House of Royals(28)
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.”
“And he’s meeting you at town hall?” Rath says again as he opens the door for me. I nod as I slip in.
Rath takes the driver’s seat, and we wind down the long driveway. We turn right toward town.
And the city is alive.
Twinkle lights are everywhere. The sidewalks are filled with people dressed in gorgeous gowns and tuxedos. For a moment, I can almost imagine we’re back in 1875, before the attacks. The dresses, the out of century event we’re heading to.
The people of Silent Bend don’t have modern worries or cares tonight. They laugh. They live. They breathe.
It’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.
But I remember why I am going tonight. And how I hid like prey last week.
“So, was it needed to send me into exile?” I ask as we slowly make our way through the crowd.
Rath stares forward out the window. “Two Bitten dropped by the house the first night you were gone.”
“Dropped by?” I contest, raising an eyebrow. “And what happened after that?”
“I very kindly asked them to leave the premises,” he says without looking at me.
“And did they comply?” I encourage.
“No, they didn’t.” Not another ounce of explanation.
There’s a chill to the statement that hints at what Rath did to resolve the problem. I wonder if there are two new graves on the estate grounds or if maybe Rath has his own stash of vamp eating alligators somewhere.