by Noir, Mila
“Yes, and it’s why you loved her too. It wasn’t her wildness that was the problem. Nor her…disinterest in monogamy. It was your wildness, your recklessness, that was always a problem. And it killed her.”
Uh-oh. Things were starting to get very real up in this car. I listened intently, making sure I didn’t disturb them during what sounded like a pretty big reveal.
“Oh, fuck you, Robert. I couldn’t have stopped her from seeing that human and you know it. And I had no way of knowing what was going to happen. We all thought the witch-hunting mobs were well outside the city.” Dimitri was angry, pale face flushed. I realized it was pretty weird that vampires could blush. I mean…how? With what circulation?
“You didn’t look out for her. You promised me you would. Juliana was always too trusting, too lost in the moment. She never took care, was never discreet or subtle. That mob had her up and burning before any of us could do a thing. In the middle of the city, Dimitri. They burned her and her laugh died forever.” Robert’s voice shook. It was the most emotion I had heard from him so far and it was surprising.
“I know. You think I don’t know? I was there, too. I was just as helpless to do anything.” Dimitri’s hands were in fists and he was looking away, out the window, into dark nothing.
They both stopped then, finally. There didn’t seem much more to say. Their mutual hate made a bit more sense now, but not based in something either of them could have done anything about. I didn’t know this Juliana, but it sounded like she was kind of lady who did what she wanted and the fallout could get messy. Wasn’t she her own person? That weird possessive male thing seemed to have poisoned them both out of a good friendship. And from what they’d said about Juliana, I rather thought she’d be disappointed in them for that.
I started to drift off to sleep again, the silence lulling me towards unconsciousness. I had questions but I guessed they could wait. They’d have to. I was too tired to think anymore.
This time I didn’t dream.
When I woke up I had no absolutely no idea where I was. I seemed to be drowning in covers that were incredibly soft and warm. I fought my way out and looked around.
I was in a ridiculously huge bedroom with high cathedral ceilings and black and gold furniture, and in the middle of an enormous four-poster bed that could have fit at least four other people. I was wearing oversized pajamas, also in black. I pushed my hair out of my eyes along with the gunk from sleep. I didn’t remember being brought in here at all.
Vaguely I remembered that we were supposed to be at Robert’s home in Venice so he and Dimitri could watch out for me. I still wasn’t really clear on why anyone bothered. The council meeting had been so strange, full of subtext and hidden agendas. I knew there were a ton of behind-the-scenes political nuances going on I wasn’t aware of. And I was still pretty convinced that Alexis was up to something.
I sat on the edge of the bed and collected myself. I was still adjusting, although I thought I was doing pretty well, all things considered. Not many people could deal with what I had the past few days and not run around screaming. I was a bit proud of myself for keeping it together.
Which was precisely when I started to cry. Big, hot tears rolled down my face as I thought about my mom, sitting at home right now, maybe thinking about me, maybe not. I could see her face crinkling at me, laugh lines more pronounced these days, but all the more beautiful for embracing them. I could see the gray streaks in her hair, fine and sparkling, around the temples. I suddenly wanted her pancakes, made with sour milk so they’d be thin and crispy, more than anything in the world.
I let myself cry for a while, mostly quietly. I doubted anyone was around; it was daytime of some hour and who knew how many rooms were in this place. If it was anything like Dimitri’s castle had been, anyway. I kind of wished I’d met some less absurdly wealthy vampires. Big houses weren’t really my cup of tea. Nor were fancy galas or expensive dresses. At this point I’d kill to sit around in sweats all day marathoning some harmless procedural TV shows and eating ice cream. I wasn’t cut out for this jet-setting lifestyle. Especially since it involved my life being on the line.
I found my bag over on a lounge chair by a fireplace bigger than my last apartment. I put on jeans and a t-shirt, then a fluffy sweater. I was feeling a lot more human with my own clothes.
The bathroom attached to the bedroom was another ostentatious room too huge to be believed. I sighed and washed my face with cool water in the sink. I was blotchy because, unlike the women on TV and in movies, almost no one cries pretty in real life. I found a nice-smelling moisturizer and slathered it on. Glad I’ve got tough skin. It reminded me of roses.
I wandered out into the hall and was momentarily daunted by the sheer length of the hallway in front of me. It was like it belonged to some extra dimension that stretched on forever.
Eventually I found a spiraling staircase that seemed to descend into an unending abyss. Really, though, it was about four floors. Portraits lined the walls here, huge, ten-foot-tall numbers with gold frames and pale faces floating amidst darkness. It was a bit like being surrounded by ghosts. Which, come to think of it, were probably real. I mean, if vampires were, why not? Why not werewolves? Or zombies?
The idea of zombies being real freaked me out. More than the actual vampires I was currently, technically, living with. I mean, at least vampires seemed to have their shit together. It was difficult to picture zombies as anything other than mindless rotting corpses. But then again, that was mostly from the movies. A lot of that stuff didn’t apply to vamps, either. I should probably try to find a book or something. Or I could write one. How to Deal With the Sudden Reality of Vampires. It’d just fly off the shelves.
The main foyer of the house was actually quite lovely. Sunlight that filtered in through stained-glass windows created colored patterns on the floor. I wanted to rush out, bathe my face in sunlight. Maybe I could just keep going, get lost in Venice, start over completely. Yeah, right.
I decided to turn right and found myself in a much smaller room. It was full of books, many modern paperbacks. There was also a large stack of what looked like standard manila folders filled with papers. Underneath all the books and papers, there looked to be a large, dark cherry desk, dishes littering its top. A very comfortable-looking couch sat in the corner. The curtains were open, and sunlight fell lazily around the room.
From somewhere in the room I could hear rustling. It sounded deliberate.
“Damn!” A voice floated up from somewhere in the chaos. It was feminine and frustrated.
“Er, hello?” I said.
A head popped up from the stacks. It had short black hair, a small round face with large dark eyes behind silver spectacles, and a little mouth currently in the shape of a perfect O.
“Oh!” she said, on cue. “You’re awake! I thought you’d be asleep a few more hours. What time is it?”
“I have no idea what time it is. But I am starving. Is there food around here? Oh, and I’m Emma,” I said, holding out a hand a little awkwardly. She stood up, and I saw she reached a whopping five feet tall if she was lucky. She was compact and very pretty in a way that reminded me of something I couldn’t put my finger on. She wore simple black and had the kind of figure I’ve always envied because it’s the opposite of mine: lithe, tiny boobs, slim.
“I’m Tina. I’m Robert’s assistant, I guess, is the best way to put it. He and Dimitri are…sleeping. Robert asked me to take care of you during the day.” She walked up to me with a nervous smile. There were dust smudges on her clothes and on one cheek. I liked her immediately.
“I think we can probably take care of each other. I’m not an invalid. I’m just…human,” I said, shrugging. She smiled reassuringly.
“They can be a bit overbearing,” she said.
“With you, too? I’m glad it’s not just me. I was starting to wonder if I was giving off some kind of Useless Damsel vibe.”
“Definitely not. They just get all alpha. Especially n
ow that they have to do something together,” she said. She was reorganizing some of the stacks so they were less leaning, precarious towers. Then she sighed and gave up.
“You know what, I’m hungry too. I make sure the kitchen is well stocked because if I don’t, well…”
“Blood tubs and baking soda?” I offered.
“Something like that.” She smiled.
We strolled to the kitchen, Tina telling me a bit about the house’s history. It was, indeed, the Ellory Estate and had been built by Robert three hundred years prior. It was one of five estates he owned; the others included an estate in Scotland, one in Russia he apparently didn’t visit anymore, a mansion somewhere in Southern California, and a place on the coast of Italy near Amalfi. According to Tina, Robert was very fond of the ocean. It made me wonder about him, again. But I was involved with Dimitri, for whatever level of involvement you wanted to call great sex and casually confusing emotions.
“How long have you been working for Robert?” I asked. Her profile showed off an adorably upturned nose. She also appeared to have no pores or blemishes, which I resented just a little bit.
“Oh, only for the last seventy-five years. It’s a good job. He pays well. But it’s kind of the pits when it comes to time off,” she said casually. I stared.
“Uh, what? But you…I mean, I thought…aren’t you…?” I flailed for words.
“Oh! You thought I was human? How flattering! I’m a changeling,” she said. “So it means a lot that you just assumed I was human.”
“You make an adorable human,” I said, not sure what else to say. I guess this was one of the “other things in the world” Robert and Dimitri had avoided telling me about. Good to know.
“So, can you like…change into anything? Any form?” I asked.
“Sadly, no. We’re limited by our size and what moon we’re born under.”
“Moon?”
“Yeah, changelings are very influenced by the moon. I was born under a quarter moon in late fall.” This was offered as though it explained everything.
“You’ll have to pretend I don’t know anything about changeling genetics. Because I don’t,” I said with a smile. She laughed.
“Sorry, I keep forgetting you’re new to all this. You just seem so…cool with everything.”
“Only time in my life anyone has used the word cool to refer to me. So thanks.”
“I’d think most humans would freak out if they found themselves in your situation. I’ve seen them panic over a lot less,” she said.
“Well, we are kinda high-strung. As a species. Also very unaware of a lot of things around us, apparently,” I said.
“Most of us do a good job of hiding in plain sight. And to be fair, some of you have been pretty observant. To our detriment, usually.” Tina was right. It’s not like I thought humans would be really great if they found out all the things that went bump in the night were real.
“I guess we tend to be a bit harsh about things we don’t understand. Although, in some cases, I think we might have a point. I mean, we are food for vampires. Usually.” I couldn’t believe how long it was taking to get to the kitchen. Just how big was this damn house?
“Yeah, but they’ve been a lot better about that. I think they figured out it was better for everyone if they didn’t just go around sucking blood whenever. Drew a bit too much attention to them. And the rest of us,” she said.
“Took them a while, though,” I observed.
“It’s really because of vampires like Robert and Dimitri. They were always more…human. And smart.” Tina sounded proud.
“Well, whatever the reason, I’m definitely glad. Although it would be good if some of the others got the message,” I said, thinking about what had almost happened to Tasha. I should really call her, but what would I say? Hey, girl, I’m off in other parts of Europe having great sex, endangering my life, and learning all about the undead! Yeah, no. She was probably on to other places and people anyway.
“I heard. They’ll be dealt with. Right now there are a few other priorities. I don’t know how much Robert told you—”
“Well, nothing, really. I gleaned a bit from the council meeting, but it’s all a little fuzzy to me. I know Dimitri and Robert’s houses have a kind of feud going. And that, for them at least, it’s really about a girl who died a long time ago.” It felt like I was describing a novel, not my actual life.
“Actually, that’s pretty much the gist. Their houses have had issues for centuries. The original problem was, I believe, property-based. Probably land and some cows. Or possibly goats. Sounds mundane, but that kind of thing used to be pretty important.”
We got into the kitchen and I grinned. It was the first room that was totally modern, metal and chrome. The fridge was enormous, and the island with a set of mostly unused-looking pots and pans hanging over it had stools. I parked myself on one and surveyed the goods.
There was fresh fruit in a bowl, mostly nectarines and oranges, but there was a single lime placed on top like a bright green crown. I could smell rosemary, mint, and basil, and saw long leaves of them drying near the window. There were also live versions of them in a planter on the sill.
Tina brought out butter, various jams, and a large jar of honey. We cut up fruit together in friendly silence. She placed a plate of various cheeses in front of me and I spied a whole wheel of brie. Suddenly I was ravenous.
While I ate, Tina carefully placed nectarine and orange slices in a bowl. She poured a generous heap of honey over it, then cut up the lime and drained half of it into the bowl. She mixed them together, then dipped a little finger in. She tasted it.
“Needs…something,” she murmured. She went into the fridge and rummaged. “Aha!” She came out with a triumphant cry. In her hand was what looked like heavy cream. She poured it over the fruit, added even more honey, then dug in. I was fascinated.
“We have to eat a lot of sugar to maintain our ability to shift smoothly and into the right shape. Otherwise it can be a little…wonky,” Tina said between mouthfuls.
“If I ate that I think I might bounce off the walls,” I said, content with my cheese and fruit and bread.
“We’re sugar fiends. It’s how you can tell us apart from humans. Mostly.” She grinned.
“I’m noticing that you can often tell non-humans by what they eat or don’t eat. It’s a little weird. Although I’m glad you guys seem to be uninterested in us as food.” I smiled, but she didn’t.
“No, but we like to…play with humans. Some of us do, anyway. And not always in nice ways,” she said.
“Oh.” At that moment I didn’t really want to know how beings who could shift shapes could play with humans. Beyond the obvious psychological stuff that could go awry, I could imagine about a million physical things, too.
“So can I ask you about other types of non-humans? Dimitri and Robert were very tightlipped and I feel like, at this point, there’s no reason for me not to know.” I got myself some water and marveled at all the sweets in the fridge. There had to be at least twelve kinds of ice cream alone.
“Sure. I think they were being careful. And maybe they didn’t want to freak you out,” Tina said. “What do you want to know? I’m not an expert on all of it but I’ll help if I can.”
“So there are vampires and changelings, I got that. Dimitri acted like the idea of werewolves was ridiculous but I’m thinking that might have been deflection.” She nodded and I sighed. “Figures. Okay, so, any other undead specifically? Like zombies?”
“There are definitely no zombies. You can get kind of weird vampires sometimes, whose transitions were just…off in some way. They can wander around in a bit of a fugue state unless someone puts them down or they walk into the sun. Which happens a lot. I honestly think that’s where zombie myths came from. So, no worries there.”
I was relieved. I mean, there were still vamps, werewolves, changelings, and probably other things. But not zombies. Small blessings.
“Are there fairies
?” I asked, suddenly excited. I had loved fairies as a little girl, even the nasty ones. But Tina shook her head.
“I don’t think so. Probably just changelings messing around and being jerks. It’s really just the trifecta, vamps, weres, changelings.”
“What’s the difference between weres and changelings?” This was fascinating. Because “weres” was plural.
“Well, weres can turn into animals. So you have your basic wolves that everyone knows. But also bears, foxes, that kind of thing.”
“So like…there are people out there who can turn into…wereturtles? Or werewombats?” I asked, blinking. She laughed.
“Well, I’ve never seen any, but it’s possible. I only know of the wolf, bear, and fox varieties. I suppose I could ask Robert. He’s been around a long time.” She licked her fingers delicately.
“That’s okay, then he’d know I was snooping and you might get in trouble,” I said. She laughed.
“He needs me and he knows it. He’d never sort through all the various responsibilities he has without me.” She started clearing the counter.
“I thought it was just like, live forever, get up when you want, eat some blood, repeat,” I said.
“Robert takes it all very seriously. His estates are all working lands; some have farms, or are museums. And he takes the family name thing seriously. Plus there’s all the vampire politics stuff. Which, believe me, is really boring and tedious most of the time,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“How does he get around people realizing he’s been around for so long? Does he leave the estates to himself or something?” I asked. She looked surprised.
“Actually, yeah, something pretty close to that. It’s one of the reasons a lot of the older vampires wander around a lot and have different places to stay. So they avoid anyone noticing that Lord Ellory the Fourth looks a lot like Lord Ellory the First, and so on. Some of the families don’t care, though. Which makes things sticky sometimes.”
I let her lead me back the way we’d come until she showed me into a sitting room. It was cozy, like her office, with a fireplace and a lot of blankets and reclining sofas in various shades of velvet. I sat and wrapped a gray blanket around myself, feeling dozy and warm.
