A few hours in, they broke for an intermission. Most of the vampires took the opportunity to check their laptops or phones. However, both Alaric and Cage remained engaged in conversation with different individuals, so neither was able to come to me. I fidgeted, trying to find a safe place to rest my gaze. I wanted to get up and stretch my legs, but I didn't dare move without Alaric. 

I was uncomfortably close to the male pet I had noticed earlier and his owner, only about ten feet away. I had a perfect view of them because they sat on the first row bordering the next side. I threw...