Page 62 of When Bones Whisper
With her stare anchored into his, she said, “You’re despicable.”
A wolfish grin widened his full lips. “And you are beautiful.”
“Stop flirting with me,” she blurted, not meaning for it to come out that way. “I shouldn’t have come. I want to return to my room.”
His expression tightened, his dark-gray stare eclipsed by his black, intricate mask. “Wolves do not flee from sheep, Miss Lovett. Unless you wish to prove to the Eringhorn family how easily you scare.”
“I thought I was a lamb.”
“You are certainly acting like one,” he bit out, making her wince. “So prove me wrong.”
Challenge threaded his expression, and it was only when Alexander cleared his throat that she remembered anyone else was in the room at all. They were surrounded by people, many of whom were looking directly at them.
“Is there any sign of the Avery family?” Alexander asked in a hushed tone.
Nathaniel’s glare flicked to Alexander, his lips hardening into a grimace. “No. Zachariah, Irene, and Katherine are stationed near the entrance and staircase.”
A rush of adrenaline washed through her chest. Those were the names of the other vampires. She distinctly recalled Hartley telling her about them. Irene served Nathaniel for years before being turned. If only she could speak with them alone and tell them of the ritual, they might help her escape or convince Nathaniel not to go ahead with it. After all, why would they haveworked so hard to become a vampire just to be okay with their immortality being ripped away from them?
“Can you introduce me to them?” she asked, still reeling from the fact that the Eringhorn family were in attendance, while also suddenly filled with the need to show that she wouldn’t be run off by them. Nathaniel was right, not that she would ever, ever admit that to him. He was arrogant enough already.
Nathaniel lowered his mask to reveal his furrowed dark brows, his lips twitching into a straight line. “Why?”
She held his stare. “I want to see if the vampires you turned are as conceited as you are.”
Alexander scoffed a laugh. “I assure you, no one could ever quite measure up.”
“Says the dandy,” Nathaniel quipped, and Charlotte noticed the sparkle in his eye and the way his dimple deepened when his lips curved. It was surprising, if not refreshing, to see him enjoy himself. Even if only for a minute.
Alexander tucked an unruly wave of blond hair behind his ear. “I take that as a compliment.”
Nathaniel actually smiled, one that reached his eyes, and she realized how deep their bond was for the first time.
Nathaniel’s hand landed on Alexander’s shoulder. “Will you give Miss Lovett and me a moment?”
Alexander’s chest heaved and one brow arched high. He looked at Charlotte and asked, “Miss Lovett?”
She nodded, her knees feeling as if they might buckle at any moment. They were surrounded by people and he seemed in better spirits today, so she felt safe, for now.
With that, Alexander walked away and toward Katherine and her friend.
Once he was out of earshot, Nathaniel wrapped his hand around her waist and leaned closer. “I meant what I said earlier. You look beautiful.”
She shrugged him away, despite wanting to do the very opposite. “You don’t get to just do that.”
“Do what?” he asked with hooded eyes.
“Thethingthat you do.”
“Oh, what thing is it I do?” he asked, eyes dropping to her clavicle.
“Act as if everything is well after you invited them.”
“Do not be angry,” Nathaniel said.
“How can I not be?”
“I invited them for your benefit,” he said and extended his hand, palm up, for her to take.
