Chapter 45 DINNER WITH THE ELDERS
Lilian — POV
The dress Seraphine got me hung loosely against my body as I stared at my reflection, fingers tugging at the fabric like it might suddenly turn into something less… noticeable. It was dark and deep wine-red, almost black under certain angles with a slit that ran higher than I was comfortable with and a fitted waist that hugged my ribs a little too tightly.
I hated dresses and I hated events.
And I really hated the fact that my side still hurt.
My hand drifted unconsciously to my ribs, fingers pressing lightly where the plank had hit me the night before.
A sharp sting flared, not enough to cripple me, but enough to remind me that Jonah’s “stupid little trap” could’ve cracked something if I hadn’t reacted fast enough when he hit me with a plank last night.
“Asshole,” I muttered under my breath.
I straightened, rolled my shoulders back, and inhaled slowly. Pain or not, fear or not, I wasn’t about to limp into an elders’ gathering looking weak. I slipped on the shoes Seraphine insisted completed the look .. heels, of course and grabbed my coat just as a knock sounded at the door.
Just two knocks and I opened Seraphine car door for who i presumed to be the driver there.
I opened the door more Open to find a tall man standing outside, posture straight, face unreadable. His eyes flicked over me briefly not lingering, not judging just assessing.
“Miss Lilian,” he said calmly. “I’m here to escort you.”
I nodded once and stepped out, locking the door behind me and got into his car.
The ride was quiet, way too quiet.
The city lights blurred past the window as the car glided smoothly over the road. My knee bounced despite my effort to stay composed. My fingers curled and uncurled in my lap. Every now and then, a dull ache pulsed through my side when the car hit a bump, and I clenched my jaw to keep from reacting.
After what felt like forever, the car slowed.
When I looked up, My eyes shot wide open.
The hotel loomed ahead like something ripped straight out of a nightmare masquerading as luxury. Glass walls rose several stories high, glowing gold and red from the inside. Chandeliers sparkled behind the windows, light spilling out like molten fire. Valets stood rigid at the entrance. Vampires.. dozens of them walked in and out, dressed in elegant suits and gowns, laughing softly like this was the most normal thing in the world.
The driver glanced at me through the rearview mirror and chuckled.
“You like the place?”
I scoffed, lips curling. “You wish.”
His smile faded instantly as he faced forward again.
The car came to a stop. He stepped out first, walked around, and opened my door with a smooth bow.
“This way, miss.”
I got out, the cool night air brushing against my bare skin. I bowed slightly in return not because I respected him, but because manners were armor in places like this.
He led me inside.
The moment the doors to the party hall opened, sound crashed into me.
Music. Laughter. Glass clinking. Low voices layered over each other like a living thing.
I stopped short.
The hall was massive,crystal chandeliers hanging were from the ceiling, long tables dressed in black and silver, candles flickering everywhere. Vampires filled the space wall to wall. Hundreds of them. And the worst part?
They all looked… normal, very much have and beautiful.
My stomach twisted.
Their eyes followed me the second I stepped inside.
Every conversation dipped. Every laugh softened. I could feel their gazes crawling over my skin, weighing me, dissecting me.
I swallowed and forced my feet to move.
Don’t show weakness, Don’t show fear.
I drifted toward a nearby table and grabbed a glass of wine just to have something to do with my hands. My grip was tight enough that I worried the glass might crack.
I took a small sip but the taste was off.
Not sour. Not bitter. Just… wrong. Thick. Cold.
I swallowed anyway.
Half bread is better than none, right?
I plastered a smile on my face, nodding politely at no one in particular, pretending I belonged here. My ribs throbbed again, and I shifted my weight subtly, masking the discomfort.
I reached for another glass but someone else grabbed it at the same time.
I looked up.
She was stunning. Young-looking, smooth skin, sharp eyes that held far too much awareness. She smiled easily, like we were old friends.
“Sorry,” she said lightly. “Didn’t mean to steal your drink.”
She extended her free hand. “I’m Natalya. You?”
I hesitated for half a second before taking it. Her handshake was firm and confident.
“Lilian.”
Her brow shot up instantly. Her lips curled into a strange, knowing smile.
“Oh,” she said softly. “That explains why everyone’s gawking at you.” Her eyes flicked around the room. “We hardly ever get newbies.”
“Yeah…” I muttered, shrugging slightly. “…lucky me.”
She chuckled under her breath, then tilted her head. “Why don’t I lead you to where you’ll meet the elders? Save you the wandering.”
I nodded quickly. “Yeah. I’d like that. Thank you.”
She set her glass down without another word and turned. “This way.”
As we walked, I took in everything the way conversations hushed as we passed, the way some vampires watched me with curiosity while others looked… resentful. My skin prickled under it all.
My curiosity got the better of me.
“That wine,” I said quietly. “It tastes weird. What brand is it?”
She didn’t slow down.
“Oh,” she replied casually, “it’s frozen water diluted with blood from a dead vampire.”
My stomach lurched.
The room suddenly felt too warm. My throat tightened, nausea crawling up hard and fast. I stopped myself from gagging, swallowing thickly instead. Heat rushed to my face, and I knew I was flushed.
These monsters are disgusting.
She didn’t even look back.
She led me down a quieter corridor, the noise of the party fading behind us. The lights dimmed. Shadows stretched along the walls. My steps slowed instinctively.
We stopped at a dark door.
She opened it.
“Go on,” she said pleasantly.
I stepped inside.
The moment I crossed the threshold, the door slammed shut behind me.
The sound echoed and My heart dropped straight into my stomach.
I spun around, lunging for the handle but it was locked.
“Oh, you bloody devil,” I whispered, my breath shaking as the darkness swallowed the room whole.