Vampire Debt - Supernatural Battle (Vampire Towers #2) - Kelly St. Clare Page 0,72
the new-money opulence of most event venues I’d have to attend as the Le Spyre.
Last time I saw most of these people was at my grandmother’s funeral.
“Miss Basilia Le Spyre,” the herald announced as I descended the few steps.
I winked at him, watching the guy redden.
“Thank god someone worthwhile showed up,” Lady Treena said loudly, approaching at a gallop with her token glass of champagne.
Those around us shared wide, amused looks—more fool them. I took her hands and kissed her weathered cheek warmly. “Aunt Treena, I’m glad to see you. I’ve been meaning to visit.”
She eyed me, sipping at her champers.
The level didn’t go down. Lady Treena always had her hand wrapped around a chute, but I’d never seen her drunk. It was how she tricked the world into thinking she’d gone batty. Hardly anyone stopped to wonder how she’d become, and stayed, so rich.
Because 95 percent of people were idiots.
“I expect one soon,” she replied. “After you’ve had time to adjust to your new position.”
Her gaze sharpened on me.
I met it without disguise, allowing my sorrow to seep through. For the loss of her best friend, my grandmother, and the loss of her mind to Vissimo. I’d known this woman my entire life. Had she been under a blood compulsion that long?
She nodded curtly, taking another fake swig. “More champagne!”
Three waiters appeared out of thin air. She set down her full chute and took two fresh more. The staff didn’t say a word.
Lady Treena passed one to me. “The others couldn’t come tonight. Old people problems. Do you know what this gathering is for?”
I hummed into my chute. “New bank in town.”
“Fuck me. Should have faked a broken leg.”
If anyone could fake that, it would be Lady Treena.
I laughed, but it faded as a familiar face appeared through the crowd.
Rory Senrite bowed low. “Miss Le Spyre, we meet again.”
He scrubbed up well in a white tux. He even managed to look dishevelled—probably took him hours.
“Rory.” I sighed. “Should’ve known you’d be here.”
“Maybe you hoped? I’m surprised to see you here. What with your I’m better than other rich people attitude.”
My lips twitched. “I’m Miss Le Spyre now, Mr Senrite. That comes with ballgown burdens.”
His eyes roamed my cinched waist and swelling breasts. “Darling, burden is not the word that comes to mind.”
“Always the charmer,” I said archly, glancing at Lady Treena.
She gaped at Rory, champagne forgotten.
Crap.
The Vissimo quirked a brow. I turned my back to him, holding out my arm. “Lady Treena, I’m getting boob sweat. Will you join me in a quieter spot?”
She blinked a few times. “Boob sweat won’t get you laid.”
Rory choked behind me.
“Depends how drunk both people are,” I replied, leading her away.
She glanced up at me. “The caveman? Please tell me it wasn’t that new-money trash you dated for too long.”
Honestly, it probably happened with Ricky, too, but… “Caveman.”
Kyros’s brother didn’t follow, but he’d definitely heard about my drunken conquest from six months ago. Which meant Kyros would hear about it.
Worked for me.
I nodded to a few people on the way. I’d screamed at them all a few weeks ago, yet here they were, simpering for my attention. I’d rather be in a tower of vampires.
After depositing Lady Treena on a soft chair near the jazz band, I went to procure a chute of water for her.
“Miss Le Spyre, what a pleasure.”
The jab of fear that accompanied the feminine voice was enough to pinpoint the race of the speaker.
I turned in a whisper of satin. “Gina.”
The petite vampire looked like the devil’s concubine in the hugging black mermaid gown with her auburn locks. Or maybe like the devil was her concubine.
Gina’s back was to the wall as she scanned the crowd. They, in return, darted small peeks at her, half afraid and half turned on.
“I hate these things,” she murmured.
The vampire couldn’t do anything to me in this crowd, surely. And Rory was here.
I joined her against the wall. “Show up two hours late and leave two hours early. That’s my motto. Does Bluff City need a new bank?”
“No. NJB will merge with a bigger bank within the year. The question is which bank.”
Which explained the presence of Rory and Gina.
I sipped at my champagne. It wasn’t terrible.
“It’s a nice change not to engage in small talk,” she said.
“You don’t enjoy talking about the weather?” I lowered my voice. “Must be a Vissimo thing. I love it.”
Hmm, I’d successfully said Vissimo in a crowd of humans. Not that any were close by.