Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Past the front doors of the massive log mansion was an enclosed vestibule—the size of which put my apartment to shame—where some staff wearing black and white uniforms were taking coats.
I slid out of my outerwear and resisted an urge to hug my bare arms, not from cold but from a sense of exposure.
Did my dress sparkle too much? Should the hem have been longer? Less clingy and revealing?
Too late to change now, but the car probably hadn’t gotten far. I could still escape.
Cillian firmly anchored me to his side—probably sensing my flight reflex kicking in.
We stepped into a massive room, not just in width but height, the vaulted ceiling a good twenty feet or more overhead.
To calm my nerves, I concentrated on the features of the room, like the huge stone hearth, big enough for someone to stand in, where a fire crackled.
Five chandeliers hung from the ceiling, fabricated out of antlers, hundreds of them, and lit with actual candles, not bulbs.
The wood plank floor appeared as if it had been scorched and varnished giving it a unique appearance.
A massive tree, decorated in red, black, and gold, took up an entire corner.
Matching valences hung over the windows and draped the arches scattered throughout the room leading to other areas of the house.
Light music played, an orchestral version of a popular Christmas tune.
Now that I’d centered myself, I allowed my gaze to linger on the people. There had to have been a hundred or more at least in the room, and yet it remained spacious.
Cillian ducked his head to murmur, “In case you hadn’t figured it out yet, with those gathered, you don’t need to hide what you are.”
“Are you sure about that? Not everyone here is a vampire,” I stated. “I am detecting some very human heartbeats in the crowd.” I’d learned from being around Cillian, and comparing him to his human bodyguards, that a vampire’s heartbeat very slowly.
“Because this event caters to a variety of folks. Vampire, human, and many others.”
“When you say others, what do you mean?”
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
I scrunched my nose. “What if I don’t?”
“Then you’re not as clever as I thought.”
Well, damn. Now I had no choice but to muddle out the answer on my own. “Is this all the guests or are more coming?”
“I imagine there will be some latecomers, as well some will be in the basement. There are three sub-levels in addition to the pair up here.”
“Why three basements?”
Cillian leaned close to murmur. “Because Sophia doesn’t trust electronic shutters.”
“So who sleeps upstairs?”
“Anyone who isn’t a vampire. Humans. Cryptids.”
“Cryptids?” I interrupted at the unfamiliar word.
“A fancy term for non-humans.”
Non-humans AKA the others he’d mentioned.
I suddenly had a zillion questions but no time to ask any of them because someone made a beeline for Cillian, a beautiful woman who made me feel frumpy despite my makeover.
She glided—like seriously, I don’t think her feet moved—over to us, her filmy green gown reminding me of those worn by Grecian goddesses.
Her mahogany hair had been swept up with only curling strands dangling to frame her perfect face.
She was so beautiful that even my straight ass would have made out with her if she asked.
“Cillian, darling,” she purred. “It’s been ages.”
“Sophia.” He gave her a nod and didn’t melt into a worshipping puddle at her feet. I admired his fortitude.
“And who did you bring with you?” Sophia eyed me with curiosity.
“This is Skylar. My protégé.” Cillian kept his arm around my waist.
The statement raised Sophia’s brows. “I thought you’d sworn off creating.”
“What can I say, I was taken by the Christmas spirit of giving.”
I almost laughed and instead blurted, “More like pity.”
“Oh?” Sophia uttered that one syllable and my nervous ass blabbed.
“I got run over by the guy who killed my cat and instead of letting me die, Cillian gave me a second chance at life. Or unlife.” I glanced at Cillian. “Are we considered alive? Because Google seemed to be split on that.”
“Very much alive,” he murmured giving me a squeeze.
Sophia’s lips pinched but she remained gorgeous.
“I see you’ve still much to teach her if she’s still asking such basic questions.
You know, if you’re too busy to properly educate her, then feel free to leave your fledgling with me.
I’d be delighted to provide a well-rounded education on our kind. ” Sophia offered.
“I can handle Skylar on my own. Now that my business is almost concluded, I’ll have more time to dedicate,” Cillian’s terse reply.
“Doubtful. You always were an overachiever.” Sophia sniffed.
“Some of us like feeling as if we’ve achieved something of worth.”
“That’s how I feel about my annual holiday party. Speaking of which, I should make the rounds. Eat. Drink. And be merry.”
With that last command, the lady glided off and I couldn’t help but stare, trying to see her feet move. I failed.
“She was a vampire, and not a cryptid, right?” I asked, using the new word he’d taught me.
“Correct.”
“Her heart beats even slower than yours,” I remarked. “How long has she been throwing this party?”
“A hundred and fifty years or so. Although only a decade in this particular location.”
“Jesus,” I hissed. “She’s old like you.”
“Older, actually. Although, I should add there aren’t many in and around our age in North America. Most of the truly aged vampires prefer to live in Europe in their castles.”
“Vampires can travel?”
“Yes, although we have to do so with certain modifications to the method of transport. Private jets with blinds that shut at the slightest hint of sunlight. Vehicles with darkly tinted windows that block UV rays.”
“No coffins full of dirt?”
My question had him snorting. “No. And I don’t know where or why that common misconception started.”
“Are all vampires rich?” Because looking around, I’d yet to see anyone who looked like they shopped off a clearance rack.
“The smart ones are. We tend to invest quite a bit, building our wealth.”
“I thought investing was a gamble.”
“Not when we can easily acquire insider info.”
“Isn’t that illegal?”
“Only if we’re caught,” Cillian replied with a chuckle. “Now, I didn’t bring you here to give you lessons on our kind, but so you could have some fun. While I reconnect with some acquaintances, why don’t you wander around and meet some people?”
“By myself?”
“I’ll keep an eye on you in case you get into trouble.”
My brow knit. “Why would I get in trouble?”
“You are in a room with a large number of predators and you are practically a lamb.”
“Not exactly an inspiring analogy,” I muttered.
“But true for now. Experience will change that, though.”
“If I don’t get eaten first.” A claim that triggered a new worry. “What if I get hungry? Pretty sure I’ll get in trouble if I eat one of the guests.”
“Only if you drain them dry and without permission.”
“There’s people who want to be bitten?” I couldn’t help my surprise.
“It wouldn’t be a vampire party without some live food.
” He flashed some fangs when he grinned.
“But if you’re worried you might drain them to death then there are wait staff moving around with trays of beverages and snacks.
Just watch for the ones offering fresh hemoglobin.
” As he spoke, Cillian snared a fluted wine glass full of dark red liquid from a man in a dark vest who passed by.
“Here, try this.” He handed it over and I eyed it with suspicion.
“Doesn’t smell or look like blood.”
“I assure you, it is plasma, just not from a human.”
“From what then?”
“Knowing Sophia, something rare. Drink up and then mingle while I say hello to a few people.”
“I can’t believe you’re ditching me already,” I grumbled.
“People will be more apt to speak and befriend you if I’m not by your side.”
“Why, are you disliked or something?”
“Something,” his vague reply. “If you’ll excuse me, I want to say hello to Bertrand as it’s been years since we’ve been in the same room.”
Cillian strode away and I clutched the glass so hard it was a wonder the stem didn’t snap. Despite knowing it wasn’t a fortifying wine I chugged it, and damn. Shit was tasty. I snared another glass to have something to hold as I began to wander.
This might sound dumb given my age, but how did one muster the courage to go up to actual strangers and start a conversation? It might have been easier if I’d spotted someone standing off by themselves, however everywhere I looked people hung out in clusters of two or more.
A glance at Cillian showed him having an intense conversation with several rather attractive men and Sophia—who saw me looking and I swear intentionally dragged her fingers down Cillian’s arm.
Jealousy bit me hard even as I had no right to feel it. I chugged my glass of blood, snagged yet another, and ended up standing at the base of the Christmas tree looking up, way up. How did they get it inside?
“Not easily. It takes quite a few strapping men to get it through the double doors. One of them died when they cut the string binding it and didn’t move fast enough.”
I whirled to gape at the man talking to me. The one who’d read my mind. Or had I spoken aloud?
His lips quirked. “Sorry. You were thinking rather loudly.”
And my new thought probably screamed since I noticed his horns and immediately the devil came to mind.
He smiled even wider. “I get that a lot, actually, but I’m more like the less cool cousin. I’m a satyr.”
Soon as he said it, my gaze dropped to his feet. Er, hooves. Well, damn.
“First time meeting non-humans?” he said still sounding amused.
“Guess it’s a little obvious.”
“You do have a wide-eyed look about you, yes.”
“I was only made into a vampire less than two weeks ago.”
“Ah, just a fledgling,” the satyr teased.
“I’m Skylar,” I stated holding out my free hand.
To my surprise, rather than shake, he lifted it to his lips and placed a kiss on the back. “A pleasure. I’m Tom.”
“Tom?” I blurted surprised at his simple name.
“All the fancy evil names were taken at my birth,” was his dead pan reply.
I shook my head. “Sorry. Guess that was rude of me.”
“Don’t apologize. I get that reaction quite a bit. You wouldn’t believe how it’s affected my dating life. My last companion insisted on calling me Azatomic to make me sound fiercer when she introduced me to people.”
“Is that why you broke up?”
“Not exactly. She cheated on me with a demon.”
“Ouch.”
“Well, it didn’t turn out well for her because he ended up sacrificing her in a ritual.”
I didn’t even know what to reply because he seemed nonplussed about it all.
“Who is this yummy new fledgling?” a new voice asked.
A quick turn of my head showed a blond Ken doll. Six foot-ish, ripped—and yes, I could admire his abs, seeing as he wore only a sparkly sarong—chiseled features, and wings jutting from his back. Dark, and leathery appearing. Demon? He seemed too pretty to be an evil monster from Hell.
“This is Skylar,” Tom introduced me. “First time out in public. Skylar, this is Belial.”
“Sophia has outdone herself with this year’s entertainment,” Belial stated as he made no bones about the fact he stared at me. “She knows I like my vampires fresh.”
“I’m here as a guest,” I squeaked, not liking the hungry look in his eyes one bit.
“Really? Seeing how Sophia usually can’t be bothered with fledglings, that means someone brought you.” Belial stated. “Who’s your maker?”
“Cillian.”
I might as well have said the devil—or maybe God, in this case—because both men, er cryptids, recoiled.
“You’re Cillian’s fledgling?” Tom clarified.
I nodded.
“Shit. I didn’t know.” Tom withdrew as if I’d suddenly turned contagious.
“She should wear a sign,” Belial grumbled as he strode away with Tom.
So much for making friends.