Dark Debt (Chicagoland Vampires 11)

“Margot?” I whispered. “He invited Margot as his date to the Investiture? She’s my chef.”

Luc guffawed through the earpiece. “She’s the House’s chef, Sentinel, and she was Ethan’s chef first, in any case. And he knew you’d get a kick out of that. And it makes the performance so much more real.”

“You look amazing in that dress, but you’re turning absolutely green.”

I turned to find Mallory and Catcher behind me, both wearing amused expressions. Mallory’s dress was Grecian in style, a long skirt of draped fabric gathered in gold clips at the shoulders and a thin gold belt around the waist, The fabric was vibrantly blue, which matched hair that curled around her head in a loose updo, a gold-ribboned headband holding it in place. At least I wasn’t the only one wearing color.

o;Very nice.”

We turned, found Helen behind us, arms crossed, the hanging dress in her hands. She gave me a businesslike appraisal, then nodded.

“I believe we’re ready,” she said, and handed the dress to me.

It was featherlight, panels of amazingly detailed floral lace and fluid organza, all in a deep crimson. The bodice was a deep-cut V of lace over a virtually invisible tulle panel, the arms bare but for a few bouquets of the same lace. The waist was narrow, the crimson organza over silk dropping straight through the hips and flowing at the knees in several fluid layers, the lace panels showing plenty of skin at the hips and thighs.

I let her help me pull it on, and when we’d managed to ensure that everything was nipped and tucked in all the right places, I checked the mirror.

For Reed’s party, I’d looked wealthy and glamorous in my demure black gown.

Tonight, I looked sexy and dangerous. It took a moment of staring for me to grapple with that, accept that the striking and seductive woman reflected back was actually me.

“That,” Helen said, “is a Sentinel of this House.”

And it had only taken humans, a vampire, and a year to get me there.

Helen pressed diamonds into my ears and ensured that the thigh holster was snug and secure.

“One more thing,” she said.

“No more diamonds.”

She gave me a bland look, offered an earpiece.

“Ah,” I said, and fitted it into my ear. “Test,” I said quietly.

“You’re live, Sentinel,” Kelley said back to me, stationed in the Ops Room. “What’s your ETA?”

“Four minutes. I’m about to walk downstairs.”

“Roger that. I’m going to cue Ethan looking very, very jealous.”

That sounded more fun than it should have.

*   *   *

The House’s large backyard had been turned into an homage to spring. White canopies fluttered over tall urns of white flowers, and a string quartet played music on the back patio. A tent was set up near the square French garden, the water gurgling beautifully in the background. White paper lanterns created a stunning glow, adding to the ethereal look and the sense of rebirth. The event was about a fresh start for the Houses, but it was also about a fresh start for Ethan, a break from his past, or at least from a monster who’d attempted to assimilate it.

I’d always wanted to make a delicious entry, an adolescent dream of walking into the room and having all heads turn toward me.

Tonight, I wasn’t an awkward teenager, but an adult. I wasn’t trying to get the curly-haired quiz bowl captain to notice me—I was baiting an old, powerful vampire. And I wasn’t walking into a gymnasium or cafeteria decorated with glitter and paper to look like Paris or Rome, but a majestic white garden full of fragrant flowers, and vampires in glamorous dress.

I imagined Helen was behind me critiquing every motion and Ethan’s life was on the line, and took the demilune stairs from the patio to sidewalk. I was the only one, at least as far as I could tell, in red, and stood out among the Cadogan black and demure dresses. There was absolutely nothing demure about my dress, my expression, or now that I thought about it, the walk Helen had taught me.

Heads turned as I took the paved path toward the tent. I surveyed the crowd with an even stare, met Helen’s gaze, watched as her satisfied smile spread and she inclined her head in approval. I could hear the whispers around me, the questions and comments of vampires in demure gowns and tuxedos, wondering at the Sentinel in red who’d stepped into their midst.

They probably believed I looked like a woman begging for a man’s attention. Good, since that was exactly what I’d been trying to do. And if our luck held, he’d show.

I searched for Ethan, found him near a table beneath the canvas, champagne flute in hand. His tuxedo was trim and immaculately tailored, his hair pulled back in a short queue. He looked absolutely magnificent, like a wicked angel hoping to sway a human or two to his very convincing side.