Page 89 of Guardian

“I know what you’ve all planned,” she said. “If you do as I say, then Alek will gain the notebook he sent you to search for.”

I stilled in the seat; her words an echo in my mind. My stomach rumbled as a flame rose up my throat. I couldn’t hold it in any longer and vomited on the car floor. Sonia tsked, but I ignored it. The grogginess was slowly leaving my body.

When I finally gazed up, we passed through large gates, gardens decorating the expansive area while lights illuminated the driveway beneath the night sky. Different types of fountains spanned across the grounds, each cascading water that blazed, changing colors.

People roamed, all wearing variations of dresses and suits while holding cups that swirled with red liquid. I could make out the metallic smell that clashed against the honeyed scents, fangs in full appearance as they drank. While my body was all vibrations, I forced my concentration on the house.

It was like a castle— no, it was a castle, towering beyond the car’s window. The exterior was a pale pink hue that was washed away by the gold lights which encompassed its surroundings. Even the driveway’s gravel matched in color, only it was slightly ashen.

Tires screeched as Sonia stopped the car and stepped out, her body quick to motion to my door and open it. She gripped my side and brought me out, my balance easing as I stood.

Ms. Hoko came into view, her heeled feet clinking against the marble pink steps, her hands gripping my wrists. “Miss! Alek mentioned your tardiness. Let’s go! I can’t have you appearing in your uniform.”

She looped her arm around mine and led me into the castle, vivid white lights shining against the gold interior and silver decoration. This wasn’t helping my pounding headache.

Ms. Hoko shoved us into a private room and commanded, “Strip. We must get you ready for tonight, Miss.”

ChapterThirty

ALEK SEPHTIS

The Seven Regal Families were vampires who had walked outside of the shadows our kind had been living in throughout the early centuries, eventually birthing and establishing the government and society we now were accustomed to. At the beginning of time, they had once consisted of seven names: Ambrogio, Epide, Níng, Lautaro, Mubarak, Sephtis, and Pulelua. The Epide lineage had ceased to exist directly before our mother joined That Man in union.

With the Mubaraks’ disappearance, it seemed another name was soon to become extinct.

Yet, such demise never halted the Regal heirs from grand parties. Notably the Ambrogio sisters.

Although they were recognized to be the root of all malicious talks, high praises trailed their celebratory events, housing one in each region where they owned estates. This one, in particular, was only half an hour from our household. An hour from Syracuse, where the Ministry was based in.

The celebratory events represented stability between Regal heirs and political members. The Christmas Ball, in specific, fell on the final hearing of the year for High Parliament and Heads of Ministry, diminishing the attention on it with entertainment.

With this year’s subtheme, selected members of the Human Bureau, high-ranking CEG guardians, and Representatives and Elected Officials from the Ministry bridged the ongoing tensions with laughter and chatter.

Three flights of gold staircases lead from the entrance hall and onto the main dance floor, the baroque architecture decorated with varying white flowers. Frost vines descended from the chandeliers, accentuating the red carpet that concealed the steps. Two stages were occupied by an orchestra that spanned across three platforms. The first line performed a thrumming symphony that didn’t disrupt the ongoing conversations. Vast windows loomed before us, outlined by green and white glittering lights.

Raphael neared my side as we descended upon the overflowing dance floor, slithering onto the opposite side. We upheld a cocktail table beneath a window, granting us sight of everything.

Christopher was alongside Anabella, fulfilling their duties as the eldest, greeting and conversing with all those who held the highest of importance within the Ministry and Human Bureau. Jacque and Jacob were beside the stage with Fortuna and Esmeralda, all four giggling into each other’s ears.

On the other side of the dance floor was Noah squirming through bodies and onto the bar, his eyes searching for Bethany, who sat at the far edge. Near them was Kaleb, who strode away from Catalina and onto the cocktail tables on the opposing side of us.

“There’s been a minor alteration,” I murmured to Raphael, his body drawing closer. “I want you to keep an eye on someone else. I’ll handle being Kaleb’s shadow for the night.”

“Who?” He quickly tensed.

“Gia,” I said, motioning my head toward her direction. She waited beside the stage and swayed as she observed the dance floor, her eyes stealing glimpses at Raphael. “Enjoy a portion of the night alongside her. It’s evident she wants to be by your side.”

Raphael followed my gaze, and the stillness in his posture waned. “Are you sure? I want to be useful tonight, Brother.”

“You will be,” I said as I glanced at Davina, who was in deep conversation with the Lautaro siblings. The eldest of the five was Valentina, her brick red gown complimenting the second eldest, Nicolas’ emerald green suit with pale, white detailing. The three youngest, Nahuel, Hernan, and Belen, all sported a variation of red and green suits, their outfits cohesive along their olive skin and cool, auburn hair.

They surrounded Davina, her height distinguishable along their short statures. “Don’t allow Davina to come near me. Understood?”

Raphael nodded and quickly vanished into the crowd. When he met Gia, I searched through the growing crowd, contrasting aromas blending into the drowning air. The main event was set to begin in an hour, yet I searched for Katerina. The strain in my stomach didn’t settle as I thought of her safety, of Kaleb’s words as they hovered like an eerie symphony.

Once you break her into thousands of pieces, then what you’ve been masterminding will go unheeded.

I had pursued my role better than Kaleb’s, and my feelings for Katerina were authentic. Natural. More vigorous than anything I’ve felt before. He believed I had fooled her. But it was I who fooled myself.

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