Fan Fiction ❯ The Value of Life and Death ❯ 3 ( Chapter 3 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: HarlequinGirl07 
Not only was I escorted by Anthony, but the Hounds of Death saw us in as well. I felt weird, it was one thing to walk around in a mini skirt, but to look elegant in front of them was degrading to me on so many levels.
“That’s a very lovely dress.” Cleaver mumbled.
“What’s wrong with you?” I asked.
“You still haven’t caught on, have you?” Roslyn asked.
“We’ve known about it for a while now and you still don’t know?” Cleaver looked at me like he didn’t know who I was.
I looked at everyone. Anthony held a peaceful face, Roslyn tried look nonchalant but so far she just look confused, and Cleaver, his face was priceless. It was a cross between being shot groin and being constipated. “Will someone please explain?” I asked.
Anthony squeezed my hand. “You’ll know soon enough.”
I sighed defeatedly, if I couldn’t bitch about my own damned ignorance I would bitch about something else. “Where are Malick and Patricia?”
“Patricia is greeting the houses with Ashley, and Malick-”
“Is right here.”
He stood at the doorway of the dining hall, and I could feel the sun radiating from his skin, my own flesh itched and tingled as a reaction. He came towards me and the minute we touched we kissed. I tried to drink him in like I had been in a desert and he was the only water. When I came up for air I noticed I had everyone in the hallway staring at us. Even Anthony’s jaw had dropped.
“I taste blood.” Malick whispered. “You couldn’t have waited for me?”
“Later?” I asked.
He opened the doors to the dining area. “Call me crazy, but I have a feeling that after tonight you and I won't be that close anymore.” I wanted to comment, but Anthony was tugging me into the room. I watched the Hounds of Death pan out, securing the entrances, exits, and windows; in a way I jealous that I wouldn’t be joining them tonight.
“There she is.” Ashley came through the crowd, moving like the wind itself. He made things inside me ache, and for a split moment I had to squeeze my thighs together to stop the throb. He came to me and kissed me slow and passionately. My knees gave in and for a second he was the only thing holding me up.
“You’ve fed.” He whispered. “I can feel it in you.”
“Thank you for recommending Anthony.” Wait…was that flirting?
“You’ll be using a lot more from this night on.” He hooked his arm through mine. “Come, let us greet our guests.”
A girl and a boy, both looking in there mid-teens, approached us. “She is exquisite.” The boy said.
“Esther, may I introduce Ferno and Dahalina. They are the heads of the House of Al Deidre.”
I nodded me head at them.
“Esther is quite a lovely name.” Ferno took my hand in his and brought it to his lips. A string of power surged through me and I tightened my hold on Ashley to keep from falling.
“Forgive my husband,” Dahalina whispered, bringing her wine glass to her lips. “There are times when he can't contain himself when in the presence of a beautiful woman. And I must say, I have lived for centuries and I have yet to meet a woman of your skin tone to be as beautiful as you.”
“If you’ll excuse us.” Ashley pulled me away. “I must apologize for Dahalina. She and Ferno have been having troubles for more than 100 years. Some believe that he is going to replace her with someone younger.”
“How old are they?”
“They are pure bloods, but they stopped aging at 13 and 15, Ferno being the older. Some believe that it is a curse from God, others in the field of medicine know that it is a genetic birth defect called Malignia Infinitum. I believe that it is worse than creating a vampiric child.”
The next heads of houses we met were Xion and Bartholomew. They were the definition of eye candy. Xion, who I am guessing was the older, stood at 5’11” with ankle length straight white hair and turquoise eyes. He wasn’t lean or fat or muscular, if anything he had the most normal looking body I’d ever seen. It made me wonder, I wasn’t sure if he wasn’t using mind tricks at all, or if he was using them to make himself look normal. His partner, Bartholomew was younger, at least his body was. He looked like he was in his teens…his late teens. He had the same look of Anthony almost. He was shorter than Xion by a couple of inches, but he seemed more beautiful than Xion…more ethereal. His jet black hair was swept back in a military ponytail, the exception being that the ponytail was actually a thick braid trailing down to his ankles. His eyes were light blue, so white that they almost seemed white. He looked me over with a stiff gaze, his shoulders set so stiff that it actually made my back hurt.
“What has the cat dragged in?” Xion squealed excitedly. “My, my, my, Ashley Kastilovik Munroe you have certainly outdone yourself.” Xion took my hand and brought it to his mouth.
“Forgive him,” Bartholomew uttered in the deepest baritone I’d ever heard. “But far be it from me to say that you’re beauty is surpassing of exquisite.”
“Thank you.” I drew my hand back into my own personal space. “So you two are…”
“Lovers.” Bartholomew answered bleakly. “He’s stuck to me and I can't seem to get rid of him.”
Xion laughed and I shivered. “He’s joking.” He turned his attention to Ashley. “You must let us sample her, Munroe.”
“That is her decision.” Ashley shrugged. “I would be more than willing to share her with you, as you two are my oldest and most trusted friends.”
I looked back and forth between the three. “Why are you all talking about me like I’m not here.”
They all looked at me and laughed, Bartholomew being the exception. “For give us, my love.” Ashley said between laughs. “It’s my fault; I have yet to explain to you how things work in the Vampiric world.”
“Well do so as soon as possible, Munroe.” Xion seemed too excited about something that I wasn’t getting. “I want her to be able to choose freely.”
“Yes, well, tonight I intend to explain all to her.” Ashley took my hand and guided me away. “If you’ll excuse us, gentlemen.”
I snatched away from Ashley and he turned to look at me like I was insane. “You are really pissing me off!” I yelled. “Now tell me what’s going on!”
He yanked me by the arm, dragging me behind him like a rag doll. We moved atop the platform and he stood in front of the microphone. “Everyone if I could have your attention, please?”
Everyone in the room turned to him.
“Words cannot express how delighted I am that you all would come to this gathering. It means a lot to me to know how many friends and allies I have.” He pulled me close to him, his arm steel tight around my waist. “And now, for the reason you’ve all come to my humble abode. I present to the second of the House of Vildikom, my lover, Esther Munroe.”
I froze as everyone clapped and, thought I didn’t want to, my eyes sought out Patricia. She sat at the piano, clad in black from her head to her toes. Our eyes met and the minute they did I knew I was in deep shit. She looked at coldly, her face totally contorted from doll to demon. Her body, rigid and taunt, spoke to me as though aloud. She wanted to kill me, and if she had her way, she would. No matter how long it would take, no matter how low she’d have to stoop, she’d pay me back for this.
Ashley hugged me and I tried to hug him back, but everything seemed to be numb. “Darling, are you alright?” He asked.
“I-I need…I need air.” I felt like I was dying, and every time I took a breath it went no where. It was like air and my lungs were having a battle and air was winning. Ashley led me out onto one of the balconies and the cold air hit me like a rush. I took as many deep breaths as possible; so many that I was light headed.
“Are you trying to kill yourself?” Ashley asked.
I wanted to smack that smug grin off his face. “There’s no need for that, your dear Patricia will do it for me.” I clung to the railing for dear life, and when Ashley came over to touch I put on hand up. “If you touch me I’ll hit you.”
“I don’t understand…why are you mad?”
“Why am I mad?” I could feel hysterics coming on and, try as I may, there was no way to stop it. “WHY AM I MAD? Ashley, are you even aware that Patricia has wanted to be your second since she came to this house?”
He tried to answer but I didn’t want to hear it.
“You could have asked me…and I know that’s asking a bit much….You could have at least warned me.” I was pacing and panting and the light headedness got worse. “Are you even aware of the relationships that you might be ruining? No. You can't be, because that would mean that you would actually think about someone other than yourself. Oh my God, what have you done? What have you done?” Tears streamed down my face. I finally stopped pacing to get another grip on the railing of the balcony.
Ashley was silent and unmoving. If I closed my eyes it was almost like he wasn’t even there. “I’m sorry.”
I looked at him and his face was blank, neutral. “I’m sorry for yelling.”
“Yes well, I think you had every right to. I can't quite get over the fact that you are the most human in Vildikom.” He approached me and I backed up. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
“No, but if you touch me I’ll forget why I’m mad.”
“Then there will be no touching.” The air whipped around us and the moment became awkward. “Esther, you must understand that I did this because it was the best for me…for you…for Vildikom. I cannot apologize enough for not asking your permission. I wanted it to be a pleasant surprise; a gift from me to you.”
“I can see it as a gift, Ashley. I can see it that way because I know you…probably better than I should. However, Patricia won't see it that way.”
He touched me and my mind immediately went white. I went to him willingly and he held me. It was like being wrapped in the physical embodiment of peace. “Let me handle Patricia, yes? I’m sure she will see my vision like you do.”
I looked up at him, his beauty robbing my lungs of air. “You’re wrong…I don’t see your vision.”
“But you will, my love, you will. Tonight, I have intentions of sharing my most sacred secrets and thoughts with you. I believe it is another gift I have need to give.”
“Ashley.” We turned to see Patricia staring at us from just inside the dining room. “The houses are waiting, they’re growing impatient.”
“Of course.” He looked at me. “You’ll be sleeping my quarters tonight, I have you’re evening wear already laid out on my bed.” He left me on the balcony. “Come back in when you’re ready.” He called back.
He disappeared that left me and Patricia alone together. She stared at me and I stared back. “Are you intending to try and trance and make me jump off the balcony?” I asked smartly.
A small smile graced her pink painted lips. “There’s no guarantee that you’ll die from that.”
“Patricia, I didn’t ask for this.”
“I know, the look on your face when he announced was proof enough.”
“So how can you be mad if I didn’t want this?”
“Its easy, I think about how close Ashley and I used to be before you came into the picture and I get mad. Then, I multiply that by as many numbers as possible until I’m dizzy.”
“So what do you intend to do?”
“I’m not going to kill you, because Ashley would kill me. But, you’ll be damned if you think I won't get you back for this.” She disappeared into the dining hall and I was left all alone on the balcony to think.
“She’s a devilish one, isn’t she?”
I turned to see a man standing the in the shadow of the moon, his eyes glowing. “I don’t remember any Lycan parties on the guest list.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
He came towards me. “Esther, are you trying to say you don’t remember me? We had some pretty good times you and I. We were in love, and even when you tried to kill me I loved you.”
I took a step back. “No.” I whispered.
“I’m afraid so, cherie.”
My worst fears were confirmed when Andrew Gallian, my ex boyfriend, leader of the House of Ortega, stepped into plain view. “You!”
“Yes, ma petit; Ortega wants their whores back.”
Anime/Manga: Fan Fiction | Genre(s): / Romance / Fantasy / Adventure | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 08.07.2006 | Updated On: 08.07.2006 | Pages: 2 | Words: 3.0K | Visits: 111 | Status: Work In Progress
Not only was I escorted by Anthony, but the Hounds of Death saw us in as well. I felt weird, it was one thing to walk around in a mini skirt, but to look elegant in front of them was degrading to me on so many levels.
“That’s a very lovely dress.” Cleaver mumbled.
“What’s wrong with you?” I asked.
“You still haven’t caught on, have you?” Roslyn asked.
“We’ve known about it for a while now and you still don’t know?” Cleaver looked at me like he didn’t know who I was.
I looked at everyone. Anthony held a peaceful face, Roslyn tried look nonchalant but so far she just look confused, and Cleaver, his face was priceless. It was a cross between being shot groin and being constipated. “Will someone please explain?” I asked.
Anthony squeezed my hand. “You’ll know soon enough.”
I sighed defeatedly, if I couldn’t bitch about my own damned ignorance I would bitch about something else. “Where are Malick and Patricia?”
“Patricia is greeting the houses with Ashley, and Malick-”
“Is right here.”
He stood at the doorway of the dining hall, and I could feel the sun radiating from his skin, my own flesh itched and tingled as a reaction. He came towards me and the minute we touched we kissed. I tried to drink him in like I had been in a desert and he was the only water. When I came up for air I noticed I had everyone in the hallway staring at us. Even Anthony’s jaw had dropped.
“I taste blood.” Malick whispered. “You couldn’t have waited for me?”
“Later?” I asked.
He opened the doors to the dining area. “Call me crazy, but I have a feeling that after tonight you and I won't be that close anymore.” I wanted to comment, but Anthony was tugging me into the room. I watched the Hounds of Death pan out, securing the entrances, exits, and windows; in a way I jealous that I wouldn’t be joining them tonight.
“There she is.” Ashley came through the crowd, moving like the wind itself. He made things inside me ache, and for a split moment I had to squeeze my thighs together to stop the throb. He came to me and kissed me slow and passionately. My knees gave in and for a second he was the only thing holding me up.
“You’ve fed.” He whispered. “I can feel it in you.”
“Thank you for recommending Anthony.” Wait…was that flirting?
“You’ll be using a lot more from this night on.” He hooked his arm through mine. “Come, let us greet our guests.”
A girl and a boy, both looking in there mid-teens, approached us. “She is exquisite.” The boy said.
“Esther, may I introduce Ferno and Dahalina. They are the heads of the House of Al Deidre.”
I nodded me head at them.
“Esther is quite a lovely name.” Ferno took my hand in his and brought it to his lips. A string of power surged through me and I tightened my hold on Ashley to keep from falling.
“Forgive my husband,” Dahalina whispered, bringing her wine glass to her lips. “There are times when he can't contain himself when in the presence of a beautiful woman. And I must say, I have lived for centuries and I have yet to meet a woman of your skin tone to be as beautiful as you.”
“If you’ll excuse us.” Ashley pulled me away. “I must apologize for Dahalina. She and Ferno have been having troubles for more than 100 years. Some believe that he is going to replace her with someone younger.”
“How old are they?”
“They are pure bloods, but they stopped aging at 13 and 15, Ferno being the older. Some believe that it is a curse from God, others in the field of medicine know that it is a genetic birth defect called Malignia Infinitum. I believe that it is worse than creating a vampiric child.”
The next heads of houses we met were Xion and Bartholomew. They were the definition of eye candy. Xion, who I am guessing was the older, stood at 5’11” with ankle length straight white hair and turquoise eyes. He wasn’t lean or fat or muscular, if anything he had the most normal looking body I’d ever seen. It made me wonder, I wasn’t sure if he wasn’t using mind tricks at all, or if he was using them to make himself look normal. His partner, Bartholomew was younger, at least his body was. He looked like he was in his teens…his late teens. He had the same look of Anthony almost. He was shorter than Xion by a couple of inches, but he seemed more beautiful than Xion…more ethereal. His jet black hair was swept back in a military ponytail, the exception being that the ponytail was actually a thick braid trailing down to his ankles. His eyes were light blue, so white that they almost seemed white. He looked me over with a stiff gaze, his shoulders set so stiff that it actually made my back hurt.
“What has the cat dragged in?” Xion squealed excitedly. “My, my, my, Ashley Kastilovik Munroe you have certainly outdone yourself.” Xion took my hand and brought it to his mouth.
“Forgive him,” Bartholomew uttered in the deepest baritone I’d ever heard. “But far be it from me to say that you’re beauty is surpassing of exquisite.”
“Thank you.” I drew my hand back into my own personal space. “So you two are…”
“Lovers.” Bartholomew answered bleakly. “He’s stuck to me and I can't seem to get rid of him.”
Xion laughed and I shivered. “He’s joking.” He turned his attention to Ashley. “You must let us sample her, Munroe.”
“That is her decision.” Ashley shrugged. “I would be more than willing to share her with you, as you two are my oldest and most trusted friends.”
I looked back and forth between the three. “Why are you all talking about me like I’m not here.”
They all looked at me and laughed, Bartholomew being the exception. “For give us, my love.” Ashley said between laughs. “It’s my fault; I have yet to explain to you how things work in the Vampiric world.”
“Well do so as soon as possible, Munroe.” Xion seemed too excited about something that I wasn’t getting. “I want her to be able to choose freely.”
“Yes, well, tonight I intend to explain all to her.” Ashley took my hand and guided me away. “If you’ll excuse us, gentlemen.”
I snatched away from Ashley and he turned to look at me like I was insane. “You are really pissing me off!” I yelled. “Now tell me what’s going on!”
He yanked me by the arm, dragging me behind him like a rag doll. We moved atop the platform and he stood in front of the microphone. “Everyone if I could have your attention, please?”
Everyone in the room turned to him.
“Words cannot express how delighted I am that you all would come to this gathering. It means a lot to me to know how many friends and allies I have.” He pulled me close to him, his arm steel tight around my waist. “And now, for the reason you’ve all come to my humble abode. I present to the second of the House of Vildikom, my lover, Esther Munroe.”
I froze as everyone clapped and, thought I didn’t want to, my eyes sought out Patricia. She sat at the piano, clad in black from her head to her toes. Our eyes met and the minute they did I knew I was in deep shit. She looked at coldly, her face totally contorted from doll to demon. Her body, rigid and taunt, spoke to me as though aloud. She wanted to kill me, and if she had her way, she would. No matter how long it would take, no matter how low she’d have to stoop, she’d pay me back for this.
Ashley hugged me and I tried to hug him back, but everything seemed to be numb. “Darling, are you alright?” He asked.
“I-I need…I need air.” I felt like I was dying, and every time I took a breath it went no where. It was like air and my lungs were having a battle and air was winning. Ashley led me out onto one of the balconies and the cold air hit me like a rush. I took as many deep breaths as possible; so many that I was light headed.
“Are you trying to kill yourself?” Ashley asked.
I wanted to smack that smug grin off his face. “There’s no need for that, your dear Patricia will do it for me.” I clung to the railing for dear life, and when Ashley came over to touch I put on hand up. “If you touch me I’ll hit you.”
“I don’t understand…why are you mad?”
“Why am I mad?” I could feel hysterics coming on and, try as I may, there was no way to stop it. “WHY AM I MAD? Ashley, are you even aware that Patricia has wanted to be your second since she came to this house?”
He tried to answer but I didn’t want to hear it.
“You could have asked me…and I know that’s asking a bit much….You could have at least warned me.” I was pacing and panting and the light headedness got worse. “Are you even aware of the relationships that you might be ruining? No. You can't be, because that would mean that you would actually think about someone other than yourself. Oh my God, what have you done? What have you done?” Tears streamed down my face. I finally stopped pacing to get another grip on the railing of the balcony.
Ashley was silent and unmoving. If I closed my eyes it was almost like he wasn’t even there. “I’m sorry.”
I looked at him and his face was blank, neutral. “I’m sorry for yelling.”
“Yes well, I think you had every right to. I can't quite get over the fact that you are the most human in Vildikom.” He approached me and I backed up. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
“No, but if you touch me I’ll forget why I’m mad.”
“Then there will be no touching.” The air whipped around us and the moment became awkward. “Esther, you must understand that I did this because it was the best for me…for you…for Vildikom. I cannot apologize enough for not asking your permission. I wanted it to be a pleasant surprise; a gift from me to you.”
“I can see it as a gift, Ashley. I can see it that way because I know you…probably better than I should. However, Patricia won't see it that way.”
He touched me and my mind immediately went white. I went to him willingly and he held me. It was like being wrapped in the physical embodiment of peace. “Let me handle Patricia, yes? I’m sure she will see my vision like you do.”
I looked up at him, his beauty robbing my lungs of air. “You’re wrong…I don’t see your vision.”
“But you will, my love, you will. Tonight, I have intentions of sharing my most sacred secrets and thoughts with you. I believe it is another gift I have need to give.”
“Ashley.” We turned to see Patricia staring at us from just inside the dining room. “The houses are waiting, they’re growing impatient.”
“Of course.” He looked at me. “You’ll be sleeping my quarters tonight, I have you’re evening wear already laid out on my bed.” He left me on the balcony. “Come back in when you’re ready.” He called back.
He disappeared that left me and Patricia alone together. She stared at me and I stared back. “Are you intending to try and trance and make me jump off the balcony?” I asked smartly.
A small smile graced her pink painted lips. “There’s no guarantee that you’ll die from that.”
“Patricia, I didn’t ask for this.”
“I know, the look on your face when he announced was proof enough.”
“So how can you be mad if I didn’t want this?”
“Its easy, I think about how close Ashley and I used to be before you came into the picture and I get mad. Then, I multiply that by as many numbers as possible until I’m dizzy.”
“So what do you intend to do?”
“I’m not going to kill you, because Ashley would kill me. But, you’ll be damned if you think I won't get you back for this.” She disappeared into the dining hall and I was left all alone on the balcony to think.
“She’s a devilish one, isn’t she?”
I turned to see a man standing the in the shadow of the moon, his eyes glowing. “I don’t remember any Lycan parties on the guest list.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
He came towards me. “Esther, are you trying to say you don’t remember me? We had some pretty good times you and I. We were in love, and even when you tried to kill me I loved you.”
I took a step back. “No.” I whispered.
“I’m afraid so, cherie.”
My worst fears were confirmed when Andrew Gallian, my ex boyfriend, leader of the House of Ortega, stepped into plain view. “You!”
“Yes, ma petit; Ortega wants their whores back.”
Anime/Manga: Fan Fiction | Genre(s): / Romance / Fantasy / Adventure | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 08.07.2006 | Updated On: 08.07.2006 | Pages: 2 | Words: 3.0K | Visits: 111 | Status: Work In Progress
I escorted by Anthony, but the Hounds of Death saw us in as well. I felt weird, it was one thing to walk around in a mini skirt, but to look elegant in front of them was degrading to me on so many levels.
“That's a very lovely dress.” Cleaver mumbled.
“What's wrong with you?” I asked.
“You still haven't caught on, have you?” Roslyn asked.
“We've known about it for a while now and you still don't know?” Cleaver looked at me like he didn't know who I was.
I looked at everyone. Anthony held a peaceful face, Roslyn tried look nonchalant but so far she just look confused, and Cleaver, his face was priceless. It was a cross between being shot groin and being constipated. “Will someone please explain?” I asked.
Anthony squeezed my hand. “You'll know soon enough.”
I sighed defeatedly, if I couldn't bitch about my own damned ignorance I would bitch about something else. “Where are Malick and Patricia?”
“Patricia is greeting the houses with Ashley, and Malick-”
“Is right here.”
He stood at the doorway of the dining hall, and I could feel the sun radiating from his skin, my own flesh itched and tingled as a reaction. He came towards me and the minute we touched we kissed. I tried to drink him in like I had been in a desert and he was the only water. When I came up for air I noticed I had everyone in the hallway staring at us. Even Anthony's jaw had dropped.
“I taste blood.” Malick whispered. “You couldn't have waited for me?”
“Later?” I asked.
He opened the doors to the dining area. “Call me crazy, but I have a feeling that after tonight you and I won't be that close anymore.” I wanted to comment, but Anthony was tugging me into the room. I watched the Hounds of Death pan out, securing the entrances, exits, and windows; in a way I jealous that I wouldn't be joining them tonight.
“There she is.” Ashley came through the crowd, moving like the wind itself. He made things inside me ache, and for a split moment I had to squeeze my thighs together to stop the throb. He came to me and kissed me slow and passionately. My knees gave in and for a second he was the only thing holding me up.
“You've fed.” He whispered. “I can feel it in you.”
“Thank you for recommending Anthony.” Wait…was that flirting?
“You'll be using a lot more from this night on.” He hooked his arm through mine. “Come, let us greet our guests.”
A girl and a boy, both looking in there mid-teens, approached us. “She is exquisite.” The boy said.
“Esther, may I introduce Ferno and Dahalina. They are the heads of the House of Al Deidre.”
I nodded me head at them.
“Esther is quite a lovely name.” Ferno took my hand in his and brought it to his lips. A string of power surged through me and I tightened my hold on Ashley to keep from falling.
“Forgive my husband,” Dahalina whispered, bringing her wine glass to her lips. “There are times when he can't contain himself when in the presence of a beautiful woman. And I must say, I have lived for centuries and I have yet to meet a woman of your skin tone to be as beautiful as you.”
“If you'll excuse us.” Ashley pulled me away. “I must apologize for Dahalina. She and Ferno have been having troubles for more than 100 years. Some believe that he is going to replace her with someone younger.”
“How old are they?”
“They are pure bloods, but they stopped aging at 13 and 15, Ferno being the older. Some believe that it is a curse from God, others in the field of medicine know that it is a genetic birth defect called Malignia Infinitum. I believe that it is worse than creating a vampiric child.”
The next heads of houses we met were Xion and Bartholomew. They were the definition of eye candy. Xion, who I am guessing was the older, stood at 5'11” with ankle length straight white hair and turquoise eyes. He wasn't lean or fat or muscular, if anything he had the most normal looking body I'd ever seen. It made me wonder, I wasn't sure if he wasn't using mind tricks at all, or if he was using them to make himself look normal. His partner, Bartholomew was younger, at least his body was. He looked like he was in his teens…his late teens. He had the same look of Anthony almost. He was shorter than Xion by a couple of inches, but he seemed more beautiful than Xion…more ethereal. His jet black hair was swept back in a military ponytail, the exception being that the ponytail was actually a thick braid trailing down to his ankles. His eyes were light blue, so white that they almost seemed white. He looked me over with a stiff gaze, his shoulders set so stiff that it actually made my back hurt.
“What has the cat dragged in?” Xion squealed excitedly. “My, my, my, Ashley Kastilovik Munroe you have certainly outdone yourself.” Xion took my hand and brought it to his mouth.
“Forgive him,” Bartholomew uttered in the deepest baritone I'd ever heard. “But far be it from me to say that you're beauty is surpassing of exquisite.”
“Thank you.” I drew my hand back into my own personal space. “So you two are…”
“Lovers.” Bartholomew answered bleakly. “He's stuck to me and I can't seem to get rid of him.”
Xion laughed and I shivered. “He's joking.” He turned his attention to Ashley. “You must let us sample her, Munroe.”
“That is her decision.” Ashley shrugged. “I would be more than willing to share her with you, as you two are my oldest and most trusted friends.”
I looked back and forth between the three. “Why are you all talking about me like I'm not here.”
They all looked at me and laughed, Bartholomew being the exception. “For give us, my love.” Ashley said between laughs. “It's my fault; I have yet to explain to you how things work in the Vampiric world.”
“Well do so as soon as possible, Munroe.” Xion seemed too excited about something that I wasn't getting. “I want her to be able to choose freely.”
“Yes, well, tonight I intend to explain all to her.” Ashley took my hand and guided me away. “If you'll excuse us, gentlemen.”
I snatched away from Ashley and he turned to look at me like I was insane. “You are really pissing me off!” I yelled. “Now tell me what's going on!”
He yanked me by the arm, dragging me behind him like a rag doll. We moved atop the platform and he stood in front of the microphone. “Everyone if I could have your attention, please?”
Everyone in the room turned to him.
“Words cannot express how delighted I am that you all would come to this gathering. It means a lot to me to know how many friends and allies I have.” He pulled me close to him, his arm steel tight around my waist. “And now, for the reason you've all come to my humble abode. I present to the second of the House of Vildikom, my lover, Esther Munroe.”
I froze as everyone clapped and, thought I didn't want to, my eyes sought out Patricia. She sat at the piano, clad in black from her head to her toes. Our eyes met and the minute they did I knew I was in deep shit. She looked at coldly, her face totally contorted from doll to demon. Her body, rigid and taunt, spoke to me as though aloud. She wanted to kill me, and if she had her way, she would. No matter how long it would take, no matter how low she'd have to stoop, she'd pay me back for this.
Ashley hugged me and I tried to hug him back, but everything seemed to be numb. “Darling, are you alright?” He asked.
“I-I need…I need air.” I felt like I was dying, and every time I took a breath it went no where. It was like air and my lungs were having a battle and air was winning. Ashley led me out onto one of the balconies and the cold air hit me like a rush. I took as many deep breaths as possible; so many that I was light headed.
“Are you trying to kill yourself?” Ashley asked.
I wanted to smack that smug grin off his face. “There's no need for that, your dear Patricia will do it for me.” I clung to the railing for dear life, and when Ashley came over to touch I put on hand up. “If you touch me I'll hit you.”
“I don't understand…why are you mad?”
“Why am I mad?” I could feel hysterics coming on and, try as I may, there was no way to stop it. “WHY AM I MAD? Ashley, are you even aware that Patricia has wanted to be your second since she came to this house?”
He tried to answer but I didn't want to hear it.
“You could have asked me…and I know that's asking a bit much….You could have at least warned me.” I was pacing and panting and the light headedness got worse. “Are you even aware of the relationships that you might be ruining? No. You can't be, because that would mean that you would actually think about someone other than yourself. Oh my God, what have you done? What have you done?” Tears streamed down my face. I finally stopped pacing to get another grip on the railing of the balcony.
Ashley was silent and unmoving. If I closed my eyes it was almost like he wasn't even there. “I'm sorry.”
I looked at him and his face was blank, neutral. “I'm sorry for yelling.”
“Yes well, I think you had every right to. I can't quite get over the fact that you are the most human in Vildikom.” He approached me and I backed up. “I'm not going to hurt you.”
“No, but if you touch me I'll forget why I'm mad.”
“Then there will be no touching.” The air whipped around us and the moment became awkward. “Esther, you must understand that I did this because it was the best for me…for you…for Vildikom. I cannot apologize enough for not asking your permission. I wanted it to be a pleasant surprise; a gift from me to you.”
“I can see it as a gift, Ashley. I can see it that way because I know you…probably better than I should. However, Patricia won't see it that way.”
He touched me and my mind immediately went white. I went to him willingly and he held me. It was like being wrapped in the physical embodiment of peace. “Let me handle Patricia, yes? I'm sure she will see my vision like you do.”
I looked up at him, his beauty robbing my lungs of air. “You're wrong…I don't see your vision.”
“But you will, my love, you will. Tonight, I have intentions of sharing my most sacred secrets and thoughts with you. I believe it is another gift I have need to give.”
“Ashley.” We turned to see Patricia staring at us from just inside the dining room. “The houses are waiting, they're growing impatient.”
“Of course.” He looked at me. “You'll be sleeping my quarters tonight, I have you're evening wear already laid out on my bed.” He left me on the balcony. “Come back in when you're ready.” He called back.
He disappeared that left me and Patricia alone together. She stared at me and I stared back. “Are you intending to try and trance and make me jump off the balcony?” I asked smartly.
A small smile graced her pink painted lips. “There's no guarantee that you'll die from that.”
“Patricia, I didn't ask for this.”
“I know, the look on your face when he announced was proof enough.”
“So how can you be mad if I didn't want this?”
“Its easy, I think about how close Ashley and I used to be before you came into the picture and I get mad. Then, I multiply that by as many numbers as possible until I'm dizzy.”
“So what do you intend to do?”
“I'm not going to kill you, because Ashley would kill me. But, you'll be damned if you think I won't get you back for this.” She disappeared into the dining hall and I was left all alone on the balcony to think.
“She's a devilish one, isn't she?”
I turned to see a man standing the in the shadow of the moon, his eyes glowing. “I don't remember any Lycan parties on the guest list.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
He came towards me. “Esther, are you trying to say you don't remember me? We had some pretty good times you and I. We were in love, and even when you tried to kill me I loved you.”
I took a step back. “No.” I whispered.
“I'm afraid so, cherie.”
My worst fears were confirmed when Andrew Gallian, my ex boyfriend, leader of the House of Ortega, stepped into plain view. “You!”
“Yes, ma petit; Ortega wants their whores back.”