So, he’s unhinged? Wonderful.
“We must keep our world clean of the demons that roam the underworld ...” I tuned out the words I had heard a million timesas my mother and sister came to my side. We joined arms and made our way to the front of the crowd. We always held the honor of the front row, close enough to see every drop of blood. I liked to fixate my attention on the tapestry behind the stage.
The three initiates filed in behind my father, standing before the silver chalice atop the pedestal. I kept my eyes on the tapestry, but the pinpricks that swarmed the right side of my face caused me to turn my attention. I met the cold eyes of the initiate at the end of the line. They were dark with an unwavering depth, though a softness veiled the opaque glass. A mask to hide what was within. He was beautiful in a way that left me vulnerable. Every bit of him was harsh and overpowering. He towered over everyone else. His dark brown hair was both neat and disheveled, and it hung in soft waves that skated across his sharp cheekbones. The only bit of warmth came from his golden skin tone.
His eyes were so heavy on me that I had to look away. My attention fixated back on the tapestry. I didn’t hear my father’s introductions of the other initiates, until he got to him.
“And I am honored to introduce my new secondhand Sebastian Dracov.” The crowd erupted in applause. Not even a hint of a smile graced his stern face at the uproar he received.
So, he was unhingedanda giant? Even more wonderful.
And his eyes were still on me. I felt smaller by the second, eager to shrink away.
Olivia nudged my ribs with her elbow. “The new secondhand seems quite taken with you,” she whispered, smiling.
I did not return her smile. “He looks like he wants to eat me,” I said bluntly.
A slight flicker of recognition fled across his face, and I froze as I wondered if he heard me.
My legs became so restless I wanted to jump out of my own skin, run far from here and what was about to happen. They each held ablack tourmaline dagger in their right hand. As they lifted the blades to their left palms, I became especially interested in the tapestry. They each held their closed fists over the silver chalice as the scarlet dripped in.
Since vampires appeared human like us, the ritual was designed to keep any vampires from joining and flush out any that might be hidden within the crowd. Hence, the members strategically placed around the room and at every exit, poised to strike. The black tourmaline meeting the initiates’ blood should give them away immediately. Though it had to be driven into their hearts to kill them, the stone was irritating enough to not be able to hide discomfort. As for the blood, it should fill any vampire in the room with bloodlust, making themselves known.
Silver was symbolic of Brennus because it was his essence, the part of him we could hold and use, along with oak trees and ravens, though ravens were not to be touched since they were his physical form. The initiates were giving a part of themselves to him and the cause. As their blood met silver, they were locked in with their lives.
After the initiation was complete, it was time to parade the new members around the room. My mother, sister, and I were always first to meet them. I stood firmly rooted in place as their heavy boots neared closer. My father introduced them again to us. The first two had a smug arrogance about them, as was typical of members. I plastered on an innocent smile as they greeted me.Play the part.Be normal.
“... and my new secondhand,” my father continued. “This, as I told you, is my daughter Charlotte.”
A part of me deflated as I realized that was likely why Sebastian was so fixated on me. My father already told him. I was the haunted girl, the one that always needed extra protection, to be looked after, watched over. My eyes slid from my father to his dark gaze, a void-like black that sent a violent shiver through me on contact.It seemed my father resulted to intimidation now. He wanted a hellhound at his side.
“Pleased to meet you, Miss Charlotte.” My mouth fell open at his voice. It was silken and dangerous, equally as inviting as it was deadly.
He held out his hand, and before I knew it, I was placing my fingers atop his massive palm. His hand closed as he held mine gently. His thumb swiped over my knuckles, and my body flooded with pinpricks. I couldn’t feel my face under his scrutiny. His expression unreadable. I wanted to run.
“She is to be monitored closely,” my father said sternly. “As you know ...” he trailed off, and I frowned at his insinuation.
I backtracked, eyes widening.Monitored closely? I met his icy stare once more. I couldn’t keep the grimace from my face. I’m to be followed around by the unhinged, giant man? I slid my hand from his as I realized he was still holding it. I forced a polite smile, though he certainly did not return it. Was he capable of smiling? I retreated into the crowd, not caring to wait for my father’s dismissal. A delicate hand wrapped around my arm.
“Wait, Charlotte, I want you to meet someone.” I turned to Olivia’s grinning face.
She guided me over to a man who could only be described as a teddy bear, though a handsome one. He had golden hair, rounded cheeks, and a sharp jawline. He looked kind, and I hoped he was. Olivia deserved nothing but the best. He smiled brightly at the sight of her.
“Edward, this is my sister Charlotte.”
He took my hand lightly.
“And this is Edward.”
“Pleased to meet you, Edward.” I nodded with a smile.
“Pleased to meet you as well.” He handed Olivia a glass of champagne, and she accepted it as if it was a diamond necklace. “Would you care for a glass, Charlotte?” He asked.
“Yes, please.”
He handed me one with a warm smile.
Olivia leaned into me, whispering into my ear. “His father is Lord Barron.”
