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Prologue
Solomon Alexander
Three months earlier
Avery Ferrand is surrounded by twelve aruards when she’s escorted into the rooathered in her honor They silence as she enters and their full attention becomes fixed upon the only human in the room–the blood jewel–as she is led to her seat It looks ives the illusion that she’s treated with high regard But I know better
I’ in the crowd but I have a unobstructed view of the pale skin exposed at the top of her strapless blood red ball gown Her severe pallor is evidence that Vincent has shown no ht’s blood jewel ceremony and I’m sickened I think of what thatand painful death upon her captor It would givea slow sunrise beforehis final death
I’ out in my head as the bastard lifts his vial and instructs the entire rooest the substance that will transform them into his minions They are killers–just as I once was–but none of thely forced upon theether ”
I lift the vial to my lips as part of the deception and I’ the blood contained inside before I pretend to consume it I’m surprised to discover it doesn’t have an essence at all I’ve never known human blood to lack scent I suppose it’s a characteristic specific to only a blood jewel so she isn’t so easily revealed aiven by Anteros to enable her a better chance at survival
A fledgling walks through collecting the empty vials on a silver platter–a show of how no expense was spared–and I’m relieved when I’m able to rid myself of the evidence ofabout the exceptional taste of Avery’s blood and I begin to worry that this large group of vaet to Jenn’s sister There will be nothing Curry or I can do if that happens
I listen for the sound of her mundane heart and I’ as one would expect How strange It’s cal before one hundred va blood At the very least I would expect a fast, thready beat due to her recent loss of blood voluiven mode of survival
The crowd in front of et a look at Avery Ferrand for the first ti blankly into the crowd but turns her head–almost as if I called her name–and makes eye contact with me I want to look away But I can’t She is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen
Her heart speeds as our eyes re myself to blink because I’m too mesmerized by her beauty but then I realize that whatever I’ toward her must be part of the blood jewel attraction I didn’t consu out toher victim to his doom
I feel a harsh jab intoat the beauty in front of e desire I feel but I e to turn to Curry “What?”
“Our host is calling you so why don’t you go see what he wants ” Curry’s words are slow and deliberate as he givesto be careful
“Oh, sure, sure ” My words stumble I’m embarrassed Curry has seen how easily I’n of weakness–so I don’t care to fall victim to
I’ on the arain–and rant it I fear any attention directed toward this lunatic’s most prized possession could cause an unwelcome riff
An evil grin appears on Vincent’s face as he reaches out to stroke Avery’s cheek and it takes every ounce of strength I have to not rip his arm from its socket “I couldn’t help but notice your special interest in my sweet, sweet Avery ”
Shit He’s already noticed the attention I gave her so I don’t dare ain He drops his hand from her face and watches me “Did you enjoy her blood?”
I’m in a shitload of trouble if he asks for specifics so I rack my brain to remember some of the comments murmured by those around me after they drank her blood
Damn! I draw a total blank because I was too preoccupied with seeing her for the first ti just as you said ”
“I knoas everything I promised it would be and more, but what did you think of it?”
He’s pressing me But why? Does he suspect I didn’t drink her blood?