Page 58 of Ashvale: The Vampire's Thrall
I wasn't sure how many vampires went unclaimed during the debut until their families decided they were 'worthy' enough, but I knew it was a lot. To me, that wasn't family. Family loved unconditionally, not just when you made it worth their while.
We made it to the front of the queue and there was a genuine announcer at the door that called my name. "Presenting, Leonora Romilly and her blood-chosen."
I looked to Hayes in surprise. "Why didn't they say your name?"
He shrugged. "I didn’t give it to them. I prefer it that way. Less nosy vampires in my life."
I hadn't seen the ballroom since we'd been at Ashvale, it had been closed for renovations—presumably to prepare it for the ball. It was bigger than I could have imagined and already there was an undercurrent in the air that sent a ripple of awareness over my skin. A band stood on a raised podium, playing something surprisingly upbeat and living vampires mingled with the undead freely. Lark never could have described the energy in this room accurately. It felt.... Wild.
"So how does this claiming thing work anyway?" I muttered and Hayes looked around disinterestedly, giving me the chance to fully ogle him in his tux.
"If they like what they see here and what they've heard from their spies, you'll receive an invitation after the ball." He looked at me and smirked when he found my eyes still on him. "Doyousee something you like?"
I rolled my eyes but couldn't stop the slight smile from coming out. I did like what I saw—Hayes wasmadefor a tux, it emphasised all of his strong, cutting features and made them look regal.
Novalie was already mingling, charming vampires all around her, and even Emerson was dancing with someone I didn't recognise.
"Dance with me," Hayes said suddenly and didn't wait for a reply before tugging me closer, his hands finding my waist to pull me into position and then drifting up my skin to capture one of my hands in his.
He twirled me effortlessly and I knew my mouth had to be hanging open. I never would have expected Hayes to be good at this kind of thing, and he was clearly enjoying the shock on my face. A chuckle reverberated through him and into me because of how close we stood, and when his lips brushed the shell of my ear I shivered.
Hayes danced like he fought—lethal precision and grace, every movement sinuous, driving me wild as his hands seemed to be everywhere, brushing the inside of my bare arm, scalding through the material of my dress on my waist, sliding up the back of my neck—
I slapped his hand away. "Do you know how long it took to get my hair to do this? Don't touch it." A teasing grin curled around his mouth and I slapped his chest lightly. "No!Don't even think about it."
He spun me in an elaborate twirl and dip that made me laugh as he led me around the room.
"I don't suppose you might allow me to cut in?" A smooth voice asked when we paused in front of the band.
I looked up into a face that unnerved me. It was young, early forties at most, but his eyes... they were ancient.
Hayes inclined his head slightly and the other man scrutinised him for a second before Hayes disappeared into the bodies surrounding us.
"Leonora Romilly," the man said. "I've been waiting to meet you. I've heard such interesting things."
I accepted his hand cautiously and allowed him to steer us into a dance. "I'm sorry, could I ask who I have the pleasure of dancing with?"
His smile faded slightly before burning bright once more. "Of course, my dear. I'd heard you had sustained heavy memory loss. I am Adrian Curio, head of the council."
Well, fuck. It was lucky he hadn't ended me right there for not knowing who he was.
I paused our dance to bow deeply. "A pleasure."
The sparkle was back in his eyes when I rose. Ego was always the way with these kinds of men. "The pleasure is all mine. I think we can expect very interesting things of you in the future." He stepped back and I bowed my head once more. "I can't be seen to be playing favourites, so I must now take my leave. But before I do, who was that young man you were dancing with when I arrived?"
I opened my mouth to reply, but then Hayes’ words about nosy vampires in his life flashed through my head and I smiled tightly. "My blood-chosen."
Adrian raised an eyebrow but didn't press for more information than that.
"Enjoy the party, Leonora."
"You too," I murmured and immediately sought out Hayes after the head of the council departed and I watched as he swept his way over to Elowen.
I couldn't spot Hayes’ blond head anywhere, but I did catch a glimpse of Rowan so I made my way over to him instead.
"You're late," I teased and he chuckled.
"Fashionably.
