Julian chuckles, and I turn to face him even as we walk towards the doors. "It was built about twenty years ago."
Ah, so after the city walls had already been up for a decade. That explains why I don't recognise it.
"How did you know what I was thinking?"
"I had the same questions when I arrived here."
"How long have you been in the city?"
"About five years. I came here because someone offered me a business opportunity." He grimaces.
"Do you regret it? Coming here, I mean?"
He pulls a pair of invitations out of his pocket, and for a moment, I think he isn't going to answer me.
"Yes. Do you?"
I shrug. "I was here when the walls went up. I wish I'd known so I could have left, but there's no point dwelling on it. I'd be doing the same thing with my life if I was out there in the real world, so what does it matter."
"Maybe we can get you out?" he suggests.
I fake a smile and shake my head. I know how to get out of the city if I want to. Lady Catherine runs a smuggling operation to do just that. She tries to keep it away from us, but I've known about it for a while.
"Maybe one day. But this isn't the place to talk about it," I remind him, nodding towards the people milling around just inside the doors.
"Ah, excellent point."
I lift my skirts as we make our way up the rough stone steps at the entrance. Now I'm closer, I can see the tell-tale signs that this place was built in a hurry.
The moment we're inside, waiters with trays of champagne descend on us. I take one and flash a grateful smile at the man.
He doesn't respond. It's almost as if he wants me to pretend he doesn't exist.
Ah. This isn't one of the Mayor's parties. I shouldn't expect the same kind of atmosphere. This is about the elite of vampire nobility. It's a club no one can buy their way into, even if many have tried over the years. My family barely counts in many of their eyes.
All around us the elite mingle. My dress is nothing compared to the elaborate ones the other women are wearing, and I feel almost dowdy. At least I got the colour right. Most of the fabric around us is varying shades of blue and grey.
And they're not the only ones. The whole room is done out to look as if there's been a snowstorm. Fake icicles hang from the ceilings, glittering in the candlelight which flickers from carefully placed near them. The rest of the room is lit with artificial lighting, so it's only for ambience.
"I forgot what being at these was like," I whisper.
Julian chuckles. "Do you mean everyone showing off their wealth, or pretending that they like each other?"
A small snort escapes me. "Both."
"Then you're going to have an interesting night."
"I'm sure it'll be perfectly pleasant with you by my side."
"You really have learned how to flatter. I remember when you used to think a compliment was telling someone they didn't have any mud on them."
"That was one time. And I was seven. It doesn't really count," I protest, leaning into him so he knows I'm not seriously scolding him.
"That was a good day. You looked so cute standing there in your little pink dress..."
"Should I be creeped out that you've been thinking about me as a kid?" Despite my words, I'm actually feeling a little on the warm and fuzzy side. I always thought he didn't know I existed as a child.
"You're my best friend's little sister, of course I thought about you. In a needs-protecting-and-completely-off-limits-even-when-you're-old-enough way."
I raise an eyebrow. "Yet you've decided to bring me to the party of the year?"
"Your brother's on the outside, he can't do anything to me from out there."
I snort. "You might be right there, but I wouldn't put it past him to have friends here who can do something about it." Not that he will. He likes to pretend I don't exist along with the rest of my family. I take a sip of my champagne to cover the discomfort brought on by my thoughts.
"The company is worth me taking my chances." He brings me to a stop at the edge of the dancefloor. "Care to dance?"
I don't need him to tell me my face has lit up. I love to dance but never get much of an opportunity. At the Mayor's parties, my main focus is finding clients, both new and returning. None of them are particularly well versed in the art of flirting and dancing at the same time. No doubt a difference between the new power of the city, and the old power of the nobles.
"I'd love to," I say just in case he hasn't guessed from my expression.
"Good."
I take another drink, then place my glass on the tray of a passing waiter. Julian does the same. leaving us both free to dance.
He leads me out among the other couples and pulls me into his arms. It's only then I realise how freeing it is to not have to have a fan in my hand all the time. It's one of the rules of being a courtesan at the Mayor's parties. But that's not who I am tonight.
Julian's right hand rests on my lower back, the heat of it almost burning through my dress and imprinting on my skin. His other hand closes around mine. I try to ignore the strange sense of completeness I get from being in his arms. I've never felt this way with anyone else before. Maybe that's just because I don't have much relationship experience.
Neither of us say a word as we begin to move through the motions of the dance. For a brief moment, I worry I'll have forgotten the steps I learned as a young woman, but with the help of Julian's confident leading, and the smooth melody of the orchestra, it all comes back.
There's something magical about being in his arms at the Yuletide ball. In this moment, nothing is fake. We're not pretending to have a good time, we're really having one. At least, it feels that way. I have no way of knowing how he's feeling. But I don't mind. I can make up my own story, even if it only lasts for one song.
Chapter 5
"Are you hungry? Do you need anything to eat? Drink?" Julian checks for what feels like the hundredth time. I don't mind too much. It's a nice change to have someone checking on my needs.
I shake my head. "I don't drink blood while I'm at parties."
He frowns. "How come?"
I bite my bottom lip, one of my fangs poking out as I do. I'm not sure how that came out, maybe it's thinking about blood, that can have strange effects on me sometimes.
I glance around to check if anyone is listening in, but the closest person is standing by the refreshments table a few feet away. Vampire hearing may be good, but with this much distance between us, and the noise of the crowd and music, I don't think it's going to be a problem. I lean in so my lips are close to Julian's ears, though I'm not going to act all sultry this time. It's about nothing more than information.
"The Mayor isn't known for sourcing her blood the most ethical way. The only way I know for sure that blood is well-sourced is if I drink it at the Black Fan." I rock back on my heels and check around again, but no one is paying any attention to us.
Julian follows suit, his gaze lingering on the long velvet curtain over at the side of the room. The next thing I know, he's pulling me over and behind it.