Chapter 9

Age 16

“I really would like to know what your father is up to Belle?”

Jezzebelle turned from her vanity from placing makeup on and she looked at her in confusion.

“Why do you say that mommy.”

Her mother held up a long box and showed it to her.

“This was on the door step someone obviously wants you to dress pretty for something that is going on.”

Turning back to her vanity, Jezzebelle finished up piling her hair into a bunch of curls. Taking a hair piece that was shaped as the vampire bat, she positioned the barrette in the middle of her curls. Getting up, she was still in her robe. She was going to wear a simple dark blue gown today but she wanted to see what was in the box. The box being wrapped in black paper with a red bow, she undid it and slowly opened the box. The contents were hidden with black tissue paper. There was a letter on top of the paper, curious she took it and flipped it open. Trying to figure out who sent her this box was a mystery. For every darkness, there is light. For where there are vines there is a special rose hidden amongst the darkest parts. Pour ma petite chauve-souris de sang.

At the end of the note ZV was scribbled in elegant hand writing. For my little blood bat. Putting the note down she was trying to figure out who ZV was. Her faced paled then grew hot in the cheeks. Nah it coulnd’t be the King. He never shows favorites. Maybe I am mistaken. Putting the note down, she unfolded the paper to reveal a beautiful regal red gown. Not bright red but dark like blood. Running her hand down the material, her heart was hammering in her chest. A little black fan with soft feathers on top of it was on the side of the box.

“Also why would it just be you going and not the others as well?” I mean you are getting dressed up like you are going out to dinner or a date.” Snickering Jezzebelle turned to look in her tall standing mirror that was next to her dresser. She started to fluff her hair once more. As she put the dress on she watched her mother who was studying her every movement.

“Okay since I can’t lie…..I am going on a date.” Her mothers mouth dropped open very wide. “With who!” With a chime letting them know someone was here, Jezzebelles face got really dark and humorus. “Well why don’t we both go down and you can meet him!” Lifting the dress she skirted around her mother and ran out of her bedroom giggling. Keeping her dress up, she flew down the stairs. Anna was just climbing the stairs when her big sister came flying down. Making her schreech very loudly, Lilly’s voice boomed

“You know better don’t run in….” Jezzebelle went and opened the door and the moment Lazarus walked through it made her mother stop midsentence. Her mother dropped all facial expressions but her eyes held a different story. For her love for him was still strong. Belle snickered and thought this was going to be fun.

“Okay, what are you two up to!”

Jezzebelle smiled at her mother but sent her father a telepathic message. “Just play along papa otherwise you are going to have to explain my um….injuries to mama. She won’t be too happy with either of us espically if I tell her I almost probably am getting suspended or expelled for the year.” Lazarus agreed with his daughter on that one so he smiled up at Lilly, putting his hand on the lower back of his eldest daughter.

“I am taking my eldest child out to see one of the paranormal opera’s that came into town.”

Lilly looked at Lazarus with one eyebrow arched. “Okay then why isn’t Annabelle going with you too!” Annabelle poked her head up to the top stairs. “Because Opera is boring Ma! I would rather read a book instead of hearing some boring singer scream in my ear drums!” Lazarus smiled once more and then resumed looking at Lilly. “Since Anna wasn’t interested and I know Jezzebelle has been studying very good I thought to take her out to the show. Is there a problem spending time with my children?”

Lilly’s eyes went to the floor and she shuffled her feet. “No I just thought something was off. Jezzebelle took forever to get to the car and I thought something was wrong, so I asked her if everything was alright and she about snapped my neck apart and told me it was nothing.”

Lazarus whipped his head around and looked at his daughter. “Jezabelle you had better not of gave your mother a nasty attitude young lady.” “Also what the heck Lillabet and Raja were suppose to wheel you out to the car, what happened to that?”

Belle turned toward her father and smiled at him while Lazarus was finishing up the conversation between two parents. “I never told her I was fighting in school today. I did not want to explain the huge bruises on my lower stomach. I also was trying to save you from having to hear it from mom. She’s been fidgety lately mostly because she thinks your going to stick me into an arranged marriage.”

Lazarus smiled and looked at his daughter. “You ready to go baby.   “Like I need your mother coming after me with a freaking pitchfork. Do I have a death wish. Your mom is crazy enough.” He mentally laughed in his daughters head.

“Of course papa. I am ready to go.” Lilly’s face got dark and she walked up to Lazarus and pointed a finger in his face. “Hear me loud and clear Lazarus. She is to come home around Midnight. She is not to spend it all night in the arms of vampires. Do I make myself extremely clear!” Lazarus moved Lillys finger and brought his face up close to hers. “Careful you might lose that finger Lilly. My daughter has to have both experience in both worlds and she’s with me nothing will happen to her. Also the last time I checked she was not Cinderella so I will keep her out as long as I feel like it. She will come home in one piece I promise you that.” They walked towards the door and Lazarus was smiling very crookedly. Stopping at the door, he looked at his daughter with a sly smile, wiping it off he turned real fast to face Lilly.

“But I am not promising that she wont come home engaged to an Ancient!” Grabbing his eldest he opened a portal that lead to the Citedal’s hall  and as they stepped through they hear Lilly roar in fury. Fully stepping through he closed the portal. Jezzebelle couldn’t hold in her laughter anymore. Holding on to her stomach, she sat on the ground laughing out loud. “I am sorry father but the way mom looked at you I think you are so in trouble.” Bowing his head, he knew exactly what was going to happen when he had to take her home. “Yep I am so doomed.”

Holding out a hand to his daughter, she took it and had help lifted up. “You know I enjoy making your moms life miserable, only to see you smile.” Smiling he brought up one of his hands and cupped the side of her face. Holding on to his hand she smiled at him.

Still smiling at her, he noticed that his daughter looked exhausted, probably from all the soreness and pain from the fighting.

“Hopefully this does not take too long sweetpea, I want to see if Lord Zacharie with tend to your bruises.” Taking her hand back she blushed and looked down at her feet. “It is fine if I keep them papa.”

Looking up the stairs to the big oak doors, she swallowed her nerves down, closing her eyes and then proceeded to look at her father.

“Papa I broke a rule ok. I have to atone for my sins.