Page 49 of The Monster and the Last Blood Match

She let Everett opened the door for her.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

Their eyes met in that brief moment after she sat down and before he closed the door. It felt as if the distance was insurmountable. Things would never be the same. Maybehewould never be the same.

The drive to the boutique where she was meeting Sophie was short. Reyna hoisted the large hobo bag over her shoulder. The weight of her camera in the bottom of the bag gave her confidence, and she strutted forward in her high heels. She was finally getting the hang of the things. Still, she hoped that she would have enough time after this trip to get some clothes that were more comfortable and would help her blend in to take pictures.

When Reyna entered the storefront, she teetered in her heels uncertainly. She had expected a small shop with a few dresses. When she thought designer clothing, that was what she envisioned. But this place was massive. Two or three stories high and stretching at least a city block.

A woman as tall, lean, and beautiful as any vampire she had ever met clicked her tiny pointy-toe heels toward her. She was in a black dress that hugged her thin figure and had her hair pulled up into a perfect bun at the nape of her neck. As she drew closer, Reyna startled when she realized that she was human. How could any human be this beautiful?

“You must be Reyna,” she said with a smile. “I’m Blythe.”

“Hello.”

“Your friend has already arrived. Allow me to escort you.”

“Sure,” she said, trying to will confidence into her steps.

Her eyes roamed the walls filled with so many beautiful, expensive clothes that she didn’t even know where to begin. How could anyone afford this? Better yet, how could they do this when there were so many starving, and working for nothing, and needy? It turned her stomach that she was even part of it.

“We’re so glad that you’ve chosen our store for your shopping pleasure. Mr. Anderson informed us that this was your first shopping expedition and to treat you with the utmost courtesy. Are you excited?”

“Um…a little overwhelmed already.”

She smiled kindly. “That’s perfectly normal. We’ve had others come through for their first time. It’s most important to outfit Visage employees. We’re known for it, in fact. Some of the designers have an entire Subject–Sponsor line.”

“Oh.” She didn’t know what to say. What kind of clothes would come in a Subject–Sponsor line? Did she even want to know?

“You’re looking for a ball gown, correct?”

“Yes. Something extravagant, I’m sure.” She rolled her eyes.

Blythe’s eyes sparkled. “We can do extravagant.”

“I’d prefer to blend into the background, but I have a feeling that isn’t what I’m supposed to do.”

“A beauty like you?” she asked. “Absolutely not. We’ll make you and your friend Sophie sparkle beyond measure. When in a room of vampires, you have to go out of your way.”

They entered a section of the store filled with ball gowns. Every shape, size, and color was available. She had no idea where to begin. All she could do was stand there speechless and stare at the extreme luxury.

“Reyna, there you are,” Sophie called, walking out of a dressing room in the most revealing yellow gown. The neckline dropped almost to her navel. The sides were cut out, making her waist look teeny tiny. When she turned to stand on a box and stare at her reflection in the glass, Reyna saw that the back crisscrossed and then dipped unbelievably low before ruffling down to her feet.

“Wow,” she murmured.

“Isn’t it divine?”

“It’s something.”

Sophie pinched the sides. “I think I can go a size down, Blythe. This one is a bit baggy. Don’t you think?”

Baggy where? She looked stunning. Her blond hair cascaded over one shoulder as she looked at the salesclerk seemingly innocently.

“We could have it taken in. Better to have a little bit of room so it’s easier to get on and off than to go a size lower.”

Clever answer.

“No,” Sophie said, looking at herself in the mirror. “It’s all wrong. I want to be irresistible to every man in the room.”

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