Gypsy Freak (All The Pretty Monsters #2)(38)

“I’ve had a rough few months, and tonight was supposed to really suck. But I’m actually enjoying the way everyone averts their eyes and lets me simply dance the way I enjoy. Excuse me. Hopefully for the final time,” I say as I stand and start to walk off.

He quickly cuts me off, and I exhale harshly as he narrows his eyes.

“You’re deliberately ignoring me. How?”

“You’re quite annoying,” I tell him like it’s a secret.

Pushing by him yet again, I start walking, but I stop when Damien suddenly becomes visible just in front of me. I’m so relieved he’s stalking me right now, because Dorian actually seems to freeze in place, as Damien casually struts toward us.

“Issues, Violet?” Damien muses, as I glance at the clear hesitation in Dorian’s eyes, while he stares in surprise at Damien.

“My vampire escort disappeared when I started dancing, so I could use someone to keep the stalkers at bay, if you’re offering.”

His lips lift at one corner, as his eyes leave Dorian’s to meet mine. He looks good in a tux.

Really good.

I can’t believe I’m back to drooling over my boundary-smashing stalker.

I blame it on the atmosphere and the fact my life is upside down. It seems like I’m left in a constant, vulnerably emotional state these days.

Dorian takes a wary step back, as Damien moves to me, and even though we’re not the sort of friends who dance together—considering I just keyed his car recently—I still let him take my hand and pull me away.

“Why does he look scared of you?” I ask quietly once we’re far enough away from the new stalker, who is moving away from us instead of toward me for a change.

“Because he is,” Damien states flatly. “He only ever communicates with me over the phone. It’s rare he’s in my presence.”

“What happens when he’s in your presence?” I ask as he guides me toward the mostly empty dance floor that got abandoned earlier when I was really letting loose.

“He remembers how much stronger than him I truly am. Odd how he forgets,” he muses, sounding like he’s dropping hints.

“Immortal alphas don’t forget you… He can die?” I ask very quietly.

“It’s theorized he’s not a true Morpheous, for more reasons than just the name. Never mind that. Just dance, gypsy girl. He won’t bother you anymore tonight, and we oddly enjoy watching your exhausting, haphazard moves.”

“We?” I ask, just as my gaze swings up to the balcony and collides with Emit’s and Vance’s.

They just stare with stoic expressions, and I suddenly feel like I’m sitting under glass.

“Ah, Damien, you put pressure on her and gave her a case of performance anxiety,” comes a smooth voice from behind me as Arion’s body presses against my back.

I hate the way I react to him, even as a little hint of fear spikes the rhythm of my heart.

It’s like an unbidden shiver always accompanies his touch, and I’m starting to feel less and less of that fear I should feel, like he’s quickly wearing me down the way Damien has started doing.

Damien’s eyes seem to light up when Arion pulls me closer, letting his lips brush against my ear. “His heart is beating, little gypsy. Do you want to see what he’s capable of when that happens?” Arion asks in a dark, seductive tone.

Damien slowly shakes his head at me, even as he takes an unconscious step forward, eyes on me like he secretly hopes I say yes.

“When his heart beats, he’s not deadened. It’s certainly a turn-on when he uses your own pheromones against you. Ask him to give you a demonstration,” Arion whispers like the devil in my ear.

My gaze flicks up to the balcony again, seeing Emit and Vance leaning over it a bit more, eyes riveted like they’re also waiting to see what I’ll say.

When I blink, my eyes reopen on Damien, finding him so much closer. “Say no, Violet,” Damien says very quietly. “You’ll let him touch you too if I use anything here and now, and he knows it.”

I feel Arion’s grin against my throat, before he presses a soft kiss there, his hands slowly gripping my hips as he starts to move me to the music.

“I’m already touching her, Morpheous, and with a clear head, she’s allowing it because she’s not afraid of me. She knows she’s safe, and deep down, she enjoys the fact one of the worst monsters in here is enchanted with her. It makes her feel powerful after spending so long on the run as someone’s prey.”

I really wish I could say he was wrong, but the same vampires that trampled me earlier have avoided me ever since Arion landed at my side. They’ve moved out of my way, and certainly seem a lot more afraid of getting too close.

I don’t feel so hunted right now. It’s weirdly the first time I’ve been able to relax. And it happens to be in a roomful of monsters, which should be more of a surprise.

My breath hitches when I feel the very tips of sharp points grazing my skin, but Arion fortunately doesn’t press that boundary. He just teases me with the threat, as if reminding me he’s in complete control of his monster side.

Damien’s tongue darts out to wet his lips, and I really consider learning a little more about him. Anna would be here begging me to say yes.

But I also know Arion really hurt Damien somehow, and I can tell he wants to do this as much as he doesn’t. Since I’m not exactly sure what pheromones are capable of inducing, I finally blurt out, “Another time!”