This is my second submission and a small part of what I hope will be a continuing story. It can stand alone but it follows Kissed By Lightning.
A very big thank you to Inverted Fool for editing this chapter.
You're positive comments have inspired me to work even harder. Glad I finally found such a great editor.
I've got a lot on the way, stay tuned. Don't forget to comment or send me feedback!
**
The huge hall was tall, opulent and extreme, just as the vampire society was in general. Every inch seemed to be covered in variously hued marble, statuaries throughout the room, diamond chandeliers hung in a row. The thick dark columns wound through the main hall, into the other halls, and set a precedent for exclusivity. It was breathtaking. No less breathtaking than the variety of vampires in attendance who populated the halls, visible through the open doors of the grand rooms Luciano passed.
There were distinguished males in fine Tuxes, male servants in all black attire and like all of his kind they were all beautifully youthful. And then there were the women. All of them in the same room like this could leave no doubt to their lack of humanity. Their overwhelming beauty glowed against the marble and the chandeliers. Their unearthly beauty was even more breathtaking than the statuary or the diamonds that hung over their heads. They wore exquisite clothes and jewelry, some wore more of the latter than others. Most of the evening gowns adorned by the women were old, classical, although he found himself pleased to recognize several modern styles which were much more revealing. Although those were the females he should stay away from.
Luciano's grey gaze moved swiftly over the females in the room. Their eyes shifted in his direction as he passed, a predatory gleam in their eyes, their heated thoughts prickled at his skin. After so many years he'd grown bored of it all, the bubbling of champagne filling his senses was more enticing than the women themselves. Baffling really, he'd never minded before, usually he'd enjoy their lavishing attention, their heated stares, but tonight they only irked him, edging on the darker side of his vampire, which was unusual. In the deepest part of him, where his vampire dwelt,, the creature that ached for blood and chaos was usually silent amongst these events. His inner vampire had been a hell of a lot more vocal as of late.
His spine stiffened as he felt the heat wave from a especially bold female. His beast shifted inside his mind, fangs extended. Luciano shook off the strange reaction. His vanity wasn't one to turn away a female so he aimed his well structured smile in her direction. Many of the single women present had been his lovers at one point or another, he knew he was an amazing lover and reveled in their need of him. Their society was highly promiscuous and who could blame them. They were physically fit, aesthetically perfect, had outmatched endurance, lived countless decades in boredom, could not contract any of what the human knew as sexually transmitted diseases and had trouble creating long lasting romantic relationships. Oh there were matings of course, but it was a rare occurrence to hear of a couple who was actually madly in love. It was usually all purely transactional, used to further a family line in physical power or wealth.
Luciano frowned as the perky blonde beside him chattered on, oblivious to his growing annoyance. Worse yet was the overly friendly blonde glued to his other side, who kept responding to the chatter. He let out a sigh as Natasha Suleile and Isis Winal clung onto his arms. It annoyed him when one female tried to stake her claim on him so publicly, but they both knew he'd only brought Natasha as a favor to her father. Her father, Damian Suleile was a distinguished member of the current council and, although he was transitioning out, the male had strong influence over their society and very few could deny him, especially in regards to his daughter. Mr. Suleile had called him at the last minute, asking if he could pick up Natasha from his home and escort her to the ball this year. Luciano of course, considered it a great honor for such a man to trust the safety of his daughter to him. Didn't mean he had to like being around her. He let out an annoyed sigh.
"There isn't much I dislike as much as attending the archaic ceremonies tomorrow, but the ball is always to die for. Don't you agree, Luc?" His eyes roamed the hall as he gave her a short nod in response. The violin and piano made such a sultry combination, he wholly approved of the band for this evening. He knew they'd played covers of modern music made into classical spins.
At least the music was good this year, In all truth, he really did detest going through the motions of these archaic traditions. The Sacred Maidens were— well he'd never really stopped to ponder much on such creatures. They were revered as powerful, untouchable pure females who lived to serve the race, to provide the highest breeding and were the only ones equipped to feed an elder, but he knew better. Luciano had seen one of those females snap. From afar he'd been able to see the unconscious bodies at her feet, and the madness in her eyes, as power crackled around her like a venous snake waiting to sink it's teeth into anyone who approached. He'd watched from a healthy distance on the recon mission he'd led and he'd watched as another Maiden dressed in white robes appeared and rightly took the mad female's head.
Luciano felt the flute of champagne press against his hand and took a sip, letting his eyes roam the room. He was a predator and these were his prey. The vampires around him danced and had hushed conversations, the politics at play exhilarating. Best yet, they had no idea he was so attentive, so perceptive to their intentions. He'd risen in the hierarchy of his kind, not just by the name he'd been born to, but by his lethal, incomparable strength in defense and strategy. Most of them saw only his pretty face and didn't bother to delve deeper.
A scent caught his attention, something decadent, sweet and tender, made his mouth water. His body stiffened, his eyes narrowed and a second later his eyes found her. '
Katrina.'
Her body twirled on the dance floor and Luciano felt the air get lodged in his throat as he choked. He felt Natasha's small hands rub his back soothingly, sending her healing energy into his body. He gave her a curt nod, shaking her off and moved through the edges of the dance floor.
His eyes burned at the sight. The Michael Costello, Elizabeth black lace dress hugged Katrina's body like a glove, with a high neckline and delicate capped sleeves that brought attention to the elegant arch of her shoulders. The fitting of her dress was heavenly elegant and enticing. The long mermaid bottom twirled as she moved. Most startling, as she danced, she revealed the dangerously low back, hanging precariously close to the edge of her ass, the large gap of the back showcased her beautiful creamy golden skin.
Heat inflamed his senses, the room faded until there was only her in his sight. With a sideways glance his eyes narrowed at Katrina's tight smile towards the male companion who'd just twirled her like she was a fucking disney princess. '
Asshole.'
The dangerous predator inside him seethed, his blood boiling as the male's hand landed on the center of her bare back, his keen eyesight noted the way the males fingers rubbed against her back.
