiful woman. Lovely enough to catch the eye of a vampire.”