XIX.

"Watch your fucking surroundings, idiots!"

~Jackal Smorotori, former criminal investigator, inventor, and a vampire;

an order

They stood at the platform of sorts; a spiral staircase led down to the ballroom filled with people.

"Giuseppe Viola and his date."

And his what?

Adrian shot a glare in Giuseppe's direction. It was ignored while the bastard beamed at the servant announcing their arrival to the Ball. Short of making a spectacle of himself, Adrian could only fume in silence. Salvation came in form of imagining all the ways to make vampires suffer bodily harm.

Once deemed enough of showing off, Giuseppe led them in. They went down the steps to what Adrian could only describe as a very, very large ballroom, spreading in all directions. Filled with decorations and tables serving food and drinks, the room seemed huge even filled with a great number of people inside. The parquet was shiny and the silverware polished. Oh, gods. It was one of those parties. Well, what had he expected coming to a vampire Lord's Introduction Ball? Mold growing in the corner of the room, maybe? Was he an idiot?

While his scowl obviously deterred a few curious guests from approaching, it apparently wasn't enough because a man – no, a vampire – walked right up to them. It was like watching curtains open, people moved aside so this guy could pass. A bold choice wearing a gold shirt, though it did suit him well with that pale skin tone and dark hair. He looked like a Lord to the t.

"Ah, Kazimir! Long time no see," Giuseppe said, excitement radiating off of him like it wasn't a fucking faux pass to address the fucking Lord of the capital without a proper title. Adrian was sure Giuseppe had lost his mind.

"Giuseppe, it's always lovely to see you." A smooth baritone filled the room.

It wasn't the only thing to make Adrian's hackles rise; pale green eyes set deep on Kazimir's face seemed to catch the smallest details as he took them in. Danger warning tingling over the nape of his neck, Adrian almost took a step back, the only thing preventing him being Giuseppe's vice grip on his suit jacket.

"I see you're settling well enough," Giuseppe said which Kazimir acknowledged with a nod. They seemed to be on friendly terms. Adrian wasn't sure why he didn't like that.

"Yes, it's been going good," Kazimir replied. "Is Tina still giving you a hard time?"

Giuseppe chuckled. "I don't think you can imagine how much."

Adrian was sure the guy somehow managed to signal the servants without him noticing because in the next moment four servers appeared, each carrying a gold decorated silver tray. Glasses containing blood and wine were grouped together. Then another tray held whiskey and what must be cognac as far as Adrian could guess using his nose. Some cocktails, both with and without blood were also present, but what confused him the most was the tray with small deserts. Food.

Vampire Lords didn't always bother to be perfect hosts and most of the time didn't remember to cater food at parties they threw.

"Have some," Kazimir said and waved his hand in the general direction of the servers. It sounded too much like a command in Adrian's ears.

As he stood there, feet rooted to the floor, Giuseppe took a few steps forward. A silver bracelet on Giuseppe's hand reflected light when he picked up a glass of blood. The server with blood was farthest from Adrian's side so he decided to stay there and observe.

"Such a bold color. I love the shirt."

Of all the things Giuseppe could've used to continue their conversation this one was by far most surprising and then again, not surprising in the least.

Kazimir smirked at the observation before saying with a straight tone, "The first choice of my outfit was vetoed. I had been told fuchsia makes me look like a washed-out corpse."

Giuseppe burst out laughing like an idiot he was, and Adrian stopped paying attention to two vampires, only listening with half an ear.

The tray with food was the least fancy of the group, but the served canape seemed exquisite. He grabbed the first one and decided it was the smart thing to do as the bread and the filling practically melted on his tongue. He took another one.

And while Giuseppe and Kazimir chatted, Adrian treated his palate to some more fine food and observed the rest of the guests, many of which were vampires themselves, though a few other species could be seen mingling around.

Of course, the drinks and food weren't only served on trays by servers walking through the crowd, there were tables and tables, some with upholstered chairs around them, some just there to hold exotic drinks and finest blood. The food was scarce but considering the guest population, Adrian had already known what to expect.

Not many lounged on couches as far as he could see, some danced to a medium-fast tune while most guests just stood and talked, walked in circles from one group to another. It was a gathering of important people, something that would usually make Adrian feel like an odd man out. But not this time. Not when he'd entered an investigator mode just before they'd arrived here.

Everyone was dressed impeccably; suits and dresses, diamond necklaces and golden broches, perfection in one's eyes. His own cravat had been constricting him like a noose around his neck, but he ignored it. Not to mention the suit. It was the new one he had bought for some charity fundraiser but never gotten the chance to wear until now.

A dark blue fabric plastered against his figure like a second skin. A waistcoat under it was dark grey, and the black cravat clashed with the plain white shirt. He usually went for a regular dark suit and white shirt paired with a bit nicer sneakers for SIB meetings with higher-ups. Today he didn't have any excuse not to wear fancy shoes because no one would attack them here and he didn't have to be prepared for a fight, so the uncomfortable, brown leather encased his feet.

He felt like he was put in the spotlight, dressed like this, but no one really paid attention to him. Not even Giuseppe it seemed. Adrian glared at the idiot because he ditched him immediately after finding someone to chat with. Okay, the Lord was an important guy and even heavens knew Adrian didn't have the patience to kiss asses to idiots with too much power on their disposal. It was a smart move to keep Adrian away from annoying people.

He sighed and bit another canape, this one having soppy, but delicious salmon in the middle.

Adrian twitched when he saw a blond-haired man approaching Giuseppe and Kazimir, but when he saw no one reacting, he relaxed. He was quite sure the Lord of the city wouldn't let anyone get him with a surprise attack on his own goddamned party. Also, the new guy just started chatting up a storm with Kazimir and Giuseppe. No need to worry about that, probably one of Kazimir's guys.

"He's hot enough for everyone to stare."

The words came from his left and made him whip his head to look over the sea of canapes, meeting the light brown eyes of another vampire dressed in a beige suit, amused expression spread on his face.

Adrian didn't really know how to reply to that. "Who are we talking about?" Hot? What the hell?

The vampire smirked, and Adrian could definitely see the northern ancestry of the man in the lines of his light brown skin. As Adrian observed him, the vampire grabbed a puff pastry canape and stuffed it in his mouth. He chewed slowly and, in the end, sucked one of the fingers that held the small bite of food.

"Lieutenant Ericksen, of course." Upon seeing Adrian's confused look, he explained, "The blonde talking with Lord Kaz."

Okay. The new guy was a lieutenant, a high and important position in any Lord's territory, not a title given out lightly. Then another thing registered in Adrian's mind; his conversation partner seemed to be able to point out both the Lord and his lieutenant, and with familiarity lacing his words. This guy knows stuff, Adrian thought to himself, excitement growing because of the offered opportunity to gather information. Let's milk his knowledge fora bit.

"I wasn't aware he's a lieutenant," Adrian remarked while side-eying the well-informed newcomer who seemed to be enjoying another canape. "I'm assuming there are more lieutenants working behind the scenes."

It lasted barely an instant, the man snapped his eyes on Adrian then back at the group they were watching so fast that Adrian almost thought he imagined it. But the steely quality in the other man's eyes told him otherwise.

I guess I'm caught snooping around.

It was a reckless comment but not all was lost. He'd gathered a lot from the man's reaction.

Firstly, the man was acquainted with Lord Kazimir, possibly being even one of his lieutenants, although, Adrian doubted that even if he couldn't gauge the man's power since it was tightly confined.

Secondly, the man cared enough to react.

Adrian decided to introduce himself.

"Adrian Crawshaw, from the SIB's office branch."

The man stared for the long moment, bright amber eyes sizing up Adrian's appearance, before nodding.

"Lord Rajesh of the Sizzle Lands."

Adrian nodded feeling almost sick to his stomach from the notion that he'd tried to interrogate a Lord. Well, there was a first time for everything. And to meet the elusive and wild Lord of the so-called 'Sizzle Lands' was impromptu happening, though he should've noticed something at least. The guy had a light tan even if he was a vampire. Hailing from Sizzle Lands was to be expected.

"So how about joining me for a pint of blood?" Lord Rajesh grinned, showing off his fangs.

"Sure," Adrian replied, not bothering with proper social conduct when addressing a vampire Lord. If this guy didn't like it, he would've already made drama about it.

They both approached the trio of vampires, zoning in on the tray holding refreshments. Lieutenant Ericksen's eyes were purest blue, Adrian noted when they widened when he saw who was approaching, and then he suddenly hightailed from his master's side, disappearing into the colorful crowd.

Rajesh stepped near Giuseppe who glanced at him then back to Kazimir. Then he took a fast double-take.

"What the flying fuck!"

Giuseppe's loud exclamation was met with a few surprised glances, but noticing Lord Kazimir in the group, most of the people who wanted to watch the happenings soon took interest in something else.

"So, you already know Lord Rajesh?" Adrian quipped conspiringly from Giuseppe's other side. This sounded interesting.

"Unfortunately," Giuseppe spat out, staring daggers at the vampire in question which brought Adrian's curiosity to an even higher level. "We've met a few times."

"More than met," Rajesh pipped in jovially, completely disregarding the killing intent radiating from Giuseppe. "We've bled together."

"You wouldn't have bled if you didn't stick your nose where it doesn't belong," Giuseppe hissed through his teeth.

Rajesh brought his hand to where his heart should be in mock sadness. "Oh, you wound me. I wouldn't have been able to sleep if a young vampire's life was extinguished like that."

And if that didn't sound like a gold mine to Adrian's ears nothing would.

"Oh?" Adrian interrupted before Giuseppe could blow a gasket, his voice colored with pure glee.

Rajesh gasped with fake surprise etched on his sharp features, and Kazimir looked like he was seconds away from rolling his eyes. "Has he never told you how I, high and mighty Lord Rajesh – oh, I wasn't a lord back then – anyway, how I saved the life of this young pup roughly a century and a half ago?"

Giuseppe choked on his spit or breath, Adrian didn't care, all he cared about was hearing this so he could tease Giuseppe at any chance he got.

"I would've been fine," Giuseppe sputtered out, his voice an octave higher than usual. "I was just – warming up! I was warming up. Once I had my motor going, I would've been fine."

"Really?" Adrian deadpanned.

"Really!"

A clap of hands sounded twice. Kazimir was looking at them like they were unruly children. "Why don't we move this conversation to somewhere more comfortable?" It didn't really sound like an offer. But then the Lord glanced at Rajesh, contemplating something. "I'll even let you raid the alcohol cabinet in my office."

Rajesh beamed at him. Giuseppe just nodded angrily, and Adrian shrugged, saying, "Of course. Please lead the way."

And Kazimir did lead the way. Well, he tried; turned on his heel and took one step before snapping his head to his left where a silent bullet was coming his way.

A magic bullet flying with high speed, swirling with enchanted energy as much as Adrian could note with his eyes growing wide and his senses barely registering this attack.

And then all hell broke loose. 

A/N: if anyone's wondering, this ball is currently also happening in my other book As Lord finds a Lady and Kaz is one of the main characters. So if you liked this, take a peek into this book too :)