“No, thank you, this is plenty.”
He whisks back into the kitchen. I’m still feeling anxious, and a little emotional, after my phone call with my brother. But I push that away as I dig hungrily into the food. Everything isincredible. I savour every bite, grateful to Clarance and the kitchen staff. It was so kind, what he said about taking care of me. I think of my luxurious bedroom, of the delicious wine I had at the celebration last night. I have to admit, the benefits of this job are amazing. Even if the pay wasn’t what it was, I can understand why this might appeal to someone.
“Paige!” shouts a chipper voice. I turn to see Chelsie and Sean enter the restaurant. They’re both wearing comfortable pajamas. Cheslie’s hair is in a long braid, and Sean has a robe and fluffy slippers on. Iwave to them, and they join me at my table, their eyes widening as they take in the restaurant’s fancy decor and stunning views.
“This isgorgeous,” Sean gasps.
“Ooh! Can I taste some?” Cheslie asks, not waiting for an answer before popping a bacon-wrapped mochi in her mouth. She gives me a thumbs-up as she chews. “Mmm!”
“Eloise said all of this iscomped?” Sean says, looking in amazement at the spread of food in front of me. “If I had known how sweet this gig is, I’d have signed up ages ago!”
“Vampires or no, I’d do it just for this food,” Chelsie says, helping herself to a french fry. Then she gives me a devilish grin. “But the vampires are pretty nice too.”
A little flush comes to my cheeks as I notice the two distinct bite marks on Chelsie’s neck. Self-consciously, I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. When Sean reaches over to take a spring roll, I see that he has a similar mark on the underside of his wrist. I run a finger nervously along the mark on my own forearm. When Crimson drank my blood, she drank it from the cut I already had. What would it be like to have a vampire sink their fangs into you like that?
But before I can wonder any more, Clarance arrives at the table and greets Sean and Chelsie, who order a pitcher of red sangria to share. Clarance leaves them a food menu before going back to the kitchen.
“Little hair of the dog,” Chelsie says. “Oof, I’ve never drank so much wine in one night!”
“I don’t really have a hangover, though,” Sean comments. “Do you think it’s because of the quality of the wine?”
“Is that a thing?” Chelsie asks.
“Who knows,” Sean chuckles. “Maybe it’s from being glamoured.”
“I can’tbelievewe’re being paid to do this,” Chelsie sighs happily. Then she turns to me. “How are you doing, Paige? I saw you with that hot vampire last night, the one who’s in charge.”
“You’resolucky,” Sean says, leaning over the table. “How was she? Did she glamour you before she bit you?”
“Where did she do it?” Chelsie asks, scanning my neck and wrist for bite marks. Then her eyes widen. “Was it yourthigh?”
My face reddens. “Oh, um…I cut myself, so she just drank a little of my blood, from my wrist,” I explain, showing them my forearm.
“She didn’t bite you?” Chelsie says, with a frown.
“You shoulddefinitelyask her to bite you next time,” Sean adds knowingly.
I remember when Crimson leaned closer to me on the couch. When she told me she could make it feel good. That strong ache of desire returns to my stomach, and curiosity gets the better of me.
“What’s…what’s it like, when they bite you?” I ask, my voice a little hushed.
“It’samazing,” Chelsie sighs, dreamily.
“It’s better than sex,” Sean concurs.
Clarance arrives with the drinks, and takes Chelsie and Sean’s orders.
My phone buzzes. It’s a text from my brother. A picture of the two of us, with my mother, before she died.
Found this on my phone. I think she’d be proud of you. You’re a good big sister.
His words almost bring tears to my eyes. I text him back immediately.
She’d be proud of you. You’re doing something really hard, and I’m proud of you, too.
I put my phone back down.
Maybe I don’t need to leave the mansion. Now my decision feels a little hasty. Yes, last night was terrifying, and unexpected. But I have a responsibility to my brother. He’s getting the help he needs, and doing the work. He’s the most important person in my life, and I don’t know what I would do if something happened to him. I promised him I would get the money to pay for his treatment, and that’s what I have to do.
