011

Dove pov

I think I could throw up if I really put my mind to it.

People are looking at me now, mumbling incoherently between themselves. I'm seated beside the Alpha, having unwittingly received the most coveted invitation of the night.

Even if I'm hoping it is fleeting.

"Every woman Claude has brought up here to seduce has known all about his methods of seduction," Varian tells me. "I get the sense you do not."

My brows crease as I dare glance at him.I've decided I both like and dislike the way he looks at me. It's so intense, so deliberate. He knows his power, knows the effect he has on people.

He knows that were he to instruct me to get down on my knees before him, to take his cock into my mouth I would probably do it with not much thought at all.

"What do you mean by that?" I ask breathlessly.

"His type rarely deviates." He pauses to sip at his drink. "Beautiful, experienced women who enjoy a walk on the dark side as he does."

I recoil in my seat, offense blooming through me. Ouch.

"That might be me." I straighten my shoulders back.

"Perhaps. More importantly, however, they walk in his circle. They know a great deal about him, including his tastes in bed," he clarifies. "They go into the experience willing and ready for what he has planned for them." I shift in the chair, the depth of his tone making me shiver. He's hinting at something I'm not quite grasping.

"Which is?"

He leans his head back, the vivid red light gliding along the sharp expanse of his jawline. The urge to lean over and run my tongue up his neck is overwhelming in this moment.

I quietly shake the thought from my head. It's just the atmosphere tempting me.

"My point is that you clearly do not know what he has in store for you, and that thrills him." He gestures at Claude, drink in hand. The ice clinks tauntingly against the glass. "I won't allow for rape or coercion or anything else of the sort. Not at my parties, not ever."

Claude lingers near the bar, drumming his fingers impatiently against the counter as he waits for the water.

Varian appears entirely unaffected by the anger gathering force in Claude's eyeshand, sit stiffly in my chair in hopes of not upsetting anyone.

"That makes sense, I suppose." I hardly know what I'm saying.

Varian pauses, sweeping his gaze back at me. It presses me deep into the seat, my heart getting achingly close to failing.

"So, I'm going to tell you what he will do to you tonight if you desire it," he offers lowly.

"Is it bad?"

"It will start as any common tryst might," he offers with a half shrug. "However, he has a thing for blood. He will cut you, bleed you into a chalice and make you dance for him while he drinks its contents."

My eyes widen.

"You're exaggerating," I say breathlessly, unable to fathom how that could appeal to anyone. I've never even heard of such a notion.I expect Varian's expression to split into one of amusement, but it remains unflinchingly stoic.

"Not in the slightest." He pauses to take a drink. "That's all I shall share."

I sit up in the seat, gripping the plush arms.

"Why stop there?"

"That look on your face." He points to me, drawing his finger in a circle. "Blood isn't your thing."

I lick my lips subconsciously, enjoying the way his eyes trace the movement. As powerful as this man is, I've commanding his attention, if only for a moment.

"Thing?"

"We all have certain interests in bed. Don't we?"

There's the subtle dig of a challenge in his voice. One that sharply reminds me that I'm seated next to an Alpha in a room where the smell of sex permeates the air.This man may seem like he's warning me away from a night of pure debauchery, yet is entirely capable of luring me into an even darker one.

"I suppose we do," I murmur distractedly, trying to keep my gaze from straying toward a watchful Claude.

"Why do you appear doubtful?" Varian asks plainly.

"I believe we all need to partake in a great deal of sex before we can know for certain what we desire," I admit, lifting one shoulder obliquely.

I have a vague idea of what pleases me after some minimal exploration with Matthias. More is necessary and I'm more than willing to get into it.

Varian smiles knowingly. "Very wise."

Claude stalks over from the bar, so hurriedly my ice water splashes over his fingers. His body is coiled with unspent energy, consumed by a sense of desperation I don't understand."Thank you," I murmur, taking the water from him, trying not let my fingers slip on the slick surface.

He holds his hand out to me, the possibilities dancing on his palm. "Join me in a tour of this palace, my muse."

Knowing now that he would happily lap blood from my skin has unease settling deep in my chest. It makes the arc of his smile so much more sinister.

"Allow her to finish her water." Varian waves him off with the flick of a hand. "Go play elsewhere."

Claude's jaw hardens, the ends of his silver hair brushing against it.

"Varian..."

"Are you challenging me on this?" Varian's voice is so effortlessly soft, yet thick with authority. I shrink just hearing it, urging to fall in line with his commands like I'm biologically inclined to do for an Alpha.

I look between the pair with wide eyes. They stare each other down for a few beats, a silent conversation seeming to pass between them.

Claude smartly steps back, his posture sagging a touch.

"Of course not." His eyes dart to meet mine. "I'll return once you've finished your drink."

I watch him retreat into the shadows, although he doesn't go far. He hangs near the far wall, watching us with bitter eyes.

"Sip slowly if you don't wish to remain his muse," Varian instructs, motioning lazily at the water in my hand.

"Why does he call me his muse?" I ask, raising the glass to my lips. I take the slightest sip, aware of Varian's searching gaze watching my every move.

"Because you will continue to bleed while he takes you," he murmurs. "Once he's finished, he will have the blood collected and he will make a beautiful painting with it. He's quite talented, and he hangs the masterpieces in his own home. You're his muse because you inspire him."