Page 140 of Red Masquerade

Marcel grinned one last time. It was almost a sad, curious smile, like he expected more from me. “That’s where you’re wrong.”

And we were invisible to the crowd.

We were at the front door, the heat of the manor escaping in a breeze to the outside. As people walked out, just as many, if not more, walked in. Only dozens of minutes ago I’d been standing right here, ready to take thiscreatureon, and somehow, everything had gone so wrong.

“Ah, there he is!”

Like Marcel was greeting a friend.

But it was Dixon who stood before us, blocking the exit to the outside.

“Dixon!” I breathed.

Thank god he had come. I wasn’t sure he’d really help Vince.

His glare was tangible, his loathing for the vampire clear. “Marcel.” His lip curled, his own fang daring to peek out of his lips. But he didn’t move. Rooted to the spot.

Marcel paused in his steps. His fingers gripped my hips. “What will it be, Dixon?”

“Do something!” The tears threatened to spill over.

His eyes slid to me, and he faltered for a moment—just long enough for me to see that hesitation. But he didn’t move. Rooted to the spot.

He was holding himself back.

“Dixon!”

I had to be going crazy.Why wasn’t he doing anything?

And then all my breath, all my fight, left me as he stepped to the side.

“Motherfucker!” I shouted, wet tracks staining my cheeks. Beating against Marcel’s body, my fists smashing into his hold on me.

Dixon’s eyes flashed, his resolve cracking. His hands were in fists at his sides.

“How could you? Goddamnliar!”

“Oh, hush now.” Marcel pushed me to keep moving.

Not a person turned their head.

“I had no choice.” Dixon’s nostrils flared. “He threatened Flora.” And he watched as Marcel marched me right past him. Doing nothing to stop the vampire fromtaking me away.

No, no, no, no, no—

A shout came from the crowd behind us.

“Don’t you fucking dare!”

Vince emerged with all the fury of a vengeful god, shoving bodies out of his way as he stormed toward us.

I didn’t recognize him. His eyes had turned so dark, they were almost wholly black. His veins had darkened, deep indigo webs at his neck, his hands.

“If you don’t get your hands off of her, I’ll rip you to fucking shreds.”

Somehow, amidst the raucous sounds, I heard his deep growl, entirely otherworldly and animalistic. It sent all my hairs on end. But relief coursed through me.

This was the beast that looked out at me through those eyes.