[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
."I give you my word.That said, one day it may prove useful and, for this purpose, I won't bar myself completely.""You're always practical, aren't you?""Yes, that's one of my more positive traits," he beamed, spinning me into a perfect waltz.And, surprisingly, it was sorta fun.Well, once I closed my eyes and ignored the crowd's annoying stares, that is."You'll have to get used to it," he thought to me."Celebrity comes along with your station.""Hey, stay outta my head!" I hissed."No more of that unless it's an emergency, got it?""Alright, alright," he grinned, warmly deflecting my aggravation."I must say I'm a tad disappointed, though.I've never found another with telepathy as powerful as mine.I'd enjoy exploring the boundaries of it with you.""So, that's why you keep hangin' around and acting like my friend," I retorted curtly, trying my best to ignore a couple vampires in the audience who were peering down their noses at me and whispering."No, not at all.In truth, my mother was a hybrid which makes me quite sympathetic to your situation.You see, the years preceding her death were filled with grievous bigotry on the part of the aristocracy.In my heart, I believe that they hated my mother enough to assassinate her.Regrettably, I could never prove it.I merely hope to protect you from some of what she experienced.""Oh," I mumbled, my conscience nipping at me for being rude."I'm sorry to hear about your mom.Mine died a few months ago, so I can relate.""No need to apologize, it happened long before I came to the new world.Attitudes toward hybrids were much worse in those days.She wasn't even allowed to visit high court, let alone be officially crowned in her rightful place." He hesitated, pressing my body closer to him."I imagine this whole ordeal is causing you great stress, especially in light of your mother's recent passing."Great stress? I'd say it's closer to enormous, horrible, or earth-shattering.But whatever.I was readying myself to prey on his sympathy and hopefully convince him to help me escape when, all of a sudden, the music stopped.And, of course, I didn't get the chance to work my manipulative magic.Instead, Adrian promptly released his hold and guided me in the direction of my servants."I don't wanna go over there," I protested, an embarrassing whiny tone accenting my voice."Look at 'em, their faces are covered with adoration and I just, I just can't take it.I mean, I chomped on 'em for god's sake!"He touched the small of my back in reassurance, prodding me forward."It's a part of life, darling, no reason to torment yourself.Besides, Lucien and Amelia are obviously overjoyed at being your blood slaves.If they're not bothered by the arrangement, why should you be?""You said the words yourself, blood slaves, get it?" I moaned, a sour taste rising in my throat."No one should be anybody else's slave! They're brainwashed!""Unfortunately, we don't have the luxury of discussing the matter at length.If I kept you for more than one dance, it'd only feed the gossip-mill and wouldn't benefit either of us.Nonetheless, I promise we can revisit the topic later." And with that, he bowed and placed my hand in Lucien's.Then, instants before disappearing into the audience, he said, "I leave you with good people, Luna.Trust in them as they trust in you."Frozen in my awkwardness, I struggled to figure out what I was supposed to say to my new friends.And, I kid you not, the two of 'em gleamed with happiness worse than prizewinners on a game show.Truly bizarre.At a total loss, I fidgeted idiotically for several minutes until Isabella, the duchess of sector two, approached."Little cousin!" she exclaimed flamboyantly, linking her arm through mine."Let's take a stroll and get acquainted."Cousin? Jeesh.I shuddered at the prospect of meeting more family, yet on the flipside I understood that accompanying her would assuredly help me dodge a chit-chat session with my slaves.So, hastily, I mumbled a barely audible "sure" and we were on our way.Walking arm in arm, we leisurely circled the room while onlookers blatantly gaped at us.Granted, we were definitely an odd pair.Her frilly antique dress next to my modern one.Still, adjusting to it posed a real challenge for me.Likewise, the hooped hem of her ostentatious gown brushed roughly against my legs, steadily taunting my psyche with an uneasy sense of friction."I hope we can become the best of friends," she bubbled in a super sweet voice, simultaneously squeezing me into a hug."We are family after all
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]