Page 8 of Vampires of Eden

[Can we please talk before I go?]

[Are you alright?]

Tomorrow, he’ll really be gone. I won’t be able to casually glance at his profile or lose myself in the pools of his gemstone-blue irises. The messy tussle of his cinnamon-brown hair and the quiet warmth of his awkward smile. I can’t be near him, feel the flowery radiance of his presence or inhale his sweet scent.

He doesn’t want me.

He never did and deep down, I knew as much. Still, I had hope.

It’s officially over now, though. There is no hope.

Dropping the phone, I flip and turn my back to it, wishing I could curl in even tighter and make myself as physically small as I feel. My throat constricts and I can barely breathe as the tears gather in my eyes.

I hate crying. It feels as if it’s not my conscious choice to do it. Like a heavy blanket of pain and sorrow overwhelms and suffocates me. Forcing the tears out.

When it takes over, I do it quietly, at least, because I don’t know if Raphael is outside my door. He’s always close by and I don’t want him or anyone to hear me sobbing in my room like a pathetic loser. That’s the last thing I need. To display yet another “un-princely behavior.”

I’m not alright. Whatever the opposite of “alright” is, that’s what I am.

CHAPTER 3

Alexander

The gavel clacks loudly as it strikes the polished wood, echoing across the large hall and reverberating off the dome ceiling. The artwork overhead is a light baby-blue color interspersed with cream and gold swirls. Like clouds, sunlight and angels.

In the past, I’d happily lift my head during council meetings to take it in because it reminded me of Oliver’s eyes. His innocent, dreamy presence.

At the moment, though, I’m focusing my attention anywhere and everywhere else.

“The motion has passed to grant Hollywick municipal with planning next year’s Summer Fête.” Governor Audrey Ellis sets the gavel down, then smiles kindly across the table. “Congratulations, Mayor Hart.”

Mayor Hart smiles as she stands with her assistant. “Thank you, prestigious council, for this great honor. We will not disappoint you.”

“You’re very welcome.” Governor Ellis lifts her red-brown gaze to address the general audience of vampires seated on benches elevated above the council-room floor. “This concludes all public hearings. The Royal Governing Board will now attendto private aristocracy matters. The general quarterly meeting is hereby adjourned.”

Clack, clack. The gavel resonates within the hall. Mayor Hart, her assistant and all the other vampires on the wooden benches stand and gather their belongings.

Slowly, everyone leaves except for the primary board members. Only Governor Ellis, my father, me, Lord Cherrington and Lady Bhaduri remain.

I sit in my designated chair with my arms folded. Knee bouncing. Restless and annoyed. I don’t want to be here, either. Yesterday at the dinner party, my mother asked what’s gotten into me lately. I’m just… sick of all of this.

Meetings, dinner parties and fêtes. Engagements and arranged contracts.

Broken promises.

Lies.

What’s the point of it?

After the oak doors slam shut, Governor Ellis addresses the council. “We only have one issue to discuss today—regarding the steady decline in our labor force. Lord Cherrington, you wish to make a proposal on this matter?”

“Indeed, I do, your grace.” Lord Cherrington stands confidently as he arranges a stack of papers. He’s dressed in an opulent tweed suit with a monochromatic herringbone pattern. His silver hair is swept back. He reminds me of a tenured professor at an ivy-league university. Someone “upstanding” who also sits on the alumni board, but probably embezzles the funds… and also sacrifices virgins in secret satanic rituals behind closed doors.

It's just the vibe I get.

“You have the floor,” Governor Ellis says.

Our table is curved in a wide arc. He walks along the outer edge. The heels of his wingtips echo noisily against the marble as he moves, handing each member a packet of papers.