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“Taking a very important call away from the noise of the party, of course,” she muttered before pacing back to the mezzanine. She stood in plain view, intent on her fictional call, then paced to a window and gestured as if in conversation.
She pulled off the charade perfectly, even waving to someone downstairs. Harlon?
So sorry,the gesture said.I’ll be down in a minute.
Smart woman,my dragon hummed.
Beautiful woman,I couldn’t help thinking. At work, she wore jeans, a long-sleeved T-shirt, and a thick flannel shirt over that. A down-to-earth,what you see is what you getlook that fit her perfectly. But wow. That yellow dress brought out her beauty in a whole different way.
Downstairs, someone tapped a spoon against a glass, and the guests quieted.
Erin mouthed something to her imaginary caller. Something like,I have to go now.
From my angle, I could only see a handful of guests in one corner of the dining area below. No one stood out, but a cold, gnawing presence crept over my soul.
The hair on the back of my neck stood, and not just because Harlon stepped into the space I could see.
Flashing his perfect,I’m such a rich assholesmile, Harlon motioned someone closer to his side. A woman in a tight red dress appeared, showing off her too-thin figure and the elaborate twist in her jet-black hair.
Cold sweat broke out on my brow.
God, no. Not her. Not here. Not now,my dragon half growled, half whimpered.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining me here tonight,” Harlon announced. “I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce my business associate…”
I clutched the doorjamb.Please, no. Not Angelina.
“Angelina Saint James,” Harlon said.
Every syllable twisted a knife in my soul.
When Angelina smiled, her wine-red lips contrasted with the white blaze of her teeth. Well, her human teeth. Her pointy canines gave the barest hint at what lay hidden beneath.
Vampire.
She gave the guests a regal wave that said,I know I’m gorgeous, so don’t be shy about admiring me. I do it all the time.
She wasn’t gorgeous, though. She was far too pale and bony, and her eyes didn’t take in her surroundings so much as pick through them for potential prey. Still, her commanding air made up for that in a kind ofI believe I’m gorgeous, so you will believe it tooleap of logic.
Once upon a time, I really had believed. Now, I just felt sick.
Too late, I realized my heart was pounding, my blood rushing.
Angelina’s nose twitched as she surveyed the crowd.
“We’ll be announcing the details of our latest project soon. A mutually beneficial partnership of our unique talents, you might say.” Harlon chuckled.
A warlock and a vampire conspiring? Very bad news.
“But tonight, we’re all off the clock,” Harlon finished, making everyone laugh. Then he raised his glass. “Enjoy the party, everyone.”
A round of applause broke out, but all I heard was the pounding of my heart.
Angelina’s nostrils flared, and her eyes took on a predatory look.
Get away from the door,I screamed at my legs.Get away from here. Get away from her.
Harlon was bad news, but Angelina took evil to an entirely new level. And if she sensed I was here…
