Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 65856 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 329(@200wpm)___ 263(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65856 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 329(@200wpm)___ 263(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Chen grasped a short lock of Moon’s hair and gave it a tug. “I’m not a fan of you feeding from anyone else either, but this is for your protection.”
There was a sudden ripple of excitement through the crowd. The talking and even shouting grew louder. People on the dance floor shifted this way and that, but their movements weren’t in time with the music. They stopped talking and stretched to see what had the humans and even the other vampires excited.
Suddenly, the loud thumping music stopped, and the rich, lilting cry of a violin cut through the room. The song was haunting as it rose and crashed into the people in violent waves. No one spoke, appearing to hold their breath as the song hypnotized them.
The crowd parted near their table, revealing a tall, slender vampire with dark shoulder-length hair and vibrant blue eyes locked on them as he approached while playing a violin. He was dressed in a dark old-fashioned suit and a long cape, as if he were an old movie vampire.
As he reached them, the song ended, and the crowd cheered. Rafe Varik held up the violin and bow above his head for a second and bowed to his audience before sliding into the booth next to Chen and across from Xiao Dan.
“The head of the Zhang clan has finally come to my slice of the world. I am honored,” Rafe purred. A servant appeared at the table and opened a violin case. She carefully put away the violin and bow, each movement precise as if she were touching something infinitely precious and priceless. When she left without a word, the DJ restarted the music, but it seemed like discordant noise compared to the music Rafe had played.
“We are the ones who are honored. Thank you for having us,” Xiao Dan stated.
“I didn’t know you played an instrument,” Chen murmured.
Rafe gave a small dismissive wave of his hand. “All my brothers and I are musically inclined. I’m the only one who likes to show off.” His gaze sharpened on Huli, and he leaned forward. “And who is this adorable morsel? I thought I’d met all the Zhang clan, but you don’t look familiar to me.”
Moon snorted. “You’ve seen him plenty of times in the woods.” Rafe lifted one questioning eyebrow to Moon and the young vampire giggled. “That’s Huli. The fox spirit with the nine tails.”
The Varik’s eyes widened slightly to give away his surprise. His smile grew a little wicked. “So, you’re foxy in all your forms. How delicious.”
“I’m foxy only for my Zhang-ge,” Huli said while threading his arm through Xiao Dan’s.
“Don’t mind him. He likes to stir up trouble.”
All eyes snapped to the blond vampire, who was now standing next to their table. He was dressed all in white and even had a golden halo on a wire hovering above his bright-blond locks. Rafe slid to his feet and captured his mate’s hand. Solicitous Rafe replaced Flirtatious Rafe as he brought Philippe’s hand to his lips and kissed his knuckles several times as he ushered the other vampire into his vacated spot.
The booth was now cozy as it accommodated six full-grown men, but Huli wasn’t complaining, as it gave him an excellent excuse to snuggle close to Xiao Dan.
“Mon ange knows me best,” Rafe murmured.
“You might not have been introduced properly. Rafe and Philippe Varik, this is my mate, Huli,” Xiao Dan announced.
A surprised squeak escaped Huli, and he threw his arms around Xiao Dan, pressing his face into the vampire’s chest. He’d said it. No, more than that. He’d told someone outside of his clan, introduced Huli as his.
A lifetime of waiting and pain and working through the hopeless abyss was all building to this exact moment. He was Xiao Dan’s, and Xiao Dan was his.
“I want the world to know,” Xiao Dan murmured into his ear.
“Aww…aren’t new couples the cutest?” Philippe cooed.
Chen sighed. “They can be when you’re sure that your clan mate isn’t going to lose his soul and have his heart broken.”
Huli opened his mouth to snap at the vampire, but Moon beat him to it.
“Huli adores Xiao Dan. He would never do anything to hurt him.”
Xiao Dan pressed another kiss to his head and loosened his hold on Huli. “Forgive me. This isn’t the place or the time for our nonsense.”
“I beg to differ!” Rafe declared. Huli lifted his head to find Rafe wrapped around his own mate. “Regardless of our long life spans, we should never waste a single opportunity to appreciate those who possess our hearts. Even a thousand years with mon ange is too little time.”
“I cannot agree more,” Chen stated.
Xiao Dan cleared his throat. “As much as I wish this was a normal evening out, we are here on serious business.”
“Yes, yes. You’re right.” Rafe snagged a quick kiss from Philippe and sat up.