Forbidden Blood (Vampire Venators Romance Series) (16 page)

Kearn kept his head bowed.

She didn’t like seeing him so humble.

The room began to move again but their eyes were still on her. Kearn straightened and walked towards the right side of the ballroom. The people parted before him, keeping their distance, watching him pass with disgust. Her gaze fixed on his back and she wished she could see his eyes because she couldn’t sense his feelings and it felt as though he was closing his heart again. Why?

Was it these people and the way they treated him? She had expected them to act like friends and acquaintances but they were behaving like the enemy. Was it all because he was a Venator or did they have another reason to hate him?

A sense of menace hung over the lavish red and gold ballroom. It hadn’t been there before they had announced Kearn. An air of excitement had prevailed then. Even the large orchestra and choir that lined the room beneath the balcony hadn’t drowned out the chatter and laughter. She had seen the smiles on the faces of the dancers. They were gone now, replaced by narrowed eyes behind black masks and low spoken conversations that she knew were about her and Kearn.

Kearn stopped near one of the full height mirrors and turned towards her, his expression grim. The reflection of the room in the mirror made her feel as though a thousand people surrounded her, all staring her way. Kearn’s way.

Everyone near them swept away, heads held high and whispering to each other.

A wide ring of open floor grew around them, the vampires lining it watching her with contempt, and Amber felt even more in the spotlight than ever.

What had Kearn done to deserve such a reception?

Amber spotted Kyran surrounded by a group of women and men. She could recognise him even with his mask. He looked so much like Kearn. She smiled and he turned his back on her. Her smile fell away. Even Kearn’s own brother wouldn’t associate with him in front of these people. Her gaze shifted to Kearn. He stood with his eyes downcast now, his chin lowered, and it hurt her to see him so dejected. She wanted to talk to him, needed to say something to lift his spirits and let him know that not everyone in the room was looking on him with hatred burning in their eyes. Whatever he had done, it didn’t deserve such a callous reception or such cruel treatment. He didn’t deserve to suffer it, especially not from his brother. She went to touch Kearn’s hand but he moved it out of reach. Didn’t he want her to touch him? She only wanted to comfort him. Her eyes sought his and he looked at the mirror. Perhaps tonight had been a mistake. If she had known that it would be like this, she would have made him stay away instead.

Amber moved around him, stepping into his line of sight.

Kearn’s green eyes finally met hers and the loneliness in them echoed deep within her heart.

She reached out to him and then paused.

A murmur ran through the crowd, growing in volume until the music died, replaced by the confident swift click of heels on the parquet floor. A tall man was heading towards her. The fine gold detailing on his black thigh-length jacket and tall boots, and the way the vampires parted for him, bowing their heads, spoke of standing and power. His long black ponytail made her think of the vampire but this man was taller and looked more heartless than the one after her. His red eyes glowed from behind his black mask, narrowed on Kearn’s back, a hard edge to them.

Kearn turned and dropped to one knee before the man, lowering his head and pressing his right hand to his chest.

The man stopped and ran his gaze over her. Everything about him radiated power—the way he held himself, the way he looked at her, and the way he made her feel inferior without even trying.

She wasn’t sure what to do.

Kearn’s silver hair had fallen forwards to mask his face and she was too afraid to get his attention. He hadn’t mentioned anything about a situation like this.

She went to bow.

“No.” The man’s deep voice sent a chill tumbling down her spine. She froze with her head only slightly dipped and looked up at him through her lashes. “Such grace does not need to stoop and bow before me. Only those beneath me should lower themselves to be there.”

Amber glanced at Kearn. Beneath him? This man might be superior amongst his peers, but Kearn was a Venator and a Noble. Surely, they were on the same level in society?

The man removed his mask, revealing his slim face. It had a cruel edge to it when he smiled. He was older than Kearn by at least twenty years. Was that his reason for acting superior?

“I do not know why this Venator has dared to attend my ball, but if it is with the sole intention of presenting you to society, then I will accept his presence… if you will dance with me.” The man extended his hand to her.

She didn’t want to take it. Everything in her screamed that this man was dangerous. He frowned, clearly displeased. It was his ball. He had a right to dance with whomever he wanted and she was sure that she should be flattered and accept but she didn’t want to dance with him.

“I am afraid I don’t know how to dance.”

She sensed that Kearn wasn’t happy, and then she felt something else.

Being here was important to him and it wasn’t just about catching the vampire.

She had to dance with the man or he would throw them out. She couldn’t let that happen.

“It is truly a shame.” He raised his hand.

Amber grabbed it and the whole room gasped.

The man’s red eyes narrowed in contempt, telling her that she had done something wrong. She quickly released his arm. Her heart beat painfully fast against her ribs and she trembled under his scrutiny and that of the entire room.

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t dance with you,” Amber said it so fast it sounded like one word. She took a deep breath to smooth out her feelings, aware that her racing heart was probably drawing as much attention to her as what she had done. “I only said that I didn’t know how to.”

He still looked as though he wanted to call the guards and have them kicked out.

His gaze roamed down to her neck and she was thankful when it carried on, running over her body. She preferred him staring at her breasts than at her throat.

There had to be something she could say that would please him and stop him from signalling security. She couldn’t think with everyone staring at her. Their red gazes flustered her and she wished she could see Kearn’s eyes, could stare into their cool green depths and feel safe again. Right now, she felt like dinner. If the man kicked Kearn out, would they let her go too, or was she facing death?

She felt as though she was staring it right in the face.

The man’s red eyes met hers and he slipped his mask back on. She was failing. Think. It was too hard to when panic was turning her insides to jelly and jumbling her thoughts. Flattery. Flattery got you everywhere and she was sure that he would like his ego rubbed as much as the next man.

“I would not want to be a poor partner for you at your own ball.” She made a dip of a curtsey, feeling silly for suddenly speaking so formally. The man smiled at last. “I only ask that you give me time to learn to be a worthy partner of such a prestigious man as yourself.”

His smile widened to reveal sharp canines. Amber swallowed. Either she was about to become dinner, or he was pleased.

“Stand, Venator,” the man barked.

Kearn got to his feet in one swift graceful move but kept his head bowed.

He hadn’t said Kearn’s name since arriving. Why?

The man’s eyes shifted to Kearn. “I will accept your presence here.”

Kearn dipped his head lower. His hair parted enough for her to see his eyes. There was gratitude in them and deep inside she knew it wasn’t purely because he would be able to continue his mission here tonight. Something else was going on.

“I am only glad my dearest sister could not attend.” The man turned away and disappeared into the crowd.

The music started again.

Everyone slowly went back to dancing and talking.

Kearn remained with his head bowed, his eyes wide now and fixed on the floor. She felt strange inside, muddled and hurt.

“Kearn?” Amber whispered, wanting to look into his eyes and see if those feelings were his. She wanted to ask him what was going on and who that man’s sister was.

“You are very brave to jump into the lion’s den to save my brother.” Kyran stood where the other man had been.

He smiled, his red eyes warm behind his slim black mask. His clothes were similar to all of the other men’s, but Kyran’s stand up collar jacket had black detailing and buttons. His highly polished riding boots reflected the golden light of the candles around the room.

“He is lucky this is our uncle’s ball or your flattery would have been worth nothing.”

“Uncle?” she said.

Kearn moved away a few steps and scanned the crowd. He was ignoring Kyran. Why? She caught a glimpse of his eyes. The hurt was still there in them, and in his feelings, and she wanted to know what was going on. If she went to him now would he push her away? Kyran shifted slightly and she looked back at him. As much as she needed to go to Kearn, it would be rude to leave Kyran alone when he had come over to them, risking the glares and whispers of everyone else.

“Duke Montagu is our mother’s younger brother,” Kyran said and glanced at Kearn, drawing her gaze back to him. “I admit, I was surprised to see Kearn here tonight, and yourself also. So you know about us now?”

She nodded. She knew all about him and the others here. Vampires. Kyran smiled and leaned in close to her, his red eyes fading slowly to blue. His fangs showed between his lips as he spoke.

“Are you scared?” he whispered and Amber lowered her gaze to his chest and studied her feelings. Was she?

Maybe she had been at first, but she wasn’t now. Another feeling overshadowed her fear. Concern. She glanced at Kearn and then met Kyran’s gaze and shook her head. He smiled, no hint of fang in it. His expression lost its cold edge and he looked her over, his gaze lingering on her throat and her dress before settling on her face again.

His smile widened, turning charming. “The duke is right about you. You are as radiant as the night, Amber. Breathtaking.”

A blush scalded her face.

Kearn’s eyes narrowed.

He had heard that at least.

His fists clenched.

Was Kyran trying to upset him? It was cruel to do so when he was already hurt and humbled by his own family and kind.

Kyran looked over at Kearn. “Nothing much has changed in the fifty years since you last dared to attend. It surprises me, but it seems as though the old man retained his soft spot for you. I had thought that out of the attendees, he would hate you the most. Do not expect others to show such restraint. Watch your back.”

Kearn didn’t even acknowledge him.

Kyran frowned, his irises bleeding into crimson and eyes narrowing into thin lines behind his mask. “Kearn?”

Kearn nodded but his gaze remained on the dancers.

“Would you like me to teach Amber some moves?” Kyran grinned and this time Kearn did turn to face them. His expression was black and his eyes were red. “I always was the better dancer.”

Kearn shook his head and came to stand close beside her. Amber felt relieved to have him back with her, where she needed him to be.

A blonde and a redhead woman wearing fine black corseted dresses came over to Kyran and wrapped their arms around his. They sidled up close, all beautiful smiles directed at his face.

“Come away, Marquess Savernake. You would not want to sully our reputations by speaking with this Venator, would you?” The blonde woman smiled widely at Kyran and tilted her head to one side, causing her ringlets to sway. She looked like a doll.

“I would dearly love to sully your name another way.” He patted her hand where it rested on his arm. The redhead on his other arm mewled in disapproval. He smiled at her too and touched her cheek. “I am quite adept at sullying more than one woman at a time, my sweet, no need to pout.”

Kyran smiled at Amber and both women glared at her. They turned with Kyran and walked away.

“Bitches,” Amber muttered under her breath. It seemed they were rampant in every walk of life.

“I can teach you to dance,” Kearn said and her attention was with him again. The worry and hurt had left his eyes and she couldn’t feel it anymore, but she wasn’t convinced that it was gone.

“Was Kyran telling the truth?” The moment that question left her lips, Kearn was looking away from her again, staring into the dancers. He nodded. “If he is your uncle, why was he so cold to you?”

Did it have something to do with Kearn’s mother, the duke’s sister?

Kearn smiled at her. “It is a conversation best saved for another time. Come, I will teach you to dance. Have you ever danced a waltz?”

It was a very polite way of telling her not to ask and not to mention it again. It hurt that he had shut her out when she only wanted to make him feel better. She was sure that he would if he shared his pain with someone. She wanted that someone to be her. She wanted to know more about him.

“I danced a waltz once with my brother. I hit his feet more than I hit the right steps.”

“You have a brother?” Kearn’s silver eyebrows rose. She nodded and smiled.

“I’m a terrible dancer though. I don’t hold out much hope of you being able to instruct me. I’m going to make a fool of myself out there.” Amber looked at the dancers. Couples spun around the dance floor, elegant and graceful, their heads held high. Vampires or not, they were beautiful and everything she couldn’t even dream of being.

Kearn cleared his throat. “Amber, would you allow me some freedom with your blood?”

A shiver danced down her spine. Her blood? Her eyes widened and her lips parted as her mouth turned dry. He wanted more blood?

Kearn smiled and it was warm and genuine.

“There is no need to panic. I do not need more blood. What little remains in mine is enough to give me control.” His smile reached his eyes and her heart fluttered in her throat at the sight of him.

“You can control me like the other man,” she whispered, lost in how handsome he looked now that he was smiling and no longer held hurt in his eyes. It distracted her from the topic of conversation, drowning out the fear she felt whenever she thought about someone using her blood to control her.