Marked: A Vampire Blood Courtesans Romance Read Online Free PDF Page A

then. In line. Everyone against the wall. For those of you who are experienced, lead the way and help those who are unsure.”
    Ashley threaded our fingers together and led me toward a side door. “Stand here,” she murmured. “When the door opens, we file out. The moment you’re in the ballroom, start by making eye contact. Smile, but don’t be too eager. Be coy, shy… Vamps love that stuff.”
    That wouldn’t be difficult. “How long have you been doing this?”
    “This will be my third event,” she murmured.
    “And do you always land a…”
    “Suitor?” she offered with a demure smile. “I haven’t gone hungry yet. And in that dress, neither will you.”
    My conscience warred within me. Part of me hoped I failed tonight if only to return to Tessa and brainstorm a backup plan. Like, oh, calling my family and putting her under protection. The other part of me respected her choice not to tell them. Tessa had long ago fallen for my eldest brother, Michael, and even I knew he’d disown her if he ever found out about this.
    I could do this. I could. I’d never been one to believe in that special person to share your first time with. Sex was sex. And in this day and age, most had given it away by the time they were fifteen. I was one of the odd ones out. Hell, maybe I’d enjoy myself. Except…my mind flicked to Calix. If all vampires were like him, I didn’t want anything to do with them. Hence, the reason I’d stashed a crucial dagger in my overnight bag—a hollow blade full of holy water, compliments of my father when I’d first moved out. I’d agreed to let them take my blood, but they wouldn’t take my life. I’d guarantee that.
    “Breathe,” Ashley murmured. “I know the first time can be overwhelming, but you need to keep breathing.”
    I nodded, my pulse racing a mile a minute. Up until now, feigning confidence had been easy, but if I didn’t calm down, every vamp in the ballroom would know how nervous I was. I was about to bolt to the back of the line for a moment to collect myself when the door swung open. The sound of shared laughter and clinking glasses rushed into the back room, and my heart leapt.
    “It’s all right,” Ashley whispered in my ear. “Deep breath.”
    I obeyed.
    “Another.” She nodded. “Good. One more.” Then she met my gaze. “It’s a room full of men. Don’t think of them as vampires. They aren’t monsters, regardless of how society has painted them. This is my third time, and I’m still here. Still very healthy, and now, very well off.”
    I swallowed, grateful to my new friend for taking me under her wing. Seemed her and Tessa were of the same mind frame.
    “Ready?”
    Before I could respond, the line moved, and I was thrust into the proverbial vampire den.
    Be shy, coy … Ashley had said. Easiest thing I’d ever done. I could barely lift my eyes off the floor, too concerned with tripping over the back of her dress. When I finally looked up, I sucked in a soft breath. Suits and tuxedos everywhere. When I thought of vampires, I never imagined them all decked out. The image in my head was more in line with Calix, a bloodthirsty fiend from beyond the grave. This…was something else entirely.
    “Sweet baby Zeus,” I whispered, my wide-eyed gaze skipping from one face to another. The room was thick with vampires, more than I’d ever thought to see in a lifetime. “There are so many.”
    Ashley chuckled in front of me. “And just think, they’re all here for you .”
    They weren’t, but I appreciated the sentiment.
    Ashley intertwined our hands, then leaned close, her lips brushing my ear. “Play along,” she murmured. “A little tease. Rule number one is to find a way to stand out above the others.”
    That didn’t seem to be a problem. With her body pressed along mine, we had the eye of almost every man in the house.
    “Welcome, welcome…” A jovial voice rose from the stage.
    Ashley and I glanced over to find the stage occupied by Madam da