Four

“I see that you cleaned up. I hope dinner is to your liking. Tomorrow we will discuss the terms of our agreement. Tonight you and my fellow family heads will be dining. This is in fact a nightly occurrence unless specified. It is an ancient tradition for my coven that we allow those important enough to dine at our table.” Just as he finished speaking people started to enter the room. Each person walked in with lethal grace. By the time everyone took a seat ten people were sitting at the table. 

“Master Cadogen, You didn’t inform us we would be eating with a guest?” A man taller than all of the rest spoke up. His amber eyes were set in a scowl. He held himself stiffly. 

“I wasn’t aware I had to ask permission to have guests at my table. Huh Count Fredrik?” The air grew cold. Cedar’s breathing hitched. I squeezed his arm trying to reassure him. Cadogen didn’t take his eyes from Fredrik though. 

“My apologies.” Was all Fredrik said as he looked away snapping for a maid to pour wine into the goblet in front of him. 

“Will we not be dining in the normal fashion due to your guest Master Cadogen?” A woman asked. Her sharp features made her look like something out of nightmares. She was so beautiful she was terrifying. “Do as you wish, drink greedily for all I care Countess Keira.” Cadogen waved his hand lazily at her. She smiled wide. Wide enough for me to see her sharp fangs. She snatched the woman's arm who had walked in with her. The woman was smallish but clearly well fed. Some would even call her plump. Countess Keira bit into the woman’s wrist. A blush rose to her cheeks. I looked away stunned beyond belief. This is what Lita meant when she said it was rude to stare. I looked up and found Cadogen watching me. He raised his eyebrow and then pointed to my empty plate. A man dressed in a white chef's uniform started to fill my plate. I looked around and had their own personal chef filling their plates with food. My brother let out a squeak when the man stepped beside him. As the man stepped back my plate was filled with everything. I picked up a fork and started to eat. The moment the creamy mashed potato hit my tongue I nearly moaned in ecstasy. I started to shovel the food into my mouth. Soft music started to play. People were talking but I wasn’t paying attention. I was eating. Eating the best meal of my whole entire life. Before I knew it I hit the plate. I looked up to search for more. Cadogen’s brows were furrowed together. I looked over at Cedar to make sure he was okay. He was just as entranced in his meal. I watched as his little hands shoveled various meats and vegetables into his mouth. Tears burned in my eyes.

“Don’t.” I looked up to find Cadogen staring at me. He shook his head no. 

“Miles.” His voice didn’t raise in the slightest. His eyes pinned me to the seat. I gulped. He was so intense like I could feel the power radiating from his body. He looked away as Miles approached him. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Miles slowly made his way over to me. 

“Miss. Lucrezia please pick up your brother so as not to scare him. Hold him in the same manner in which you brought him. I will be taking you to your room now.” Miles whispered like he was trying not to disturb anyone. I did as I was told. I tried not to look as we left but the image of vampires drinking the blood of the person next to them sent a chill down my spine. One of the vampires whose name I hadn’t yet learned licked his fang as I left. 

This time we did not go up the grand staircase we walked by it. The room behind the staircase was softer than the rest of the house. The wood wasn’t as foreboding the wallpaper was a dark blue with a cute mushroom motif. A fireplace crackled. Miles walked up to the bookcase. He pulled two books off of the shelf and then went and stepped on a button that was located in front of a globe. The bookcase opened into a bright hallway. It felt like walking into a different world. It was still grand but everything was homey in a way. Like someone imagined a castle and a cottage and couldn’t choose which one they liked better. The hallway opened from another bookshelf into an office that was lined with windows. Papers were scattered on the desk. It was large with that same battle etched into it. The ceiling was completely stained glass. It told the story of the girl who was being beckoned with the rose. She took the rose. It bit into her finger and the man held her hand to his mouth. I ripped my eyes away from the gruesome ending. We walked out of the double doors into a room that was decorated with a dark coquette theme. 

“This is Master Cadogen’s personal quarters. The family normally lives in this part of the estate. He wanted to make sure you were comfortable. Miss. Lucrezia, your room is through those doors. He pointed at a set of cream double doors with golden knobs. Your brother's room is right through here.” We walked into the coziest kitchen I had ever seen. It had the same blue mushroom wallpaper. A tall thin woman was in the kitchen working on some sort of dough. A smile played on her lips as we passed through. Down another hallway two doors to the right was a light beige door. Miles opened the door in a sweeping motion. The room was more modest than the rest of the house. I still felt huge though. He had everything. They even had a closet full of clothes. 

“We should let him get acquainted with these new surroundings. I have a few questions for you. Plus a nanny will be there shortly to introduce herself to Mr…” He waited for me to fill him in.

“His name is Cedar.” I looked at him. He looked so scared. “I can’t leave him.” I said. I wouldn’t leave him so scared. Miles nodded his head. He didn't fight with me about it. We made it back to the living room. He motioned for me to sit down. I took a seat on the plush couch and hoisted Cedar to sit beside me. 

“Master Cadogen says you will be staying with us until the annual Silver Gala. I need to know a few things about you to help the night go easier. First thing, do you have any formal education?” I swallowed hard.

“I went to school until Cedar was born. Mother thought it would be better if someone could be home with him.” He nodded his head and started to write on a small notepad I hadn’t noticed before.

“Okay, where exactly are you from in Rezzidel? Master Cadogen says he met you in one of those pleasure houses?” He said with his nose turned up. I could almost see the disdain although he was trying to be kind. 

“We lived in the quarter district of Rezzin city.” His head shot up. He stared at me for so long I started to count in my head.

“You are from the quarter district? Don’t tell anyone that at the party. We will need to make up a story. Also don’t tell anyone else that not here atleast.” He stood up as a plump woman entered the room. He smoothed his coat and a blush rose to his cheeks. 

“I’m sorry I interrupted.” The woman’s voice was soft. Her cantor told me she was from southern Rezzidel. 

“No you didn’t interrupt at all Cordelia.” Her name sounded like a purr coming from his mouth. She smiled at Miles. Then turned toward me.

“Hi I’m Cordelia Livendel. I am here to start teaching and watching a child?” Her soft brown eyes landed on Cedar. 

“I was just getting to that part.” Miles seemed very flustered. “Cordelia here will be Mr. Cedar’s nanny while you are here. You have to start dance lessons, history lessons, and try to remember key aristocrats.” It was the first time since I had met him that Miles rushed in his speech. 

“He doesn’t like to be away from me.” I said to Cordelia. She smiled making her way over. She knelt down in front of Cedar. Her pretty face scrunched into a silly gesture. 

“Your sister has a job to do,but so do you. Your first job is to be a brave boy and come with me. I will not leave your side. I will not let anyone hurt you. I will make sure that everything is always going to be okay. Now give your sister a kiss and a hug goodnight. It is time for young boys to get lots of sleep so that they grow big and strong.” She stood up. Motioning for him to do as she instructed. He climbed off of the couch and hugged me tighter than he ever had. His face was reluctant and I was scared to let him go alone as well, but I felt safe. She put her hand out and he grabbed it. They walked back towards his room. I looked up at Miles who was still watching Cordelia go. 

“Is she your significant other?” I blurted the question without really thinking about it. 

“No, Cordelia is a human. She was hired as a house Nanny and a personal donor if Master Cadogen fancied a normal meal.” I cocked my head.

“What does that mean? A personal donor?” Miles blew out a breath. 

“It Means that when Master Cadogen wants a meal of blood she is one of the women that he drinks from. It is a great honor to be a royal donor.” He was back to being the stickler for rules.

“Are donors not allowed to date?” I was curious how the system worked.

“This is inappropriate. Good night Miss.Lucrezia.” He stood and in the blink of an eye he was gone. I was left astonished by his speed and incredibly drained from the whole entire day.