The Devil's Fool (Devil Series Book One) Read Free

and crystal chandeliers the Queen of England would envy.
    I endured the evening by staying outside on the veranda as much as possible. The cool night air felt good against my bare arms and was a welcome distraction from the boisterous noises echoing from the brightly lit party.
    “You stupid girl,” a voice said behind me.
    I turned around. The black silhouette of my mother stood in the doorway of the ballroom. If it hadn’t been for her voice, I might have mistaken her for an unmasked demon.
    “Get in here,” she said. “I want you to meet someone special.”
    “Not tonight. Please.” It was a dumb thing to say. I knew it the second the words left my mouth. Maybe my mother was right.
    “It wasn’t a question.”
    Reluctantly, I stepped forward. Sable took hold of my arm and dragged me through the room, weaving in and out of the guests. I tried to see where she was guiding me, but dancing couples blocked my view. When she nudged aside two women in the middle of a conversation, I finally saw whom I was to meet.
    I yanked my arm free and froze. Though he looked human, I knew better. A murky blackness clung to him like thick tar.
    This was no man.
    This was a vampire.

Chapter 3
    Every fiber of my body screamed to run. There was an energy, dark and ancient, that filled the area around him. Despite my instincts, I found it difficult to look away. His commanding presence sucked me in as if an invisible cord were pulling me toward him. I resisted, and a sharp pain stabbed in my lower spine.
    Sable whirled around and dug her nails into my wrist and jerked me forward. “Don’t you dare insult him.”
    Erik, who was shaking hands with the vampire, turned. His slicked-back blond hair looked as greasy as his tanned complexion. “Eve, darling, this is Boaz. Boaz, meet my only daughter, Eve.”
    The light seemed to flee the room as Boaz’s eyes met mine. He was strangely captivating with black hair, high cheekbones, and a distinct jaw line. My heart fluttered, and I grew faint. If it weren't for Sable’s hand on my elbow, I would’ve staggered back. But it wasn’t his appearance that made me weak. My mind tried to capture what it was, but his stare became too intense, forcing me to look away.
    Erik said something under his breath and then chuckled.
    “She may be, but I’ll have to find out for myself,” Boaz said.
    Erik smirked, and Sable laughed obnoxiously. I was disgusted with all three of them.
    “It was nice to meet you,
Sir
.” It took all the strength I had, but I managed to yank my arm away, turn, and walk off, my heart racing. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sable begin to follow, but Boaz grabbed her wrist and held her in place.
    I walked calmly, yet briskly, toward the stairs leading to the second floor. I nodded and smiled politely to several people who said “hello,” but I refused to stop.
    As I stepped upon the first stair, cold fingers touched my back. I gasped and whirled around. To my amazement, no one was there. I slowly continued upward but again felt the touch of a hand caress the skin of my naked back. The icy coolness of it stole my breath. I spun back around, peering into the crowd.
    I scanned the many faces, some of which appeared human, but I wasn’t fooled. My eyes settled on the only one who stood out—not because he was different, but because he was their leader. They circled him like starving dogs anxious to devour whatever scrap of attention he might toss them. But Boaz paid little heed—his focus was entirely on me. His eyes bore into mine like those of a predatory animal. I could practically hear him snarling from across the room.
    Frightened, I turned back to continue up the stairs, this time using the handrail for support. The invisible caresses continued until I was out of his view.
    Safely hidden on the second floor, I leaned against a white pillar, my breaths coming in short gasps. My toes tingled, and a familiar, dark feeling crept up my body—magic.
Relax.
I couldn’t