Page 86 of Vampires of Eden

[Yes, please!]

I balk at Raphael’s enthusiastic response. More texts come in as I stand on the deck, frozen in disbelief.

[Lexie’s parents are gone until next month.]

[There’s only a skeleton crew of servants here.]

[We’re all pretty chill.]

[You can come. PLEASE come. ^^ I’ll let you in the front gate!]

After figuratively picking my jaw up off the floor, I send him one last message, thanking him and telling him that I’ll leave the safe house now. He sends me the address, then two more messages.

[See you soon.]

[I’m excited to meet you. >.

The Kendrick estate is tucked within the lush upper hills of Central Eden.

Of course it is.

Driving, I maneuver the van up a gradual slope lined with majestic trees—fir, pine and spruce decked out in their rich velvety greens. Others are deciduous—maple, oak and birch—and are slowly donning their new plumage with the arrival of spring.

It rained all weekend, but today in the sunlight, the landscape glistens as if it’s been washed in liquid gold.

I pull up to an extravagant wrought iron gate, then step out of the van. The air smells fresh and clean, and it’s cool like a soft caress against my cheeks as I walk over to the number pad on the brick wall lining the property.

After pressing the call button, I stick my hands in my pockets and wait to announce myself. Birds sing brightly overhead in the quiet and I cast my eyes upward to the trees all around.

Click.

To my surprise, the imposing gate smoothly pulls itself open on one side. Hurrying, I get back in the van, then drive through.

The brick-laid road meanders amongst the towering trees. Soon, I navigate around a curve and there it is. A sprawling, Tudor-style estate beautifully nested amongst a cove of trees and emergent spring brush. There are dark lines of traditional timber impressively juxtaposed against speckled brick. The home is classic but modern without being ostentatious. It knows its worth and elegance and doesn’t need to boast about it.

“Beautiful,” I whisper, pulling into the circular drive leading to the front double doors. “What the hell have you gotten yourself into, Daniel?”

Gingerly, I step out of the van and shut the door. The sound is muffled in this new dimension I’ve entered. This opulent but natural atmosphere of cheerful birdsong and peaceful silence. Wealth and seclusion. An army of white daffodils lines the front of the house and I notice that the brick lane forks and leads around to the back of the property.

As I approach the stately double-doors, they swing open dramatically and I start. A lanky, smartly but casually-dressed second-gen vampire beams down at me. His eyes are light brown and his hair is a sun-kissed rust color.

First impression—he looks healthy, boyish and vibrant. A ranked vampire that’s unquestionably benefitted from his luxurious surroundings.

“Daniel?” He asks, nervous.

“Yes,” I say, stepping forward, skeptical. “Hello. Are you Raphael?”

“I am. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you—come in, come in.” He steps aside, gesturing for me to enter the foyer.

“It’s nice to meet you as well.” I walk into the house and am hit with a warm and fragrant atmosphere. Freshly cleaned surfaces and an abundance of natural light. The outward façade of theestate is traditional in its design, but the inside has been fitted with modernity in mind.

Immediately to my right, there’s a sitting room with plush, deep evergreen couches. A patterned beige and coral rug is set before a river-stone fireplace. The large art pieces on the walls are cleanly displayed in thin golden frames. One is a whimsical but tasteful painting of a fox amongst the summer woodlands. Another is the Eden coastline at sunset—the deep blue of the sea paralleled with floating, richly purple and orange clouds.

“Ahh, I get it now.” Raphael looks me over as his copper eyebrow quirks up. “You’re pretty sexy, aren’t you?”

I frown. “Excuse me?”

“I asked Alexander about you—specifically, what you look like and if you were handsome or cute. He shrugged and said he didn’t know.” Raphael grins roguishly. “But he knows, the brat. Oliver was cute. And cute is un-intimidating. Sexy, though… he doesn’t know how to handle sexy. You’re going to have to hold his hand, I’m afraid. Take the lead.”