The first thing I learned about being Ezra Vlancur's patronage was that apparently, I no longer went anywhere alone.
I noticed him standing near the entrance of the Circle before I even made it halfway across the room.
Tall.
Dark hair.
Black suit.
Expressionless.
He looked completely out of place among the neon lights and velvet furniture, yet somehow he seemed like he belonged there more than anyone else.
I slowed.
He was watching me.
Not in the way the men at the Circle usually watched me.
There was no hunger in his eyes.
No amusement.
He was studying me.
I glanced toward Zhi.
He noticed the look immediately.
"Oh," he said.
I frowned.
"Why did you say it like that?"
Zhi sighed.
"That's Kael."
"Okay."
I waited.
Zhi didn't elaborate.
"That's it?"
"That's enough."
I looked back toward the stranger.
"Who is he?"
"Ezra's personal retainer."
I blinked.
"Retainer?"
"He handles certain matters for the Vlancur family."
"Like?"
"Security. Arrangements. Personal affairs."
I stared at Zhi.
"So he's a fancy bodyguard."
Kael's voice came from behind me.
"Not exactly."
I jumped.
He had somehow crossed the room without me noticing.
That was impressive.
And slightly terrifying.
I turned around.
"Do you normally sneak up on people?"
"No."
"You definitely just did."
"Then perhaps you weren't paying attention."
I narrowed my eyes.
"You're going to be fun."
His expression barely changed.
"I've been called worse."
Zhi walked away.
Traitor.
I crossed my arms.
"Why are you here?"
"To accompany you."
"I don't need an escort."
"That's not my decision."
"Whose is it?"
"Ezra's."
Of course it was.
I rolled my eyes.
"Does he send you everywhere now?"
"No."
"Then why me?"
Kael studied me for a moment.
"Because you're important to him."
Something fluttered in my stomach.
I hated that it did.
"I've known him for what? A few nights?"
"Sometimes that's enough."
I didn't know what to say to that.
So I walked toward the bar.
Kael followed.
I glanced over my shoulder.
"Are you always going to follow me?"
"Yes."
"That's creepy."
"Probably."
I laughed despite myself.
At least he had a sense of humor.
We reached the bar.
I sat down.
Kael remained standing.
"You don't drink?"
"I don't need to."
"That's boring."
"I've never been accused of being entertaining."
"I noticed."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
It disappeared so quickly that I almost wondered if I'd imagined it.
Maybe I liked Kael.
Not in the way I liked Ezra.
There was something different about him.
He felt familiar somehow.
Which was ridiculous.
I'd never seen him before.
At least, I didn't think I had.
I reached for my drink.
Kael's eyes suddenly moved toward my shoulder.
I noticed.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You're staring."
"Your tattoo."
My hand instinctively went to the edge of my dress.
"What about it?"
"Nothing."
"That's twice you've said nothing."
He looked at me again.
"It's unusual."
I laughed.
"That's the point."
Kael didn't laugh.
His gaze lingered for another second before he looked away.
And for some reason, a strange chill moved down my spine.
Before I could question it, the doors opened.
The atmosphere in the Circle shifted.
I felt it before I understood why.
Conversations lowered.
A few vampires turned.
Zhi stopped what he was doing.
Kael's entire posture changed.
I looked toward the entrance.
A man walked inside.
He was beautiful in the kind of way that made you immediately suspicious.
Dark hair.
Pale skin.
Deep red eyes.
His clothes were expensive without trying to announce it.
He didn't look around the room.
He simply walked in as though he already owned it.
Then his gaze landed on me.
He stopped.
For the briefest moment, his expression changed.
Not attraction.
Not curiosity.
Recognition.
My stomach tightened.
He approached.
"Interesting."
I frowned.
"What's interesting?"
His gaze dropped toward my shoulder.
The tattoo.
I covered it instinctively.
His eyes snapped back to mine.
"Where did you get that?"
I glanced at Kael.
He had moved closer.
"That's none of your concern," Kael said.
The stranger smiled.
"I wasn't speaking to you."
Kael's voice became colder.
"You should."
The stranger's smile faded.
Then he looked back at me.
"What's your name?"
"Rita."
"Rita what?"
"Rita Rain."
Something flickered across his face.
He repeated it quietly.
"Rain."
I didn't like the way he said my name.
Like he was testing it against something he remembered.
"Do I know you?"
"No."
His eyes moved over my face.
"Not yet."
A shiver ran down my spine.
Kael stepped between us.
"Leave."
The stranger laughed softly.
"You're very protective of Ezra's new favorite."
I frowned.
"Favorite?"
Kael didn't respond.
The stranger's gaze returned to me.
"Tell me, Rita."
His voice was smooth.
Almost playful.
"Do you know what that tattoo means?"
I touched it again.
"No."
His expression changed.
For the first time, the amusement disappeared completely.
"That's unfortunate."
"What does it mean?"
He smiled.
"I think you should ask your family."
My heart skipped.
"My family?"
"Yes."
He turned away.
Kael's eyes followed him.
"Who are you?"
The stranger stopped.
"Lucien Veyr."
The name seemed to mean something to everyone except me.
He glanced over his shoulder.
"Give Ezra my regards."
Then he walked away.
I watched him disappear through the doors.
"What the hell was that?"
Kael didn't answer.
I looked at him.
"Kael."
His jaw tightened.
"Lucien Veyr is dangerous."
"Because?"
"He asks questions he already knows the answers to."
I looked toward the door again.
My fingers brushed over the tattoo beneath my clothing.
It suddenly felt different.
Heavier.
As though someone had placed a secret beneath my skin.
"What did he mean about my family?"
Kael looked at me.
For a moment, I thought he was going to answer.
Instead, he said quietly,
"You should ask Ezra."
I frowned.
"Why?"
"Because if Lucien recognized that tattoo…"
He paused.
Something cold entered his expression.
"…then Ezra needs to know."