“I’m sorry,” Kate said and then we all started to laugh again.
“I haven’t laughed like that in so long,” I said as we got into the house.
“It does feel good. I feel like a teenager again,” Letta added.
“Well that’s what you are,” I said. “It’s just that we never get to act like it anymore.”
“Allwain, the girls are back,” Sarah called as she came into the hallway and placed a fresh bouquet of flowers on the hall table.
“He wants to see all of you in the back parlor. I think your lessons on how to use the magic of the rooms is about to begin,” she said with a wink.
“I see,” I said pretending to be very serious now. “Well, we will head right back there then.”
“This is serious you know.” We heard from the back.
“Here we are.”
Lorelei, Ling, Luna, Ava and Amparah were already seated.
“I just wanted to tell you a few things before tonight. This entire thing works on voice or thought command. The three of us have taken great care so that only the ones in this room and Sarah can use it. The doors from this house to the next can be locked using the same magic. I want you to go with us now for a tour.”
We followed Allwain and Tao down the hall to the front parlor as he showed the others what I had already seen. I helped Sarah carry in vases of flowers.
“I know they could have conjured these, but I think using local vendors is important.”
“You are absolutely right, Sarah. That’s how you make friends in the area.”
Once everyone had oohed and ahhed enough over the ballroom, we moved to each of the special client retreats.
“Now, each room works the same way. You can change the details to match the client’s wishes. You can also ask for food and drink. To keep these things secret each of you must be very discrete. I know you have each been practicing the memory insertion. Are there any questions?”
“We can insert a memory that will make it seem real?”
“Yes, once it’s there it will be permanent, be very careful. Less is more in this case. Subtle soft memories will do the best. Hopefully you won’t have to do this very long. Girls, I don’t know how you continue to come up with these ideas,” he said shaking his head.
We had fun playing with the magical rooms for a while before Allwain shooed us back to our side of the building so that he could finish preparations.
“The front table here will be to register guests. Jonathan will handle that, with Gruen not far away,” he said as we got to that area. “Jonathan will check the invitation and give them a boutonniere. Different color roses will be used. Meil will get a red one, Auguste’s’ will be white. The other Arnaunt brothers will get light purple ones.”
“Good that will help us keep them apart,” Kate said. “We don’t all have Suzette’s sense of smell.”
“That’s right. Now I have a few last minute things to take care of. You can ask Sarah if she needs some help if you like, but my guess is that you will just be in her way. Rest up, you have to be at your best tonight.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
W
e took Allwain’s advice and went to our rooms to rest, before having a light dinner.
“I am really getting nervous now,” El said. “How am I going to convince anyone that I am a ‘woman of the evening’?”
“It’s not you El, it’s Ava. This is all acting. Have fun with it,” Rosa said.
“Remember, the whole point of this is to find out what’s really going on. Those who are hold positions in the government, human or otherwise, need to tell us what they know, without knowing that they are doing so. The vampires are another thing. It won’t be as easy, but we have to know more about their plans,” I said.
“If nothing else we have to find out just how powerful they are and how to counteract that power,” Allwain added.
“Charmaine said that there is dissent amongst the Belnovus, isn’t that right Charmaine?”
“Yes, they are starting to mistrust the Noctu leadership. If we make a move now before Meil turns them, we may have a chance to simply disperse them.”
“That would be fantastic. We’ve only seen male Belnovus, is that what you are feeling too, Charmaine?” Luna said.
“Yes, females are much harder to control. That’s why not many of us were made. I really think we were supposed to be breeding stock. I’m glad I got out before they got a chance to use me for that.”
“We are too,” I said. “Is there anything else we need to discuss?”
“Tao, Nira and I will be watching. Elite guard will be close as will extra Watchers and a few other supporters who have been given invitations.”
“We have two hours to get ready, so I think we better get started,” I said as we all stood to leave.
“Everyone needs to be ready early so you can get into place in the balcony for your grand entrance. I’ll see you then,” Allwain said
“You have something up your sleeve, don’t you,” I whispered to Allwain as he walked me out.
“So do you.”
I took a long bubble bath and as I soaked, I wondered what Quinn was doing right now. I wished I could talk to him the way I talked to Damien. Speaking of Damien, what was he up to? I hadn’t spoken to either Cain or him in two days.
“
Damien?”
“I’m here. Are you all ready for tonight?”
“I wasn’t even sure you were still coming. What’s going on?”
“I’ll talk to you about that tomorrow. Tonight there is too much on the line to think about anything else. Is there something you need us to do?”
“Not that I can think of. I wanted to tell you that Meil will be wearing a red rose, Auguste a white one. The other brothers will have light purple roses on their lapel. Everyone else will be given other colors. I just thought you should know.”
“Thank you, I’ll be there soon. Katrina I…”
“Good, see you then.”
I got out of the bath then and wrapped myself in a warm towel. I had to look perfect tonight. The gowns we had chosen were all in various shades of red. Mine was a deep blood red, off the shoulder gown in shimmering silk taffeta. The rubies worn at my neck and ears perfectly matched the gown and completed the ensemble.
Once dressed, the mirror reflected Suzette’s stacked deep red curls, blue eyes and porcelain skin. She looked as stunning as I thought she would.
“I was just coming in to help you. Oh, you look just amazing,” Sarah said. “Allwain and Tao sent scents up for each of you. The new pheromones came with Ling and Luna.”
She handed me a small, but beautifully blown glass bottle. I removed the stopper. With my gift of scent they had to make it very subtle. I placed a small amount between my breasts, and rubbed the rest onto my wrists.
“You could make an awful lot of money in this business if you were inclined to,” Sarah admitted wryly.
“Well thank you, but I am
not inclined to
. I need to look the part and Suzette, and you certainly do,” I said to my reflection. “Now for the mask.”
I had chosen a mask in the shape of a cat. It fit like a second skin, its blood-red and jet-black feathers framing my face, and draping like fur from the edges.
“It’s wonderful, very seductive. An excellent choice,” Sarah said. “Here are your slippers.”
I lifted my skirts and Sarah slipped on first one and then the other and I was finally ready. I took a long, slow, deep breath in and out and closed my eyes. “Show me something, anything that will help,” I pleaded.
I saw the party in my mind. The ballroom was full of masked people. I seemed to be in the center looking out. I noticed a man circling the room outside of everyone else. His mask was black, but his eyes were teal, the same teal colored eyes of the Dark Prince. The man stopped and I was pulled in his direction. As I got closer his eyes changed from teal to a warm, light brown color, then I noticed his boutonniere, it was red.
I had no idea what that meant, but it couldn’t be good.
“I’m as ready as I’m going to get. How about everyone else?”
“You are the last one. You are all stunning. Well, I’ll give you a minute, and see you down stairs.”
She smiled and gave me a hug before leaving me alone with my thoughts. “All right, think seductress, and let’s hope this works.”
I left my room and became ‘Madam’ Suzette, the persona becoming stronger with each and every step. She was confident, seductive and all business; armed with charm and filled with passion. I could do this.
As I got to the stairs I noticed that there was a man waiting at the balustrade, his back turned towards me, his left arm held behind his back.
He turned when he heard me start to descend. A black mask covered half of his face. In full formal wear Damien was simply delicious.
“Why, Monsieur Daminov, how nice to see you again,” I said offering my hand as I reached the bottom of the stairs.
“Suzette, you look absolutely ravishing tonight. I came early so that I could escort you.”
“I see. That was very thoughtful of you, thank you. What have you been up to since I saw you last.”
“It’s nothing that we need to speak of this evening, but something that will need to be addressed very soon.”
“I see. Shall we join the others then?”
Damien bowed and offered his arm and we proceeded to front parlor. I was truly Suzette now, in all her glory.
Guests had not yet arrived, but would be here any time now.
I used my mind to open the pocket doors and then re-locked them behind us.
Liridon, Gruen and Alex were standing in the parlor waiting for us.
“All of you look very handsome tonight. Is there anything that I need to know?”
“Yanna is out patrolling. She has scented other shape-shifters and Were in the area. It’s making her very nervous,” Liridon said.
“Elite guard and Watchers are in place both inside and outside as requested,” Alex added.
“Thank you. Gruen, you look quite uncomfortable. Do you have anything to add?”
“I still feel strange and uneasy. I do like the image of myself in this finery. I can tell there are several other grendal close by. I will be glad when this night is over.”
“I agree. I want to go speak with the girls. Let’s continue on.”
“Jonathon, is everything in order?”
“Yes, Mademoiselle. Gruen will be at the door. I will check the invitations and give each a flower with instructions that it is not to be removed until they leave.
They then will be offered champagne and escorted to the ballroom by someone very special.”
He turned and looked behind me causing us to look too.
“Marcella!”
“Would you like some champagne, Mademoiselle?” she said, dressed in a black and white, quite short server uniform, making Damien smile and then frown.
“I’m old enough to help,” she insisted, “Nearly seventeen.”
“Yes, ancient by all accounts,” Damien teased.
“I’ll be giving each guest a drink and then, if you will follow me, I will show them in to the ball room. If they wish something to eat first, we will be providing endless choices of food in this side room. Please notice the small tables arranged around the perimeter. They are spaced perfectly to encourage intimate conversations.”