Free Saving Grace by Anita Cox Page B

wolf appreciated her appearance too.
    Thanks. You’re not so bad, yourself.
    A knock on the door interrupted the lycan-wolf exchange. She hurried to the door and swung it open.
    “Holy shit!” Roman’s jaw fell slack. “I, uh, wow. I, uh, look at you!”
    She smiled. “Thank you.”
    “Ready?” He held out his arm.
    With a grin, she intertwined arms and they headed out to the party.
     
    ****
     
    The castle could only be seen once you passed through the gate. Otherwise, you just saw trees. The vampires must have had a witch cast a spell .
    It was everything a castle should be, stone and stained glass towering at least eight stories high. Enormous wooden doors were flanked with carved stone Lyons. If the outside of the castle was this intimidating, she could only imagine the inside. What disturbed her most were the images flooding her mind as she had more visions from the past—memories of dark halls, dungeons, and blood. A barrage of emotions accompanied each vision, feelings for anger, lust, hate and a familiarity of a place she’d never been. Like most people, she’d never been inside any castle. Ever.
    As if her life wasn’t overwhelming enough. It had been such a major challenge accepting another being was inside her, that she was half of a whole. It was difficult to adjust to another voice in her head, but she was learning to embrace it. But these flash images were new. Were these the memories of her ancestors? Why was she having visions now? She didn’t remember anything in the vampire books but, then again, that was a lot of information to retain. The vampires had talked about blood memories. Were these it?
    Holding her hand, Roman led her in the castle. Her side vision caught his staring at her as she gawked at the extravagant vampire lair.
    “Impressive.” She smiled at him before returning her attention to her surroundings.
    “Yes, you are.” He nudged her.
     
     

Eleven
     
    Roman observed his new mate take in her new surroundings, though if truth were told, he was honestly just enjoying watching her.
    She was already beyond beautiful but this makeup…this dress. It was his undoing. He wanted to throw her against the wall and have her.
    He kept it in his pants and led Grace around, introducing her to numerous guests of varying supernatural backgrounds. She didn’t seem uneasy at all about meeting Fae, Elves, more Vampires, Witches, and not even the one Cyclops in attendance. She was sweet to the Gnomes and took a knee when addressing them. Most simply walked by them, or forced them to stare up their nose as they spoke.
    Not his Grace. She put herself on their level, made it easier for them to converse. She showed respect. It made him proud.
    “Isn’t it fantastic?” Tiffany squealed as she ran up to Grace.
    “It is fantastic.” Her eyes continually moved as she took in her surroundings, acknowledging anyone she made eye contact with.
    “Oh the Gods, see that woman over there?” She pointed across the room. “She’s a Pixie and she wants to hang out.”
    “Go on then,” Grace said with a laugh.
    Roman leaned in toward her. “Sorry, I asked her to come to keep you company.”
    She smiled. “She is having fun. That makes me very happy.”
    Katarina apparated next to her. “Will you come with me, my dear? There is something I’d like to show you.”
    Grace looked stiff, but like she was trying to relax.
    He wanted to protest, but why? The Vampires hosted this party. They showed no ill will toward her. He’d have to hold his tongue.
     
    *
     
    “Uh, sure. I’ll follow you.” Grace forced a smile, trying to ignore the knot in her stomach.
    “Follow? That’s adorable.” Katarina’s mouth stretched wide, showing her fangs.
    Everything went black for a second before she could see again. They were in a different part of the castle now, well away from the crowd.
    It startled her to be whisked away from her pack—a thought she’d never had before—a feeling that would have been