Bloodspell (The Cruentus Curse, #1)(67)

The limousine headed down Fifth Avenue toward Rockefeller Center as they popped a bottle of Cristal champagne and started the first of many toasts to the year. The streets of New York were alive with throngs of happy, laughing people, and the limousine crawled along amidst the traffic.

Victoria had heard a lot about the famous Rainbow Room as well as its unparalleled view, but nothing prepared her for the amazing sight of New York City laid out in all its gold and white light glory with the Empire State Building gracing its skyline. It was magnificent. In the restaurant, she felt like she was in a different world! People were dancing and milling about, dressed in their finery with their faces covered in unique and exquisite masks. Golden cloths and elaborate centerpieces adorned the tables, and the music from the live band filled the room.

Gabriel waved her over to their table, which was already covered in champagne. They certainly wasted no time, Victoria thought as he handed her a glass, and pulled her over to the other window to show her the view.

"I like your Phantom of the Opera mask, it's very distinctive. It suits you," she told him.

"You look spectacular tonight, Tori, I meant to tell you at the apartment but didn't get a chance to. That dress is amazing."

"Thanks, Gabe," she said.

"Dance with me."

"Maybe another time," she said pointedly, as Charla came bearing down on them, and proceeded to drag Gabriel out to the dance floor.

One of the things that Victoria loved was people-watching and tonight was unquestionably the night for it—she had never seen so many beautiful people in her life! Still, as much as she was enjoying herself, Victoria felt like a part of her was missing. She'd secretly hoped that since it was a masquerade, Christian could have attended incognito and been there to toast the New Year with her. Victoria bit her lip, knowing that it was her own fault he wasn't there, but it was too late now. She sighed, her eyes roving the room, desperate to distract herself.

Suddenly her breath stopped. Her eyes traveled in reverse to the pair of familiar steel gray eyes that stared piercingly at her from across the sea of tables and gyrating bodies. She'd already taken a step toward him before even realizing that she had done so, the pull of him magnetic, and she could no more stop herself as she could still her beating heart. He made no move to come to her, just stood watching her as she made her way toward him. He looked unbelievably handsome in a black suit and dark silver mask that obscured half of his face. But Victoria would have recognized those eyes anywhere.

Her smile faltered as she got closer and still he seemed unresponsive, except for the unflinching steel gaze focused on her.

Victoria hesitated, struck by his coldness but she supposed she deserved it after their argument. She hadn't even had the graciousness to thank him for the dress. The next move was definitely hers.

She took a deep breath as she closed the last few steps to stand in front of him, the strappy gold heels she had worn putting her eyes on level with his chin.

"I'm really glad you came. And I'm sorry too," she said. She peeked at him through her lashes and he was still staring at her, his expression unreadable. Taking another deep breath, she tilted her face up and pressed a kiss to his lips. At first he was unresponsive, then suddenly his lips softened and he wrapped his hand around her waist, hauling her closer and claiming her lips in a bruising kiss.

Victoria froze. Something was terribly wrong. She pushed against him, and he held her tighter. Fear uncoiled in her chest as she pushed away with all her strength and stumbled backwards, staring at him, her eyes wide with alarm.

"Christian?" she said.

"No, but now I can certainly see what all the fuss is about." His tone was insolent.

"Lucian." Victoria's voice was flat even though her heart was racing with panic, her hand unconsciously fluttering to her neck. Lucian noticed and smiled a very white, toothy smile. She dropped her hand immediately, which made his smile even wider.

"What are you doing here?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world. I'm one of the sponsors of this year's event."

Suddenly everything became crystal clear in Victoria's head as she understood why Christian had reacted so violently when she had told him of the party. She wished he had just trusted her enough to explain it to her, but then she realized with a rush of guilt that she hadn't given him the chance.

Lucian was still watching her, and she was glad that her mask at least partially covered her face, although she wished that she could see his more clearly. It was uncanny how much he and Christian looked like each other.

Victoria glanced at her friends at the far end of the room, and looked back at Lucian, who was still watching her with a speculative, calculating expression. In that single look, she could see exactly what Christian had meant when he had said his brother was ruthless and would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. The amulet burned a warning against her chest as her heart pounded rapidly and she shivered, knowing intuitively that he was very, very dangerous.

He stepped toward her and she tensed, poised to attack, but he smoothly removed two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter, and handed one glass to her. Victoria knew she had to be calm even though every instinct was screaming for her to run away as fast as she could. She looked at him evenly.

"Well, it was nice to meet you," she said.

"Yes," he agreed, "it was very nice to meet you." His suggestive reference to the stolen kiss set her on edge, and her temper flared.