“What’s going on?” Thea asked me.
I shook my head. I had no idea. But something felt off. I had never witnessed a public display of defiance during the social season, but I had no doubt that’s what this was. As Cassius and his men escorted the stranger from the room, a few people around us applauded as he was led past.
“What did he yell?” Thea whispered.
“Carpe Noctem,” I repeated with a sigh.
“Like carpe diem,” Thea said softly, continuing to cling to me. “But noctem…”
“Means night,” I said. “Seize the night.” I had no idea what it meant, but I doubted it was anything good.
“Why would he…?” Thea trailed off as Sabine reappeared on the stairs.
“What’s a party without a little excitement?” she called to the crowd. “May each of you find matches that strengthen the bonds and bloodlines of our families. Born of blood!”
“Born from magic,” the crowd responded.
“What..?”
I shushed Thea. Reaching for her hand, I spun us around until we faced each other. “Let’s find somewhere more private.”
A red flush appeared where her mask rested on her cheeks. The air around us filled with the scent of her blood. Darkness crept along the edge of my vision, and venom pooled in my mouth. Over her shoulder, I spotted Valente watching us. Hooking an arm around Thea’s waist, I yanked her to me and kissed her deeply. It was meant to remind him of my intentions. Regardless of what customs dictated, I’d staked my claim on Thea, and I would protect her from predators like Giovanni until I figured out how to extricate her from vampire society permanently.
But the kiss became something else. It was in the nature of kisses to do that. I’d found myself in bed with a woman more than once after an innocent kiss good night. And I’d felt the unspoken goodbye in a lover’s final kiss. Maybe it was that I wanted to claim Thea that changed this kiss into something far more serious than a warning. Her lips parted for me, and I invaded. There was no part of her mouth that mine didn’t explore. I would taste every inch of her, starting right here. I kissed her until the powdery scent of flowers transformed into a garden at midnight. Jasmine washed in woodsmoke. Rose blossoms laced with absinthe. Every vivid color met a million shades of black. She bloomed in my arms as I wrapped her in my darkness.
We broke apart as an impatient cough interrupted us. I turned to find my mother glowering at me. “Playing with your food?”
My lip curled, revealing a fang, and her eyes widened a fraction of an inch. Thea wouldn’t notice her reaction, but I had caught it. My mother wasn’t just concerned. She was afraid. It couldn’t be that important that I marry this season. Plenty of vampires took their time finding a familiar to become their consort. What was the fucking rush? I recalled what Giovanni had said earlier. There had to be a reason for the Council to enact the Rites permanently. I just needed to keep my head clear long enough to find out, but as long as Thea was nearby, that seemed impossible.
“You remember my girlfriend,” I said pointedly.
“I don’t believe she was introduced as your girlfriend.” Sabine swept closer, her smile full of ice. She’d chosen a silver evening gown that wrapped around her from one shoulder to her feet. “Welcome to our family home.”
Thea shivered as if she felt the chill in Sabine’s welcome, too. “Thank you for inviting me.”
It was a perfectly polite thing to say, but vampires only ever took etiquette so far. “I didn’t invite you, mortal. But all the same, you are welcome for the evening.”
I didn’t miss the subtle deadline on Sabine’s welcome. Neither did Thea, because her hand slipped down to squeeze mine. I took it protectively.
“Thea will always be welcome in a Rousseaux home,” I said in a low voice.
“Careful, my son. Don’t write invitations to others’ parties,” she warned me with the same cold smile on her face. “I’d like to speak with you alone.”
Thea tugged the hand I held, trying to pull away, but I tightened my grip.
“She goes where I go.”
Sabine rolled her eyes. “This is private family business. For the blood only. Sebastian is already waiting, and your father is supposed to call.”
“And the others?” I pressed. “Where are they? Or were my brothers left off the guest list?”
“They are busy and ineligible until you make a match. Besides, it’s not necessary to involve your other brothers,” she said.
“Why?” I’d been present when my mother called a family meeting to discuss a paper cut. It was odd to leave my younger brothers out even if they were otherwise engaged.
“Because the current issue is time sensitive and I’m not waiting for them to join us from the ends of the earth,” she said with a sigh. “I’m sure she’ll be fine.”
“I’ll take her to my quarters.” I didn’t care what my mother thought about the situation.
But she was one step ahead of me. “Your quarters are being used.”
“For what?” I immediately regretted the question as I caught a glimpse of a familiar writhing on a vampire’s lap in the corner. “Never mind. Then I will find her somewhere safe.”
“Are you implying the party isn’t safe?” Sabine asked with downturned lips.
“Not for a human,” I muttered. But it wasn’t her concern that mattered. Looking to Thea, I found her staring at the two of us with a dazed expression. Dealing with my mother would have been bad, and going to a vampire party would have been overwhelming. We had blown past all of that and straight to a fucking fever dream. “Pet, let’s find you somewhere for you to catch your breath while I speak to my family.”
Thea blinked before nodding.
“I will see you in the study,” my mother said, tossing one last disdainful look at Thea.
“Come on.” I led Thea through the crowd, keeping her close to my side. Every now and then, I would steal a glance to find her watching the frenzied fornicating around us with curious, round eyes. This hadn’t been what I meant when I told her I would teach her about pleasure.
We stole up to the second floor where Han, one of the family guards, was turning lost guests back toward the rooms open to them. I nodded to him as I slipped past with Thea in tow. Han cut off a few grumbling guests with a sharp word, and they fell silent, staring after us.
“Do you live here?” Thea asked.
I shook my head, catching Han pointing the wayward guests toward the wing my quarters were in. My mother had actually opened them up for an orgy. I supposed it was her not-so-subtle way of pushing me from the nest. “I have my own place, but I usually stay here after events.”
