- Excerpt -

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THE next day, Reaghan had a light luncheon then dressed to go down to the castle auditorium to rehearse before any of the vampires were up. She didn’t require much sleep in the human realm. And, in truth, she was anxious to complete her mission. So she might as well put her time to good use.

She was scheduled to play later that evening after dinner. Despite not having played for anyone other than her family in some time, she wasn’t worried. Her skill on the violin, by human standards was exceptional. And if boosted with a touch of power, could mesmerize anyone she desired. But the practice gave her an excuse to move about the meeting spaces unaccompanied and fell in line with her cover story of a human musician.

As expected, the ballroom was empty, save for a few hotel employees who were busy cleaning and setting the room for the next event.

She took her instrument out and ran her hands over the polished wood lovingly as memories of her first lessons surfaced. Her brother had surprised her by arranging for her to take lessons from a friend of a friend, one of the early masters, as part of her first trip into the mortal plane. Once she mastered it, her father obtained a violin made by Nicola Amati. It was his way of supporting her talent even though her mother disapproved of anything human. But even her mother had been caught enjoying the sound of her music.

To warm up her fingers and ensure everything was properly tuned, she played one of her favorite songs. Then, leaving her shoes next to the chair, she twirled about the room while practicing the ones she wanted to play for Lord Edrom. Dancing gave her a chance to not only check the room’s acoustics, but to search for traces of fae magic.

She detected trace amounts of magic, but it was so diluted with residual energy from the other beings that she couldn’t pin point its origins.

Perhaps she would be able to trace it outside of the ballroom after she had finished.

She finished her exploration of the room then returned to the chair in the center of the dance floor. After making a couple of adjustments to her violin she dove into one of her hardest pieces. She closed her eyes and let herself be swept away with the music. Her bow moved across the strings almost of their own accord. During the last half of the song a man added his voice to the song. It should have surprised her, but the sound blended in so smoothly that it just felt…right. Her music sparkled and flowed like never before and dragged her further into the spell she had inadvertently woven.

When the last note was played it lingered in the room like an endless echo. She opened her eyes and found the man from the lobby standing near the edge of the wood floor.

The expression on his face was intense. As if he could devour her whole while making her enjoy it. And yet she sensed a touch of awe, as if he couldn’t quite believe what he was seeing. It stirred a warmth not only within her body, but also her soul.

Their gazes met. She couldn’t have looked away even if the building caved in. The connection she felt the last time she saw him sizzled to life. It sparked a flame within her that took on a life of its own. The warm feeling bubbled quickly spread throughout her body.

“Brava!” An older man called from the door. He clapped his hands as he and Noémie, Lord Edrom’s assistant, entered the room, breaking the spell their music had woven. She chanced a glance at the mystery man while the older man hobbled to the edge of the dance floor, leaning heavily on his cane. “That was simply beautiful.” He held out his hand to Reaghan. “Noémie tells me you are Mademoiselle McCarthy.”

Reaghan transferred her bow into her other hand before shaking his. “I am.”

“I am Lord Edrom.”

“Oh, yes.” She dipped her head respectfully. “I am flattered that you thought of me for your event.”

“You have my wife to think for that.” He smiled. “She is quite the fan.”

“Then I am doubly pleased.” She risked another glance at the vampire hovering to her left.

“And you, Amarande.” Lord Edrom turned his assessing glaze on the mystery man. “I haven’t heard you sing in some time. It seems our guest has inspired you.”

The man gave Lord Edrom a stiff smile. “It would appear so.”

Lord Edrom’s gaze danced between them. “You two have met before, yes?”

Reaghan shook off the effects of their initial contact. “Yes.” She pulled her violin close to her chest. “I mean, no.”

Lord Edrom raised a brow in question.

“I mean,” She gestured at the man. “I saw you in the lobby last night as I was checking in but we were not introduced.”

“Ah.” Lord Edrom nodded. “Then allow me.” He gestured to the taller vampire. “This is Amarande Maniaci. He is one of our clan’s up and coming.” To Amarande he added, “And this, as you already learned, is Mademoiselle McCarthy, our guest musician.”

Reaghan offered her hand to Amarande. “It’s nice to meet you.” When their hands touched a wave of electricity passed through her. Her lips parted on a gasp but he tightened his grip and wouldn’t allow her to pull away. 

Instead of shaking her hand, he bowed slightly over her it. “I assure you, the pleasure is all mine.” Unless she was very much mistaken the color of his eyes changed from the palest blue to sparkling turquoise. “Your playing is magnificent. I hope you didn’t mind my joining in so unexpectedly. I found that I could not resist.”

His voice rippled across her skin like a lover’s caress. The urge to rub her body against his burned within her. “No, I…I don’t mind at all,” she reassured him. “It appears your voice is the perfect complement to my violin.”

“I just had an excellent notion. The two of you should do a duet at tonight’s dinner.” Lord Edrom glanced at his assistant as if looking for confirmation of his idea. She quickly nodded her agreement. “I’ll leave it to you two to work out the details but I expect to hear you lend your voice for at least one song.” He gestured to Amarande with the hand holding the cane. “I believe the council and the rest of our guests would be pleasantly surprised to learn of your hidden talent, Amarande. If you know what I mean?”

“I’d be happy to join Mademoiselle McCarthy, so long as she does not object.”

Her heart skipped in her chest at the thought of spending time with a vampire who was far too handsome for her comfort. Still, she was a diplomat, so she pasted a smile on her face. “I believe we can work something out.”