Raven Mask (Camren) Book 2

Chapter 35

The cops had arrived and handled the rest of it. I was right, Dylan was pissed that I hadn't clued him in, but like always, he was ultimately grateful I'd done my job.

Dylan had been staring at Jacob with a look I couldn't read. "What am I supposed to tell your parents?" he finally asked.

"I'd prefer it if you didn't tell them anything."

"You want me to lie to them?"

"Technically, Officer, telling them I died isn't a lie."

"Detective O'Brien."

"Detective O'Brien, I will tell them when I'm ready to confront my mother."

At that, Dylan chuckled, shook his head, and said, "I wish you luck, boy."

They checked every one of the dead vampires, confirming they were indeed super-beasties and that we hadn't killed any innocents. Normani had removed the spell from the vampire in the entryway when one of the cops tripped over it.

The few children that had been turned were young enough that either the process of being turned or being the Count's pets had broken their minds. They had to be executed. Lauren and Vanessa had taken care of that part. Which I was grateful for, since I really didn't feel like it was my place. Child vampires are just a little creepy. They give me the heebies. There, I admit it.

The cops would help the rest of the children return to their parents, since some of them were from different states, and a few weren't even from this country.

Bea had been safely returned home. Jacob, on the other hand, was granted permission to stay with Lauren as one of her vampires. We learned Maddox had cornered one of Vanessa's patrons outside the club and tried to send a warning, but no one took it seriously. He didn't know who else to go to and stay alive in the process. The Primes would cast a vote deciding his fate, but I had a feeling he would be staying with us. I think, for Jacob's sake, it wasn't a bad idea.

When Lauren asked Maddox why he betrayed the Count, his reasoning seemed pretty solid. The Count had murdered his previous Countess. So Maddox had gained the Count's respect and traveled with his band, watching as the Count sought another conquest. When I'd asked him what had happened to his previous clan, he'd told me the Count's puppet still ruled, as was the case in all the areas where the sick bastard had managed to overthrow whoever held the vampire community together.

The need for vengeance in Maddox's gaze was hard not to notice. Perhaps, he would only stay for a while. I sensed his desire for revenge would far outweigh his desire to be content living in Lauren's domain.

Bea's mother filed for a divorce and placed a restraining order against Dennis Cunningham. Jacob spent most of his nights with Bea and her mother, making sure they were safe. He wouldn't talk to his own mother or father. The only family member he would associate with was his brother. And although his brother was still coming to terms with his baby brother being a vampire, there was no question he'd stick around.

Shawn was still helping me keep an eye on Taylor. Considering the situation with Dinah, whether we found anything on Taylor or not, I had a feeling it was a good idea. I didn't intend to let anything happen to Dinah, and since I had claimed her, but she remained the Beta in Taylor's pack, I needed to keep an eye out for trouble. As usual.

The masquerade ball at Lauren's club wasn't as unpleasant as I had anticipated. Then again, she assured me we only had to stay through one dance and long enough for her to put in an appearance. That made me a little happier.

Lauren wore a black tux tailored to fit the contours of her body, showing her figure off to perfection. She'd clasped the curls of her hair at the back of her neck and worn a white fedora. As always, she looked gorgeous. She and Vanessa were the only two vampires who had opted out of dressing up in masquerade garb and had worn a tux. The rest of the vampires had swirled beautifully out onto the dance floor, appearing like the dark and mysterious strangers they were. The crowd had gone wild, scurrying for a chance to dance with one of them.

The dress Lauren had picked out for me was revealing, but not overly so. The straps were tiny enough I couldn't wear a bra. The back was low-cut and made me feel like I was half naked. The sheer strips in the material over my stomach showed off the skin underneath. Oh, I'd argued about the dress, but in the end I'd lost. The expression on Lauren's face when I was fully dressed was enough to keep me in it, though I had a niggling feeling she'd like the dress a lot more when she was tearing it off. Between my thoughts and Lauren's heated looks, I was thrumming sensually.

She'd somehow managed to talk me into wearing the mask that went with the outfit. The black feathers of the raven mask matched the black satin dress. The patches of my bare skin that peeked through the solid black material were suddenly very white. The skirt kept trying to tangle about my legs like a waterfall of satin, and I had to force myself to focus on following Lauren's lead, as she knew how to dance. Another benefit of lycanthropy was being able to move gracefully, without letting on that I had no idea what the hell I was doing.

The night proved to be romantic, even with the hunting that had come before it. Lauren managed to talk me into one more dance. The tune was slow, with an edge of seduction that made the dance seem more intimate, more meaningful. With her body against mine, I let all thoughts of the confrontation with the Count and Taylor Swift disappear.

Eventually those thoughts would catch up with me. But for tonight, Lauren held me and I followed her, inhaling the sweet and spicy scent of her perfume.

Beneath the perfume was the smell of my lover.

My Lauren.

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And here we have the end of book two.

There is a third book called Bloody Claws, and I'll start converting it soon!