CHAPTER 2

"Sparrow said it was a surprise." Faye lied, knowing Vashien would stop them if he knew what they were about to do.

Vashien nodded, picking the dishes up. "Well, be safe. Don't let Sparrow make too many bad decisions."

Faye smiled and waved as she weaved through the crowded tavern, making her way to the door.

Sparrow already had their coats. Faye took hers, pulling it on. "In a hurry, hooker?"

Sparrow bumped the swinging oak door open with her hip, her winter coat half on. "I'm trying to get there before you change your mind." Pulling her coat on completely, she hopped in place, holding the door open. "Let's go. Let's go."

Faye stepped out into the night, the brisk chill biting her cheeks. She glanced up at the red moon hanging full in the night sky.

"This way." Sparrow took her wrist and led her through the city streets, lined with shops and tall buildings.

They crossed several blocks before Faye finally asked, "Do you know where you're going?"

"Darkness, walking sucks. Remind me to take phasing lessons next year."

Faye laughed. Sparrow would complain a few times every year but never learned the teleporting skill most dark-bloods used to travel anywhere they'd been previously.

"We're almost there." Sparrow pointed to a stone spire that rose above the shop buildings.

They stopped a block away, at the outskirts of the city.

Faye stared at the open courtyard. "I think we're underdressed."

Dozens of people were entering the courtyard, dressed in ornate gowns. Their hair arranged and pinned, some in beautiful curls and others wore strings of glittering jewels woven into their elaborate braids. The men accompanying them wore tailored suits. "This doesn't look like the vampire orgy you've been dreaming of." Faye stuffed her hands in her pockets to fight off the cold of the winter night. She looked on at the people entering suspiciously. How were they not cold? None of them had coats. Not even a shawl.

"They're probably blood whores." Sparrow shrugged. "Orgies won't happen outside where anyone could see them."

Sparrow squeezed her wrist, and warmth spread over her body. "Sight shield. We're invisible."

Faye skeptically glanced down at herself, then Sparrow. "I can still see you."

"That's because it's the same spell." Sparrow punched her in the arm.

Rubbing her arm, Faye looked at her sideways. "Are you sure?"

Sparrow shrugged. "New spell. Let's see."

Faye stood in shock for a moment as Sparrow bolted for the courtyard. Faye dashed after her, catching up as she waved a hand in front of a man in a gray suit. Faye mouthed,What are you doing?

"Relax, he's a baby dark-blood. You can talk. We're invisible, and they can't hear us." To the man, she yelled, "Can you?" Sparrow smiled at Faye triumphantly.

"Fifteen minutes," Faye whispered.

Sparrow waved her on, slipping further into the courtyard.

Faye followed cautiously and could scarcely believe what she saw.

The air carried a heavy floral scent.

Twinkling lights laced intricate archways. Beautifully manicured plants and flowers surrounded grand fountains—pathways carved through the grounds with wrought iron benches scattered throughout. A string quartet played, setting the mood.

Beyond the hedged walls of the gardens rose a massive stone structure with several turrets arching high at different heights.

"I'm not burning my fifteen minutes here." Sparrow linked arms with Faye pulling her forward.

Faye followed, nearly tripping over Sparrow when they passed a woman seated on a male's lap on one of the benches. His mouth pressed to her throat as she clung to him. Her nails dug into the dark material of his suit jacket.

Faye could only watch, knowing she was invading the couple's intimate exchange but couldn't bring herself to look away.

She abstained from sex, unwilling to surrender what little control she still had over her life. But this give and take between them appealed to her. Faye could see the woman leading their exchange. Her vampire surrendered, receiving what she offered. An intoxicating dynamic Faye was nearly tempted to try.

The woman's moans of pleasure followed Faye as Sparrow led her further in. They snuck into the inner courtyard within the estate's towering stone walls. Sparrow followed the sounds of guttural groans and screams of pleasure. Faye knew vampires lusted tonight, but she expected them to have restraint. Or even modesty.

Vampires were no shy creatures. Couples and groups writhed in the darkened corners, a few even taking them on the benches for all to see. Another pair sat at the fountain's edge. This man had his hand up the woman's skirt as he drank from her—blood dripping along her bared skin.

Sparrow glanced back at her, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "This is amazing."

Amazing? Faye would have been shocked by such displays if Sparrow hadn't dragged her to several brothels, deeming it educational to watch when they reached eighteen and moved out on their own. "Drink it all in because you're about to lose in thirteen minutes."

Faye pulled her arm free from Sparrow when she got far too close to a woman being taken by two vampire men. "You don't have to be that close." Sparrow only fluttered her hand in response, and Faye rolled her eyes, stepping away from the trio.

Musk combined with the night-blooming flowers, scenting the air. It wasn't entirely pleasant, though she could do without the overlapping sounds of bodies joining. Faye glanced over her surroundings, focusing on the more civilized vampires.

A large balcony overlooked the courtyard. Beneath it, dozens of vampires danced. Their gowns swayed with each sweeping step as they turned, circling the dance floor with their partners.

Faye watched, mesmerized.

A bell tolled, the single ring clear and crisp, reverberating through her chest. Faye swore under her breath, blinking her eyes as they began to burn.

"You okay?" Sparrow rubbed her back and led her away to a quieter area.

Faye rubbed her eyes. "I have a lash in my eye or something. We should go. It's one in the morning."

Sparrow snorted. "That wasn't the time." She tapped Faye's wrist. "Let me see."

Faye opened her eyes wide, meeting Sparrow's gaze. "What is it then?"

"Their sacred moon is at its apex. They're supposed to do a ritual." She scrunched her face, leaning closer. "Your eyes are shimmering."

"It's just the lights here." Faye rubbed her eyes, beginning to feel better. She blinked, testing her vision, then focused on her sister. "I'm so proud of you, doing research."

"I wouldn't have to if you had the balls to go the first time I asked." Sparrow's eyes grew wide at something behind her. "Bitch they have food here."

Faye let Sparrow drag her to a towering, intricate display of tiny plates arranged with fresh-cut flowers. "Do vampires even eat?"

Sparrow shrugged. "Maybe it's for the blood whores." She picked up a flaky square.

"What are you doing?"

"Sampling the High Queen's menu." Sparrow popped the pastry in her mouth and leaned back, closing her eyes. "That is the best shit I've ever tasted. You need to try this." She stood on her toes, looking around the courtyard. "Do you see any other food stations?"

"No!"

"Stop worrying. They can't see us. Here, try this." Sparrow thrusted a pastry near Faye's mouth.

"Hooker, get off me." Faye pulled her head back, taking a retreating step. Her heel caught on a stone, and Faye lost her balance, falling against a hard, male body.

Sparrow snatched her by her coat and yanked her away before she broke into a run, laughing.

Faye's heart raced. She expected Sparrow to be the one to do something stupid like this. She glanced over her shoulder as they fled.

The man she fell into was tall with long white-blonde hair that looked silvery under the courtyard lights. He wore a tailored black suit like every other male here. He turned in their direction, and Faye's steps faltered.

A crimson so deep it looked black covered the entirety of his eye. Beneath his unnatural stare, shadows swayed, caressing the tops of his cheekbones, beckoning her. No, not shadows Faye realized, but the same mist that circled soul shards. The Darkness itself seemed to pour and dissipate beneath his dark gaze.

A wild sense of possession surged through her before leaving as quickly as it came. In those moments in between, she felt,knew, he belonged to her.

Faye mentally recoiled, unable to shake the lingering bone-deep instinct. She didn't want to own anyone. His dark gaze met hers, and Faye couldn't look away. Her lips parted as she exhaled a shaky breath, her skin heating in response to him.

He lifted his chin, taking a deep breath as his lids slid closed.