Chapter Five

   Sticking her hands in her pockets, Esper began her trek upstairs to the music room. With the alone time, she wanted to get in some cello practice. When she reached the door, Esper lingered and ran her fingers along the door frame. This was her favorite room in the entire house, a place where nothing mattered except music. 

   Esper glided over to the center of the room where her cello rested in its stand. It looked regal with its shiny black shellac. She sat down, bringing the instrument toward her until it rested between her legs and against her shoulder. The vampire inhaled slowly and let the bow dance across the strings, playing Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. The melody flowed through the hallways, the somber notes filling the houseguests' ears as they finished cleaning up.  

  

   "What is that," Remy asked, his ears perking up at the sound.  

  

   "That is Moonlight Sonata," Seraph answered. The emotion living within the notes took his breath away.  

  

   "It's Lady Esper," Senna added. The crowd looked amazed; the melody was flawless. Senna led the group to the music room. The vampires stood in awe at the performance they were spying on. Esper sat in the middle with her eyes closed, lost in the sound of her cello. Her hands moving with impeccable grace, she continued to play unaware of the onlookers.   

  

   As the piece came to an end, the secret audience applauded Esper. The silver-haired vampire jolted with surprise and looked up to see everyone watching her. Her normally snow-white skin turned red as an apple. She stood up and bowed gracefully, then carefully set her cello back in its stand. 

  

   "Esper, do you have any more instruments?" Remy asked, a plan lighting his eyes up. 

   Esper nodded and pointed to a door. "Yeah, music storage is just over there."  

  

   "Perfect!" Remy exclaimed. He turned to the other vampires. "I figure it is safe to assume everyone here has had some form of music training."  

  

   Maxim scoffed and retorted, "Of course, we are nobility after all."  

  

   Remy fist-bumped the air, "Great! Then everyone, grab your instrument of choice, and I will be right back." 

   The red-haired male scampered off to his room. Esper opened up the music storage, and everyone began rolling out instruments. Asher set up a drum set for himself, testing the different tempering and getting the device's feel. Maxim grabbed an electric violin, tuning it to his liking. Lucca grabbed a bass guitar and amp, setting up next to Asher.  

   Seraph approached Esper with a confused look on his face, not being able to find an instrument. "Do you have any extra cellos? I can't seem to find any besides yours." 

  

   Esper gave him a soft smile. "No, but you can feel free to use mine." 

   Esper picked it up off of its stand and handed it to the dark-haired male. He shook his head, declining her offer. "I couldn't possibly. It is your personal instrument. I'll grab a guitar instead." 

  

  Seraph smiled and placed her cello back in its stand in the storage room. "Plus, what will you play if I take it?" 

  

  Esper gave him a prideful smile. "I have more than just my cello." 

  

   Reaching past Seraph, Esper grabbed a microphone and speaker. She headed towards the group and set up her little spot. All the while, Seraph watched the female vampire in wonder. Just how many talents did this girl have? As the group finished their set up, Remy came running back in, guitar in hand.   

  

   "Wait for me, guys!" Remy rolled out one more amp with Asher's help and got it all set up next to Esper. With everyone settled, they all looked towards the redhead.  

  

   "What now," Lucca asked nervously. Remy turned towards Esper, with a devilish grin,   

  

   "How about this?" Remy gave the blushing vampire a wink as he began to pluck his guitar. Esper's blue and red hazel eyes sparkled as she instantly recognized the melody. She waited for him to repeat the intro before bringing the mic up towards her mouth, taking a deep breath before singing.  

  

"When a humble bard, graced a ride-along  

With Geralt of Rivia, along came this song".  

  

  Esper's soprano voice filled the room, but she gave it a slight edge to match the song's guitar composition. Everyone slowly added in their instruments, finding their part in the ensemble. Remy stepped towards her and bent down towards her microphone to join in on the next verse. 

  

"From when the White Wolf fought, a silver-tongued devil  

His army of elves at his hooves did they revel".  

  

   They sang perfectly in unison, smiling at each other, almost laughing. Remy glanced back at Seraph, Asher, Maxim, and Lucca, giving a subtle signal to pick up the intensity.  

  

"They came after me, with masterful deceit  

Broke down my lute and they kicked in my teeth  

While the Devil's horns minced our tender meat  

And so, cried the Witcher: He can't be bleat." 

  

   Remy pulled away and began a heavy riff on his electric guitar as they reached the chorus.   

  

"Toss a coin to your Witcher  

O Valle of Plenty, O Valley of Plenty, oh, oh, oh  

Toss a coin to your Witcher  

O Valley of Plenty-y-y"  

  

   The group continued their jam session, Senna and Saffron joining Esper, providing support vocals and breaking into three-part harmonies. The song came to an end, and everyone complimented each other on their musical talents while cleaning up. Asher approached Esper and placed a hand on her arm to get her attention.  

  

   "Hey cousin, do you mind if I borrow Senna for a while?" He asked in a hushed tone. Esper's eyes gleamed like jewels with excitement. "Of course!" 

  

   Esper had known since a child that Asher had feelings for Senna. She was happy he would finally be allowed to convey his feelings towards her. She and Saffron had tried setting the two up when they pre-teens, but both were still too shy to admit their feelings. 

   Esper gave her cousin a playful push towards Senna and whispered: "Go get her tiger." 

   Asher beamed back at her with a toothy grin as he made his way towards the red-headed beauty. Esper watched as the two spoke in hushed tones and made their way out of the room. She returned to the cleanup, getting giddy with the possibility of two of her friends becoming a couple.   

  

   Remy looked out after the exiting couple and then back at the two remaining females asking, "Are you sure you are ok with that?"  

  

   Esper replied, "Yeah, why wouldn't I?"  

  

   "Isn't he one of your suitors?" He asked, confused. Both girls burst out laughing, making Remy thoroughly confused, not knowing what he said that was so funny.  

  

   "Remy, Asher is my brother, and therefore, Esper's cousin," Saffron managed to get out through her laughter. 

   The connection clicked in Remy's brain, and he chuckled at himself. "Well, thank goodness. That takes out some of the competition."  

  

   Maxim glared at Remy with his emerald green eyes. "I think that hair dye is killing your brain cells. How did you not see that connection during the introductions last night?"   

  

   Remy just shrugged. "I was tired from traveling all day, I was focusing on the food. Speaking of which, I could definitely use a re-up."   

  

  Remy gave Saffron a devilish grin and overdramatically bowed before her. "Would you mind leading me the way to your blood cellar, Milady, I am ever so parched." 

  

   "You are insufferable," Saffron mumbled. "If anyone else is up for a break, I would be happy to escort you all."   

  

   Maxim and Lucca made their way towards the door at the mention of a blood tasting. Saffron looked over at Esper, who was still putting away equipment. "You coming?"  

  

   Esper shook her head, "I'm good. I want to finish cleaning up. You go ahead, and I will catch up."   

  

   "You know that is why your father has a full staff of housekeepers. Less time spent cleaning and more time doing the things you want." Saffron gave her an arched eyebrow. 

   "No, the staff are here to help maintain the house. Not clean up a mess that I am perfectly capable of handling." That was one thing that irked Esper. Saffron relied on the services of the staff too much. Whereas Esper had always been one to do things on her own.  

   "Suit yourself then." Saffron led the entourage out of the room. 

  Esper turned back and got to work on the cleanup. Seraph stayed behind and placed his hand atop hers as she grabbed an amp. His touch sent sparks on her skin. She looked up, surprised to see that someone stayed behind.   

  

   "You don't have to help, you can go along with them, I won't be too long." Esper didn't want him to feel obligated to clean two messes in one day. 

   Seraph shook his head as he gently took the amp from her. "I'd rather spend time with you cleaning up than following the flock." 

   Esper blushed from his words. She swore her skin was going to permanently stay red, and these boys were the cause. The young woman grabbed another piece of equipment, and the two cleaned up in silence.  

  

   Once the last piece had been put away, Esper let out a content sigh. She closed up the doors and spun around, nearly running into Seraph's chest. He quickly reached out and steadied her stumbling.  

  

   "Easy now," he chuckled in a husky voice. 

   Esper looked towards the ground, trying to hide her embarrassment and nervousness. Seraph tipped her chin up with two of his fingers and locked his gaze with hers. She could see some emotion in his blood-red eyes. He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, and she shivered. Her skin became excited from his touch. 

  

   "W-we should probably catch up with the others," Esper stuttered. Disappointment and yearning clouded Seraph's eyes as he sighed and took a step back.  

   "If you insist," he groaned, letting her step past him. Before she got too far away, Seraph hooked his index finger on hers, gently tugging her back towards him.  

  

   "Are you sure there isn't a way to keep you to myself a little longer" Seraph pleaded. Esper fully laced her fingers in his and conceded.  

  

   "Thank you," he whispered, giving her a gentle smile.  

   Esper's breath hitched in the subtle relief in his eyes. Regaining her breath, she slowly led him through the doorway and into the hall. She gave him a personal guided tour of the house, showing him some of her other favorite rooms. They occasionally stopped to focus on their conversations, discussing small topics like favorite school subjects. They were slowly getting to know each other little by little. 

  

   After wandering around the house, the two vampires joined the others in the lounge connected to the blood cellar. Wesley was leading the conversation. He glanced up at the sound of the door and smiled. "Wonderful, the rest of us are here."  

  

   Esper ducked her head in embarrassment. "Sorry to have kept you waiting, Father."  

  

   Wesley chuckled as he handed the two stragglers each a glass of blood. "Nothing to be sorry about, Dear."  

  

   After Esper and Seraph seated themselves, Wesley cleared his throat. "Now I have another announcement to make. Tomorrow I will be taking the men out for the day. I have a few matters to discuss with them privately, as well as get acquainted with them." 

   Remy nearly spat out his drink at the sound of spending time with Esper's father. The scene made Wesley chuckle before he continued on.  

   "While we are out, Esper, you are in charge of the house. It's going to be as busy as a hive with the staff preparing for the ball, and there will be more guests arriving as well. I hope you will be a great hostess and make sure everyone is comfortable. You will also need to go over the food and décor. The staff will aid you as needed. The men and I will be back before sunrise."  

  

   The young vampire's stomach dropped as if it was filled with lead. Never had she been given so much responsibility. Esper raised her head and gave her father a confident look and nodded. "I will do my best to not let you down, Father." 

  

   Wesley gave her a smile and nodded. "I'm sure you will do wonderfully." 

  

   He then looked unto the entire crowd and gave a single clap. "You are all dismissed to carry on with the rest of your day. I will see you, gentlemen, tomorrow at sunset."