30. Catalina
THIRTY
catalina
The other Sire’s Pet waited for me on the top floor of Crimson Manor. The same space hosting Imogen’s old stuff. I walked inside, Maddy at my heels. Thank God she’d come with me. A woman with a high ponytail watched me with cool eyes. Her shoulders moved with her steady breaths, and her posture remained straight as an arrow. To the point that it looked like it hurt. I sank into the couch. Maddy settled in next to me.
The woman arrived just in time for Peter to head to the bedroom he was staying in. A good thing since I didn’t want him to overhear the conversation about ‘vampire etiquette’. All of which sounded intimidating, but . . . the woman did not seem happy. Why was she sitting so straight? It looked like it hurt.
I kept my lips sealed, waiting for the woman staring me down to speak.
“Erm.” Maddy coughed into her fist. “Well then, this is Catalina Herrera?—”
“I am aware,” the girl said. She seemed supernaturally still, but I could tell she was human. Even if her blinks seemed to be few and far between. She was dressed in a short silky number that draped across her skin. Her neck was fully exposed, quick to access.
“I belong to Blackthorn Coven,” she slightly inclined her head, finally speaking. My exhale did nothing to hide my relief.
“Hello,” I responded hesitantly.
Her lips thinned. I’d evidently displeased her. Uhm.
“That is not appropriate.”
I wasn’t sure how I should respond to this.
“That’s why you’re here Petunia, to explain things,” Maddy said, her voice low. Petunia returned her piercing gaze to me.
“You are blessed to have been taken in by a powerful Coven. Because of this, you are held to a high standard. What you do improperly will be seen as a mar on their reputation.”
That sounded intimidating and honestly, unreasonable.
“Even as human?”
She scoffed. “Even more as a human. We are a class beneath vampires. It is obvious. If they do not have their human in hand, it shows their weakness.” Um, okaaaay.
“And you are okay with being less than vampires?”
“We are not here to debate the topic,” she said sharply.
I straightened my spine. Before I could say anything back, she twisted to face Maddy.
“I thought since she was already their Pet, that she was in agreement with the ideologies.”
“She’s new to all this. It’s not her fault. They’ve allowed her to behave as she wishes.”
I could only blink. They’ve allowed me?
Oh no, I wasn’t liking this. A few tense seconds passed of them glaring at each other.
“If you want to leave. I can tell?—”
“No,” she said rushed, her eye almost twitching. Her attention turned back to me.
“When introducing yourself, you would say, I belong to Crimson Coven or to the Crimson Coven Sires. You must make it known who your master is, but only if the opportunity presents itself. Otherwise, stay quiet. Never stand beside your vampire, one step behind is customary, never speak first. And when you address someone, ensure you do not look into their eyes, it’s poor form. Lastly, it is custom to offer your neck to all vampire Coven Sires at a gathering?—”
“Offer my neck?” I parroted. I clutched my throat. A twitch assaulted her cheek.
She stood in a smooth motion. Her gaze seemed to spit fire at me.
I licked my lips and refocused on the angry woman staring me down. Everything I said seemed to be wrong in her eyes.
“You will eventually be replaced. You are not an appropriate candidate for your position.” Why did she talk about it like it was some job? She turned on her heel, leaving me in silence as she stormed out.
“What just happened?” I scowled. But honestly, good, she was a bitch.
Maddy chased after her, leaving me here in silence. A few minutes passed and she still hadn’t returned. I was beginning to doubt she would. I hoisted myself off the couch and slowly approached the dresses. Something shiny glinted, catching my eye. A rectangular item covered in fabric leaning against the wall. The gold corner of the frame reflected the light from the chandelier. I tugged the rest of the satin fabric until it glided off, exposing it.
A portrait of Imogen. The corners of her mouth turned up slightly. Her regal features, thin and sharp. She wore one of those dresses with bright colors, unnecessary jewels, and tulle.
Reality bulldozed over me. I stared at the beautifully painted portrait. This was who they valued and saw as an equal.
Could I ever be seen anywhere close to the same? I sighed and rubbed my tired eyes.
If this ‘Pet’ meeting wasn’t happening, then I should visit Peter. He’d been avoiding me. I knew it was because he didn’t want to hear my spiel, but it had to be done.
I trudged down the hallway and down to the second floor, my steps heavy and thudding. This conversation would not be easy.
I knocked on the last door in the hall, technically the third floor if taking the basement into account.
“It’s me,” I called through the wooden door. Nothing. I pressed my ear against the surface. I couldn’t hear anything, which made sense since the rooms were sound proofed. I turned the doorknob and poked my head in.
He sat on the bed, his computer on his lap, very much not asleep. I shut the door behind me, approaching until the end of the bed frame hit my knees.
“I didn’t answer the door for a reason,” he said. He finished typing whatever he was doing and then looked up expectantly.
“You’re right, I’ve been treating you like a kid.” I sighed and closed my eyes. “Vampires aren’t good, Peter.” Moisture gathered on my eyelashes and I did my best to stamp down my tears. “You remember when I disappeared?”
He nodded, setting his computer aside. I perched on the edge of the bed, next to him.
“A vampire captured me. He—” I swallowed hard. “It wasn’t pleasant before I managed to escape.” I paused and wet my lips. “I never meant to get involved with vampires again, Peter, but it’s like I’m cursed.” I squeezed his hand. “I can’t get away, but you can.”
His expression crumpled and I saw that little boy I found alone and hungry in our apartment. The one that thought I’d left him to die. My heart broke all over again.
“I knew you went through something, but . . . I didn’t think,” he paused, sucking in a deep breath between his teeth.
“You’ve got a life, you have friends, a future. It’s too late for me. Stop being stubborn and go back to the life you know you love.”
“Is that supposed to be a dig at me?” he snapped defensively. “I know, I should have visited you more. I should have asked you how you were. I should have helped you?—”
“Peter.” Tears welled in my eyes. “Stop. The way you can help me is by taking care of yourself. Return to your life. Be happy. Have a family.” My voice cracked. I puffed my cheeks out and let out a breath. He stared at the hand I held, gaze unfocused. Another few moments passed.
“Fine.” His swallow was audible.
That one word rolled a wave of relief through my nervous system and my shoulders sank and I bowed my head to hide my tears.
“Thank you,” I said in a watery tone.
“Don’t.” His lips twisted. My heart squeezed. Now that he’d agreed to go, I had to get him on a flight out of here, asap. The sun was still out. There would be a few hours to go until they woke up.
“Collect your things.”
He moved to the duffle on the floor and tossed it on the bed. His gaze became unfocused as he shoved his sweater in and then his computer.
“I’ve seen the guards. Sid told me they patrol the area while those vampires are sleeping.”
I opened and closed my mouth. Fuck, how had I forgotten about them?
“I will get Maddy to distract them.”
“What if you run with me?—”
“No,” I interrupted, shaking my head vehemently. Crimson Coven would hunt me down. And with the money at their disposal, it wouldn’t take them long to catch me. “At least if I stay, they won’t come after you.”
He pressed both palms against his temples. “And you think that makes me feel any better?” His voice cracked.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered because what else could I say?
“I will leave on my own. They haven’t tried to stop me ever since they questioned me when I left to take Sidney home. I’ll catch a cab.” His stiff tone caused my wretched heart to fall.
“Live your life, Peter. Just like you were before you found out about my death.”
“This is stupid.” He said it low, but with enough volume.
I took a step back, lowering my head as I backed up to the door.
He approached and hesitated. Then he put his hand on my head.
Tears gathered on my eyelashes.
“I’ll leave, but I won’t act like I don’t know you’re alive. Call me. Same time as usual.”
I exhaled in a shudder.
Making him leave was the correct thing to do. He needed away from vampires. I rubbed my eyes. I wish I didn’t have to be so breakable . . . so human.