Forcing a smile, I walk away. It's getting hard to be around Gage right now. My whole body is burning with desire and seeking an outlet for it. I wish I had known about mortal virgins bonding with immortal assholes before I slept with Kane. Though it wouldn't have done a bit of good since I didn't know what he was.
"Knock, knock," Gage says as he walks into the room.
I offer a smile as I motion to my form-fitted silver dress. It stops just below my rear, and it has one shoulder cut out while the other side has a long, tight sleeve that reaches my wrist.
"Wow," he accidentally releases, and then he clears his throat in an attempt to recover. "I mean... that's a... um... Where did you get that on such short notice?"
Shrugging, I murmur, "This is going to sound cliché, but I really did just have it lying around. My mom bought it for me a year ago, and I've never had anywhere to wear it."
He bites back a salacious grin as his eyes rake over me, taking me in, and making my aura burn against me as though it's materializing.
"Well, I guess it's a good thing I matched your mask by happy accident," he murmurs while pulling out a silver, glittery masquerade mask that has satin ties draping from the sides.
"You did good, dark boy. Care to tie me up?"
Oops. That made me sound like Thad and one of his dirty drops. Gage just laughs a little as he steps in behind me.
"Love to," he murmurs against my ear, the heat of his breath trickling down and settling on my neck.
I shiver as he lifts my blond, elegant curls up just enough to hide the strings as he ties the mask into place. When I turn around to face him, he looks completely different. Just seconds ago, he was wearing his jeans and T-shirt. Now he's wearing a black suit, black shirt, and black tie. His black mask covers a small portion of his face, allowing only his blues and his gorgeous mouth to be seen.
My mouth waters like a foolish girl who's never seen a boy in her life. His lips quirk up in a devilish grin as he gives me a wink.
"Ready to shake out some answers?"
"I'm ready to get drunk."
The intense moment of seduction is collapsed when my humorous tidbit reaches him, and he lets his laughter soar free.
"Then let's get to it."
It almost feels as though we're late, but we're right on time. This glorious wonder of a house is packed full of ritzy people with flashy attire. I'm glad I did have this dress handy. I wasn't prepared for the glam and gloss of Gatsby's era.
"Just stay with me. Thad should be here already, shaking down answers."
I nod as his arm wraps around my waist and guides me through the crowded room. After a couple of dances, I'm almost sweating from the intimate connection we've been forced to endure with the steady stream of slow songs.
"Drink?" he asks while loosening his tie, as though he's feeling it, too.
"What's up with this atmosphere?" I grumble, squirming uncomfortably.
"I can answer that," Thad interjects while handing both of us a glass full of some odd, foggy concoction.
His crisp blue shirt peeks out beneath his perfectly tailored suit, and his blue mask only adds to his appeal. Now I'm really sweating. What the hell? This can't be my aura.
I taste the drink to see it's a bit fruity, but it's not too over the top. I'm grateful for anything that might take the edge off.
"Well?" Gage prompts as we move to the other side of the room.
I start noticing several people devouring each other without discretion. One guy has a moaning girl pressed against the wall as his hand slips under her dress, making her gasp in ecstasy. I have to look away, feeling like a total pervert for ever having seen such an act of intimacy.
"This home belongs to a succubus and an incubus. The two are married, and they get off on making others... well, get off."
I start fanning myself as the desire to feel someone's touch becomes a heady sensation.
"I thought they just lured in prey with their seduction," I chime in, vocalizing my limited knowledge of our world.
"We are their prey. They feed off sexual energy. Right now, this place is fueling them like a buffet would a fat man."