They were guarding it.
A moment later, they were slowly pulled open, and the driver returned to the car and drove us in.
Torches were everywhere, lighting up the small village. Music played loudly in the streets as vampires danced, their shadows dancing with them.
It felt almost as if we had gone back in time. Many of the cities I had visited in Mexico decades ago were somewhat modern. This town was clearly not.
We drove slowly until we reached a large mansion on top of a small hill.
Jaime got out and opened the door wide. “This is it. Let’s go.”
Ludovica and I joined him. The car took off instantly, leaving us with our carry-on bags to climb up the hill.
The concrete stairs were white, the same as the walls. Everything about this village gave me ancient Aztec vibes. The art around us, from the buildings to the paintings on the walls, was old in style but freshly done. It was…beautiful here.
I heard the noises of the birds before I saw them. As we walked, I heard a caw and stopped to see a gorgeous Dracula parrot fly over us. And then, as we continued our trek, another one was perched in a tree, and another. I pointed, and Jaime chuckled.
“They are all over the village. The High Priestess loves them too.”
For a moment, I wondered how Desi and Tippi were getting along. But before I could make a mental note to call him, we reached the house and stopped. There were a few more stairs on the flat part of the hill, taking us up, and the three of us practically flew up and to the door. Jaime knocked and was greeted by a handsome Bloodborn vampire.
He recognized Jaime and led us in. Again, I stared in awe at the beautiful home, all decorated in Aztec art. I hadn’t stepped into the nineteen-sixties as I had previously thought. I was in the fourteen hundreds!
We stopped short when the butler did. He took a step back at a large, open entrance. I could hear the crackle of a fire, and I smelled warm fresh blood. My mouth began to water as I realized how thirsty I was.
I stood on my tiptoes to see over Jaime’s shoulders. A figure stood, but it was dark in the room, lit only by the fire.
A voice came from the room. It was feminine but spoke in Spanish.
Jaime, considerate of my needs, spoke in English. “I brought the Young Blood Priestess home. She only speaks English.”
She hissed. “Come in,” she said a moment later, in my native tongue.
Jaime moved to the side and allowed me to enter first. My heart was racing, and suddenly I felt the coldness in my vampire body. I was frozen to the spot, but Ludovica’s hand pushed on my back, moving me forward.
I entered the room slowly as if I could step on the wrong tile and a booby-trap could crush me. I looked onwardtowardthe shadowy figure until my eyes adjusted. When I could see her face clearly, I gasped.
Her eyes lit up as she saw me as well. We truly did look so much alike.
“You are Magdalena?” I whispered. She giggled and nodded.
“Yes. Welcome home, Young Blood Priestess.”
I cleared my throat as I stared at her, trying to catch the differences. Her skin was unblemished, while mine was covered in tattoos. Her hair, while long, dark, and curly, like mine, was more taken care of. It was shiny and framed her face perfectly. Mine was what I called ‘permanent just-fucked hair.’
I had more makeup on than her. My eyes were dark with eyeliner, while hers were not. But we both had the same shade of red lipstick, which I found interesting.
“It’s Scout, actually,” I clarified.
She nodded and sauntered over to me. She was wearing a crimson wrap dress with gold trimming. It was clasped over one shoulder with a gold brooch of the sun. She extended her arms out and pulled me in for a hug. I realized as I cautiously hugged her back that the dress was the only thing she was wearing.
I inhaled deeply, and she smelled of jasmine. It was relaxing. When she pulled away, I felt as if I truly had come home.
“Jaime, why don’t you take her and get a drink.” She looked at my brother and Ludovica. Ludovica raised an eyebrow in my direction, and I nodded for her to go.
I’d be fine.
As soon as the pair were gone, Magdalena took my hands and urged me to join her in front of the fire on the floor, surrounded by fluffy pillows.
