A low growl issues from my other side. Alaric covers my hand with his and squeezes. The vampire’s eyes widen, and he dips his chin then looks straight ahead.
I lean into Alaric angling my body toward him just as the lights dim. The curtain raises, and the music starts. A single woman enters onto the stage, twirling and dancing. When the music picks up, more performers join her.
I find it hard to concentrate and keep looking to Alaric.
“Relax, my dear Clara, enjoy the show,” he whispers into my ear.
I startle, turning my face toward him. He’s leaning in so close that our noses nearly touch. I inhale sharply as his warm breath tickles over my cheek.
He smiles then returns to watch the dancers. His thumb draws circles on the inside of my wrist. It’s a simple touch, almost as if he doesn’t realize he’s doing it, but it feels intimate. I pull my hand from his without resistance and tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. His hand remains in place, landing on my upper thigh, his thumb never ceasing the slow movements, sending my mind to dark and delicious places.
Pretend… pretend the mark is complete. I close my eyes and swallow thickly. We are more than allies—we are friends.
But the absentminded way he touches me distracts me from the performance. All I can think about is his touch and how I want to feel his hands and lips on my heated skin.
Light fills the auditorium, and clapping replaces the sound of music. Some remain in their seats while others rise to make their way to the aisles.
My mouth is dry. I suddenly feel claustrophobic. It’s too crowded in here. I jump to my feet.
“What’s wrong?” Alaric cants his head.
“I just need some air,” I say quickly and make my way past him and hurry toward the lobby.
It’s no better out here. Theatergoers crowd the space. I have to push past several people to reach the back. I make my way down the dim, back hall to the room with the open door and close it behind me.
My heart gallops against my ribs. The damned mark is demanding, urging me to seek out the final one. And the casual way Alaric touched my thigh and caressed my hand isn’t helping matters.
I inhale deeply and push away from the door, crossing toward the sink. Turning on the water, I let it run over my hands then press them to my cheeks and neck to cool my skin.
I grab a small hand towel to pat my face dry.
I’m getting worked up over something so small. Alaric is good, almost too good. No one would doubt his part in this charade. I know this is all an act, and yet, a simple touch of his hand has me flustered.
I lean on the counter, glaring at my reflection, then hang my head. My hair slips over my shoulders and forms a curtain around my face. I have to do better.
Demons and saints, Clara, you signed up for this. Get over yourself and play your part, I scold inwardly.
With that, I straighten my spine and lift my chin, determined. I walk out of the room, ready to return to Alaric.
Nearing the corner to the lobby, I pass a group of four vampires. I keep my chin down, not meeting their gaze. The last thing I need right now is to piss off a random vampire. They could kill me before he could reach me, even with his ability to move inhumanly fast.
The closest vampire clips my shoulder with hers. I hit the wall hard enough to bruise. My arm aches. I clamp a hand over the spot where she collided with me and turn to glare back at the group. Two women, a blonde and a redhead accompanied by three men. The redhead pauses briefly but doesn’t look over her shoulder.
The stinging on my arm hasn’t lessened. Something warm and sticky seeps between my fingers. Slowly, I peel my hand back, revealing a deep cut.
Well, fuck.
I barely have time to contemplate what this means before a snarl jerks my attention up. A vampire stands inches before me, seeming to have come from thin air.
He licks his pale lips, and then in a blink, a woman appears at his side. Their eyes are ringed in red circles. Behind them, all heads have turned toward me, though no others approach.
Slowly I back up into the hallway the way I came. After a few steps, I turn and run.
Demon shit.
This is a dead end, but I would die in seconds if I was stupid enough to run through the lobby. I can only hope I’m able to fend off these vampires until Alaric notices something is off and comes looking for me.
The breath is punched from my lungs as I’m slammed up against the wall, my cheek stinging from the impact. An arm presses down on the back of my neck.
The vampire brings his mouth to my ear. “Why are you running?”
“Let me go,” I snap.
He spins me to face him. The hand at the base of my throat, pins me in place, sharp nails biting into the sensitive skin of my neck. The vampire bares his fangs. “If you didn’t want to be feasted on, then you shouldn’t have been so temping.”
He runs a finger along the cut, keeping his eyes on me, watching every flicker of emotion that crosses my face. He presses down harder. Spots form across my vision. Bringing his finger to his mouth, he licks off my blood.
I press my hands against his chest and shove. Spinning out of his hold, I put some distance between us, not daring to turn my back on him again. The vampire’s eyes widen in surprise then a dangerous smirk forms on his mouth.
I push back the material of my half skirt and pull out my dagger.
“Look, Jonathan. The human wants to play,” the woman croons, humor in her words. She twirls a finger around a lock of ebony hair.
“Stay back,” I say. “I will kill you if you even think about feeding on me.”
The man laughs. “Foolish human.”
He takes a step forward then another and another. I lift my arm and swipe the blade through the air to warn him.
Hot, sticky warmth flows over my hand and sprays over my chest and face. I blink. The vampire clasps both hands over his neck. Shock widens his eyes, his face paling. Blood gushes between his fingers. I drag my gaze from him to my hand, coated in blood.
His blood.
The vampire crumples to the ground—dead.
Demon shit. My warning had turned into a killing blow.
“You killed him… How?” the woman asks, voice trembling. She hasn’t moved.
From her reaction, it’s obvious these vampires aren’t used to humans fighting back. But I won’t be the docile prey they are looking for.
Horror flickers over her features, and I let it bolster the confidence I don’t possess. Adrenaline floods my veins. I feel a little stronger, more determined.
“It’s a night-forged dagger,” I say. “Now, back off—or do you want to die too?”
Her head snaps up and looks from the dead vampire to me. “I-I…” she stammers. “Who would dare give a filthy human night-forged metal?”
The vampire blood that splatters my arm and chest must make me look like a strange nightmare.
“Clara?” Alaric’s voice comes from the far end of the hall. He stares open-mouthed.
I don’t respond, too busy watching the female for any sign that she might attack.
Alaric rushes to my side, and only then do I drop my arm, but I don’t sheath the dagger. My hand is shaking so hard I’d probably end up stabbing myself in the leg if I tried.
More vampires fill the hall. Hushed words of a dozen voices mingle into a din of unintelligible words.
“She will die!” the woman snarls even as she backs up.