The guns in their holsters didn’t count.
My makeup was done with expert fingers—Adelie’s.
I either resembled a model gone crazy or a soldier gone soft.
I liked both of those instances.
Imayovercompensate on my apparel at times. I knew this. I was only five foot two inches in height, and my shorter stature had always bothered me. Adelie was my only acquaintance who was shorter than I was, raking in a grand height of five foot nothing.
I ran my fingers through my hair once more. “Time to go.”
Adelie hugged me in a quick embrace. “You got this.”
I sucked in a large lungful of oxygen, inhaling her scent. “I do. I’ve got this.”
Then I was out the door of my apartments in the blink of an eye, not peering back at my friend’s hopeful and determined face. If I didn’t accomplish this goal, not only would I be devastated to have to wait again, but also so would Adelie. I couldn’t be a failure.
My steps were measured and precise as I walked through the halls of the stronghold. Pictures, modern to ancient, hung on the black stonewalls. The quiet lighting was intimate and natural to the senses. Errant lounges or chairs lined the halls for whatever purpose a vampire could want them for—pleasure or business. The grand staircase was a chaotic curve and retreat, only to twist again, enough to boggle the mind.
When my feet landed on the massive foyer tiles, I kept them silent. This area echoed, all the way deep into the castle, the ceiling so tall no human eye could see the top. Large windows framed the doorway—black wooden doors meant to be in a fairy tale with giants—all the way up seven stories. Lighting hung on the rock walls, casting shadows to and fro.
I let out a shaky exhale and continued my trek.
Many vampires passed by. A few on cell phones, more wiping the blood from their mouths.
The chattel quarters weren’t far away. Little nips were taken by any who wanted.
My fingers wiggled down at my sides. Almost there. Almost there.
Six more turns down hallways, and the area quieted.
Private overlord caverns were in this section. Even their offices close by.
I stopped at the far door. This was the room.
I took a moment to collect myself before turning the doorknob.
I stared inside, my stomach dropping and fury burning in my throat.
Those. Motherfucking. Bastards.
All eyes turned in my direction.
Four other possible candidates stood before a raised dais. The overlords rested on their ornate chairs atop a lifted area, four body lengths taller than I was from the floor. The space echoed just as greatly as the foyer as I closed the door with false calm behind me. This was a true cavern deep inside a mountain, the smell of damp stone and dirt attacking my nostrils.
And the overlords were motherfucking bastards because their invite had lied.
The four possible contenders were dressed in their finest attire.
Even if the overlords were merely in black matching suits.
Glitter and splotches of vibrant, dark color marred the room from the women’s elegant dresses. They were glorious and stunning, stars upon the night, their lips blood red and hair perfectly coiffed.
The only sparkle I had going for me would be my shoelaces.
My eyes wanted to narrow, and my fangs wanted to descend.
I bit it all back, swallowing my fury.
