Page 41 of Twisted
Xavier tips his head, reminding me of a dog who just heard the wordball.“I-I don’t know if you’re joking or not.”
“I don’t either,” I confess.“The last few days have really pushed me toward a mental breakdown.But if you’re not going to turn him, stop telling him that.There’s nothing more cruel than promising someone they’ll be part of the family when you have no intention of making that happen.Trust me, I know how bad it hurts.And if family is really that important to you, you wouldn’t do that to your brother, no matter how distantly related he actually is.”
Xavier considers my words and then nods.“We need to get inside.The event has already begun, but I do like to make an entrance.You’re the guest of honor tonight.”
Resisting the urge to turn around, I just grit my teeth, thinking about the hunters.Part of me wants to just let them do whatever as well, so I can catch them and then…well, I don’t know.Yell at them?Beat them up?Curse them to become sexually attracted to an inanimate object of my choosing?
“Theo will be here soon,” Xavier reminds me.“I will not let anything happen to you, Wren.”
“I know,” I tell him.But it’s not me I’m worried about.
* * *
Xavier wasn’t kiddingwhen he said I was the guest of honor.We’ve been here for only twenty minutes so far and I haven’t had a chance to breathe without someone coming up to me.I don’t know much about politics in general, so I just smile and fake my way through being introduced to various politicians, human and vampire alike.
There’s a divide between the two, reminding me of a middle school dance when the boys and girls stand on separate sides of the room.And in this case, the humans are on the side with the buffet and open bar.The energy in this room is a little chaotic, and it’s a good mix of sheer terror, regret, excitement, and boredom from the humans.
My cheeks hurt from smiling, and I’ve thanked countless people for congratulating me on my marriage.Over a dozen women have gushed over my ridiculously large diamond ring, and I’ve said the same line over and over about how lucky I am to have met Xavier and had such a whirlwind romance that led to our marriage so soon.
I duck away to use the bathroom and return to find Xavier talking to one of the local VC reps.I go to the buffet table.Though I’m not hungry, I can’t resist a table of high-end, free food.
“I used to love those,” a woman says as I pick up a mini cheesecake topped with fresh berries.
“How long have you been a vampire?”I ask and then shovel the whole thing in my mouth.
“My one-year anniversary is in two weeks.”She smiles, fangs already drawn.
“Cool.I think?”I say with my mouth full.I hold up my hand, letting her know I’ll talk once I’m done chewing.“It’s one of those things I’m not sure how to respond to,” I tell her honestly a few seconds later.“Like, is this a good thing?”
“In my case, yes.I wanted to be a vampire.I felt like I was meant to be something greater than human since I was just a kid.Not that you’re not great or anything,” she quickly backpedals.
“I like being average,” I say simply and pick up another cheesecake.“And eating dessert.”
She smiles again, flashing her fangs.“Okay, I just gotta ask, how did you meet Xavier Malus?”
Now I’m smiling.“I was his favorite stripper at the club he frequents.None of the other girls were brave enough to give him a lap dance, ya know, because he’s a vampire.”
“O-oh.Well, good for you.”
I take a bite of the little cheesecake and just nod.“Yeah.Paid off.”I wiggle the fingers on my left hand as Xavier speeds over.
“My wife is quite the jokester,” he says, hand landing on the small of my back.It’s all for looks and to keep up the ruse that we’re in love, I know.Yet, his touch does something to me—again.
Dammit.
“So you didn’t meet at a strip club?”
“Are you saying I look like a stripper?”I ask.
“What?I…no…y-you said…” she stutters.
“I’m kidding,” I say and then turn, looking at Xavier.“We met through family.My father did business with him.”
“And I knew as soon as I saw her,” Xavier continues.“That she was the most magnificent woman I’ve ever met.”He says it in such a way I almost believe him.
“Awww, you guys look so good together.”
“Thanks,” I say, beaming.“I can’t wait to see what our kids will look like!”
