Chapter 33: Chapter Sixteen - Part One

Charlie

Sleep was peaceful and I guess much needed as I slept late into the day. Maxwell didn’t bother to wake me and now I’m left with little amount of time before the presentation begins.

“You’re nervous, I understand, but nothing terrible is going to happen.” Maxwell rubs my arms, trying to calm me.

“What exactly is going to happen? I mean, what’s the purpose of this presentation anyways?” Part of me wants to know and the other part of me is scared to death to find out.

“Think of this as our engagement celebration.”

“Engagement celebration, but you didn’t ask me to marry you.” Marriage? He’s comparing this to marriage.

“I can if that will make it easier for you. You’re my bride, Charlie, in the eyes of vampires and in the human terms.”

“A dead bride, not a bride in a gorgeous white dress.”

“Is that what you want? To walk down the aisle in a white dress in front of every single person you know?”

“Maybe. Is that so hard to believe?”

“No.” He remains silent for a bit. I’m just about to say something when he starts to speak again. “After this we can go back home and you won’t have to worry about impressing anyone or have death looming over your shoulder. I’ll give you all the time you need to decide when to start the change.” He changes the subject quickly. Maybe it’s because he can’t truly give me that big wedding.

I go with the change of conversation. I don’t want to talk weddings with Maxwell anyways. “I need to find something to wear.”

“I already have something picked out for you,” Maxwell says as he walks past me straight into the bedroom. There’s no doubt in my mind that my mouth wants to question his intentions when he stops in front of the large oak armoire in the corner of the room, but I remain quiet as he opens it widely. He pushes several clothes that I assume to be his to the right and reaches deep inside.

He pulls out a long black dress bag on a thick plastic hanger. I can see the muscles in his forearm flex from the weight. My heart races as he slowly unzips it. I have no idea why I’m so anxious. Please don’t be a white dress. Please don’t be a wedding dress for christ sake.

After he removes the bag it glides gently to the floor. Finally I’m able to view what’s hidden inside. A gorgeous black silk mermaid style evening gown with a pink corset top stares back at me. Fabric that flares out in the form of a train of sorts from the waist down creates a slender silhouette.

“You…you want me to wear that?” I’m speechless at its beauty, yet also speechless about the presentation once again. “A formal gown. Maxwell, what are you not telling me? There is no business engagement celebration in the world where a person would wear this fancy of a gown.”

“It’s a very formal event. I’ll let you get changed. Grace brought shoes and accessories from your closet to match. They’re over by the dresser.”

I don’t get a chance to refuse or demand that he answers my question of what he is hiding from me, because he immediately walks out and shuts the door. Mumbles of terror spill out of my mouth as I shimmy into the dress. I twist my arm as far back as it can go only to hang my head in defeat. I have to ask for assistance in zipping up the last two inches or so.

Sitting as best as I can on the edge of the bed, I put on black studded earrings and silver and black bangle bracelets along with a pair of black heels before I face the music. “Maxwell,” I say into the empty room with my back to the door.

He immediately enters within seconds as if he were waiting right outside. “Yes, Charlie.” There’s a seductiveness to his voice that I’m sure is intentional.

“Zip me...please.” I feel his ice-cold fingers touch my back as he grasps the zipper. It sends a shiver down my spine.

“Are you cold?” he asks.

“I’m not the cold one. You’re fingers, they’re like ice cubes.” I spin around to face him. I ignore his love-struck stare. “I have to fix my hair.”

“Make sure you put it up. You need to show everyone your...” His fingers trail along the side of my neck that he bit me on.

“I feel more like a piece of property than a bride. Except instead of a hickey it’s two puncture marks that have been bit into my flesh.”

“Well, you are mine, love. And sometimes I bite.” He removes his shirt as he replies back. He takes in my annoyed gaze. “What? We have about twenty minutes left to get ready before we have to leave. I can’t always spare you from admiring me, although I do enjoy it.” His smile puts butterflies in my stomach and causes my heart rate to accelerate, which causes me to forget his owning me comment.

Pushing the feelings down, I roll my eyes and grumble to myself. “I’ll bite you,” I say in a hushed voice in the bathroom doorway, unable to keep my mouth shut.

“And I’ll be looking forward to that day,” he jokes.

With a loud exhale, I slam the bathroom door. I glare at my reflection, inspecting every last inch. A small swollen lump on my bottom lip draws my attention. Where the hell did that come from? I shrug it off as to biting it in my sleep.

By no means have I ever been good at fixing my hair, but after several different tries I manage to put it up in a slick high bun. A light tap on the door breaks my concentration.

“Charlie, are you almost ready? We need to get going so we’re not late to our own celebration.”

I open the door to find Maxwell leaning up against the doorframe. My heart speeds up at the sight of him in his sleek black suit and pink tie that appears to match the pink of my dress. This is more like prom than a wedding. A small smile plays across his face. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing, just excited.” He grabs my arm and drapes it over his as we walk to the door.

“How’s your hand?” he asks, picking at the white bandages that still wrap my palm.

“Fine, it’s scabbed over. I thought I would keep it hidden, because it doesn’t look appealing.”

He remains holding my hand through the elevator ride, the lobby, and out of the hotel altogether. Occasionally, I try to slip my hand out of his grip, but he tightens his fingers around mine, not allowing it. A sleek black car waits for us outside the front doors. I didn’t realize we would be leaving the hotel, otherwise I would have grabbed a sweater of some sort.

The car ride is short, but my nerves make it feel like hours pass. Maxwell remains holding my hand, gently caressing it the whole way. Immediately after the car stops Maxwell assists me out. The first thing I spot is an extravagant mansion like manor. Maxwell waits a few seconds before he starts to walk toward the large building.

“Who lives here?” I ask in hushed voice.

“Benjamin.” The word comes out almost hateful.

Maxwell’s pace quickens as we make our way up the front steps. I stop abruptly, trying to collect a small sliver of tranquility before I have to endure whatever it is that is about to happen. The hold he has on me breaks and he involuntarily takes a few steps without me. I watch his hand jolt out into the air as if it were searching for mine. His hand trembles just slightly, but as soon as his fingers wrap around mine, his strong grip doesn’t waver again.

A tall man with a monstrous look to him answers the door before we can knock or ring a doorbell. I can only stare; his complexion looks almost greenish to my eyes. His voice is loud and thunderous. “Welcome, Master Barnett.” He opens the door wider and waves us inside.

I turn toward Maxwell to ask what that is…who that is, but he shakes his head just a fraction and continues to guide me down several halls. We stop outside a set of engraved wooden double doors. I observe the terror in Maxwell’s eyes. It’s barely visible. You would have to be looking for it to see it. I only spot it because my face most likely holds the same fearful expression.

“It’ll be over soon and then you can relax.”

“That…that dude was green…like green green,” I say, completely baffled. All Maxwell does is nod in response. “Why?”

“I don’t know why, Charlie, too many peas maybe. Can we get back on topic?”

“And what would that be?”

“If you call them by their names they’ll be impressed.”

“I don’t know their names. To be honest I don’t even know how many of them there are.” My mind races. I have no idea if I can remember any information under this stress.

“There are five of them. You already know two. Benjamin will be in the center, to his right will be Eugene and next to Eugene will be Oliver. To Benjamin’s left will be Duke and next to Duke will be Robert.”

I nod my head, forcing each name to soak in. I repeat the names in my head. Oliver, Eugene, Benjamin, Duke, Robert. Maxwell pushes the doors open and several eyes turn toward me. My body freezes up, my limbs refuse to gracefully bend, and the sound of my heartbeat pounds in my ears. However, I keep repeating the names. Oliver, Eugene, Benjamin, Duke, Robert. I’m sure a few eyes can see Maxwell kindly push me along. The doors slamming closed behind us makes me jump, making the situation even better.

I don’t know what came over me, but with all those unfamiliar eager eyes staring at me I can only panic. There are a few faces I recognize in the crowd of people, but not enough to make this dread that burrows in my gut subside.

Maxwell moves his grip from my hand to around my waist. He leads me up to a row of five throne like chairs. I identify Eugene and Benjamin instantly. Eugene smiles kindly at me, but Benjamin gives me a harsh, cold grimace. Can he see I’m scared? Can he tell I don’t want to be here? Be with Maxwell?

I remain silent, waiting for Maxwell or one of The High Council members to speak first. I see four women and one man sit off to the side on my right. I recognize Grace, who sits in the middle seat. She smiles briefly at me before her eyes go back to the five men who demand everyone’s attention without even speaking. I can’t understand why those individuals are separated from the rest of the crowd.

Maxwell’s low voice pulls me out of my thoughts. “We can start, Benjamin.”

Benjamin’s gaze moves to me. I didn’t know if I should speak or not, but I decide to anyways. “Nice to see you again, Benjamin.” I shift my gaze over to Eugene. “Eugene,” I state with a slight nod of my head. I intended to introduce myself and state the other members’ names like Maxwell told me to, but Benjamin’s commanding voice stops me.

I become stick straight as he calls a start to the presentation. Maxwell’s arm that’s still around my waist tightens, trying to calm me as Benjamin addresses the room. “You have all been asked here to witness the start of the eternal merging of Maxwell Barnett and his future vampire bride, Charlie Preston. In this everlasting life as a vampire they have agreed to trust and love each other as equals. Forever.”

My heart thumps wildly in my chest at his words. My palms are starting to sweat, causing the bandages on my left hand to become damp and cool, which starts to make my scabs itch. Benjamin continues talking, oblivious to my inner battle. “The next time we all gather for Maxwell and his bride, Ms. Preston will be one of us. She will bathe in the moonlight and feed on life.”

Oh my God, I think I’m going to be sick. Time stands still as Benjamin and Eugene take turns talking. I block out what they say, afraid to hear it. Maxwell’s strong arm keeps me standing upright. I imagine the sunlight washing over me as I inhale deeply, getting completely lost in my anti-vampire daydream. Eugene’s voice at close proximity rips me away from my safe sanctuary.

“Charlie, may we ask you some questions?” Eugene asks, standing in front of me. He holds out his hand and I have no choice but to place my hand in his. I feel Maxwell’s fingers trail along my back as I slip away from him. A look over my shoulder to gain some strength from him seemed like a good idea, but once I meet his darkened stare it doesn’t help. Deep down I know he can feel my fear, but there’s nothing he can do to help me. I’m stuck defending myself.

Eugene walks me up to stand in front of Benjamin before he leaves my side. The feeling of being naked engulfs me as five sets of questioning eyes scan my body from head to toe. Benjamin’s once loud, overbearing voice speaks in a gentle, soft tone toward me. “Ms. Preston, by arriving here with Maxwell you are accepting your fate as a vampire. By doing so I am to assume that you know and trust him very well.”

With a lump growing in my throat, I just nod my head in acceptance. My eyes dart between the five men as I try to guess the outcome of this conversation.

“You know of Maxwell’s violent past and the punishment he was given. He has been known for being merciless to his past donors. Has he been volatile toward you in any way?” I look at the man who speaks the question. If I remember correctly, his name is Robert. His honey-colored eyes bore into mine as he waits for an answer. He looks well-groomed compared to the other members with their unshaven faces.

I take a deep breath, trying to buy myself some time to think of something great to say. “I’m very aware…” My voice cracks, allowing them to hear my fear in case they failed to see it. I clear my throat as quietly as possible.

“It’s okay, Charlie, we’re not here to judge or punish. Go on, my child,” Oliver assures me. I can’t help myself from comparing him to a pirate. His disheveled black hair, his thin moustache that lines his top lip, and his chin has the illusion of being pointy due to a goatee, but his nurturing words are nothing but that of a caring individual.

I brush off the child statement and speak my words in a gentle, steady voice. “I’m very aware of Maxwell’s past and he has assured me many times that he has changed over the years. From what I heard,” more like read, I think to myself, “and from what I have seen, I know for a fact that he’s no longer that cold-hearted monster people perceive him to be.”

My gaze lands on Benjamin. I see his eyes linger on the bite mark that’s clearly visible. “Was the bite by choice?” Why are they asking me these questions? Benjamin stares at me with narrow eyes, waiting for an answer to his inquiry.

My hand goes up to my neck, grazing the bite mark. The two small punctures have been healed for some time now. Only two scabs that are flaking away remain. I’m tempted to pick at them, but decided against it because I don’t want to listen to Maxwell bicker. “If you’re suggesting that he forced me to endure this bite against my will or put his vampire charm on me, you would be wrong. We talked about it for some time before the deed was done.”

I can tell Benjamin is getting annoyed with my heartfelt answers. Nonetheless, I’m not going to slip up and he can’t ask me questions all day. “Are you aware that you are the only female who has been born in your family line? All the women in your family have been married to descendants of the original bloodline. You’re the first daughter born for decades.”

What? Maxwell just talked about this last night before I fell asleep. He said that none were for the liking and now I know why. He didn’t want a groom, he didn’t want a bride that wasn’t truly descended from the bloodline.

“Very lucky, isn’t he?” Benjamin asks.

I try my hardest to keep my facial expression happy and light, but his words claw at me, leaving deep grooves in my heart. Without wanting to, thoughts of Maxwell’s deception and lies gradually fill my mind. For all I know he wants me to be his bride because I’m his last chance. The last woman he can take advantage of without having to wait several more years.. I see a small smile on Benjamin’s mouth as if he enjoys the possibility of his words tearing Maxwell and myself apart.

Benjamin’s eyes break away from mine. He stares at the people behind me or at the wall. Abruptly, his hand stretches out as his voice fills the room. “Grace, darling, would you gather the ceremonial supplies?”

Grace? Darling? I watch her as she jumps up and almost runs toward him with a silver bowl and a small dagger. Unintentionally, I take a step back. I come to a stop when I bump into a tall, muscular body behind me. Maxwell once again wraps his arm around my waist and pushes me forward. My eyes widen as I see the light reflect off the metal blade.

Eugene holds the silver bowl as Benjamin stands in front of Maxwell. Without being asked, Maxwell holds out his free arm. I want to look away more than anything, but my curiosity forces me to gawk at what plays out before me. Benjamin places the knife’s point in the middle of Maxwell’s wrist. In one fluid motion, he drags the blade all the way down to the tip of Maxwell’s middle finger. I watch as dark blood oozes out of the long slice. It looks almost like syrup as it drips into the metal bowl.

When Benjamin stands in front of me, I begin to sway on my feet. Maxwell keeps me steady, but my insides are a mess. I think for sure that my heart will rip out of my chest and land on Benjamin’s feet. With the heat that rises to my head, I find it incredibly hard to speak. I allow Maxwell to grab my left hand. He unwraps my bandages with ease. I look down at the scabbed over cuts. I have to agree with Maxwell about re-injuring an already injured hand instead of leaving me with both hands sliced open. Benjamin briefly looks from my scarred hand to Maxwell as if accusing him of doing this.

When Maxwell asked me earlier about how I was healing, I had no idea that this was why he was asking. I squint my eyes shut as I see Benjamin raise the dagger. I feel the cold metal tip dig into the middle of my wrist. I suck in a breath and bite my bottom lip as the searing hot pain radiates up my arm as the blade slowly works down the middle of my hand. I refuse to whimper or cry from the pain in front of these people.

When I feel the sharp point run off the end of my middle finger, I open my eyes. Glancing down I see blood that’s lighter in color than Maxwell’s cascade into the bowl. The stream that pours out of my hand flows faster and looks thinner in consistency.

Before Eugene takes the bowl away, Maxwell starts to re-wrap my now fresh wound. He puts my hand against his chest. The thought of his crisp black shirt getting a blood stain on it crosses my mind. The thin layer of bandages is not enough to soak up the flowing blood. His arms encircle me, causing my hand to get pushed into his chest harder. I start to feel his shirt get sticky and wet.

He whispers in my ear, “Almost done. You’re doing great, Charlie.”

“The presentation will be concluded with a kiss,” Benjamin declares.

With each word Benjamin speaks the more I hate him. The feel of Maxwell’s fingers gently wrapping around the back of my neck makes a trail of goosebumps break out over my exposed skin. My eyes quickly find his. Before I have time to process, which is for the better, Maxwell places his mouth upon mine. His lips are smoother than I expected. He pulls me in tighter, deepening the kiss. The small cut on my bottom lip twinges with pain as he slips my lip in between his lips. My chest presses up against my hand that still separates us. My hand throbs in unison with the thumping of my heart.

Maxwell finally pulls away. He nods his head to Benjamin and the others before turning to leave the room. I leave my hand on his chest because the coolness that emits from him feels nice on my wound. We walk out the large wooden double doors that we entered all too long ago, leaving behind whispers and prying eyes. Shock stops any conversation that could start on the way back to the hotel.