“I’m okay on my own,” I added.

Why am I sitting?

“I’m usually on my own, actually.” I laughed awkwardly. In fact, there wasn’t much about that moment I hadn’t made awkward.

I folded my hands in my lap like she was doing. It was like my brain was on complete hiatus. Was this what guys felt like in the presence of a beautiful woman? Because if so, forgiven. And also, they were idiots. I was an idiot.

A man glided in wearing a tux and carrying another place setting. I hopped out of my chair. “No, no. Honestly. I don’t need company.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said, but set her place anyway. She didn’t smile or thank him when he was done. It should’ve been weird, but her muteness just added to the mystery, making her even prettier. It wasn’t fair.

Next he put his hand to the back of my chair and waited beside it for me to sit.

“Really, I think I’ll just grab a plate and head down to the kitchen.” I glanced at my shoes, and was suddenly mortified that I was barefoot. Who in their right mind went to a friend’s house for dinner and took off their shoes before they sat down to eat? Surely that looked as strange as it sounded.

I took the chair. It was the least awkward option, and that was saying something.

“Would you like something to drink, Ms. Somerset?” He bent slightly at the waist to give me his utmost attention. “Wine, perhaps?”

“Wine would be great, thanks,” I blurted.

“Of course. Ms. Beauchene?”

“Goblet of O-negative, freshly poured.”

That was gross.

“Of course,” he said, as though it was as simple a request as the wine. He exited the room.

“So…” I said, swallowing a little too loudly. “I’ll just get this underway, will I? I’d hate to keep you.”

She turned to me with a demure expression. “He will serve you.” Her voice was deep and sensual, with a thick French accent.

“Right. Yes. Actually, I think I’ll just serve myself. I’m used to it. I wouldn’t want you to wait on ceremony and…uhm, it would be a pity for your blood to get cold. You know.”

I slid from my chair on the opposite side of the table so as to hide my bare feet. Quickly, I scooped heaping portions onto my plate, helping my overall barbarian look, and scurried back to my seat.

I took up my fork and knife, about to dive in, before glancing over at the empty plate in front of her. Suddenly I was at a loss. “Do you eat, or…?”

“I will attend you,” she said pleasantly.

Was that a no?

I was too afraid to ask and look even stupider.

Slowly, I put the first bite of food into my mouth and chewed, staring in front of me while kind of hunched over, wondering if I was being incredibly rude or just incredibly weird.

The vampire in the tux entered with drinks. He stood next to me and opened my bottle. He left it to the side and opened a bottle for her.

Apparently getting blood was that easy. How, I had no idea, nor did I want to ask. They might wonder if I was volunteering to be crushed and bottled.

“May I get you some soup, Ms. Somerset?” the man asked.

“Yes, please,” I responded.

“Where are my manners?” The very pretty woman set her drink down. “Je m’appelle Marie.” She lightly touched her fingertips to her chest and smiled.

“Hi, I’m Reagan,” I said, nodding. My face flamed in embarrassment, though I had no idea why.

The soup landed in front of me a moment later, at about the same time Darius wandered into the room. “Reagan,” he said.

I’d just put a big chunk of meat into my mouth, intent on getting this dinner over with as fast as possible. I raised my eyebrows. “Mhm?”

“I will be heading upstairs for a day slumber. It can be resisted in the Brink, but it is difficult for more than a day at a time. I’d sooner take it now than when I am needed awake.” He paused, possibly awaiting my approval.

I threw him a thumbs-up.

“When you are finished,” he went on, “Mr. Giles will see you to your room before retiring.”

“Mhm.” Another thumbs-up.

“I will see you at sundown.” He glanced at Marie. Before exiting, he hesitated. “There are other humans in the house who will be given the opportunity to eat when you are finished. Is that acceptable?”

I looked at Marie, waiting for her to answer. After a moment, she switched her gaze from Darius to me, also waiting.

“Oh.” I took another sip of really delicious wine to help wash down my more-than-exquisite food. I could get used to this setup. “Sure. Yeah. They can come in now. Wait, why do you have a bunch of humans here?”

“Several of my older children use this as a safe house in which to dine. The humans are easily acquired, and are invited to stay as long as they are useful.”

“Sorry I asked. But yeah, whatever. They can come in now, I don’t care.”

He scoffed, “Don’t be ridiculous,” and left the room.

Marie gazed at me. It felt expectant, somehow.

“He’s a good guy, huh?” I offered, tapping an invisible spot in the air with my fork.

Not waiting for an answer, I went back to my plate. In truth, I didn’t think what I’d said was exactly true. Darius was a hospitable guy, surely. A gentleman, definitely. But I had no illusions. He needed me at the moment, and it was in his best interests to keep me alive and happy. Afterward was another story. He was a vampire, first and foremost, and they served themselves. Even their protection of the unicorns was self-serving. It was an important distinction to remember.

“One of the best,” she said, thankfully not able to read my mind. “I enjoy having him near.”

“Did he make you, then?” I asked, hopefully using the right words.

“He did, yes. He’s been the most excellent teacher and confidant. One of the best, as I said. I am very lucky.”

“Mhm.” She got a thumbs-up, too. I was passing them out like business cards.

“What is your involvement with him?”

“Oh. Just working together. On a thing.” I nodded, like that was a sufficient answer.

“You have a delicious aroma. Tell me, does Darius find your blood as delectable as it smells?”

“He wouldn’t know.” I eyed the rest of the food as I scraped my plate clean. I was still hungry, but I didn’t want to be in her company any longer.

“No?” she said. “Interesting. I wonder, would he rather that we be the first to taste and judge?”

Had she really just licked her lips?

“You know what?” I put my napkin on the table—then decided better of it, and rose and placed it on my empty chair. “Mr.…” I stared at the man in the tux, off to the side. What had Darius called him? “Sir?”

He turned toward me with an air of patience. “Yes, ma’am. Would you like something else?”

“Actually, I think I’ll retire and do a little studying before hitting the hay. Do you think I can just take a plate on the run? Paper plate, maybe. And that wine. I’ll just take a plate to go, a cup—plastic is fine—and that whole bottle of wine. That way I can get out of your hair.”

“I apologize—was that rude of me?” Marie stood gracefully.

“Oh no, you’re fine.”

She took a step toward me. I did not like that look of hunger in her eyes.

“Mr. Durant has specified that Ms. Somerset is to have full access to his home,” the vampire in the tux said to Marie. “She is not to be touched, and is permitted to take action should she feel threatened in any way.”

“Hmm,” Marie said, her eyes shining with mischief. The hunger was still there.

“Do you have a paper plate, sir?” I asked, backing toward my boots.

“I will have a plate brought to your quarters. Marie, I will warn you one final time. If you flout Mr. Durant’s command, you are liable to find your permanent resting place.”

She laughed, a delightful sound. “He has never carried through with one of his punishments, William. You should know better by now.”