Kiss of Crimson by Samantha Coville (best love story novels in english txt) 📕

eyes darted around the room to take in the reactions of her guests and she quickly shut her jaw into a tight clench, straightening her back and swiftly, but calmly, taking strides across the ballroom to meet me. She wasn’t going to show her clients that she had lost control of the situation. She had appearances to keep up.

My mother stood in front of me, only slighter taller, but feeling like she was towering over me. Her hand reached out and grabbed my arm in a seemingly loving gesture, but I could feel her nails digging into my skin as she tightened her grasp. She smiled, but her teeth were gritted and her voice was harsh as she spoke through them.

“What in god's name do you think you’re doing?” She whispered harshly, and I tried my best not to cower.

“I’m old enough, mother,” I replied with my own plastered smile to keep the guests unaware of the quarrel that was brewing.

She shook her head ever so slightly in disappointment. “You have no idea what you’ve done. They aren’t like what you think.”

“I think it’s about time I decide that for myself,” I hissed back as I wrenched my arm out of her grasp. I could see the pain in her expression then, and for a moment I felt remorse that I’d hurt her. I didn’t hate my mother, I just thought it was time for this bird to fly. For this belle, to take on the ball.

I was concerned she would try to drag me out of the room, but the gentleman she had been talking with came over and joined us. He gave a bow, extending out his hand. I placed mine within his and he gave a soft kiss on it. I was startled to feel his hard teeth behind the lips.

His red hair was striking and appeared like tamed flames on his head. His emerald green eyes were brilliant and shimmered with excitement. When he spoke, his accent was refined and deep.

“I am sure I have not yet met you, for how could I forget such an ethereal vision?”

I blushed under his attention and I could feel the cold daggers my mother was mentally throwing in my direction. I gave the best curtsy I could manage because it seemed like the fitting thing to do.

“What is your name, my dear?”

“It’s Eloise. You know my mother, Madame Leona.”

That was the name she went by when conducting business. It was common for blood traders to choose stately titles to help cater to their clients. Most of the vampires who could afford the illegal human blood that was offered as product were old and came from hundreds of years of refined manners and conduct. That’s why the balls were a popular event my mother put on often. It impressed her clientele and allowed an opportunity to make deals and sample the supplies.

“Ah, yes. You have your mother’s beauty,” he charmingly grinned at her. “How come I have not seen you at one of the balls before? Surely you’re of age for suitors. Your sister just married, I believe.”

My mother quickly stepped in before I could open my mouth. “Yes, Madge was just married. Eloise will be looking for a human suitor, however.”

I hadn’t really decided if I wanted to marry a human or a vampire. I had literally just appeared before society at all. But I was mad that my mother was seemingly making the decision for me. I could feel my cheeks going red.

“Actually, I think vampires are quite handsome gentlemen. I wouldn’t mind entertaining the idea.”

I was digging my grave deeper and deeper. The level of resentment was rising at a worrying rate. I prayed silently to any god out there that I was doing the right thing.

“Well, my name is Ferdinand, and I like to boast that I am one of your mother’s most loyal clients. Perhaps I could introduce you around and catch you up to speed, my dear.”

He motioned to take his arm, and I happily placed my hand where it was meant to go. He walked me away into the main part of the room and I glanced over my shoulder to glance at my mother once more. She was wringing her hands nervously, and that was one thing I had never ever seen my mother do.

Four

Arden

"And so, I always thought that if my previous plan didn't, you know, pan out, I could always fall back on my back up."

The woman giggled, lips curling away from horse teeth. “Isn’t that funny? Is that why they call it a backup?”

I gritted my teeth and feigned what I hoped was a smile. I had no intention of bringing dishonor to the Jardin House.

She batted her eyelashes at me and gave me what she hoped was a coquettish glance. I couldn't help but fixate on that smudge of red lipstick smeared on her right canine.

Good god. These days, our kind were accepting just about anyone into our fold.

Even a hundred years ago, we vampires were highly selective of whom we shared our immortality with.

Beauty. Talent. Influence. Cunning.

We cared little for money, because when you've been alive for more than a century, chances were high that unless you were an absolute imbecile, you had money in scads.

But this chick.

Whatever had she done to warrant such a gift?

Still, I could not afford to offend her. Anyone who warranted an invitation to one of Madame Leona's little "soirees" had to be rather high up in the chain of command, and if she, unlike me, had indeed received an invitation on her own merit, then I would do well to keep on her good side.

"Your beauty is as all-encompassing as your wit, Miss Lavoisier."

A ridiculously pretentious surname and one I was sure she had fashioned for herself, as she looked decidedly Slavic instead of the trademark delicate features my country women were famous for.

She giggled at me once more from the top of her elaborate,