Page 62

Tristan entered the living room with a small woman shadowing beside him. While his broad build blocked her from view, her scent was like a breath of fresh air. New, crisp, and drowned heavily in rosewood perfume.

He opened his mouth, but she quickly cut him off with a blaring, high-pitched voice. “My lovely, troublemaking boys! Thank you, Tristan, but there’s no need to introduce me. I can do that much myself.” The woman stepped away from his side and revealed herself.

She was stout with rich brown skin, a patterned red headdress at the top of her crown, short, amber braids hinting through. Gaps hinted in the spots where her fangs were supposed to be in her gleaming smile. But the star of the show was the matching wraparound red dress she wore, gold bangles all along both arms. The outfit screamed in the room, which was already loud in colors and decorations. It was as if she fit right in somehow.

Vampires were known to not display their age after a while, but the guys didn’t have this problem. The Ambrogios didn’t either. But this woman? She could tell me she was thirty-five, and I’d believe her based on her physical appearance. The way she carried herself, straight and elegant with weathered steps, said otherwise.

Tristan brought over large suitcases and rested them beside her. “This room hasn’t changed one bit, just like you lot.” The closer I paid attention, the more I could make out a small accent.

“Oh my, Ms. Hoko!” Noah chirped. “You should know by now that clowns never change.”

“If there had been, you would have been the first to know,” Kaleb huffed.

“Let’s keep it that way.” Ms. Hoko’s laughter vibrated against the walls. “Will any of you give me trouble during our fittings?” She walked toward the middle of the living room and paused in front of the centered coffee table.

“Maybe,” Jacque said as he crossed his arms over his chest. “It’ll depend if I’m in the mood to be fitted.”

“I’ll try my best not to,” Jacob murmured.

“Me too,” Raphael replied almost in a whisper.

“Varying answers for different subjects,” Ms. Hoko said. “Too appropriate for what the Ambrogios have instructed for this year’s Christmas Ball. Who will I start with?”

“Her,” Christopher said as he motioned at me.

“What? Why?” I blurted, a little too aggressive. Fuck.

“Why to be fitted, of course! You didn’t recognize our little mouse, did you?” Noah said as he looked at Ms. Hoko.

“I can’t say I did,” she responded, her eyes falling on me, and I instinctively bowed. When I raised, her expression softened with a faint smile.

Kaleb scoffed. “Why would she go first? She’s not a proper guest, only an employee disguised as one.”

“No, she isn’t,” Christopher replied, and his eyes met Kaleb’s. “The Ambrogios were clear with their instructions. All attending guardians will be guests. The requirement to be on duty takes effect only if something life-threatening is to occur.”

I searched for Tristan. Was he also a part of this? But he’d vanished before I noticed.

Ms. Hoko clapped her hands, releasing a harsh blare. “Be off then. Shoo! This is a challenge I must begin.”

“Aren’t you one to enjoy a challenge?” Noah asked with amusement.

“Yes, but the only challenge I deal with is you all riotous bunch. Fair warning, if any of my works are to be dirtied, you will all face the wrath of my bare hands. Now be gone!”

They didn’t hesitate. Never had I seen them follow rules so quickly— except for one.

Alek lingered near the staircase. Ms. Hoko didn’t pay mind as she started setting up in a bare space. Tools were spread across one of the couches, while different types of fabrics were laid along the seats.

But my focus was on him. A force practically pulled me toward him, the same happening to him to grow closer to me. The air between us was different. I don’t know when it’d changed, but it had. It wasn’t cutthroat anymore, but softer, warmer. It still pulled and tugged, but more electrifying than ever.

I didn’t remember when was the last time I felt like this, if ever. But it was nice. Even if I knew I needed to put some distance between us, I didn’t listen. I reveled in it.

“Are you lost, Alek boy?” Ms. Hoko said, her hands rummaging through the suitcase and retrieving a large, cluttered book.

“N-no,” he quickly replied. “My apologies, Ms. Hoko; I simply wanted to ask how you were doing.”

I swallowed a laugh, a cough stifling in my throat. It was a fast save. Easy enough to deflect what he was planning on doing— if he was planning on doing anything at all. Still, it was cute.

“Alek boy, the both of us know how well I’m doing.” Ms. Hoko’s cheeks wrinkled as a bright smile appeared. “I have to fetch something from the car, so I expect you to be gone by the time I return.” She exited the room in a flash, the door quietly opening and closing.