Kiss of Crimson Samantha Coville (best short books to read .TXT) 📖

Jardin had given me life, a purpose.

I owed him everything.

But…

“I have made up my mind, you see,” he continued, his voice a lazy, low drawl that nonetheless made sweat pop up on my temples. “I will take Leona’s territory, her business, with or without you.”

The blood shivered ever so slightly in my crystal goblet. “And how would you proceed if I were not in the, ah, equation?”

His eyes narrowed slightly. “I’m sure Evangeline would not hesitate to take me up on this very generous offer.”

The bottom dropped out of my stomach. “She’s far too unpredictable. It’d be like slipping into bed with a viper.”

“Then perhaps you should make sure it is you not her that takes this task, hm?”

His smile turned malicious.

“It would be a shame if Evangeline should get her claws into Leona’s pretty daughter, no? You know she has no preference when it comes to sexual tastes. Except for the innocent, naïve ones.” He clucked his tongue. “She does enjoy breaking all those, excuse my turn of phrase, poor, unfortunate souls, wouldn’t you agree?”

I didn’t know it was possible, but I felt even more ill as the room spun around me for a moment.

If Eloise ever had the grave misfortune of coming across a monster like Evangeline…

I grit my teeth, knowing there was only one option.

“I’ll do it.”

Jardin nodded. “That’s my boy.”

I’m not your boy.

Seven

Eloise

While I had haphazardly prepared for the first ball under absolute secrecy, this time was different. I had actually gone downtown to buy a new dress and had it tailored to absolute perfection. And I was even able to have Jewel assist me with curling my hair. My mother had stopped by my room during the process, but there were no stern looks or harsh words. She only told me how pretty I looked and left to check on the final details of the event that was only hours away.

Tonight was important for her. She already had a strong group of loyal clients who purchased from her diligently. But the competition in the blood trade was growing fiercer. In order to stay on top, it was important for her to continue adding names to her client list faster than her competitors. Tonight was the chance to woo and wow those vampires who either had never purchased illegal human blood before or were current clients for a different trader. It made me wonder if any of mother’s clients went to such parties at other traders’ mansions.

“Jewel, can you help me with the zipper, please?”

She nodded her head and quickly assisted me, careful not to pinch my skin. She gazed longingly at my gown and whispered, “You look beautiful today, Miss Eloise.”

I beamed a wide smile and admired the dress I’d picked out. It was white this time, with the bottom covered in delicate pink blossoms. The higher up the dress you went, the more dispersed and scattered the blossoms became, with the bodice being completely white. I felt more like an angel in this dress, whereas my first dress had been striking and eye-catching. Maybe going a different route in my attire would help attract a different sort of vampire?

Music began playing downstairs, the same orchestra as before striking up their tunes again. That signaled that the first guest had just pulled up in front of the mansion. And that was my cue to finish getting ready and head down to join them.

I grabbed a matching pink flower blossom pin that the woman at the dress shop had sold me on. I fastened it into my hair and hurried for the staircase. By the time I was downstairs, there were already a handful of guests. They seemed to be split evenly between vampires dressed in Victorian fashion, like most of my mother’s dedicated clientele, and vampires who were more modern in their attire. They would be the younger vampires, the new money, the ones looking to enter into the business of blood.

One of the older, more refined vampires gave me a warm smile and a nod of recognition at my arrival. As good a place as any to start the evening. I waltzed over to him and curtsied.

“Welcome to the mansion of Madame Leona. We’re delighted you’ve joined us this evening. I am-”

He held up a hand, each finger adorned with a large ring. “I know who you are. The daughter of the Madame has been the talk of the town.”

I blushed, but my confidence was boosted. I wouldn’t need anyone to tour me around and introduce me tonight.

The vampire continued. “My name is Jerith. I am pleased to make your acquaintance. Would you care to join me for the first dance?”

He held out his hand for me to take, and I took it. Guests were arriving more rapidly now, and a group of us swarmed to the middle of the ballroom to begin the festivities. Jerith spun me around so that I faced him, and he placed one hand on my waist and grasped my other hand tightly. We began graceful circles across the floor, intertwining with the circles of the other dancing couples.

It was time to get to know this new arrival a bit better. I spoke loud enough to be heard over the music, but not allowed enough that anyone could eavesdrop. I was already beginning to find that secrecy and privacy were a lot easier at these large gatherings than I had originally thought possible.

“What do you do for business, Master Jerith?”

“Ah,” he laughed. “You get straight to it then. No small talk about the weather. I like that. I am actually involved in business, not within Accord guidelines.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Are you in banking or something similar?”

He tilted his head this way and that, shrugging his shoulders as he did so. I was glad he took the lead in our dance because I don’t think I could have maintained our swirling circles and the intriguing conversation at the same time.

“You