Josephine's Tear (Crimson and Shadows Book 1) by V.I. Davis

Author:V.I. Davis [Davis, V.I.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oliver Heber Books
Published: 2024-08-20T00:00:00+00:00

18

“Sophie, you look absolutely stunning,” Stern drawled as he approached.

He was dressed in white, and his jet-black hair was bound at his nape, highlighting his sharp and angular features.

His gaze slithered over me agonizingly slowly, just like I’d known it would. I willed myself to stand still and take his perusal with a soft smile while I was screaming with revulsion on the inside. My fingers brushed the silk on my thigh, looking for the familiar outline of the dagger, and my heart sank when I remembered I didn’t have my weapon. I felt Henry move closer to me on my left, his proximity bringing unexpected comfort.

“Another ball so soon? What’s the occasion?” Stern asked Henry, shifting his attention to him.

“Do we need an occasion?” Isabelle purred as she neared. “You know better than anyone, Everett, we vampires, love lavish parties almost as much as blood and sex.”

I cringed at her words but instantly forced my facial expression to smooth out.

“You are right about that,” Stern murmured, clearly distracted.

He was looking behind me, his black eyes full of bald hunger. When I glanced over my shoulder, I saw Rory standing there, holding a tray of fruit and cheese for the vassals. My blood turned to ice as I jerked my head back to Stern. He looked like a predator that had sighted his prey. Molten rage bubbled up, melting the ice in my veins as my lip curled in a snarl.

“Dance with me,” Henry said low, his cool touch on my back snapping my attention to him. It wasn’t a request but a demand, so I knew better than to resist as he led me to the center of the room and away from Stern.

“Breathe,” the Lord murmured as we began swaying to the slow music.

I tried to do as he’d instructed but couldn’t get a full breath in, my chest tight with pressure.

I will kill him, I wanted to say but knew better than to voice my intent in a room full of vampires. So, I kept my mouth shut as I focused on Henry’s deep-blue gaze. He must have read the words in my eyes because his jaw hardened as he stared at me. He pulled me closer to him and brought his mouth to my right ear.

“Get ahold of yourself,” he whispered, his cool breath tickling my cheek.

I inhaled, holding my breath until I felt my racing heart slow.

Henry pulled away and looked at me. Suddenly, his features became stark, and I felt his muscles tense under my hand on his arm. I glanced around us, noticing the other dancing couples—vampires with their vassals. They weren’t just dancing. Many were also feeding, the coppery smell of blood filling the air.

Lifting on my tiptoes, I brought my mouth to Henry’s ear and whispered, “Get ahold of yourself.”

The Lord laughed, the sound nice and deep as it rumbled through him.

“Your dress choice tonight is making it quite difficult,” he murmured as I pulled away.

I couldn’t fight a small smile at his comment.

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