Page 21

Mr. Amelle shook his head as he paused before the tall doors. “To be precise, Ms. Eli, there are a few matters you need to be wary of.”

“Like?”

“There are too many to disclose in this short period. All that’s worth mentioning is that you must not make your presence known, and if they require your attention, then they will be sure to captivate it.” Questions formed against my tongue, but his sudden bow forced me to bite away anything I wanted reassurance on. Damn.

What was it with these people leaving before I could ask questions? Were they scared of them?

I steadied my breath as I stepped into the foyer. I followed the voices, keeping my body balanced against my concentrated pace. I halted between the wall that parted the living room’s entrance and the kitchen’s. The spot was angled and curved, which gave me a clear viewpoint of who was inside.

Lace thought I had a gift for sneaking. I could study my surroundings in an instant and conceal myself. In reality, I had just learned from the best.

Any moment I could spare throughout the week in my room, I used it to review the homework I procrastinated on. I couldn’t rely on gossip since most of the guardians didn’t speak about the brothers whenever I visited the quarters.

I’d tackled the biggest stack: the medical records.

I skim-read through the majority. Honestly, what helped me focus were the photos on my subjects' documents. Although I hadn’t met all of them yet, the pictures helped me correlate faces with names. It even pushed me to remember that I wasn’t just working for ghosts in an abandoned house.

The thought kept me from dozing off during the late nights.

“To what do we owe this pleasure?” A familiar, monotone voice said, their long blonde hair indicating that it was Christopher.

I’d even done homework outside of my assigned homework. Since Mr. Amelle mentioned I could use any facilities within the guardian’s base —one being the library— I took advantage of it. There, I updated myself on current affairs. I even went so far as to study some Regal Vampire Families that I hadn’t recognized.

Lace would be so proud.

The women in the living room stuck out like sore thumbs. They emitted an air that screamed elegance with posed figures and refined clothes. Not a single hair was out of place. Their body languages were extremely composed. I hadn’t believed the raving news articles about the Ambrogio’s beauty. Damn, was I wrong.

And besides the brothers, they all enhanced and complemented each other’s looks.

Sure, I didn’t draw a line to who I was attractive to, but for these guys? I had to. No way would I let these pretty snakes trick me.

Catalina was the first sister to speak, “Our marriage arrangement. It’s reached a point where our mothers have joined forces to urge an earlier decision.” A giggle slipped from her lips while she rested on Kaleb’s lap, whose tongue traveled along her neck and nape in circulating motions.

“Truthfully, they’re doing so due to the Mubaraks’ disappearance,” Anabella, who sat by Christopher, said. “Heads of Ministry are going mad with one less seated family. Father has convinced them to let us decide, but in turn, it has to be resolved by December twenty-fourth.”

A snort escaped Davina. “Well, with the way the Premier has dealt with the matter, it seems he’ll even allow the decision to be made right before the Christmas Ball.” She motioned forward, blocking a shadow next to her. “That’s if you don’t get banned.”

“Oh, we’ve tried.” Kaleb grinned as he broke away from Catalina.

Davina’s head tilted while her mouth upturned into a disdained smile. “For once, bite your tongue, Kaleb.”

Kaleb’s sharp fangs protruded through his lips as he sneered.

“Oh, yes!” Noah said with a high-pitched tone as he clapped. “A showdown between families is just what we need! Don’t you think Bethany?” He turned his head to his left, and his arms motioned toward the figure next to him.

Bethany quickly diverted his actions and added, “Which falls onto the next topic. Your father’s position has grown very unstable.”

The topic reeled my attention, my body inching closer.

“It has been like that ever since he became Premier a decade ago,” Christopher stated.

“You’re correct, but it’s become worse,” Anabella responded. “He’s placing all of his efforts into concealing the Mubaraks’ disappearance from the humans rather than placing an interim family and balancing the Ministry.”

“He’s nothing but a human sympathizer," Kaleb spat.

“What’s your father’s take?” Christopher asked. “Is he sure that the humans haven’t discovered the truth?”

“He has noted the rising minor rumors,” Anabella began, “but they have all been ceased with no trace throughout the Internet. But it won’t be long until public conferences resume between both species and the humans notice a family head missing.”