Warring Logics (Book 1 of The Institute of Fantasiological Studies)
The one where he makes an entrance (Chapter 6)

I think I hear Hans actually growl.

My eyes shoot over to Hans. I can see that his shoulders have tensed under his suit jacket and he is leaning forward as though he is going to lash out. My eyes dart back to von Graf. He looks more relaxed but his hand is gripping my shoulder harshly.

Crap, I don’t want to be in the middle of a vampire fight. Marie Curie is great and all, but dying for science is not what I had in mind when I was looking for Ph.D. programs.

Maybe I should’ve gone into accounting like my Mom wanted after all.

Von Graf continues his stare and I feel Hans pull away. I guess it’s not surprising to see a vampire obey their Primus, but I don’t want him to go. Hans is so much less threatening than the cool power radiating from von Graf.

As he backs off Hans says “Feel free to replace me when you’re done with Fred here.” Then he winks at me which seems to cause von Graf to growl in turn. Hans’ head shoots up in question, but I can gather that von Graf likes his orders followed immediately. I’ll keep that in mind.

Hans walks off somewhere in the crowd leaving me on my own with von Graf at the bar. To distract myself I take another sip of my cosmo instead of turning to von Graf. I don’t think I can look into his golden eyes without saying something stupid and I’d like to delay embarrassing myself for as long as possible.

“Follow me Miss Hemstock” he is so close I feel the little puffs of air on my ear as he says it. I have to hold back not to shiver in response but I do as he asks. I glance back and see that he is already stocking off to who knows where. Grabbing my drink as my shield, I spin and trail him through the crowd doing my best not to spill my drink.

Unsurprisingly, von Graf is a fast walker using his long legs to cross the room with little thought to me scurrying behind him in heels. Following him is both a blessing and a curse: It’s hard not to notice his broad shoulders and trim waist molded by his tailored suit jacket, but luckily he is not facing me to see me noticing. I blush at the thought.

The crowd parts for the Primus but quickly moves back after him, meaning I have bumped several times into people not noticing my presence. It’s flattering, of course, but more importantly half of my drink is on the dance floor going to waste. At least now when I inevitably embarrass myself von Graf will think that is because I drank too much.

“Here” von Graf gestures in front of himself and I have to actively look around him to see what he means. Long benches filled with gold and turquoise pillows line the walls. It’s a busy corner of the room with lots of important-looking people talking, a few glance up and move as they see von Graf approach; it’s good to be Primus I guess…

Von Graf sits in the newly available space and I hurry to sit next to him. It’s a rather tight space and our legs brush as I skootch back on the bench. Von Graf is naturally sitting straight as though nothing could ever affect him, much less his long legs crammed into a tight space.

A brown-haired vampire with red lips and a skinny woman on his lap next to me decides to strike up a conversation: “Hey! You must be the-“

“Not now, Albert” von Graf dismisses him.

“But after, Frederik”

“Yes, yes, sure”

Von Graf’s eyes slide to me, “it was some trouble to replace you, Mäuschen, were you hiding?”

Oh no. “No, no, I was just grabbing a drink before I came to replace you” I raise my mostly empty cocktail glass as if to offer proof.

“Hmm… and talking to my coven?”

He’s angry. Oh no, he’s angry. I have to fix this- I need to fix this. My whole Ph.D. aka the rest of my life depends on this.

“He just happened to be at the bar,” I answer lamely. I mean it can’t be a crime to speak to someone at a bar right?

“Hmmm” he hums “I would remind you Miss Hemstock that vampires are predators. While I generally have no issue with you speaking with anyone you please, you are after all considered an adult in human society, I would ask you to let me or my assistant know where you are. For your protection you see. And also so I know whose head to remove if you wind up dead”

I nod vigorously. I mean, if he is trying to scare me- good job! I can feel my pulse rising and sweat starting to leak from my pores. Tobias said this was safe, shit, no, maybe I have to-.

“I’m kidding Miss Hemstock, no one will hurt you in my coven but I would ask you to be careful with vampires in general- not all covens are as…. What is the English word? Strict as mine, Hmm?”

“Right” It’s all I can think to say. I’m never going to pass my defense with these oration skills.

“So, Miss Hemstock, shall we proceed before I introduce you to a few members of my coven?”

“Proceed?”

Von Graf just smiles down at me, “You are a smart girl, Mäuschen, I’m sure you haven’t forgotten our bargain”

To-? He doesn’t mean right now, right?

He pats his hands on his lap, “it will be easiest if you move your hair to one side and sit on my lap”

“Um…” I think I need another drink.