Page 5 of Cursed Lifeline

A few eager partygoers who've just arrived shove past and rush off into the throng of people just beyond the door. Forced aside, my brothers emit a warning snarl as we wait to be invited in.

Before their temper gets the better of them, I raise a threatening brow and say, "Our travels seem to be ending in burden." The man studies me curiously. "We're just as eager to meet the Lord of this manor, though his letter was vague regarding a proper invitation to visit."

"We wouldn't want to overstay our welcome," Talon grins like the Cheshire cat, toeing the line we're all eager to cross.

His canines shine in the glow of the flickering sconces, and the butler's hesitant gaze remains on his mouth, studying the risk he's been asked to invite in.

"That is," Talon snarls. "If we're indeed welcome here at all?"

Stepping closer, the butler's breath hitches as my brother's violet eyes, high cheekbones, pale skin, and blood-stained lips come into view.

The man before us swallows hard and looks down at the entryway. At the threshold. The last line of protection for this house and all who inhabit it. A line that separates life from death. Instinctively, my brothers and I take a predatory step forward, and the butler takes a nervous one back. But before either of us gets the chance to say another word or make another move, the warning of Talon's dark, dire display manifests itself in an enchanting voice.

"I assure you, sir, I've saved you a dance…"

The nervous melody of the woman's insistent tone sinks its fated claws into my heart as she stumbles into view. Catching her breath, I hold mine as she swats away the eager embrace of a suitor before grabbing hold of the butler's arm for balance. Gracefully, she takes a few deep breaths as mine gets lodged in my cursed chest. Her left hand trembles as she holds it against her stomach. A fan, clutched tightly between her fingers, flutters quickly, attempting to cool her flushed cheeks and stabilize her panicked disposition. Her right hand leaves the butler's side and shakily holds a mask, covering her captivating eyes.

The life within her calls to me, and I take a startled step back.

"The devil hath power to assume a pleasing shape," I quietly gasp.

Talon chuckles snarkily at my side as my hungry gaze devours her like a mortal man who would risk his life for the chance at just one night to worship her like his heart craves.

Baby blue eyes stand out against the red lace mask covering her doll-like face. Her heart-shaped lips are stained with a breathtaking shade of burgundy. Red silk hugs her hourglass curves in a beaded corset that beautifully offsets her flawless, porcelain skin. The straps of her dress fall off her slender shoulders, and her rich garment swells into a lavish ball gown at her hips. The shade of her dress makes her flushed complexion all the more enticing. Her long, golden blonde hair curls into a breathtaking crown atop her head. Small sections dangle down her back, and a few sweep across her tempting, full breasts. The thundering of her heartbeat at the side of her neck catches my attention as she leans towards the butler and whispers, "Pierre, where's..."

But her words are cut short as the eager man she was attempting to flee from comes into view. He thirstily paws at her like she's a piece of meat any man can claim. Enraged heat rushes through my veins. But before I do something rash, it cools slightly as the butler protectively steps between them. She takes a timid step away from the suitor, braces herself on her tiptoes, and searches the crowd. But the insistent man steps closer, earnestly trying to win her affection.

A growl passes through my lips. Talon shoots me a cautionary glance as more partygoers arrive and push past me and my brothers as we wait impatiently to be invited in. The captivating woman peers over her shoulder, shooting a kind glance our way. Her eyes skim over us quickly but never meet mine as the eager man at her side tries to win her attention yet again, and the new arrivals jostle us all aside.

Suddenly, her name is called from within.

"Esmeralda," a gentleman calls out to her affectionately.

Time pauses, and the alarming touch of Talon's shadow's forewarning from earlier grabs hold of a deep-rooted hole in my chest that used to house my soul.

"Alfred," she exclaims over the roar of the party.

My damned heart sinks hearing the joy in her voice when she says another man's name, and before I can hide the effect she has on me, my brothers take notice.

"Treats and their tricks," Talon repeats disparagingly.

I shoot him a menacing glare. A disturbed shudder courses through his body, but he doesn't stay threatened long. Instead, his cruel smile grows as the woman's voice pulls me back to her, and I forget all about his second act of insubordination.

"Pierre," she flutters from the butler's right to his left, avoiding the impatient man at her other side. Her gracious gaze momentarily drifts back our way. "Who are these men?"

"Guests of your father's," Pierre reluctantly answers as the woman moves further away from the restless suitor's fondling hands.

The persistence in the fool grates on my last nerve. Before I can stop myself, I lurch forward and am suddenly forced back by an invisible barrier. A carnal, savage desire to kill grows under my skin.

Fortunately, the ambitious man from earlier looks up at me with wide eyes, takes a hint, and retreats into the shadows. Unfortunately for him, he hasn't gone back to the party just yet.

"You must forgive Pierre," she smiles, searching over her shoulder once again for the male companion who continues to shout for her.

As her name echoes through the night, it settles across my skin like a warning, urging me to stay away yet drawing me closer. It thunders through my mind like a favorite tune I swear I've heard before and vow never to forget as long as I live.

How can that be?

Before I can make sense of it, she shimmies her lithe body away and retreats into the crowd. "Please, come in,"she invites. The butler's eyes grow wide. "Make yourself at home. I'd love to meet your acquaintance later, but for now, if you'll please excuse me..."

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