Red Awakening: (Red Knight #2) (11 page)

“You are very alike.”

I pull back a little and frown, observing his warm features.

“How?”

“That fire in your belly when you’re moody is inherited,” he smiles. “Your mom has gone to extraordinary lengths today, making sure things were right for you.”

I hum, lying my head back against his body. “Okay, she has some pros I suppose.”

His hands move further up my waist and torso, to come to a rest on my face. We circle on the spot as he gazes down at me. He stoops and his lips meet mine with the most delicate tender touch. More flashes occur, glinting around the edge of the floor. He pulls away as I taste what’s left of him on my mouth.

“You ready to face the world together?” he asks.

“Yes.” I laugh lightly.

The song has now stopped and cheers loudly sound as we continue to dance. The DJ mumbles something, as a more upbeat number booms through the speakers. I’m not paying attention to the party atmosphere that has suddenly taken over. Adrien must have it.

I’m rudely poked on my shoulder. I turn to see Mum with a tipsy ray across her face, bobbing on the spot.

“Now, did you honestly think you’d get out of dancing with your mum,” she yells; even over this music her voice is like a foghorn.

“Mum… calm down.”

She pulls on my arm as more people flock around us. I shrug my shoulders at Adrien. He’s far too refined to strut his stuff to dubstep, and I wouldn’t expect him to. I scowl at my overexcited Mother, thinking she can dance to this kind of beat.

“Have some fun.” He kisses my cheek and takes a glass of whisky from Ben. “I have a few people I need to talk with anyway.”

I peer around for help as he walks off the dancefloor, doing my best to stop Mum copying Kyle’s attempt at the caterpillar. Sara appears to my side. Wow, she’s actually dancing with me, and she’s kind of good.

Mum bends her knees, shakes her butt, and wiggles, as Geoff covers his face in shame. Nathan is sitting next to him, leaning back in his chair all broody. This is it, the ideal opportunity to put my matchmaking skills into play. I dance across to him, leaving Mum replicating Sara’s slutty moves. I hold my hand out and wait. He listlessly takes hold, and I tug him onto the tiles.

I lead him nearer Sara. She’s undaunted and carries on dancing. I rise up on my tiptoes, my lips to his ear.

“I know he’s still in there somewhere… Nathan,” I holler. “Get out here now, because there’s a decent pair of tits and ass awaiting you.” He laughs as I push him on his way.

Well, get me. Sara has taken the bait, again. She’s being the slutty Sara I once knew. I smile because he’s smiling. The old Nathan is back in business.

I dance with Mum and Dom. Dom is well on his way to needing a bag. He’s so drunk, and now he’s rubbing his tie around the back of his neck, thinking he’s a Chippendale. I fear any moment he’s going to start stripping off, and my mother will just love that. I need to get off this dancefloor before things get out of hand.

I glance across the dark room, looking for my husband. He’s been gone for nearly an hour. He’s got to be around here somewhere. Eventually I spot him. He’s standing by the fire exit with Ben. I sneak off the dancefloor without being noticed, and take my drink from Geoff.

As I get closer, I notice Adrien is clutching Ben’s arm, aggressively. He’s furious. I can tell with the way the back of his head is moving.

“Hey Liz.” Kim and Chloe block my way.

I smile as I attempt to get by them, but they won’t let me through.

“You look amazing Liz,” Kim says as she fumbles through her clutch bag.

“Thanks.” I take a step, but she blocks me again.

“Hold on,” she continues. “We’ve not seen you all day.”

“Sorry girls, you know how it is. I’ve been pushed from pillar to post.” I angle my head, growing concerned by the heated discussion Adrien is still having with Ben.

“So, how does it feel, being married to the gorgeous Adrien Knight?” Kim asks.

I don’t want to feel this way, or be rude, but she’s really pissing me off.

“Liz, come on, give us the juicy details,” she adds.

I roll my eyes. “What can I say; I’ve been lucky enough to find Mr Right.”

“And how’s the day been for you?” she pesters.

I scowl at her. Is she actually trying to interview me here?

“It’s been a dream come true… Now, I really must get to my husband.” I physically push by her.

I arrive at Adrien’s side. Ben’s eyelids expand a warning look at Adrien, and immediately he releases Ben. He smiles awkwardly at me as Ben slopes away.

“What was all that about?” I ask.

“I have a business matter to take care of,” he replies, fast and cagey.

I wasn’t born yesterday. Even his unfaltering eyes cannot hide the fact he’s pissed at something. He knows how stubborn I am when it comes to being honest. And I’m going to stand here and continue to glare, until he explains why he has to attend to business on our wedding day.

“Elizabeth, you cannot be informed of all the ins and outs of everything I do.” He arches to me and pecks my cheek. “This is an unimportant issue, which will only take me a few minutes to resolve.” He waves at Ben. “Now, Ben is going to take you to the bar and get you a drink.” He leaves me with Ben and disappears through the fire exit.

“I already have a drink,” I yell after him, but he doesn’t hear.

I remain on the spot, watching the door swing shut. Ben tugs on my arm, gesturing his head to the bar. Up to my neck in curiosity and thought, I follow him, growing angrier by the second. I’m no idiot, Adrien is up to something. And his need to keep it from me, today of all days, is a completely shitty thing to do.

Ben leans across the bar and talks to the waiter. He can’t see me, and I’m in the perfect position to escape. I quickly spin on the spot, and slip through the fire doors, unnoticed.

Chapter 11: Selene

Liz

The ginger haired female receptionist behind the desk, grins as I approach. I smile back as I look around for Adrien, but he’s not here. It’s just me, the receptionist, and some odd looking guy, sitting in a tartan armchair, reading a tourist pamphlet.

“Have you seen my husband?”

The receptionist is looking at me nervously, like it’s her first day on the job.

“Yes, he’s in the closed dining room.” Her face reddens, unwilling to tell me more.

I sigh, annoyed. “Which is where?”

“I’m… I’m really sorry Mrs Knight, but… but…”

“What?” I hold the edge of the desk and lean a little. “Look, it’s okay… he’s waiting for me,” I lie. “He told me to follow him, and I just can’t remember where to.” I smile.

A confusion flashes across her eyes. “But Mrs Knight… he told me not to let anyone, even you, disturb him.” She looks over my shoulder. “That man there, he’s here to make sure of that.”

I slowly turn to the lanky guy as he drops the pamphlet onto the coffee table. He’s dressed in black, with his legs folded. I don’t recall seeing him before. I can tell he’s tall, even sitting down his knees are nearly chest height. He’s pale; uber pale, and very unapproachable.

I look back at the young girl, closing my eyes for a moment. It’s our wedding day, and there’s some unfavourable vampire sitting right behind me. I can tell what he is just with one look. The traits of one who has just got over the awakening stage: dark circles around the eyes, a waxy skin coating, and generally looking unwell. Why on earth is Adrien hiding things from me?

“Okay,” I exhale, lowering my head.

“Sorry,” she says.

I look up and notice a plan of the entire hotel next to the desk. I gather the lace of my skirt up in my hands, and march right up to it. There are two dining rooms. One on the right side of the building, and one on the left. I think for a second. The freaky vampire is sitting before the corridor that leads to the left of the building, that’s got to be where Adrien is. I boldly turn and quickly swish my way to the door.

“Excuse me,” the vampire stops me. “You can’t go down there.”

Crap, now what do I do? I don’t know what I’m dealing with here. Whatever it is, it’s bad, I can feel it. If Adrien is in trouble, I have to help him.

“Why the hell not?” I try not to show my unease.

“You are not to go down there,” he insists, standing at least two foot over me.

Okay, that’s it. I’m not going to let this beanpole tell me where I can and cannot go on my wedding day. I want to see Adrien, and find out what the hell is going on.

“And who are you?” I ask, with my hands on my hips.

“I am here to stop you, going through that door,” he condescends.

I glare at him then take the leap, thrusting my way through the door. With haste, I dash down a small warm hallway as the beanpole pursues me. My ankle twists in the stupid four inch heels I have on, but I manage to regain balance as I reach the glass doors. I stop, my eyes finding Adrien sitting with a woman. I gape at them talking as I’m grabbed by cold hands. 

“Get your hands off me right now,” I yell at the beanpole. “You fuckin freak!”

Adrien turns to see me thrashing to get through the doors. He shakes his head in embarrassment, but that doesn’t stop my anger, only fuels it. He’s with another woman on our wedding day, all secretive. I want to scratch her eyes out.

The woman stands up. She’s wearing a long white dress and a black leather jacket. I manage to yank myself free, and burst through the doors. I scowl at her. God, she’s only about seventeen. Is this what he’s hiding from me; he’s having an affair with some kid.

She’s expressionless, with long sleek black hair, and dark blue penetrating eyes. My frown falls down her body. Why the fuck has she got no shoes on? I stare at her dirty bare feet, then look up at her from beneath my livid brow.

“What?” I snap at her mannequin like face.

“Elizabeth,” Adrien’s deep unimpressed voice calls me.

“Who are you, and what are you doing at my wedding… with my husband, can I just add.”

Adrien looks at the girl warily, as she continues to gaze at me. She doesn’t even blink. I’m still waiting for some sort of explanation, for one little change in her frozen features. But there is nothing there. She’s like one of those freaky porcelain dolls.

Adrien comes to stand at my side. He bends to my ear, making me flinch away from him slightly.

“Elizabeth, stop with the eyes,” he utters. “You’re sizing up someone who will kill you without a second thought.” My breath is instantly taken, as I gingerly move my view onto Adrien. “Elizabeth - Selene. Selene - Elizabeth,” he says, blowing out.

Oh shit. I’ve just pissed-off a pure blood. Adrien’s maker. How the hell was I supposed to know who she was? She looks like a kid who’s just come here from some wild Goth night out. I can’t even look at her now. She’s probably listening to the terrified blood pumping through my veins.

In complete shame, I gawp at the empty breakfast bar, avoiding eye contact. I inhale, cramming my lungs with air as I hesitantly turn to her.

“Adrien,” Selene’s high, but eerie voice says, “Your wife is a remarkably beautiful creature.”

I tremble, feeling any moment I’ll quiver to the floor. Wow, I have to be the most inferior being she’s ever been near. I sure feel that way.

“Elizabeth, I came to congratulate you both… please sit.” She almost floats down into the high back leather chair.

Adrien follows suit, as I remain stood in a state of astonishment at who I’m in the room with.

“Sit!” Adrien yaps at me.

I inelegantly fall down into the seat next to Adrien.

“Wine?” she asks, unscrewing the cap from a bottle of red.

I nod a yes, and have to force myself to stop nodding.

She slides the full glass before me, and waits for me to drink. I unclench the fabric of my skirt, lift the glass to my lips, and take a large mouthful. My eyes crease as I swallow, trying not to gag. It has to be the worst wine I have ever tried. It’s definitely gone off, it tastes foul. In my lifetime, I’ve experimented with some pretty atrocious alcohol. But this stuff is by far the worst.

She watches with great interest, waiting for me to swallow again. I have to force it down without groaning out in disgust.

“Here,” she slides a full glass to Adrien. “Your turn.”

Oh, he’s going to absolutely hate this. I’m just as fixated on him as Selene seems to be. He places the glass to his lips, and tips it all into his mouth in one go.

“Now, drink up Elizabeth, and then we can finish what we were discussing.” She smiles strangely at me.

I look at my half-full glass. The one thing I don’t want to do, is offend her. I’m picking up that vibe from Adrien as he shuffles in his seat, deeply disturbed by the wine he’s just consumed.

“Do you not want a glass?” I ask.

“Elizabeth, Selene does not drink,” Adrien says.

“Well we all know that’s a lie, Adrien. I drink several times a day, just not what you humans are accustom to,” she explains.

I pick up my glass, feeling foolish, and do exactly what Adrien did, down it in one. It’s travelling down my neck, leaving a bitter metallic taste coating my throat.

“Right, where were we,” she says. “Oh yes, your service to us over the years Adrien, is appreciated by all twelve members of the Sange Pentru.”

I’m kind of awestruck. She’s so detached, cold, and superior. She’s nothing like Adrien at all; not one shred of human in her. Even her words don’t sound real, more machine like, fake. I don’t understand why she’s come all this way just to congratulate a Demi vampire, at what must be a mediocre event to her.

“I wanted to see you before your honeymoon, and introduce our new Executive,” she says, looking through the glass doors. “Vincent is one of our best, and I’m sure one day he will do for the order, what you have done.”

“I’m sure he will, and I’ll make the change over as smooth as possible,” Adrien adds.

Vincent, the lanky vampire outside. Yeah, sure he looks reliable. He’s about as shifty looking as a second hand car dealer, whose hobby is mass murder.

“You’re unsure?” Selene quizzes me.

Oops, clearly my thoughts are written all over my face, or she’s a mind reader.

I gulp. “I just think Adrien does a very good job here,” I quietly say. “And I really think he should continue.”

I dread to think of the whole system going down, vampires running around the city because Adrien is not there to take charge.

“Elizabeth, you are overopinionated sometimes,” Adrien grumbles. “This is what I want.”

“Maybe one day, I’ll have female Executives like you, Elizabeth. Adrien, I can see why she means so much to you.”

Even though this is all getting very complimentary, it’s still the most uncomfortable encounter I’ve ever been a part of. I look to Adrien’s disgruntled face. I’ve put him on the spot. I take his hand under the table by way of an apology.

“I agree with you.” She pays a strange attention to us holding hands, like she’s getting off on it. “But I think such a valuable asset as yourself, Elizabeth, needs to be taken care of.” She stands up, and so does Adrien. “But you will remain on call if Vincent needs you?”

“Of course,” Adrien bows to her.

“I hope that this will not be our last meeting.”

Selene slowly saunters across the carpet. Vincent opens the door for her. I have never seen anyone walk so lightly. She’s on air, barely moving her legs at all. I stand up from the chair to view her better.

She turns to look at Adrien and me over her shoulder. “I’ll be very sad to see my best move on. However, I know it will be a very worthwhile decision in the long run,” she smiles. “Now, you enjoy your honeymoon, and I’ll be in contact, soon.” She and Vincent leave.

I watch Adrien. He’s motionless, confused, still looking at the doors. I’ve never seen him like this.

“That was so bizarre,” I say.

He turns, his eyes changing from puzzled to tender. “Timing is nothing to her,” he says. “I’m sorry. Business haunts me,” he sighs. “I never thought for a second she’d turn up like that.”

“It was only a matter of time before we crossed paths, Adrien,” I say. “So what did all that actually mean?”

He lies his hand below my ear. “It means now I’m all yours.”