Chapter 3
A Dangerous Game
The grand halls of the Château de Lune were alive with laughter, the clinking of crystal glasses, and the murmured conversations of Paris's elite. The high-society vampire gathering was a glittering display of wealth, power, and immortality. Lucienne stepped into the ballroom, her expression carefully neutral. Dressed in a black gown that clung to her figure like a shadow, she moved with an elegance that drew every eye, even among those who had known her for centuries.
Damien followed close behind, his discomfort palpable. Clad in a dark suit that did little to disguise the wolfish edge to his movements, he scanned the room with sharp eyes, his senses on high alert. He felt like a predator in a cage full of other predators, and it made his skin crawl.
"Relax," Lucienne murmured, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye.
"Easy for you to say," Damien muttered. "You're in your element here. I'm just waiting for someone to sniff me out."
Lucienne smirked faintly. "Just stick close to me. You'll be fine."
The gathering was their next lead—a chance to uncover the vampire responsible for the recent attacks and the unrest spreading through the city. But for Lucienne, the stakes were higher than that. This wasn't just any gathering; it was her past laid bare. The people in this room were once her family, her coven, until she had walked away centuries ago.
"Do they know you're here?" Damien asked quietly as they wove through the crowd.
"They'll know soon enough," Lucienne replied, her voice steady but tight.
The pair approached the center of the room, where a group of vampires lounged near an ornate fountain flowing with what Damien suspected wasn't wine. The air was thick with tension, masked by polite smiles and feigned indifference.
"Lucienne," a voice purred, dripping with both amusement and venom.
A tall vampire with sharp features and piercing green eyes stepped forward. His name was Marcel, a former confidant and now the unofficial leader of the coven. He wore a tailored suit and an expression of mock surprise.
"What a rare sight," Marcel continued, his eyes sweeping over her with barely concealed malice. "We thought you'd abandoned us for good."
"I thought so too," Lucienne replied evenly. "But circumstances change."
Marcel's gaze flicked to Damien, his nostrils flaring slightly. "And who is this? Your... pet?"
Damien bristled, his fists clenching at his sides. Lucienne placed a hand on his arm, a subtle warning.
"He's with me," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Marcel chuckled, but the sound held no warmth. "Interesting choice of company. You've always had a taste for the unconventional."
Lucienne ignored the jab, her focus unwavering. "I'm here for information, Marcel. Nothing more."
"And why would we help you?" Marcel asked, his smile fading. "You left us. Turned your back on your family."
"This isn't about us," Lucienne said, her voice hardening. "There's a rogue vampire threatening the city. He's not just killing humans—he's targeting werewolves. If you don't want a war on your doorstep, you'll tell me what you know."
Marcel studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "I'll consider it," he said finally, turning away. "Enjoy the party, Lucienne. It might be your last."
As Marcel disappeared into the crowd, Lucienne exhaled slowly, her composure cracking just enough for Damien to notice.
"You okay?" he asked, his voice low.
"I'm fine," she said quickly, though the tightness in her jaw suggested otherwise.
They moved to a quieter corner of the room, where the shadows provided a measure of privacy.
"You didn't tell me you used to be part of this coven," Damien said, leaning against the wall.
"It didn't seem relevant," Lucienne replied, avoiding his gaze.
"Seems pretty relevant now," Damien said. "Especially if they're holding a grudge."
Lucienne sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly. "I left for a reason, Damien. I couldn't stay here, surrounded by people who only cared about power and control. But leaving wasn't easy. They don't take kindly to abandonment."
Damien's expression softened, though his voice remained firm. "You don't have to face them alone."
Lucienne glanced at him, surprised by the sincerity in his words. Before she could respond, the sound of shattering glass drew their attention.
A group of rival vampires had entered the ballroom, their presence causing an immediate ripple of unease. Tensions between covens were nothing new, but the sudden intrusion was a bold move, even for them.
"We need to get out of here," Damien said, his instincts screaming danger.
"Not yet," Lucienne said, her eyes fixed on the newcomers.
The rival vampires made their way toward Marcel, their voices low but heated. The atmosphere in the room grew thick with hostility, and it wasn't long before the first blow was struck.
Chaos erupted as the two groups clashed, the once-elegant ballroom descending into a battleground. Lucienne and Damien moved quickly, weaving through the fray as they searched for an escape route.
"Watch out!" Damien shouted, shoving Lucienne out of the way as a vampire lunged at her.
The attacker's claws raked across Damien's arm, drawing blood, but he didn't falter. With a swift movement, he shifted partially into his wolf form, his claws and fangs tearing through his opponent.
"Damien!" Lucienne cried, rushing to his side as he staggered back, clutching his injured arm.
"I'm fine," he said through gritted teeth, though his pale complexion suggested otherwise.
Lucienne tore a strip of fabric from her gown, wrapping it tightly around his arm to stem the bleeding. Her hands trembled slightly as she worked, her usual composure slipping.
"You're not fine," she said, her voice shaking with uncharacteristic emotion.
"Don't worry about me," Damien said, his golden eyes locking onto hers. "We need to get out of here."
Lucienne nodded, helping him to his feet. Together, they made their way to a side exit, their movements hurried but careful.
Once outside, they found themselves on a rooftop overlooking the city. The sounds of the fight faded into the background as they caught their breath.
"Let me see your arm," Lucienne said, her tone brooking no argument.
Damien hesitated but relented, allowing her to unwrap the makeshift bandage. Her fingers brushed against his skin, and he felt a strange heat where she touched him.
"You're lucky it's not worse," she said, her voice soft. "But you need to be more careful."
"I'll keep that in mind," Damien said, his lips twitching into a faint smile.
Their eyes met, the tension between them shifting into something else—something neither of them could deny any longer.
Before either could think better of it, Lucienne leaned in, her lips brushing against his. Damien froze for a moment before responding, his hand moving to the small of her back as he deepened the kiss.
The moment was electric, charged with a mix of passion and uncertainty. But just as quickly as it began, it ended.
Lucienne pulled back, her eyes wide with a mix of shock and regret. "We can't…"
"I know," Damien said, his voice low.
They stood in silence, the weight of the kiss lingering between them. Neither could bring themselves to speak, the unspoken feelings too raw, too complicated.
Finally, Lucienne stepped away, her expression hardening. "We should go. It's not safe here."
Damien nodded, his jaw tight as he followed her.
As they parted ways, each retreating to their respective worlds, the kiss replayed in their minds like a forbidden melody. Neither knew what it meant, or what it would lead to, but one thing was certain—there was no going back.