Wicked Soul (Ancient Blood #1)(62)
“Is it frowned upon if a lowly human tells a lordly vampire ‘no,’ then?” I arched an eyebrow at Aleric’s profile, but he wasn’t looking at me.
“It’s more than frowned upon. Let’s just say that it would be very, ah, unfortunate for both of you, should some of his guests realize what kind of lip he allows from you. So if you could be less… irritating, that would be great.”
“Less irritating. Got it,” I snarked. “If you keep your distance, it’ll probably help.”
Aleric turned off into a grand-looking driveway then, and I vaguely recalled the manicured hedges. A multitude of fancy cars were parked along it, and at the end Warin’s manor sprawled. Torches flamed on each side of the grand entrance, the double doors flung open in invitation. I got a glimpse of several well-dressed people making their way toward the house as Aleric parked the Porsche, and felt a stab of gratitude for the dress Warin had provided me. I sure didn’t have anything in my closet that wouldn’t have made me feel like an impoverished gatecrasher tonight.
“It’s not a joking matter,” Aleric said, his hand shifting from the gear shift to my arm. “They cannot know you have free will. Whatever else your sordid little relationship with my brother is, for tonight, you will sit by his feet like a faithful dog, you will smile prettily and you will not utter the word ‘no.’ Have I made myself clear?”
“Jeez, yes, calm the fuck down,” I said, trying—and failing—to shake his cool hand off my arm. In contrast to Warin’s touches, it didn’t make me feel warm in the slightest. “I’ll be a mindless doll. I just don’t get why you’re making such a big deal out of it, if Warin never bothered? Is it perchance possible that you’re being a tad overzealous?”
“Just do what you’ve been told, Snack,” he said, voice low. Then, finally, he released his grip on my arm and turned to look over his shoulder. “Stay in the car until I come get you.”
Realizing for the first time that we weren’t alone in the car, I jolted and twisted around so fast my neck cracked. A pretty blonde, blue-eyed girl with long false lashes and a vacant smile sat in the backseat. She didn’t so much as blink in my direction as I stared at her, mouth agape.
“Jesus tap dancing Christ! Did not realize you were here! Sorry! Hi, I’m Liv.” I awkwardly reached a hand toward her. The girl didn’t even acknowledge my existence.
“Don’t bother. She’s Compelled,” Aleric said as he slid out of the car.
“Oh.” I stared at the girl, remembering what Warin had explained vampires could do to the human mind. But one thing was to hear about how his kind could mindfuck people—it was something else entirely to sit in the car with a human who looked like nothing more than a ventriloquist’s dummy.
Goosebumps crawled down my arms and up my legs, and I hurriedly unbuckled my seatbelt and climbed out, leaving Aleric’s companion behind. Was that how most humans in contact with a vampire ended up? No wonder Roy wasn’t keen on me going to this shindig.
I wanted to rip into Aleric for keeping the poor girl as a mindless pet, but I had his warning in fresh recollection—he expected me to behave like I’d been Compelled too, and there were more than a few vampires around us now, all making their way to the house. So instead, I quietly seethed by his side as he offered me his arm and led me into the mansion.
The last time I’d been to Warin’s house, I’d felt like I’d been surrounded by vampires the second I stepped inside. This time, however… there had to be maybe two hundred people present.
“How many Night Lords do you guys have?” I whispered at Aleric as he led me through the foyer.
“Worldwide, I’m not sure anyone has an exact number. Only thirty-six are here tonight. The rest are favored human pets and court members.” He nodded at a couple pale-looking women who watched us pass with no hint of emotion in their cold eyes. “But please do keep any further questions until the end of the show. It’s time for you to be a good little pet. Not to mention quiet.”
We walked into a large living space sparsely furnished in a hideously modern style. Toward the far end, on a white armchair in neo-modern Scandinavian design, Warin sat with a blank expression on his face, one ankle resting on his knee. He looked like a bored king on his throne, except for the ultramodern surroundings.
Aleric marched me straight across the floor toward him.
“My blood,” Aleric greeted, voice formal. “I bring your pet, as requested.”
“Thank you, brother,” Warin said flatly. They both ignored my grimace at being called “pet,” but Warin raised a hand toward me, palm up.
Hesitating for just a beat, I awkwardly put my hand in his. “Hey. Nice party.”
Judging from Aleric’s huff, he’d been quite serious about the “quiet” part of my role.
Warin offered me just the briefest tilts of his lips, proving that there at least was some part of him left behind the stoic wall. With a smooth movement, he drew my hand to hand to his mouth, brushing a kiss to the back of it that sent an unexpected thrill through my arm. “A vision of beauty, as always.”
“Thank you. You scrub up pretty well too.” I let my gaze slide over him, quietly wondering how he could look so immaculate in the dark gray suit at the same time as seeming completely casual. But then again, Warin was always well-dressed.