Blood Magic (After Dark Book 7) by Sarah Bailey (ereader for android txt) 📗

duty to her family. Now my father has become king, things are different. As the youngest, it doesn’t matter so much what I get up to, but I still have the family reputation to uphold.”

“And yet, you’ve asked me to show you what kind of darkness exists in the world.”

She reached out, taking his hand and entwining her fingers in his. Her skin was warm, soft and delicate.

“I want to see things for myself. I want experiences, not to read things in books. I want to live. Is that so terrible?”

He squeezed her hand gently. Dani successfully managed to surprise him at every turn.

“No, it’s not.”

“Then you understand.”

“Mmm, yes. How about I make good on my promise to take you to a supernatural club tomorrow night?”

Her eyebrow raised, her lips curling up at the side.

“Did you have one in mind?”

“Yes. ObliVion.”

Chapter Four

Jamie looked down at Dani as they walked up the corridor towards the club. Her red dress was skin-tight and very short, leaving little to the imagination. Her black heels gave her a bit of height, but she was still shorter than him. She’d braided her hair down the sides, the rest flowing down her back. Her hand tightened in his as they reached the doors.

“You know, you’re going to get rather a lot of attention in that,” he said.

“Is it too much? I mean Novus said it was perfect.”

He put his hand on the door but didn’t push it open. Dani looked a little flushed and very self-conscious, her eyes darting around. He tugged on her hand, pulling her closer. He leant down, his mouth brushing over her ear.

“Dani, you look hot. In fact, you look more than hot, it’s sexy, so quit worrying.”

He pulled her through the door before she had a chance to protest. The music was loud, the base vibrating the floor. The club didn’t look too different to when he’d last been here. It was larger on the inside than the out, an illusion spell cast over it.

He looked over at Dani. She was staring at the place, awe written all over her face. He grinned, this was definitely something she’d never experienced before. He imitated a drink with his hand. She nodded slowly, still looking around. There were three large bars. He tugged her over to the nearest one, squeezing through the cluster of bodies.

“You do realise I have no idea how to do any of that,” she shouted at him, pointing at the people moving to the music on the floor.

“I’ll teach you.”

He ordered her a cocktail and himself a glass of blood. At least here, they didn’t have to hide who they really were. Dani could let go and experience all the club had to offer if she wanted.

“You don’t have to be a princess here,” he said whilst they waited.

“I know. I’m not thinking about that.”

“What are you thinking about?”

“It’s just a little intimidating. I’ve never seen so many different creatures in the same place. It feels like all the rules between our species are left at the door.”

“You’re right. No one cares who or what you are. Freedom, Dani, this is what it looks like.”

She smiled at him, but there was still wariness in her expression. Once he’d paid for their drinks, he pulled her over to a booth in the corner where there were a couple of vampires he knew.

“Jamie, long time no see,” said Harry, his eyes roaming over Dani with interest.

“Evie, Harry, may we join you?” Jamie replied.

“Who’s your friend?” Evie asked, eyes narrowed.

“Dani, but don’t worry, she’s cool.”

Jamie sat down, tugging Dani with him. She placed her glass on the table and fidgeted, her hands curling and uncurling in her lap. He put a hand over hers, stilling them. She needed to relax.

“You back for long?” Harry said.

“For the foreseeable. Gav’s put me to work, you know how it is.”

Dani shifted closer to him. He felt her leg trembling. Letting go of her hand, he wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her still. Evie raised a questioning eyebrow. He didn’t much care what she thought about his closeness to Dani. He didn’t want anyone taking advantage of her.

Dani sipped her drink. He felt the change in her instantly, her nervousness dissipating as her heart rate slowed. He brushed his fingers down her side before letting go.

“And you’re hanging out with the fae now it seems,” Evie said, her tone laced with distaste.

“Is that a problem, Evie? We can leave if you’re going to be judgemental.”

The other vampire put her hands up.

“Calm down you two,” Harry said. “No need to get tetchy. Your friend is welcome here, you know that.”

Dani looked at the other two vampires, her light blue eyes glinting. She leant towards them.

“I can tell you don’t like me by the way your pupils keep dilating, but between you and me, I’m not the one you should be threatened by. That vampire with red hair over there keeps eying up your boyfriend.”

Evie and Harry turned their heads sharply, spying the woman Dani had been referring to. Jamie leant over to her.

“Nicely played.”

“Your friend is a bit of a bitch.”

He chuckled, taking a large gulp of blood. It wasn’t quite like drinking from the source. Perhaps he could indulge later. ObliVion offered such services. He had promised to show Dani the darker side of things.

“Do you want to dance?”

“What? Now?”

“Drink up.”

She picked up her glass and downed it in one. He chuckled again.

“You never fail to surprise me.”

She grinned, giving him a wink. She slipped from the booth and he followed her. He took her hand, pulling her