After Dark Read Free Page A

turned to find Faustus “Lucky” Maledetto standing beside her. Lucky was the older brother of her good friends Bella and Bette. He looked especially yummy tonight in a double-breasted tux with wide lapels. Cally couldn’t deny his charm, but her attraction to Lucky was tempered by the knowledge that he was the son of her father’s sworn enemy, Vincent Maledetto, leader of the Strega crime cartel. Victor had already warned her about being friendly with members of the Maledetto family; although she had recently decided to ignore his wishes when it came to the twins, openly socializing with their brother was another thing entirely.
    “May I have this dance?”
    “Aren’t you supposed to be escorting Melinda Mauvais?”
    “Jules de Laval is supposed to be your escort for the evening, isn’t he? But I don’t see him nearby,” Lucky pointed out.
    Cally looked around the crowded ballroom and felt a twinge of jealousy as she spotted her father exchanging pleasantries with yet another group of associates who had come to congratulate him on Lilith’s debut.
    As she watched her father’s friends fawn over the acknowledged heiress to the Todd fortune, Cally thought: What harm could dancing with Lucky Maledetto possibly do? So what if Victor doesn’t approve? I’m leaving New York City for good, aren’t I? In the end, it won’t make a blood drop’s difference. He’ll get over it.
    “Okay.” She smiled, nodding. “But just one dance.”
    “Just one,” he promised, taking her hand in his as they swung out onto the dance floor. Cally was impressed by how smoothly he moved. He really was quite a dancer.
    “Is something on your mind?” Lucky asked as he drew her close. “You seem a little preoccupied.”
    “I’m sorry,” she apologized. “I’m just going through some complicated stuff in my life right now.”
    “Anything I could help you with?”
    Cally looked up into his eyes, impressed by how self-assured he was. She had no doubt there were few problems Lucky Maledetto could not resolve if he put his mind to it. “It’s sweet of you to ask, but I don’t think so. Besides, you’ve done enough for me already.”
    “You mean scaring off Johnny Muerto and his gang?” Lucky chuckled as they turned. “Scum like Muerto need to be taught their place. And I’m happy to teach it to them.” He cocked his head to one side, studying Cally’s short dark hair and pixielike face. “Do you know what the snowman said to the other snowman?”
    Cally blinked, unsure of what to make of the question. “No…what did he say?”
    “‘Do you smell a carrot?’”
    “Ohhh! That was awful !” Cally groaned, laughing despite herself.
    “See?” Lucky smiled, holding her gently. “I knew I could help.”
     

    Boris Orlock, master of King’s Stone, rose from his throne of carved bone and ivory. He tapped his crystal wineglass with a long, curving nail, causing it to chime like a bell. The musicians set aside their instruments, and the babble of voices that filled the ballroom quickly subsided. Everyone turned to face their host. A tall, imposing figure of breathtaking ugliness, Count Orlock stood before his elegantly coiffed and haute-coutured guests like a phantom at the feast.
    “Everyone, please lift your glasses!” he commanded.
    Count Orlock hoisted his glass high, his baritone voice rolling across the room like thunder.
    “I would like to take this time to propose a toast! To the beautiful young women who have debuted here tonight: may your futures be as lovely as yourselves! In the name of the Founders: live long and drink deep!”
    “ So say we all! ” the crowd replied, their voices melding as one.
     

    When Cally brought her goblet to her lips, she heard the sound of breaking glass from somewhere behind her. As she turned in the direction of the sound, thinking perhaps a waiter had dropped a serving tray, the windows facing the garden suddenly shattered inward. What looked like cans of shaving cream