TWENTY-THREE

"You aren't leaving this room dressed like that, are you?" I asked worried pointing at Terra's chest, her white shirt was unbuttoned as usual and a big area of soft skin was visible. The vampire rolled her eyes hard while leaning her cigarette on the ashtray and dropped the book she was reading, she started buttoning the garment up slowly, annoyance flashing across her face before taking the bowtie that was hanging from the back of the leather couch and putting it around her neck.

"Is it better this way?"

"Well, yes, thank you..." I answered bitterly before lowering my head, regretting it immediately. "I'm sorry, I'm a bit nervous..."

"I've noticed it, you know I can help you with that if you let me..." I shook my head and my girl clenched her jaw, upset. "I don't understand why you hate when I hold your mind, why you're so determined to feel sick when it'd be easier for you and for all of us if you let me help you with that."

"I want to keep my human feelings for as long as I can before they vanish..." I whispered staring at the colourful carpet of Terra's library while she opened her mouth wide in surprise. The vampire leaned forward, leaning her elbows on her knees and rubbing her face with her fingertips before looking at me and sighing.

"It doesn't work like that, babe, your personality won't change and you'll keep feeling the same..."

"But I'll be powerful and won't feel insecure anymore, anxious or scared. I'll know what other people think all the time so I won't feel surprise anymore, that incredible feeling of anticipation, butterflies fluttering in my stomach while opening a gift box..." Terra got up abruptly, running her fingers through her dark locks ruining her hairdo while walking some steps towards the bay window of the room. My stomach turned and I felt like throwing up on the skirt of the gorgeous turquoise dress I was wearing, the vampire stopped, turning around abruptly before hugging me tight against her body while Ruby came running from her living room and looked at us scared. "I'm sorry..."

"It's okay, amor, it's my fault..."

"No, no..." I shook my head leaning my hand on the soft shirt, the fabric was so delicate that I could feel the heat of her skin under it, soothing me.

"Yes, it is, I feel guilty because I believe I'm pushing you to become a vampire before you're ready to do it, I feel very selfish and those feelings travel through our bond making you feel sick. I'm sorry, babe." Her lips grazed my forehead and my muscles got even more relaxed.

"I want to be a vampire, I promise..."

"I know..."

"But I'm a stupid and weak human and can't help feeling scared..." I cut her off abruptly and Terra smiled against my hair.

"You aren't stupid, in fact, you're very intelligent. Most humans would like to seize this opportunity without thinking twice, immortality and supernatural powers sound like a good deal, that was what I did after all... But you have doubts and weigh all the pros and cons in your mind, you're smart and cautious and I admire you and respect you for that, Iselen. We'll solve this, amor, our bond will find a balance."

"You can hold my mind tonight but just a little, enough for me not to feel sick, okay? But I don't want to greet guests looking like a hypnotized idiot so, please, don't go too far. And don't forget about the veil to hide my thoughts just in case."

"Of course, everything will be all right... You look beautiful."

"Do you think so? Wait till you turn around and see that stunning Roman goddess because you're going to have a heart attack," I whispered pointing at Ruby who was still standing near the door, staring at us but not daring to interfere. Terra turned around and opened her eyes wide in surprise while the pretty green-eyed vampire blushed slightly.

"Wow, Ruby..." The white silk tunic adjusted to her body with one shoulder bare, highlighting her flawless curves and making a wonderful contrast with her colourful tattoos, her gold jewels and the brooch that held the fabric on the other shoulder sparkled under the light of the setting sun and, when she walked slowly towards us with graceful movements, she looked like Venus herself coming out of the sea. "You look beautiful... You're both amazing and I'm the luckiest woman in this party."

"Do you like it? I thought our father would love it, you know, it's a tribute to his homeland, his house, his youth..." The vampire smiled putting her arm around my waist while looking at me from head to toe. It was true that my dress also showed a hint of classical inspiration, it was a tunic too only turquoise coloured instead of white, my shoulders were covered by wide straps embellished with silver brooches and the delicate silk fell on my chest creating little pleats till reaching the silver belt, the long skirt seemed to float around me when I moved. Both outfits were ostensibly simple but I knew they would make us stand out while wandering around the gardens between guests holding Terra's arms since she was going to wear her sober black tuxedo.

"It's perfect... Did I give you that brooch?" She asked confused pointing at the gold jewel in the shape of laurel leaves that Ruby wore on her shoulder.

"You bought it for me in Paris in the early 19th century."

"I knew it looked familiar. And I'm also happy to see this sapphire ring..." The vampire took my hand to be able to kiss my knuckles close to the precious stone that had belonged to her father. I smiled and pointed at my hair that was tied up in an elegant ballerina bun and surrounded by Ruby's Venetian pearls.

"I'm scared I'm going to lose these valuable family possessions..." I whispered awkwardly but the feeling vanished immediately and I stared at Terra suspiciously, the vampire raised an eyebrow but I couldn't complain about her mind control since I'd given her permission to do exactly that. "I guess it's time to..."

"Come on, girls." Aren cut me off abruptly opening the door, the Viking boy was wearing a tuxedo too and the tiny buttons of her shirt were made of gold, but he wasn't wearing a bowtie and the slightly open garment showed the tanned skin of his neck. "We're late..."

"Oh my God, you look beautiful!" Vera elbowed her partner out of her way and ran towards us to hug us, laughing happily. "You too, Terra, really handsome." My girl winked at her while looking at the Brazilian goddess from head to toe, her soft mocha skin stood out against the long, sleeveless dress in a flashy orange shade she was wearing, her dark curls framed her pretty face but allowed me to see some long gold earrings that looked like antiques to me judging by the design. I guessed they had sentimental value for Aren since he'd kept them for long years waiting to give them to his partner finally.

"What are you all doing? We're late... Oh my God, Dario, look at them..." Marcus rushed into the library and put his arms over my shoulders and Vera's to hug us. "My daughters-in-law are the most beautiful ladies in this party."

"You two don't look bad either," I whispered appreciatively staring at Marcus' spotless tuxedo, noticing that the cuff links were actually old gold coins with a carved she-wolf, the symbol of the city of Rome.

"Yes, this is what happens when you're very stylish." Dario replied looking at a mirror while fixing one of his blond locks of hair. The French guy had decided to get rid of the black jacket and picked out a dark blue one with silver thread embroidery work instead, vegetal motifs reminded me of frock coats he must've worn when he was a young aristocrat in Napoleon's court. "We're a very elegant family but now we should go to the main courtyard because guests are arriving and no host is there to welcome them, it's a lack of courtesy."

"You're right, but before... Antonella, would you mind?" I whispered handing my phone to the woman who was patiently waiting in the corridor. I knew vampires were cautious when it came to take pictures, it didn't matter that much during the last century since the quality of the photos wasn't that good but thanks to new technologies a vampire could be easily recognized if it was proven with digital pictures that his face didn't change for years, so they didn't pose for them voluntarily often. But that was an important day, the first time we appeared in public as a family, and they decided that it was worth having a souvenir as long as the pictures were discreetly displayed and only kept by members of Marcus' clan. I stood proudly between my girls and smiled at Antonella while they all did the same.

"Let's go," Marcus pointed at the door and Vera took my hand squeezing it nervously. "Don't worry if you don't remember all the names, there'll be a lot of guests and to be honest, I don't remember them all even if I'm supposed to be a powerful vampire..."

"Are you getting forgetful with age?" Dario winked at me while we walked down the corridor, laughing when he noticed that his lover looked at him outraged, but the French guy stopped near the door all of a sudden. He brushed one of Vera's locks of hair away from her face so her earring was visible and fixed one brooch on my shoulder, looking at us from head to toe to check that everything was perfect and he nodded. "Don't be nervous, you're two stunning women smartly dressed for the occasion, a handful of powerful vampires watch your back but, above all, this is your home. You're the hostesses here and humans and vampires out there must show you respect so... Chin up and firm steps, mes dames."

"I understand why Marcus adores you so much," Vera smiled kissing Dario's cheek and my father-in-law chuckled before opening the door. Terra took my arm and Ruby's and she walked firmly following her father, smiling cockily when the guests scattered around the marble yard turned around to look at us all at once.

*****

"Alexios is one of the elders too..." The man with white hair bowed his head politely to greet me but he ignored me soon and focused on a conversation in ancient Greek language with Marcus and other vampires not caring about the fact that I didn't understand a word. My father-in-law grimaced at me to apologize but kept listening to the conversation unable to find an excuse to get rid of his obligations as a member of the non-official vampire council that didn't exist, supposedly... despite they were standing in front of me. I couldn't help laughing in my mind, reassured by the thought that Terra was keeping her promise and hiding my personal opinions from other people.

A waiter walked past me and I grabbed a glass of wine, taking advantage of my movement to turn around looking for my girls. Ruby's white tunic was easier to find and I realized that she was standing near the door leading to the gardens, I raised my head the way Dario advised me and walked with firm steps towards her ignoring rude guests that were ignoring me and also ignoring curious looks from others. The truth was that there was no reason for me to feel as nervous as I thought I should be at first since most bloodsuckers were kind to me but, once their curiosity was satisfied and after checking that I was just another human with nothing special, they behaved the way the used to do: they were conceited idiots. Like that Alexios elder did, they showed me condescending disdain disguised as kindness out of respect for Marcus.

However, the few humans invited monitored all my movements with morbid curiosity, examining my clothes, my gestures and words, who talked to me or what I was drinking. That very same morning I was thinking I'd feel awkward wile vampires watched me... but I understood I'd made a mistake soon: they were the members of my race the ones fixing their eyes on my back, and sometimes on Vera's back, but we didn't know why. I could've sworn there was even a hint of hostility... It felt really weird.

"Sorry, you're Iselen, aren't you?" A woman in her 40s stood in front of me, she was shorter than me, actually, but kept her back straight and moved with confidence wearing a designer dress, she smiled when I nodded and leaned forward to move her face closer to mine before growling angrily. "How did you do that? And not only with one but two... It's unfair, you should help your race sisters and tell us what the secret to grab their attention is so we get the gift too. Some of us have been trying for half of our lives and we aren't getting any younger, you know..."

"Baby, come with me, please, I need your help..." Ruby appeared next to me out of the blue unexpectedly and took my hand, pulling and dragging me to the gardens unceremoniously, leaving a shocked human behind without an answer. "Damn it..."

"What's wrong?" My girl flopped down on a stone bench in a discreet corner lit up by little candles inside crystal jars that Dario had hung from trees seeking a romantic atmosphere, and tapped on the seat next to her with her fingers. I obeyed and sat down with her, shuddering when the cold stone touched my butt covered with silk. Suddenly, something soft grazed my back and I realized that Terra was behind me, she'd taken her jacket off and was putting it on my shoulders carefully before lighting a cigarette with a candle, she started pacing up and down nervously in front of us.

"Vampires are social creatures... in small doses. We live with our families, have some friends, talk to our clan members, but it's rare for us to gather in big parties in one house like this one, it happens once or twice every century maybe, and in those occasions... we introduce our partners already turned into vampires."

"Do you mean Vera and I are... uncommon?" Ruby grimaced and Terra chuckled before puffing out smoke.

"I mean that... Yes, to be honest, Marcus and Dario were too excited with the idea of holding a party and you both were the perfect excuse, but they never took into consideration the fact that you're still human so most vampires ignore you and they'll keep doing it as long as you're humans... On the contrary, other humans are jealous."

"Because we're going to turn into vampires eventually..." I whispered when my mind got clear finally.

"Only a few humans know our secret and we only tell it to very special people like a housekeeper or a financial advisor who's able to help us with legal paperwork so the authorities think we live and die like you, to open back accounts and have tittle deeds. A lot of them help us in hope that we'll turn them even if we always state very clearly that the chance is very small, the amount of vampires that can live in this world, that can feed without grabbing unwanted attention and without becoming a problem for humans is limited and we all respect that rule."

"But there's no trick, I mean, Vera and I did nothing. It just happened..."

"They don't know that, well, some of them maybe do..." Terra shrugged and put the cigarette out squeezing it against the edge of a plant pot. "But it doesn't matter, they'll still believe there's a trick to get it, an opportunity, you'll be pestered nonstop till you tell them... It's human nature, I guess. The woman who talked to you is the wife of a banker who gives investment advice to three elders, she's been fluttering around vampires for almost 20 years trying to catch their eyes... but they'll keep ignoring her."

"Marcus and Dario feel bad for you and they're very sorry... They weren't expecting such a reaction, none of us thought about it, to be honest... Humans' feelings are confusing from our point of view sometimes." Ruby whispered and I shook my head, leaning forward to kiss her lips gently.

"Tell them it's okay, it's not their fault, the party is perfect, food was delicious and decorations gorgeous... Flowers, candles, wine... wonderful. They both have exquisite taste."

"You should be ashamed! Three women looking for the cover of darkness to do impure things... Touching each other in such a disgusting way..." I turned around shocked when hearing the bitter tone of voice but was only able to see a dark shadow in the middle of the path till I noticed a woman wearing black from head to toe that hid her face behind a delicate veil. She looked like a ghost out of a terror B-movie.

"We can't control the bond, madame." Terra growled quietly moving one step towards me protectively.

"Disgusting, you make me feel sick... Against Mother Nature's laws..." Ruby got up furiously but the vampire vanished before she could say a word, leaving me with my mouth wide open while my girls snorted upset.

"Seriously, I don't understand why Marcus keeps inviting her to his parties, I don't even understand why someone turned such a fanatic into a vampire... What were they thinking of?" Terra growled angrily while taking my hand to help me to get up and Ruby sighed, shaking her head. "She was a nun back in the 13th century or something like that, in Germany, I think..." The girl with stunning blue eyes explained when she saw my confused face while we walked back to the house. "She believes she has moral authority to lecture us every time she meets us, she's even worse than our brother John, a bore..."

"Babe..." I whispered suddenly when an idea made its way through my mind, something I should've thought of before but I'd forgotten with all the excitement. "Is there any of your ex-lovers, the ones Ruby mentioned, here tonight? Beautiful and sensual vampires that tempted you..." My girls shook their heads frantically, denying it with their eyes wide open, their response was fast but a bit too vigorous and I couldn't help looking at them out of the corner of my eye, suspiciously. "Are you sure?"