A silver pair of bootie-style, open-toed, dress sandals dangled from Beverly’s fingers. Netting, adorned with tiny crystals, stretched over the leather. “These are perfect. Rene Caovilla. Snakeskin. Love them.”
Waverly sat down onto the black velvet settee, careful not to tug on the dress. “How long have you worked for Viktor?”
“Since the sixties,” she commented, slipping a sandal onto one of her feet.
“The sixties?” Waverly quickly did the math and attempted to conceal her surprise. The woman appeared far younger than her age. Vampire. “You must be close…having worked together for such a long time.”
“Yes, well. I was turned in the twenties. Met him in Vegas. I’ve done this and that over the years but somehow ended up styling for him. It’s easier when he’s actually in the city.” She buckled the last sandal and smiled. “They’re dope, yeah?”
“They’re beautiful. So sparkly. Let’s see if I can walk in them,” she said with a slight laugh. While Waverly loved a beautiful pair of heels, she spent most of her time in flip flops. She stood, finding the shoes surprisingly comfortable. “They feel really good. Thank you.”
“All right then. Go to the mirror and let me check you over,” Beverly ordered.
Waverly stared at her reflection. Her long blonde hair had been braided up the sides, wavy locks curling down her back. Blood-red lipstick stained her lips, a hint of blush on her cheekbones.
“You look gorgeous.” Beverly clapped her hands together. “Magnifique!”
“Thank you. It sounds stupid, but I’m a little nervous about tonight,” Waverly admitted, not sure why she’d shared her emotions with the stranger. “It’s just, well, you know, sometimes it helps to feel like you’re put together even if you’re about to unravel.”
“It’s going to be okay,” Beverly assured her. “You’re human but you must have great strength if Viktor is keeping you on. You’ll be all right. Trust me. Viktor won’t let any of them hurt you. It’s just a party. Walk into the room like you own that shit.”
“Fake it till you make it?” Waverly nodded.
“Don’t show fear. A human as beautiful as you, is going to tempt them. They will be drawn to you like bees to flowers.” She shrugged. “But trust me. No one’s going to touch you. You’re Viktor’s flower.”
“How can you be sure?”
“I’ve been to many a party, my dear. And I know paranormals. This party tonight is upscale. People think that money makes them safe. Don’t ever mistake wealth for safety. The rich ones are often more dangerous.”
“Okay. That’s comforting.”
“The half demon is throwing the affair but there will be paranormals from all walks of life. Vampires. Wolves. Perhaps even a witch.”
“I trust Viktor.” Waverly realized in that moment she’d meant what she said. He’d been there for her at every step of her journey. “Thank you for helping me get ready. I’m not sure what I would have done without you.”
“It’s been my pleasure. You must be pretty special for Viktor to be toting you around.” Beverly slung her oversized Louis Vuitton duffle bag over her shoulder. “I’ll be seeing you round. Have to go see to Rafe. The boy’s a hot mess.” She laughed. “Viktor’s got a girlfriend and a child. Hell must have really frozen over.
“I’m not his girlfriend,” Waverly protested.
“Aw, sugar. You don’t need to lie to me. Or yourself.”
“But I—”
“You take care tonight, you hear?” Beverly waved as she opened the door. “Speak of the devil.”
“My ears were burning,” Viktor said as he walked into the room.
“You be good tonight, sir. Take care of this pretty flower.”
Waverly’s heart pounded in her chest as her gaze locked on his. With trimmed scruff along his chiseled jawline and perfectly coifed hair, Viktor gave off an air of confidence and style. The sophisticated vampire, dressed in a dark blue tuxedo, exuded sex and power.
She blinked, briefly averting her gaze and then looked back up to him, her cheeks flushed. Waverly, stop staring at him. Jesus, he made her feel as if she was a teenager seeing her football quarterback crush.
“I, um, I hope this is okay.” She held her hands out and slowly spun in a circle. “I call this look, ‘naked but dressed’.”
“You’re stunning.” He leaned into her, his lips brushing her ear. “Irresistible.”
“Likewise,” she managed, her knees weakening. Gooseflesh broke over her skin, heat rushing between her legs.
“Looking this gorgeous, I’m tempted to peel this dress right off you. What’s underneath it is much more beautiful.”
“I suppose we can’t go nude to a party,” she teased.
“No. No we can’t. While I’ve indulged in the lifestyle, I find myself too protective of my precious curator to share you with others.”
“Hmm…maybe we can leave the party early?” she mused, afraid to imagine the sexcapades he’d engaged in over a thousand years.
“I promise you this is business only. And when we return home, I will have you all to myself.” He withdrew, still holding her hands. “Goddess, you’re beautiful.”
“Beverly worked her magick.”
“She’s a terrific stylist, but it’s you who brings the shine.” Viktor’s expression flattened, turning serious. “Which reminds me. About tonight. You must stay at my side, understand?”
“Of course.” She nodded.
“I mean it. No matter the temptation, don’t let them separate us.” His tone turned serious.
“Someone’s going to try to separate us?” Anxiety curled in her stomach at the thought.
“Thorn. The half demon. He’s charming but wily. Cunning. He’s the kind of dude I trust until I don’t if you know what I mean. The guests will most likely all be paranormal. I’m not worried about the vampires. Quintus will see to their submission. Jax Chandler, the New York Alpha. He’ll control the wolves. But you’ve got other creatures. Witches. Warlocks. Possibly fae. Especially considering Thorn’s connections.”
“Fae?”
“Yeah.” He nodded.
“Are they really that dangerous?”
“Yes. They are one of the few species who can easily enter Hell and come back out again. Easily being the key word. When they’re in Hell, they seek out jobs from the netherworld. Blood contracts, possession and whatnot. Think of them as intermediaries between the demons stuck in Hell and the creatures who walk this earth.”
“Why do they keep coming here?” Waverly had heard rumors of fae but never met one.
“Because the magick within humans is special. And it’s the way of the wicked to seek the most precious gift the Goddess bestows on you. The essence of pure energy. The soul. While it’s true humans are fragile, that precious soul is attractive to others who wish to corrupt it, darken it. Ghosts seek the energy they used to have, hoping to change what’s been done, to possess humans to use as a vessel. Vampires drink your blood. Wolves mimic some of your traditions. Witches, even. They teach humans their craft, sell them their wares. Even the high priestess was born of humans, that magick helped her to birth a child to a vampire.”