“I’ve heard the bedtime stories,” she scoffed. “It’s just a way to get us to keep a low profile. I haven’t seen or heard of one coven they’ve destroyed since I was turned.”
I rolled my eyes. “Well, believe them or not, we’re all getting out of here.” Shaking my head, I turned to look out of the window.
“Good,” she snapped. “The Peregrinus can leave. I’m not going anywhere.”
“What? Are you stupid?”
Her hands tightened on the steering wheel. “I’m sick of travel. I’m sick of the road. I’m sick of wasting my immortality. We never stick around long enough to enjoy the places we stay. If the Peregrinus are gone tomorrow, that’s fine with me. I don’t want to be with them anymore.”
“But the Saints. Where will you stay?”
“Don’t worry about me, Lyss. I’ve got everything all figured out.” Her voice picked up a menacing tone. An odd feeling came over me. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but I knew something was wrong.
“Do whatever you want, Jessie. Just remember to stay safe.”
I returned to looking out of the window. Either Jessie had a death wish, or she really didn’t believe in the Saints. In any case, nothing I told her was going to make any difference. She had her mind made up.
We arrived at a group of residential towers. Three huge white towers stood tall against the sky. I knew each one held beautiful and lavish condo homes. High-rise condos were the new trend in Vegas. A fenced-off area separated these gleaming white buildings from a partially built one on the same property. As we entered the main gate, a guard greeted Jessie by name.
“Wow, they know you here?” Rule number one was to keep a low profile. This was a bad sign.
“Uh…yeah,” she stammered. “I’ve been coming to some parties here.”
The thought of parties reminded me of Erick and the night at the club. I wondered if she was tossing bodies in the construction site next door.
Jessie drove past the guard, heading towards the parking garage. “There are plenty of anonymous strangers and enough alcohol to keep people from remembering what happens to them,” she said arrogantly. “Just don’t kill them.”
Party or no party, I still found it odd that we would be hunting inside a residential high-rise tower. This went against everything Lysander had tried to teach me about lying low and not drawing attention to myself.
Maybe it was a good thing she didn’t plan on staying with the clan.
Jessie led the way inside and we soon reached the elevators. She pressed the topmost button, sending us to the penthouse floor.
Intuition nagged at me. This situation was fishy. Something was up. I tried to think of an excuse to back out of this. I’d rather starve than risk exposure.
“Trust me, Lyss, this is going to be great.” There was a mocking note in her voice. I felt anticipation rising inside of her.
Panic took me. I had a sudden realization. Rozaline had spoken of Kallisto’s coven in association with a high-rise tower on the north end of the Strip.
We reached the top and the elevator dinged, announcing our arrival. A large man with stunning blue-gray eyes greeted us. I knew before he said anything. I had been betrayed. Jessie had led me right to Kallisto.
“Here she is!” Jessie exclaimed.
“Wonderful.” The large man motioned for me to exit the elevator. “This way, please.”
My stomach sank. My heart thundered in my chest. I frantically scanned the area, searching for some way to escape.
The large vampire grabbed my arm to escort me. His fingers bit into my skin as he jerked me toward him. I looked over my shoulder to see the doors of the elevator close, sealing my fate.
We headed to the main entrance of Kallisto’s penthouse. I tried to gulp down my anxiety. Two blonde women greeted us in the foyer. They escorted Jessie down a long hallway. She smiled and waved as she left me.
The large vampire led me into a large, dimly-lit room. I was momentarily shocked by the opulence of this coven house. Kallisto’s coven was as lavish as I had imagined it.
Beautifully dressed men and woman sat atop couches and chaise lounges randomly situated throughout the room. Columns held up the high ceiling and provided small breaks in the large space. The walls were decorated with large paintings that would have been appropriate in a museum. Upbeat music played in the background, and men and women chatted amongst themselves, engrossed in different conversations.
I paused for a moment, taking in my surroundings while trying to find an escape point.
A marble-framed fireplace had been built into the far left side wall; its gas-fed flames cast dancing shadows across the room.
A small, unused modern kitchen took up a corner of the large space. Small or not, it was still larger than what I’d had in my apartment. Sandy-colored granite-topped counters and shiny stainless steel appliances added to the rich feel of it. I understood why some preferred the life of a large coven. It certainly had some perks.
I tried to gulp down my fear as my escort pushed me forward. There had to be a way out of here.
Chatter amongst the men and women stopped briefly as I walked by.
A large but simple patio comprised of a slab of concrete and a half-wall was clearly visible through two glass French doors.
Could I get away through there? Maybe the balconies are close enough to jump to the next one. What would happen if I tried to jump to the ground?
My escort pushed me toward the open patio doors. I felt eyes watching me as I was led outside toward two figures standing by the wall.
Edmond was one of them. Even with his back to me, I recognized his dark, neatly tied ponytail. Dressed in another ultra-modern white suit, he stood next to a dark-haired woman.
Tall and slender, with long black hair that fell halfway down her back, she was elegantly dressed in a black, floor-length, sleeveless sheath dress. They turned to greet us, and I was in awe of her beauty. Her oval face was gorgeous; she had a slender nose and stunning blue-gray eyes surrounded by thick, dark lashes and shaded by perfectly arched eyebrows. Her hair fell like a cloak around her back and shoulders, and as she turned to greet me, I caught a glimpse of fangs peeking out from behind full, pouty lips.
Edmond looked at me contemptuously. “It would appear your plan has worked, mis—”
“Silence, Edmond,” Kallisto snapped. “Let me greet our guest.”
Edmond let out an impatient sigh.
“This must be the beautiful, Alyssa.” Her voice was thick, deep, and seductive. It carried an accent that I couldn’t quite identify. There was aged quality to her voice that seemed odd in contrast with her youthful appearance.
“Welcome to my home, child.” She opened her arms to receive me in a welcoming embrace.
I didn’t move. I tried to gulp down the fear that threatened to paralyze me. How do I respond to this?
A moment passed; she lowered her arms and narrowed her eyes, giving me a disapproving look. With a wave of her hand, she dismissed the gentleman who had brought me to her, and signaled for him to close the patio doors behind him.
“You are bold, little one, but I will allow you this one little indiscretion. You have not been properly taught respect.”
I can’t believe I am here standing in front of her. Why did I leave the house? Why did I follow Jessie here?
Kallisto continued. “I am your queen, and you will soon learn to treat me with the respect I deserve. I am the reason you stand here before me today. I am Kallisto.”
No introduction needed, lady. I know exactly who you are. I’m so fucked! Lysander has been trying so hard to keep me away from her, and I had to go walking right into her lair. God, I am so dumb. Okay, I’ll try not to piss her off and maybe this will buy me time.
“My apologies, Kallisto.” I lowered my head and eyes in a standing bow.
I felt Edmond’s eyes on me, sizing me up as he had the first night we met in the parking garage.
Wonder what happened to Jessie.
Kallisto smiled widely again, showing her teeth behind those big, pouty lips. “Do not worry about Jessie. She is receiving her… reward for delivering you to us. You will see her soon enough.”
Shit, she’s reading my mind. Okay, empty thoughts.
Kallisto motioned for me to come closer to her. “You are a special case, my child. You were brought into this completely unaware of the rules and laws of our kind. It is so sad that a beauty like yourself is an illegitimate child.”
She reached out and slowly stroked my hair; twisting a few strands between her fingers, then frowned as if I had not passed her silent test.
“We generally do not tolerate bastards,” she said coldly. “Could you imagine what the world would be like if we decided to fill it with our kind?”
I didn’t know how to respond. I entertained the idea of jumping from the balcony. I wanted to get away, far away.
Kallisto continued before I could think of a decent response. “There must be order, and children should be carefully chosen. Not everyone is worthy of immortality.”
Okay, is she informing me of my death sentence, or offering me some kind of second chance?
I thought of Lysander, and wondered if this was what had happened to all of his other children. I looked over the edge of the wall, down at the city below. I saw the Las Vegas Hilton and its huge sign. Behind it was the east side of the Las Vegas valley, a beautiful sea of lights.
Would I survive the fall if I jumped?
Kallisto cackled behind me. “Do you think jumping would save you?”
I shook my head and let out a defeated sigh. “What do you plan to do with me?” My voice cracked as I spoke, giving away my nervousness.
“Your fate will be decided soon, my dear. Before that can happen, we must bring your maker to justice. Your assistance in this matter will sway the final decision.”
My stomach sank. She couldn’t expect me to go against Lysander or my friends.
I looked at Edmond, who remained silent. His eyes had not left me, nor did he flinch as I looked him in the face. Our eyes met, and again I felt an odd sensation, as if he was searching me. I remembered what Rozaline told me and quickly broke eye contact, returning my focus back to Kallisto.
“What would you have me do?”
Maybe I can stall for time. I’ve got to do something.
“Nothing yet, my dear. I want you to meet your new family first. See the life you could have, if you are obedient. Lysander’s time will come soon enough.”
What the hell does that mean? Better play along until I figure this out.
Kallisto held out her arms, signaling me to come closer and embrace her, renewing the offer she had made the moment she met me. I responded this time, placing my arms around her and leaning my head into her chest. I cringed as she patted me on the head and stroked my long hair.
How the hell am I going to get out of this alive?
“I think you will do well, my child; but now, let us dress you and present you properly to your new family. There will be plenty of time to deal with your maker.”
She released me and waved at the glass doors. Immediately they opened, and a handsome man came out and bowed low to Kallisto.
“Take Alyssa; prepare her and see to her initiation. Return her to me when you are finished.”
Kallisto pushed me toward the man now getting up from his bow. He was gorgeous. It seemed all the members of Kallisto’s coven were chosen for their beauty. Men and woman alike were all prime specimens of humanity before they were turned. This man was definitely no exception to the rule. He had broad, muscular shoulders, a strong jaw line, and gorgeous waves of sandy blond hair dusting the tops of his eyebrows. He offered his arm to me and introduced himself as Collin. Then he guided me back through the living room and into a large bathroom.
Just like the living room, the bathroom was cavernous. Almost every surface from the floor to the countertops was marble. A large tub with jets sat in the left corner. Next to it stood a steam shower with benches built for two. The opposite wall was entirely devoted to vanity and sink space with large, decorative light fixtures. At the far corner was a water closet and another entrance to the bath. At the center of the floor was a beautiful teak bench, running almost the entire length of the room.
“I would be honored to bathe you now, miss,” Collin said with a wide grin.
I blushed at the thought of this handsome—but strange—man bathing me.
“Umm...” I struggled with what to say. “Okay, I guess.” This was odd.
Collin guided me to the teak bench. He knelt down and reached for the button of my pants.
“Whoa, whoa, I can do that.” I batted at his hands.
“Please, miss.” He looked at me with questioning eyes. “It is my honor to attend to you to-night.”
“Really…um…I don’t need all of this attention.” I stood there half in shock, but a little intrigued.
“All new children must be prepared before we turn them. I know you have already been changed, but Kallisto wants me to treat you as if you were still human. You will be initiated, just as we would any other mortal.”
Initiated, huh? This must be what she means, by showing me what things are like with her family. Okay, I’ll keep playing along. No harm in a bath.
I smiled, removing my hands from my pants, and allowed Collin to undress me. He caressed my legs as he pulled the pants down, sending a shiver up my spine.
As he moved back up, his hands slid under my shirt, tickling my skin with soft fingers. Goose-flesh erupted all over my body. He smiled seductively and pulled the shirt over my head.
I felt nervous and exposed. My hands instinctively moved to cover my breasts.
He turned around and drew a bath in the large tub.
Collin removed his shirt, revealing his well-defined abs and muscular chest. He turned to the side and caught me admiring his figure. He flexed his arms and chest while giving me a wicked smile.
Heat rose to my face. I bit my lip, accidentally drawing blood, and nervously looked away.
“We are all chosen for our beauty,” he said, his voice echoing off the marble-tiled walls. “You should not be shy for appreciating it. You, too, are beautiful enough for our coven. I will take great pleasure in attending to you tonight.”