by V. Vaughn
“Do you have any blood?” asks Lyndsey.
“Of course,” says Des.
The king looks at Lyndsey. “Try to have fun, my dear. You’ve got Des and Tadhg, who won’t leave your side. Maggie will run to get you anything you might need, and I’m sure the Harts will be close as well.”
She nods, and I notice that she swallows hard. “I know, Dad. But none of that is going to matter if humans are there.”
“I really don’t think they will be, Lyndsey,” says the king. “Killing people hasn’t been in fashion for a while, and even Robert is wise enough not to flaunt his disregard for the rules.”
“Maybe not,” says Tadhg, “but I think it would be smart of us all to remain alert.”
“Very well,” says the king, then he sips his drink. “I won’t stop you all from it, but I plan to enjoy myself tonight.” He reaches his hand out for Lyndsey’s. “I have a beautiful daughter to show off.”
She takes his hand and lets her father kiss her on the cheek. “Thanks, Dad. I’m sure it’ll be fine too, but I appreciate the caution.” She turns to Tadhg and Des and grins at them. “You two are really going to put a damper on me picking up a guy, though.”
“Don’t worry,” I joke. “I’ll run interference if need be.”
Des chuckles. “Little girl, you haven’t even learned to fight. You don’t stand a chance.”
I quip back, “Seems someone’s been too busy to teach me.” I regret that I haven’t had a chance to train yet, because I’m going to be useless if a fight breaks out.
He raises his eyebrows at me. “First thing tomorrow night. I expect to see you at six in the gym. No excuses.”
“Deal.”
Victoria glances up from her phone. “The boat is ready.”
I follow the group and wonder how the women in their heels are supposed to climb over the hills that protect the castle. I’m about to ask before I realize we’re headed to the underground floor. I suspect there’s a tunnel like at the Harts’, and I smile when a secret wall is opened up and we’re led into a garage-like room. The odor of exhaust is mixed with the scents of mold, briny water, and decaying things, and I imagine there isn’t much ventilation. A shiny black limo awaits us.
When we get inside, I sit across from Victoria, who says, “The tunnel is secret. Only those closest to the king and princess know about it for security purposes.”
I nod at her in confirmation. The drive doesn’t take long, but the only light comes from the car, and I begin to feel claustrophobic in the tunnel with walls that are merely stacked rocks. While I’m sure it’s solid, I wouldn’t want to get stuck down here.
When we finally get to the docks, I see the large yacht is lit up, and my mood lightens. Especially when I board and find it’s decked out with luxury in mind.
King Daniel says, “Maggie, come with me.”
He brings me to a ladder, and I kick off my heels to climb up to the top of the ship, where there’s an open deck. We walk over to the edge, and the metal rail is cold in my hand as I hold on and gaze out at the night sky. The moon’s reflection shimmers on the water.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” asks the king.
“It is. I’m growing quite fond of nighttime.”
“That’s good.” The king’s teeth appear unusually white as he smiles at me. “It’s a waste of time to miss something you can’t ever have.”
I smile back. “We redheads find the sun overrated anyway.”
He chuckles. “Did you know that Lyndsey and I can still walk around in daylight?”
“I did hear you’re daywalkers. That must be nice.”
“You’d think so, but when everyone you hang out with can’t, it’s not as big of a deal as one would think. Although it is handy when I’m dealing with humans.”
The boat begins to move, and a cold breeze blows around us. “I’m sure Lyndsey appreciates it for surfing too.”
“She does.” He tilts his head at me and asks, “What do you miss the most about being human?”
“My mother.” Sadness fills me as I think about how much I miss her. ”It’s just Mom and me, and I never realized how much I took her for granted.” I recall the smell of my mother, her laugh, and the way her hugs could make everything better.
“Yes. I imagine you do. I’m fortunate to have Lyndsey with me now, but I spent many years missing her. Family is the most important thing. I know that Sebastian and Alexander have been keeping her safe. She’s the only family you have?”
I nod.
“Would you like to see her for Christmas?” asks King Daniel.
“I would.” Excitement fills me. “Do you think I could be spared? I don’t even know where she is, but it would be wonderful if I could surprise her.”
“I’d be happy to arrange that for you. Everyone should see the people they love most during the holidays.”
“Thank you, sir. You must be excited to spend Christmas with Lyndsey this year.”
“I’m grateful. I hear it’s because of you I can.” He gazes at me intently when he says, “Thank you.”
I smile back. “You’re welcome, but I didn’t know what I was doing at the time.”
“You tried to keep her alive and acted quickly. It was enough to make me forever grateful.”
The wind has picked up along with the speed of the yacht, and the king turns away from the rail so we can walk back to the protected area of the deck. He says, “I’d like to extend an offer to you. If your mother would like to be turned when she’s ready to die, I can make that happen.”
I blink in surprise at his suggestion. My first thought is that my mother would never want to become a vampire and that I wouldn’t wish it on her. But then I consider how nice it would be to have her in my life. Perhaps I’ll feel her out and see if she’d even want to be offered the choice. “Would she live at the castle with us?”
“If that’s what she wished, yes.”
I gaze at him in confusion. Now that I know what an involved process it is to turn someone into a vampire responsibly, I know this is a big deal. I ask, “Why would you do that for me?”
“Maggie”—he takes my hands—“my daughter’s well-being has become your responsibility. She brought you into our court, and that makes you family.”
My jaw drops as I realize what he’s saying. “Family?”
“Yes, Margaret Evans. You may not be an O’Kelly by blood, but you are as close as one can get.” He leans down and kisses my cheek. “Welcome.”
When he steps back, I reach up and touch where he kissed me. It makes me think of being marked, as invisible as it may be. And I let the impact of what he said fill me with pride. “Thank you, King. It’s an honor and a privilege to serve you.” I’m part of the king’s court. Wow.
After I descend the ladder, I slide my shoes on my feet, and Lyndsey catches my attention. She raises her eyebrows as if to ask what just happened, and my giddiness is instantly wiped away, because it hits me that I just became responsible for more than Lyndsey’s well-being. I think I’m also responsible for her life.
Chapter 8
Lyndsey
I’m still getting used to the luxurious lifestyle of being an O’Kelly, so when we get on the yacht, I have to resist the urge to let out a low whistle. I’m sure Maggie is experiencing a similar feeling when I watch her glance around with wide eyes. As soon as my father takes her up to the observation deck, the desire for a strong drink hits me along with my nerves about what might happen tonight.
I decide to sit on the couch near Victoria and engage in small talk to distract myself. I take note of her navy gown and am glad I didn’t wear the same color, because it emphasizes her perfect figure. I say, “I love that dress. You look very beautiful.”
“Do you?” She smiles at me. “Thank you, but I didn’t realize you paid attention to such things.”
I chuckle. “I don’t usually. But you’re hard not to notice.” I glance over at Des, who is standing by the bar, talking to Tadhg. “Des will
be following you around like a puppy dog tonight.”
She tilts her chin up in defiance. “Good. It’ll help keep him focused on you, because I don’t plan to leave your side.”
I lower my voice. “So you’re worried too?”
She gives me a tiny nod. “Your father is trying to make light of things for your sake, but I think he’s doing you a disservice. Don’t let your guard down for a second.”
“I won’t.”
“And don’t forget to smile,” she says. “Many eyes will be on you tonight, and it’s important everyone thinks you can have a good time.”
“My god, this must be what it’s like to be a politician.”
“You are one, dear.” Victoria reaches for her purse. “I have something for you.” She pulls out a gold chain bracelet with a single charm on it.
The metal of the charm is smooth in my fingers when I inspect it, and I notice the enamel on it is the O’Kelly family crest.
“This is beautiful, Victoria. Thank you.”
“Over time, we can add charms to it.” She lifts her wrist, and a bracelet similar to mine tinkles with multiple charms as she twists her hand back and forth. “One day, you’ll have as many as I do. Would you like me to put it on you?”
“Yes,” I say as I put my arm out. “Please.”
While Victoria puts the bracelet on my wrist, Maggie returns from the observation deck followed by my father, and I motion for her to come sit with us so I can find out what my father wanted to say in private.
Maggie plops down with a grin. “Now this is what I call boating. It’s much better than the cigarette boat I came to the island on.”
“Hush. Don’t let the king hear you say that. That baby is his pride and joy,” jokes Victoria.
“He doesn’t have long hair.” Maggie reaches up to check her updo as if just speaking about the speed boat made it come undone. “It took forever to comb out all the tangles.”
“What did my dad want?” I ask.
“He asked me how I was adjusting to life at the castle.” She smiles. “And he’s going to arrange for me to see my mother for Christmas! I can’t wait.”
I imagine my mother and wonder how she’s doing, and I recall my father saying that, one day, she’ll join my dad and me. I selfishly hope for a second that it’s soon. I say, “That sounds wonderful.”
“Ladies,” calls out Des. “We’re here.”
The boat slows down, and Victoria and Maggie pull little mirrors out of their clutches to reapply lipstick. I refused to carry a purse, so Maggie says, “Lyndsey,” as she motions for me to lean forward. When I do, she swipes on the lipstick she brought for me. “Perfect.”
It’s a little scary how quickly I’m getting used to being tended to. I tug my dress down when I stand, and my father says, “Let’s go show them what it takes to be an O’Kelly.” I pull my shoulders back and exit the boat with as much confidence as I can muster.
When we get onto the dock, there are two vampires in white tuxedos with tails, top hats, and red bowties and cummerbunds. They bow to us. My father takes my arm as they escort us to a limo. While we motor up a long driveway, I glance around at a vast landscape that appears to be enclosed by tall pine trees. I catch a glimpse of a fence I assume the trees must have been planted to conceal.
Unlike our island castle, the Kearns’ domain is a very large mansion set back from the coastline, and I suspect, under the blanket of snow, there are beautiful gardens. The home itself is four stories above ground. There must be more than one hundred windows, a single candle in each one, and small holiday lights adorn the grand entryway. A red carpet has been rolled out, and two more vampires greet us as royalty before they open the large doors for us to enter.
I do my best not to let my jaw drop once we’re inside. The foyer extends up to the roof, and what seems like thousands of shimmery strands are hanging down at random lengths with shiny red Christmas balls at the ends of many of them. They sway with the breeze from our entry, and one ornament falls to the floor to shatter into hundreds of tiny pieces.
Maggie lets out a small gasp, but she quickly recovers, and as a maid whisks away the mess, Maggie says in a complimentary tone, “How amazing.”
“Yes.” Robert’s voice booms as he descends a wide staircase that is flanked by two railings adorned in pine boughs with gold ribbons. His tuxedo makes him look as though the style was invented for him, because I’ve never seen a tux look so good. He flashes a killer smile to complete his movie-star look. “The effect is quite spectacular, isn’t it, Maggie?” He winks at her as if they’re old friends, and I bet it’s to unnerve her.
Asshole.
He doesn’t wait for her answer as he says, “King Daniel and Princess Lyndsey, welcome to my home. I trust the trip here was uneventful.”
“It was,” says my father.
When Robert makes it to the bottom of the stairs, he says, “Come. We’ve been waiting for you,” and he leads us past the staircase toward a long hall. As we walk, the sound of music grows louder and I take in the oil paintings on the wall. They look like museum-quality pieces, and it makes me wonder how many of them are stolen artifacts.
Two very large doors open up to a ballroom that is decked out in shades of gold, green, and red. The vampires in the room are a sea of black dotted with vivid color from women’s vibrant gowns.
Robert’s voice carries across the room. “Ladies and gentlemen!” The crowd silences as if they’ve been waiting for this moment. “Presenting King Daniel and Princess Lyndsey!”
My father steps forward with me still on his arm, and when he lifts his hand to wave, I follow his lead. Pasting my best beauty-queen smile on my face, I glance around. I recognize a few of the important vampires from my introduction ceremony.
My father’s voice is loud next to me as he says, “Thank you, Robert, for a wonderful celebration of the year’s end.” Maggie touches my back lightly and hands me a glass of champagne. Dad raises his glass in the air. “Let me take the opportunity to wish you all centuries of peace and love.”
I raise my glass to tap it against my father’s before we both take a sip and watch everyone else doing the same. As I drink, I notice Robert is staring at me. When he notices my gaze, he tilts his glass toward me before he breaks into a grin that shows off his fangs for a moment. The gesture sends a rush of adrenaline through my system. I have no doubt he’s got something planned for me. I inhale slowly through my nose to conceal what I’m doing, and I sniff for warm bodies. There is definitely a faint odor of blood but nothing that sets off my bloodlust, and the knowledge relaxes me a bit.
After the toast is over, my father calls out, “Let the festivities continue!”
Vampires return to their conversations, and I turn to Maggie. She speaks softly. “Wow. There are so many vampires here. ”
Victoria says, “Some come from far away, but this crowd covers under a hundred-mile radius.”
“I had no idea so many existed.” Maggie chuckles. “I suppose that’s what happens when you exist for centuries.”
The music has started again, and the band is playing a ballad. Des grabs my hand. “Time to dance, Princess.”
My father holds his hand out to Victoria. “May I have the honor?”
I glance over my shoulder as we walk to the dance floor and notice a look of horror on Maggie’s face as she follows us, hand in hand with Tadhg. I smile to myself as I recall her thinking he looks like an ex-con. And knowing Tadhg, he’s aware she’s afraid of him, which he probably finds amusing. But she’s a trooper, and I’m confident she’ll suffer many uncomfortable situations to remain at my side.
As Des and I dance, I let my gaze wander around the room, and it occurs to me that I don’t know who is an enemy and who is a friend. It makes me appreciate those who are close to me. I’ve done very little to deserve them too, so I vow to myself that I won’t get too full of myself and forget that loyalty needs to go both ways. I wink at Maggie when I catch her eye, and she rolls her eye
s in return. We both smile, and her friendship fills me with a warm glow.
I think about when I met Maggie as Kitty Kane last summer. At the time, I was jealous of the latest girl to steal the attention of my best friend and secret crush, Aiden. I didn’t dislike her, but I never expected her to end up my closest female friend. I let out a small “Huh.”
“Whatcha thinking, Princess?” asks Des.
I look up at him, one of the vampires who I know is trained to give his life to save mine, and I say, “That you never know who might end up being your closest ally.”
He says, “Or who might turn out to be your enemy.” I stiffen, and he adds, “Pity the fool who is, though.” His eyes flash with his vampire as he lowers his voice and growls out, “Because I’ll crush them with my bare hands.”
Chapter 9
Maggie
When Tadhg grabbed my hand without so much as a word and tugged me to follow the royals to the dance floor, I might have gasped a little. The man terrifies me, and by the way he’s looking at me with a slight smile, I think he knows it. He pulls me in a little closer and leans down to whisper in my ear, “I bite, but it won’t be you.”
My temper flares at him making fun of me, and I pull back and let my vampire flash in my eyes as I say, “Good. Because I’d bite back.”
Tadhg chuckles, and I notice Robert approaching us. He taps on Tadhg’s shoulder. “There’s nothing I like more than an angry redhead. May I cut in?”
Tadhg releases me and bows in a grand gesture of acceptance instead of speaking. Robert snakes an arm around my waist to pull me against his body and whisk me away. He grips my other hand lightly as we begin to move. “Maggie, you look stunning.”
“Thank you.” I gaze into his jet-black eyes and think about what an attractive man he is. I would be blind if I hadn’t noticed how nicely his tux tapered down from his shoulders to show off his attractive physique. “You look very nice this evening too.”
