Lurking in the Shadows (Completed)

Chapter 2

Mina

By week's end, the manor is so beautifully decorated with dark red and black roses. How she got it done in so little time I have no idea, but I knew it could be done. Mother comes down in an off the shoulder, corset, dark red silk dress, black lace over with a full skirt. Her dark brunette hair is curled and she put it in a top bun. Wearing a red rose choker.

“Mina! Why aren’t you dressed?! Guests will be coming soon!” Oh shoot, I look at the grandfather clock and realize that she’s right.

“Of course mother, I’ll go change. I was just admiring your decorations.” I smiled at her and she hugged me.

“I know it’s stunning what something so simple can do!” Mother beams at me with pride as I walk towards the stairs.

“I better go up and change.” I tell her nervously. I’ve never been good with parties. I always stand in a corner and no one usually bothers to talk to me. If they do, it’s just to be polite. I searched again in my closet to find a gown and I always made up some excuse not to find one. Now I really had to. I picked out a scarlet red silk ballgown with black lace in the middle. It was a Victorian dress that belonged to some relative, and my mother gave it to me for my birthday. There’s some black fringe on the skirt which I like and there’s some lace on the end of my sleeve to make it look nice. I pair it with a gothic brass necklace, and curl my dark brunette hair similar to my mother's. I use a little of mascara to make my gray eyes pop a little. Black heeled Victorian boots and I’m all done and ready to get this party over with.

I find my sisters Nyx and Willow waiting for me on the stairs. My sister Nyx is actually my twin and yet we’re total opposites. She totally embraced our vampireness, coffin bed, dark everything, so it’s not surprising when she picks a black corset ballgown with some fringe off the shoulders. My other sister Willow is two years younger than Nyx and I, but you wouldn’t think so. She has a blond, shoulder length curled hair, a sweetheart, corset, midnight blue ballgown, a silver belt and the skirt sparkles. Yeah that fits her too.

“Well look who finally decided to show up!” Nyx smirks at me.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah let’s just get this over with.” I groan in dislike and the others just giggle at my dislike for parties. Guests were already mingling with each other and having some food. Mother and father spotted us and hugged us. Mother in her gorgeous ballgown as always, and father in his tuxedo.

“Girls don’t you all look lovely.” Mother is beaming proudly as she looks at our choices for tonight. Father is too, but he just doesn’t show it like mother does.

“Excuse me, mother, I'm going to find something to eat, and get some fresh air.”

“Of course, dear.” I walk away from my family and grab a light salad greens. Dandelion greens, bacon, an olive oil/maple syrup dressing, and a poached egg on top. A little bitter, but just right. I put my plate back in the kitchen where I’m met with the lovely smile of our cook and my friend, Juniper Leek.

“Ah my dear, Mina. Did you enjoy your salad?” She gives me a smile as I finish drying off my plate.

“Of course I did. It was delicious as always.” I gave her a peck on the cheek, and hugged her. “I’m going to get some fresh air to get away from the stuffiness of the party.”

“Be careful dear! Some of the flowers have thorns, don’t want to tear your dress! And wear a cloak. It's cold outside” She looks at me with concern and I just keep my smile.

“Of course Juniper. I’ll be fine.” I wave back at her, grab my dark red cloak that surprisingly matched my dress and head towards the glass doors of the greenhouse which lead to the backyard. There’s a large stone archway that begins the gardens. We have all kinds of nocturnal flowers. Moonflowers, evening primrose, night-blooming jasmine, Casablanca lilies, various colors of flowering tobacco, gardenias, and night phlox which also glows in the dark. I like them all and like to make bouquets out of them to take to my room. I just keep wandering around and around until it is completely dark out and I can barely see the flowers in front of me. 

The night calms me and I relax. I find my way to the fountain and rest there. Taking in the moonlight. A half moon is out tonight, wish it was full so I could see where I was going. I can hear the waltz being played inside the house and everyone is oblivious to my disappearing, probably having a good time. The sound of the water trickling is so relaxing that it almost puts me to sleep, but I don’t. I listen to the music from the house in the distance and the waltzes are so pretty that I sway to them, and this is how I enjoy parties. By myself, without a bunch of eyes staring at me. I’m so distracted by the music that I didn’t hear the crunching of the snow or the branch break. Next thing I know I have a hand covering my mouth, even though I try to scream as loud as I can. I kick the person as hard as I can, but doesn't seem to phase the person and try to scream as loud as I can for help. The person just holds my mouth tighter and tilts my head to the side. I’ve learned that people only do that when they want to kiss or if they want to bite someone. I scream even louder since now I’m terrified. I feel the person bite me and it’s the most painful thing I’ve ever felt. Meaning that this person isn’t my mate… now I can’t give the most intimate thing I could give to my mate and I'm filled with guilt… the person finishes feeding off of me and just drops me onto the ground. I gasp for air as I’ve been screaming and not getting air; I feel so lightheaded and tired… I collapse in the snow and what once was white is probably now stained with my blood. I vaguely see Nyx coming out and screaming my name before everything goes black.