Blood and Mint Chocolates by Adrianne Brennan (summer books .TXT) 📗

outfit which embodied her own sense of style and tastes at all costs, she selected a deep olive colored silk and lace gown at one of the dress shops. The accessories she picked were fairy wings of a lighter green than the gown and a matching green-painted leather mask which provided the perfect finishing touch to the outfit.

Hours later, Merideth responded to the invitation by way of the enclosed phone number and managed to procure an escort to the ball from her hotel. To her astonishment, she discovered that the location of the event was on the other side of the island, but figured that the vacation resort area couldn't be all that huge anyway--or was it?

* * * *

The following evening, she rushed around to get ready, showering then putting on her clothing and makeup. Her skin's pallor shone beside the bright green, but it went nicely with her outfit and eyes. People might think she wore makeup to look that way on purpose, and at a ball it would go unnoticed. Perhaps she would only resemble yet another tourist whose skin hadn't yet been touched by the sun's rays. This realization comforted her. No one at the ball needed to know that her skin could never, ever see the sun for longer than necessary without the use of powerful spells. And those skills she most certainly did not possess.

Merideth glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Overall, she looked like a character from Midsummer Night's Dream. The elfish vampire couldn't tell if this resemblance was a good or a bad thing, but she liked the effect and determined that this was what was important.

With a strangely childish giggle, she grabbed her small matching purse--oh, how James would flip out at the bill, but shopping for all of the clothing and makeup had been so much fun--and ran out of her room to meet the escort.

Oh, Blood, I hope that this will be a fun evening.

Chapter Three

Eyes Filled With Stars

Merideth arrived at the ball on time, as was her nature. When she stepped out of the cab, her eyes took in the numerous colorfully dressed people wearing various styles of masks. Some costumes appeared classy, others struck her as being very sexy--she admired a rather well-shaped young woman dressed in a leopard-print suit and painted mask.

Some party, she thought with admiration. Maybe she would have a good time after all. Besides, why not? How bad could it be?

Some time later, she continued to delicately sip her sangria, mindful of James's words about enjoying herself in moderation. She mingled with the guests and made polite small talk while managing to not trip all over herself--oh, thank the Blood for her amethyst ring with all the spells on it that allowed her to enjoy alcohol! In the middle of sipping her sangria, she nodded and smiled at a young man's jokes--and heard laughter. Very familiar laughter.

Merideth froze and with great deliberateness turned around. Not too far from where she stood was a tall, curvy young woman with short, shockingly black hair and pale skin. A tight black leather mini dress with knee-length, black leather high-heeled boots and a black vinyl mask molded to her body. Aside from screaming "bad assed dominatrix", the dress poured over her curves, transforming the woman into a leather-clad painted canvas of sensual beauty. Like dark chocolate, even.

As she continued to gaze at the woman, her senses reeled. Vampire. Someone from her Order, no less--she could tell by the woman's aura--but more important, she knew the precise identity of the woman, and the knowledge made her stomach flip-flop.

Kalia, the magistra of Clan Corvus!

Merideth had harbored a secret crush on Kalia for decades and never imagined she would run into her while on vacation, let alone at the same party. With a greedy gaze she took in the vision, basking in its deliciousness. Kalia dressed most appetizingly in the hottest, dominatrix-style outfit she had ever imagined, let alone seen her wearing.

Moisture seeped between her legs, and she continued to stare at the raven-haired beauty before her. Not in all of her wildest fantasies could she have ever pictured running into the magistra at such a place as this--and there she stood in all of her dark, sexy glory. The sight filled her head with just too many ... ideas. She couldn't recall the last time she saw Kalia, and the last time they met, Merideth was lucky to get a few words out in a cordial conversation with her. Kalia made her feel as awkward and tongue-tied as an infatuated teenager with her first crush. What could she possibly say to her now when she was dressed in such a way that she couldn't think straight?

Oh Blood. Merideth downed the rest of the sangria.

"More?" the man dressed as a butler in a mask inquired.

Just leave me the entire bowl, thanks. "Oh, yes, please." Merideth couldn't drink enough alcohol tonight and wondered if the ring she wore would hold up. If only she was like other vampires of her age and could get drunk without it. Of all of the fancy balls in the world, why Kalia? she thought ruefully. Her cheeks warmed as she stared at her, and it had nothing to do with the alcohol. What was she doing here?

Time seemed to slip away from Merideth at the same speed as her inebriation. She made her way with as much caution as she could through the crowds of drunken guests, the realization penetrating her alcohol-induced fog that it would be best to leave the party indoors to get some fresh air outside. She turned towards the door, almost stumbling into another party attendee--a beautiful young redheaded woman carrying a huge, golden chalice which appeared filled with wine.

"Oh, excuse me!" the redhead exclaimed, laughing.

Her voice sang of music, pure music, and for a brief moment, Merideth wondered if she'd wandered into the realm of the Fae by accident. Not like it wouldn't have been the first time....