A Call of Vampires (A Shade of Vampire #51)(27)

Heron came back with a small leather satchel and a jug of water.

“Draven said to chew these and wash them down with water,” he said, handing both items to Jax. “It’s shadow bane. It strips the spiced rose from the system, almost immediately.”

Jax nodded and emptied the satchel into the palm of his hand, holding the herbs out for Hansa. She looked down, trying to regain control of her emotions. She grimaced as another wave of tears flooded her eyes, but she pinched some of the herbs and chewed them, then drank some water. She repeated the process a couple more times, until she had finished the herbs and sat back in her chair, taking deep breaths and patiently waiting to calm down.

I stood, and quietly moved away. Jax kept his eyes on Hansa, wiping her tears with his knuckles. Heron didn’t seem to notice the unspoken chemistry between them, so I figured it was time to drop a hint for the oblivious Mara.

“Maybe we should go,” I said slowly.

“Why?” Heron’s reply made me roll my eyes, grab him by the elbow, and practically drag him away from the balcony and back into the sumptuous hallway. “What did I do?”

“You clearly can’t take a hint, that’s for sure,” I huffed, then trotted toward the banquet hall’s main entrance.

I wasn’t exactly in the mood to go back in, but being around Heron made my temperature spike worse than being in the presence of an incubus. I didn’t have much of a choice, at that point.

“And where are you going?” Heron’s voice in my ear startled me.

I jumped to the side with a gasp, then glared at him. He grinned, and I wasn’t sure whether he was just being his usual self or whether he was actually aware of the effect he had on me.

“Back inside,” I muttered.

An incubus servant passed by with a tray full of crystal glasses and a jug of spiced rosewater. Heron swiftly snatched the pitcher and two glasses, then winked at me. The incubus muttered a curse under his breath, then walked back toward the service staircase, having to go replenish his tray before returning to the banquet hall.

Leave it to Heron to not care much about consequences, I thought to myself. It was yet another tiny alarm signal as to how dangerous he could be for someone like me.

“Why go back inside when the night sky is so beautiful and there are other, less… weepy balconies on this floor?” he asked with an innocent expression, which quickly turned into a mischievous grin as he lifted the jug between us. “Besides, there’s this!”

I wanted to say no. But the way his lips stretched into a smile canceled my mental processes, and I ended up giving him a nod instead. We found another balcony farther down the hallway, with chairs and a small table. I sat down, nervously fidgeting with my fingers as he poured spiced rosewater into both glasses and handed me one.

He watched me quietly for a while. I sipped my drink and looked up, trying to focus on the blanket of stars above us and not his dazzling eyes.

“You’re awfully quiet tonight,” Heron said.

“I’m just enjoying my drink.” I smirked, gulping the rest down and prompting him to pour me another. He seemed to carefully analyze my expression, and I felt determined to hold my own in front of him. I didn’t like the way he treated women—he wasn’t disrespectful, despite his inappropriate puns, and he had a boyish charm about him that I couldn’t help but find irresistible, but he was a handsome philanderer. I was attracted to him, and I knew that could leave me vulnerable before a guy like Heron.

“Okay then, here’s another one,” he replied, pushing the full glass back toward me.

I nodded and took another swig, my senses further amplified by the spiced rose. Everything felt more intense, including the night breeze brushing against my face and filling my lungs with much-needed coolness.

“I didn’t expect to get my ass kicked the other day.” He grinned. “You’re quite the fighter, Avril. I respect that in a woman.”

I instantly felt my cheeks burning, and I hoped it wasn’t noticeable. Thankfully, my vampiric features were designed for pallor and silence. I raised an eyebrow instead.

“You came in so cocky and arrogant, I kind of had to kick your ass,” I replied bluntly, and he laughed.

“Okay, let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” he retorted. “I was caught unprepared, and I had no idea who I was dealing with. I’d be more than happy for a do-over, so I can return the… uh, favor.”

“You think you can beat me?”

“I think I can totally beat you, over and over.” Heron took a deep breath and finished a second glass.

“I think the spiced rosewater is making you overconfident.”

“I think it’s actually bringing out the best in me. My confidence is at the top of my arsenal. Well, that and my combat techniques. It’s a deadly combo. I’m a badass and you know it,” he replied, wiggling an eyebrow.

I laughed, though I was unsure as to whether he was being serious or not. Either way, I chose to find it funny.

“I think the fact that you got your ass handed to you by yours truly stands as a counter-statement to that.” I chuckled.

“I beg to differ.” He suddenly stilled, his jade gaze drilling into me as he leaned against the back of his chair. “I’ll take you on the Plateau again, first thing tomorrow, and show you exactly what I’m made of. You’re challenging, and I like that.”