The first couple to appear was Grey and Mila. The Professor looked a little nervous, but Mila held herself with confidence at his side and both of them were dressed to the nines. Grey wore a tux with a plain black mask. His partner was in a blood red, figure hugging velvet gown, her mask matching it perfectly. Her dark hair was piled on top of her head with crystal decorations scattered throughout, but it was her striking green eyes which caught Victor’s attention.

Kimber also had emerald eyes, but Mila’s was a shade he’d never seen before, and he was certain he never would again. Maybe it was a color that was only typical in Blood Fairies. Whatever, they were remarkable and beautiful.

Victor held his hand out and plastered a huge smile on. “Welcome, Grey, and this must be Mila. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m very pleased you could join us. This is Kimber, my Bloodmate.”

Grey shook his hand, but Mila did not. Not because she didn’t want to. Her hand had moved automatically to do so, but Grey had blocked it. He didn’t blame him. Not at all. They weren’t that long bonded, and he’d be feeling…possessive.

“Thank you,” she said instead.

But he saw her give Grey a quick pinch as if to tell him she wasn’t happy at what he’d done.

Mila turned to Kimber, looking her over before her nostrils flared and she stepped forward. “You’re a Dragon? A real Dragon. Dang, I didn’t know that. That’s cool.”

“Thank you.” Kimber gave her one of her full-on dazzling smiles. “And you’re a Blood Fairy. I’ve never met one before. I’d love to hear more about you if you could spare a few moments later.”

“Sure, I’d like that.” Mila raised her head, looking back at Grey. “I’ll come find you and we can have a chat.”

“Thank you,” Kimber said as the couple moved on to greet Quinn and Amaya.

Kimber turned up to him and she looked about to say something to him, but she didn’t get the chance when another couple appeared. This time Victor had to think twice to remember the names as he’d only met them when they’d arrived, and he and Quinn had welcomed them and shown them to their cottage. It took him a second or two but then it came to him. The lovebirds; Markus and Rachel and damn, how could he forget…the first couple to be targeted. How on earth had that slipped his mind?

They were extremely new Bloodmates and hadn’t come up for air since they’d arrived. Which was to be expected. He remembered how he and Kimber had been, so he didn’t blame them one damn bit for staying locked away, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to offer his hand to Rachel either. That would not go down well with Markus, and he didn’t want to start off the evening on the wrong foot with the man.

“Markus, Rachel, so nice to see you again. I hope you’re both well?” Victor smiled at them both but as Markus was gripping Rachel’s hands in his, he did the same, holding Kimber’s.

“Yes, we’ve been well provided for.” Markus looked around then back at him. “Apart from that unfortunate incident that one night, everything has been fine.”

“Quinn told me about that and I can only apologize and assure you that steps have been taken.” Victor leaned forward, lowering his voice. “Jana Noskova is involved, and we’ll be talking to everyone when we’re all here. We don’t want you to think we’re keeping you in the dark.”

“I see.” Markus looked down at Rachel then back at him. “The Directive is helping in this?”

“Of course.” Victor tipped his head to the side, noticing the man looked uncomfortable. “Jana is a friend and she’s on our side. I assure you she’s done her utmost to help us in this.”

“If you say so, then I trust your word.” Markus turned to Kimber, giving her a dazzling smile.

“This is Kimber, my Bloodmate.”

“Lovely to meet you, Kimber.”

“You too, Markus, and you, Rachel. That is a stunning dress and those shoes! I just love them.”

Rachel blushed, holding out her left ankle to show off a pair of silver stilettos which coordinated with her evening dress perfectly. “Thank you. Markus and I went shopping and he treated me for the trip. I’m not sure my feet will last the night though.”

“I know what you mean. I’m certain I’ll be losing my shoes before the evening is out,” Kimber whispered conspiratorially.

“Yes. Me too.” Rachel giggled before Markus led her away to Quinn and Amaya.

Then the next couples arrived all at once, one after the other so they didn’t have much time to chat. Brief welcomes were given, and they swept into the room to join everyone who were now congregated around the bar where Flint had suddenly become the focus of attention. What Victor hadn’t expected was that his friend had turned on the charm, with Kenzie now sitting on a bar stool and watching him while sipping from a champagne flute.

Flint cracked jokes about…wait? What was he talking about? Victor thought he’d misheard but no. Flint was indeed relaying the story of his fight with the Wolves on the shore of the lake…but of course he would. It was Flint after all. Only he was lacing it with laughter as he talked about his own stupidity and how he allowed the damn dirty dogs to get the better of him.

“I mean, come on guys…how stupid was I? I needed my head banging for that fiasco.” Flint lifted his glass and downed it in one, motioning to the bartender for another. “If it weren’t for Victor I’d still be lying at the bottom of that damn lake wilting away and wondering what the fuck was going on. And you know something? That water is cold enough to freeze your…”

Kenzie’s hand shot out to swipe Flint across the back of his head. “Don’t you dare, Flint. There’s ladies present.”

Mila stepped forward, laughing and looking around. “Don’t count me as one…carry on, Flint.”

“I hate to break this up,” Quinn looked over at him and Kimber, “but as they’re already in a good mood then maybe this is the best time to tell them what Jana told us. What do you think?”

The small group around the bar appeared jovial and indeed happy but they did have to speak to them. Victor looked once again as Flint eyed Mila and Grey’s arms tightened protectively around her.

“Now, Miss Mila, you are definitely a lady tonight,” Flint said with his most polite voice, but added a bow at the end which pulled a frown onto Grey’s forehead but a hearty laugh from his Bloodmate.

“Just for tonight, Flint. I’ve scrubbed up for my Professor here, that’s all. But you better watch out…you don’t want to annoy him. Or me. I’m a Blood Fairy and we rule the Underworld, than means you don’t want to piss me off…and I managed to break free from there. So you see, I’m definitely not a lady. Not one bit.”

She landed a hand on her hip, jutting it out and tilting her head up as she gave him a wink. The slit in her dress showed Flint, and all present, that she had on a black leather garter that wasn’t just for the benefit of Grey…it held a long ornately carved silver dagger.

Flint tipped two fingers to his forehead, gave her a bow and guffawed loudly. “I apologize sincerely and I take note not to piss you off, Mila. Not if you promise to show me that beauty later? I’ve a reputation for being a bit of an expert with all things to do with blades and that one intrigues me.”

Grey huffed out a great sigh, scowling at Mila then Flint and back again as she shrugged over at Flint. “I’ve heard of your expertise and I’ll think about it. This is one of my favorites and I tend not to share.”

“I don’t either,” Kenzie added quietly, but everyone heard her clear as day, including Flint who spun around and kissed her soundly on the lips.

“I guess now is as good a time as any.” Victor waved Quinn on. “After you.”

“Thank you, not.” Quinn grumbled as he led Amaya over, whispering, “I need a drink first, Victor…get me a large one.”

“Can I have some champagne please?” Amaya asked as he made his way to the end of the bar and snagged a barman’s attention. “Kimber?”

“Nothing, not now. I’ll wait until the talk’s over. I’m too nervous. What if they all get upset and decide to leave? This will all have been for nothing.”

Victor saw her tremble with nerves, her face whitened, and her heart stampeded in her chest again. Only this time it wasn’t with passion and he hated that. Her eyes flitted to the side nervously, watching as Flint carried on with inane jokes and Mila was harassing him with comebacks with the rest of the group either laughing or watching and waiting to see if things would get out of hand.

He knew they wouldn’t though. Flint was playing around, and Victor knew that. And as for Mila? Well, he was certain she was too. Her body language and everything else about her told him that. From the calm heart rate to the way Grey was acting. Grey wasn’t in the least concerned, so if he wasn’t then Victor wasn’t either.

But would their guests remain in such good spirits once they learned the truth about what was going on?

Quinn stepped forward. Victor heard him inhaling and saw him straightening his back as he clapped his hands. “Can I have your attention, please? Just for a few minutes, then we can continue with our evening.”

“Stay here, darling.” Victor left Kimber to go over and stand beside Quinn. His presence, hopefully, giving him moral support and if needs be he’d be able to help with any questions or angry outbursts that came their way.

Everyone’s eyes were now on them as Quinn looked every single person in the face before he carried on. His voice was cool and calm, but also firm which showed the measure of the man.

“We just wanted to take a moment to give you an update on what’s been happening and to assure you that we have been working hard to sort this out. I know you’ve placed your trust in us and Victor and I are extremely grateful for that. We know it couldn’t have been easy for any of you to come here and be among strangers, especially when you didn’t even know where you’d be staying. So, again, thank you. But I know you’re aware of the trouble we’ve had, and I’d like you to know that we’ve been in close contact with Jana Noskova about this.”

Victor had been watching everyone closely, and when Quinn mentioned Jana, he noticed Mila’s brow quirked. Interesting. Did she know Jana? There were a few other reactions at the mention of The Directive’s Second in Command but those were more of the sort he’d expect, like gasps, or widening of eyes. Not the same as Mila’s.

“She’s given us some troubling news and we thought it fair you should know what we do.” Quinn paused, glanced at Victor then back over at the group whose attention was now riveted on them. “We couldn’t figure out why, or how, we were being attacked but now we do. Jana is of the opinion a clerk has leaked the details of our get-together to a Vampire that is…well, the only word for him is insane. He’s dangerous and wealthy to boot so he has the means to be behind all of what’s been happening. She’s on top of this and so are we, but we thought you should know. The Directive has all of their operatives looking for him but we’re of the opinion he is in the area and my men have been instructed to be on the look-out for him. We don’t think there are many of his cohorts left but we still have to be vigilant. You will all be escorted back to your cottages tonight, and guards are posted throughout the property…more than usual.”

Quinn stopped to look around and Victor stepped in, hoping to stem any outburst before they started. “I can assure you that we have enough men to keep you all safe. Your safety is our top priority. You have my word on that.”

Several heads nodded, and Flint gave a soft chuckle from his place at the back. “If I hadn’t been so stupid I wouldn’t have ended up having to be saved by the old man. So you can be damn sure he means what he says.”

Mila turned to wink over at Flint, flashing a thigh with the dagger. “I don’t think you’ve ever been stupid a day in your life, but I know one thing…I’m feeling safe as a bug in a rug with all these big tough guards around, and with Grey here to keep me safe, I know I’ll be just fine. Add to that the fact that Jana Noskova herself is involved, and well, come on folks, we know she’ll do whatever it takes to nab this fucker. So, why don’t we put this nastiness behind us for now and let’s have a party! Who wants another drink? I know I do. Bartender…why don’t you get some cocktails going? Let’s see what you can do.”

And there…the tension was broken, and laughter broke out around them. Mila snuck a glance Victor’s way, one that spoke volumes and once again he wondered about her. This woman was far more than just Grey’s Bloodmate that was for damn sure. Victor just didn’t know what. Not yet anyway.