by K A Young
Jezabel outstretches her hand, and I take it gently in mine, softly kissing the top before regarding her, "It is a pleasure to see you as always."
Jezabel's brown eyes scan the room, her lips forming into a broad smile before she offers her appreciation, "This is such a marvelous tribute to my late husband. I can't thank you enough for hosting this every year. It means the world to me and keeps his memory alive," she pauses a moment before sighing, "what wondrous plans he had for this world," she then eyes me before stating, "at least he has you to carry them out."
"Just because Enos is no longer with us, does not mean I don't think of you as my family," I continue to hold her hand as I lead her around the ballroom. As we pass by a table being set up, I tell her, "I'd do anything for my brother, carrying out his legacy is a small part of him that remains in my heart as well."
She nods with a smile, her eyes transfixed on me. There is no music, but I quickly pull her into me before I begin a slow waltz. Jezabel grins at me and sighs, "I have missed you."
"Jezabel," I chuckle while she continues to stare up into my eyes, "you know you are always welcome to stay here anytime. The doors are always open and a bedroom waiting for you if you need to get away for a while."
She twirls under my arm and replies, "We both have responsibilities, and I can't leave my coven."
My eyes flash with thought, and she giggles, already figuring out what it is I'm planning, "And no, mister, I am not uprooting my coven from their home in Germany to move all the way out here and join together. That wouldn't be fair to them."
When my brother was killed, she took his place as the coven leader while I was given the crown not just by blood, but by the popular vote from the rest of the vampires. I'd already known what it is my brother wished for this world and I wouldn't dream of deviating from it. Nothing will ever change that for family is the most durable bond I have...in fact, it's the only thing I have...
I laugh and spin her outward again, this time releasing her hand. She sweeps a light curtsy, and I respond with a bow. "The offer is always there," I nod, understanding exactly how she feels as I'm sure I'd never be able to do what I wish of her to myself or my own coven.
"Locaine," Adam makes his presence known through the ballroom doors. I turn and nod to him, apologizing to Jezabel for a moment as he draws closer. When he's a few feet away from the two of us, he bows before her and acknowledges, "My lady."
"Adam," she smiles and begins to ask, "how have you been?"
"Well," he returns, taking a moment to ask her the same formality, "are you looking forward to your late beloved's memory ball?"
Jezabel nods at me and replies, "Locaine always puts on quite a show, the covens never forgetting their first king. It's just upsetting that not only he isn't here for me, but he's not here for the world. The moment these humans recognize who is truly the superior beings would be a day he'd be satisfied with."
"My brother did always enjoy spectacles of his own," I muse, knowing if he was still alive, we very well might have already announced our presence fully to the world. It's only a matter of time before I can live out his dying wish and take us into the next phase of our lives.
"Locaine," Adam once again captures my attention for the meaning of his presence, and he states, "the slaves' dresses have arrived..."
I arch a brow and ask, "And?"
Adam snaps his fingers while two other vampires bring forth the selections that we'd each made for our slaves. Walking behind the two vampires is the dressmaker, slung over his arm is a black bag. Three black bags are shielding them from view however as they roll the carrier closer and it comes to a halt, the first one is opened...
...a royal purple, a suiting color that Adam knows Carly looks stunning in.
Once this one has been observed, the next one opens, and I can't help but chuckle to myself. Michael surely does know what Emily looks good in, the crimson dress will flow nicely around her curves.
When the last one is unzipped, I narrow my eyes and immediately question, "Did I not ask for white?"
The dressmaker nods and then tilts his head to the side before stating, "I didn't think you were serious..."
The dress my eyes roam over is nothing in comparison to what I asked for. Instead, an ebony gown is displayed before me, Jezabel questioning, "What's wrong with it, it's gorgeous."
I shake my head and inform her, "No, it's not."
The dressmaker sighs while holding his hands up and then offering me the bag he has slung over his arm. Adam unzips it, and there it is...
...exactly as I'd specified.
The dressmaker informs me, "I had both made because I wasn't quite sure you really did want a white dress for one of your slaves...they're not pure-"
A chuckle leaves my lips before I state, "Oh, they're not?"
Jezabel widens her eyes before she turns her face away while I state, "Have them delivered to the slaves," Adam zipping the dresses up and proceeding to leave with the vampires and the dressmaker. I'm left alone with Jezabel once again, noticing a funny look she has on her face aside from her smile.
Jezabel's smile fades as she furrows her brows, the subject taking a sharp turn when she asks, "I have been informed that you currently have a hunter residing here. Is that true?"
I can't lie to her and respond with, "Yes, the rumors are true."
Ugly doesn't suit her, her face shines, undoubtedly filled with disdain. She then begins to fire off questions before finally asking me, "Why...why would you not kill the hunter? Why bring her here? Are you planning on executing her tonight for your brother, my late husband?"
The last part appears to almost cheer her up when the question leaves her lips.
"Jezabel," I start and then become frank, honest with her as I admit, "she is Jared's daughter and my current slave."
"WHAT?!" She screams, the members who have been setting up the decorations and arranging the room immediately turn to look at us. I'm met with questioning gazes and slight whispers as Jezabel continues to not understand why I haven't killed Annika yet.
I attempt to calm her by stating, "Annika is my revenge. I will do what I please with her."
Jezabel growls lowly at this response, utterly unsatisfied by the answer I've given her.
"But," I continue, seeing that bloodthirsty look lingering in her eyes. My own eyes flash with mischief, "I do have something special planned for you tonight."
"I might be interested," her face lightens, but I can still tell she is not just angry but hurt I would not kill Annika.
I smirk, "Don't worry, it will be a night to remember."
Chapter 13
-Annika
A week had passed, and the extra group of vampires appears to have created a bit of tension. I believed that the reasoning behind this had to be my doing. Whenever Emily, Carly, and myself went about doing our duties around the mansion, I would get snarls, hisses, and glares.
Locaine left me alone for the most part, too busy entertaining his guests to have time to bother with me. I'm not complaining because it's a relief not to continually glance over my shoulder wondering when he'll decide I've fallen out of line and punish me for it.
Apparently, this memory ball is a huge deal in their community, and it is right around the corner.
I release a heavy sigh as I flop back on my bed in the room we all share, my gaze transfixed on the ceiling above me.
I outstretch my left arm, closing and opening my fingers creating a fist. Every bone that had been broken finally fell into place while repairing itself.
It finally feels one hundred percent.
"Yes!" The sound of the wooden door bolting open echoes throughout the peaceful room, disturbing my thoughts while my gaze falls on the opening. Carly's dark hair is set in curls, bouncing as her lively presence comes rushing across the room before she comes to a halt to stand beside my bed.
I'm quite curious, "What could you possibly be happy about?"
"The gowns our masters have selected
are being delivered very soon for tonight!" Carly squeals like a school girl being asked to prom.
Tonight?
"That's right," apparently Emily had been trailing Carly as she enters the room, closing the door softly behind her, "no one mentioned to you the ball was tonight, did they?"
No.
I hadn't heard a word breathed about this event, just that it is approaching soon. Why do I find myself making an excuse for him when I say, "Locaine's been...preoccupied as of late."
I'm tired.
Tired of running around like a little maid.
"Your hand looks all better," Emily regards flatly.
"Don't worry, it won't last that long," I roll my eyes sarcastically. With the way I kept revolting, I'm sure to have something else broken in no time soon.
I place my hands beneath my head as I glance back up at the ceiling, casting my gaze away from the girls. It's been nice not having to interact with Locaine. I know that will probably change shortly after this memory ball, but at least I've some reprieve from the constant unwanted attention.
After all, he wants my parents...
"I'm going to take a shower," Carly groans while rolling her shoulders to alleviate her tense muscles, unstraps her heels and heads into the bathroom.
I allow my eyelids to shut and sigh, "Go ahead, I already took one this morning."
It isn't long before I find myself drifting off to sleep. My breathing calm and relaxed as I inhale and exhale slowly.
**
They are quite beautiful...
...my thoughts trail the three, floor-length gorgeous dresses hanging before us. There is a pin on each hanger that designates which one is assigned to each of us.
Carly's eyes water, about to cry from how stunning she looks. The dress that Adam picked out for her is a royal purple. There is a slit that comes up to her mid-thigh on the left side of her leg. Two bands of diamonds cascaded over the stripped 'X' that comes across her midriff. Her chest is covered with little fabric as an elegant pyramid triangle shows off just under her sternum. Her dress finishes in a halter type style around her neck with more diamonds.
Emily's dress flows out behind her, a seductive blood red. There is more of a modest slit that trails up on the same side as Carly's, the left, but it only comes to just above her knee. Two straps over her shoulders hold the plunging 'V' neckline that is coated with diamonds.
I do love this gown...
I smile at myself in the mirror of the bathroom. A snowy white cloak hugs my curves, a high thigh like Carly's slit comes up my right leg. My dress remains strapless, hugging my chest just right. There are diagonal patterns of diamonds weaved precisely across the upper portion of my gown.
Really...white though?
"I think it suits you," Carly's reflection meets mine as she stands beside me in the bathroom.
"Really?" I set my hands on my hips and turn to both sides, admiring how alluring I feel in this dress. Hey, it's a huge step up from the maid uniform.
Carly finishes curling her hair while noting, "It matches your eyes."
"Is that really the only reason?" I narrow my eyes at her, the smile she is giving me betrays her, something hidden in her eyes at an alternate meaning behind Locaine's dress selection.
She can't stifle the laugh as she holds herself up trying to work everything out in her head, "White is pure...wait..." Carly throws a hand over her mouth and then squeals at the realization she has made.
"What is it now?" I ask her while finishing straightening my hair and putting the last touches on my makeup.
Carly clears her throat and calms down while stating, "When you said he tried to have sex with you...was...was that the first time you would have..." her voice suddenly trails off, and she gazes at my eerie white irises in the mirror.
I break our eye contact a second later, and she howls with laughter, "Seriously?! You're twenty-one and still a virgin?!"
"Carly!" Emily's sharp voice echoes in the bedroom before she chastises her, "Knock it off. She's already trying to be nice to us..."
"I told you before," I speak sternly, hoping to get the point across, "I. Don't. Trust. People."
Carly throws her hands up in defeat and turns to leave the bathroom, speaking in a hushed whisper with Emily just out of earshot for a moment. I can barely still hear her though when she begins to gossip, "Imagine... the first time and it will be with a vampire?! No one's ever going to compare."
My face turns red from embarrassment, her deciding my situation for me and I grip the countertop tightly.
No...because I won't let him have me.
Emily's voice is somewhat irritated when she replies, "Don't you have anything better to do than gossip about our new roommate?"
Seems like she's on my side...for now. It is a pleasant surprise.
I close my eyes and inhale a deep breath before opening them once more. I exit the bathroom and put on the silver heels that each dress had come with.
"Are we ready, ladies?" Emily glances at us once over, making sure we look spot on. When she is satisfied, she turns around and opens the door, holding it open for the two of us. Once she has shut the door, she leads us down the hallway to the main hall.
As we approach the grand ballroom, the smell of lavender meets my senses. I'm astonished by how many vampires have finally made their way to Locaine's home. All the male vampires are wearing formal attire with a different color button up shirts, black slacks and ebony dress shoes.
The females, on the other hand, are ethereal looking. I thought our gowns were beautiful, theirs are stunning.
These creatures are just too flawless.
I attempt to keep my eyes on the ground, keeping unwanted attention from newcomer vampires away from me. As I follow Emily and Carly around the wall of the room, I admire the decorations. They are splendid! I have never seen such an extravagant affair before. The ball is in full swing as we come to a stop at the very back of the ballroom.
There he is.
Locaine is dressed just like the other vampires. His button-up shirt retains no color but matches the obsidian of his slacks. His white hair is spiked up in the back and falls forward over his right eye, just like when we had been reunited at the club back in Florida.
Emily walks right up to Michael, smiling shyly at him. He is wearing the same color red to match her dress.
"May I have this dance?" Michael asks, grinning at her as she takes his hand and they are swept out to dance in the center of the ballroom.
Adam doesn't wait for Carly to come to him. Instead, he strides right up to her, wrapping an arm around her waist and drawing her into him. He is also wearing a matching purple button-up shirt. As he performs his actions, I take a step back, Adam's lustful eyes taking in Carly's form with nothing but pure desire. I do notice the second I see the tips of his canines brush through his lips.
I glance around, holding my arms in a tight hug across my body during this very uncomfortable moment.
Adam briefly tears his eyes away from Carly for a second to say, "Lord Locaine is waiting for you."
No...really?
I roll my eyes as Adam lets it slide, taking Carly with him to the center of the ballroom.
Well...
My eyes catch Locaine's, and my heart skips a sudden beat.
...here goes nothing.
I steadily walk toward him, unable to control the way I'm feeling.
Why is my heart beating so fast?
I come to a halt in front of him, standing about two feet in front of him. I gaze up into his sexy blue eyes.
Wait, what?!
Since when did they become sexy?
...
It takes everything within me to clear my mind, thinking only of getting through the night. He gazes down at me and then smirks, "You do look stunning in that dress, slave."
He outstretches his arm, the back of his hand brushing lightly against my cheek.
"Annnnnnnnd, why can't we just wear clothes like this normally? Ma
ster." I challenge him, pouting.
Locaine laughs at my sudden change and informs me, "Let's just say, I prefer you to look a lot more...racy. But, I do like this look on you."
Thanks...perv.
Locaine offers me his hand and says, "Dance with me, slave." However, it is a command, not a choice.
I nod my head and take his hand, breathing in a sharp breath of air as he pulls me securely against him. He lowers his lips to my ear and traces the outer shell before saying, "You need to behave tonight."
"And why is that?" My heart skips a beat at the sudden coldness in his voice. Though...I am astonished when he doesn't correct me in not addressing him adequately.
"If slaves act out, especially at a gathering such as this, they are punished. I am their king. If you were to act out and considering you are a hunter, I would have to kill you," he pulls back away from my ear and locks eyes with me, wrapping his free arm around my waist, "and I wouldn't want to do that."
I'm very conflicted...
"I promise..." my voice trails off as he charmingly smiles at me, leading me to join the rest of the vampires and slaves in the center of the ballroom floor.
That is right...
Other covens have brought select slaves with them as well, all of them are either gorgeous or incredibly handsome.
Are we just prized pets competing for our masters to see who has the best coat?
The thought revolts me, but I don't let it show. Locaine stops and places my right hand on his shoulder, taking my left hand in his right. I try not to stare at him, but that only causes more embarrassment, and I flush red.
"Why are you blushing?" Locaine asks me, raising one of his eyebrows.
You.
"No reason," I quickly recover and continue to dance with him.
I am a little surprised that Rynn and quite a few more of his coven members are not present, including Flynn.
Where are they? Did Locaine excuse them from this big event?
As we dance, a female vampire approaches us. She has dark brown hair and green eyes. That's when I notice a young man, just about my age if not more than a few years older, accompanying her, Locaine halts us as they came to stand near the two of us.
