Read Online Ageless by Cege Smith - Free Book Online Page B

at his glass as he took a long
swallow. “Not what you expected?”
    Violet looked out at the crowd. She could see that
there were many who were watching them openly, and most of the
others were trying to not be obvious about it. But Jonah and Violet
were the center of attention. She nodded as a server flew past them
with a tray full of the glasses with the red liquid.
    “I guess I just figured you’d be
having what it appears everyone else is having,” she
said.
    “I understand why you’d think
that,” Jonah said with a sigh. “It’s frustrating how much is
misunderstood about my kind. Honestly, I love a good
Scotch.”
    Violet sipped from her glass again. The warmth of
the alcohol was starting to warm her limbs. She was a complete
lightweight, but she figured it would help get her through the next
few hours.
    “That’s what Margo said too.”
Violet paused. “If I’m misunderstanding things, though, it’s
because of what I saw at Mike’s house; including your
face.”
    Jonah closed his eyes and groaned.
“I admit that it’s pretty hard to resist the siren call of blood,
especially when it’s right there,” he said. “While I’ve passed the
point where the bloodlust controls me, that’s not the case for many
of the newer vampires. What you saw was a complete waste of good
blood. Those kids were playing a dangerous game, and unfortunately
for them, the vampires they invited over weren’t as gracious as
most of those in our coven.”
    “It seems there’s a lot that I have
yet to learn,” Violet said, taking another sip of
champagne.
    “Margo said you were a quick study,
so I’m not worried,” Jonah said, smiling.
    Just like earlier, Violet felt Jeremiah right before
he appeared at her side. She stiffened as he settled his hand on
the bar behind her. His arm was close enough that it was touching
her bare back, and she hated to admit it, but it sent a small
thrill through her.
    “Pamela and Gregory have asked to
meet Violet,” Jeremiah said to Jonah. “After that mess last night,
we need to make amends. They aren’t happy with you. I will need to
borrow her for a few moments.”
    “Sure, c’mon, Violet,” Jonah said,
starting to stand. As Jeremiah started to growl, Margo appeared out
of the crowd and stepped smoothly between them. She pushed Jonah
back into his seat.
    “It wouldn’t do for you to make a
scene,” Violet heard Margo whisper into Jonah’s ear. “You need to
back off.”
    Now Jonah was the one scowling. Violet was surprised
that it appeared that Margo was siding with Jeremiah when she had
expressed such open dislike of him.
    More eyes were watching them now,
and Violet knew that this was exactly the type of weakness that
Jonah was talking about, and if he was to be believed, then the
Montrose brothers could ill afford to be showing it, especially
over her. “It’s fine, Jonah,” she said standing up. “I’ll be right
back.”
    Jeremiah had a smug look on his
face as he turned her to delve deeper into the room. He brought his
head low to hers as he led her deftly through the crowd, nodding to
people along the way. “You’ll have to forgive my brother. He is a
bit impetuous and doesn’t always think before acting.”
    “I don’t think Jonah was the only
one acting without thinking. I’m doing this only because I don’t
want to cause any trouble between the two of you. Plus, if you guys
start duking it out over me, I think you make me way more
attractive than I want to be to other people around here,” she
said.
    Jeremiah’s eyebrows shot up and he
looked surprised. “Very perceptive, Violet,” he said
finally.
    They were on the other side of the
dance floor now, and as Violet looked back at the bar, she could
see that Jonah was still watching her. Margo was trying to get his
attention, but his eyes were focused on Violet. She wondered again
if Margo still had feelings for Jonah that she wasn’t fessing up
to.
    “Who am I meeting again and why?”
she asked. She