Drinks started to flow rapidly with Mila right in the thick of things, ensuring that everyone had their hands full at all times. She spouted orders to the bartender for cocktails, handing them out so fast that nobody was dwelling on what they’d been told earlier. Again Victor wondered about the Blood Fairy…who was she exactly? And why was she going above and beyond to help them?

He kept his eye on her and shortly afterward sidled over, refreshed his drink and gave her a nod. “Thank you for helping us out.”

“I don’t know what you mean.” Mila sipped an outrageous-looking cocktail that was multi-colored and had a large paper umbrella sticking out the top.

“Yes, you do,” Victor pressed her. “You’re more than meets the eye, Mila. Tell me, do you know Jana? Or others in The Directive? Are you working for them perhaps?”

Her back stiffened…just for a second before she laughed, but it was all he needed.

“What? Me working for the mighty Directive? That’s ludicrous. What could I possibly do for them?”

“I think you could do a lot and your secret’s safe with me.” Victor looked over his glass as he took a sip. “If you know something that could help us though…I’d appreciate you telling me.”

Mila mirrored him, sucking from her straw, her brow furrowed briefly before she shook her head. “I don’t. I mean that. I’ve got nothing for you. If I did I would tell you. I wouldn’t put anyone at risk. I promise you that.”

“Fair enough.” Victor gave her a nod and another scrutinizing look as he wondered exactly what she did for The Directive but knowing he would probably never learn the truth.

Mila gave him a sly wink as she left him and went back to the bar to shout out another order to the barman…this time for something Victor had never even heard of. The group seemed to be enjoying themselves though and were mixing together which was something he’d been concerned about. The Blood Fairy had been instrumental in that. Her outgoing manner and high spirits helped, together with Flint being on good form…they were a good tag-team.

“Things are going well, darling.” Kimber slipped her hand in his, her scent and closeness igniting his passion once more. Damn, was it only the beginning of the night? Could they slip away for an hour?

No. Probably not.

“Yes, far better than I’d hoped.” Victor ran circles over her hand with his thumb, just to feel it beneath him…feel her because it was all he was going to get for the time being.

“Mila is helping and so is Flint. He’s quite the joker when he puts his mind to it.”

“Sure is.” Victor glanced down, and the view was quite outstanding…his eyes landing on her cleavage. Shit. He shouldn’t have done that…memories from their rendezvous sprang to mind. “How early can we leave?”

“No, Victor. Don’t even think about it. You’re one of the hosts, so we can’t.” Kimber’s words said one thing, but her eyes twinkled as she peeked up at him through her lashes, and he knew she was thinking exactly as he was. Little minx.

“Damn.” He laughed and sipped his drink. “I’ll need a lot more of these then.”

Mila took that moment to decide it was time to ramp up the music and get everyone heading toward the dance-floor…with her leading the way.

Almost everyone followed, but not all. There were a few who looked self-conscious and hung back. They did make their way up the hall to where the music area was set out but didn’t go onto the dance-floor. Instead they stayed on the edge, watching, although Victor saw some feet tapping away and smiles on their faces as they watched the others get right into the music which was now blaring loudly.

Amaya came rushing over as the song changed, grabbing Kimber. “I love this! Come on.”

And with that Kimber was dragged away to join in.

“A success so far…yes?” Quinn sauntered over, glass in hand, eyes on the dancers.

“I’d say so.” Victor inclined his head to the group. “I hate having to say this…but we should join them.”

Quinn’s face whitened and so did his knuckles around the crystal he held. Victor wasn’t sure whether he would crush it or turn tail and run. His friend’s eyes whirled to him, and for the first time, Victor wondered if he saw a frisson of fear in the mighty Quinn Alexander.

“What? You can’t mean we have to take part in…that?”

“I understand it’s not quite your scene. It’s not mine either, but they are our guests. As I’ve told Flint, we have to suck it up, Quinn. You don’t have to dance to that racket. I certainly can’t, but we can stand on the edge of the floor, smile, and generally just be there. Standing down here on our own isn’t really where we should be. And…there’s a bar up there too. We can still have our drinks there while we do our duty.”

“I guess I can do it if you can.” Quinn grimaced, his face looking like he’d just stepped in something disgusting which caused Victor to pat him on the shoulder and chuckle loudly.

“Come on, it’s not that bad. Maybe the music will improve, and we might even get to dance with our women later.”

He led the way with Quinn trailing behind like he was leading him to the guillotine, which had him smiling broader with every step he took. By the time they reached the bar, he was in a better mood and almost cheery, even with the damn music that was still far from his taste, but most everyone was on the floor having a good time.

One couple was at the bar…Adrian and Lavinia and it looked like Adrian was attempting to talk Lavinia into going to dance but she was reluctant to leave him.

“I’m fine here, Lavinia. Honestly.”

“Then I’ll stay with you.”

Victor heard every word, even over the thudding music, as they moved closer to join them. “I hope you’re enjoying yourselves?”

Adrian inclined his head in greeting. The man was tall with aristocratic features and a distinct Mediterranean look with dark hair and eyes. “Yes, although this isn’t quite my type of music. I’m trying to get Lavinia to join in but she’s rather reticent to do so without me.”

“That’s understandable when you don’t know anyone very well, Lavinia.” Victor addressed the girl directly, noticing her eyes flitting again and again to the people dancing. “But you should go and join them and have some fun. I’ll take care of Adrian for you while you’re gone.”

Lavinia looked at him then back to the dancers, then up at Adrian who urged her once again. “Go on, darling. I’ll be right here with a drink waiting on you when you’re thirsty.”

And that was all she needed…she went up on her tippy toes, kissed his cheek then turned and rushed onto the dance-floor to join in the revelries.

“Thank you.” Adrian tipped his head.

“My pleasure,” Victor turned to the bar. “Another?”

“Yes.” Adrian asked for his drink, a rather nice wine, while Victor and Quinn stayed with their whisky and soon they were chatting away…not quite like old friends but he couldn’t sense anything off about the man and he seemed friendly enough if a little private.

It was obvious Adrian was what Victor would call a gentleman…someone who was polite and from a background that was elegant with manners to go with it. He also kept a close watch on Lavinia, his eyes flitting to her over and over. Then again, Victor did the same with Kimber. He couldn’t help himself and neither could Adrian, and he bet Quinn was also watching Amaya.

The music stayed the same for a good half hour, or more, and it wasn’t until Mila screamed at the top of her lungs, “Drinks! More Drinks,” that the sound lowered.

“Thank goodness,” Quinn muttered as the group rushed toward them and the bar. “My ears couldn’t take much more of that.”

Adrian’s lips tugged up at the side but that was the only sign he agreed as Lavinia sashayed closer and he handed her a glass. “Here you go, darling. You must be parched after all that dancing.”

“It was so much fun. I’ve not danced like that for…like forever.” She snatched the offered drink and almost finished it in one gulp before she came up for air.

“Another?” Adrian asked.

“No, I’m fine, thanks.” Lavinia leaned into his side, his arm possessively wrapped around her.

Kimber arrived, breathless and flushed. “I’m just going to check if the food is ready and then we’ll have a break then more dancing.”

“You should have some water, baby.” Victor turned to ask for a bottle, but she stopped him, her hand on his arm.

“I’ll get one in a minute. I won’t be long…be right back.”

Victor could hear her blood rushing through her body, sense her temperature was high, see the beads of sweat on her forehead…she should’ve taken the time to drink some water. It would’ve taken a few seconds. But no. She dashed off toward the area with tables that were being used for food and even more drinks, both soft and alcoholic, with waiters and waitresses in attendance just waiting to tend to their guests.

She spoke to a couple who answered and another who nodded before a tall waiter came from the end to lean down and say something to her, he couldn’t see him clearly, his back to him as he spoke. At the man’s words she frowned, shaking her head. She looked around then back at him with a deep scowl before she straightened her shoulders and nodded.

Victor watched as the man turned and walked away with Kimber following. What the hell was going on?

He zeroed in on her as she carried on walking behind the waiter. Only when they reached the door leading out into the hallway did Victor catch a glimpse…a hint of the guy’s profile. His gut clenched. No. It wasn’t possible. His eyes were deceiving him.

The man had a mask on…Victor hadn’t seen right…had he?

He shook his head as he tried to calm his heart rate which had sky-rocketed…and concentrated on the vision in his head. Victor focused on what he’d seen. Then again, he refocused on the area of the mask…and there it was…a mark leading up and through the man’s brow. A fucking scar.

“Flint! With me now.”

Terror invaded his very soul when he realized Kimber, his love, the mother of his son…his Bloodmate, had just been led away by the fucker behind the attacks on them…Arthur Dawson…and she had no fucking clue of the danger she was in.