Page 101 of Fall into Place

“What’s this?” she asked.

“Open it,” he urged.

It was a necklace, a simple emerald set in gold, hanging from a delicate chain.

“Callum,” she gasped, looking up at him.

“May I?”

She nodded and pulled her hair aside as he fastened the necklace. She turned to face him, and he broke into a satisfied smile.

“You were right,” he said. “It’s perfect with your coloring.”

—

Tess told Callum she was perfectly capable of walking through the forest, and that he should save his strength for the ball, but he insisted on carrying her. The now-familiar pounding of Callum’s steps thrummed through Tess’s body, the evening air whipping against them, until a couple of minutes later, when they arrived at Felix’s castle.

It was more beautiful than Tess could have imagined, even after reading about it so many times in Blood Feud. Every part of the building was circular, from the main fortress to the dozens of swirling turrets of all different heights, and every surface was coated in a substance that looked like mother of pearl. There were different shades—pastel rose and lavender and coral and gold—all shimmering as they caught the Isle’s waning daylight and the light of the lanterns and torches blazing throughout the courtyard. In a place without sunshine, the castle was the closest thing Tess could imagine to a sunset, and it took her breath away. Dozens of vampires in fantastic suits and gowns were in the courtyard drinking from silver goblets, chatting loudly as lively music played.

Even in this party atmosphere, though, Tess could see that this clan was far more orderly than Nantale’s. Guards lined the courtyard’s perimeter, keeping a watchful eye on everyone at the party. A chill ran down Tess’s spine as she and Callum passed them—but they didn’t seem to notice anything unusual.

Callum grabbed a goblet from a tray and swigged, then took another and handed it to Tess.

“Wine, not blood,” he whispered, and she smiled appreciatively and took a sip. She wanted to stay sharp, but her nerves were jangling, and a little liquid courage could only help.

The castle’s entryway was magnificent, all paneled in a glistening pale golden metal, with floating lanterns that glowed violet and pink. Per their plan, Callum stepped away from Tess as soon as they went in (seemingly to look at a painting), so Tess was on her own as she walked into the main ballroom, where the party was in full swing. Vampires danced to orchestral music that sounded like old-fashioned English country dance melodies, except the scoring was undercut with thrumming bass and pulsing drums, making it all feel much darker and more modern. The lighting was darker in here too—Tess had no idea how she could possibly find Felix in all this mess, so she moved on to the next step of the plan: She put down her mask and poured herself a drink.

She got a couple of strange looks from people who didn’t recognize her as she poured a goblet of champagne, and sure enough, Felix was by her side before she’d taken more than a few sips.

“You do know it’s a masked ball, right?” He grinned at her and tapped his own mask, which was silver and looked to be encrusted with real diamonds—though not the diamonds Tess needed. He wore black pantaloons and a ruffled shirt along with a waistcoat whose fabric looked like it was sewn from a repurposed tapestry. It was all so over the top—and, Tess kind of hated to admit, he was really pulling it off.

“I have a mask right here!” Tess laughed, lifting it to cover her eyes. “I just couldn’t hold it while I got a drink.”

“That’s my failure as a host for not being here to serve you. But I do appreciate any opportunity to see your face—which looks exceptionally lovely tonight, if I may say.”

“Thank you.” She bobbed a little curtsy—all the better for Felix to admire her low neckline. “You look amazing. I mean, this is all so amazing.”

“I’m so glad you’re here.” He smiled, but then his face turned more serious. “Has everything been okay? Callum seemed so angry when he saw us together.”

“He was fine.” Tess rolled her eyes. “Just stomped off to his rooms, as if I care whether he wants to be my friend.”

“I’d very much like to be your friend. If you’re still in the market.”

“Good to know.” Tess grinned. “I’m still shopping around, mulling my options.”

“Excellent—can’t settle too quickly,” Felix deadpanned. “Have to do your due diligence.”

“Exactly! What if your new friend has terrible taste in snacks?”

“Like hamster blood, blech.” He grimaced.

“Can’t say I’ve had the pleasure.”

“Allow me to save your taste buds—it’s thin, grimy, and impossible not to get little bone chunks stuck in your teeth.”

“Have you ever considered writing a book on fun conversation topics for parties?” Tess teased, and Felix burst out laughing.

Tess warmed with pleasure at his reaction, then felt a quick twist of guilt when she imagined Callum nearby watching. She knew how much Callum hated Felix—and understood exactly why—but Felix had only ever been kind to Tess. Sometimes it was hard to square the version of Felix she knew (not to mention the hero she’d read about for years) with the sniveling manipulator Callum described.