Dark Heart Rising Part 21

Her identical sister rolled her eyes. 'That's Vanya Borgia's handiwork, if I'm not mistaken.

I opened my mouth, thinking they were like an evil version of Emma and Ashley.

'Natalia, Sofi.' Soren greeted them, picking up his napkin to dab at his forehead.

They preened coquettishly at him and I stopped myself from laughing.

'You're Vanya Borgia's guest, aren't you?' One of the twins held out her hand. So thin it was like a twig with nail polish on it. 'My name is Sofi.'

'And I am Natalia,' said her sister. 'You are?'

'Jane,' I whispered.

'I love your look,' Sofi drawled, sniffing elaborately. Alarmed, I turned from her. I had forgotten how vampires can sniff out human blood.

'Vanya has told the vampire community that you are amongst them,' Soren whispered. 'They are under pain of torture to leave you alone.'

I relaxed, but snuck a look back at the twins, who were whispering together, casting intrigued glances in my direction.

So I was safe from their advances for the time being at least, but I needed to be alert to Lila's entrance, I couldn't afford to be caught up in conversation with Natalia and Sofi.

As if on cue the door opened and Dalya appeared, followed by a robotic-looking Luca, Lila attached to his arm like a blonde limpet.

'Do you think she dyes her hair?' murmured Natalia unsubtly scrutinising Lila. 'It's a little bra.s.sy for my taste.'

'Agreed,' replied Sofi. The two of them regarded her like a couple of hawks.

Under the table I felt Soren's thigh knock against mine, and though I couldn't be sure if it had been intentional or not, I felt something stir inside me. But I blocked it out, keeping my eyes trained on the new arrivals taking their places next to Henora and Ulfred.

Luca seemed too preoccupied to notice anything around him and, though I certainly didn't want to draw attention to myself, I would have been lying if I said I wasn't disappointed that he hadn't noticed me. I looked down for a moment at my hands, realising I had clasped them together nervously, not knowing what the night had in store.

The sound of someone clinking metal against gla.s.s silenced the chattering in the big room and we all turned our attention to the figure of Raphael at the head of the table.

'Welcome,' he said, nodding around the vast table. 'Welcome all of you to the seasonal palace banquet. On behalf of Mother Celeste and Father Cadmium, I extend full hospitality to you tonight.' He cleared his throat, lifting his chin. 'Presently we will be serving the first in a five-course dinner, followed by music and dancing from the Vampire Jazz Quartet, and further refreshment if you require it.' He smiled for the first time, years of training making it appear genuine and full of warmth. 'This is your night. Enjoy it.'

He picked up his gla.s.s and held it aloft, and there was a cheer around the table before he sat back down again. I saw Celeste beam approvingly at him. Cadmium, I noticed, looked a little sour ill even. He didn't even glance at his great-son.

'He's rather a dish, isn't he?' I heard Natalia tell Sofi. 'For an angel.'

'There just has to be a vampire-angel alliance one day,' said Sofi. 'Why not start now?'

They laughed throatily and, catching my eye, Natalia arched a perfectly plucked eyebrow. 'Unless you want him?'

I shook my head. Been there, done that, I thought.

'That's considerate of you,' I told her, 'but I'll pa.s.s.'

Beside me I felt Soren's body twitch a little with suppressed laughter.

Hours later, or so it seemed, the final course was cleared away. Soren hadn't eaten a thing. Nor had Natalia and Sofi, who had pushed each plate away as though it were poison. I, on the other hand, had wolfed down practically everything.

I swallowed my last mouthful of pudding and finally put my spoon down. 'I'm stuffed,' I said, forgetting who I was with.

Soren and the twins looked bemused.

'Extraordinary,' said Sofi. 'Eating.'

'Vive la difference!' Soren murmured softly, and this time there was no mistaking the feel of his muscular thigh against mine. I moved my leg, colour creeping into my face.

The twins stared suspiciously at the two of us.

'Are you two ... together?' said Natalia eventually.

'G.o.d, no!' I snorted, a little too emphatically.

'Why thank you, miss,' Soren muttered feigning hurt, but he shook his head at the twins. 'We're friends,' he told the twins. 'Is this a problem for you?'

'If there's one thing I can detect from a thousand miles away it is mutual attraction between a male and a female.' Sofi sniffed. 'I am never wrong.'

'Yes, you are-' I began, but the sound of chairs being sc.r.a.ped back drew all of our attention somewhere else. I realised that Dalya was on her feet, one hand holding on to Lila's. She was staring beseechingly at Soren and I.

I darted quickly around the back of the dark twins towards her, but stopped at the sight of her mouthing: In an hour I will come and find you.

I nodded, turning back again. Sofi and Natalia were practically draped over Soren.

'Soren?' I eyed him. 'Can I have a word with you?'

Soren's relief was visible. He removed Sofi's hand from his arm, politely, and smiled at both girls.

'Another time, ladies,' he told them. 'My friend-'

'Oh, yes.' Natalia drawled. 'Your friend.' Her mouth twisted in a lascivious grin. 'But if you should get bored of your little grey-eyed "friend", we'll be mingling in the ballroom.'

She reluctantly let go of him, casting me a look at the same time.

'A narrow escape,' he whispered, slipping his arm around my waist.

I ignored the tingle it sent up my back.

'Dalya will come and find us when the time is right.' I shuffled out of his grip. 'We should go and lose ourselves in the music.'

'I thought you'd never ask,' he said, lightly touching the base of my spine.

I rolled my eyes and realised we were once again trapped behind the vampire twins. They seemed to be everywhere I looked.

'Wonderful,' said Natalia, 'we four will make such good-looking dance companions.'

'Talia?' Sofi's tone was scolding. 'Be nice to Jane. You know how protective Vanya is about her pets.'

Somehow we had lost Soren. I looked behind me, seeing that he was trapped behind Dalya's Uncle Olwen.

'So.' Sofi moved closely to me as we walked. 'How is it that you come to be here? We have heard the rumours but I never thought I would see the day that the Borgias were consorting with mortals. Vanya must be very fond of your companion.'

'I won't be here long,' I told her a little lamely, as somebody brushed past me. I was too busy trying to squeeze through the crowds with Natalia and Sofi to look and see who it was, but his voice at my side made every hair on my body stand on end.

'I am not sure I feel like dancing,' Luca was saying, a little ahead of me, but close enough for me to touch him if I wanted to, to lean in and inhale him.

'Nonsense.' Henora looked at the ma.s.s of people eager to get to where the band was playing. 'You need to find that bonny girl of yours and make it your business to dance.'

'Yes, Mother,' said Luca through clearly gritted teeth.

'The sooner the two of you are married, the sooner I don't need to worry about you,' Henora muttered, tucking a grey tendril of hair behind her pointed little ear.

Luca didn't answer, but he turned and I saw his profile, his cheekbone, more p.r.o.nounced than ever. He looked so despondent, tired ... resigned. Knowing I was being foolish, I fell back from the vampire twins and reaching out, not knowing if he would feel it, I touched his hand.

And as if by instinct his hand quickly closed around mine. He didn't look back, but I felt the pressure of his fingers as he held on to me, and a longed-for feeling of warmth and safety flooded through me.

I held my breath, and then he released his hold and moved through the doorway. As he got there, he turned and his eyes found mine; his was a look of happiness clouded by great sadness.

And then he was gone.

I came out into the hall, to my left was the grand staircase, to my right was the door to the kitchens. I remembered what had happened there before, with Vanya and Luca and realised it wasn't so unlikely that tonight it would happen again.

I shut my eyes. I didn't know what was going to happen. No point in inventing catastrophe when it hadn't happened yet.

'I thought I'd lost you.' Soren appeared beside me. He craned his neck in the direction of the ballroom, where the Vampire Jazz Quartet were in full swing. 'I suppose it would be remiss of me not to ask you to dance.'

I smiled at the look on his face. Pure dread.

'You know, I don't really feel like dancing either,' I said truthfully.

'Come on,' he said, holding out his hand, 'let's explore this place, while no one is looking.'

'I don't know ...' I shook my head, remembering exploring with Luca. I felt disloyal, somehow.

'Quick,' he said, a glint of mischief in his eyes, 'before Celeste and Cadmium decide to retire for the night.' He pulled me with him, towards the staircase and, though I tried not to, I couldn't help myself from looking into the ballroom. Looking for him.

And there, with Henora looking on with a doting expression on her face, was Luca, Lila in his arms. She had her head resting on his shoulder as they danced to a slow, sensual number from the band. I couldn't see his face, but I didn't want to. I couldn't bear to see his happiness. I quickly looked away, hurrying after Soren as he headed upstairs.

Avoiding the faces in the portraits we pa.s.sed as we climbed, I wondered why Soren was so interested in exploring the palace.

'Soren!' I hissed as we arrived at the first floor. 'What if we are discovered?'

'We hide,' he said, impishly, 'Or we just pretend we are lost.'

I tugged at my wig. 'Can't we just go and sit outside or something? Wait for Dalya to find us?' I tugged at his arm. 'You do remember what you have to do tonight?'

He turned, serious now. 'I remember. If you haven't noticed, I am trying hard to distract myself.'

'Oh ... OK.' I felt bad now and dropped my hand. I looked around me, seeing a long carpeted corridor that seemed to lead somewhere. 'But let's try and not get caught. It's going to look a bit odd.'

He gave me a look with his black eyes. 'Very well,' he said, 'but anyone would think you don't want to be alone with me.'

I am sure I turned crimson. 'Don't be silly.' I gestured at the corridor. 'Come on. Let's see what is down that hall.'

Soren turned the handle of the first door we pa.s.sed and it opened on to an exquisite room: wood-panelled walls and wall-to-wall gla.s.s cupboards containing ancient-looking books.

'Impressive,' Soren said sincerely.

'Imagine all these books.' I stepped closer, peering through the gla.s.s of one of the cupboards. 'They must be worth a fortune.'

The lights were off and only a sliver of moonlight cut a streak across the room. It was eerie, but magical.

'I bet you were one of those children whose nose was constantly inside a book escaping from reality,' said Soren by my side.

I turned, smiling a little. 'You know me so well.'

'I'd like to have known you as a child,' he said then, his voice hushed and low. 'I bet you were a sweet and serious girl.'

I shrugged more nonchalantly than I felt. Suddenly the room felt full of tension. I knew I was avoiding Soren's eyes. It was as though Soren, like Luca, recognised me. I caught my breath, as I felt the touch of his fingertips brush mine. Felt a frisson of electricity.

'Jane,' he whispered.

Confusion. I was not here for Soren. I didn't love Soren. Yet it was Soren who had been my companion, my friend, these past weeks. And then I remembered Luca, with Lila in his arms, and hurt anger made my guilt evaporate.

Finally I turned to him, and we stared at each other, our eyes locked. My heart was racing.

He drew me towards him, and I allowed myself to be drawn, and then he leaned back against the door, pulling me into his arms.

Pressed back against the dark wood panelling I felt his lips brush my cheek. No longer cold, but warm and full, gently touching my skin. I felt myself breathe out, not wanting to feel anything, but feeling everything all at once, my head resting on his chest. I could hear his heartbeat and mine, loud and fierce ...

'I never thought I would feel like this for a mortal,' he whispered softly into my hair, and I felt the softness of his mouth as it tenderly kissed my neck. I s.h.i.+vered, hot suddenly, and instinctively my back arched.

'I don't want this,' I managed to say, my voice husky and strained. 'This isn't right.'

But as his arms moved to circle my waist, I didn't push him away. Because, despite the words I had just spoken, I did want this. I hated myself for wanting it, but it was consuming me. It was all there was. Right then, in that moment, it was all I wanted.

Finally he drew back and took my face in his hands, his eyes glinting in the darkness, the sharp line of his cheekbones cutting a hard but beautiful shape. And his mouth, wide and perfect, moved closer to mine, taking my breath away.

He put one finger on my lips, and with his other hand he stroked my face.

'It's OK,' he said. 'I'm sorry. It was a mistake, but I couldn't help myself.'

'I ...' I struggled with relief, and intense disappointment.

'Shhh.' He pressed his finger more firmly against my mouth.

And then he was moving away from me, gently opening the door, he disappeared through it, leaving me wide-eyed and disbelieving.