Hunger Pangs by Joy Demorra

Author:Joy Demorra
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
Publisher: Humerus Intentions Publishing LLC
Published: 2020-11-23T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

“You’re looking well,” Jenee said as she leaned against the pillar Vlad was hiding behind.

Vlad had needed to escape the furor and exaltation of the party. It was just too much. Smaller groups were better. Safer. He glanced at the black lace dress Jenee was wearing. The style was so old-fashioned it had looped back around and become popular again… with one glaring exception. “I’d return the compliment, but you appear to be wearing your corset on the outside of your dress. Are you unwell?”

Jenee cackled, a short bark of wicked laughter that never failed to bring a smile to Vlad’s face. “Don’t be a prude.”

“I’m not. You just appear to have gotten dressed in a dark room. Possibly while concussed. I’m concerned, Jenee. This is my concerned face.”

Still smiling, Jenee swatted him lightly on the arm. Her blue eyes softened as they scanned him from head to toe. “I’m serious, though. You look good. Like you’re not trying to drink yourself back into an early grave.”

Vlad inclined his head, not sure what to do with a comment like that. It was true, he’d been drinking less. A lot less, in fact. He frowned, trying to remember the last time he’d needed a drink. June? July? Several months at least. “Work’s keeping me busy. And the Count’s still away, so…” He shrugged, leaving the sentence hanging in the air. Vlad had always been a lightning rod for his father’s ire; everyone knew that.

“I can’t help but notice he’s not the only one absent tonight.”

Vlad regarded her again. “And?” he asked, perhaps a tad more acidly than warranted. “Are you going to scold me too?”

“Scold you? No. I was just surprised, is all. Normally she would have wormed her way back into your good graces by now.”

“Well, she hasn’t,” Vlad muttered, plucking sullenly at the lace cuff of his shirt. “I uninvited her.”

“You…” Jenee’s breath hitched. “You uninvited her from Hallows’ Eve or you… uninvited her?”

“The latter,” Vlad replied. “She poured blood over one of our guests. What else was I supposed to do? She crossed the line.” He forced himself to stop tugging at the lace before he split the thread.

“Oh, she crossed several lines a long time ago. The lines are so far gone they’re dots on the horizon. And the dots are so small they’re one of those fancy atoms they keep talking about at the Academy.”

“Yes, yes. She’s a horrible person.” Vlad rubbed his temples. “Can we please talk about something else? How are your new witchlings coming along?”

“Good.” Jenee allowed him to change the subject. “So, Sage is coming along nicely. They’ll be ready to take over the fens soon.

“What about Nikolai, how are they settling in?”

“Well, I think. They’re helping Sage set up the new house over in Blackridge. They’ve already found two new potential witches there.”

“Well, if they need anything, let me know.”

“Full of chivalry, you are.” Jenee smiled up at him, and Vlad favored her with a pointy grin. “Anyway, what

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