by Imogen Rose
I pushed the album back under the desk when I heard a tap on the door.
“Come in!” I yelled.
“Princess, it’s time to head off to Alfred’s. Are you ready?” Dorian asked, observing me curiously. I guess it looked odd, me sitting behind Dad’s large desk.
“Yeah,” I said, getting up. I should have changed, but there was no time. Thankfully, Mom had insisted that I wear something decent on the flight over, in case the press accosted us.
I picked up my mom’s vintage, Chanel jacket and grabbed my new clutch before following Dorian to the car.
“Aren’t you coming?” I asked Dorian as he started to shut the door after I was safely inside.
“It’s sovereigns only. Alfred’s staff will make sure you are properly escorted once you get to his house. Have a good evening. I shall see you tomorrow morning. Your wardrobe staff will be here at eleven. I have arranged a breakfast by the pool at eight,” he added, before the chauffeur took off to Alfred’s.
I should have spent the ten-minute car ride preparing myself for this evening’s dinner, a meeting in disguise, no doubt. Instead, my mind kept wandering back to the photo I had spotted in Dad’s album. It was probably nothing, I decided. It was most likely just Dad helping Tessa after a stumble or something. But why would someone take a picture of that? And why had he kept it?
I was still pondering when we reached Alfred’s mansion. The house was lit up and looked spectacular. Finna was waiting for me as I got out of the car.
“Good evening, Princess. It’s lovely to see you again. Fab clutch.”
I looked down at it and smiled. Fab it was, how could a red Hermès Kelly pochette not be? I resisted the temptation to stroke it as I followed Finna down the garden path. I was expecting to go straight to the dining room, but she led me into the garden conservatory, instead. Alfred was waiting outside on the lawn to greet me. Everyone else was already inside.
“Love the setting,” I said, looking at the intimate venue. There was a small table, just big enough to seat the seven of us, in the center of the room. Two candelabras illuminated the room and Fiordiligi’s great aria from Cosi fan Tutte was playing softly in the background. This was definitely not conducive to a business meeting. Perhaps I was wrong, and this was indeed just an intimate celebratory dinner. Seated around the table were Cassandra, Spencer, Sheafer, Hickman, Nora and Suman. I was both surprised and delighted to see Suman. I had assumed she was still in hiding and wouldn’t make it to the coronation. I was glad she had made it tonight. Alfred raised his Champagne-filled flute as I sat down next to Suman.
“A toast,” he declared, “to the newest member of our table. The Demon Queen-in-waiting, Faustine.”
The clinking sounds of crystal flutes filled the room as everyone congratulated and wished me the best. I brought the flute to my lips, enjoying the bubbles–Mom would totally ground me if she knew!
“Faustine, we are a close group. We have to be. It falls upon our shoulders to keep the paranormal population of London both safe and thriving. The six of us have known each other for years. There has been no disloyalty between us, no matter what personal issues we may have with each other. We are all, obviously, ultimately responsible to our subjects. That responsibility would be impossible to honor without the support from the other members of the council, especially with the large hybrid population. For years, we have maintained peace, and your father, Sebastian, was integral to that. It now falls on your shoulders. You are young and also a hybrid, perhaps not the ideal candidate for the job. You have, however, been decreed successor by Sebastian, so we must honor and obey his request. You have our full and loyal support.” Alfred looked around solemnly while everyone nodded.
It was clear from the expectant looks that I was supposed to say something. I wished that Dorian had warned me; though, in all fairness, he probably hadn’t had a clue about tonight’s protocol. So, I had to wing it. I stood up and studied my fellow sovereigns.
“First of all, thank you, Alfred, for your warm welcome and hospitality. I’m really grateful to have been accepted into your group. Like you said, Alfred, I may not seem like an ideal replacement for my dad, but I am his successor. Why? Because he felt I should be. If he hadn’t, he would have appointed someone else.
“While what you see in front of you is a young teenager, a half demon, I assure you that I take my role very seriously. I will strive to fulfill my obligations here in London while I finish high school in Manhattan. My obligations here will always come first. I have a lot to learn, but I have Dorian by my side to mentor me. I also have you, all of you. I’m grateful for that and hope to get to know each one of you better on both a personal and professional level.” I paused and smiled. “Thank you again for welcoming me.”
I raised my flute. “A toast to the London sovereigns.” I brought my flute to my lips again, taking just a little sip. Getting tipsy would never do.
As I sat down again, Alfred sounded the bell, which lay on the dessert table, and a flurry of staff appeared bearing silver platters. A plate with a big juicy steak was put in front of me. I dug in. Conversation during mealtime is not common in the paranormal world. Eating gets done in silence. Or slurping, in Alfred’s case. He was gulping down blood disguised as a strawberry smoothie. Once we were finished, the kitchen staff took the dishes away. Everyone sat back in their chairs and relaxed.
“How are you coping?” Suman asked me kindly.
“It’s been a bit of an adventurous start, but I’m doing okay,” I said. “How’s Kismet?”
“She’s good. She’s really looking forward to meeting you properly. She’s coming to the coronation.”
“She is?” I asked, surprised. I couldn’t assure her safety with Katerina still at large.
“Spencer has offered to escort her,” Suman said, throwing him a grateful look. “He’ll whisk her away at the first sign of trouble.”
“Great. I can’t wait to talk to her. Did she say anything about her abduction? How did Katerina get to her?”
“She was taken from her New York apartment.”
“Not the school restroom?” I asked perplexed.
“No. That was a setup for your benefit. She was taken to a basement lockup in Harlem and kept there on her own, until Luke tried to rescue her. Then, he was pulled through to the same location.”
“How was she taken? By whom?”
“She doesn’t know. It was while she was asleep.”
“Was she drugged?”
“I would assume so, but don’t know for sure,” Suman replied.
“Did she see my, I mean, our dad?”
“No,” Suman replied. “Have you met any of your other siblings, yet?” she asked, pointedly changing the subject.
“Apart from Katerina, no, not yet.”
“You’ll get to meet them tomorrow,” Alfred said. “Jaques and Mariel flew in from Paris today, as did Maximillian from Japan. I have put them up at the mansion. Portia will meet us at the reception.”
“Has Dorian briefed you regarding them?” Spencer asked.
“Yes,” I lied. No point in painting Dorian in a bad light. He’d just have to do it when I got back to the house. Now that Spencer had addressed me, I was very tempted to bring Ryker into the conversation, but I resisted. I didn’t want the evening to turn ugly. Instead, I turned to Alfred. “Dorian hasn’t had time to brief me about any of you. I know what factions you rule, but I’d love to get to know you personally, as well. Are you married Alfred? Do you have any kids?”
He smiled. “I have been married several times. It’s not an institution that suits me. I’m alone at the moment. I have created many vampire children over the years. My youngest twins were at the academy with you.”
“Audrey and Viola?” I asked, shocked.
“Yes. You seem surprised.”
“I am! How come they never said anything?”
“They are not my children in the biological sense. And, they are still angry with me for turning them. They�
��ll get over it,” he sighed.
“So, who are they living with?”
“Their vampire mother, she was my last partner.”
Well, I’ll be....
“Enough about me. The others are much more fascinating. Nora, for instance,” he smiled.
I listened to Nora’s melodious voice as she recounted her odd background. Next, Cassandra filled me in on hers and so forth. The evening turned into a pleasant soiree, with everyone relaxing and chatting freely. But everyone’s shields–including mine–were up at all times.
It was like waking up on Christmas morning or my birthday. The anticipation of a thrill-filled day had me up at five in the morning. I’d only slept for four hours and should probably have tried to get back to sleep, but I was just too wired. I felt good.
Last night’s soiree had been just what I needed. I felt like one of the group now, not a pledge still to prove myself. I was going to become the Demon Queen of London today. Not the half demon queen, but the demon queen.
I got out of bed and walked through to Mom’s quarters, which adjoined mine. I looked down at her as she slept. I was tempted to invade her thoughts, but I stopped myself. That would be unforgivable. I would love to know what was going through her mind as she slept so soundly. Was she dreaming about Dad?
She stirred.
“Mom? Are you awake?”
She stretched and sat up in bed. “I am now. What are you doing up so early?”
“Christmas morning syndrome,” I explained.
She laughed. “I thought we were past you waking up at four in the morning to unwrap your presents.”
I shook my head. She pulled me in for a cuddle.
“I’m glad,” she whispered. “You’ll always be my little girl.”
“Mom, do you miss Dad?”
“What a strange question, Faustine. Of course, I do! I more than just miss him; I’m sick with worry. I know I shouldn’t be. He’s a demon and can look after himself. All the same, he is missing. I want him back.”
“I miss him, too, Mom. I’m going to do whatever it takes to get him back, once I am crowned.”
She nodded. “I know. This is so hard for you, but you must go through with it to secure your own future. As a normal teen in Manhattan,” she added. “Once your dad is back, we can all get back to normal.”
I nodded, but I wasn’t convinced. I would never be a normal teen. Still, I wanted to try to enjoy teen life in New York as much as possible.
“Mom, Dad’s other children are going to be at the coronation. Are you okay with that?”
“I should be, but to be honest I don’t know. Do we know who they are? I assume you haven’t met them, yet?”
“Apart from Katerina, no. I haven’t even met Kismet, but she’s coming tonight.” I could see that Mom was just as surprised as I had been at this news. “I’m going to ask Dorian to brief us about the others before the ceremony. I don’t know anything about them. It’s awkward.”
“Let’s get dressed and wake him up,” Mom suggested.
We made our way to the opposite end of the mansion once we had changed into our yoga pants and t-shirts; we had decided to fit in a yoga session before breakfast. Dorian’s apartment was situated in the north wing of the mansion, which was a relatively new addition. The decor changed drastically as we walked from the old part into the new, which had a lighter, more Scandinavian feel.
I knew we would find Nora in Dorian’s apartment. I had learned that they were married last night. To say that my jaw had hit the floor was an understatement. It was she, in fact, who now answered the door.
“Hey, Faustine! Come on in. Lady Annabel, nice to see you again,” she added. “Dorian and Luke are still asleep. Do you want me to wake them?”
“Just Dorian, please,” Mom replied.
We sat and waited while Nora hurried off to Dorian’s bedroom.
“Well, I never...” Mom said, wide-eyed. “You handled that very well.”
“I knew. They’re married, Nora told me last night. I’m sorry, I should have mentioned it.”
She nodded, as a very zombie-like Dorian entered the room.
He straightened when he saw Mom. “Lady Annabel. I would have come over to your quarters had you called,” he said apologetically. “Is something wrong?”
“No,” she reassured him. “Faustine and I were up talking, and were wondering about Sebastian’s other children. I’m sorry to have wakened you, but we have a busy day ahead....”
“Did Sebastian tell you anything about them at all?” Dorian queried as he sat down. Nora came back with some coffee for us all and sat down next to Dorian.
“No,” Mom conceded. “Faustine tells me there are six of them left. I’ve met Katerina, what about the rest?”
Dorian nodded. “Katerina is the oldest. After her, is Maximillian. His mother is a demon, which makes him a full demon, and he lives like one. He has lived all over the world; he’s particularly fond of possessing prominent members of governments. Thankfully, he’s fairly harmless. He’s not been much trouble. He’s living in Tokyo at the moment.
“Next in line is Portia. Portia is somewhat like you, Faustine. Her mother was human. Portia is only part demon, like Taylor. She shows no physical signs of being a demon, and we’ve never known her to behave like one. She’s a cardiac surgeon who is devoted to her work and has never had any children. She lives with her common law wife, Patty, who will be escorting her tonight. Patty is a nurse–a human.” He took a sip from his mug.
“The twins, Jaques and Mariel, are the more colorful of your siblings. They are shifter hybrids, more shifter than demon. They are both at the University of Paris studying architecture and history of art, respectively, when they are not out creating havoc. Your father has had a tough time keeping them in check.”
“Why didn’t he send them to the Academy?”
“He did,” Dorian muttered. “They were the first students to ever be expelled.”
Sheesh! They must have been bad if Frau Smelt couldn’t get them to straighten up.
“They are much tamer, now,” Dorian assured me. He looked down at his cell phone after it beeped. “That’s a text to let me know that we need to go down for breakfast. And right after that, the wardrobe team will arrive to get you ready,” he reminded me.
Breakfast with the group was awesome. Everyone was super-excited. I’m sure that they had all had a great time hanging out last night; everyone seemed to have become closer. The girls were barely touching their food, though, in order to make sure their midriffs looked as slim as possible in their gowns. I, however, dug into my steak with gusto; I had to make sure that I remained as calm as possible, and the food would help. I noticed Fitch staring at me.
“Wassup?” I asked between chews.
“That’s your third steak,” he remarked.
“So?”
“So, I’m worried that I’m going to have to roll you to the podium....”
I considered throwing the rest of my steak at him, but that would be a waste. I rolled my eyes and took another bite, instead. I noticed Neave glancing over at Luke and Taylor, who seemed very cozy with each other. I hoped there wouldn’t be any drama.
There was a squeal of excitement as the arrival of the hair and makeup team was announced. And that was the last I saw of most of them before the ceremony.
Who wouldn’t feel like a queen in a million dollars worth of jewelry? Well, that was a guess; some of it was priceless. The heavy, ruby, antique pieces weren’t what I would have chosen for myself, but it was what Alfred presented me with as soon as I was dressed.
“Let me help you with these,” he offered taking on an unexpected fatherly role. I flinched as he touched me, his cold fingers reminding me of what he was. Dead.
The coronation was set to take place at the Cathedral. It seemed surreal–a demon coronation at a cathedral? I rode over with Mom and Fitch. Fitch had suddenly turned all proper. He even bowed when he saw me!
“You look... stunnin
g,” he commented.
I tried not to snicker, my usual response when I was nervous.
“Hon, you do,” Mom agreed, as she slid down next to me in the limo.
She looked amazing herself, and happy. The bright smile illuminating her face outshone her golden-hued gown. Her eyes looked different, more subdued than her usual striking green; I guess it was an illusion created by the eye shadow.
“You okay, Mom?” I asked, just to make sure. I knew she must be missing Dad, and seeing him being replaced couldn’t be easy, even if it was her daughter doing the replacing.
“Yes! I can’t wait for the coronation,” she smiled.
We drove along the streets of London and admired the amazing sights–Trafalgar Square, Buckingham palace, the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye. Colette and Silvia had sullied each of these sights by dumping the bodies of their victims by them, but one wouldn’t think it, seeing them surrounded by tourists getting busy with their cameras. I scanned them as well, trying to identify the paranormals–there must be a few–from the humans.
We seemed to be taking the long, scenic route. Fitch had fallen asleep and was snoring soundly. Our chauffeur seemed to drive endlessly through the confusing streets of the city. The layout was so different from Manhattan with its well-organized streets laid out in neat city blocks. We rode along the Thames, and then drove down yet another bridge to head south again.
“Do you think we’re lost?” I asked Mom.
“What makes you think that?”
“Well, we crossed a bridge to get to the north bank of the Thames, then drove around in circles, and now we’re heading south again,” I said, confused.
