Vermilion Kiss (2 page)

He answered, “Yes. When I wake, we’ll get ready and go to the meeting. I want you on your best behavior.”

“Yeah, yeah, okay,
dad
. Whatever you say,” I joked.

He mumbled something low and grabbed my shirt. He pulled me against his chest, reminding me of earlier with Caen. A low growl formed in his throat and Darius crushed his lips against mine, nibbled my lower lip and entered my mouth with his tongue. Our tongues danced in a grand ballet as we relished each other’s taste and then broke apart. He caressed my head soothingly and rubbed my back in large circles.

Then his eyes closed and I knew he was asleep from the peaceful expression on his face. I licked my lips together and remembered how smooth and silky he felt against me. I finally let sleep overtake me and drown me in a cloud of absolute darkness.

The meeting was in a casino that had been rented for the night by the Court. I had chosen to wear a lacey white dress with bell sleeves and matching knee-high boots. I would’ve worn heels if I could walk in them but I’d just never gotten the hang of walking in clunky, four-inch off-the-ground shoes. So I settled for the boots and Darius approved.

Darius’ outfit complemented mine completely. He wore all white, from his shirt down to his thigh-high laced boots and tight leather pants, with only the tie being a light pink. His hair rippled freely across his shoulders in thick chocolate waves and I combed my hand through them knowing that he didn’t need to brush them. His hair was so soft and full.

I examined myself in the mirror with my blonde locks that were down to my breasts and lively, deep blue eyes that seemed as if all the oceans were contained inside them.

Darius and I met with Caen on the bottom floor of the hotel and took a cab to the allotted casino. Lawrence was staying on the jet and, as a human, he had the right to refuse attending. Although he was human, Lawrence was over two hundred years old because he was Darius’s servant. I wished he’d have made me that instead of a vampire, but, oh well. I couldn’t change the past.

When we arrived at the casino, it was buzzing with activity. On the edge of the night, all the paranormal creatures invited were playing slots and betting cards. The lights had been dimmed for the convenience of the parties attending and I was grateful for it. It was dark but everyone could see just fine, as if it were day.

Caen tried his hand at Poker and won a considerable amount of cash. I had never gambled before and was scared to try. Darius took a shot at one slot and won the jackpot. I refrained from following him, even though he urged me to try it saying that his line was known for its good luck. I shook my head and ordered a martini. Darius told me that I could have just one and it wouldn’t affect me, so I did.

As I sipped at my martini, a man wearing a black suit sat next to me on the barstool and said, “What’s a gorgeous woman such as yourself doing all alone?”

I was about to answer when Darius stormed over to me and stared the man in the eyes. “She is
mine
. Now leave.”

The man raised his hands as if to say
“I wasn’t going to do anything
,” stood up, and left hurriedly. Darius took his seat and sighed heavily.

“It will begin soon. We should head on into the main room.” He said.

I let him place his hands around my waist and twirl me off the barstool. We walked, our hands interlocked, into a closed off room with a large rectangular table in the center. Paintings of roses were scattered across the walls. Many people were already seated. I sat down next to Darius and Caen took a seat beside me. At each seat was a glass of red wine and a napkin. A chill wind settled on my skin, raising goose bumps, and I realized it was coming from a woman across the table.

She was a stunning brunette with long silky hair and deep brown eyes. She was dressed in a black A-line gown and a Tahitian Pearl necklace with dangling earrings. When she saw me, her eyes fixed onto mine and I tried to turn away but couldn’t. She stared at me for what seemed like an eternity before she flipped her attention to a man walking in the doorway.

“Ah, it seems The Beast has taken a liking to you.” Darius uttered in my ear sending my spine shivering.

“The Beast?”

“Yes. She is known as The Beast, wielder of more than ten spirit animals.”

I said unenthusiastically, “Oh, wow.”

Darius chuckled to himself and Caen fidgeted with a napkin.

Finally, when the whole table was full, leaving many people left standing in the crowded room. A man with short black hair and Asian heritage at the very end of the table clanged his fork against his glass of wine and hollered, “Let the five-hundred and sixty-seventh Court meeting begin!”

Cheers of applause thundered around the room as hands clapped and voices pounded loudly. Darius just sat there and I did, too, immensely bored out of my mind and terrified of all these strange beings clustered together. I turned to Caen and he gave me a tiny smile before his face turned serious. I sighed and sloshed the wine so that it splashed against the rim of the glass. Darius took a long sip and commented to the man seated next to him about the bitter taste.

I searched the many unfamiliar faces for a glimpse of Annabelle but didn’t see her. Was she standing somewhere? I tried to look at everyone who was standing in the back but couldn’t get a good view from where I was. I gave up and leaned back in my seat. I didn’t feel her presence at all—that sinister aura—so maybe she didn’t come.

Everyone quieted down and the man who had first spoke slammed his hands against the table. He was wearing a white silk yukata with a black rose print. The sleeves flared over his deathly pale skin as he spoke, “Now, the first matter we will speak about is related to the humans. As of late, with the rapid growth of technology and such, it has been very difficult to conceal our presence from them. Even our special unit, the Paranormal Police, are not doing quite as good a job as we’d like them to.” His gaze rested on Caen.

Dairus’s voice thrummed in my head. “
He is Dmitri, one of the three heads of the Court. One head is required to be present at each meeting. He is also known as The Wanderer for his skills in speed that no one else can match. However, he is very arrogant and he and I do not get along.”

“You know him?”

“Yes.”

“Oh. So he’s like a top guy, right? So that’s why he’s sitting at the end of the table. I was wondering why.”

“He is a fool in many ways.”

“What do you mean?”

“Darius, please listen to what I am saying. Don’t think I don’t notice you speaking to your servant over there.” Dmitri raised his voice.

Darius laughed and folded his hands on the table. “I intended for you to notice, Dmitri. Your speech was becoming rather boring. Yes, humans are capable of many great feats, which is why we should stop cowering in the shadows and reveal ourselves.”

His remark brought gasps from the crowd and Dmitri had to bang a fist against the table to silence everyone. “And how you propose we do that?”

Darius snickered. “As quickly as can be done.”

“What do you mean exactly?”

Darius said curtly, “I am not speaking anymore. Someone else come up with something.”

He took a drink of his wine, threw his head back, and chuckled more. Dmitri remained calm and composed as Darius chugged the rest of the wine and with the fling of a finger made the glass vanish into nothing.

A vein bulged on The Wanderer’s forehead, “Everyone forget him. We’ve been trying to get him to be on the Court for years now and he still refuses. Anyway, about the humans…”

My mind sailed away as Dmitri talked about possibly integrating humans with paranormals. Darius’s voice rang in my mind again. “
I do love seeing his enraged face.”

“Were you serious about what you said? About quickly introducing the paranormal society to humans?”
I asked.

“Of course. I won’t say something I do not believe in. But now look how flustered everyone is! They do not know what to say or what to do. It amuses me so.”

I rested my chin on the back of my hand and waited for the whole thing to be over. But it went on and on and before I knew it, five hours had passed and I had been in a daze the whole time.

“Now,” Dmitri flexed his hands, “onto another important matter for the night. Everyone remembers Darius over there by the two blondes. Well, a couple months ago there is report that he changed a human against their will. And that human is sitting right next to him!”

Actually, I don’t think anyone but Dmitri was interested. Everyone else either had their heads on their arms or weren’t paying attention like me. Darius ground his teeth in frustration and replied, “Oh, yes, I forgot to introduce my servant. This is Lily White.” He gestured to me and Dmitri’s eyes examined my face like a predator remembering its prey.

“Lily.” He queried, “Were you changed against your will?”

I knew this was coming. I groaned inwardly and said to him, “No.”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “I know you’re lying, but as long as you keep denying it outwardly, I can’t do anything to help you.”

I responded, “I said no. Okay? No. N.O. There.”

He shook his head. “I heard that Annabelle tried to make you into hers but you managed to escape.”

Yeah.”

“And it’s true that your blood is powerful. It’s been driving me insane all night long with its sweet scent.”

I was about to retort when Darius held up a finger to be quiet. “You dare touch her and I will not hesitate to harm you.”

Dmitri exhaled and you could see the tired look weighing in his eyes. “I would never do such a thing. I am part of the Court, not some bloody rogue faction. Although, I’m sure there are others who would love a taste of that forbidden fruit.”

Darius grinned. “So there are. Do you know of a vampire named Vex, my dear Dmitri?”

His eyes widened. “Vex? Vex is one of my servants.”

“Vex has gone wild.”

“You’re serious? Maybe that’s why I haven’t seen him in years. I’ll speak to him when this is over.”

“Which I presume is now?”

The other vampire nodded. “Yeah, I guess it’s over. I couldn’t prove that Lily was illegally turned and no one wanted to suggest anything on coming out to the humans. Oh, this has to be the worst meeting ever.” He buried his face in his palms.

Darius spoke, “You are the youngest head in Court history, Dmitri. I do not blame everyone for not taking you seriously. Next time perhaps take another head with you.”

Dmitri smiled at that remark and clanged his wine glass. “Court meeting dismissed!”

All at once, everyone scrambled to get out of the packed room. I mimicked Darius and stayed where I sat while the other people hurried to get out. It took thirty minutes before everyone was out and only Dmitri, The Beast, and we remained.

Dmitri stood up and walked toward Darius. He knelt onto the floor and bowed his head. “You did succeed in making a mockery of me today.” He laughed.

Darius offered him a hand and helped him up. “Glad to know I succeeded.”

Dmitri studied me up and down. “She’s beautiful. You know that there are a lot of people after her, I’ve heard. She is the only one of your bloodline.”

“Yes, I am fully aware.” Darius towered at least two feet above the man.

“Guess I’ll go home and report that Lily wasn’t changed against her will, even though I know she was. And then I’ll tell the others about quickly letting the human populous know of the existence of paranormals.”

“You do that,” Darius said and began to walk out of the room. Caen and I rushed after him.

I turned my head to get one last glance at Dmitri and The Beast and they both waved goodbye. The Beast winked at me and Dmitri simply smiled.

I didn’t know what they meant then, but I did know that I was starving and tired as hell.

After we’d said goodnight to Caen and left him at his room beside ours, I was just about to swipe the card on the door when Darius grabbed it from my hand and did it himself. I didn’t understand why, but he pushed me behind him as we entered the room.

The strong scent of musky grass and fresh morning dew penetrated my nose as we walked into the suite. I instantly noticed the brunette sitting on the edge of the bed. She was sniffing the blankets and when I came closer, she turned her head and her deep brown eyes fixed on mine.

The Beast.

“I have a name.” she said in a smooth melodious voice.

“I’m Lily,” I told her.

“Yes, I’m well aware. You may call me Clarisse.”

Darius was beside me, his black aura boiling, bubbled around him. “I see Dmitri took the liberty of getting you in here.”

Clarisse beamed. “Yes, he took me here. I wanted to talk personally with you two.”

Darius guided me to the other side of the bed where we sat down and he ran his hand through the golden strands of my hair.

“What is it you want to speak about?” Darius asked.

Her eyes took on an amber glow. “The future. You see, my one servant is a clairvoyant and he has seen a difficult future ahead for the two of you.”

Darius opened the door. “Leave,” he commanded. “I already know such things.”

“You know that you will be betrayed by one of your own?” she raised her voice.

Darius’s tone as firm. “Leave,” he ordered again.

Clarisse stood and I noticed that her head brushed against the ceiling. The white dress she wore outlined cords of powerful muscles beneath and I couldn’t help but wonder if she was a bodybuilder. She cast me a smile before shuffling into the doorway quietly.

“Lily,” she said, “be careful of who you trust.”

I nodded and she vanished into the hallway. Darius smoothed the hair from his eyes and lay onto the bed. His voice was drowsy. “Lily, do not take what she said to heart. The future can always be changed.” He wrapped a lock of my hair around his finger and twisted it then untwisted, letting it bounce in a tight curl. “You have such fun hair,” he commented in a sleepy voice. “Now drink and then we’ll go to sleep.”