“What are you two doing in my room?” Danika sat on her bed, exhausted, her head pounding. Mason half-sat, half-lay on the small couch, dwarfing it.
William, on the other hand, sat in a chair with an ottoman propping up his feet, covered in a blanket. The scene was odd and disturbing. She didn’t like others in her sleep space; it made her feel vulnerable.
At the sound of her voice, both men stirred. William looked as tired as she felt, but Mason was alert and he moved over to her.
“I asked what you’re both doing in here,” she said.
“How are you feeling?”
“Answer my question.” Her voice rose with increased agitation.
Mason stared at her for a minute, then shrugged. “We were here in case you needed anything.”
“Why would I need you to sleep in my room? If I needed you, I’d call. What’s going on?” She looked between the two men and an uneasiness settled over her. Something had happened that wasn’t going to make her very happy.
William rose from his chair stiffly and folded his blanket. “You passed out on the stairs last evening; don’t you remember?”
“Passed out? Vampires don’t pass out.”
“You needed blood. So we brought you here and fed you, then let you rest. You slept most of yesterday evening and all day today.”
“I’ve fed more than enough.”
“You needed pure human blood,” Mason said in a low voice.
His words sank in. She’d definitely had enough of his blood to— Mason’s blood. It was doing something to her.
“I think I’ll excuse myself now to get ready for the celebration, if that is all right with you, my lord,” said William.
“The celebration, holy— Yes, go, William. I’ll be along shortly.”
William bowed and let himself out. Mason hadn’t taken his eyes off her for an instant since she’d awoken.
“So how are you really feeling?” he pressed.
“I’m tired.” She rubbed her neck and shoulders, rolling them to release tension. “And sore.”
“But you don’t feel any different?” His eyes probed her for information.
“Different how? How am I supposed to know what I’m looking for if I don’t even know what is wrong with me?”
Mason rose from the bed and grabbed his dress shirt off the end of the sofa. “You’re right back to your cheery self. You should get ready.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Now you think you can tell me what to do?”
“I would never presume to think that anyone could tell you what to do, Danika.”
“Well you sure do. For a human slave, you have a lot to learn about what your place is.”
Mason stared at her, his face an impassive mask. She pressed her fingers into her temples. She hadn’t had a headache like this since her drinking days in college. The pain throbbed through her like a drum. She couldn’t concentrate, or be civil when she felt this way. It was why she’d given up drinking in the first place.
“If anyone asks you about yesterday, say that you were otherwise engaged,” Mason said. “William took care of everything with the slaves and the house for preparations while I kept you here in the room.”
“So no one even noticed I was missing? No one came looking for me?”
“Chase came, but I handled it. He wanted you to call him on his cell, but that wasn’t an option.”
“You said you fed me.”
“We had Matthew brought up.”
“So he knows that something was wrong with me.” She ran her fingers through her hair.
“I made sure he wouldn’t say anything.”
“You didn’t hurt him, did you?” For as much as Matthew was an indulgence, she still didn’t want anything to happen to him.
Mason tightened his jaw. “He’ll live.”
“Mason, I didn’t mean to imply—”
“You should get ready. Your guests will be arriving within the hour, I believe.” He bowed to her and turned to go.
“Mason.” She tried to find words. “Thank you for taking care of me.”
“That’s what I am here for isn’t it?”
As she watched him close the door, the guilt of her words gave way to anger. Why the hell did she care so much about what he thought? He was a slave, and nothing more. He couldn’t be anything more. Tonight was an important night for her. She needed to keep it together. She rubbed her temples again. The pounding subsided somewhat, but it was still there.
She wracked her brain for memories of the previous night, trying to remember something, anything about what happened. The stairs flashed into her mind and Mason being near her. Someone stroked her face and hair and held her.
She rubbed her face. There was much to do and so little time. She’d missed all of last night, and she didn’t even know if the house was presentable yet. She pushed off her covers and swung her legs out of bed. What the— She wore a pair of sweatpants and a Yale T-shirt. She knew where they’d come from, but she’d never worn them in her life! William. He was the only person who’d think that a T-shirt and sweats would be the most comfortable thing to wear to bed. After all, that’s what he wore. She sighed. He was sweet; not very fashion conscious, but sweet.
She rose from the bed and tested her weight. Her limbs ached, but they held. Reaching in, she turned on the shower. While it warmed, she stripped off her clothes and then grabbed for a towel. She stopped. One towel had been used, and wasn’t hung properly. She whipped the used one off the rack, and sniffed it. Mason. She breathed in his scent, musky and warm. Her mouth salivated and her gums ached.
Wait! When had he been showering in her bathroom? Her mind was a blur of images. She wiggled her toes and dropped her gaze to the rug on the bathroom floor. She got the distinct feeling that she’d lain on the rug last night.
A knock on the outer door brought Danika out of her reverie. She needed to move.
* * * *
Danika slipped into a black, silky long gown with a cutout back. The front plunged low, and it hugged her curves. Then she slipped on her heels, put on a black choker and long red chandelier earrings, and called it quits. There was no time to do more. Looking around, she found her room a mess. She needed to have someone come up and clean her room the next evening.
Danika opened the door, and ran smack into Mason. His hand was raised and he’d been about to knock. He looked delicious. He’d pulled his hair back into a low ponytail, and he wore a black shirt with a black vest and pants. He smelled like fresh soap and the same musky scent that she’d smelled in her bathroom. She cleared her throat to cover up a moan of desire that escaped her.
“Feeling better?” he asked.
“Yes, thank you.” Her voice was hoarse and throaty.
“You look...beautiful.” He reached toward her and then put his hands in his pockets. “We should go downstairs; the guests will be here soon.”
“Yes.” She shook her head to remove the fog that was Mason. If anyone got even the slightest idea that she had feelings for him...
He stepped aside with a grand gesture of his hand and let her walk ahead of him. The warmth of his body flowed into her as she knocked on William’s door.
“He’s already downstairs taking care of things,” said Mason.
Danika nodded and continued down the hall. Everything sparkled and shone. There were red and white roses in tall crystal vases on every table in the front hallway. The stairs had a red carpet rolled down them, and another led straight to the entrance. The lit candelabras gave everything a warm, sweet glow. Danika smelled Gino’s cooking coming from the kitchen, and heard the slaves working.
A female rushed into the front hall and up the stairs. She stopped short when she spotted Danika, stepped to the side, and bowed. Danika lifted the hem of her dress and started down. Mason was at her side in an instant; his strong arm out so she could take it. Just then the doorbell rang. Another slave ran into the hall, dressed in a black skirt with a white shirt. Her heels clicked on the tile floor as she crossed to the door. The slave opened it, then bowed and moved aside.
Danika took Mason’s arm and continued down the stairs. Her stomach twisted in knots, but she put on her best polite smile and continued toward her guests. As they exchanged pleasantries, her guests stole glances at Mason. His unease was palpable, so she turned to him. “Mason, would you go find William for me please?”
“As you wish, my lord.” He bowed and then strode toward the kitchen.
“Please, everyone come in and feel free to show yourselves to the atrium. We’ll be having cocktails in there first.” Danika pointed to the left.
As more guests arrived, Danika greeted them and showed them to the atrium. Mason headed her way minutes later, followed by William and a couple house slaves.
William looked confident and in charge as he strode to Danika. He took her arm. “My lord, I apologize for my tardiness. I was taking care of the kitchen.”
“Thank you, William.” She tried not to let her stunned feelings show. She smiled up at him and glanced at Mason over her shoulder. Mason stood far enough away that she wasn’t touching him.
William motioned to the two house slaves behind him. “My lord, you should be at your party, not here opening the door. Shall we go in?”
William had grown in the last twenty-four hours. The house slaves listened to him; he was gracious and diplomatic. She almost didn’t recognize him. Danika cleared her throat. “Yes William, of course.” Then she smiled and motioned for Mason to follow.
The atrium was even more glorious than the front hall. Candelabras were all around the room. Waiters and waitresses milled around with trays of Gino’s hors d’oeuvres. Savor flowed from a fountain in the corner.
She stiffened slightly as they entered, remembering the last time she’d been in the atrium. Danika had a moment of apprehension, but William smiled at her and Mason stood at her back. Taking a deep breath, she stepped over the threshold.
* * * *
At midnight, Danika walked with William and Mason to a small platform at the front of the atrium. Two beautiful, huge vases of long-stemmed roses flanked it. Her parents used to throw elaborate parties of their own. Stepping onto the platform, she gathered her nerve, remembering the last time she’d stood there. William gave her arm a reassuring squeeze.
When she had everyone’s attention, Danika motioned a blood slave forward.
“Family, friends. I’ve gathered you all here tonight to bring forth the newest member of our society. This is William Baker. I present him here and now to you, for your approval and fellowship.” Danika took William by the arm and ushered him forward a few steps to the edge of the platform. He stood with all eyes upon him, watching him, judging him.
The door to the atrium swung inward and Chase entered, followed by four men. She hadn’t noticed his absence until that moment. When she saw the first three, her heart almost stopped. What were they doing here?
Danika’s skin prickled and a bead of sweat ran down her spine. This was bad; if they were here, it was bad. The men moved aside, apparently wanting her to continue.
“Yes, anyway,” she began again. Mason moved closer. “I now have presented William and ask if there’s anyone who objects to his being welcomed into my coven, or if there’s anyone else who’d like to offer him safe haven in their house and be his mentor through his transition period.” She waited, but no one spoke. “Then I seal my welcoming into our coven with the sharing of blood with my new fledgling.”
Danika motioned to the house slave. The girl stood between Danika and William. Danika pulled the girl closer and bent her neck to the side. She bit down. The sweet, light blood slid down her throat. But it wasn’t what she wanted; it wasn’t hot enough. She turned the girl to William, whose bright fangs gleamed in the candlelight. His eyes alight with anticipation of the feed. She smiled at him and nodded. He pulled the girl to him and sunk his teeth deep into her neck. He drew from her hungrily. The girl wrapped her arm around his neck. Danika let him feed for another minute before putting her hand on William’s shoulder.
“That’s enough, William,” she said in a gentle voice. His eyes popped open and she coaxed the girl from his arms. Danika sealed the wounds with her saliva and then handed the drowsy female off.
“It is now sealed and accepted. William Baker is my fledgling and a member of my coven. To go against him is to go against me. Where he trespasses, I trespass also. Let it be so.” She pressed her palms together and gave a slight bow to the crowd, and then to William.
The crowd repeated her chant. “Let it be so.” They bowed to her and William in turn.
“Welcome, William Baker of the Chicago coven,” Danika said.
“Welcome, William.” The crowd erupted into a round of applause.
Danika turned to William. He smiled and took her hand. She returned his smile. “Before we adjourn for dinner I would like to welcome a few most honored guests. I was unaware they would be joining us, but it seems that our three kings have found time in their busy schedules to come for our celebration. I welcome them into our city and into my home.” Danika smiled and gestured to the back of the room. Every head turned. As they did, her smile dropped. Immediately the murmurs began. Everyone was wondering the same thing she was. What the hell were they doing here?
The three kings walked through the parting crowd. Chase stayed behind with the fourth man she couldn’t make out. The kings were dressed in the finest of Italian suits, each a different color. Sherman, the king who resided on the East coast, was first. Tall and thin with white hair pulled into a ponytail, he had light brown eyes and deep wrinkles in his face. He was dressed in a conservative navy blue suit with a light tie. He walked past the crowd, speaking to no one, his sights on Danika.
Melton followed Sherman. Short and on the wide side, his gray pinstriped suit made him look like an old-school mob boss. His round face and beady eyes were dark as his jet black, slicked-back hair. He smiled politely to everyone, but didn’t speak. Melton was the king with whom Danika dealt, since he was over the mid-west territory of the United States. He nodded to her and gave a tight smile as he passed and joined Sherman on the platform.
It was Vinton who came last, the youngest of the three kings. He lived in California and he looked it, with his shaggy blond hair and gray, stormy eyes. He had a kind and boyish face, though he was over three hundred years old. When the three men were on the platform, Sherman stepped forward to speak.
“We thank Lord Danika for allowing us to join you. We would also like to welcome William Baker into our society, and we wish him well in his transition period. We are glad there is such a happy occasion in this Coven House today. We hope this is a sign of many great things to come. We’ve heard there’s to be a new baby born, as well. We send out our great happiness to the parents, and wish Sinya a speedy and healthy pregnancy and birth. But we do not wish to interrupt this great celebration, so why don’t we adjourn to dinner? Lord Danika, if you would lead the way, please,” he finished, motioning for her to move forward.
Danika bowed, and with William leading her out, she held her head high and walked the long stretch through the crowd out to the front hallway. She noticed no one as she passed. At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to be done with dinner, to find out what the three kings wanted, and to get them out of her house.
She stopped on the opposite side of the entrance, near the dining hall. William held a tight smile on his face. Mason stood on her other side, wearing a look of rage. She didn’t know what had set him off, but he stretched his neck several times and clenched and unclenched his fists.
Mason took a step behind her with his back to the door as her guests approached. Her body shook so hard she feared she might fall to the ground. William’s grip tightened on her arm, holding her up. A hot hand touched the bare skin of her spine. It warmed and relaxed her.
When the first group of couples met them to welcome William, Danika took the opportunity to step back, getting closer to Mason. She needed his strength. Groups came and welcomed William, clapping him on the shoulder as they passed. The rise and fall of Mason’s chest soothed her somewhat.
The last of the guests approached when the three kings exited the atrium, talking with Chase and another man. The group waited in line behind the others. The nearer they got the more pronounced Mason’s fidgeting became. She shifted her weight and rested her hand by her side. It was then that she saw why he was so upset. She grabbed the leg of his pants. He whispered something in her ear, but she couldn’t focus long enough to understand it.
She had to keep it together. No matter what happened, she had to appear in control. Her mouth went dry and she pushed at her hair. When they reached Danika and William, she tried to stop staring.
The kings stepped forward. “Thank you for welcoming us, Lord Danika. We’re glad we were able to be here. Hopefully we can speak after everyone has retired from the festivities,” said Sherman.
“As you wish.” She gave a slight bow and smile.
They all, in turn, welcomed William, who smiled and thanked them for coming. He held his own better than she did. As Vinton was saying his welcomes, Chase stepped up with the guest whom she dreaded.
“Welcome, William.” Chase didn’t smile. He turned his attention to Danika. “I see that Mason likes to keep you close.” Chase glared at her.
“He takes his job very seriously, Uncle. Having this many people around, even in our home, tends to make him nervous.”
Chase turned and motioned the other man to step forward. “Lord Danika, may I introduce—”
“Lord Garon. We’ve met before. I wasn’t aware that news of our small celebration had reached all the way to Las Vegas.” She did not extend her hand to him.
“I know a great deal about what goes on here in Chicago,” Garon replied. “But those are not items for discussing whilst you have guests.”
“Lord Garon, you are welcome to join us for dinner. But afterward, I would ask that you make your leave. I have no business with you, and Chicago coven business is Chicago coven business.” A note of anger rose in her voice and she had to remind herself again to remain calm. Without another word she turned to William, took his arm, and with Mason close behind, she walked to the head table and sat between William and Vinton. It took everything she had to stop her hands from shaking when her soup arrived. This was worse than she could’ve imagined.