Revealed in Fire (Demon Days & Vampire Nights #9)(9)

Three





“Sorry,” Penny said to Emery. They sat on a love seat in the grand ballroom, next to a little table holding their drinks. Darius spun Reagan around the dance floor, their fluidity and grace effortless, their moves incredible. Reagan’s hips sashayed like they had a mind of their own, and Darius’s shoulders shifted and flexed as he led her in a series of intricate steps. Both were dressed to the nines, Reagan in a low-cut, sparkly dress that accentuated her curves and showed off her muscular legs and butt, and Darius in a pristine, tailored tux showing off his stellar physique. Reagan had even ditched her army boots for small, dainty heels she turned up with various dance steps. They were both knockouts in their own right, and it was hard to tear one’s eyes away from them when they were together, especially with their mastery on the dance floor.

“I cannot believe Reagan learned to dance like this in a couple of months. Like…that’s crazy,” Penny murmured.

“I can’t believe Darius got her to dress up. I almost don’t recognize her,” Emery responded. “Actually, if I didn’t know it was definitely her, I don’t think I would recognize her. She had help with the dancing, though.”

“I know, but even with Darius teaching me, I wouldn’t be able to pick it up that fast. Not even remotely.”

“I mean, she has that perfect recall.” He glanced at Penny. “She’s always been athletic, too. That probably helped.”

She smiled up at him. “Does it almost make you want to bond a vampire?”

“No.”

She laughed and slipped her hand onto his thigh, hoping he didn’t immediately fling it off. It wasn’t like him to do something like that, but still, she deserved it. Darius had made this incredible coq au vin paired perfectly with some sort of red wine she still needed to get the name of—she’d barely been able to think with how delicious it had been. On her best day, she’d never cooked a meal like that.

Then, the wine flowing freely, the delicious flavors exploding in Penny’s mouth, Darius had started peppering innocuous little questions into the conversation. His interest always seemed polite and not obtrusive, but Emery’s hand would suddenly tighten on her knee, and she’d have to rein herself in from spilling mage business. Or her personal business. Or whatever else Emery didn’t think vampires should stick their noses into. She knew Emery always worried that Darius would find a way to strengthen his hold over them, and considering Reagan agreed with him, and had given her that look over dinner, she’d obviously spoken too freely.

“I’m really sorry, Emery,” she said again, softer this time.

He glanced down at her before slinging his big arm around her shoulders and pulling her close. “Were you apologizing to me for something specific a moment ago?” He chuckled and kissed her head. “I thought that was random.”

It was true: she did just randomly apologize for things these days. But honestly, there were so many people around all the time lately, what with the endless training and meetings required to organize and structure the new Mages’ Guild, that it seemed she was always running into someone. So when she bumped into someone—or even a wall or chair at this point—she apologized out of reflex. It was easier than paying attention.

“Why are you apologizing?” he asked. “You have nothing to be sorry for.”

“About dinner. I didn’t realize he was plying me for information, or I would’ve zipped my lips and just refused to talk to him. Sorry if I gave away your plans or anything.”

He shook his head and squeezed her again, looking up as the music changed to a tango. Darius effortlessly altered his bearing, waiting a beat for Reagan to catch on, and then they were strutting, Darius’s legs reaching between hers, and then he was turning, dipping her, his upper body following, their mouths inches apart, their passion swelling to fill the room.

“This feels like a private moment,” Emery murmured, but he didn’t look away.

Emery was right, it did feel like a private moment, and yet, just like him, she could not tear her eyes away. Even as the couple straightened up, Reagan’s legs all but wrapped around Darius’s, their middles pressed close, their gazes eating each other up, Penny found that her eyes were stuck. They were so beautiful, the way they moved together, strong and powerful and sure, perfectly synced even though one was a master and the other a pupil.

“I want to learn how to ballroom dance,” she murmured.

“Yeah. Good call,” Emery replied.

She laughed and snuggled closer. “It might take us a little longer to look that good, though.”

“The fun is in the journey. But seriously, you didn’t give away anything important. Actually, you probably helped us out. I need more information about Ja’s interest in you, and I didn’t want to have to trade information for it. Vlad is basically stalking Charity and her dad because he wants the warrior fae on his side. I assume Ja wants you for the same reasons, but you and I are tied together. You can’t do anything huge without me helping, and the same goes for me in relation to you. So why is she so focused on you while completely ignoring me? There is a game afoot, but damned if I can figure it out. Hopefully Darius will have some ideas.”

“Yeah, she creeps me out. The daily flowers wouldn’t even be nice from you. It’s too much. Stop killing things and then trying to decorate my table with the corpses, you know what I mean?”