And then she was gone, leaving me alone with a group of vampires. Isabella and Razvan moved past us toward a hallway on the far side of the room, following other acolyte servants to their quarters. I scanned the room for my luggage, which I had left beside Roman's in the entry hall, and my stomach sank when I realized it was missing. They had taken my things with Roman’s. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t reached that conclusion sooner. No vampire traveled with their acolyte just to stay in separate rooms.
I wanted to ask Roman about it, but he had released my hand andstepped toward his remaining two generals, pulling them into a hug. “Glad you didn’t burn the palace down, Enso.”
Enso pulled back, his expression grim. Now that the chaos had subsided, I could truly take him in. Rugged yet refined, he had long black hair tied neatly away from his face and wore a simple white dress shirt that clung to his broad chest. His tanned skin glistened in the candlelight, highlighting his high cheekbones. Now that he wasn’t consumed by fury, I noticed the subtle smile lines next to his angled eyes. I had never seen a vampire who could rival Roman’s commanding presence, but Enso came close—like a mountain casting a shadow over the plains below.
“My temper got the best of me. For that, I apologize—you had to compensate for my errors,” he said, his voice deep and resonant like the rumble of the earth.
“Alexander is an asshole. If I were you, I would’ve torched him. Kind of disappointed you didn’t,” the other general remarked, his accent thick and voice raspy like gravel grinding together. He swept across the room and flopped into a white chair, the fabric stark against his black hair and clothing. He waved a lazy hand in my direction. “Roman, are you going to introduce us, or have you forgotten your manners?”
Roman turned back to me, a soft smile curling his lips. “Apologies. This is Estrella.”
I curtsied awkwardly, feeling the weight of their red eyes upon me. Enso stepped forward, his movements surprisingly graceful for such a large man, and dipped into a half bow. As he rose, he took my hand and pressed a gentle kiss to my knuckles. His skin felt like holding a live ember—a startling contrast to Roman’s cold touch.
“Oh, sunflower, flame that is born from flame, explosion into the sun…”Enso smiled, his eyes glinting like flickering torches from histowering height. “I am Enso, Count of the Ryujin House and General of War to the Crown. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
My mouth was agape as this chiseled warrior recited poetry to my fingertips, my brain utterly scrambled between fear and awe. I forced my mouth shut, struggling to comprehend the dichotomy of his nature—an unassuming volcano with the potential to erupt. Though he was polite, I was acutely aware of how easily he could end my life. I dipped my head. “Nice to meet you.”
The other general snorted loudly. I glanced past Enso to see him lighting a cigarette, smoke curling from the tip and filling the room with a sweet aroma. “Don’t mind Enso, sweetheart. He doesn’t know how to act like he’s from this century.”
He sauntered over to us, shouldering past an exasperated-looking Enso. Leaner than the others, he was all sharp angles and crisp style. Dressed as impeccably as Roman, he wore a black suit that hugged his sleek form. A strand of black hair framed his serpentine face, cropped short on the sides and long on top. As he drew closer, a thick green aura washed over me, mingling with the smoke from his cigarette.
“Sorin of the Bastard House and General of Intelligence, at your service.” He bowed dramatically, waving a hand inked with green dice. Symbols etched across his knuckles formed a language I didn’t recognize.
“You aren’t supposed to smoke in here,” Roman snapped, moving to stand beside Sorin. With all three vampires now close, every part of me was on edge, like a rabbit surrounded by wolves. My body thrummed with anticipation, making me bounce on my heels.
“Don’t bother. I’ve been arguing with him about it since we arrived,” Enso sighed.
Sorin’s expression shifted to one of pure mischief, his lips curling into a smirk as he sized up Roman. “What, now I have to follow Alex’srules?”
Roman crossed his arms, his muscles flexing distractingly. “It’s my rule.”
Sorin’s grin widened, revealing needle-like fangs. “Well, I certainly won’t be following that,Your Highness.”
He turned his gaze back to me. “Don’t be afraid to push him around, sweetheart. He’s all bark and no bite.”
I smiled at that. It reminded me of watching my cousins bicker back and forth, trying to annoy each other without ever actually fighting. “Based on what I witnessed in the foyer, I’d have to disagree.”
“I like her,” Enso said, nodding approvingly at me.
“That makes two of us,” Sorin winked, his eyes lazily scanning me. It was a look I was all too familiar with—the assessing gaze of a man undressing me with his eyes. It made me want to cover myself, but I refused to give him that satisfaction. “If you ever tire of featherhead, let me know, sweetheart.”
My cheeks flushed, but Roman spoke before I could, his tone a sharp threat. “Don’t play your games, Sorin. Leave her alone.”
Sorin’s eyes sparkled like a Yule tree, flitting between Roman and me. His head tilted to the side, the motion disturbingly reminiscent of how Roman analyzed me. He flicked ash from his cigarette onto the white carpet. “Very interesting.”
At that moment, Isabella reentered the room, now clad in a simple house gown. She had been beautiful in that ruffled dress, but I preferred her in this simpler attire; it allowed her remarkable beauty to shine through. Sorin immediately abandoned his analysis of me, rushing over to her and sweeping her up in a tight hug. “Bells, I missed you!”
He appeared younger in that moment, his eyes glittering in a way I thought impossible past his nefarious smirk. Enso followedand wrapped both of them in a hug, momentarily diminishing his imposing presence to that of something soft and comforting. “I missed you too, loves,” Isabella gasped, wriggling free from their embrace.
They began chatting animatedly, but at that moment, a gentle touch brushed against my arm. I looked up to see Roman standing beside me, his expression soft in stark contrast to the gore still staining his front.Truth for a truth?
I smiled. His thoughts brushed against my mind like a silken tendril, comforting and gentle.Yes.
What do you think of my generals?
I like them. You’re fortunate to have a family like this.I hadn’t realized until that moment why warmth had bloomed in my chest. Watching a family enjoy each other's company, their burdens lifted by each other’s presence, was a comforting but bittersweet sight.
You could be part of that family if you wanted.
