Page 12 of Blood as Sweet as Roses

Paige

Seated at my dressing table, I fiddle anxiously with my hair, unable to decide whether to put it up or down.

Tonight, I picked out my nicest outfit. It’s a simple, white dress, but it fits me well, the neckline plunging low over my chest, the soft material hugging my waist and hips in a flattering way.

I don’t have many dresses, and I don’t get dressed up often.

I used to enjoy it, when I was in high school.

I loved going shopping with Amanda, trying on dresses and finding matching jewelry and the perfect make-up to complement them.

But it cost a lot of money, money my family never had.

The older I got, the more frivolous it seemed.

But it’s ok, I’m happy with my little closet. I don’t need much.

It’s Sunday night. Yesterday, after breakfast (lunch?) with Chelsie and Sean, I found Eloise and told her I had decided to stay.

She said I could take last night off to relax and decompress from the previous evening, which I appreciated.

But I don’t want to take too much time off.

If this is my new job, I should get used to it as soon as I can.

It might be scary, but if I’m getting paid, I want to know that I’m earning every cent of my paycheque.

Still, I hesitate as the clock on the bookshelf counts the minutes down to sunset. I don’t know if it’s excitement, or trepidation. What’s waiting for me downstairs?

When I can’t bear the anticipation any longer, I put on my heels and unlock my door.

“Hey, Paige!” says Chelsie, leaving her room arm-in-arm with Sean. I exhale as Sean links his arm with mine. It’s nice to have a little bit of human back-up.

“You should come get ready with us tomorrow night,” Sean says. “I used to be a make-up artist, I’ve got tons of lip shades that would look gorgeous on you.”

“And you can borrow any of my clothes that you like,” Chelsie adds.

I try not to feel self-conscious as I notice them looking me up and down.

Even though this is the most…evening outfit that I own, it’s still not quite up to par with anything him and Chelsie have been wearing.

Tonight, Sean sports a black, mesh tank top under a crisp blazer, the outline of his abs clearly visible.

Chelsie is in a leather catsuit, with her hair in a high ponytail, a choker at her throat.

“That’s very kind of you,” I reply, a little blush crossing my cheeks. “But it’s all right. This is all…a little outside of what I’m used to. I think I’ll stick with my dresses for now.”

“Suit yourself!” Sean says with a shrug.

“Hey, don’t sell yourself short,” Chelsie says to me. “You’ve got that whole innocent-flower thing going. I’m sure lots of vampires like that.”

Now I feel my face properly redden. Luckily, Chelsie and Sean start to talk about the different vampires they’ve been eying, so the conversation is no longer focused on me.

The main floor is quiet, mostly other living humans sipping wine. We enter the lounge, which seems more like a fun nightclub and less like the den of an evil vampire clan this early in the evening.

There are some vampires lurking around the perimeter of the room. I can see them watching me, but fear and awkwardness stops me from meeting their eyes. To my surprise, instead of going for them, Chelsie and Sean pull me to the dancefloor.

“I love this song!” Sean shouts.

“Me too!” Chelsie shrieks. She takes his arm and spins him around joyfully. She flashes me a smile. “Come on, Paige, the vamps can wait. Let’s have some fun!”

The tension in my chest eases as I join the two of them, moving my body to the music. I actually like this song too. For a moment, it feels just like any Saturday night. Amanda used to take me out dancing sometimes. I always pretended I didn’t want to go, but secretly I enjoyed it once I was out.

And Sean and Chelsie are great party friends. They’re light on their feet, taking turns dancing with me and each other. A few songs go by, and I’m surprised to find that I’m having a good time. For just a moment, I let my anxieties fade away, and my mind starts to wander.

Before I can stop it, I think of that vampire from the other night. Crimson.

There was something…different about her. An undeniable, powerful energy. Strong. Dominant. I’ve never seen anyone like her before. Maybe it’s because she’s a vampire.

I find myself glancing to the corners of the lounge, particularly the throne at the back on its raised platform. But in the darkness, I can only make out the blurry, dark forms of the other vampires, the whites of their eyes gleaming. I don’t think I see her…

Then I catch movement out of the corner of my eye. There’s a vampire leaning against one of the standing tables, with his gaze trained directly on Sean. Sean notices immediately, and flashes him a grin.

The vampire moves onto the dance floor, his movements smooth and stealthy, like a shadow. Instinctively, I back away from him, even though I know I’m not his intended target. A shiver crawls up my spine as I watch him caress Sean’s cheek with the back of his pale hand.

I was hoping that tonight would feel more comfortable, but it’s hard to get used to being in the presence of so many vampires. There’s something undeniably…inhuman about them.

That’s a terrible thing to think, Paige. They’re just people. People who…have different “needs,” wasn’t that was Eloise had said?

“Oof, I’m getting tired!” Chelsie sighs, flipping her long ponytail over her shoulder. “Want to get a drink, Paige?”

“Yes, please!” I reply immediately, glad for an excuse to get some space.

We walk off the dance floor, up the steps to the main level, and settle onto one of the couches around the perimeter. A server brings us a tray of wine.

“Thank you,” I tell them gratefully. The drink helps to calm my nerves a little bit.

“So!” Chelsie turns to look at me. “Isn’t this place great? I can’t believe we live here now.”

“It’s pretty amazing,” I reply, truthfully.

“Have you explored the mansion yet?” she asks, taking a sip of her wine.

“Not much,” I admit. It’s already enough just settling into a new room.

The idea of venturing around the mansion makes me nervous.

It’s weird to even hear Chelsie say that we live here now.

I definitely don’t think of it that way.

It’s more like…I’m at an adult summer camp that I didn’t sign up for.

“You should go check out the rose garden,” Chelsie advises. “It’s so beautiful! I saw some people reading there, I bet you’d like it.”

I have to give Chelsie more credit. She’s accurately guessed that I’m a total bookworm. “Thanks, I’ll go take a look. And…thanks for letting me hang out with you, and offering to help with my outfits. This is all a bit out of my comfort zone.”

Chelsie reaches over and squeezes my shoulder. “Anytime, hon!”

She gives me a genuine smile, one that I can’t help returning. It’s so nice, to feel like I have a friends here. That means a lot to me.

But then her gaze wanders just over my shoulder, and her eyes widen.

I whip around, and there’s a vampire standing there, watching us like a cat watching two mice.

“Hello again, pretty one,” Sabina purrs.

The breath catches in my throat.

Unblinkingly, the vampire addresses Chelsie. “Could you gives us a moment, please?”

“Sure thing,” Chelsie says brightly, taking her wine glass and rising from the couch. “Have fun, Paige!”

I try to tell her not to go, but my throat is suddenly very, very dry and tight. Chelsie disappears back onto the dance floor, and I’m alone with one of the vampires I betrayed.

She gives me a cold, penetrating stare. “Why don’t you come with me somewhere more…private,” she says. It’s a demand, not a request.

But there’s no way I’m going anywhere alone with her. I might be new to this world, but I’m not an complete idiot.

“No, thank you,” I squeak, shrinking back into the plush, velvet couch. “I’m very comfortable here, actually.”

Her eyes narrow. In a superhumanly quick motion, she sits down beside me, her thigh flush against mine, pining me to the arm of the couch.

I squirm against her cold skin, goosebumps rising on my arms and legs.

My hands are suddenly shaking so badly, I have to put my glass of wine on the side table.

I’m afraid I might drop it otherwise, and I really don’t want to cut myself again.

“If you think you’re going to be able to escape me, you’re sorely mistaken,” she whispers, her lips so close that they almost tickle my ear. “Did you really think you’d be able to get away, after revealing our plot to Crimson?”

“Please,” I reply, swallowing thickly. I try to avoid her gaze, afraid that she’ll use her magic to lull me into some kind of trance. “I don’t want any part of this…”

“Oh, but you’re already part of this, aren’t you?” she hisses. “You were perfectly happy to accept our generous offer, weren’t you? Did Crimson increase it, is that why you told her of our scheme?”

“No,” I respond, shaking my head fiercely. “She didn’t offer me any money. I never wanted to be part of your plan. I just want to work here and earn my wage.”

“Well, be that as it may,” Sabina replies, tilting her head to one side. She brings her mouth close to my neck, inhaling my scent with a light moan. She takes a chilly, long-nailed finger and runs it up my bare arm. A shiver wracks though me, so powerful that I’m trembling all over.

There’s that strange ache in my stomach again…but this one is all tangled up in fear.

“I’ll give you an opportunity to earn your wage, pretty one. But I may just get…carried away…and drain you completely…”

I close my eyes tightly. If I die, will they tell my brother? Will they send him my body, to bury beside my mother? How will he afford his treatment if I’m gone?

A crisp, clear cough interrupts my thoughts.

My eyes fly open.