The carriage ride to the palace was tense and silent. Shane, Irina, and Alice were focused entirely on the coming social event and we're chattering excitedly about it. I sat in the corner, covered by the thick veil.
What's so good about being chosen by the Lord anyway? The woman whose blood appeals to him? Oh God, he is going to drink her blood. I felt a little sick at that thought. So why are they so eager to become living blood bags?
I stared out the window. As we approached the center of the city, the buildings changed completely. The human districts were grand but felt worn down. The vampire territory, however, was superior in comparison. The streets were perfectly maintained, lit by gas lamps that cast a clear, steady light.
Then, I saw the palace.
It was made of stone and dark tones. It looked impossibly huge and stretched upward as far as I could see, then topped by spires that looked sharp enough to pierce the sky. How was such a thing even built? It was the grandest building I had ever seen.
They called it the Palace of Eternal Night. Even the name gives off dark vibes.
When the carriage stopped, I heard the murmuring of a crowd. Footmen in dark clothing opened the door. I was eyeing them suspiciously before I concluded that they must be humans. Vampires would not be footmen.
"Remember your part, Lena," Shane hissed, grabbing my arm just before I stepped out. "Keep your head down. Do not look around."
Alice stepped out first, basking in the attention. She was stunning, designed perfectly to appeal to the court. Irina followed, holding onto Shane's arm, projecting a unified front. Bleh.
I stepped out last. The air immediately felt different. It was most likely the aura of many high-ranking vampires gathered in one place. It was overwhelming. It felt like standing too close to a powerful electric field. My family looked unbothered by the atmosphere. They probably were already used to it.
We were immediately ushered inside. The ballroom was enormous, easily the size of two football fields. Looks like people here love to go above and beyond what should be considered the norm. The ceiling seemed miles high, supported by gigantic columns carved with symbols I didn't recognize. Instead of cheerful music like I would expect from a party, a slow and dark melody played. It was somehow both grand and unsettling.
Hundreds of people were already there. Most were vampires and they were easy to tell apart in the crowd. They were tall, sharply dressed, and inhumanly graceful. They moved with a slow, deliberate confidence that screamed authority. Their eyes were their most disturbing feature. They weren't red like I thought vampires should have. They had a gold or amber intensity that made them look lethal. I would not want those eyes focused on me at all.
The human women were gathered in a specific section, dressed in their finest gowns and whispering nervously. I couldn't imagine what they were saying among themselves. Tips on how to catch the vampire lord's… or at least a high noble vampire's eye?
They were the ones who were eligible for the Lord's selection. Alice immediately detached herself from us and went towards them, charming a small group of them, exactly as expected.
I stood behind Irina, keeping my head bowed and the thick veil hiding my face. I looked exactly like what I was supposed to be. An unwanted, insignificant shadow.
My focus was on observing the hierarchy. I noticed that the humans wore bright colors, trying to attract attention. The vampires, however, wore deep scarlets, blacks, and silvers. They didn't need color to demand notice.
"Stay here," Irina muttered, barely looking at me. "Do not move. Remember, if anyone asks, you are the cousin from the northern territory."
I have had enough reminders for a whole year. I got it already folks! However, I just nodded my head slowly.
Then I watched as Shane and Irina walked away from me to pay their respects to a middle-aged, definitely high-ranking vampire couple. The vampires were polite but their faces looked like they would prefer to be anywhere else but in that conversation, as if Shane and Irina were necessary annoyances. Haha.
I spent the next hour absorbing the environment. I realized this whole spectacle was a moment of power display and socialization. Everyone needed to build connections and keep their social circle relevant.
As the evening wore on, the tension in the room grew palpable. Everyone was waiting for one person.
"He's coming," I heard Alice hiss, her voice tight with anticipation. She smoothed her silver dress for the tenth time.
Girl, just give up. You probably aren't his type.
A sudden change swept through the ballroom. The music stopped abruptly. A complete silence fell, so silent that I could hear the rustle of the silk gown on the woman standing next to me. It felt like everyone had held their breaths in anticipation. Hell, even I am eager to see this great vampire lord and determine if he lives up to the hype.
I felt a wave of oppressive power wash over the room. Two massive doors at the far end of the hall swung inward, revealing a figure who stood framed against the deep shadows of the hall beyond.
Lord Alistair Valerius.
He was taller than I expected and his presence was electrifying. He was young, really handsome, with hair the color of midnight. I couldn't see the colour of his eyes considering the distance and the thick veil but for some reason, I was dying to know. He wore a dark, formal coat trimmed with silver, and a large, sapphire ring on his finger that caught the light when he ran his fingers through his hair.
Damn, that was sexy. No, focus! I slapped myself in my mind.
He didn't walk, he glided. His gait was so smooth. Probably a vampire perk. Every vampire in the room dipped their heads as he walked by them, and every human bowed low. Shane immediately shoved me deeper behind Irina, whispering, "Lower your head, fool!"
I complied, bowing my head until I was staring at the marble floor. I could feel him approaching, the atmosphere thickening with his presence.
He walked slowly and purposefully, accompanied by two figures. One was a very tall, stern-faced vampire in military attire that looked like he would have six packs under all those clothes and the other was a regal, elderly woman in deep black robes.
I noticed from my earlier appraisal before the bow that Alistair didn't look at anyone. His face was a mask of indifference like he was painfully bored. He passed the gathered human daughters, ignoring their carefully planned curtsies and nervous smiles. This confirmed the rumors that he hadn't chosen anyone in four years. Why the hell then does he organize a ball yearly if he doesn't plan on choosing any woman?
I heard the small, defeated sighs of the women he passed. Sorry darlings, I am sure you could do better than him.
Alice was standing nearby, rigid with expectation. He passed her without a flicker of recognition even though he must have seen her in previous years. I could sense her immediate, crushing disappointment.
Then, he reached the small cluster where we stood.
He was about to pass us too. I mentally prepared for the relief. The ball would end and I could go back to my hidden room and hidden life. At least I had a measure of peace in this new life. No academic expectations or bullies.
But he stopped walking.
He came to a complete halt. I could feel the heat radiating from his body despite the cool air. The sort of metallic scent that clung to the palace increased, mixing with something sweet and intoxicating.
From the corner of my eyes, I could see him lift his head up to take a deep breath like there was an interesting scent in the air and he still didn't continue walking. My heart hammered against my ribs so frantically I was convinced people around me could hear it.
I did not move. I did not breathe. I was terrified.
Then slowly, Alistair Valerius turned his head towards us.
I heard a small, sharp gasp escape Irina's lips.
Alistair didn't look at Shane or Irina. He didn't look at Alice who was standing frozen in her shimmering gown.
He looked directly at me.
Or rather, at the place where I was hiding.
He began walking again, cutting through the small space separating me from Irina. He stopped right in front of me. The air sort of vibrated around him.
I could feel the intensity of his stare boring through the lace but I kept my head down, staring at his polished boots.
"Shane Hale," Alistair's voice was a low, deep baritone, a sound that held unquestioned power. "Who is this?"
Shane stammered and rambled, his composure completely gone. "M-My Lord! This is just... a distant cousin, my Lord. She is frail. She was only presented to satisfy the requirements of the law. Rue, my second daughter is gravely ill. You can send people to my manor to confirm this. Please, focus on Alice."
Alistair ignored Shane completely. He reached out a long, pale finger, placing it under my chin and lifting my head up. Then he bent his head slowly towards my neck.
What the hell? What the hell? What the hell?
He inhaled deeply.
I felt a sudden, strange heat rush over my skin then he raised his head.
Alistair's eyes suddenly narrowed, focusing entirely on me, despite the veil. He looked displeased that he could not see my face. Gods. What if he didn't like how I looked and ordered me to be executed?
A flash of predatory hunger crossed his face then he smiled wickedly and said. "Lift the veil."
Nope. Before anybody could say jack, I had picked up my dress, turned 180 degrees and ran. I wanted absolutely nothing to do with the scary vampire lord.
Behind me, I heard him roar.
Fuck!