All Souls' Night - Renee Rose Page 0,274

and attend something so fancy. There was no homecoming for me in high school. No prom. No graduation dance. I missed them all. My foster parents refused to spend any money on events they thought were a waste of the cash they got from the state. Well, fuck them. If they could only see me now. On the other hand, if they could, I’d probably sink my teeth into their fucking throats.

Armando leans into me and nibbles my earlobe, wiping away my past. “You look good enough to eat.”

“I feel like a princess, even if I can hide a car underneath this skirt.” I lift the mounds of black silk. The heavy layers of wire and fabric should weigh a ton, but it barely registers. One more thing I can thank vampirism for. I reach up to make sure my chestnut-brown hair is still in the careful pile of curls the vampire hairdresser studded with diamonds. It’s not like I can check in the mirror, since I can no longer see myself. Yeah, that’s going to take some getting used to.

Armando insisted on buying the gown to match the mask I’d already picked out. I’d planned on renting something, but he convinced me we could role play if he bought it. His gaze travels across my chest.

My body ignites under his appreciation, like a wildfire spreading through the forest. The bodice fits like one of my corsets, only the dress has tight sleeves that flare just below the elbow. The gold embroidery throughout the corset-style top is the reason I selected the dress. That, and the fact that it matches my Maleficent style mask is a bonus. I fell in love with the black and gold feathers that flare from the eyes and cheeks, and ordered it a month ago.

Knowing Armando, he took my mask and made sure the gold thread in the dress paired with the color of the horns. His hands settle at my waist, where the gown flares wide to create a bell shape for the bottom half, and I kiss his cheek. “I don’t think of food when I look at you.”

“I’m so glad Theo’s blood worked. I didn’t want you to miss this.”

The club has been transformed into a wonderland. Selene has outdone herself with this event.

Club Toxic doesn’t look like the same place where I have worked for six months. Rather than deep colors, we are surrounded by gold, silver, and white—or off-white. There is a harlequin playing a flute, and people in formal silver costumes juggle what look like bowling pins. They’ve also replaced the light fixtures with chandeliers that look like candles. The decorations aren’t as major as the way people are dressed.

The smile on my face is so big, my cheeks hurt. Nothing in my life is the same. No matter what I face in the future, no one will hold sway over me like Phil did. Now that I’m a vampire, I have the power to stand up for myself, and take action to ensure no woman is ever victimized while I stand by helplessly again. And I owe my new strength, life, and freedom to Armando.

My need to be ready to run at the drop of a hat died with Phil. Fancy gowns and balls are my future. Breathing in the sensuality of my new life, I stand on my tiptoes and kiss Armando deeply.

When we break the kiss, I consider if I want to stay in the main club and dance with him, or take him to the dungeon. We are surrounded by people in various styles of costumes. Many are wearing traditional Venetian gowns like I am, but then there are those wearing more modern interpretations. My favorite is a woman in a black-and-white dress with black horns on her head. The bodice of her gown looks like a corset with a ruffled edge. Totally my style.

“Let’s go downstairs.”

I smile up at my Spaniard. He humored me, and is wearing a long-nose mask that’s black with gold embellishments. His short, black cape finishes his look. He is the sexiest guy in the club.

“Are you sure Lucius will accept me?”

Cupping my cheek, he gives me the smile he reserves only for me. “There is no question. You’re the light of my life, and only offer stability to his territory.”

“Yeah, thanks to Theo and his magic blood. Otherwise, I’d be on a killing spree right now.”

Shaking his head, he leads me through the place and to the coatroom. Now