Page 72 of The Mermaid's Bubble Lounge
Dancing (Almost) in Faerie
Pablo nodded through the pain and then relaxed back into his chair on a gasp.
“Why is she even here?” He muttered.
Cadmael opened his mouth to respond but Vlad interrupted, looking at me. “Did you know you have a hole in your sweater?”
Clive was still glaring at Pablo, but I ignored them and responded to Vlad. “Yeah. That sword you’re holding made it.” I looked across the table at Adaeze and then down at my cardigan. “Is it noticeable?”
She tipped her head to the side, weighing her words.
“Yes,” Thi responded.
It was on the tip of my tongue to say I wasn’t asking you, but I held it in.
Adaeze finally nodded, though she looked sorry to do it.
I took the sweater off and folded it, laying it on the table in front of me. “Maybe I can get it repaired.”
Clive kissed the side of my head. “I’ll get you a new one.”
“It’s that stupid elf who should be buying me a new one. Jackass.”
Adaeze grinned. “I like your jewelry very much.”
“Thank you.” I reached up and touched the necklace. “I was so worried I’d lose something tonight—they’re new—but I hadn’t counted on some damn elf trying to hack it off me.” I held up my wrists. “At least he cut the one not wearing a new bracelet.”
The vampires stared at my red, healing wound with an intensity that was off-putting, so I dropped my hands below the table.
Clive slid the chair back and stood, his arm still around me. “I’m going to dance with my wife. We’ll meet you back at the nocturne afterward.”
Cadmael nodded, standing as well. “Yes. They were able to investigate both of the killing spots before you arrived. I think they’ve seen what they wanted to. We’ll go now.” He glanced to his side. “Vlad, take that sword out the back.”
Clive walked me through the tables to the dance floor before spinning me into him. Our slow dancing was at odds with the upbeat music, but I wasn’t complaining.
This is like the first time we danced in that South of Market vampire club. Everyone around us was bouncing and grinding but we were slow dancing in our own little bubble.
I remember.
You were so angry that night.
One of the benefits of no longer being the nocturne Master is that I don’t have to listen to outraged complaints about my spending time with a werewolf. I’m blissfully content only having the voice of my mate up here with me.
I nuzzled into his neck.
It scared me when I smelled your blood, he told me.
I’m okay now. I tucked my arm into his jacket and felt safe and protected.
Clive slid his jacket off and draped it over my bare shoulders. Better?
I slid my arms through and felt more secure. Nodding, I wrapped my arms around him again. Oh, I forgot. What was Joao texting about?
You.
I reared back to look him in the eyes. What? Why me? I barely said hello to him last night.
It was an incomplete text thread, but he was asking what the other person had learned and if they knew why they should be—it doesn’t translate exactly but—wary of you. Then he made a string of vulgar comments about seducing you in order to learn your secrets.
