Silenced by K.N. Lee Read Free Book Online

take good care of them both.”
    “Thank you.”
    When the door was shut, Kristoff laid back on the sofa and put his hand over his heart. It beat way too fast. Like a boy with his first crush, his mind raced with all of the possibilities of being face to face with her again. The anticipation was maddening.
    He sat up quickly and strode to the adjacent bathroom. A quick study of his reflection only slightly eased his nerves.
    “Fucking hell ,” he said to his reflection as he fixed his hair. “I’m too old to be so wound up about a woman.”
    But Willa wasn’t just a woman.
    She used to be his.
    Satisfied with his appearance, Kristoff left the bathroom and made himself a drink at the wet bar. He downed a glass of scotch. And another. And one more before he felt a slight buzz.
    Kristoff fixed his tie.
    Here we go.
    ***
    A N ORCHESTRA PLAYED the most beautiful melodies as Willa, Stephanie, and Zoe made their way into the gathering of exquisitely dressed guests. The ballroom was large, with ornate chandeliers hanging above, and slick marble beneath them.
    Willa had to focus on keeping her steps steady, for fear that she would slip and fall in front of everyone there. She felt better that there were so many people all around. That way she and her companions blended into the crowd. It gave her a sort of shade against unwanted attention.
    “Let’s find the bar,” Stephanie said. “My nerves are shot. This whole thing is surreal. Fucking vampires everywhere I look.”
    Zoe laughed. “They don’t scare me.”
    “Of course, they don’t,” Willa said with a smile as they stopped near one of the bars at the back of the room. There were seats filled with guests all along the perimeter of the room. “You are more powerful than most of them.”
    “That’s why I’m here, doll,” Zoe said. She flicked her hair behind her exposed shoulder and looked to Stephanie. “So relax. Together they can’t even touch us.”
    “If you say so,” Stephanie said. “I haven’t Cast a spell in ages.”
    “It doesn’t matter,” Zoe said. “You never forget.”
    “Remember what you said back at your house?” Willa gave Stephanie a mischievous grin; her eyes hooded under her thick dark lashes.
    Stephanie’s eyes widened as she shook her head. “What?”
    “You’re on the hunt for a man, right?”
    Stephanie laughed. “Yeah. A man. Not a vampire.”
    “There are plenty of both. Don’t discriminate,” Zoe said. “You mustn’t forget that we are immortal.”
    “True.” Stephanie shifted her weight. “These heels are already annoying me.” She gasped. “Holy hell.”
    Stephanie clutched Willa’s arm.
    “What?” Willa looked around to see what the fuss was. Her eyes darted around the room, just knowing they would land on Lukas’ deceptively handsome face.
    “Look! Jackson Phillips is here,” Stephanie whispered.
    “Who?” Zoe followed her gaze.
    “The actor!”
    “Oh,” Willa said. Her stomach was in knots. She didn’t even glance at the actor. Her sights were on alert for either Kristoff or Lukas.
    A cute server approached them, an assortment of beverages on her silver tray. Her eyes revealed that ethereal look customary for vampires. A flash of a bright smile showed sharp fangs.
    “Would you like some champagne, red, or white wine?”
    “Red,” Willa said.
    She handed them their drinks and moved on to the next group of guests.
    Willa sipped her wine, hoping it would calm her nerves.
    “So, where is he?” Zoe was able to look over most of the heads of almost everyone. “Where is dear Kristoff?”
    Shrugging, Willa drank more. She couldn’t stop wondering the same thing. “I’m sure he will show up soon.”
    “Of course, he will,” Zoe said. “I have no doubt about it.”
    As if summoned, the man from the tube appeared before them.
    Willa held her breath when he stood in front of her, a kind smile on his lips and within his eyes.
    Where did he come from?
    The three of them stared at him in