Of Fangs & Fins

Twenty Four

SR: Nourish - we're not good together anymore

twenty-four.

Eryn.

"Do you think that's really why she showed up?" Sagan asked me as we made our way into the ballroom.

"It must've been, she wanted to do something," I replied, showing the two vampires at the door a copy of Chris' clan invitation. I cringed at the fact that I was roped into their clan. I didn't want to be a part of anything. It was too restricting. They traveled a lot sure, but they were so domesticated. There was such politics when it came to clans.

We stepped into the room and I looked around, taking in all the vampires that were in one place. I rarely saw so many together and it made me uncomfortable. There was a tense air to the room and I knew that everyone was uncomfortable. Vampires in large numbers weren't a good idea. Even when the room a bigger than any other I had laid eyes on. 

Lucinda Price really had outdone herself.

There were decorations everywhere, gold and white balloons hung from the chandelier. Tables and chairs were off to the side where little tags with clan names on them. There was a dancefloor, in which only the younger vampires chose to dance on. The older ones were already taking their seats or standing awkwardly talking with others at the bar. They were mostly huddled up near the exit. 

I settled over at the bar with Sagan, pouring myself bourbon. I threw some back, repressing down my feelings. Marina threw me off completely. I still was annoyed that Ami and Marina showed up. More for Marina than Ami. It was extremely dangerous for a mermaid to be here. If any of these vamps had picked on her scent...

"Heads up," Sagan mumbled, her eyes narrowing as she looked at someone.

"Ladies," Lucinda's shrill voice called out, her haughty gaze settling over us, "and the Three Musketeers are back."

I rolled my eyes, taking in the sight of Luce. She wore a tight black sequin dress and her golden locks were clipped upon her head. Her red cat-like eyes studied me intently, leaving a cold chill on my lower back. "As if," I muttered, knocking back another shot.

Sagan leaned closer to me, an impish grin set on her face. "Looks like you got the short end of the stick, Luce."

Luce's eyes glazed, a secret smile tugging on her red lips. "Oh, you're wrong, mon chéri. What I have found for this glorious night is something that I'm sure everyone will enjoy."

I straightened up, hoping it was the mermaids. "Oh?" I raised a brow, tugging softly on a curl that had fallen from her face. 

She grabbed my wrist with a speed I wasn't ready for. "Word has it, you're the one looking for my special treats. Your little sire sibling sang like a canary," Luce grinned, leaning towards my ear, "however if you have a little taste, no one here will blame you. I'm sure you've already had one, you looked dried out, love."

I yanked my head away from her lips, staring at Sagan. "She's offering some playtime, do you think that sounds good?" My expression didn't falter, I couldn't let this b***h get into my head. Luce knew me during my worst moments of my life, she knew how to push all the right buttons.

At yet, at the same time, I knew which ones to press for her.

Sagan caught my drift and nodded eagerly. "Oh, I've been wanting a taste."

The edges of Luce's mouth curved upwards, "Just like old times?"

I smirked, nodding enthusiastically.

↝↝↝↜↜↜

Marina.

"You really know how to make an entrance, darling," Lance muttered, grabbing my arm tightly as we made our way past the throng of vampires. All eyes were on me, different shades of reds. It was like walking into the lions' den. I was beginning to understand why I wasn't wanted here. My blood was a huge attention grabber.

I watched as Eryn and Sagan talked with a woman at the bar. The woman looked like the prettiest vampire in the room. Her hair was gorgeous, falling in soft curls around her heart-shaped face. There was a natural purse to her red painted lips that had me entranced. Her sparkly black dress made everyone around her seem bland. "Is that Lucinda?"

"Yes, Seattle's quaestor. I see Eryn and Sagan are already at it," Lance mumbled. He led us towards a table with a nametag on it. I peered over at the card, pronouncing the name carefully. It was written in a delicate script, something I was still getting the hang of understanding.

"Verconis?" I asked, "Is that your... clan?"

"Yes, Chris and I established ourselves into the society years ago, meeting others along the way. Turned vampire clans are a bit different from pure bloodlines," Lance nodded, "however vampires are all about politics, especially at this time. All the vampires around Seattle are invited to this shindig, and knowing how vampires go, they like to see the clans that attend this area. Chris and I aren't really into the whole drama of it, but it creates peace and there's strength in numbers."

"How many clans are there?" I asked, watching as Lucinda and Eryn walked out of the room with Sagan in tow.

"In here there are seven. The Draven clan is the largest in numbers," Lance motioned towards a group of vampires dressed in black standing over at the bar. You could almost see the power rolling off them in waves.

"Whoa," I breathed out, watching as one vampire broke from the crowd and made his way towards us. His skin was almost translucent and his beady little red eyes settled over me, an eerie glint in them. He licked his lips. 

He stood in front of Lance and took a slight bow. "Sir."

"Hello, Simon. How have you been these past hundred years?" Lance tightly smiled, an air of power to him I didn't notice until now. I could see the difference in age and power between the two. Simon took on a more submissive role as he spoke to Lance.

"Very good, although the last time I saw you, you went by Laurel," Simon sneered.

Lance tensed, slowly letting out a breath. "And the last time I saw you, you were taking your last human breath. I think it's best you walk away, maggot."

Simon's eyes blazed and they met mine for a moment. I stiffened, looking anywhere else but at him. "Ocean dweller," he seethed before he looked away.

"What the Hell was that?" I asked, turning to Lance.

His face held a stoic expression. "A lot of vampires here are old fashion. Some don't take to kindly to open-minded things. Vampires aren't that far off from humans, sometimes."

"What a jerk," I muttered, scanning the room for Eryn. I knew she had gone at this point, but I couldn't help but wonder what she was doing right now. Did she like being around these people?

"How is it back home for you?" Lance asked, "I know your kind are very secretive and for every reason. You don't have to answer."

I shook my head. "I'm okay with sharing, I trust you all. You're helping me get my friends back."

"Eryn and Sagan are finding them right now, they'll let us know for a location," Lance explained, "I'm sorry they got into this mess, frankly."

"I don't blame any of you. I was raised to fear vampires sure, but to also see the good in people." I trailed off, "Well at home, I'm a princess. Since my sister died, I stepped into the light of royalty more. I'm going through the adjustment period."

Lance's thin hot pink eyebrows shot up. "Adjusting on land?"

I blushed, looking away for a moment. I didn't want to think too much about why I was here. "Yeah, what happens if I use the bathroom?" I turned to Lance.

"You'll be a nice little prepped meal," Chris whispered behind me, causing me to shriek. I caught the attention of some vampires, but I slowly began to realize it wasn't me they were looking at. 

Some eyes were on Chris and the quiet murmuring of the room turned to a slow standstill for a moment. Only the background music of classical music could be heard. What was it with vampires and classical music? Where were the drums? A wave of nostalgia hit me in the gut. Back at home, sometimes we would head to our own beach and play drums carved shellstone drums. The strange sound that came from it always lulled me into a nice feeling. 

"You made it in time, the Draven's were getting antsy," Lance chuckled.

Chris's eyes were slits and he stared at the group of vampires from afar.

Chris kissed Lance on his temple before he sat down across from us. He had his whole back to the world around him and he truly seemed comfortable doing it. I was beginning to wonder how much older he was to the ones in the room.

Chris' eyes met mine for a moment and he winked. "Older than you think."

My brows shot up, turning my head away. Could he read my mind?

Chris chuckled softly, "it's written all over your face. I don't have to be a mind reader to know what you're thinking."

I breathed a sigh of relief, glad to know that my mind wasn't being read all the time. A small part of me still thought ht could read my mind though. He answered all my questions with no problem... I chose not to dwell upon it, for now.

"Oh, and if you wear this, you can go to the bathroom safely. Humans work at this Hotel," Lance reached over and pricked my boob for a moment with something sharp.

"Ouch!" I looked down and stared at a pin that was on my dress. A 'V' was carved into a metal spade-shaped triangle. I watched as the pin shone in the ballroom lighting. It was a beautiful piece of jewelry. "This shows I'm in your clan?"

Chris chuckled, "in some sort of sense."

"He's saying you're his thrall, honey," An ebony toned woman approached Chris dutifully. I raised my brow and blushed, embarrassed at the thought of when Eryn bit me. Was I her thrall? 

Lance rolled his eyes. "Minerva, how nice to see you."

I took this chance to get up from my seat and leave the room. The doors were heavier than I thought and the sound of me struggling to open it grabbed the attention of some vampires. My heartbeat quickened and it suddenly dawned on me that they could hear that. They could surely smell my fear. 

I darted out of the room and walked into the lobby. I looked around wondering where could Eryn have run off to. I knew I shouldn't have cared, but the thought of her aura came across my mind. What was she doing? 

I couldn't think about that now because I knew they were doing what they could to find Flynn and Sydney. I had no idea where could they be. I wasn't cut out for recon like this. Flynn lived for all this stealth s**t. If it were the other way around, he would've probably already found me by now. I hated doing any sort of training that my father forced me to do. He wanted me to learn how to be a ruler, not a warrior. I didn't want to be in charge of any sort of people like that. I couldn't stand to lose anyone in a time of war. I wanted to be the one fighting for them, not having them protect me.

In Aqueria, almost everything around us was an adversary. Moreso, the ocean was a big place. The open land surrounding the kingdoms weren't safe. He was always concerned about how much open space the Serpents had. They were creatures controlled by mermaids that chosen to drift off outside of the kingdom. Aqueria wasn't the only kingdom in the ocean. However, it was what in-between that was a problem.

I felt the same way here, that I did in Aqueria. This was no man's land. I had no idea where to start looking. 

After a while of roaming hall, I finally saw elevators in the distance. I picked up my speed and power walked towards the room. 

Stopping dead in my tracks, I held my breath as I saw the familiar tattooed girl in front of me. Eryn walked into the room from another hallway, Lucinda's arm looped with hers.

Lucinda was leaning heavily onto Eryn, giggling. Eryn leaned forward with her signature smirk and whispered something in her ear. The doors open and Sagan was inside a Cheshire grin on her face. They stepped into the elevator with her. I waited for the doors to close before I approached the elevator watching as the numbers went up. They hit the top floor within minutes. I rolled my eyes, of course, it was the penthouse. Pressed the button and tapping my foot, I wished the elevator would move faster. If they were on to a lead I would like to know.

It looked less like a lead to me, I thought.