So I’m going to be clear.
“Xavian Night sowed the seeds of his own destruction. He became restless in his later years, entangling himself unnecessarily in the northern region. Rather than leading his kingdom here, he abandoned us to follow lesser Creators.
“He was weak. He lacked focus. He allowed our clan to fracture, turning a blind eye to what should have mattered most…establishing our power on the eastern coast.
“Thisis where our stronghold is. Midnight City is where we belong, and where we will dominate. We are the oldest vampire clan in thecity, and I will not rest until we are the most powerful magical clan in the entire eastern region.”
I pause, allowing my eyes to wander pointedly over the throne at the other end of the room.
“I am Roslyn Night, the Crimson Stake, theKingof Midnight City.
“And you will follow me and my vision…”
My stare finds Waylan, eyes gleaming in the dim chamber.
“Or you will find my stake in your chest.”
CHAPTER 3: THE MIDNIGHT MANSION
Paige
I’m not a big traveler. Amanda sometimes drags me along on her many adventures, but it’s difficult to even get me out of my house, if I’m being honest. I know I’m boring like that, but I just like to stay in my comfort zone, you know?
This isveryoutside of my comfort zone.
“Um,” I squeak, gazing anxiously of the car window. We’ve been driving for at least thirty minutes, north of the city. I’ve never been to this area before. “Are we going to be…much longer?”
The woman beside me chuckles. “Eager to get started, huh?”
“The Midnight Mansion is less than ten minutes away,” the driver replies curtly. I get the sense from his tone that no further questions are welcome. Which is very unfortunate, because I havea lotof questions.
After several days of nerve-racking internal debate, Ifinallycalled the phone number on the business card that the vampire gave me. I would have preferred to complete a form on a website, preferably one with some additional information about working as a blood donor for a vampire clan, maybe with a list of frequently asked questions, references, or relevant policies, but no. The only information on the card was a single phone number. A very cold person answered the phone, and when I told her what I was calling about, she informed me that I should pack a bag with everything I require for the next three months and that I would be picked up in a car the following Friday evening. No references, nosocial security number, nothing. I almost hung up, but then she told me the salary I would receive each week, starting the following Monday.
And before I knew it, I was packing a bright pink suitcase that I borrowed from Amanda.
I’ve been trying not to think too much about it. It’s only three months. Just three months, and I can make enough for Miles’s treatment. And maybe a little left over to replenish my nursing school fund.
I can last three months, right?
“Hey,” says the man on my other side, his wide mouth in a nervous grin. He has light brown skin and ink-black curls that tumble down to his shoulders. “Do you think we’ll meet any real vampires tonight?”
“I don’t know,” says the woman, her pink cheeks flushing excitedly. She points to her sandy-brown hair. “I put my hair up in a bun, just in case!”
“That’s smart,” replies the man knowingly.
My stomach twists. Do vampires like it, when you put your hair up? I hadn’t even thought about that. I guess they must likenecks. I think anxiously about all of the dresses and shirts I packed. Are they low-cut enough? I tried to pick vampire-y things, but now I feel totally unprepared.
“My name’s Sean,” says the man.
“Chelsie!” the woman replies, her voice chipper.
“I’m Paige,” I add, hoping that it’s too dark in the car for the others to see how anxious I am. I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. Even though we haven’t met any vampires yet, I’m suddenly self-conscious about my neck.
“Have either of you been bitten by a vampire before?” Chelsie asks eagerly.
I feel the blood rush to my cheeks. It seems like such an…intimate question.
But that’s silly, right? I mean, being bitten isn’t like…
