Chapter 10 Stories and Parties
TEN
stories and parties
“With all due respect, Simon, I’ve been here for four and a half centuries. If there were a witch powerful enough to overpower Aurora, I’d know of them,” Cyrus announces.
“In most cases, that would be true. But believe it or not, you don’t know everything, Cyrus.”
Seeing Simon still wearing scraps of clothing and eating a turkey leg makes me smile. He looks both barbaric and adorable at the same time.
“Please, enlighten me,” Cyrus answers.
Simon chews the bite still in his mouth. “Shifting makes me hungry. Sorry.” He burps softly, covering his mouth with his hand. “Pardon me.” I can’t hide the smile he brings. “Lucien Creed is his name.”
“I’ve never heard of him.”
“That’s because he’s in Savannah,” Simon retorts.
“Georgia?” I ask. Simon nods.
“If he’s powerful enough to reverse a spell, I would’ve heard of him,” Cyrus answers.
“Lucien keeps to himself. He’s been around long enough to have been friends with many people of his choosing. He’s strong-willed, stubborn, and kind of an asshole. But, if anyone can reverse the spell, it’s him.”
“How do you know him?” Cyrus asks.
“The pack has used his services a few times over the years. He has a long history of helping lycan.”
“You have nothing to lose,” I add my two cents to the conversation.
Cyrus sighs. “If Aurora knows him, or discovers the fact that we contacted him, it’s not only my life that will be in danger.” He looks into my eyes, and I instantly understand the unspoken words.
The thought of being sold like a piece of meat, especially to someone like Aurora, makes my stomach flip. “I’m willing to risk it.”
“Violet, you don’t know what you’re asking. Aurora tortures humans and vampires like it’s nothing. Dying would be the easy part. If she discovers we’ve approached Lucien, she’ll make your life even more of a hell than you can imagine.”
“Being purchased and used by her would be better?” I retort.
“Yes,” he answers simply. I can tell there’s history behind his response, and I don’t push for more information. Cyrus is standing in front of the main door, leaving Simon and me alone in the garden a heartbeat later. “You did well, Violet,” he whispers before entering his home.
Simon moves to my side, joining me on the bench. “Lucien is our best option,” he says between bites.
“There’s no one else?”
He shrugs. “Possibly, but Lucien is the only one I know of.”
I turn, facing my lycanthrope sparring partner. “Does it hurt?”
His face wrinkles. “Does what hurt?”
“Shifting. Does it hurt?”
He smiles, showing a mouthful of white teeth. “Not anymore. When I was a kid, yes. It hurt like hell. Now, it just feels like I’m changing clothes.” He shakes his head. “That’s a horrible analogy.”
“No, I get it. What about the full moon?”
Simon’s laugh echoes off the stone. “The moon doesn’t affect my shifting. That’s a lie, fabricated for novels. I can shift whenever needed.”
“I’m sorry I ask a lot of questions,” I admit. “It’s something I do.”
“That’s how you learn. I don’t mind answering them.”
His words encourage me to ask the question I’ve wanted to know since he picked us up at the train station. “Are you and Cyrus friends? When you picked us up, I was under the impression you worked for him.”
The lycanthrope sighs. “I play whatever role Cyrus needs me to play. To answer the question about friendship, you have to know the whole story.” He turns toward me, no doubt hoping that answer will be sufficient.
“I don’t have anywhere to be.”
“You do ask a lot of questions, don’t you?
” Simon smirks with his words. He takes a deep breath.
“Traditionally, vampires and lycan don’t associate much with each other, or if they do, it’s only for as long as necessary, and they go their own ways.
Cyrus and I have been friends for the past ten years. ”
“Ten years? How old are you?”
“Twenty-five,” he answers quickly. “Like the other lycan in the city, I’ve known of Cyrus since I was young.
Unlike the rest of the bloodsuckers, Cyrus was kind.
” He scoffs at his words. “I was a dumb kid, and like most fifteen-year-olds, I thought I was stronger than I actually was. I went after someone I shouldn’t have. ”
“A vampire?” I interrupt.
“A vampire,” he confirms. “A very old and powerful vampire.” He nods toward the door Cyrus entered. “His name was Rafael, and he was an asshole.” Long fingers run through his already messy hair. “He’d been in St. Augustine since the beginning.”
“Like Cyrus?”
Simon nods, confirming my words. “He didn’t like lycan. Before I was born, he murdered my grandfather, the Alpha.”
“Oh, wow. I’m sorry, Simon.” I’m not sure why I’m apologizing.
“Thank you, but it was a long time ago. My father became alpha and still is today.”
“Does that mean you’ll be alpha?” I ask, not sure about the hierarchy of the lycan world.
“Only if my older brother Sydney dies.” He laughs silently. “At the rate he’s going, that possibility is growing stronger daily.” He looks back at me.
“I’m sorry to interrupt. Please continue.” I slide to the front of the bench, hanging on every word.
“My sister and I were out one night later than we should’ve been.
She was two years younger than me but looked every bit of twenty that night.
Rafael found us.” My stomach ties in knots, knowing where this story is going.
“We thought…hell, I thought I was stronger than him. I was dumb. My sister wasn’t able to control her shifting yet, but I was.
I shifted, trying to fight him…” He trails off in thought.
“He drained Sabrina before I could stop him.” His words are softer.
“I fought for as long as I could, but I was nothing more than a toy for him to play with.” He swallows heavily.
“Rafael was on top of me with his teeth deep in my neck when something pulled him off.”
“Cyrus?” I fill in the blank.
“I had already lost so much blood that all I could do was watch them fight. Sabrina lay lifeless next to me as the battle destroyed several buildings.” Simon wipes a tear.
“Cyrus defeated Rafael. The last thing I remember is watching him rip Rafael’s head from his torso. He nearly died to protect me.”
“I never liked that asshole anyway.” Cyrus adds from the doorway. “He made a horrible conquistador.”
Simon scoffs at his words. “I’ve been here ever since, filling whatever role he needs.”
“You know how much I appreciate you, Simon. However, it’s not necessary.” Cyrus looks at me. “To answer your questions, Violet, yes, we are friends. In fact, I trust Simon implicitly.”
“Thank you,” Simon says with a smile. “I consider my role here more as someone to get on your nerves.” Simon lightens the mood quickly.
“Then, it’s a job well done,” Cyrus agrees.
“Good. Mission completed.” I smile at their banter. Seeing them together reminds me of Ramona’s and my friendship. My stomach turns, thinking of what she’s going through right now.
“Violet,” Cyrus draws my attention away from sadness. “Would you accompany me to a dance?”
I stare at the vampire. “A dance? As in, people will be there, wearing fancy clothes, kind of dance?”
“That’s the one,” he answers with a smile.
“I don’t have anything to wear.”
“I think you’ll find what you need in your room. I took the liberty of having something delivered while we were training.”
Simon stands. “I guess I should get ready, too.”
“Was anyone going to tell me about this?” I ask.
“Cyrus just did,” Simon says, disappearing into the house.
……
A large box tied with a purple bow covers most of the handmade quilt in the room that’s mine. My name is written in perfect penmanship on the tag tied to the bow. I open the box, unsure what’s hiding inside.
Bright metallic gold fabric is the first thing I notice. It shimmers in the dim light filtering through the window. “This is beautiful,” I whisper for my ears only. Holding the dress in front of me, I see that it’s the perfect length, resting just above my ankles.
I take the quickest shower possible, making sure to hit all the important parts before sliding into the gold chemise.
The round neckline hits a few inches above my breasts, showing the perfect amount of cleavage without being trashy.
Draped fabric hangs from the drop waist, giving it an air of a Greek goddess.
Turning backward toward the mirror, I realize my entire back is exposed by a deep drape, ending with a large bow that covers most of my backside.
This is exactly what I would design for a night like tonight.
At the bottom of the box is a beaded headband that perfectly matches the dress fabric, along with a pair of stockings and the ideal Mary Jane heels.
I couldn’t have designed this outfit better myself.
I spend more time than usual using the hair and makeup products provided in my private bathroom. Applying the bright red lipstick, I stare at the Violet in the mirror. She looks more like an adult than the version I’m used to seeing. “Not bad,” I whisper with a smile.
Cyrus didn’t give me a definite time to be ready, but I hear him and Simon talking downstairs, which means they’re ready to go.
I take a deep breath before exiting the room.
Taking my time, I head toward their voices.
I’ve walked in heels before, but this is the first time as a vampire. I’m surprised how much easier it is.
“There she is,” Simon says as my feet hit the landing. He whistles, bringing a smile to my face. “You look beautiful, Violet.” He steps in front of me, taking my hand high above my head and spinning me. “She cleans up pretty well, Cyrus.”
“I’d say you’re right,” my buyer agrees from across the room.
Both men are wearing tuxedos and look dashing, but Cyrus catches my eye.
His dark hair is the perfect match for the solid black dinner jacket and high-waisted pants he’s wearing.
His eyes seem to glow against the contrast of the crisp white shirt.
He’s in front of me a heartbeat later. “Seems like a perfect fit.”
It takes me a few seconds to realize he’s talking about my dress. “Yes! It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” Cyrus offers me his elbow, and I slide my arm through.
“My lady,” Simon says, offering his arm on my other side. I smile, slipping my arm through his, suddenly feeling like a paranormal sandwich. “Your chariot awaits.”
The three of us exit the garden door to the main street, where the car that picked us up from the train station is waiting. Simon moves ahead of us, opening the back door. “Sir, Mademoiselle,” he says, bowing slightly at the waist.
Cyrus holds my hand as I slide onto the plush leather seat. Making sure I’m inside, he closes the door behind me before sliding in from the other side. Seconds later, we’re on our way…somewhere.
We pass through the downtown area of St. Augustine, leaving the populated area for the countryside. “Where are we going?” I ask anyone who will answer.
“Not too far,” Cyrus answers. Butterflies make the rounds in my stomach. How can I be immortal and still have human emotions?
Five minutes later, Simon pulls the car into a narrow path, barely visible through the large oak trees that surround us. We bump along a gravel road for several miles before our destination comes into view. In front of us is something that can only be described as a castle.
“Is that…Is that a castle?” I ask.
Simon laughs. “It’s more of a pretend castle.” He pulls the car to a stop behind several others that are parked in the large circular driveway.
“Pretend?”
“The Valdecruz family has been here since the beginning. They are…how would you say this…”
“Pompous assholes,” Simon says from the front seat.
“I was going with eccentric, but that works, too.” Cyrus’s response makes me laugh. “Be careful what you say, but don’t come across anxiously.” He slides out of the backseat after his confusing words of wisdom. Why do I feel like this is a test of some sort?
My door is open, and both men wait for me to exit. “Thank you,” I say, using my best Southern dialect and manners.
Cyrus loops my arm through his. With Simon on our heels, we approach the double front doors of the limestone castle replica. Soft blue eyes make eye contact with me. I know he’s asking if I’m ready without speaking. I nod, taking a deep, useless breath.
The gothic wood door opens, and to my surprise, there stands the last person I expect to see. “Hello, darling,” says a woman impeccably dressed in the finest couture of our time. She looks me up and down. “I see you brought my pet.”
“You look lovely, Aurora,” Cyrus says, lifting her hand to his lips and kissing softly. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”