Page 29 of House of Royals

I swallow hard. Luke’s eyes are intense and dark, and suddenly I’m just a little scared. If I give the wrong answer, what would he do?

“I am not a killer,” I say, standing a little taller. “I am not a manipulative person. I am not a politician, and I am not a pawn.”

We stare at each other for several long moments and I can feel this silent dance going on between us. The dance of truth and trust.

“I’m hoping you’re also not a liar,” he finally says. But I do see his eyes soften. He looks away and walks to an overstuffed chair and takes a seat.

I perch on the edge of the sofa.

“You need to be aware of how the town is going to react to your presence here,” he says. “It helps that you don’t go by the name Conrath, but it suredoesn’thelp how much you look like Henry.”

“How many people even knew what he looked like?” I ask, feeling myself relax just slightly now that I’m not being interrogated. “I mean, as far as I can tell, he never left the Estate and hasn’t been an actual part of this town since they tried to kill him in 1875.”

Luke leans forward in his seat and rests his elbows on his knees. “Henry didn’t come out often, but he did sometimes. Always at night, but people have a habit of peering out their windows in this town. Henry visited the Hanging Tree every year on the anniversary of his brother’s death. He’d leave one white rose at the base of it. There’s a reason Henry is such a legend. He was like the boogieman, and everyone was terrified of him, but incredibly eager to catch a glimpse of the immortal man. I assume you know what he did the night his brother was killed?”

I nod, swallowing hard. “I know he killed a lot of people in the town.”

Luke also nods in confirmation. “It was the most quickly resolved uprising in history. For a few, brief hours, Silent Bend tried to fight against the vampires, and in just twenty minutes, Henry killed that fire. Put the fear of your species back in them tenfold.”

“The vampires are not my species,” I bite.

“They will be soon enough,” he quips right back. Luke is a no bullshit man. “And that’s why people in this town won’t seem all to friendly once they know who you are.”

I’m already learning that. I recall Bella at the library. The way she looked at me with fear.

“A lot of people in this town are descendants of victims of that night,” Luke continues. “They know the stories. Others have just heard the legends. And others don’t believe the stories that are told in the dark. Just know, you might not ever fit in in this town.”

“Thanks for the warm welcome-warning,” I say with slightly clenched teeth.

“I just thought you ought to know what to expect,” he says as he stands and starts for the door. “I hope I can count on you being the good person you say you are. Silent Bend could use some change.”

I follow him out into the foyer. “I don’t know that I can bring about any change, but I do try to stay true to my word.” It’s hard not to take offense to his approach, but I get it.

Rath walks out of the ballroom to join us beneath the chandelier.

“You folks have a good night,” Luke says as he opens the door and lets himself out.

“You too, Sheriff,” I say quietly as the door closes.

SATURDAY EVENING, AT NINE O’CLOCK, I stare at myself in the full-length mirror in my massive closet.

The dress is beautiful. Strapless with a sweetheart neckline, a rope of a corset back laces me in tightly. The fabric is pale pink. Beaded throughout the chest and waist, it then explodes around my waist in folds, gathers, and poofs. It’s complicated, intricate, and gorgeous.

It’d been in the attic, with an assortment of other unexpected things. Bird cages, boxes of dirt. The skeleton of what appeared to be an alligator.

I did my own hair and makeup. It was something my mother loved, and I was always her doll. I watched her, and it was a tradition every few months to doll ourselves up like we were going somewhere important and grand.

My hair twists into a complicated bun. My skin glows, my eyes dark and smoky. I shimmer and shine.

Hanging from my neck, always present now, is a silver necklace, with Henry’s mystery key attached to it. I tuck it into my dress, between my breasts. Out of sight.

Grabbing my mask from the dresser in the middle of the closet, I slip my white heels on, and walk downstairs.

Rath waits for me at the bottom of the stairs, concern and disapproval all over his face.

“It surprises me that Ian agreed to let you go to the Summer Ball,” he says. But always a gentleman, he extends an arm for me to take. He opens the door for me and we walk down the stairs to where he has the car parked. The Ferrari, of course. “This event has been run by the House for over fifty years.”

“He thought it would be wise for me to know the individuals,” I lie. “All part of my education. We’re running out of time.”

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