Free Ageless by Cege Smith

tried to remember the names that he said just
moments before but they escaped her. She had a feeling the
lightheadedness was a byproduct of the champagne, or it could be
the man beside her whose hand had moved possessively around her
waist.
    Suddenly, the crowd parted and
Violet found herself standing in front of a stunningly gorgeous
woman. Although the woman’s face didn’t look a day over twenty,
Violet could tell by her stance and the wickedly sharp look in her
eyes that the woman was far older. Her dress was a pale peach that
set off a stunning contrast to the cascades of dark red hair that
floated around her shoulders. The dress was fitted to her every
curve and Violet was instantly envious. The man at the woman’s side
barely came up to the bottom of her chin. He looked liked he was in
his forties, and although handsome he looked out of place standing
next to the woman.
    “Pamela, Gregory, I’d like to
introduce you to Violet,” Jeremiah said smoothly.
    Violet felt herself flush as Pamela
looked her up and down and then sniffed as if she didn’t know why
she should be bothered. Gregory simply nodded in her
direction.
    “I suppose I should be flattered to
be the first to meet the infamous Ward descendant, although after
your brother’s antics last night I guess you owe me, don’t you,
Jeremiah?” Pamela said in a husky Southern drawl.
    Violet tried to process the woman’s
words. What had Jonah done?
    “That was nothing but a
misunderstanding, as I’m sure you are fully aware, Pamela. Didn’t
Jonah let your coven members take those mortals? The Montrose Coven
is at full strength, and we are happy to help recruit for our
allies. It all ended well,” Jeremiah replied smoothly.
    Pamela shrugged and took a long sip
from her glass. Then she looked down at Violet again. “After all
this fuss, I guess I expected someone a little bit...more.
Especially to have obviously gotten your attention,
Jeremiah.”
    Violet realized that not only was
Pamela making a rather rude statement about her, but she was openly
flirting with Jeremiah. Violet opened her mouth to retort but felt
a warning squeeze on the top of her hip that caused a rush of
warmth to run up her spine. Her mouth instantly closed.
    “We were delighted to make Violet’s
acquaintance quite recently,” Jeremiah said. “I know you are going
to be as enthusiastic as I am when you see what she’s brought to
the Montrose coven.”
    Pamela sniffed again. “I guess
we’ll just wait and see.” She snagged another flute off of one of
the trays passing by and deposited her empty one on it. As her eyes
settled on Violet again, Violet had the uncomfortable feeling that
she was being studied for a completely different reason. “She’s
still mortal.”
    “Of course,” Jeremiah said. “You
may recall that the Wards coexisted with my coven for hundreds of
years peaceably. There’s no reason to turn her, as her gifts are
revealed more strongly in her mortal form.”
    Jeremiah’s words spun around in her
head. She had no desire to be turned into a vampire, and she made a
note to clarify that point as soon as she had a minute alone again
with Margo.
    She realized that Gregory had added
nothing to the conversation so far and was simply watching her with
a longing expression. He stepped closer to her and she felt herself
shrink back into Jeremiah’s side.
    “You smell...delicious,” Gregory
said, running his tongue across his lips. He smiled and she saw his
fangs were out.
    Violet found herself pulled back
slightly behind Jeremiah’s tall form.
    “You will find plenty of
refreshment being served, Gregory. And I’d be happy to provide
something fresher for you later if you are still so inclined.”
Jeremiah’s displeasure was clear.
    A sly grin slid across Gregory’s
face as he stepped back. “I didn’t mean to offend, of
course.”
    “Of course,” Jeremiah said grimly.
“Violet has more guests to meet, so we’ll take our leave. Thank you
both for