Shannon pulled up to the mansion. It was surreal every time she did. This was really the place she was staying. A butler came out and opened the driver’s side door for her. “Thank you,” she said meekly.
“Master has company this evening. He wishes you to clean up and join him expeditiously,” the stiff man stated as she handed over the car keys.
“Uh oh,” she said softly as she pushed her purse up on her shoulder. She could hear people in the den as she entered the foyer. She tried to be invisible as she rushed upstairs to her room. The silence was a relief when she was sure she was alone. It had been a long day and she didn’t want to deal with people. Yet it seemed she didn’t have much of a choice. She slipped into the bathroom and stripped down. The shower helped washed away the long day’s work and stress. Did she really have to deal with people?
She nearly screamed as she came out of the bathroom, intent on the walk in closet for clothing. Wrapped in nothing but a towel she found her father sitting in the lounge chair by the door. He was dressed sharply in a suit and tie. His hair was freshly trimmed. Yet his eyes bore into her with annoyance. “You are late.”
“I am,” she admitted. “My relief didn’t show so I had to wait until another could be found.” she slipped into the walk in closet and pulled out some black leggings and another long shirt. “If I knew there would be company I would have pushed to leave sooner instead of just waiting.”
“Would you really?”
She poked her head out of the closet and looked at him. “Do you just expect me to rebel on everything?”
“Yes.”
She couldn’t help but smile as she slipped the dress over her head and put on a belt over it. She took a moment to select some pearls as a long necklace to go with it. Finally she came out s she brushed her hair. “Well, I assume that if you have people over and want me there that it’s something to do with being happy with my position before you leave. This may amaze you but I’m not against that.” She sat down as she continued to brush. “I’m just trying to balance this new life with the one I already have.”
He nodded silently and looked slightly mollified. “These are the major movers and shakers of the local region. These are people you should know.”
“Okay,” she said. “And I should know them because I am your heir?”
“You should know them because you are nobility.”
She finished brushing and pulled her hair up into a high pony tail. Her frizzy hair puffed out a bit, causing it to frame her face. “I’m still not entirely sure what I am supposed to do, but figure if I’m ‘feeding’ as Zaru called it, I am at least getting a decent start.”
“Being open minded about it is helping,” he said. “You will need an entourage as well.”
“Why?”
“Safety among other things.”
“Do you? Does Damien?”
“Damien hired dozens of lesser demons, so do most of these men,” Ebron explained. “These people will be your eyes, ears, and protection in society.”
She nodded. “I don’t claim to entirely understand, but let me put my shoes on and we can go down.”
He pushed himself up. She put on some comfortable slippers. He raised his brow at the sight.
“I have been on my feet for ten hours,” she defended as she walked to the room door. “I might not last as long as you expect me to.”
He said nothing as he opened the door for her. “Wait,” he said suddenly. He pulled a small box out of his inner chest pocket. “Wear this.”
He opened it before her. It was a signet ring. She took it out of the box carefully. It was small and delicate for her hand. He took it from her and slipped it up her long fingers. She took a second to study it. The family symbol was an antique coat of arms with all the intricacies.
Downstairs she found a room full of men. Several of them turned to greet them, others remained in their conversations. Ebron introduced her around to several people. She smiled at as she recognized a few faces. “It is excellent to see you again,” Tobais said as he kissed her hand. “You look much more refreshed today.”
She blushed. “I would like to return to your establishment now that I am better able to appreciate it.”
“I look forward to that.”
Through the crowd she saw another face she recognized. She excused herself and walked over to Zaru, who was in conversation with another man. He smiled brightly as he saw her. “My lady, you look lovely.”
She smiled warmly to him and let him kiss her cheeks. “Meet James, he owns several nightclubs.”
“I hear you enjoy dancing,” James greeted as he kissed her hand.
“I love to dance.” she said cheerfully. “What sort of clubs do you have?”
“I cover a range for just about every type you could dream of,” he assured her. “Just tell me what you wish, and I’ll have one club somewhere that offers that.”
“We should go dancing sometime,” she said including Zaru.
“What is your favorite?”
“Techno,” she said. “But I always wanted to learn other styles, like the fox trot.”
A light seemed to come alive in his eyes. “It would be an honor to teach you dance. It is rare to find someone who wants to dive into the art.”
“I think it can be a beautiful elegant art,” she said. The idea of learning dance was a dream she had as a child. Unfortunately her stomach ached which reminded her she hadn’t eaten since Tamara had taken her to lunch. “Excuse me, gentlemen.”
She noted through the crowd that Damien had slipped into his office, just off from the den. She slipped through the sea of men, none of whom seemed to notice her presence. She knocked politely before sticking her head into the office. Damien and Ebron were sitting in a pair of lounge chairs. Damien motioned for her to join them. She closed the door behind her and walked into the room. Damien rose, allowing her to take his chair. “Drink?”
“Brandy?” she asked as she sat down.
“What do you think of the crowd?” Ebron asked as he sipped his cognac.
“Men who are full of themselves,” she commented softly. She held her hand up before he could berate her. “They are interested in their networking here but don’t realize the world around. Ask half of them if they saw me, and most would lie because one woman doesn’t make much of a difference. But that oversight can be a problem because they are unaware of how many can listen to them without their notice.”
Damien gave her an approving nod as he handed her a glass with amber liquid. “Their purpose here is not entirely for you. But I did see you talking to several people.”
“I did,” she said with a smile. “I have no idea what the hierarchy of demons are, but Zaru and his friend James seem fun.”
“Zaru? That is the incubi that found you.”
“And helped me out in a tight spot,” she pointed out.
“He’s not a bad choice for a spot on your entourage,” Damien said as he leaned against the bookshelf. “Incubi are great at security because they distract people very well.”
“It’s a start,” Ebron said. “I have left a packet up in your room for a few options on apartments.”
“About that,” she said. “I have a roommate.”
The eyes of both men narrowed. “What?”
“My best friend lost his roommate and his lease is up soon. So we agreed to go in together.”
“A mortal mage?”
“A scholar researcher,” she pointed out. “He works nightshift and I work dayshift.”
“And does he know what you are?”
“Yes,” she said. “I imagine there is some protection we can provide each other.”
“I still get to approve the selection,” Ebron said.
She nodded. “I have no problem with that. Although you keep having this look like you’re expecting me to fight over everything.”
Damien chuckled. “Why don’t we go socialize more?”
“I’m going to retire,” Shannon denied. “I am starving and I don’t think you’re going to be offering these guys food.”
“Why don’t you go to the dining room and I will bring out a few people I think you might like,” Damien suggested.
She wasn’t thrilled about the situation but accepted it.